Bible study/lesson

Although it often gets the left-overs of our youth's time, it is of the utmost importance. It is worth putting time and effort into to make them as affective as possible.

1. All modern educational practices come into play.
   
   1. If you haven't done so already, take classes in modern educational theory and techniques.
      
   2. Most kids are used to the use of media, short, experience-based learning activities, discussions. They are not used to lecture, read and respond or other passive approaches. Research also shows that the active styles are effective and the passive styles are ineffective.
      
2. Modern youth are used to a “what's it mean to me and my life” point of view to learning.
   
3. Keep in mind the developmental stages: 4-6^th grades are data gatherers – facts and figures are what they crave; 7th-9^th are interested in integrating the facts into their lives and the rest of life; 10^th and above are ready for abstract concepts and deep theology.
   
4. Point out that Bibles come with a table of contents. It is a waste of time having them thumb through the Bible pretending they know where a book is. Point out that many Bibles start with page 1 again with Matthew. [It is fair and helpful if they are looking for Acts, for example, to recite: “Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts...” et cetera]
   
5. Always allow Bible questions, promising to look up and answer next week any you don't know. No one knows everything about the Bible, so don't pretend to.
   
6. A good game is “stump the minister.” Have the youth find Bible content questions to ask the most Biblically literate minister on staff. Prizes to those who posed winning questions. Off limits are questions about things not actually in the Biblical text (titles and headings, page numbers, chapter and verse markings), and items that are too obscure for a normal person to know.