Youth Bible Study Lessons

Life as we know it today can appear as one big, chaotic maze to young people. As impressionable as children and teenagers can be, there is no better time to expose them to the spiritual principles presented in the Bible. Youth Bible study lessons come in a variety of different formats for children of all ages and interests.

Children Are Impressionable

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14, KJV)
Children, teenagers and young adults have so much ahead of them . . . so many possibilities, so many choices, so many ways to make mistakes. Too many different voices are telling them what to do, how to be and how to think. Children naturally seek out role models, which is why they can be so impressionable. Making the Bible a regular part of your child's everyday world can provide her an inner sense of direction. The sooner a child is able to judge and discern the world around her, the less impressionable she'll be. Youth Bible study lessons provide that sense of self-reference needed in today's world.

Knowledge and Behavior

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is true, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19:7)
Knowledge gained during childhood becomes a framework for how a child learns to live his life. Childhood is considered "the formative years," where attitudes, self-awareness and responsibility are learned or not learned. By introducing a child to spiritual principles, these learnings become a part of that framework that shapes his life. Youth's behaviors during the prepubescent years are a good example of how important it is that our lives make sense to us. They express this need in the best way they know how by asking why, repeatedly, and they don't stop until they get an answer---or until they know no answer will ever be given. Youth Bible study lessons provide the foundation principles a child needs to make sense of his world.

Innocence and Experience

"Ye are the salt of the earth; but if the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." (Matthew 5:13, KJV)
A child's everyday life is a myriad of experiences, all of which prompt questions and form impressions. We all know that it's the innocence that children still possess that makes them so precious. Once this innocence is lost, it could take as long as a lifetime to get it back. Children are the salt of the earth. Preserving as much of their spirit as possible is a parent's greatest challenge. Daily exposure to the Bible will work to preserve and reinforce their innocence and their spirit. If left to the influences of peer groups and television, children risk growing into lesser people than they were born to be.

Types of Bible Study

Youth Bible study lessons come in all different formats. Lessons can be informative, interactive, computer-generated or crafts-oriented. A child's age and personality type determine which format will best draw her interest. Social networking sites like Tangle.com (formerly GodTube.com) provide a number of different Bible study outlets for youth. Taking part in a play and learning its story is a good way for younger children to take an active role in their Bible study. Places of worship within your community may sponsor plays or theater events in which your child can participate.

Benefits

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Proverbs 16:32 (KJV)
The greatest benefit that youth gain from daily Bible study lessons is a sense of self and their place in the world. Spiritual principles provide young people with answers that aren't always apparent in their everyday dealings. How to view people, how to treat people and how to treat oneself are lessons easily learned in the real world, but circumstances don't always provide them with the best teachers. A number of stories in the Bible demonstrate fundamental socialization skills that children can use and live by within their everyday lives.

Resources

• Ideas for Bible Study and Prayer
• Family-Friendly Christian Social Network