How do we share Jesus with young people? As Christians, we know that relational ministry is key. We need to connect with them on a personal level, and show them that we have experienced the love of Jesus Christ firsthand. But how do we do that? It starts with our own personal experience of the Bible. In this blog post, we’ll explore why it’s so important for us to connect with the Bible on a personal level, and how that will help us minister to others.
As a youth group leader, reflect on your own relationship with the Bible.
- Does reading along in the Bible sometimes turn into reading to get through It?
- Does reading the words at the same time someone is reading scripture aloud get in the way of hearing what is been said?
Remember, the scriptures started as oral tradition. It was a narrative that was memorized and passed on from person to person. When scriptures were written down on papyrus scrolls, they were read to the people. There wasn’t individual copies for each person.
Scripture is a community narrative. The story of God and God’s people. Stories that are meant to be told and shared. There is a richness in listening to someone tell the story.
In worship or Bible study when the scriptures are being read aloud I close my eyes. This removes distractions and helps me to free my inner vision. A blank space for my spirit to participate in the story.
Simple ways to help teenagers connect with scripture.
When the scriptures are being read out loud, close your eyes, and ask the spirit to take you there. Can you hear what is being said and can you visualize the environment and the action?
At this point the scripture will often become personal to you. Your spirit has inserted you into the story as an observer. The narrative, the dialog, the action, the history, the poetry, the work of God with God’s people is alive.
When you read scripture or tell a Bible story to teenagers, have them close their eyes. Tell them to listen closely. Read it like you are there. Ask the youth group to open their eyes and tell you what happened in the story. What did they hear? If they have trouble at first, tell them one thing that you heard. Repeat the story. They will get better with practice.
We need to teach young people how to experience, to engage with the stories. They have to be real to them. Go one step further after reading and have them act it out! Create little dramas. Make it interactive. Write down the peoples names in the story and ask for volunteers. Make up props. If there is food involved like bread bring a loaf of French bread. Keep it simple and fun!
FAQ on helping youth groups connect with the Bible.
There are a few different ways to motivate students to read the Bible. One way is to show them how the Bible can be used to help them make wise decisions in their lives. Another way is to teach them about the history and stories that are found in the Bible. Finally, it’s important for students to see that reading the Bible can help them connect with God and learn more about His character.
One of the best things we can do as parents and pastors is to help teenagers experience God’s love. This can be done in many ways, but some of the most important include spending time with them, talking with them, and listening to them. We can also show them God’s love by our actions, and by providing opportunities for them to serve others. Finally, we should pray for them regularly, and encourage them to do the same.
The Bible can feel boring because it is not always easy to understand. When we read the Bible, we often want to know what it means for our lives. However, sometimes the Bible talks about things that are hard to understand or that we don’t have any experience with. When the Bible feels boring, it might be a good idea to talk to a pastor or another Christian who can help explain what you are reading. It is also important to remember that the Bible is not just a book of stories; it is God’s Word, and it has the power to change our lives. Even if we don’t always understand everything we read, we can trust that God knows his plans for us.
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