Three Practical Ways to Create a Study That Keeps High Schoolers Engaged (That You Haven’t Thought of Yet)
Imagine leading a Bible study that sparks so much conversation, you don’t even get to all your content.
You need to save a video or a segment for next week because there is so much buzz about what you were discussing.
Your students keep coming back—and not just because their parents bribed them.
They have an innate desire for truth, knowing where they come from and knowing who they are.
And they are finding the answers at your study.
They might even bring a friend.
If this seems like a castle in the sky for you, keep reading. It’s not as far-fetched as you think!
They Keep Getting Distracted
Right now, you see kids checking their smartwatches, ready to bolt the minute you give them permission.
They have side conversations while you’re teaching the Bible.
You may be starting to lose faith in your students’ ability to focus. You feel like you are corralling them more than you are teaching them—like you’re begging for their attention.
You are not alone. We have some tools to help.
A Fun, Easy Way to Show Teens the “Big Picture” of the Bible
Venture: The Bible Timeline for High School introduces teenagers to the “big picture” of salvation history in a way that is simple to understand and easy to teach.
It’s Just Not Resonating
You try to do all you can to engage your students and get them to care about the Bible. You’ve planned out a great study.
You invest time in your students. You create icebreakers. You might have even downloaded TikTok to try and understand their world a little better.
You have tried everything.
And the content you give them still doesn’t seem to resonate with them.
We have the solution for you.
It’s Right under Your Nose
If you cook often, you know that the best recipes are simple, with ingredients that are easy to access.
They don’t need to involve a lot of time, energy, or fancy ingredients.
Teaching the Bible to teenagers is the same way. It doesn’t require watering down Scripture or coming up with an elaborate plan or altering your personality to be super hip.
Here are three practical ways to execute your Bible study so teenagers focus.
1. Have a Cloud of Witnesses
Getting tired of hearing yourself talk after a while? Feel like you’re talking into a void sometimes?
Switch it up by having a number of different people deliver your message.
The more people you have to corroborate the importance and relevance of Scripture, the more authority that message has.
Additionally, we tend to trust people who are like us, so having more people involved increases the chances that your teen will connect with someone like them (and this makes it easier on you too!).
The author of Hebrews knew this:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us
Hebrews 12:1
2. Keep It Varied
Having every lesson be like the one before can get monotonous for you and for the teens. Everybody ends up going through the motions.
Try mixing up the way you present each lesson to keep them on their toes.
Switch up the place you present or the icebreakers you use. It could even be as simple as switching up the way the chairs and tables are arranged.
Why do this? When encountering a new situation, the human brain has to pay attention to new things to determine if they are threats. It’s how we’re made.
Of course there is no threat, but their brains are more likely to pay attention this way!
With these small changes, they will be less likely to become complacent and more likely to engage.
3. Laugh!
Your teens may be learning the Bible but not seeing the joy that comes from a life lived with God.
They may see studying the Bible as a chore rather than something joyful and life-giving.
Here’s the secret no one tells you: You are allowed to laugh!
Bible study should be fun.
This isn’t the Sacred Liturgy—don’t be afraid to laugh. God isn’t afraid to.
He who sits in the heavens laughs.
Psalm 2:4
If you don’t take yourself too seriously, your students will see your joy—it’s contagious!
Simplify
Are you racking your brain trying to figure out who to enlist to be your other presenters or what jokes you can make to keep your students laughing?
Well, we’ve already figured that out for you. Venture: The Bible Timeline for High School is designed specifically to teach the entire Bible to high schoolers.
This dynamic study program not only teaches teens the narrative of Scripture and structures the lessons for you, but it’s gathered some of the top Catholic presenters in the country to do it. They include:
- Mark Hart
- Fr. Josh Johnson
- Mari Pablo
- Dr. Bob Rice
- Chika Anyanwu
- Dr. Andrew Swafford
- Paul J. Kim
- Taylor Tripodi
There are all kinds of voices to encourage your students.
Sign up for a free preview and see for yourself!
A Fun, Easy Way to Show Teens the “Big Picture” of the Bible
Venture: The Bible Timeline for High School introduces teenagers to the “big picture” of salvation history in a way that is simple to understand and easy to teach.
Julia Amting is passionate about using modern communication channels to share the gospel and God’s beauty. A senior at Central Michigan University completing a Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Public Relations, Julia manages a small painting business and loves writing, hiking, trying new things, and adventures of all forms.