Hey there, would you like to get your teens to finally understand the Bible?
Do you want to know how to turn it from a jumble of disconnected (and confusing) stories into a single epic story?
Even better, do you want to find out how to get them to finally see that it is their story too?
Then keep reading because we’re going to show you exactly how to teach teens to read and understand the Bible—because, for almost everyone, this isn’t how it usually goes.
Empty Seats and Blank Stares
Often we hear that graduating eighth graders don’t know anything about the story of the Bible.
Teachers and catechists struggle to get teens to show up in the first place, much less pay attention.
And, as a result, a lot of people working to share the Faith with young people are battling against discouragement and burnout.
I’m going to show you how to get your teens excited about the Bible, but, before I do, let me cover some of the common misconceptions that I hear all the time.
But Mark, Teens Just Don’t Care about the Bible
The first is simply the idea that teens don’t care about the Bible.
Let me ask you this. Do teens care about Star Wars? Sure they do! But wait. Star Wars came out in 1977. That was more than forty years ago. Ugh. I mean, it’s so … old! What is the difference?
Story.
Whether it’s Star Wars, or Harry Potter, or Marvel, teens care about stories. We all do. But when we introduce them to the Bible, we don’t give it to them as a single, epic story.
But Mark, Teens Think the Bible is Outdated
The Bible can’t help that it was written thousands of years ago. For us to say that we know more now because we have science and technology is simply prideful.
People who lived during the time the Bible was written were able to navigate the oceans using only the stars. They were able to build the pyramids without cranes. They were able to survive without technology.
Can your teens mend clothing or grow their own food? Then, maybe, we might be being proud.
So hopefully this helps you move past some of the common misconceptions you may run into when teaching teens about the Bible.
Kicking the Can Down the Road Only Makes It Harder
The fact of the matter is that we need to start taking action. We are in the process of losing the next generation of Catholics.
When is the best time to plant an oak tree? Twenty-five years ago. When is the second best time to plant one? Today.
Five years from now, it is only going to be harder for us to break through to them. The world is becoming more secular by the day.
And, on top of it all, you’re also responsible for a million other things at your parish.
A Brand New Tool in the Fight
That is why we created Venture: The Bible Timeline for High School.
This is our eight-session program that does all the heavy lifting for you when it comes to getting teens to understand and get excited about the Bible.