Teaching 20 somethings

Post by **_livingink** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:56 pm

I have the opportunity to begin a Bible study with 2 people who are approximately 25 years old. I notice that several of you guys are about that age. I would appreciate suggestions from those in that age-group and also some experienced teachers in a home setting as to how to proceed to make this interesting for them. They probably don't have a good base on which to build so I expect to have to start with some very basic things. Would you take a minute and give me some suggestions?

thanks,

livingink

Post by **_mattrose** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:26 am

Well, just some things that come to mind...

1. Aim to create conversation. Aim for dialogue, not lecture-style
2. Allow for some small talk before and after, keep it relational
3. Use plenty of illustrations from your own life
4. Use any appropriate movie/tv illustrations you're aware of
5. Find some time to spend with them outside the Bible study time
6. Have snacks available
7. Challenge them to apply the study each week
8. Apply the study yourself each week

Post by **_livingink** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 9:05 pm

Hey, Matt, those are great ideas. If they don't have a specific place where they'd like to start learning about the Bible, where would you suggest?

thanks,

livingink

Post by **_mattrose** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 10:34 pm

Is your place available? I think that'd be great. If not, I'd try to find a room with couches or comfortable chairs instead of church-style folding chairs. Perhaps a youth room or a cozy Sunday School classroom? A home is best.

Or did you mean 'where in the Bible' ?

If that was your question, I'd suggest any of the synoptic gospels. But anywhere in the Bible is good, haha.

Also I would add another to the previous 8

9) Make sure not to sound too dogmatic about secondary issues. If there are multiple views on a passage, do the prep-work and take the time to discuss them all and let them think for themselves. But feel free to indicate what you you take and why. You know, Steve Gregg style

Hope it goes well. God bless.

Post by **_livingink** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:56 am

Oh. I meant the Bible. We have some space here in the back of the clinic where we can spread out and be comfortable. I'm not too worried about doing this. My wife read the Left Behind series then Hank H.'s Last Disciple series, mixed dispensationalism and preterism in a bag, dumped it out and started asking me questions. This should be easy compared to that!

livingink

Post by **_JC** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 8:32 am

Matt gave some great advice. I'm starting another small group in a couple weeks that will be attended by twenty-somethings on up to fifty year olds. I find that people my age ( I'm 28 ) and younger respond well to apologetics-type lessons, mixed with bible teaching that's readily applicable. In my first lesson with this group, I'm showing a DVD titled "The Priveleged Planet" which demonstrates the reality of God through an examination of his creation. It will be the first of a six-part series on apologetics and faith building. After this I'm planning a year-long study through the four gospels with the same group. We'll see how they like the lecture portion.

Post by **_anothersteve** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 9:44 pm

I'm showing a DVD titled "The Priveleged Planet" which demonstrates the reality of God through an examination of his creation

Great DVD!! If anyone wants to watch it online it's available on Google Video. Here's the link.
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid= ... ged+planet

Post by **_roblaine** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:34 pm

anothersteve wrote:
I'm showing a DVD titled "The Priveleged Planet" which demonstrates the reality of God through an examination of his creation
Great DVD!! If anyone wants to watch it online it's available on Google Video. Here's the link.
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid= ... ged+planet

Thanks anothersteve,
I have wanted to see this documentary for a long time. It is rather expensive in Christian book stores ($25.00). If anyone here has not seen it yet, I encourage you to watch it.

Robin

Post by **_livingink** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 7:59 pm

Thanks for the ideas. We had the first get-together last night and it turned out to include people from 4 months to 79 years old. We decided to start studying Matthew slowly, carefully, taking our time to look up words and meanings with no time limit to finish before we go to the next book.

JC, I'll be praying that your study goes well. So many people tell me that they attend church but don't know how to study. I think that the strength of the small group fellowships may be the ability to teach new teachers to go forth and explain scripture to those who simply don't have the gift of understanding.

livingink