I’ve read two articles lately on the topic of teenagers and the Bible. Both articles focus on research done by the Barna Group1 and the American Bible Society2.
The Findings
The 2016 Teen State of the Bible report found:
- 86 percent of American teens view the Bible as sacred literature,
- 69 percent own a Bible
- 25% read the Bible four or more times per week
- 42 percent hear it read at least once a week
However, 14% say that their Bible reading has declined in the last year. The number one reason they have not read the Bible as much this year as last year—they are too busy for life’s responsibilities (41%).
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For one of my Seminary classes, I read the book Religious Education in the Family by Henry Frederick Cope. The book was written in 1917 but has a lot of insight for today’s families. Here’s my summary of the book and some of the quotes I highlighted.
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John wrote, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in the truth” (3 Jn 4). Every once in a while I get a glimpse of something great that one of my former students is doing, and it reminds me that all of the sweat, tears, and other struggles are worth it.
Claudia is currently a senior in the youth ministry program at the Mexican Baptist Theological Seminary. Not too long ago, she started a ministry with a few other seminary students that aims to reach out to young girls and help them as they journey through adolescence and young adulthood.
You can read more about her ministry in this article I wrote for the YMI newsletter.
For me, though, this ministry means a lot more than just what she and her team have accomplished. It means that somehow the culture we created at the Center for Youth Ministry at the Mexican Baptist Theological Seminary helped inspire her to do more than just the average ministry. She is striving for excellence in what she’s doing.
Her ministry (and the ministry of many other of my students and graduates) brings me great joy.
A few weeks ago I attended a doctoral seminar at Southern Seminary that was focused on ministry to college students and emerging adults. One of the assignments for each of the class members was to evaluate a resource for college students.
As I was sitting in class, I took notes from my classmates presentations and thought I’d put them here for you if you’re looking for something to help students with their faith as they go off to college.
By the way…the links are affiliate links, so I make a few pennies if you decide to buy from amazon after clicking here.
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Last weekend I was invited to Tuxtla, Gutierrez, in Chiapas, a state in the Southern part of Mexico. I went to teach a class at a Missions School and also to speak at a youth camp. It was a fun experience. I had never been to Chiapas before, so I enjoyed learning a lot about this region of Mexico.
I had a chance to meet Julio, a youth pastor who writes about youth ministry on his blog “Monologos de Julito.” I have been following his blog for a while now since I started ministeriojuvenil.com, and he is one of the few who publishes regularly on youth ministry in Spanish.
I had a great time speaking to his youth group about how they need to be God’s representatives in their local school. I shared about Esther and her decision to do what she was supposed to do even though it wasn’t easy, and the result was important for all of history.
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