Almost every child growing up will encounter youth Bible study lessons at one time or another. The Bible study lessons learned, however, will vary depending on what religion you and your family are and that difference can be drastic. Finding the right Bible study lessons for youth is not as easy as it sounds. However, finding free Bible study lessons for youth is easier, a determination will just need to be made by the local pastor or youth minister that they are both age-appropriate and are theologically accurate.
Lessons for Young Children
The basic youth Bible study lesson always centers on the Word of God and Jesus. However, the lessons are geared towards a specific age group and are designed specifically for that age group. For example, a youth study group geared towards preschoolers might use many cartoonish characters and Jesus-based coloring books to teach them the Word of God.
In addition, these youth group Bible study lessons might also entail making arts and craft types of projects such as building Noah’s Ark out of Popsicle sticks or making the cave that held Jesus’ body after his crucifixion using sculpting clay. The reason these lessons are given like this is that children learn by doing. If you can make the “doing” part of the Bible study lessons fun, it is more likely they will retain and understand what they have learned.
A pastor or youth minister should also understand that materials needed for Sunday school lessons may be much different than study guides for Wednesday or Sunday evening meetings. The visitors will most often be attending the Sunday morning study and worship services, and the study plans should be more basic and discuss the fundamentals of the gospel and the church.
Lessons for Older Children
Free youth Bible study lessons conducted for older groups of children are very different from those for preschoolers. For example, where the younger children might build things, older children may act these concepts in plays put on by the children. Older children have a better likelihood of retaining information if they act out scenes from the Bible.
This is why so many Bible study lessons for youth turn to the Nativity Scene at Christmas time to teach them the beliefs of the church. Because these children act out what happened the day Jesus was born they remember it for the rest of their lives.
Lessons for Life
Bible study lessons for youth do not have to be boring or dry. In fact, many churches have learned that the more they can get the youth involved in doing something concerning learning about the Word of God, the more they will remember later in life. Not only is this a good way to lay a foundation of certain beliefs of the church, but it is a good way to get children to understand that Jesus loves them and their lives are made whole by worshiping him. Bible study lessons for youth are a staple of education in the church and should be developed or purchased with the focus on the age group of the students.
Online Retailers of Youth Bible Study Lessons
Precept.org has a nice website where you can select Bible study lessons by the books of the Bible and see what the covers look like. A very well designed site for online shopping. One of the retailers that is ranked very high by customers is ChristianBook.com. They have a large variety of study material, including a Teen Video Curriculum, and have been in business for more than 30 years.
Wise quotes abound from our church hymns, but one overriding theme must always be expressed during children’s Bible study: “Jesus loves them this I know, for the Bible tells them so.” Never let a child leave your class without that truth impressed upon their memory.