Introduction
13 Most Important Bible Lessons For Teenagers (re-cover)

Why did Jesus die on the cross, anyway

Why did Jesus die on the cross, anyway?" Julia finally voiced the question that raced through most of the other group members’ heads. "I mean, why didn’t God just wipe out sin and suffering? It doesn’t make sense.”

Joyce suddenly realized she’d been speaking over kids’ heads. She’d been talking about Jesus’ final words on the cross, but some of her kids weren’t even sure who Jesus is. And they didn’t understand a God who’d allow his only son to be brutally killed.

Joyce needed to refocus her meeting—and the next several meetings—to teach kids the basics:

  • Who is God?
  • Who is Jesus?
  • What’s a faith commitment?
  • What’s the church?
  • Why do we need a savior?

Kids need a firm faith foundation. They need to know what they believe and why they believe it. Kids who don’t know these things are easily swayed by others who challenge their faith or offer them an imitation Christianity.

But many teenagers don’t have a strong faith foundation. Even kids who’ve grown up in the church sometimes can’t explain who Jesus is or what it means to be a Christian.

So how do you cover the "basics" of faith with teenagers--and still keep the meetings interesting and fun so kids will really learn?

Use The 13 Most Important Bible Lesson For Teenagers! These meetings cover 13 foundational doctrines of Christianity, without boring lectures and endless note-taking. By using active-learning techniques, these fun meetings will hold kids’ interest. They’ll find it easy to learn about important Christian doctrines, such as:

* the role of the Holy Spirit in Christians’ lives;

* the necessity of prayer;

* the message of Jesus’ death and Resurrection; and

* the command to tell others about our faith.

The meetings also give a biblical perspective on issues, such as Creation and Jesus’ return. And with fast instructions and easy-to-use handouts, you’ll be able to help kids learn these vital concepts with ease.

Use these meetings as Sunday school curriculum. Or plan a series of weekly Bible studies that focus on a different topic each week. The meetings work especially well for a confirmation class or a new believers course.

Or you can select certain topics to cover as needs arise in your youth group. For example, in the scene described at the beginning of the Introduction, the youth leader could hold three meetings from the book: "Who Is God?" on page 6, "Who Is Jesus?" on page 21 and "The Family of Faith" on page 60. Each of these meetings gives valuable information about the identity of Christ and his mission here on Earth.

So enjoy The 13 Most Important Bible Lesson For Teenagers. And watch your kids’ faith blossom as they build a foundation in Christ that’ll last forever.