The most Frequently Asked Questions from young people are about the big issues of life, particularly creation, the existence of God, purpose, suffering, what happens when we die and other religions . There is also confusion about Jesus, and whether the Bible is reliable or even relevant today. Even if you have a strong Christian group, they need to know how to answer such questions with friends and face challenges to their faith when older.
Some of these topics have different Christian viewpoints. How do you deal with this when there is still fierce debate? Do you present one view point or several? What attitude do you encourage towards those of a different opinion? All challenging questions for leaders. We can at least start to help them to engage with these key questions of life and it is good for them to know that we can agree to disagree on some matters.
Short video clip answers by key speakers on many of these questions can be found on https://www.rebootglobal.org/
Image credit: https://pixabay.com/en/users/charlotte
Content:
- Is the Bible True?
- Is the Bible Relevant Today?
- Is there a Spiritual or Supernatural World?
- What is God Like?
- Who is Jesus?
- Jesus Miracles - Did They Really Happen?
To come
- What Happens When You Die?
- Creation and Science
- Suffering
- Other religions
Is the Bible True?
To show that the Bible is true and relevant, rather than just talking about it is so important. These interactive resources take a fresh look at the text and encourage young people to think about these questions for themselves.
Image credit: The signpost: Nicole Davison
Is the Bible Relevant Today?
Get beyond the cultural differences and you will find that people over the centuries have an amazing amount in common. The newest updates are nearly 2000 years old and the original core is around 3,500 years old. But try if you can, to tell the difference between a modern newspaper headline and one that could have been written today!
Resources to download
Is the Bible Relevant Today - Plan
Guess the Headlines PowerPoint Game
Proverbs- In or Out of Date PowerPoint Game
Image: via Microsoft clip art
Is there a Spiritual World? Angels
Western culture has become more sceptical about the existence of God but the popularity of psychic fairs and guardian angel charms shows the interest in the supernatural. Most religions recognise the existence of a spiritual world. How much does the Bible tell us about the creation and nature of angels? What is truth and what is myth? Began as a response to questions from a church group we broadened this resource to include New Age issues. The viewpoint here is that angels and demons are spiritual beings created by God - some in alliance with him, others in rebellion against him.
What is God Like?
How would you describe colour to someone who had been born blind? It’s rather like that for us trying to ‘see’ and understand God. We cannot describe God accurately because he is beyond anything we have ever seen or experienced. God reveals himself in various ways. The Bible also uses images and ideas which relate to things which are within our experience.
Opposite are some activities on this theme. The leaders notes are currently being edited.
Resources to download
What is God like? - Human & Nature Comparisions
What is God Like? - Spider Chart Activity
Image by beate bachmann from Pixabay
Who is Jesus?
Was he real? What have people said about him, both during his life and now? What claims did he make about himself? Can we see him as just a good teacher or was he something else?
This is a games based approach to the topic leading towards a serious reflection at the end. The quizzes can be played without the PowerPoint by using cards.
Image: complication from clip art via Microsoft
Jesus Miracles: Did They Really Happen?
An apologetics outline with a practical application for Christian groups.
Resources to download
Jesus' Miracles - Did They Happen? - Plan
Image: Loaves and fish: www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/miracles-of-jesus-10-new-testament-bible-stories