5 Ways to Help Your Teen Develop Good Bible Study HabitsSample

Use resources to build understanding

In middle school, my class studied the American Civil War battles. I explained the tactics of the Battle of Gettysburg for our group presentation.

As soon as my dad found out, he was ecstatic. As a 13-year-old girl, however, my interest in nineteenth-century warfare went only so far, but my dad spent hours with me, helping me study the battle, explaining what had happened and why it was important.

That following summer, my family visited Gettysburg. The experience in Gettysburg was far more enjoyable because I understood what had happened and why the places we visited were so significant. Without that understanding, I would have missed the significance of where we were standing.

The events recorded in the Bible are actual, historical events that happened to real people in real time. However, the timeline of the Bible can be difficult to understand. Without understanding what is going on when we read the Bible, we often become frustrated, confused, and more likely to give up.

If you can equip your teen with helpful resources, like a Bible atlas, timelines, or a book of charts and infographics, their understanding will grow. There are many resources available today, designed intentionally to aid in understanding the Bible.

Have your teen go with you to a nearby bookstore or spend time together shopping online for a helpful resource.