Unleashing God's Word in Youth Ministry

At last a decent book written in layman's terms that encourages youth ministers regardless of church dynamic or size to rally around scripture God revealed there in.

Finished this book a while ago and have to say it's a rare find and if i had the resources this would be in the hands of every new youth minister I know. Barry Shafer walks both the theologically trained and the neophyte through not only the necessity of scripture's involvement in youth ministry but the how's as well.

Books that give you gimmicky sugar coated Bible lessons are a dime a dozen in the youth min world. This book does not take the bait but instead walks the reader through the inductive method of bible study. (Basically observe, interpreting, and applying scripture (pg 74)) He goes on to break that down into three distinct prayers of God, Show me (observe) God Teach me (interpret) and God Change me (Apply). These three areas make up the major theme of the book. In all this method happens in our brains almost on a sub-conscious level. For example I see a red light while driving (observe) I know from being taught that red means that I need to stop (interpret) Therefore I apply my breaks and the car slows. (apply) The thing that endeared the book to me is that he's not afraid of big topics that honestly I've very rarely heard discussed in youth ministry circles. The importance of learning original languages. (Greek and Hebrew) He talks about exegesis as well as the facts that teenagers are drawn in this age by depth and not necessarily the fun factor. Finally he wraps up the book by asking the cutting question of "What am i doing in student ministry that will outlast me?"

For anyone who teaches youth to love and follow Jesus this book is at the top of my recommendation list. I was pleasantly surprised at its depth of content and applicable context.