About the Book
Have you ever been to a "Bible study" that didn't have much "Bible" or "study" at all? Without a proper understanding of how to do it, students can be disappointed or scared away from studying the Bible. So what is Bible study--and can it work for high schoolers? No stranger to teaching the Bible to teenagers, Jon Nielson confirms that real, meaningful Bible study is not only possible for students, but important. He takes students seriously and expects them to take their faith seriously. Unpacking five truths about the Bible--that it is God speaking, is powerful, is understandable, is literary, and is one story--he demonstrates how the Bible should be studied and how teenagers themselves can lead that study.
About the Author :
Jon Nielson is senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Illinois, and the author of Bible Study: A Student's Guide, among other books. He has served in pastoral positions at Holy Trinity Church, Chicago and College Church, Wheaton, Illinois, and as director of training for the Charles Simeon Trust.
Review :
If you are a high schooler, read this book carefully and thoughtfully, and then loan it to your parents. Chances are pretty good that they'll benefit from it as much as you will.--D. A. Carson, Emeritus Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Editor, Pillar New Testament Commentary series
If you want your ministry to be healthy, God centered, and gospel driven, then there is only one way to do it: make the Bible its lifeblood. Make the study of the text, obedience to the text, and the God of the text the centerpiece of everything you do. Jon Nielson's treatment of this subject for youth and young adults alike is full of truth, relevance, and practical wisdom. As a former leader in my ministry at College Church and now the pastor of that very ministry, I could not be prouder of Jon. This book reflects the Bibline culture both of us were raised with as young leaders at a church where we saw the inestimable fruits of a Word-driven ministry.--Jay Thomas, Lead Pastor, Chapel Hill Bible Church, Chapel Hill, NC
Imagine this: teenagers getting excited about hearing God speak through his Word. Add to that those same young people learning how to read and study God's Word better, with a growing understanding of such things as biblical theology and genre and how to lead a small group. If you're excited about this prospect, read this book. You will not be disappointed!--Jenny Salt, Dean of Students, Sydney Missionary and Bible College, Sydney, Australia
Jon Nielson has put together a compelling and clear guide to embedding Bible study in youth group ministries. When so many ministries are either all entertainment focused or, perhaps equally disappointingly, simply rather dull, this book shows how to engage students creatively and dynamically with the power of God's Word.--Josh Moody, Senior Pastor, College Church, Wheaton
Jon Nielson rightly believes that even students are able to understand Scripture at the highest level. This volume is an engaging expression of that belief, helpful for Christian young people as well as those who lead them.--Randall J. Gruendyke, Campus Pastor, Taylor University
There could scarcely be a more winsome, convincing, and helpful book than this for calling and aiding student ministries to center upon God's Word. Here is a primer on bibliology, hermeneutics, and pedagogy that does not mention the words! Youth ministers and those who work with students will be profoundly instructed on what the Bible is, how it works, and how to teach it. And more, they will learn from a youth pastor who has done it and continues to do it amid the swirling idioms of popular culture.--R. Kent Hughes, Senior Pastor Emeritus, College Church in Wheaton
Bible Study is a must read for the next generation looking to make a difference for God. With tools to read and understand God's Word, Jon Nielson ultimately trains us for usefulness in God's world. This book is clear, accessible, and written by a leader with a passion for gospel growth. So get it, read it, and then go for it.--David Helm, Pastor, Holy Trinity Church, Chicago. Executive Director, Charles Simeon Trust
