If you're in urban ministry, you know that the kids you deal with have heard the gospel message more than anyone else on the planet. They know Jesus died for their sins, thanks to an over abundance of good-hearted outreach programs.

Unfortunately, many of them don't know what happens next. They don't know what what happened before. They think the Curse of Ham has to do with a bad case of indigestion caused by a ham sandwich. Or, worse yet, they don't know how Jesus dying on the cross can help them deal with their mama being a crack addict.

Biblical Illiteracy is common among today's urban and suburban youth alike, as well as adults. According to one popular research firm, over 75% of Americans believe that God only helps those that help themselves. About a third of teens say the Bible is not totally accurate in all it teaches. About four out of 10 say that Satan is just a symbol of evil. Almost a quarter of them (22%) say Jesus committed sins while he lived on earth.

If you want to see how much your teens and youth know about Christ, play the AND THEN WHAT? game. Start by saying the first sentence of a popular Bible story, such as, "there was this nice teenage couple named Mary and Joseph" but end that sentence with "and then what?" The person sitting to your right has to continue where you left off. He then adds on a bit more of the story and says "and then what?" when he doesn't know anymore and the next person continues. It's a great way to see what kids know and don't know.

Also, unplug your DVD player next week and have the teens read from the Bible. Pick a translation that best suits their needs. Find out what issues they are dealing with and focus on Bible stories that deal with the same topics. Or, you can check ou the Heroes and Sheroes Bible Story lessons for Urban teens. These ten simple, life-changing, applicable messages (SLAM!) focus on 10 classic Bible stories that deal with 10 contempary issues, from being a single mama to neighborhood gentrification.

Also check out the tape/CD of theWorkshop Was Joan of Arc Noah's Wife?, at dovetapes.com It's full of great ideas on how to boost biblical literacy among today's youth. And be sure to download the free handout from the workshop on biblical illiteracy below

By the way, if you're wondering what was the name of Noah's wife....even though it is not in the Bible, according to Jewish tradition, her name was Namaah.

Looking for Bible Lessons for high-risk Teens that help combat biblical illiteracy by relating classic Bible stories to modern day issues that teens deal with today?

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