Looking for ways to engage older kids in Bible study? Here are three simple things you can do to help teens stay involved while developing Bible study skills they’ll use for years to come.
As parents, we often teach children of several different ages at the same time. We want Bible study to be something the whole family can enjoy together, but how do we keep older kids engaged while giving younger children the attention they need?
Instead of giving your teens busywork, give them Bible study skills that challenge them to dig deeper into the passage.
1. Discover the Plain Meaning of the Passage
Before asking, “What does this mean for me?” encourage your teens to first discover what the passage actually says.
Have them ask the basic who, what, when, where, why, and how questions. Then have them summarize the passage in their own words.
Who?
- Who wrote the book?
- Who was the original audience?
- Who are the people mentioned?
- Who is the main character?
What?
- What happened?
- What is the main event?
- What is the main message?
When?
- When did this happen?
- What time of day, week, or year was it?
- Where does this event fit on the Bible timeline?
Where?
- Where did the events take place?
- Are there other names for this location?
Why?
- Why is this event important?
- What does the passage tell us about why it happened?
How?
- How did this event affect the people involved?
- How does it connect to other passages of Scripture?
- How might it apply to my life?
Learning to identify the plain meaning of a passage is an important first step toward proper Bible interpretation.
Then, take your study one step further by looking at the names.
2. Look Up the Proper Names
Have your teens identify the people mentioned in the passage and look up the meanings of their names.
This is a simple activity, but it can add another layer of understanding and makes Bible study more engaging for older kids.
For example, look at the names of John the Baptist's parents:
Zachariah — “Remembered by God”
Elizabeth — “My God is my oath” or “Oath”
Zachariah was an older man when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. His name reminds us that God had not forgotten him or his faithfulness.
Elizabeth's name also points us toward God's faithfulness. God had promised that He would send a forerunner before the Messiah—and He kept His promise.
Looking up names doesn't replace studying the passage, but it can give teens another interesting way to examine the people and events they are reading about.
Next, have them explore where the events happened.
3. Find the Locations
Have your teens identify every city, town, region, or other location mentioned in the passage.
Using a Bible atlas, have them find the location on a biblical map. Then have them locate the same place on a modern map.
It can be fascinating to discover how the names and boundaries of places have changed over time.
For example, Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, was located near modern-day Mosul, Iraq.
You can also have teens look up the meanings of place names.
For example, Bethlehem means “House of Bread.” Jesus was born in Bethlehem and Jesus called Himself the Bread of Life.
These connections can make the Bible come alive and help teens see how geography, history, names, and Scripture fit together.
Help Your Teens Become Bible Students
As teens practice these three skills—
- Discover the plain meaning of a passage
- Look up the meaning of proper names
- Identify and map biblical locations
They are developing Bible study habits that will serve them well beyond their school years.
They are learning not simply to read the Bible, but to study it for themselves.
As a mother and teacher, I know how challenging it can be to keep older children engaged when teaching a multi-age group. Giving teens meaningful Bible study skills is one way to keep them involved while also preparing them to become confident students of God's Word.
If you're looking for a Bible curriculum that works well for multiple ages, start with our Old Testament Overview or New Testament Overview. Both provide a chronological approach that allows the whole family or class to study God's Word together while giving older students opportunities to dig deeper.
