This is not because we hope their heads will swell and explode — it’s because God’s Word is important, and being biblically grounded is foundational to a vibrant relationship with Christ.
During the search for materials that could be used to educate our kids in the area of theology, and with my classical / Charlotte Mason-ish bent, I liked to approach an issue from a number of different angles, and use a variety of mediums.
Introduction to Theology for Teens
One of the books we used with our teens was Bitesize Theology: An ABC of the Christian Faith by Peter Jeffery.
Bitesize Theology is a fantastic primer for middle school and high school students of the basics of the Christian faith. The book is written for lay people, and as such, it makes an excellent introduction to parents hoping to disciple their children as well.
At just 109 pages, the book is manageable and easy to progress through. Each chapter is short — just 6 pages or less. The chapters are each divided into subtopics, making them perfect for shorter devotional readings (if that’s the way your family rolls).
Bitesize Theology
The topics in Bitesize Theology truly are, well, bitesized. Each of the 20 chapters covers a very specific aspect of theology, breaking it down into salient points.
Each of the introduction to theology points are thoroughly supported by Scripture. There’s an “It’s Worth Quoting” section at the end of each chapter with an excerpt on the given subject from a well-know (theologically conservative) writer. Review questions help students think through what they’ve learned in the light of Scripture, and each chapter also includes a suggestion for a book that would allow for further reading on the given topic. (Perhaps great resources for high school students!)
Bitesize Theology covers the following topics:
- ABC (The point of studying theology)
- Big Words
- God
- Jesus
- The Holy Spirit
- The Trinity
- Sin
- Atonement
- Grace
- Regeneration
- Repentance and Faith
- Reconciliation
- Redemption
- Justification
- Adoption
- Union with Christ
- Sanctification
- Election
- Eternal Security
- The Second Coming
Bitesize Theology is a great little primer on theology for your older students. It’s clear, to-the-point, and encouraging. You don’t have to take my word for it, though. The book comes recommended by Pastor John MacArthur who says: “Peter Jeffery has a unique gift for presenting difficult concepts precisely, with clear and simple language. Bitesize Theology is both sound and simple — a combination that is all too rare in modern evangelical literature. This is an invaluable resource for both lay people and serious students of theology.”
Purchase Bitesize Theology
I want to thank EP Books for providing a copy of Bitesize Theology in return for my honest review.
ChristianBook: Bitesize Theology: An ABC of the Christian Faith
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Martin Luther and the Reformation
Teach your teens about Martin Luther and the Reformation in an exciting, new way with When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther!
As Luther’s understanding of the spiritual corruption within the Church grew, and he despaired of true salvation, Luther (now a scholar and priest) sought the Bible for answers. Following his discovery of the true gospel in Scripture, Luther began to preach spiritual freedom to his congregation, and to teach biblical (rather than philosophical) theology at the University of Wittenberg.
It was on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther penned his Ninety-Five Theses in Latin in response to the abusive indulgence sales practices of the monk Johann Tetzel in a nearby town. Luther nailed the Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church, the scholarly bulletin board of his day, and mailed a copy to the Archbishop of Mainz. Luther hoped to start a scholarly debate about the practice of selling salvation through plenary indulgences. The response he received was greater–and more dangerous–than he imagined it would be.
Luther’s story is exciting. There are death defying moments, epic spiritual battles, narrow escapes, a kidnapping, revolution, and war. As the “Father of the Reformation”, Luther is a vital figure in Church history. His sacrifice and willingness to wage battle against the spiritual, religious, and political powers of his medieval world allowed Christians throughout time to embrace the truth of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as explained by Scripture alone once again. May all glory be to God alone!
Read portions of the first eight chapters of When Lightning Struck!:
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