Ministry to High School and College Students: Equipping with the Essentials

Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology is an excellent resource for Christians (personal study and reference) and churches (pastors, church libraries, group studies). I recommend it to everyone - layperson, seminary student, high school student - anyone who is seeking to go deeper in the knowledge of God...

The problem is that it's basically a million pages long - not incredibly accessible for group study - and I want to do some serious theology with our High School and college students. But Grudem's Systematic Theology is awfully big, and it costs around $35.

That's where another of Grudem's resources comes in - Christian Beliefs: 20 Basics Every Christian Should Know. This approximately 150-page book is designed for group study... One blogger offered this review:

It's a great resource for new believers, for anyone who wants to strengthen their doctrinal foundation, and I especially think it would be terrific for a study group.

The book is divided into 20 chapters on major topics like the Bible, God, the Trinity, creation, prayer, the atonement, the Resurrection, etc. Each chapter is about 5 pages long and hits the high points of the doctrine with ample Scripture references, and also shows the importance and relevance of the doctrine to the Christian life. There are also review and application questions at the end of each chapter. These are sometimes a little trite, but many could be good discussion starters.

So, beginning this September, I'll be taking our Wednesday student group through this study - while also recommending and utilizing the bigger and more robust Systematic Theology. I'm certain that this will prove very helpful to both the High School students and the college students who come.

1 Corinthians 1:9-10 [NKJV]:

"For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God..."