Controversial Discussion Starters

Rating:
Summary: Youth Small Groups Jumpstarted with Discussion Starters
Review: A dozen of our church's youth small groups are using this book after my own class used it a year ago. The format is very effective. It does not "preach" to youth, but rather teaches youth to turn to the Bible and search out answers to difficult, real-world issues that they face. Each topic is displayed on two facing pages, the left taking the "NO" position, and the right taking the "YES" position. Basic tenants and concepts supporting each stance are outlined, and specific Bible verses are cited. In our group, we started each hour session by reading the topic, briefly clarifying the issue, and "voting" on it. Every member had to take a position on their own... yes, no, or "walk like an Egyptian" (not sure.) Then we moved through the discussion, referring to the listed Bible verses. At the end of the hour, we reviewed what we had learned by taking another vote.

The topics range widely, but they all are real-world issues that are relevant to today's youth.