Multipurpose Youth Worker: Bible Scholar

Youth Pastor as: Bible Scholar

For most of the non-churched students in your ministry, you are the most Bible-literate person they know. For some, you might even be the only person they know that has read the Bible. At our entry-level activity (a weekly Jr. High homework club), students are always asking me questions about the Bible and Christianity (not to mention other religions as well).

Because students know that you know the Bible, they will come to you with all their related questions. Some might be easy or seem trivial: “Why did Ehud stab the king in his fat?” or “Why did the Israelites make a golden calf?” Others might be harder, inviting you to have a deeper conversation with the student: “Why aren’t you a Jehovah’s Witness?” or “Why did God let my father leave?”

What You Need to Know

• Appreciate Their Question. Every time a student asks me a question about the Bible, I silently praise God. This is because I know that, no matter how silly or random their question might be, the student is actually thinking about the Bible.
• Don’t Brush It Off. Most times, if the student has asked you a question about the Bible, they are sincerely looking for an answer. Don’t brush them off or give them a stock answer like “Jesus” or “That’s just the way it is.” Be honest with them and let them know what you really think.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Say “I Don’t Know”. One thing that surprised me when I got to Bible College was how many times my professors would answer a question with “I don’t know” or “That is a good question.”  I had assumed they had all the answers, but I realized that the professors were just like me: finite beings trying to understand an infinite God. It was then that I became more comfortable answering “I don’t know” to students. But do not stop there; be sure to say “I don’t know, but I will find out” or “I don’t know, but let me think about if for a bit.”

Where to Find More Information

• The Bible. The only way I can keep feeding the students truth from the Bible is if I am personally grounded in the Word.
• Training. Seminary, Bible Certificates, and monastic living are all great ways to learn about and study the Bible, but they are all time-consuming and impractical for most leaders. But there are some great and easy ways to learn about the Bible. Walk Thru the Bible is an excellent way to learn the entire OT or NT in one day. It would be great for volunteer leaders and student leaders, so they can have a concise, yet thorough, understanding of the Bible.
• Ask Someone. If a student poses a question that you can’t answer, ask someone else for help. Ask your pastor, church leadership, or another experienced Christian about it. Chances are that if you can’t answer the question yourself, it is something you will want to find the answer to as well.

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Multipurpose Youth Worker is a weekly series highlighting the unique roles a youth worker holds in ministry. Be sure to look for a new edition of Multipurpose Youth Worker each Thursday.