Teens & Young Adults

Teens & Young Adults: Are you looking to get the most of your life—now and in the future?

Vertical Thought serves up life-altering biblical content to help teens & young adults discover and live God's way of life.

Thinking vertically is a challenge God offers to you. Even though we human beings are presently temporal, flesh-and-blood beings, as Christians we are empowered to "seek those things which are above, where Christ is," and to set our minds "on things above" (Colossians 3:1-2).

Vertical Thought exists to help you not only think about, but act on, these things from above—the things that are really most important in life. Apply what you read and you can have a better life now as well as in the future. Remember: as one "thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).

Check out Vertical Thought at www.verticalthought.org to request a FREE subscription!

WEEKLY COMMENTARY

Never Stay on the Ground

Our Dark Side

Spirit of Sacrifice

Right or Wrong—Who Decides?

Coming: A World Safe for Children

Lessons From Ukraine

The Flags Are Alive!

Advertising—What's Best for You?

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Vertical Thought
A magazine of understanding for tomorrow's leaders!
Inside this issue - July-Sept. 2008
Editorial: Untangling the Web
Facebook & MySpace
The Good and Bad of Gaming
Trumpets, Trumpets Everywhere
Samson: Accomplishing God's Purpose—the Hard Way
Who Is a Christian?
Being Christian in Nigeria
Situation Ethics = Pig + Lipstick
Answers from Genesis - Part 1
A Moving Experience
In the News...
 
Bible Study Course Lessons

Only one book gives us the answers to life's crucial questions: Why are we here? Where is the world headed? What does the future hold? Our eye opening 12-lesson study course will make the Bible come alive as it leads you through the biblical answers to these and other questions!

 
Hidden Truths...
The Hidden Truth About Halloween: Behind the Mask
The Hidden Truth About Christmas:
Put Christ back in Christmas?
The Hidden Truth About Valentine's Day: Origins of Valentine's Day
The Hidden Truth About Easter:
Christians Can Learn From the Origins of Easter
 

Volume One - Religious Study
#1 Does God Exist?
#2 Which Religion is the Right One?
#3 Comparing World Religions
#4 The Authority of the Bible
#5 The Canonization of the Bible
#6 Jesus: Man or God?
#7 The Holy Spirit
#8 Does Satan Exist?

Volume Two - Discovering Biblical Truth
#1 The Gospel of the Kingdom
#2 What Is Your Destiny?
#3 Heaven
#4 Hell
#5 Prayer
#6 Bible Study
#7 Repentance
#8 What Is A Disciple of Jesus Christ?
#9 Fasting (NEW!)

Volume Three - The Ten Commandments
#1 Do not worship other gods [Facilitator's Guide]
#2 Do not worship idols
#3 Do not misuse God's name
#4 Keep the Sabbath holy
#5 Honor your dad and mom
#6 Do not murder
#7 Do not commit adultery
#8 Do not steal
#9 Do not lie
#10 Do not covet

Volume Four - God's Festival & Holy Days
#1 Passover
#2 Days of Unleavened Bread
#3 Pentecost
#4 Feast of Trumpets
#5 Day of Atonement
#6 Feast of Tabernacles
#7 Last Great Day

Volume Five - Non-Biblical Holidays
#1 Valentine's Day
#2 Easter
#3 Halloween
#4 Christmas

Volume Six - Practical Christian Living
#1 A Christian's Life in the World [Facilitator's Guide]
#2 Speech
#3 Modesty
#4 Dating
#5 First Tithe
#6 Money Management
#7 Diet
#8 Military Service and War
#9 Tattoos
#10 Self Esteem (NEW!)

Volume Seven - Social Issues
#1 Gambling
#2 Abortion
#3 Homosexuality
#4 Pornography
#5 Suicide
#6 Environmentalism [Facilitator's Guide]
#7 Postmodernism

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Youth Development Studies on Personal Values, Goal Setting and Decision-Making

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The Ten Commandments
Many religious people embrace the idea of loving others as themselves but remain blissfully unaware of how the Bible defines love. As a result, they do not understand the necessity of putting into practice the biblical principle from the Ten Commandments that determine the success or failure of their relationships.

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ONLINE ARTICLES FOR TEENS & YOUNG ADULTS
Topics covering dating, friendship, family, success, and more.

Are You Up for the Challenge?
Life's greatest challenges are in everyday decisions! Learning to choose wisely and learning from your experiences can prepare you for a rewarding future!

Where Have All the Young Men Gone?
What has happened to masculinity? How can a boy grow up and become a real man in a hostile world?

The God Debate
Can atheists "prove" there is no God?

Collateral Damage: The Darwin Bomb
What may seem like a good idea at the moment doesn’t always turn out to be good in the long run. This is certainly the case with Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Is the Bible Relevant and Reliable?
A lot of people claim to be Christians, but many aren’t really sure how accurate or how meaningful the Bible is for their lives today. Few read it or know much about it, and fewer still discover the wisdom and practical help found in its ancient passages. Where can you start?

Fitness or Fatness: What's Your Plan?
We generally take care of our cars, but most people don't have much of a plan for their health. With so much working against us, how can we choose fitness?

Comfort Zones: Meant to be Broken
A monthlong solo backpacking trip through Europe took me far out of my comfort zone—and brought a profound realization about our Christian calling.

Infatuation or Love?
What is love, and what is infatuation? Do you think you know? Before you assume you're in love, you should be sure you know what it is!

A Long Time From Now in a Galaxy Far, Far Away...
Science-fiction movies portray intelligent life already living on other planets and in other galaxies. Could it be true? If not, then why did God create such a vast universe?

Hope and Help for Children of Divorce
Every year millions of children experience the trauma of their parents' divorce. Millions more have already gone through that pain and been affected in ways large and small. What can help children of divorce? One who has been there shares the keys that helped him through that experience.

True Dating: What Guys and Girls Want
Like a perfect rose blooming in a pockmarked battlefield is the fine art of proper dating. Most of what you've learned about dating in popular culture is like the battlefield. Want to keep your emotions, body and spirit flying safely above the bombs bursting in air? Then read on!

Win-Win: Who Says There Has to Be a Loser?
The idea that there is always a winner and a loser is flawed thinking. Sometimes a change in approach makes a world of difference.

It Does Matter Who Your Friends Are
The Bible tells us that we get to decide whether we'll walk with the wise or flounder with fools. Which will you choose?

Do You Choose Happiness?
"You can't roller-skate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you've a mind to." Lines from old songs sometimes sound out of date, but the imagery is interesting. Can we really be happy if we want to?

Why Prophecy?
Some people spend too much time digging into Bible prophecy, at times becoming unbalanced. Others say that prophecy has little to do with the practical side of life, so it's not that important. Yet just living in these uncertain times should tell us that we need to understand the real purpose of prophecy.

To See on Not to See: That New Horror Film
Making a decision as simple as what movie to watch might seem trivial, but the main idea of this controversial debate is powerful. What we let into our minds determines what we will think about and dwell on, and shapes our thoughts and actions.

What Will the Kingdom of God Mean for You?
In this magazine we often write about what the Bible refers to as the Kingdom of God—the divine government Jesus will establish after He returns to earth. But what will the Kingdom of God do for you? Why should you look forward to that period of time? You need to know the answer!

Christian Values Under Attack: Will Yours Survive the College Challenge?
Will you be leaving home for college this autumn? If so, your Christianity is sure to be tested. Read on for advice on how to stay faithful.

A Course on Evolution and Faith
What happens when a young person who believes in God studies evolution? Read this first-hand account to discover what happened to one college freshman.

How Do You Recover From a Costly Mistake?
When a broken bone heals, the body creates an area of increased density and strength at the site of the break. Godly repentance from sexual sins can strengthen your life.

The Dating Debate
With all the bad results, should a Christian give up on dating altogether? Or is there a better way?

The Greatest Humanitarian Cause
Want to make a real difference in this troubled world? Where can you start?

Making Peace
What should you do when friends are at each other's throats?

Virginity: Is It Worth It?
Many people mistakenly think everyone is having sex before marriage, but the facts show otherwise—with good cause.

Christianity Isn’t for Wimps
Most people today think being a Christian is easy, but the surprising truth is, the real Christianity of the Bible is challenging and difficult. Do you have the courage and conviction to be a real Christian?

What's So Special About Families?
Some suggest a family should be redefined as any group of people living together in the same household, irrespective of blood connection or sexual orientation. But is such definition warranted? Before we throw away our traditional view, maybe we should consider what we would lose in the process.

Planning for Life: Part 1 - Get a Plan
What steps can you take to make your life a success? How should you begin?

Planning for Life: Part 2 - Find a Career Path
What single factor could make the biggest difference in your prospects for a successful career?

Planning for Life: Part 3 - Be Sure Your Career Path Fits God's Goal
How can you narrow the field to know which direction to head in choosing a career? In this article we cover several keys to consider.

Planning for Life: Part 4 - The Value of Support and Never Give Up!
In this concluding installment we discuss how to build a support network and why we shouldn't automatically accept limitations others may impose.

Wise Advice for Wise Decisions
Some of the many decisions we make every day turn out well— others not so well. What can we do to make better decisions?

Rise Above Peer Pressure
Finding true friends and dealing with unwanted pressures are challenges at any age. Where can teenagers turn for help?

What Teens Wish Their Parents Knew
Parents, did you know your teens often want you to say no?

What Parents Wish Their Teens Knew
Teens, did you know your parents wish they could say yes to your requests more often than they say no?

Tests: Who Needs Them?
You can learn more from tests than you might think.

You Can Say No and Still Keep Your Friends
Sometimes if you don't say no you can end up hurting yourself. The challenge is in learning to say no without offending others and losing friends.

How to Make Murphy's Law Work for You
Is Murphy's law always bad? Not necessarily. If looked at properly, Murphy's Law can even be of considerable help. Stated positively, Murphy's Law has a simple and important lesson for us: Carelessness is costly.

How Can You Get Along With Brothers and Sisters?
Sometimes sibling rivalries can make you wonder if "brotherly love" is an oxymoron—a contradiction of terms. But here are some tips that can help promote peace.

Make the Most of Summer Break
Those of you who will get out of school for summer break, do you have anything planned, or will you just let the time happen?

Success's Secret Ingredient
To have and truly enjoy all that we aim for in our lives, we should start by being in contact with the One who provides all the things we want and need, and who, after all, is their very Source. We then can know we have the best possible motives for whatever we set our sights on.

Is Intelligence the Most Important Factor for Success?
Research shows that many young people may be mistakenly deciding to give up early in life because of wrong assumptions about their intelligence and their ability to succeed.

Keep a Close Friend Close
When a close friendship fades, it's always sad and upsetting. You're left to grapple with troubling questions: Did I choose poorly? Did I do something wrong? What caused the friendship to strain? Is it too late to patch things up? Do all friendships fade sooner or later?

When Friends Disagree
Friendships have their ups and downs, and disagreements can degenerate into misunderstanding, conflict and animosity. What can you do to keep from fracturing your friendships?

When You and Your Parents Don't See Eye to Eye
How can you improve communication with your parents? For one thing, it helps to understand what they expect of you.

Is Life Only About Fun! Fun! Fun?
What's wrong with just doing whatever you want? Find out how to get your kicks in life-but not those that kick you in the teeth!

Teen Success Stories
Would you like to have more money in your pocket, face the future with more confidence and be able to set up a successful business for yourself? It is easier than you think. All it takes is a dream and a little thought and planning.

Too Young to Die
I've learned one things for sure from this experience: Don't take your friends for granted. You never know when they might be gone.

The World's Most Wanted
If God is our Father, doesn't it seem like a good idea to build an association with Him like our relationship with our physical father?

Don't You Trust Me?
Why would we care whether our parents trust us or not?

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ABOUT THE DISCUSSION GUIDES
The Teen Bible Study Discussion Guides were created by volunteers, including young adults, ministers and concerned parents to offer some meaningful subjects to discuss with your youth group.

The guides are not meant to be the definitive doctrinal paper on any subject but rather a discussion guide that will help your instructor cover subjects of interest to teens. Parents may want to use these at home in a private family discussion.

There are no specific rules on when and how you use these guides. Experience has taught us that there does need to be guidance and clear Biblical teaching.

Some ways to make the study discussion guides more profitable would include:

Seek proofs
Cite examples and
Relate experiences


If you have any comments or suggestions please let us know. Hopefully you will have many pleasant hours of studying the Word of God.

Larry Greider
Teen Bible Study Guide Coordinator

 

 


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