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What a task! It's not easy to compile a series of talks that are going to be equally relevant to big kids and young adults. You are looking at an age group ranging from those just getting to grips with secondary education, right through to 'been-there-done-that' university undergraduates. But this shouldn't be an impossible task, as the Christian message is basically a simple one. It's just up to us to communicate that fact!

With teenage attention spans decreasing as fast as new channels appear on satellite TV, it's not just a case of presenting the gospel as it stands and hoping they 'get it'. In this post-modern age you have to hit them in bite-sized chunks to make an impact and make tentative steps into their world, rather than screaming through a loud hailer over the generation gap. 'Make it interesting, make it exciting, make it interactive' is the cry, 'it's the only way you're going to grab their attention'. This series of talks is a first step along that rocky road and I can just pray that we can receive a similar response to Paul, when he encountered the Athenians, "You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears and we want to know what they mean" (Acts 17:20).

Not all the talks in this book are going to 'hit the spot' for your particular youth group, but if we can make an impact with some of them then we could make a difference in the lives of a sadly neglected but crucial segment of our population, the teenager, the adult of tomorrow. It has been the intention with this book to provide solid foundational teaching on key topics, from the influence of the media to the Last Supper. There is a particularly thorough presentation of the Gospel, in the 'Green' section lasting 8 weeks, though briefer versions, covering 1 and 2 weeks are also included, for those without the patience. Other topics include morality, self-worth, the Bible, the Internet, Harry Potter, the Trinity, Evolution, the Crucifixion, the Big Bang, the deadly sins and Euthanasia. >

The book is divided into seven sections, arranged (for no particular reason) as colours of the rainbow. These sections represent seven checkpoints on our spiritual journey:

SIMPLY RED section - 'stir it up' - for groups who are reluctant, cynical and 'didn't realize there was going to be a boring old talk'. Our objective here is to intrigue and provoke them and open up the possibility of a life beyond what they can see, hear and feel.

TANGY ORANGE section - 'questions' - for groups who like a challenge and are reasonably open-minded, but, nevertheless may only be prepared to give you one chance to impress. Our objective here is to introduce a spiritual element to life, with a gentle introduction to the Christian message.

MELLOW YELLOW section - 'answers' - for groups who are taking the bait and are willing to listen patiently, though it will still be possible to lose them if you are not relevant enough. Our objective here is to begin to answer key questions from a Christian perspective.

PASTURES GREEN section - 'the gospel' - for groups ready to hear the Christian gospel in a culturally relevant and sensitive way. Our objective is to provide a clear and systematic introduction to the Gospel, sufficient for them to respond with an informed decision for Christ.

MOODY BLUE section - 'assurances' - for groups largely made up of new Christians. Our objective is to provide them with a series of assurances and faith-builders to enable them to grow steadily.

INKY INDIGO section - 'blueprints' - for groups of new Christians who are largely established in their faith. Our objective is to give them a series of guidelines to help them cope with the pressures of being Christians in a hostile world.

PARMA VIOLET section - 'solid food' - for groups of new Christians ready to move on in their faith and feed their minds. Our objective is to provide solid bible teaching in key areas to help them to develop eager questioning minds

Imagine you have been invited to a posh buffet. The selection of food is extensive, catering for all possible tastes and moods. The buffet is ongoing, with food continually topped-up and people come and go as they please, nibbling or pigging out, depending on their appetite. This book perhaps should be viewed in the same way. Although you could gorge yourself, by working systematically through the book, taking your youth group through all 77 talks, this would not be a good idea, as this means they won't be exposed to the gospel for at least 8 months!

Instead I suggest you decide from day one where your group is currently 'at' and start at the corresponding section of this book, depending on the degree of 'spiritual' hunger. From there you can move at your own rate, selecting talks relevant to the interests and capabilities of your group. Some will have to be fed on a 'light diet', others may want something to chew on. There's plenty here to suit all tastes!

Every talk includes sufficient material for you to create talks lasting from 15 minutes to an hour. So dive in and enjoy. My prayer is that you will be as blessed by these talks as I was in writing them.

CONTENTS

          SIMPLY RED SECTION - 'stir it up'

1. One moment in time History and what we can learn from it
2. >Who's pulling your strings? - part 1 The effect of the media
3. Who's pulling your strings? - part 2 Our response to the effect of the media
4. Dreaming of little green men Our need for God, as reflected in films
5. Godfrey and Edward discuss the Big Bang God in the Big bang
6. Posh 'n' Becks ate my parrotCelebrity and self-image
7. The snowflake and the flower What is the point of beauty?
8. What is life? The facts and realities of abortion
9. Natural born killers? Humanity's evil nature
10. The Watchmaker's Guide to the Universe - part 1 The issue of design
11. The Watchmaker's Guide to the Universe - part 2 Design for life


TANGY ORANGE SECTION - 'asking questions'


12. Did you hear the one about … ? The urban legend of a resurrected messiah
13. Think first … A framework for acceptable behaviour
14. A Journey backwards into Truth - part 1 The Bible as a historical book
15. A Journey backwards into Truth - part 2 A further look at the Bible
16. Live for today, die tomorrow? An objective look at our lifestyles.
17. By their fruits … A testimony of true Christian sacrifice
18. To whom do we turn? When the world becomes very uncertain
19. Who's the daddy? Father God versus Mother Earth
20. Imagine we give peace a chance The concept of peace
21. The full story? How we formulate opinions and views.
22. Moral fibre and other loose threads Looking at morality in society today
    
    MELLOW YELLOW SECTION - 'finding answers'
    
    
23. Wouldn't it be nice … ? What the Christian life does and doesn't offer
24. A truly historical book - part 1 A Tale of Two Cities - the Bible as prophecy
25. A truly historical book - part 2 A Tale of Two People- Jesus and the 'Suffering Servant'
26. A truly historical book - part 3 A Tale of a race - the story of the Jewish people
27. I don't want to worry you, but … The realities of heaven and hell
28. Harry Potter - taking over the world? Looking at the dangers of the occult
29. So who is this … God? Beginners guide to God
30. So who is this … Jesus? Beginners guide to Jesus
31. So who is this … Holy Spirit? Beginners guide to the Holy Spirit
32. It's all in the code What we can learn from the Bible Codes
33. Mad, Bad or Rad ? Three possible views of Jesus
    
    PASTURES GREEN SECTION - 'the gospel'
    
    
34. The indescribable gift What Jesus offers us, compared to what the world offers
35. God, unplugged Gaining an understanding of God
36. >Life is a three-letter word Investigating sin and its effects
37. Sticky plasters for the soul Man's efforts to please God
38. No greater sacrifice The sacrificial system and Jesus
39. A bridge of tears Why Jesus had to die on the cross
40. Choose life! How you can respond to Jesus
41. Life and to the full First steps as a new Christian
42. Humans, we have a problem! The problem of sin (The gospel - Part 1)
43. Meet the man with the plan Jesus, the solution (The gospel - Part 2)
44. The most wonderful thing in the world The gospel in one session
    
    MOODY BLUE SECTION - 'assurances and first steps'
    
    
45. Just little old me How God sees us and cares about us
46. Who am I now? Who we are as new creations
47. All together now Christians as the Body of Christ
48. All this and a hot-line too! The assurances for answered prayer
49. Having a C.H.A.T. with God Practical guide to prayer
50. So where do we go from here, Lord? What happens after we pray?
51. What would Jesus do? exploring the 'What Would Jesus Do' movement
52. >Reading the User's manual - part 1 How to read the Bible
53. Reading the User's manual - part 2 Bible study on Jonah - looking at evangelism
54. Reading the User's manual - part 3 Bible study on Jonah - God's purposes and love
55. >SMS like a good idea Looking at the medium rather than the message
    
    INKY INDIGO SECTION - 'blueprints for life'
    
    
56. Why do the good die young? The problem of death and suffering
57. Why do the downright rotten (sometimes) prosper? How God deals with the wicked
58. The true spirit of Christmas An objective look at Christmas
59. It's all in the name Learning from names in the Bible
60. The three rubber bands The World, the Flesh and the Devil
61. Intercessor extraordinaire The life and times of Rees Howells
62. Sanctity of life - when death beckons Investigating euthanasia
63. Holy Communion, Batman! Understanding holy communion through drama
64. And you thought you were bad! Flawed characters in the Bible
65. Spread it about Illustrating the importance of evangelism
66. That Amazing Grace! Understanding grace through the famous hymn
    
    PARMA VIOLET SECTION - 'solid food'
    
    
67. A Day in the Life of Jesus - A leper healed! A study of Luke 5:12-16
68. A Day in the Life of Jesus - Healing of the paralytic!> A study of Luke 5:17-26
69. A Day in the Life of Jesus - The Calling of Levi> A study of Luke 5:27-32
70. A Day in the Life of Jesus - Fasting A study of Luke 5:33-39
71. And the greatest of these is … The ten commandments
72. The Parable of the man with a litter of puppies Why Jesus used parables
73. Three Days of Destiny: Day 1 - The Trial A drama on the Trial of Jesus
74. Three Days of Destiny: Day 2 - The Crucifixion Adrama on the Crucifixion
75. Three Days of Destiny: Day 3 - Resurrection! A drama on the Resurrection story
76. Magical Spiritual Tour The Bible as a coherent whole
77. It's raining men, Praise the Lord! A word study on "Hallelujah"