Youth Bible Study Resources

Since the beginning of the Anabaptist reformation, Mennonites have sought to be a biblical people in ways that both borrowed from the Protestant reformation and differed from it. These youth bible studies and youth group activities follow in this same line of understanding, and are written by Anabaptist leaders, students, professors and pastors.

    1. Two Sided
      by Rod Miller

      Genesis chapter 1; Genesis chapter 2; in our image; likeness; Rod Miller; helper; Adam; Eve; creation

    2. What Happens When We Try to Be Like God
      by Isaac Landis

      Genesis chapter 3; tree of life; knowledge of good and evil; serpent; snake; Adam; Isaac Landis

    3. Am I My Brother’s Keeper
      by Orlan Koehn & Carol Duerksen

      Genesis chapter 4; Orlan Koehn; Carol Duerksen; Cain; Abel; Brother’s keeper

    4. Sin Floods the World
      by Michele Hershberger

      Genesis chapter 6; flood; Noah; Michele Hershberger; covenant

    5. Control Issues
      by Isaac Landis & Carol Duerksen

      Genesis chapter 11; Isaac Landis; Carol Duerksen; Tower of Babel; language; tongues

    6. Standing on the Promises
      by Audrun Siebert

      Genesis chapter 21; Audrun Siebert; Abraham; Sarah; Hagar; Isaac; childbearing

    7. This is a Test, This is Only a Test
      by Isaac Landis

      Genesis chapter 22; Isaac Landis; Abraham; Isaac; sacrifice; ram; offering; Test

    8. What Goes Around Comes Around
      by Carol Duerksen & Billie Jo Warren

      Genesis chapter 27; 29; 30; 31; Carol Duerksen; Billie Jo Warren; Laban; Jacob; Esau; deception; lies; birthright; dishonesty

    9. Joseph – Love Him or Leave Him
      by Dave Shirk & Carol Duerksen

      Genesis 37; Dave Shirk; Carol Duerksen; Joseph; Coat of many colors; brothers; Egypt

    10. If God is in Control, Then Why Does My Life Seem Out of Control?
      by Bill Martin

      Genesis 45; Bill Martin; Joseph; Egypt; slavery; Isaac; dreams; baker; famine

    1. God Called Moses and Still Calls Today
      by Jeff Linthicum & Carol Duerksen

      Jeff Linthicum; Carol Duerksen; Moses; God’s call; burning bush; Pharaoh; Egypt

    2. God Cares About the Oppressed
      by Dave Shirk

      Exodus chapter 6; 12; Dave Shirk; Opressed; Israelites; Egyptians; deliverance; Moses; plagues; slavery

    3. No Way Out?
      by Rod Miller

      Exodus chapter 14; Rod Miller; Stand firm; Red Sea; Pharaoh; Moses

    4. Making God Numero Uno
      by Orlan Koehn and Carol Duerksen

      Exodus chapter 20; Orlan Koehn; Carol Duerksen; Mt. Sinai; Moses; Ten Commandments; 1st; Israelites

    5. In Trouble with a Golden Calf
      by Dave Shirk

      Exodus 32; Dave Shirk; Golden Calf; Moses; Mt. Sinai; Israelites; mountain; idol

    6. The Twelve Spies
      by Audrun Siebert

      Numbers 13; 14; Audrun Siebert; Twelve spies; Canaan; wilderness; forty years; giants; Joshua; Caleb

    7. Thanks (But No Thanks)
      by Billie Jo Warren & Carol Duerksen

      Numbers 11; Billie Jo Warren; Carol Duerksen; manna; wilderness; quail; Israelites

    8. Into the Promised Land
      by Audrun Siebert

      Deuteronomy 26; Audrun Siebert; milk; honey; Abram; Abraham; promised land

    9. Punish the Evil, Reward the Good?
      by Lyz Weaver

      Deuteronomy 28; Psalm 73; Lyz Weaver; Matthew 5; love neighbor; pray; persecution

    10. A People of All Peoples
      by Lyz Weaver

      Joshua 24; Lyz Weaver; Joshua; Shechem; salvation story; culture; covenant

    1. Samuel and the Question of a King
      by Dan Baker

      1 Samuel 8; 12; Dan Baker; Samuel; judge; Saul; king; repent; God’s people

    2. What part of “Yes Lord!” Don’t You Understand?
      by Orlan Koehn

      1 Samuel 15; Orlan Koehn; offerings; Amalakites; Saul; King David; obedience; yes Lord

    3. The Power of Repentance
      by Dan Baker & Carol Duerksen

      1 Samuel 13; 15; 2 Samuel 7; 11; Psalm 51; Dan Baker; Carol Duerksen; repent; repentance; David; Saul

    4. The Wise
      by Bill Martin

      1 Kings 3; 4; 11; 12; Bill Martin; wise; Solomon; wisdom follow God

    5. The Divided Kingdom
      by Casey Rohrer

      1 Kings 11; 12; 2 Chronicles 10; Casey Rohrer; Divided Kingdom; Solomn; Rehoboam; history

    6. Our Powerful God
      by Laurel Mast

      1 Kings 18; Laurel Mast; power; powerful; Baal; Elijah; fire on alter; Mt. Carmel; Ahab

    7. Do What to Your Enemy?
      by Jeff Linthicum & Carol Duerksen

      2 Kings 6; Jeff Linthicum; Carol Duerksen; Arameans; Aram; enemy; enemies; Elisha; traitor

    8. The Prostitute and the Prophet
      by Michele Hershberger

      Hosea 1; 2; Michele Hershberger; prostitute; prophet; marriage; unconditional love; Gomer

    9. The Frog in the Pot
      by Lyz Weaver

      Numbers 6; Judges 13; 14; 15; 16; Lyz Weaver; Nazirites; Samson; frog; backsliding; culture; temptation

    10. How the “Haves” Treat the “Have-Nots”
      by Bill Martin

      Amos 2; Bill Martin; poor; rich; wealthy; serfs; economy; economic class; welfare

    1. Turn to the Lord
      by Megan Linthicum

      2 Kings 22; 23; Megan Linthicum; Turn; King Josiah; worship; judgment; humble; humility

    2. Self-Righteous? Who, me?
      by Laurel Mast

      Jeremiah 7; 2 Chronicles 36; Laurel Mast; self-righteous; righteous; sin; temple; prophesy; Judah

    3. Jeremiah: A New Hope Floats
      by Dan Baker

      Jeremiah 32; 33; 34; Dan Baker; Jeremiah; Hope; anger; wrath; Nebuchadnezzar; Jerusalem; Zedekiah; exile

    4. Ezekiel and the Vision
      by Casey Rohrer and Carol Duerksen

      Ezekiel 1; Casey Rohrer; Carol Duerksen; Vision; Ezekiel; worship; gentiles; Jews

    5. Separate for God
      by Rod Miller

      Ezra 7; 8; 9; 10; Rod Miller; law; separate; holy; ordinance

    6. Standing Tall
      by Laurel Mast and Carol Duerksen

      1 Peter 5; Daniel 1; Nebuchadnezzar; Stand; Daniel; vegetarian; eating; health; suffering; Laurel Mast; Carol Duerksen

    7. Detour to the Prophets: Isaiah
      by Michele Hershberger

      Isaiah 6; Michele Hershberger; Isaiah; vision; prophet; indescribable; holiness; listen

    8. Detour to the Prophets: Jeremiah
      by Michele Hershberger

      Jeremiah 31; Jeremiah; Michele Hershberger; law; covenant; salvation; forgiveness; people of God

    9. Detour to the Prophets: Amos
      by Michele Hershberger

      Amos 5; Michele Hershberger; Amos; Northern Kingdom; justice; wealth; prosperity

    10. Detour to the Prophets: Micah
      by Michele Hershberger

      Micah 6; Michele Hershberger; Micah; justice; kindness; mercy; humility; humble; obedience

    1. Detour through Acts: Being the Beggar
      by Michele Hershberger

      Acts 3; Michele Hershberger; Acts; Peter; silver; gold; stand up; healing; Jesus’ name; lame

    2. Detour through Acts: Being True Community
      by Michele Hershberger

      Acts 4; Michele Hershberger; Acts; community; John; Peter; possessions; abundance

    3. Detour through Acts: Taking God Seriously
      by Michele Hershberger

      Acts 5; Michele Hershberger; Acts; Barnabas; Ananias; Sapphira; deception; deceit; truth; lie

    4. Detour through Acts: Only One Master
      by Michele Hershberger

      Acts 5; Michele Hershberger; Acts; obedience; Peter; prison; jealousy

    5. Detour through Psalms: Why Bother Being Good?
      by Michele Hershberger

      Psalm 73; Michele Hershberger; Psalms; goodness

    6. Detour through Psalms: Why Do We Praise God?
      by Michele Hershberger

      Psalm 145; Michele Hershberger; Psalms; Praise; songs; poor; justice

    7. Detour through Psalms: Why Do We Thank God?
      by Michele Hershberger

      Psalm 136; Michele Hershberger; Psalms; thanks; thankfulness; miracles

    8. Detour through Psalms: How Do You Deal with Anger?
      by Michele Hershberger

      Psalm 137; Michele Hershberger; Psalms; anger; revenge; Babylon

    9. Mary’s Call
      by Carol Duerksen

      Luke 1; Carol Duerksen; Luke; Mary; conception; immaculate

    10. Shepherds, Stereotypes, and Society’s Outcasts
      by Brian Hackman

      Luke 2; Brian Hackman; Luke; Christmas; shepherds; stereotype; Bethlehem; messiah

  1. The Baptism of Jesus
    by Carol Duerksen

    Luke 3; Carol Duerksen; Luke; John the Baptist; baptism; Jesus’ baptism; dove; beloved son

  2. The Temptation of Jesus
    by Carol Duerksen

    Luke 4; Carol Duerksen; Luke; 40 days; wilderness; temptation; worship

  3. Rejected in Nazareth
    by Patrick Mease, Michele Hershberger and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 4; Patrick Mease; Michele Hershberger; Carol Duerksen; temple; Jesus; Nazareth; rejected; hometown; prophet

  4. Gone Fishin’
    by Carol Duerksen

    Luke 5; Carol Duerksen; Simon; Peter; fisherman; Galilee; following Jesus

  5. Sabbath Laws
    by Brent Gehman

    Luke 6; Brent Gehman; Luke; Sabbath; disciples; Jesus

  6. Loving the Unlovable
    by Nicholas Stoddard and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 6; Angela Stauffer; Carol Duerksen; Luke; Jesus; healing; evil spirits; blessed

  7. How Blessed Are You?
    by Angela Stauffer and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 6; Nicholas Stoddard; Carol Duerksen; unlovable; love; enemies

  8. Blind? Who’s Blind?
    by Brent Gehman

    Luke 6; Brent Gehman; Luke; blind; forgiveness

  1. The Parable of the Sower and the Soil by Rod Miller

    Luke 8; Patrick Mease; Carol Duerksen; parable; seed; thorns; sower; soil

  2. Relying on God
    by Brian Hackman

    Luke 8; Brian Hackman; touch; Jarius; Luke; death; raised to life; miracles; dead

  3. Jesus Feeds 5000 Plus
    by Faye Wagner and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 9; Faye Wagner; Carol Duerksen; Jesus; bread; fish; loaves; 5000; feed; crowd

  4. Gaining Life by Losing It
    by Jon Van Houwe and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 9; Acts 6; Acts 7; Jon Van Houwe; Carol Duerksen; gain; life; deny; carry cross; suffer

  5. How About Those Mountaintop Experiences?
    by Randy Keener and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 9; Randy Keener; Carol Duerksen; Peter; Jesus; transfiguration; mountain top; pray

  6. The Parable of the Good Samaritan
    by Adrianne Miller and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 10; Adrianne Miller; Carol Duerksen; Good Samaritan; neighbor; friend

  7. Does God Hear Me?
    by Luke Wagner and Michele Hershberger

    Luke 11; Luke Wagner; Michele Hershberger; seek; knock; prayer; Lord’s prayer; Jesus; door

  8. Worry Not
    by Ashley Young and Michele Hershberger

    Luke 12; Ashley Young; Michele Hershberger; Worry; Jesus; sow; reap; treasure; money

  9. The Lost Son
    by Mark Horst

    Luke 15; Mark Horst; family; son; parable; lost; prodigal; rebellion; inheritance

  10. The Rich Man and Lazarus
    by Angela Stauffer

    Luke 16; Angela Stauffer; Lazarus; death; raised to life; miracle; rich; heaven; Abraham

  11. The Rich, Young Ruler
    by Randall Schlabach and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 18; Randall Schlabach; Carol Duerksen; rich; young; ruler; saved; sell; possessions; poor

  12. The King is Coming on a Colt!
    by David Horst and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 19; David Horst; Carol Duerksen; Jesus; triumphant entry; colt; donkey; palm Sunday

  13. True Greatness
    by Kenton Miller and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 22; Kenton Miller; Carol Duerksen; Jesus; Passover; last supper; greatest; greatness; bread; wine; cup

  14. Peter’s Denial of Jesus
    by Carol Duerksen

    Luke 22; Kenton Miller; Carol Duerksen; Jesus; Passover; last supper; greatest; greatness; bread; wine; cup

  15. Pilate Under Pressure
    by Meridith Lane Thomas and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 23; Meridith Lane Thomas; Carol Duerksen; Pilate; crucified; cross; trial; Herod; Sanhedrin; Barabbas

  16. Can You Hear the Love?
    by Randy Keener

    Luke 23; Randy Keener; crucified; cross; sacrifice; death; eternal life; love; skull; good Friday; sin

  17. The Resurrection
    by Jesse Morris and Michele Hershberger

    Luke 24; Jesse Morris; Michele Hershberger; Easter; resurrection; tomb; life; angels; Jesus; raised

  18. Where is Jesus When Tragedy Strikes?
    by Chad Unrein, Michele Hershberger and Carol Duerksen

    Luke 24; Chad Unrein; Michele Hershberger; Carol Duerksen; Emmaus road; disciples; Jesus; appearing; Jerusalem; Messiah; walking; tragedy; tragic; seeing

  19. The Coming of the Holy Spirit
    by Carol Duerksen

    Acts 2; Carol Duerksen; Holy Spirit; Pentecost; festival; tongues; fire; prayer language

  20. Pulling Me Apart
    by Carol Duerksen

    Romans 7; Karissa Miller; law; temptation; mind; heart; freedom; legalism; sinful nature

  21. Completely Free
    by David Miller and Carol Duerksen

    Romans 8; John 3; David Miller; Carol Duerksen; Freedom; Free; condemnation; law; sin; death; life

  22. To Be a Living Sacrifice
    by Kristin Yoder and Carol Duerksen

    Romans 12; Kristin Yoder; Carol Duerksen; sacrifice; worship; body; mind; soul; gifts

  23. Love is Something You Do
    by Tyler Peachey and Carol Duerksen

    Romans 12; Tyler Peachey; Carol Duerksen; Love; serve; serving; overcome; evil; good; persecute

  24. Working Together
    by Michele Hershberger

    I Corinthians 3; Michele Hershberger; work; together; servant; Paul; unity; quarrel; fight; foundation; church

  25. Bought with a Price
    by Randy Keener

    I Corinthians 6; Randy Keener; body; temple; Holy Spirit; bought; cost

  26. The Body of Christ
    by Faye Wagner and Carol Duerksen

    I Corinthians 12; Faye Wagner; Carol Duerksen; body; Christ; Jesus; Paul; church; responsibility; members

  27. The Love Chapter
    by Michele Hershberger and Carol Duerksen

    I Corinthians 13; Michele Hershberger; Carol Duerksen; love; marriage; agape; sacrificial; divine

  28. The Cheerful Giver
    by Brian Hackman and Carol Duerksen

    I Corinthians 9; Brian Hackman; Carol Duerksen; cheerful; cheer; give; generosity; money

  29. The Only Thing That Counts
    by Angela Stauffer

    Galatians 5; Angela Stauffer; freedom; change; worry; selfish; conviction; love

  30. Others First
    by Jon Van Houwe

    Philippians 2; Jon Van Houwe; others; selfish; ambition; humility; humble; pride

  31. The Righteousness of Christ
    by Brent Gehman

    Philippians 3; Brent Gehman; Righteousness; Paul; gain; loss; faith

  32. New Clothes
    by Carol Duerksen

    I Colossians 3; Carol Duerksen; Clothing; Clothes; love; human nature; image of God

  33. The Bitter-Sweet Tongue
    by Eric Miller

    James 3; Matthew 5, 12; Eric Miller; tongue; words; curse; bless; praising; cursing; control

  34. The Lamb is in Control
    by Nicholas Stoddard

    Revelation 5; Nicholas Stoddard; Lamb; control; Christ; lion; scroll; seven seals; future; throne; hope

  35. Victory Through Christ
    by Kenton Miller

    Revelation 12; Kenton Miller; Victory; Christ; spiritual warfare; hope; salvation; faithful; Satan’s fall

  36. Finding God in your Neighborhood
    by Randy Keener

    John 1; Randy Keener; word; flesh; fully human; fully God; light; darkness; grace; truth

  37. Whole New Person
    by David Miller

    John 3; David Miller; born again; new birth; Nicodemus; Spirit; Jesus; water; spiritual life

  38. The Good Shepherd
    by Luke Wagner and Carol Duerksen

    John 10; Luke Wagner; Carol Duerksen; Jesus; shepherd; sheep; follow; gate; relationship; sacrifice

  39. People Pruning
    by Merle Christner

    John 15; Merle Christner; Jesus; vine; branches; love; pruning; bear fruit; friend

  40. Community of Believers
    by Randall Schlabach and Carol Duerksen

    Acts 18, 19; Randall Schlabach; Carol Duerksen; Apollos; community; believers; Priscilla; Aquila; baptize; preach

  41. Don’t Mess Around with Demons
    by Shae Miller and Carol Duerksen

    Acts 19; Shae Miller; Carol Duerksen; demons; Paul; healing; evil spirit; confession

  42. Bringing Life to Something that Seems Dead
    by Lara Hochstetler

    Acts 20; Lara Hochstetler; life; death; Pentecost; Paul; missionary; asleep; fall; church; young man

  43. When “The World” Supports Our Faith–Or Not
    by Travis Riesen and Carol Duerksen

    Acts 22; Travis Riesen; Carol Duerksen; Paul; faith; the world; Rome

  44. Courage to Take Risks
    by Bruce Hostetler and Carol Duerksen

    Acts 23; Bruce Hostetler; Carol Duerksen; Paul; Gentiles; Damascus road; prison

  45. Castaways and Hospitality
    by Erica Stoltzfus and Carol Duerksen

    Acts 27; Erica Stoltzfus; Carol Duerksen; shipwreck; castaway; hospitality; snakes

  46. Affluenza
    by Ben Barwick

    Amos 2; Ben Barwick; prophet; affluence; Israel; judgement

  47. When God Speaks, Do People Listen?
    by Kaely Miller

    Amos 3; Kaely Miller; God calls; listen; punishment; injustice

  48. False Worship
    by Travis Riesen

    Amos 4; Travis Riesen; fall; rich; poverty; worship; false; punishment

  49. The Rich and the Poor
    by Julie Snyder

    Amos 5; Julie Snyder; kingdoms; unfaithful; justice; rich; poor

  50. Woe to You!
    by Bruce Hostetler and Carol Duerksen

    Amos 6; Bruce Hostetler; Carol Duerksen; woe; prophet; punishment; injustice; behavior; doom

  51. Amos’ Text Message
    by Carol Duerksen and Erica Stoltzfus

    Amos 9; Carol Duerksen; Erica Stoltzfus; prophet; prophesy; divided kingdom; text message

  52. Adopted!
    by Michele Hershberger

    Ephesians 1; Michele Hershberger; Paul; adopted; adoption; chosen; mission

  53. Hope and Power!
    by Michele Hershberger

    Ephesians 1; Michele Hershberger; hope; power; wisdom; reveal; Christ; revelation

  54. The Hidden Treasure
    by Danielle Early

    Matthew 13; Danielle Early; treasure; field; parable; Jesus; joy

  55. Saved by Grace
    by Ilya Pavlov

    Ephesians 2; Ilya Pavlov; grace; saved; salvation; Paul; works; new creature; motivation

  56. So Who’s Really Blind
    by Ilya Pavlov

    Ephesians 2; Ilya Pavlov; grace; saved; salvation; Paul; works; new creature; motivation

  57. Treasure Hunt
    by Ona Matulionyte

    Matthew 13; Ona Matulionyte; treasure; hunt; pearls; swine; kingdom; heaven

  58. Refining Fire
    by Ona Matulionyte

    Isaiah 48; Ona Matulionyte; fire; refine; truth; treasure; pearls; hardship

  59. Dividing Wall is Down!
    by Michele Hershberger

    Ephesians 2; Michele Hershberger; walls; hostility; barrier; dividing; temple; heirs