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Engage Issue 2Connecting you with God's WordTeenager liteENGAGE Issue 2 This is ‘a brand new resource to get teenagers plugged into God’s Word’. The use of the word ‘plugged’ gives a clue to the style of these Bible Reading Notes! The notes are aimed at 14-18-year-olds and this issue covers Haggai, 1 Timothy, Habakkuk and sections of Genesis, John and Psalms. The studies are numbered but not dated and each has sections entitled: ‘Engage your brain’; ‘Get on with it’; ‘Pray about it’; and usually ‘The bottom line’. This is followed by a ‘Take it further’, which directs you to the back for a little more on the passage. There are also articles on ‘Stuff’ (stuff relevant to young Christians), ‘Tricky’ (tricky questions), ‘Essential’ (articles on basics of the faith), ‘Real Lives’ (stories of God at work in people’s lives) and ‘Tool Box’ (tools to help you wrestle with the Bible). Some of these are quite good and helpful; but others less so. ‘Too teenified’ was the view of some young people I polled. This confirmed my middle-aged cringing at the language and style. I fear it could be seen as patronising and it borders on the irreverent in places. The content is largely good, if not particularly challenging, especially for the 15+ group. I assume it is an attempt to bridge the gap between Discover and Explore notes and may well be a transition step for some. However, I would be concerned if young people felt it met their spiritual appetite for the full four years it is intended to last. If this is all the average 14-18-year-old can cope with, it should be a wake-up call to the churches. Perhaps teenagers need to listen to a few more sermons and a few less ‘age appropriate’ alternatives. This may be useful to put in the hands of a new Christian or seeker from an unchurched background. However, for teenagers brought up in the church who regularly listen to sermons, there is not a lot of substance and they will need to move straight to Explore or look elsewhere. Fiona Johnston,
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