Theological depth through expository Bible teaching is one of Rooted’s five pillars of gospel-centered youth ministry. As we work to teach teenagers the full counsel of God’s Word (Acts 20:27), we must always seek to grow in the grace and understanding of the gospel ourselves. While the Holy Spirit is our best and first guide, faithful Bible scholars can be excellent teachers too. We selected the award winners in this category with an eye to resources that will be most helpful in ministry to youth. Enjoy!
Honorable Mention
Delighting in the Old Testament: Through Christ and for Christ by Jason S. DeRouchie (Crossway)
For many youth ministers, helping teenagers to make sense of the Old Testament’s stories and themes can present an intimidating challenge. In Delighting in the Old Testament, Jason S. DeRouchie seeks to equip pastors and other church leaders to confidently read, interpret, and teach the Old Testament. While this book leans slightly more academic than some others in this group, it is immensely practical for ministry in the youth room.
DeRouchie provides a framework for teaching the Old Testament itself and for applying the New Testament’s teaching in light of its Old Testament foundations. He offers readers confidence that believers ought to read the Old Testament Christianly—reading the story of Scripture “forward, then backward, and then forward again” (p. 68).
First, DeRouchie demonstrates how the Old Testament’s human authors expressed knowledge that they were writing not just for their contemporaries, but for the faithful remnant of God’s people who would see the coming of the promised Messiah (Part I). Then he likewise communicates how the collective witness of the New Testament authors, and that of Jesus himself, points to their understanding of seeing the Old Testament fulfilled in Christ (Part II). Then he gives attention to the many Old Testament promises that Christ fulfilled (Part III) and to the significance of the now-fulfilled yet still significant Law for Christians today (Part IV).
Youth ministers who want to sharpen their Bible teaching skills will find this book stretching but not overwhelming. Its table of contents could be readily applied to a teaching series helping teenagers understand the Old Testament’s (and more particularly, the Law and the prophets) within Christian teaching. Consider reading it alongside fellow youth ministers in your area or with some lay youth leaders on your team in effort to draw out its deep relevance for teenagers in your care.
Honorable Mention
From Garden to Glory: How Understanding God’s Story Changes Yours by Courtney Doctor (Harvest House)
Courtney Doctor’s readable new book From Garden to Glory looks at the metanarrative of Scripture (Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration) and shows readers how to follow the story from the Old Testament to the New.
While the content of this book will be familiar to many youth ministers, anyone who teaches teenagers the Bible will benefit immensely from Doctor’s thoughtful pedagogy. She writes primarily to lay people, and as a result, many of her rich illustrations will be relatable to teenagers. Youth ministers could read this book as a way to help them think through the questions students may ask about the Bible’s storyline, and to learn from Doctor’s winsome approach.
Youth ministers could also use Doctor’s table of contents as an outline for a teaching series to help teenagers understand the macro narrative of the Bible. Alternatively, small group leaders could work through the book in a discipleship setting, making use of the excellent questions included at the end of each chapter.
Often youth ministers may need to equip lay people to incorporate biblical theology into their teaching or small group ministry. This would be an excellent book to share with adult youth leaders or student leaders (think leader Christmas gift!) to help them grow in their teaching gifts. Youth ministers will feel confident their teams understand the purpose and beauty of the Bible after leaders have read this book.
Winner
Are We Living in the Last Days? Four Views of the Hope We Share About Revelation and Christ’s Return by Bryan Chapell (Baker Books)
Few theological debates are as charged in the church today as the timing and nature of Jesus’ return. In Are We Living in the Last Days, Brian Chapell explains the four major views on eschatology (i.e. end times theology). This accessible book will help youth ministers navigate potential land mines in the church with the grace of the gospel.
Chapell himself adheres to a covenantal reading of the Bible that informs his own eschatology. In this book, however, he seeks to fairly represent the four main positions on the issue (Dispensational Premillennialism, Historic Premillennialism, Amillennialism, and Postmillennialism), unpacking some strengths and challenges of each in biblical interpretation.
Note that this book is not part of the “Four Views” series, in which four different scholars represent their own positions and interact with one another’s views. Instead, Chapell writes more informationally, rather than in effort to persuade readers to his own view, making the book especially straightforward to read. He gives special focus to what the four views hold in common, which will be helpful to youth ministers seeking to shepherd teenagers and adults.
Youth ministers feeling uncertain about which position best fits their reading of Scripture as well as Bible teachers hoping to present texts such as Daniel 9 and Revelation with charity toward fellow believers will appreciate this book. In addition to providing a helpful refresher on eschatology, it’s a book youth ministers could share with a layperson or even a mature teenager.
Winner
The Justice and Goodness of God: A Biblical Case for the Final Judgment by Thomas Schriener (Crossway)
Teenagers often have questions about God’s judgment in the Bible, whether related to the curses associated with the covenant in the Old Testament or Jesus’ teaching about hell in the New Testament. Tom Schriener’s The Justice and Goodness of God provides a valuable overview for youth ministers seeking to present the full gospel in the Bible’s own terms.
In this concise book, Tom Schriener offers a survey of key texts, explaining how they develop a Christian theology of God’s judgment. His writing proves clarifying and helpful for those versed in the languages as well as for lay people. Schreiner takes the uncomfortable truth of God’s judgment and shows how it affirms God’s justice, without which the world would be chaotic and meaningless. He regularly addresses the popular view of annihilationism and gently but firmly contends for a different reading of the text. Consider reading this theologically rich book alongside a mature student who has questions about God’s judgment.
Youth ministers reading will walk away poised to tackle some of the most sensitive questions that emerge as we study the Bible with teenagers.
The 2024 Book Awards team includes Chelsea Kingston Erickson, Tim Franks, Natalie Lett, and Tracy Yi.
In 2024, Rooted had the honor of publishing three new books for teenagers: The Jesus I Wish I Knew in High School, Asian American Edition (by Rooted authors); Longing for Christmas (Rooted authors), and Identity: Discovering Who You Are in Christ by Lindsey Carlson.
