HEy everyone,

Has anyone ever experimented with introducing or teaching the puritans to a youth group? I thought it might be an interesting idea to do this but was not sure what book to start with.

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Keith Gorman
Seminary student / ABA
Garland, TX

A minister may fill his pews, his communion roll, the mouths of the public, but what that minister is on his knees in secret before God Almighty, that he is and no more. ~ JOHN OWEN

I don't know, but when I saw this thread's title, I thought you were suggesting the Puritans might have had youth groups! No way, back then when you hit 14, you got a job and a wife! (Okay, exaggerating a little teensy bit)

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Austin
EE student at Texas State University
Member of Church of the Cross (PCA) in San Marcos, TX
Ps. 8:3-4 "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

haha! me too! that's why i clicked on this thread, but i was sorely disappointed not to find anything about Puritan youth groups!

But to answer the question...Pilgrim's Progress is readable for youth and could be very beneficial, and interesting!

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Nathan Riese
Under Care, PCA
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Aledo, Illinois
Current student at MBBC
Future student of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
www.gpts.edu

sorry to disappoint. I'm not sure if the Puritans had a youth pastor who was awesome at Dodgeball or not.

Thanks for the suggestion on Pilgrim's progress. Maybe what are a few more titles that might be readable, understandable and leave 'em wanting more!

Perhaps The Godly Man's Picture by Thomas Watson?

When I read your question I thought it said that you wanted to teach the puritans about youth groups... uh, they kind aren't around anymore...

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Megan Meisberger
River Hills Community Church - EFCA (yes... same as charliejunfan)
Janesville, WI

Wife of matt.meisberger

<---- Naming my first son after him. My husband was saved while reading Religious Affections.

Thomas Vincent, in his work, "The Good Work Begun," has sermons that were specifically addressed to the teenagers in his church.

In the Jonathan Edwards collection of sermons, "To the Rising Generation," you have talks he gave to the youth of his church.

"God's Call to Young People" is comprised of sermons by the New England Puritans to young people.

It's pretty serious stuff, though.

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Dr. Don Kistler

Precious Remedies to Satan's Devices will be invaluable to youths today.

Also, it seems many today are fascinated by J. Edwards. Not surprising, it could be a good start to other less known Puritans.

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Ewen
1689 LBCF
Assemblies of God Bible College
Singapore

Shorter Catechism with Scripture Proofs by Thomas Vincent

Logic by Isaac Watts (this is something out teens could definitely use)

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jason d.
deacon @ Sovereign Joy Community Church
reformed baptist (LBC.1689)
fort worth (haltom city), texas

Thanks for all the suggestions and recommendations!

Hey, wait a minute, what about us??

I've quoted various Puritans and their ilk in studies and lessons for teenagers. That generation seems to appreciate the sense that their faith has a link to the past (plus they can see it's good material!). But the kids I've worked with have only appreciated it in very small doses. As in a few sentences at a time. My attempt to get them to do significant reading from Edwards' Affections fell flat, and I've been too chicken to try anything similar since.

Perhaps you'll have better success. It does seem to me like a good idea. Maybe I just didn't do it well.

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Jack K.
PCA, worshiping with some fine Baptists in Colorado

No, the Puritans didn't have a youth ministry. They didn't even have volleyball back then. And everyone knows, you can't have a youth ministry without volleyball!

But seriously, I think that's a great idea. Someone should write a book on a popular level about the Puritans and their theology.

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Jonathan
Audio Engineer
Reformed Anabaptist
Ohio

Moroni's magical glasses of proper interpretation:

Thomas Watson: Picture of a Godly Man.

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Pastor Nathan Eshelman, Los Angeles, CA
Reformed Presbyterian Church
PRESBYTERIAN THOUGHTS
Los Angeles Reformed Presbyterian Church
RPCLA Sermons Online
Puritan Reformed Seminary