Youth Ministry Response to Harold Camping's May 21st' end of world prediction.

It really amazes me that it isn't easier to find youth ministry Bible studies that apply to contemporary events. I would think that youth ministers across the country would be ready to blog about how they are creatively addressing these big news stories.  But they are not. Or at least I cannot find them.

I want to take advantage of the passing of May 21st to speak with my students about Bible prophecy, cults, and true hope and I was hoping to find some helpful youth ministry resources online.

So, this is what I have in mind for class tomorrow morning.  I have on hand the following Scriptures: Matthew 24:36-44, 2 Peter 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, Mark 13:32, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4; Mark 13:32.

I want to talk about how we respond as Christians when others claim that tomorrow is the end of the world. I think I'll start by asking them about their thoughts on Harold Camping and his failed prediction for the end of the world.  (Yes, I am writing this 2 minutes before midnight on the 21st.) We'll discuss how we respond when people make claims like his.  (examine his claims, compare them to Scripture, prayer, etc.)

I then want to look at his followers.  What did they give up?  I want to use this to transition to talking about the cults and the different religious groups that may approach them when they are in college.  How are they to discern what is right and true and what is not.  What are the warning signs of a cult?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_checklist

Then, I want to conclude by talking about where we find our hope.  We will look at 1 Peter 1:3-9, as well as Romans 5:3-4.

Anyone else have any ideas as to how to use this "event" as a teaching tool in a Christian education setting?

Comments

Faith_Trust_Hope said…
I must make my own comment on my own blog. Camping predicted the rapture on the 21st of May and end of the world on 21st of October. I mis-wrote. So, I suppose this lesson question/idea could be used again in October?
12:06 AM
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