ADAPTATION OF BIBLE STUDY FOR YOUTH

Because of society's rapidly growing acceptance of euthanasia, it is important to recognize that our children be introduced to these life issues before they are faced with actually making life and death decisions.

When preparing to present these studies, consider the developmental stage of the children. Much of the original study prepared for adults is applicable to teenagers, but will be too abstract for younger children to understand. Also, it is important for the students to see this issue applies to them as well as to adults. Any personal stories of children their own age experiencing disabilities will be much more effective than looking only at cases regarding adults.

The overall objectives for this course for teenagers remains the same as those for the adults.

1. Gain an understanding of God's word on euthanasia.
2. To explore the value of life.
3. To alert Christians to the dangers of legalizing euthanasia and what efforts they can take to protect their loved ones and our nation.

When preparing this study for young people, it may be necessary to break the sessions down into smaller units to be completed in more than three sessions. This would allow for added discussion time and the additional age specific suggestions to each section of the study.

If the study is to be used in a school setting, it would be good to have the students read Choices by Judith Brown (see suggested reading list) before the study actually begins. Another option would be to have the students read the novel at the end of the study and then apply what they learned to the situations in the book.

Other ideas include:

• Sunday School classes
• Christian schools, classes in Health/Sciences, Speech, Debate, Family Living, English, Religion, etc.
• Include the study as a part of a Sanctity of Life Series
• Include a discussion on Teen Suicide
• Encourage students to do research papers on euthanasia for school projects
• Have a panel discussion with professionals - lawyers, doctors, nurses and pastors
• Encourage students to share their own experiences with grandparents or other disabled family members

Additional Reading Materials for Junior to Senior High Students:

• Choices, Judith Brown: Creation House, 1990.
• Joni, Joni Earickson Tada, Zondervan Publishing House, 1976.
• The Life and Death Debate -- Moral Issues of Our Time, J.P. Moreland and Norman L. Geisler, Praeger Publishers, 1990.
• When Someone Wants to Die; Help for People Struggling with Suicide, S.J. Anderson, Intervarsity Press, 1988.

Suggested Reading for Young Children:

• If I Should Die, If I Should Live, Joanne Marxhausen, Concordia Publisher, 1975.
• Helping Children Cope with Death, Robert V. Dodd, Harold Press, 1984.
• Helping Children Grieve, by Theresa Huntley, 1991.
• Let's Talk About Heaven, Debby Anderson, David C. Cook Publishing Co., 1991.
• Love Letters -- Responding to Children in Pain, Doris Sanford, Multnomah Press, 1991.
• The Great Alphabet Fight, Joni Earickson Tada & Steve Jensen, Gold 'n' Honey Books, Questar Publsihers, Inc., 1993.