Youth New Testament Bible Marathons
Purpose
To inspire and encourage Youths to give their lives to Jesus Christ, to live for Jesus, to follow and serve Him, finding their true purpose and fulfillment in Him and finding the Truth in Him and in His Word.
Overview & Guidelines
Let’s TURN THE LIGHT ON!
Psalm 119:9 – Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy Word.
Psalm 119:11 – Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Psalm 119:105 – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 – “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;”
Psalm 100:2 – “Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”
How To Organize
ANY GROUP CAN ORGANIZE
A Youth New Testament Bible Marathon can be organized by any group of Youths, Youth Group, Youth Leader(s), Youth Pastor(s), Pastor(s) or Parents.
ENLIST 25-40 Youths – Teens & Twenties
Once a decision is made to join in a Youth New Testament Bible Marathon, then quickly proceed to enlist youth participants.
DON’T HAVE ENOUGH YOUTHS?
1. Small churches/groups can join with another.
2. Adults can join with your Youths using who you have available at your own church (though not the recommended option).
MULTIPLE Youth Bible Marathons?
Do you have a large church?
Have many more youths in your church/group?
Then consider organizing multiple Bible Marathons.
The purpose is not to put on a program but to immerse all our youths in God’s Word for an experience of potentially life-changing impact.
In-Person or Virtual
If an in-person Bible Marathon is not easily workable, you can do this virtually via Zoom, and similarly Live Stream from Zoom.
Choose Your Bible Version
Your group can choose any version of the Bible you like:-
KJV, NIV, NLT, etc
Assign CHAPTERS To Youths Early
Choose Desired Option For Reading All Or Any Part Of The New Testament
Option 1: Entire New Testament – 27 books, 260 chapters, 22 hours.
Should start the day before on Friday evening from 6/7/8pm, whichever is most convenient for your group; to end on Saturday evening.
Option 2: The Four Gospels – 4 books, 89 chapters, 13 hours.
Option 3: Pauline and General Epistles – 21 books, 121 chapters, 8 hours.
Option 4: Luke and Acts – 2 books, 52 chapters, 6 hours.
Option 5: John’s Writings – 5 books, 50 chapters, 5 hours.
Option 6: Any book(s) of the New Testament you wish.
Choose any option you like that is suitable for your group.
Options 2-6 can all be completed on the Saturday starting at any time preferred.
Reading Schedule And Reading Speed
See the reading schedule provided, showing approximate reading times for all the books of the New Testament. These reading times are based on an average reading speed of 150 words per minute. Youths should read at a comfortable speed.
Note that starting with the Gospel of John (“IN THE BEGINNING”) is recommended when doing the full New Testament.
Reading then continues through Matthew, Mark, Luke and straight to Acts.
Public Live-streamed On YouTube & Facebook
Your Youth NT Bible Marathon should be conducted in public in person at your church or other suitable venue.
Arrangement should be made for the appropriate Media Sound and Video System.
Live Streaming on YouTube & Facebook is recommended.
Please note that the maximum length of a Live Stream on Facebook is eight (8) hours, so you must arrange to stop and resume your Live Stream after every 6-7 hours
PRAYER
Organize unceasing Prayer among participating Youths and the entire Church, parents, family, friends to commence from the time you decide to organize your Bible Marathon, continuing all through to the end of your Bible Marathon.
PREPARE and PRACTICE
Youths must prepare to read their chapters with excellence, by reading over their assigned chapters regularly.
Group sessions can be arranged to assist youths in preparation for reading well publicly.
PROMOTION
Participating Youths should create Fliers etc. for promoting their Bible
Marathon to family and friends via Social Media etc. inviting them to view and listen.
SUPPORT GROUP
Pastors, Church Leaders, Church Workers, Parents, Friends can assist in supporting by spending the night/day with Youths, praying, operating Media and live streaming, providing refreshments and encouraging the participating Youths.
OPENING & CLOSING Segments
Pastors and others can assist where needed with organizing and or conducting these sessions.
Sessions can last fifteen minutes or longer as desired and should include prayer, worship and thanksgiving, along with a brief message or exhortation.
The closing session can include testimonies from participating youths; you can also consider adding a time of prayer and consecration for the participating Youths as you feel led by the The Lord.
AN ETERNALLY REWARDING INVESTMENT FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
A first time experience for most, Youths will be especially blessed in engaging in this potentially life-changing experience impacting both their temporal and eternal wellbeing.
All for Christ’s Kingdom and Glory.
God bless you richly is our prayer.
Amen.
