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What if the most powerful way to reach today's youth isn't through carefully crafted topical messages, but through teaching them to dig into Scripture verse by verse? Jeremy Stevenson, formations pastor at Christ Church in Jacksonville, believes we're facing a generation hungry for authenticity—one that needs skills to engage with God's Word directly rather than depending on a youth pastor's clever packaging.

In this thought-provoking conversation, Jeremy shares how his student ministry tackles Paul's prison epistles through a series called "Letters from a Cell," creatively connecting ancient texts with Dietrich Bonhoeffer's prison writings while staying firmly rooted in Scripture. Rather than avoiding theological challenges that naturally arise when teaching through books of the Bible, Jeremy's team creates space for deeper dives into topics like predestination and sexuality—discovering that students eagerly stay for these substantive conversations.

The shift to exegetical teaching hasn't dampened creativity or student engagement. Instead, it's transformed how students interact with Scripture and their peers. "They are now equipped to take God's word to their people rather than bringing their people to hear God's word," Jeremy explains, noting how students are increasingly discipling friends rather than merely inviting them to church. By encouraging physical Bibles over screen projections and emphasizing direct textual engagement, Christ Church is equipping students with lifelong skills for spiritual growth.

Before this insightful discussion, we join Caleb DeRoin as he recounts his extraordinary attempt at the punishing Leadville 100 mountain bike race in Colorado—a 105-mile challenge with 12,000 feet of elevation change that defeats over half its participants annually. His riveting story of perseverance through 90 miles of grueling terrain at extreme altitudes offers surprising parallels to our spiritual journey of endurance and commitment.

Whether you're a youth minister questioning your teaching approach or simply curious about effective ways to help young people engage with Scripture, this episode offers fresh perspectives on discipleship that transcends trends and cultivates lasting spiritual formation. Subscribe for our upcoming conversation about integrating students into adult services versus creating student-only spaces!