Applying the power of the Bible to the problem of Self-Injury

Can you spot the cutters in your youth group? They are there. If you’ve been in youth ministry for any amount of time I’ll bet you’ve run across more than one person who is engaging in the act of cutting as a way to manage chronic and overwhelming emotional pain.

In 2002 schools in England reported that almost 7% of their students reported an act of deliberate self-harm. The largest group is girls under the age of 18. Parenting.org website reports that their Boys Town National Hotline received 696 calls in 2007 whose primary issue was self-injury, or cutting. In 2011 that number was…read the rest in my blog.

The Zombie Apocalypse Survival Guide for Teenagers

The Zombie Apocalypse Survival Guide for Teenagers isn’t a normal book. It’s not even a normal Zombie survival guide. It’s a story of three teenagers enduring and surviving against the odds, adapting where many adults failed. Not many teenagers survived “The Havoc,” probably because most didn’t acclimate and learn like these three. So what’s the secret to their survival? Good question. The answer lies in these pages, a journal written by a teenager named Chris. Each section includes some discussion questions to help you digest what you just read. These questions will point to the Bible here and there for some wisdom that has stood the test of time: wisdom for surviving your real world.

The Battle For Your Brain

In this lesson we will use the current preoccupation with Zombies to pique the teens interest in the real battle for their brains. The goal of this lesson is to help young people understand that the enemy (Satan) wants to take them out but they can fight back if they have the tools.

The phenomenon of self-injury is a direct result of spiritual warfare. At this age kids are forming their personal identities apart from their parents. They are subject to false information from a variety of sources. You are uniquely positioned to help them seek the source of truth, The Bible, to challenge the false assumptions they are making about themselves.

This is a free two page Bible lesson plan with leaders guide. I could be used around Halloween time. I recommend creating some ghoulish snacks to reinforce the lessons idea.

Use this lesson as a follow-up to “Know Your Enemy” (parts one and two) as we will refer to some information from those lessons.

The November, 2014 issue of National Geographic magazine has a great article on “Real Zombies.” Insects that take over other insects. It’s a fun sidebar to follow when talking about Zombies.

These lessons are free to use but if you would like to support our ministry you may make a donation using this button. Thank you for your support. More information about donations.

Hope and Healing for Kids Who Cut:

Learning to Understand and Help Those Who Self-Injure
By Marv Penner / Zondervan

The issue of self-injury has become increasingly visible in the world of adolescents and young adults in recent years. The chaos of divorce, poverty, substance abuse, mental illness, and neglect has kids looking for ways to manage chronic and overwhelming emotional pain.

In Hope and Healing author Marv Penner will take you into the world of self-injury, defining what it is and what it is not. He provides the tools and wisdom to help understand the pain and confusion a self-injurer experiences and how to walk with them toward the Light to find hope and healing.

Self-Injury has reached epidemic proportions

Sadly it is safe to assume that some of the kids in your youth group or Sunday School class are cutting themselves. I was shocked beyond words when I was first made aware of this.

Forms of self-injury (From Mayo Clinic Website)

Self-injury usually occurs in private and is done in a controlled or ritualistic manner that often leaves a pattern on the skin. Examples of self-harm include:

Cutting (cuts or severe scratches with a sharp object)
Scratching
Burning (with lit matches, cigarettes or heated, sharp objects such as knives)
Carving words or symbols on the skin
Self-hitting, punching or head banging
Piercing the skin with sharp objects
Inserting objects under the skin

Teenage depression, guilt, suicide, and self esteem are topics to which you can apply the power of the Bible. Don’t miss your opportunity to do some real good in teenagers lives with these youth Bible study lessons. Encourage positive teen self-esteem as your teens discover their value to God.

The Beauty Inside

The goal of this youth Bible study lesson is to help the kids be able to judge themselves and others by Biblical values and to realize the difference between the worlds value system and God’s.

I read a column that Philip Yancey wrote, printed in his book “I was just wondering.” The column was called “High School Reunion”. It’s a little off our track but he talks about the animal kingdoms natural selection process of the survival of the fittest. The strongest and most beautiful of a species mates and survives. It explains a lot of human behavior and how our self-esteem is wrapped up in our external images if humans were simply only animals.

However, when God made us in His own image, gives us a soul, we became much more than an animal. We are called as Christians to behave quite different than animals and fight against the theory that “biology is destiny.” Back on our subject: It’s important to note that long after our “animal” bodies fall away our souls remain. Our “inner” characteristics should be of far more importance than our outer appearances.

It is a two page lesson plan with a pre-lesson activity. Some prep time is needed. You’ll have to download some pictures from the internet that I could not supply because of copyrights.

Recently updated with a pre-lesson activity. A good follow-up lesson is Judging v.s. Judgmental

These lessons are free to use but if you would like to support our ministry you may make a donation using this button. Thank you for your support. More information about donations.

I Was Just Wondering

By Philip Yancey / Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Best-selling author Philip Yancey describes his I Was Just Wondering as “a book of many questions and a few answers.” Highly acclaimed by many since it was first published, this potpourri of forty-four ruminations, now revised and updated, will continue to delight and challenge the reflective reader with eyes to see and the imagination to ponder.

This is an awesome book and a fun read. I quote it in the lesson above. You’ll better understand where this lesson is coming from and enjoy reading it too.

Bible Memorization:

I am always thankful when I work in a church that stresses Bible memorization in the younger grades. Kids in this age group are willing to learn. The kids who have do this have the ability to apply God’s truth to their everyday situation as “… the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

If you can, encourage your elementary Sunday School teachers to make Bible memorization a main focus of their ministry. Using prizes, awards, and special recognition as incentives enhances the learning process.
One industrious teacher I knew created “Bible Bucks” with which she rewarded her students for each verse memorized. At the end of the year they could spend their Bible Bucks on a large selection of toys she brought in. One year the kids asked if they could donate their toys to children in a town leveled by a tornado. This teacher effectively shaped the lives of these kids. My job was a lot easier because they had this solid foundation of knowledge and were excited to keep learning.

Victory Over the Darkness: Realize the Power of Your Identity in Christ

By Neil T. Anderson / Bethany House

Victory Over the Darkness: Realize the Power of Your Identity in Christ, Neil Anderson’s bestseller launched a ministry that has helped millions ward off Satan’s attacks and embrace freedom in God. Now in this updated anniversary edition, he offers practical down-to-earth advice to a new generation, helping you seek release from the burdens of the past and realize the power of your identity in Christ. 264 pages, softcover from Baker.

This book and others from Neil Anderson were extremely helpful to me and gave me the knowledge and strength to fight back against the enemy. There is life changing information here for you and your students. I highly recommend you add these to your resource library.