Bible Study for Teen/pre-teen Girl?

Updated on January 11, 2011
S.G. asks from Citrus Heights, CA
17 answers

I have a wonderful 12 year old daughter who recently switched to a Catholic school. She is finding she is "behind" in some of the basics when it comes to her religion class. Unfortunately I guess I didn't do a very good job of reading the bible with her or teaching her any bible stories when she was growing up. We've been trying to go through my old children's bible that I used as a kid. It teaches many of the bible stories in cartoon form. It seems to be helping, but I was hoping for more. She's also experiencing many of the struggles pre-teen girls go through. She is a very sensitive little girl and also the product of a divorce. Both her father and I remarried about 7 years ago and subsequently had sons who are now 5 years old. We share custody of her and she goes from house to house every week. I know this is a struggle for her, as she is extremely close to me, but she also would miss her dad if she didn't see him. It's a very amicable divorce and we all work together to do what's best for her. Soooo, with all that said, I was hoping to find a study I could do with her and help her realize she's a beautiful daughter of God and can turn to Him for anything as well as learn the bible itself. It will help me spend quality time her her as well as build an important foundation as she struggles with self esteem issues.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

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So What Happened?

Wow! Thank you once again mamas for all the wonderful suggestions! This is such a pivotal age that I want to make sure I guide her in the right direction while she'll still listen to me! Well, sort of... :) I received lots of good info so I can address her basic understanding of the bible (stories, etc), help her build her personal relationship with her savior and also continue to build her self worth. I'm excited to try some of these ideas out and can also find some good stuff for my five year old son! Thank you also for all the kind words; you guys rock!

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D.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Her school will have many suggestions and you might find that she will make friends as well in a study group and that will help her as well.
I am now a Grandmother, and have learned that you always get a chance to say " I didn't do as well with the first child and will now make it up with the 2nd" I happen to have 5 so let her learn by helping you teach the younger child so she gets the ability to share her knowledge with both younger brothers. She is a blessed young woman to have parents to do what you have done . Way to many don't think as well for thier children. Great Job!

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J.J.

answers from San Francisco on

I have a copy of "Catholicism for Dummies" that my daughter used when transferring to a Catholic high school. You are welcome to it. I live in Milpitas.

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E.B.

answers from San Francisco on

A Bible the next step up from the Childrens bible is this one: Egermeier's Bible Story Book by Elsie E. Egermeier
Elsie E. Egermeier (Author)

http://www.amazon.com/Egermeiers-Bible-Story-Elsie-Egerme...

My kids were ready for the next one after their childrens bible that was mostly pictures & I struggled to find them one that was not too much for them. I bought quite a few & none of them my kids really liked & I didn't blame them! Finally a friend told me about one she had used as a child & loved but said it was out of print. I googled it to try & find a used one & found they were printing again. So bought one & seriously my kids love it & I do too. It is appropriate for ages 2nd grade thru adult. The way this lady writes & also how she interprets the bible is so wonderful. I highly recommend it & recommended it to all the kids I teach in my Faith Formation classes at our Catholic church.

I also agree with most of the other responders...talk to your school & see what they can recommend. Best wishes to you & your daughter!

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D.S.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

There is a book by Nancy Leigh Demoss called "Lies Young Women Believe" - excellent!!! It shows biblically the lies that young women are told & that they believe such as "Beautiful girls are worth more," and then tells the truth biblically. I've done the study with 3 of my niece's and they really enjoyed it. You can find out more here: http://www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/
There is also a book for older women called "Lies Women Believe," which was a precursor to the one for young ladies and I read that one & did the study involved - I have to say they are both very good.
Hope you find one that fits for you and your daughter!

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N.P.

answers from Modesto on

First off, I want to say it's WONDERFUL that your daughter is even interested in stories of the Bible! At her age it's uncommon, as opposed to someone who was raised in the Catholic church. It's a good time to give her this "foundation" in her life.

I would check with your local Catholic Churches to see their Religious Education program (CCD). It's usually only 1 class a week for an hour, and even though they are half way through their teaching year, I'm sure they would still welcome your daughter in a class. This will surround her with other kids her age focusing on the same value's.......it can be comforting, and more importantly a good foundation for her. If she is not baptized as a Catholic, let them know, so you can see how to begin helping her receive the Sacraments (Baptism, Reconciliation, Communion, etc..) for all will bring the presence of God into her live on a daily basis :O)

A website I use for fun in my Religious Education classes is www.pflaum.com as it has free printable fun activities for kids at different ages, simply by registering online. They also have stories. All of this is according to what is going on in the Liturgical Year of the church. It's very user friendly.

In closing, it sounds like you are totally "in tune" with your daughter, and are in the process of "nipping things in the bud" right now, so she stays on a positive path. You sound like a great mother. She is so lucky to have you :O)

~N. :O)

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E.M.

answers from Bakersfield on

Hi Mama-
I am not sure about the basic bible stories, but as far as her self esteem and self worth goes, she should definitely read the B.A.B.E books by Andrea Stephens. Andrea is doing a seminar here in Bakersfield in the Spring, and she travels all over. Her husband used to be the pastor at my parents church. Andrea was a Wilhemina model who had literally everything offered to her, but she finally came to realize that the price was too high for her to pay, and instead went back home. As a young adult, she came to grips with her own self esteem issues, which I am sure she still struggles with in some way, and later started the BABE seminars. I had the pleasure of attending a couple while she was here in Bakersfield. I know the books can be purchased online, and I know that she does seminars all over. Andrea is worth looking up. Here is her website:
http://www.andreastephens.com/about.html
For Bible Study, there are Bible's made especially for teen girls. You could also do the "bible in a year." It has a couple of pages each day that the two of you read. Then, over dinner, or after dinner while cleaning up, etc., talk about what you read, what you felt God say to you, etc. Or have a joint morning study together, early, if you are morning people. Ask your daughter to keep a small journal and to let you know the things she needs prayer for. If she doesn't want to talk, but just wants your prayers, then don;t push it. Let her know that God knows everything that is going on with her and that you will pray to encourage her in any way you can. Share stuff that you need prayer for as well -- attitude, stress, positive thinking, deeper spiritual growth, etc.
There is also a teen Bible--very pink--available for girls. I think it's super cute. Anyway, I hope that helps. Good luck--and what an awesome idea and time well spent for you and your daughter.
-E. M

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R.V.

answers from San Francisco on

It's not just a bible study but when you said a study that would help her realize she's a beautiful daughter of God and learn the bible the first book that came to mind is "Beautiful Girlhood" by Shelly Noonan and Kimberly Zach. There's also a companion study guide to do with it. On the back of the study guide it says that it provides 32 weeks of character training through thought provoking questions and pertinent Bible study and application. My daughter and I would have tea time and read a chapter or 2 from this book. It's a wonderful book and gives scripture to look up and questions for discussion. I'm looking forward to sharing it with my other daughters when they are older. Blessings to you and your daughter.

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B.R.

answers from Sacramento on

I would find a good Bible in modern English, and simply sit with her and read from it. You can read to her, she can read to you, or you can alternate. While you're reading, pause every now and then to contemplate the meaning of what you are reading. We don't always need someone else's writings on what the Bible says, though sometimes those are helpful. God gave each of us a good brain to be able to figure things out on our own. I read to my children from the old King James version from the time they were able to listen. I happen to like the KJV, unusual as that is. I would stop when I knew a passage was too obscure for their understanding, and re-state it in a more modern way. This was before the Living Bible came out, and I was surprised to find out that the man who did that re-stated things in much the same way I had. I personally would choose an NIV Bible for her, but there are other good versions available too.
You can even go online to locate sites that have Bible search tools that allow you to check out various versions. I use a site called Bible Gateway. It includes foriegn language versions, versions for protestants and versions for catholics. You can pull up passages in several versions side by side to make it easier to check what wording is easiest for you to read and understand.

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M.B.

answers from San Francisco on

I don't have an answer for you but I wanted to comment to say that you are such a great mom and it is so great you are teaching her to become the child of God that she is meant to be.

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G.T.

answers from Modesto on

Go to a Christian book store and ask them to recommend a good study bible for you.
It's awesome that the Lord is leading you in this direction. Get ready for exciting things to happen :)

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E.H.

answers from Washington DC on

you can always look in the local church bulletin for activities for the youth group or ccd (catholic classes for kids). you can pick up the bulletin at church or usually view them on the churches website. also most catholic and christian stores will have workbooks and other curriculum type books that teach the faith to specific ages of kids. teaching her about the faith would be a great way for you to learn more as well as create a better bond with your daughter at such a pivotal point in her life. good luck to you both:)

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

I would talk to the teacher to find out exactly what she needs to know. See if they have some recommendations for the bible study thing. Also, once you know what she needs to know, you can use the internet to help. Good luck :)

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C.A.

answers from San Francisco on

I would go talk to the parish priest. At my sons' Catholic school, the parish provides lots of classes for the kids who attend public school. I am sure that your parish would be happy to have her even though she is at their school. There should also be a Teen group that meets weekly. Our group watches movies, bakes cookies, designs the haunted house for Halloween, etc..... They seem to be a good group. There is even a mass they all attend together.

Good luck!

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S.B.

answers from Wichita on

Do you have a Catholic store in your area? We have one that has a whole section of books for extra study and some geared towards teens.

Here's one that I like online, maybe they have something that would be helpful: http://www.leafletonline.com/

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S.R.

answers from San Francisco on

I'm suprised no on suggested to read the book of Esther with your daughter.

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M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Are you Catholic? Whether you are or not, could you talk to the principal of your daughter's school to see if there's a Bible study group within the school or at the affiliated church? At twelve, girls love to learn with their friends.

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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

I like Zondervan Bibles. You can go to zondervan.com and search for what you want. There are study guides and Bibles for different age groups and ones for boys and for girls.

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