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If you want your teens to be more Christ-like, let them walk, talk and
pray — via their imaginations — with Jesus himself. "Gospel values" takes
on a whole new meaning when Jesus personally shares his way of life and
challenges each of your students to imitate him. They will watch Jesus
model forgiveness, respect, patience and acceptance of all people
— qualities most teens still need help developing. The introduction and
music resources will help you prepare to lead these guided meditations,
which are grouped by seasons of the church year.
Reviews
"Guided Meditations for Teens stirs the soul, bringing
the love and warmth of Christ alive. The book is an invaluable resource
for youth group leaders, catechists and religious educators. It offers
young people the experience of Scripture and prayer and the knowledge of
true fulfillment in their Christian walk. The music suggestions, activities
and prayer services are invaluable."
— Theresia Heffernan, director of religious education, Holy Trinity
Parish, Beaverton, Ore.
"Catechists and high-school religion teachers are always looking for
this kind of material. I liked the helpful ideas for rituals."
— Gretchen Hailer, RSHM, Provincial Center, Montebello, Calif.
About the Author
Sydney Ann Merritt has been involved in catechetical ministry
for more than 40 years. She has been a director of religious education,
a youth minister, a retreat leader and a Gospel drama director. Outside
of parish circles, she is a court-appointed special advocate for children
and recently was cited as one of the best in the country. She has contributed
to the religious-education curriculum Celebrating the Lectionary
and is the author of Guided Meditations for Children and Guided
Meditations for Teens.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Advent and Christmas
1. Prepare the Way for Your Lord
Mt 3:1-12; Mk 13:33-37
2. The Strength of Love and Faith in God
Mt 1:18-24
3. The Annunciation
Mt 1:18-25; Lk 1:26-38
4. The Birth of Jesus
Lk 2:1-16
5. The Feast of Epiphany
Mt 2:1-12
6. The Baptism of Our Lord
Mt 3:11-17; Mk 1:7-11; Lk 3:15-16,21-22
Lent, Triduum, and Easter
7. Hurricane of Evil
Mt 4:1-11; Mk 1:12-15; Lk 4:1-13
8. The Cloak of God
Mk 9:2-10; Lk 9:28-36a
9. Justice Begins in Your Own Heart
Jn 2:13-25
10. Wells of Hope
Scripture: Jn 4:5-15,19-30
11. The Prodigal Son
Lk 15:11-32
12. Rise—Walk Beside Me
John 11:1-44
13. Woman Caught in Adultery
Jn 7:58-8:11
14. Wash My Soul in Your Love
Jn 13:1-17
15. Father, I Do Your Will, Not Mine
Mk 14:32-42
16. The Gift of Forgiveness
Mt 26:69-75
17. What Say You?
Mk 15:1-15
18. Forgive Them, Father
Mk 15:21-40
19. A New Dawn
Mt 28:1-10; Mk 16:1-8; Lk 24:1-11
20. The Story of Thomas
Jn 20:19-31
21. Dwell within My Love
Jn 15:1-17
22. Jesus Makes a Promise
Jn 14:23-29
23. Pentecost
Jn 20:19-23
Ordinary Time
24. A Time for Celebration, a Time for Service
Jn 2:1-12
25. Turn On the Word—Listen to the Voice of God
Mt 4:12-23; Mk 1:14-20
26. Standing Up for What Is Right
Lk 4:21-30
27. The Beatitudes
Mt 5:1-12
28. Salt and Light
Mt 5:13-16
29. The Wind and the Water
Mk 4:35-42
30. The Good Samaritan
Lk 10:25-37
31. The Parable of the Buried Treasure
Mt 13:44-52
32. The Successful Picnic
Mt 14:13-21
33. Jesus and Peter Take a Walk
Mt 14:22-33
34. The Banquet Feast
Lk 14:1,7-14
35. Jesus Cures the Deaf
Mk 7:31-37
36. Forgive and Forgive Again
Mt 18:21-35
37. The Grateful Leper
Lk 17:11-19
38. The Greatest Rule of All
Mt 22:34-40
39. Bartimaeus Sees the Light
Mk 10:46-52
40. Jesus Meets Zacchaeus
Lk 19:1-10
Music Resources
Index of Meditations According to Cycles
Following is the introduction to Guided Meditations for Teens.
All rights reserved. Copyright © 1997, Resource Publications, Inc.
Introduction: Teaching Young Adults to Experience Jesus through
Prayer
The meditations presented in this book are an effective method
of helping young adults learn how to experience Jesus within themselves
— in their minds and hearts. The meditations follow the church seasons
and are based on the lectionary Gospel readings for cycles A, B, and C.
At the beginning of each meditation, I list the related Scripture citation,
Sunday and season (with cycle[s] indicated in parentheses), and suggested
background music.
The book speaks to the spiritual lives of teens, helping them
to establish a place in their imaginations where they can be with Jesus.
Our teenagers have been raised on instant popcorn, instant coffee, and
instant entertainment on the TV set. Where, then, does that leave the concept
of prayer? It may not be happening except for a quick "Get me through this,
Lord!" Reading the Bible, God's word, falls into an even more difficult
category: unless it can be shown in "instant replay," the chances are that
it is seldom, if ever, opened.
Meditations will reawaken the young people's imagination, as in
the days of their childhood when play was their main activity. The meditations
are designed to meet an uncomplicated and direct way of understanding the
word of God. The teens are led into a Gospel scene where they will encounter
the Lord through touch, feel, love, and prayer. The pages of the Bible
will become alive when they "hear" the brush of angels' wings, experience
the healing touch of Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus, and feel the force of
wild hurricane winds as they cross the Sea of Galilee with Jesus.
The meditations can be merged into any catechetical program. For
those who use Celebrating the Lectionary from Resource Publications,
Inc., you can incorporate the meditations into your weekly lesson plans
as an alternate activity or use them as introductions or conclusions to
a unit.
The introductions to many of the meditations relate my personal
anecdotes or feelings and reflections. You may choose to read the introductions
as written, explaining that they come from the writer's perspective, or
you may adapt them to fit your own experiences or situations. The introductions
are meant only as a starting point for the meditations.
Group discussion questions follow each meditation. I recommend
small groups of four to six young people rather than sharing in a large
group. For one thing, it is less intimidating. A teen may feel more comfortable
sharing with three others than with a roomful of people.
Working within a small group also allows more time for discussion.
I have indicated times when you may prefer general discussion. I do not
suggest inviting the teens to share their own experience of the meditation
because this should remain a personal time with Jesus. However, if a teen
volunteers to share his/her experiences, you will find that it stimulates
the discussion time. Activities and closing prayer services are also included
with most meditations.
Suggestions for Success
Sharing the experience of Jesus through prayer should be rewarding
spiritually for the presenter as well as for the students. Following a
few simple suggestions will help to insure your success.
To Begin
Begin with "A Place to Meet," the introductory guided meditation
found at the end of this introduction (in the actual book only). This will
create a place in the young person's imagination to meet Jesus.
Personal Reflection
Before presenting a meditation, take a few minutes for your personal
reflection on the Gospel scene. What images quicken your imagination? Ask
yourself, "What is Jesus saying to me?"
Practice
To help you become more comfortable with this form of prayer,
practice reading the meditation aloud slowly just as you will with the
group. You may choose to record and play back the meditation, listening
for pauses and voice inflection. Are you speaking too softly or too quickly?
Are you pausing long enough?
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Read slowly with slight pauses where indicated (....). For longer pauses,
wait sixty seconds or until you notice the teens becoming restless.
-
Avoid speaking in a monotone. Change your voice to emphasize a change in
character or scene.
Music
Background music is very important; it sets the tone and helps
activate the imagination. You will find music suggestions at the beginning
of each meditation. (See "Music Resources" for the listing of suggested
recorded music.) For teens, music is an important part of their lives.
I have found that in working with teens, it is much better to offer background
music that includes sounds of nature — wind, rain, the sea, etc. — rather
than traditional forms of music. Live music and sounds — soft guitar strumming,
gentle piano music, tinkling wind chimes — can also be helpful.
Space
Give some thought to how you will create an atmosphere of prayer
for the young people.
-
Lower the lights or pull the shades.
-
Use a candle.
-
When possible, teens like being outdoors, stretched out on the grass, enjoying
the touch of nature.
-
Create a focal point by combining important elements: an open Bible; a
candle; natural objects like rocks, driftwood, or greenery; other items
of significance to the teens.
Make sure the students will be physically comfortable. Is the room too
hot or too cold? Some may prefer sitting in their own seat or sitting on
the floor rather than lying on the floor. Floor pillows are a great way
of indicating private space.
Discussion
Allow time for discussion questions. Invite responses, but do
not demand participation. Stress that in most cases there is no wrong or
right answer; the answer is based on how they "feel" about a subject or
how they imagine the outcome. Introspective questions should be done in
a small group or during the prayer time. Gradually, teens will learn to
trust themselves and earn the trust of others in their small groups.
Keep Trying
Do not become discouraged if your first attempts are not what
you hoped for. Even your first awkward attempts will have an impact. Each
young person will take home something different after his/her visit with
Jesus. Believe it or not, teenagers will actually enjoy the quiet and calm
of meditation.
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