Middle school is a great age for one particular Bible-study skill:

Asking why.

Why did they do that?

Why would Jesus say that?

Why does this story include that strange detail?

Why did people behave like this?

Why doesn't the Bible tell us what happened next?

Instead of rushing past confusing parts of Scripture, Wait…Why? teaches students to stop when something catches their attention and turn that reaction into investigation.

Not every question will have a clear answer. That's part of the lesson too.

For the Student

When something makes you think:

“Wait…what?”

Stop.

Write the question down before trying to answer it.

Then investigate:

What does the passage tell me?

What happened before this?

What happens afterward?

Is there something about the culture I don't understand?

Am I asking the Bible a question it never answers?

Questions aren't interruptions to Bible study.

Sometimes they're the beginning of it.

For the Grown-Up

You do not need to know every answer in this category.

Actually, please don't pretend you do.

Middle schoolers are old enough to begin seeing the difference between:

“I know.”

“I think.”

“I've heard.”

“We could research that.”

and

“I don't know.”

When your student asks something difficult, help them determine what kind of question they're asking before reaching for an answer.

Recommended Workpages

Why Did They Do That?, Question Trail, That's Strange, Culture Check, and Still Wondering.