Given the chance, most teenagers probably would love to experience a snack food-only diet. Adios to the veggies! Hello to candy bars, chips, pizza, and cookies! (Let's be honest: Most youth pastors might adopt that diet, too!)

Of course, we know that this wouldn't be good, but sometimes we allow teenagers to settle for a similar spiritual diet: Instead of learning how to consume the Bible on their own, they become dependent on our teaching. Yes, teaching from the Bible is important, but it isn't enough; we need to train teenagers how to devour God's Word on their own. We must teach students how to feed themselves on the life-giving nourishment of Scripture.

As teenagers read Devour, they'll learn how to seek the intended meaning of biblical passages, how to conduct their own word studies, how to research the history and background of the Bible, and how to apply the truths they uncover along the way. They'll be guided through this discovery process by authors Jayson French, director of programming for Christ In Youth's Move event, and Mark Moore, professor of New Testament and hermeneutics at Ozark Christian College in Joplin, Missouri.

At the end of chapters, students will find projects and ideas to help them dig deeper and go further in their understanding of Scripture—all with the goal of teaching students how to devour the Word of God.



Three passions define Jayson's life: his Lord, his family and fly-fishing. Jayson has spent over 16 years in Youth Ministry. He and his wife Janice have been married since 1992, and they have two boys, Justin and Levi and one girl, Sydney. Jayson joined CIY in 2002 and is the Director of Programming. He has survived an IRS audit, blew up his brothers car, and ran over his own dog!

Since 1990 Mark has been a professor of New Testament at Ozark Christian College. In September of 2008 he was awarded a PhD from the University of Wales for his work on the politics of Jesus. Mark has authored more than a dozen, mostly on the Life of Christ (also Acts and Revelation). He is a speaker noted for his passion for the lost and his participation in completing the great commission of Christ. His life goal is to make Jesus famous. Mark and his wife Barbara live in Joplin, Missouri.