One of the things that amuses and amazes me about the internet is the way that one can stumble across information. While looking at a website, you click on a link, and then you click on another link and this process continues until you are on a web page and aren’t really sure how you got there. The website that I am reviewing today was discovered in this manner. I can’t tell you exactly how I stumbled upon it, but I can tell you that if you are interested in youth ministry, I recommend you take a look at this site.
Waytolive.org is a website companion to the book, Way to Live: Christian Practices for Teens by Dorothy C. Bass, Don C. Richter, et al. I have not read the book, and the website states that it is not necessary to have done so in order to use the material on the site. I have found this to be true, although after perusing waytolive.org, I am interested in reading the book.
The website (and the book, also) outlines eighteen Christian practices and challenge teens to explore these practices in the context of their relationships with God and others. The practices include some you might expect, such as prayer, forgiveness, and justice, as well as some that might surprise you, such as creativity, food, and stuff.
The information on the website is presented by five teens (portrayed by high school drama students) and some of their friends who join them along the way. When you click on a picture of one of the teens, you hear a part of his or her story. There are also scenarios between the characters that relate to each of the practices. Along the way, interesting facts pop on and off of the screen. At the end of each scenario, there are “challenges” – activities that allow further exploration and discussion.
This website is well done. Exploring this website with youth could begin conversations on a variety of subjects, many of which teens face every day. The website could be used in a Sunday School setting or a youth group setting. If you do youth ministry, I recommend that you surf over to waytolive.org. There’s no telling where it might take you!
~Sally Hoelscher