Six Beats One Story is a creative devotional book of six spoken word poems that take young people through the whole Bible story.  Summing up the Bible narrative in just six scenes, author Dai Woolridge unpacks the big story through colloquial prose, social media type posts and spoken word poetry.

The aim is to creatively retrace some of the key beats in the Bible story, and ask the question, ‘In light of Jesus, what’s this mean for us today?’ Video/Audio tracks give young people the opportunity to listen to/watch the spoken word poetry and creatively respond themselves.  The book and the spoken word can be consumed by a young person on their own, it would make a great gift.   The videos are on YouTube and have animations as well as people reading the poems/saying the spoken word.

Along with the book and spoken word videos is a small group youth resource with 8 sessions based on the original book.  These sessions use the spoken word videos and help young people unpack what they think of it, share their own thoughts, and personally reflect.  It breaks the overarching Bible story down into bitesize digestable chunks and it does it in creative engaging ways.   And best of all it is accessible for free, at no cost to you or your church – so there are no questions of affordability.

This is a youth resource but its application could be used more widely, it could be easily adapted for use in all age settings, could be used with young adults or take out some of the games to adapt it for adults.

Packed with activity suggestions, spoken word poetry and opportunities to respond, each session focuses on a key theme, story arc or ‘beat’ from Scripture. There’s a leader’s guide for each session, full of extra information and tips to help you as you take your young people on this incredible journey.

Each session has a leaders guide PDF and an explainer video, conversation kick starters, ice breakers, games/activities, a spoken word video, reflection question after the spoken word and a reflective response to the session.

 

Session 1 : The Bible intro – Gives a basic overview of the Bible story, a snapshot of where we’re heading, and find out how the young people feel about the Bible.

session 2:  Beat 1, Origins – In this session take a look at the beginning of the story in Genesis chapters 1-3.

Session 3: Beat 2, Exodus – In this session we focus on the story of Israel from Abraham to Moses and freedom from slavery.

Session 4: Beat 3,  Exile – In this session we look at Exile from the Promised Land, through to Judges, Kings and the Babylonian exile.

Session 5: Beat 4, Messiah – In this session, we focus on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Session 6: Beat 5, Spirit/community – This session focusses on the birth of church and how we fit into the story of the Bible.

Session 7: Beat 6, Home – This session focuses on Revelation and gives a glimpse of how it all ends.

Session 8: Showcase and summary – Sum up the story and invite the young people to showcase some of their creative responses (to the rest of the group, or the wider church)!

 

 

Buy the book £6.99 https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/products/six-beats-one-story/

Access the resource for free https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/resources/six-beats-one-story-youth-resource