Recommended Resource for Youth Groups – Unfold by Youthscape

Unfold is a new resource for youth groups from Luton based national youth charity Youthscape.  It’s based around the unique concept of sitting together in a circle or around a table and sharing in the experience of unfolding a piece of paper which gradually gets bigger and bigger. On the paper is discussion questions and prompts to take young people on a discipleship journey.
There are two series of the resource aptly named Unfold 1 and Unfold 2. I love descriptive names which don’t mess about but are obvious! This resource doesn’t tell young people what to think, it helps them explore the Bible for themselves and poses helpful questions to reflect on what they think, to allow them to build and grow their own faith. This is a great small group tool, is accessible for all secondary school ages & is great for young people of all stages of faith. There is a cost, it’s £25 per copy, but this is a few sessions of content and a few weeks worth of material – which when you consider that gives the price a lot more value for money. That’s the other great thing about it, you can do as many unfolds & activities as you like, you can stretch it out for longer and can extend discussion if wanted or needed, or can use just an activity or two for a shorter session and you can pick up where you left off next session.

Here’s what Youthscape have to say about their own resource…
“Unfold is the Bible study resource you’ve been waiting for. It’s fun, it’s deep and best of all it’s designed for smaller mixed age youth groups. Unfold is a Bible study for young people aged 11 to 17. It’s especially suited to groups of less than 8 and where the young people may not all the same age or stage of Christian commitment. Curiosity and conversation double with every unfold. Start small and after each activity unfold the paper to reveal the next challenge. Every time the paper doubles in size, starting as a small pad and ending bigger than a tablecloth.

You can do an Unfold session together it in as little as 30 minutes or take longer if you have more time.
Young people can write, colour and interact with Unfold so each study is designed to be used once.
Unfold comes in packs of five studies each one looking at a different encounter with Jesus from the gospels.

Series 1: Encounters with Jesus:

• The Wedding at Cana
• Mary and Martha |
• Turning the tables |
• Washing the disciples feet
 |
• The Pool of Bethesda

A hands-on and innovative approach to Bible study with 5 sessions especially designed for small groups of young people – Series 2: Approaches to Jesus.

The theme of Unfold series 2 is “Approaches to Jesus”. The gospels are full of interactions between people and Jesus and in those interactions people approached Jesus in different ways. Some drew close fearfully – afraid to be seen associating with Jesus. Some approached pridefully – trying to trick Jesus or show him they knew all the answers. Some came to Jesus humbly, in times of desperation and need, when they were sad, when they were excited. These reactions to Jesus are not limited to Bible times. The same emotions driving people to meet with Jesus in the Bible, are the same emotions that can lead people to Jesus today.
So what can we learn through these different approaches and in what stories do we maybe see our own reactions reflected. This series takes a look at 5 different interactions but underlying each one, no matter how the individual approaches Jesus, we see Jesus meet them with total love, compassion and care. He sees exactly who they are and what they need. He doesn’t judge but he does use their actions to teach them more of who God is and what it means to follow Him.

Series 2: Approaches to Jesus:
* The Faith Filled Woman
* Nicodemus
* The Centurion
* The Rich Young Ruler
* Mary, Martha and Lazarus”

Youthscape says, “Start with the GAME with a fun activity to complete as a group. Unfold 2 takes you to the MAP THE WEEK. Follow the route through the questions, givingspace for the young people to share the highs and lows of their week, before moving to a question to set the scene for the study and pray together before you begin. READ AND WONDER is the first introduction to the Bible passage for the session, where various creative reflective activities will help young people consider what’s going on in the passage and examine their initial reactions to the content.

Then it’s time for the DEEP DIVE! Start at the beginning and work your way round the page as a group, discussing the questions and learning more about what’s going on in the context boxes. Young people can write, colour and interact with Unfold so each study is designed to be used once. Encourage young people to stay listening in but feel free to doddle on the page in front of them and even take notes to help them remember the things that stuck out to them.

You can do an Unfold session together it in as little as 30 – 60 minutes or take longer if you have more time. There are handy pause points suggesting good moments to break the study if needed.”

You can buy a copy of either or both series here…. https://www.youthscape.co.uk/store/product/unfold-s2