Drama Tweens

Because of their ever-changing personalities, their high energy, and their emerging ability to think critically, younger adolescents present a special faith formation challenge to the congregations who love them. This book explores an educational strategy of creating biblical dramas with tweens for spiritual formation and increased familiarity with the Christian tradition. The project of creating a drama for presentation to the congregation invites tweens to dig into the history of interpretation of the story, to make connections across the biblical text, and to engage with the characters in relevant ways to their own experiences. Writing and producing a small play in worship allows them to share their learnings with the rest of their faith community. The book helps prepare adult volunteers to better understand the transformations happening in the late elementary and middle school years and to lead tweens through this process with confidence. Five sample plays, all co-written and performed by the tweens of Christ Church United Methodist in Denver, Colorado, are also included. These slightly snarky but fearlessly faithful interpretations model the kind of depth engagement with biblical stories that the Drama Tweens process hopes to create.


""Many lament biblical illiteracy in our churches. Katherine Turpin and her tween students provide a model for all of us to take creative ownership of the Scriptures. Instead of focusing on learning more data about the Bible, Turpin demonstrates how interpreting in and with the narrative world of the Bible opens up new possibilities for what faithful reading of the Bible looks like, especially for young people.""
--Eric D. Barreto, Princeton Theological Seminary

""Turpin combines her practical wisdom . . . with knowledge gained from educational theory, biblical studies, and adolescent development to offer adults a way to invite young people into the adventure of joining our stories with God's story. . . . A refreshing resource for Sunday schools and youth groups.""
--Elizabeth W. Corrie, PhD, Candler School of Theology, Emory University

""Drawing from numerous scholarly conversations--including adolescent brain research, critical pedagogy, liturgical theory, narrative theory, and hermeneutical theory--Turpin articulates a fresh approach to biblical literacy and faithful transformation of young teens. . . . For those who admire the beauty and energy of young teens, but also fear the mercurial changes in their constantly-adapting personalities, this book provides a realistic approach for channeling their gifts, for their own growth, and for the church and world.
--David F. White, PhD, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

""Turpin's way of creating biblical drama with tweens is a testament to her respect both for young people and the Bible. Drama Tweens makes a real and usable contribution to religious education and youth ministry.""
--Joyce Ann Mercer, Yale Divinity School

Katherine Turpin is Associate Professor of Religious Education at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver. She is also the author of Branded: Adolescents Converting from Consumer Faith (2006) and Nurturing Different Dreams: Youth Ministry Across Lines of Difference (2014).