Dave Ramsey’s Generation Change
This 4-session DVD study package is aimed squarely at teens. Ramsey is famous for going ballistic about people who max out their credit cards. Unfortunately, millions of those people are students. This series explores biblical values, contrasts biblical teaching with our emphasis on stuff and gives practical tips on saving and budgeting. Ramsey (who is interviewed in this issue) says this series “teaches teens that God values and treasures them, the ‘stuff’ around them does not define them, the dangers of credit, how to save and budget for what they want, and how to give and change the world around them.” Using this resource with your kids could help create a new generation of financially healthy and happy adults.
(Sample available at 1(888) 22-PEACE, http://www.daveramsey.com/)
The Basics of Saving and Investing: Investor Education 2020
Humberto Cruz, who was also interviewed in this issue, recommends this resource, which was developed by the Investor Protection Trust for high school teachers. (http://www.investorprotection.org/basics/)
Good Sense Budget Course
Dick Towner and John Tofilon
(Zondervan)
This extensive curriculum package from Willow Creek Resources contains leader and participant guides, a PowerPoint disk, and enough DVD/video segments for six sessions or a weekend retreat. While not aimed at teens, many of the lessons here will translate to younger spenders. (http://www.goodsenseministry.com/)
Gimme the $tuff! Seeking the Heart of Christ in a Culture of Materialism
Barrh Shafer (InWord Resources)
This four-session resource from the YouthWorker Journal Bible columnist helps students learn what the Bible has to say about money—a subject given nearly as much coverage as love! Students will be challenged by God’s instructions regarding the pursuit of wealth and possessions through this inductive Bible study, which comes with reproducible student pages and access to a product-specific Web page containing tons of additional resources and follow-up ideas. (www.inword.org/catalog, 1(888) 422-3060)
Affluenza
A PBS Web site describes this new disease as follows: “The bloated, sluggish, and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses.” In addition to the original PBS TV program that exposed the dangers of affluenza, there are resources for teachers and students that can help you teach kids about the overwork, waste and indebtedness that can come from focusing on acquiring more stuff. (www.pbs.org/kcts/affluenza/)