FOREWORD

Why young people need to reclaim the Cross today? The title basically suggests we have to reclaim the very rich symbolic meaning and its liberating traditions associates with this symbol -- the Cross. The Cross not only symbolizes our unity in God; but also the suffering and hope that is going on in different parts of Asia Pacific, and the task to bridge the gap between human world and the reign of God. But most importantly, we identify with the Cross as young people who are willingly to take up the Cross, even though we, as Jesus Christ did, always keep on questioning why God seems have abandoned our world ? Paradoxically, the Cross gives us immense power as it challenges us as young people what we have done in facing the Cross? Have you met Jesus Christ in the Cross lately? Why do you still carry the Cross? Why do you still want to get others to the movement to share the Cross with you? The image of the Cross is very rich and deeply rooted in our Christian traditions. Reclaiming the Cross is not only to take up the mission of Jesus Christ but to be empowered by the Cross. We have to struggle with the Cross as an individual and as a faith community.

Therefore, we want to contribute to reclaim the Cross by relating ourselves to the Bible. Bible studies has long been a regular activity in many student and youth groups. Recognizing the vital role of Bible studies in Christian life, this book is an attempt to relate the Christian faith with contemporary social, cultural and economic issues that young Christians are facing today. This is a felt need that sprang from the observation that young people lack basic biblical knowledge to help them understand issues and equip them to participate in its transformation.

The author has maintained a uniform format for each Bible study: Human Context; Biblical Contexts (Old Testament, Apostolic Witness and Gospel Truth); Theological and Ethical Affirmations; Questions for Group Discussion; Field Study; Quotations for Personal and Group Reflection and References. The seven-fold format will definitely helping young people to relate faith and reality. Moreover, there are many direct quotations from the Bible to demonstrate the nature and range of Biblical thrust and thinking. There is an underlying unity of the Biblical corpus in spite of the different context and time in which they were thought of. We hope this book will inspire young people to deepen their faith and action together.

Finally, we express our sincere thanks to Rev. Dr. Somen Das for his outstanding contribution through writing this Bible studies material. We believe that this book will serve as one of our sources of inspiration in our student and youth ministry in the years to come.

Rev. Shin Seung Min Cynthia Yuen

Regional secretary Ecumenical Formation, Gender

WSCF A-P Justice and Youth Empowerment

CCA