Finding Your Way Teacher's Manual (2nd Edition)

FINDING YOUR WAY A JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE’S STORY OF SALVATION

TEACHER'S MANUAL WRITTEN BY RACHEL REITSMA & STEPHEN RENN

CONTENTS Using this manual

V

Introduction

V

Unit aim

VI

Outcomes

VI

Extra online resources (CEP Teachers Lounge)

VI

Bookmarks through the Bible

VII

Structure and themes of Finding Your Way VIII Components of each lesson in this Teacher’s manual

IX

Five circles of learning

X

Introduction

The big picture

11

Lesson 1

Beginnings

25

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

Lesson 6

Genesis 1–11

Big promises

43

Genesis 12—Deuteronomy

A matter of trust

61

Joshua–2 Chronicles

The wisdom books

77

Job–Song of Songs

Remember the promises

87

1 Kings–Malachi

The promise fulfilled

99

Matthew–John

Lesson 7

The promise continues

115

Acts–Revelation

Conclusion

God’s promise of salvation—Jesus

129

III

USING THIS MANUAL Welcome to Finding Your Way Teacher’s manual.

This publication is written for teachers of junior high school students—roughly years 7–8. It is designed to accompany the

Finding Your Way Student handbook, which gives students an overview of the whole Bible and traces the story of salvation in which God has created an eternal future for his people through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.

This unit forms part of the range of high school resources developed for Christian studies in independent schools. The material could easily be used in other contexts such as youth groups or camping curriculum.

INTRODUCTION This resource is written for teachers of junior high school students. It is designed to accompany the Finding Your Way Student handbook, which takes students through the whole Bible, revealing to them God’s plan of rescue for his people.

It will also help them as they consider how to apply these concepts to their lives. Promoting a classroom environment in which students can safely and honestly voice their questions, concerns and encouragements will also make this course more effective.

Along the way, some concepts—such as God’s punishment and judgement—may be difficult for students to reconcile with other concepts of God as loving and compassionate. One key concept which teachers will need to reinforce in each lesson is that the judgement of God sits alongside the mercy of God. Another important concept which may be difficult for students to grasp is substitutionary atonement, which first appears in Lesson 2 with the Passover. Leaving the full explanation of this until Lesson 6 will mean you can teach and explain substitutionary atonement in the light of Jesus’ work on the cross.

Throughout the Bible, God’s faithfulness in keeping his promises is a key theme which will be particularly helpful to reinforce in Lesson 7, where students consider the promises

The average class will contain a range of levels of familiarity

Christians today are holding on to, namely the new creation

with the Bible. Some students may have no real knowledge of

and Jesus’ return. Reflecting on the history of God’s promises

the Bible, its story or its characters. Discussion will therefore

throughout the Old Testament and the Gospels will reinforce

be an important part of your lessons, as it will help students to

to students that God can be trusted to fulfil the promises

work through and remember the concepts they are learning.

Christians hold to today, as he has done throughout history.

All CEP (Christian Education Publications) products are grounded in the belief that God is the source of all truth and his word, the Bible, is where God reveals himself and his saving purposes. God has acted in Christ to achieve

Examine different world views In a safe and supportive environment students will be encouraged to question, discuss and evaluate critically

his saving purposes for humanity.

other world views and practices.

CEP high school resources aim to help students grow

Learn about their Christian heritage

in their understanding of the Christian faith, to respond to the claims of Christ and to grapple with how to apply their faith to life.

CEP high school resources cover the following six aspects of the Christian Studies program assisting students to: Engage with the Bible Students will be helped to read, understand and learn to apply the Bible to their lives and will be introduced to the concept of biblical theology.

Know the gospel Students will learn about the life and teaching of Jesus,

Students will have the opportunity to learn about key events and people who have impacted history as they have put their faith into action.

Examine ethical issues Students will be encouraged to see the relationship between faith and behaviour as they examine a range of personal and public ethical issues.

Have opportunity for personal spiritual growth Students will be encouraged to grow in their personal knowledge of God and in their worship, trust and obedience in the context of Christian community and through opportunities to serve others.

come to appreciate the significance of his death and resurrection and consider their own response to him.

Using this manual V

Be able to:

UNIT AIM To introduce students to the Bible as a whole, tracing the

·· identify the flow of the Bible story and acknowledge that

history of God’s people and promises from Genesis through

the Bible portrays God as both righteous judge

to Revelation. The aim is also to bring students to an

and merciful rescuer

understanding of how God has rescued his people through ·· give a brief explanation of the history of the Bible,

the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

including who wrote the various parts, and when they were written

OUTCOMES By the end of this unit, the students will:

·· explain in a nutshell how Jesus’ coming was the fulfilment of many promises made to men such as

Know about:

Abraham and Moses thousands of years before his birth

·· the structure of the Bible itself, in its different sections,

·· trace the history of God’s people through the order of the

such as the wisdom books and the Gospels ·· the different characters in the Bible, the part they played in God’s plan of salvation for his people and what we can

books of the Bible (using the timeline provided).

Have had the opportunity to:

learn from their example ·· the ‘storyline’ of salvation, from God’s good creation through the Fall and the turbulent history of Israel, to Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and the new era this has ushered in for God’s people.

·· understand God’s character as a righteous judge and as a merciful God who has shown compassion and provided salvation through Jesus ·· consider and respect the Bible as a trustworthy account of history ·· see the pattern of promise and fulfilment throughout the Bible, and consider why Christians continue to trust in God today.

Cloud-download-alt EXTRA ONLINE RESOURCES In addition to the content within this Teacher’s manual, there is a wealth of extra material designed to assist you in delivering this unit at cepteacherslounge.com. Log on and head to Finding Your Way.* You will find: • PowerPoints for each lesson which include a unit overview, various activities contained within the Student handbooks, revision quizzes and more. The PowerPoints match the colour and style of the Student handbooks, so we encourage their use for every lesson • a PDF of each lesson’s Extra resources for easy printing • additional videos and articles not produced by CEP, but which support the material within this unit and have been vetted by us.

The CEP Teachers Lounge (cepteacherslounge.com) is an invaluable resource through which CEP is continually improving and adding value to our curriculum. We recommend that you bookmark it. * Currently, each user needs to register to access the material on this site. Approval can take up to 24 hours, so we encourage you to register as soon as you can.

FINDING YOUR WAY VI

BOOKMARKS THROUGH THE BIBLE In each lesson of the Student handbook, bookmarks point out the key events in each section. Here they are in their entirety.

OLD TESTAMENT Genesis 1–2

Creation

Genesis 3

Sin enters the world

Genesis 4

Life away from God’s presence

Genesis 6:1–6

The spread of evil

Genesis 6–9

Noah and the flood

Genesis 11

The Tower of Babel

Genesis 12

God’s promise to Abram

Genesis 15, 17

God’s covenant

Genesis 21–28

The birth and life of Isaac

Genesis 25, 27–35

Jacob’s life and family

Genesis 37, 39–50

The life of Joseph

Exodus 1–2

Slaves in Egypt

Exodus 3–4

God calls Moses

Exodus 12–15

God saves his people

Exodus 19–24

God’s covenant with Israel

Deuteronomy

Moses’ speech to the Israelites

Joshua 1–12

Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land

Joshua 14–24

The Israelites settle in the land

Judges 1–2

Cycle of disobedience, disaster, distress and deliverance

Judges 4–16 God sends leaders—including Deborah, Gideon and Samson— to rescue his people even when they turn away 1 Samuel 9–31

King Saul (1050–1010 BC)

2 Samuel 5–6

Jerusalem

2 Samuel 7

God’s promise to David

2 Samuel 11–12

David’s sin

1 Kings 2–11; 2 Chronicles 1–9

King Solomon (970–930 BC)

1 Kings 12–14

Solomon’s kingdom is divided; his son, Rehoboam, rules Judah (930 BC)

2 Kings 17

Assyria invades and destroys Israel (722 BC)

2 Kings 24–25

Babylon invades Judah and destroys Jerusalem and the temple (587 BC)

2 Chronicles 36:22–23; Ezra 1–8

The people of Judah return to the land

NEW TESTAMENT Matthew 1–2

The birth of Jesus

Matthew 5–25

The life of Jesus

Matthew 26–28

The trial, death and resurrection of Jesus (33 AD)

Luke 24:50–53

Jesus’ ascension (return to heaven) (33 AD)

Acts 2

Pentecost festival: the arrival of the Spirit

Acts 2:1–4; 3:1–10

Miraculous signs at the Spirit’s coming

Acts 2:42–47; Galatians 5:22–26

The Spirit shapes the godly lifestyle of believers (33 AD)

Revelation

Vivid description of heaven—the ‘new creation’

Revelation 21–22

Uninterrupted fellowship with God and Jesus forever

Using this manual VII

STRUCTURE AND THEMES OF FINDING YOUR WAY

LESSON 5—REMEMBER THE PROMISES

INTRODUCTION—THE BIG PICTURE

Events: The prophets’ prediction of the coming of a Messiah,

Reading the Bible: Structure, content and history.

the kings of the north and south, Jonah’s story, invasion and

LESSON 1—BEGINNINGS

Themes: God has a plan to save his people, God fulfils his

Bible section: Genesis 1–11

specific promises, we all face the choice to trust God or turn

Bible section: 1 Kings–Malachi

exile for Israel and Judah, Daniel’s story.

Events: Creation, the Fall, the flood.

away from him.

Key themes: God’s judgement and mercy, humans made in

LESSON 6—THE PROMISE FULFILLED

the image of God.

Bible section: Matthew–John

LESSON 2—BIG PROMISES

Events: Jesus’ birth, miracles, teaching, death and

Bible section: Genesis 12–Deuteronomy

resurrection; revision of promises made in the Old Testament.

Events: God’s promises to Abraham, the life of Joseph, God’s promises to Moses, the plagues of Egypt, the Passover and

Themes: God fulfils his promises, Jesus is unique and embodies all prophecies from the Old Testament, Jesus’

the gift of God’s law.

death has consequences for us today.

Key themes: God’s judgement (on Egypt) and the rescue of

LESSON 7—THE PROMISE CONTINUES

his people, God’s desire for covenantal relationship with his people, God’s trustworthiness in fulfilling his promises.

Bible section: Acts–Revelation

LESSON 3—A MATTER OF TRUST

of a new creation.

Bible section: Joshua–2 Chronicles

Themes: God works in his people today through the Holy

Events: The journey to Canaan, the fall of Jericho, the period of the judges, the reigns of Saul, David and Solomon.

Themes: God’s trustworthiness in fulfilling his promises, God’s faithfulness to and use of sinful people, the problem of idolatry, the choice we all face to trust God or turn away from him.

LESSON 4—THE WRITINGS: ‘LIFE IS ...?’

Bible section: Job–Song of Songs Events: The suffering of Job, David’s writing of many of the Psalms, Solmon’s writing of Song of Songs, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

Themes: Life can be difficult but God is faithful, God’s word gives wisdom for everyday life, the Bible contains stories of real people from whom we can learn much.

FINDING YOUR WAY VIII

Events: Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit, the promise

Spirit. Christians look forward to living in a new creation forever with God when Jesus returns.

CONCLUSION—GOD’S PROMISE OF SALVATION —JESUS Understanding the Bible: Structure, content and history.

COMPONENTS OF EACH LESSON IN THIS TEACHER’S MANUAL BIG IDEA The key idea for the lesson, expressed in terms of concept and application to the students.

AIMS Objectives to help the teacher in conveying the Big idea to students.

OUTCOMES Measurable outcomes for each lesson in terms of: ·· knowledge ·· skills ·· understanding ·· response.

BACKGROUND NOTES Basic Bible background notes to assist in understanding the original context of the passage and its place in a biblical theology framework.

LESSON NOTES The basic structure and flow of the Student handbook for each lesson, with teaching notes.

EXTENSION IDEAS A variety of ideas for extending each lesson, or tailoring the lesson for particular groups.

EXTRA RESOURCES Photocopiable worksheets with additional extension ideas are also provided in this Teacher’s manual. Note that PDF versions of these are also available on the CEP Teachers Lounge. Go to cepteacherslounge.com and see page VI for more information.

Using this manual IX

CREATION —

C. 2000 BC —

ABRAHAM

1300 BC —

MOSES

JUDGES —

1000 BC —

KING DAVID & KING SOLOMON

CONCLUSION GOD'S PROMISE OF SALVATION—JESUS

Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs

930 BC —

JUDAH

DIVIDED KINGDOM

ISRAEL

Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations

Jonah Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah

PROPHETS

EXILED TO ASSYRIA

605 BC —

EXILED TO BABYLON Ezekiel Daniel

538 BC —

LATTER PROPHETS

460 BC —

400 BC —

Ezra Haggai Zechariah Esther Nehemiah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Malachi 400 YEARS

BC AD

0 —

†

30 AD —

GOSPELS

30s AD —

THE EARLY CHURCH

PAUL'S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS

100 AD —

Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

CORE CONCEPTS

BACKGROUND NOTES

Students have been introduced to the Bible as a whole,

Students have been taken through the whole Bible and

tracing the history of God’s people and promises from

learned about God’s plan of rescue for his people—God’s

Genesis to Revelation. They have also developed their

promise of salvation is Jesus. A crucial concept that may

understanding of how God has rescued his people through

need to be revisited this lesson is the judgement of God

the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

sitting alongside the mercy of God; this is a difficult concept for many students to reconcile. Another vital concept that may need to be revisited is substitutionary atonement. This

AIM

first appears in Lesson 2 when students learned about the Passover and culminated in Lesson 6 when they examined Jesus’ work on the cross.

The Bible reveals God’s faithfulness in keeping his promises

To review and assess student learning from the completed

to his people. God had a plan to bring forgiveness to sinners

unit of study.

through repentance and the shedding of Jesus’ blood.

Students have now explored God’s promises and, as the Bible encourages them to, are prompted to consider what God’s

OUTCOMES

promise of salvation means personally for their lives. These promises are relevant today, and Christians worldwide hold on to God’s promises of the new creation and Jesus’ return.

Reflecting on how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises throughout

Students will be able to: ·· identify the flow of the Bible story, and acknowledge that the Bible portrays God as both righteous judge and merciful rescuer ·· classify different sections of the Bible, such as the wisdom books and the Gospels ·· explain in a nutshell how Jesus’ coming was the fulfilment of many promises in the Old Testament ·· trace the history of God’s people through the order of the books of the Bible (using the timeline provided).

Cloud-download-alt CEP TEACHERS LOUNGE cepteacherslounge.com · PowerPoint presentations · PDFs of the Extra Resources · Links to articles, videos and more

FINDING YOUR WAY 130

the Old and New Testaments will reinforce to students that God can be trusted to fulfil the promises Christians hold on to today.

Having arrived at the end of this unit, Lesson 8 is all about retracing the students’ learning journey and helping them consolidate their learning. While the Student handbook includes a written answer task and attempts to encourage students to reflect personally on their learning, further assessment suggestions and sample questions can be used according to the make-up of your class. These are listed in the ‘Assessment ideas’ section on page 132.

LESSON NOTES 1. HISTORY OF GOD’S PEOPLE

3. LIFE CHANGES

Students have been using the timeline in their Student

Finding Your Way is not just about head knowledge; this unit aims to reinforce to students that God can be trusted to fulfil the promises Christians hold to today, as he has done throughout history. This question encourages students to consider what things in their life they would need to change if they decided to accept God’s offer of forgiveness in Jesus. Students apply what they have learned to their own personal context.

handbook each lesson. Here is an opportunity for them to summarise what they’ve learned over the course of this unit.

Using the timeline found on the inside back cover of their Student handbooks, students are to write a brief history of God’s people with the heading ‘God’s promise of salvation to his people—Jesus’. Ensure you are available to help students with this task and provide extra paper for those students who need more space to write.

2. THIS PROMISE IS FOR YOU Students are given an opportunity to reflect on God’s offer of forgiveness and whether they believe that God’s promises are for them personally. Having a basic overview of the Bible and understanding how the Bible shows that God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus provides students with the necessary knowledge to express whether or not they consider the Bible to be true.

Conclusion—God's promise of salvation—Jesus 131

ASSESSMENT IDEAS 1.

Essay: How does the Old Testament point to Jesus?

2.

Dot points: In pairs have students put together a reply in point form to the following question: ‘The Bible describes God as both a righteous judge and a merciful rescuer; how can he be both?’

3.

Video: In small groups students create a short video answering the following question: ‘Why do Christians think it is important to read the Bible as a whole book and understand it as one story—the story of God’s promise of salvation?’

4.

Worksheet: Ask students to fill in the missing words of the Bible bookcase on the worksheet found on the CEP Teachers Lounge. See page VI of this manual for more information.

5.

Presentation: Have students work in pairs to create a PowerPoint presentation or similar describing how God’s promise of salvation is fulfilled in Jesus.

6.

Discussion: In what ways does the Passover point to Jesus?

7.

Drama: Ask students to choose a Bible story from Lessons 1–7 and act it out. The drama must include a narrator who explains how this story fits into God’s promise of salvation and how it points to Jesus.

8.

Multiple-choice quiz: A multiple-choice student answer sheet can be found on the CEP Teachers Lounge. Go to cepteacherslounge.com.au.

9.

Bible summary: Students design and construct a sixpage pamphlet entitled ‘Promises’, which explains the main promises of the Bible. Each page should include a short description of a Bible story, the promise made, and an illustration. This pamphlet can be used to explain the Bible and the promise made about living with God in perfect harmony forever in the new heaven and the new earth.

FINDING YOUR WAY 132