Course 5. Reading the Bible: The Focus. Teacher s Guide. This set contains...

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1 Course 5 Teacher s Guide Reading the Bible: The Focus This set contains... Student Lesson Copy Masters Teacher s Guide CD with Student Lesson Copy Masters and Teacher s Guide in PDF and RTF files Lesson 1 : Reading the Bible: As God s Inspired Word Lesson 2: Reading the Bible: As Centered on Christ Lesson 3: Reading the Bible: As Law Lesson 4: Reading the Bible: As Gospel Lesson 5: Reading the Bible: Distinguishing between Law and Gospel Lesson 6: Reading the Bible: Applying the Law and Gospel in My Daily Life Suggested for Grade 9

2 Curriculum Developer: Prof. David Kuske Project Director: Gerald Kastens Writing/Editing Team: Rev. Lyle Albrecht, Laurie Biedenbender, Rev. Kenneth Brokmeier, Owen Dorn, Donald Helwig, Jeanne Lehninger Design Team: NPH Design Services Authorized by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. We extend our thanks to the many employees of Northwestern Publishing House and WELS Parish Services who have contributed to this project. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society. All hymns, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal. Copyright 1993 by Northwestern Publishing House. Northwestern Publishing House 1250 N. 113th St., Milwaukee, WI by Northwestern Publishing House Published 2000 Printed in the United States of America ISBN All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of Northwestern Publishing House. Printed with soy inks on recycled paper.

3 Introductory Pages for Topical Courses TOPICAL COURSE FORMAT Each course contains four to ten lessons on a specific theme, such as witnessing for Christ or making choices. You may spend as many days as you wish on each lesson. LESSON FORMAT Each lesson contains four to ten copy masters for use with the students. These student copy masters may be reproduced. The teacher s guide contains copy master text, answers, and other instructions. Each student should have a three-ring binder to store and organize all the copy master sheets. Overview This page contains the information the teacher needs to understand the lesson. Lesson title Bible references Spiritual goals: We pray that the Holy Spirit would help the students learn these spiritual truths and adopt these spiritual attitudes and habits. Suggested memory treasures: Assign these as you see fit. Be sure to discuss their relationship to the truths in the lesson. The students will have learned almost all the suggested memory treasures in their Christ-Light lessons at Lutheran elementary school or Sunday school. One asterisk designates those memory treasures that are part of the Sunday school core. Two asterisks designate what is additional core for Lutheran elementary schools. Suggested commentary readings: Read these to review Scripture or add depth to your instruction. Introduction ideas: Use these to interest the students and to help them see their need for what they will learn in the lesson. The Discuss This sheet contains questions related to the Bible lesson directly preceding it. Each option is designated to the specific Key Point to which it is most closely connected. The discussion options require a variety of learning skills, such as analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and application. At least some of these questions should always be used, because they help the students apply the lesson to their lives. Plan in advance which questions you will use and where the questions fit best. Then vary your use of these questions: ~ Discuss some questions as a class. ~ Have students write answers first before discussing the questions as a class. ~ Have students discuss the questions in pairs or small groups before discussing them as a class. ~ Assign some questions as homework. The remaining sheets contain activities to help the students explore the topic and make applications to their lives. The sheets include additional Bible studies of many kinds, real-life situations, skits and roleplays, simple doctrinal studies, hymn and memory treasure studies, illustrations, writing activities, simple art activities, and so on. They may be done in class or outside of class, independently or in small groups. Select those activities best suited to your class, and limit the number of activities to fit the time allotted. Plan in advance at what point in the lesson you can most appropriately and effectively use the selected activities. Copy Masters The Bible lesson guides the students in their study of specific portions of the Bible. It begins with an Aim question and ends with a Truth(s) that answers that question. Key Points are emphasized along the way. You may hand out the Bible lesson copy master and have the students fill it in as you teach the lesson, or you may have the students work in small groups to complete a portion of it before you discuss it. Please note that the student pages will lose their effectiveness if assigned as homework before class. iii

4 Sample Lesson Plan The following sample lesson plan is for Lesson 1: Reading the Bible: As God s Inspired Word. 1. Introduce the lesson with the first Introduction option (You have just finished...). 2. Hand out Copy Master 1 (The Book of Books). Read and discuss the first section, concluding with Key Point To apply Key Point 1, hand out Copy Master 2 (The Book of Books), the Discuss This page, and discuss applications 1, 2, and Return to the lesson on Copy Master 1. Have the students work in pairs to complete the second section, concluding with Key Point 2. Then discuss it briefly as a class. 5. To apply Key Point 2, discuss applications 4 and 6 on Copy Master Return to the lesson on Copy Master 1. Read and discuss the third section, concluding with Key Point 3. Then answer the Aim question with the Truth of the lesson. 7. Review basic Bible facts using Copy Master 3 (Bible Facts). Set up small teams, and see who finishes first and has the most correct answers. 8. To further apply the lesson, use Copy Master 6 (Yeah, But) as a roleplay. Put the students in pairs, and have them roleplay each situation. Have some pairs perform a roleplay for the class. 9. To further apply the lesson, use Copy Master 4 (All or Nothing at All). Make a transparency of the copy master, and show the students the at the top of the page. Give them three minutes to write a response at their desks. Listen to some responses. 10. To see what the Bible says about itself, use Copy Master 5 (The Word on the Word). Assign the passages to various students. Then discuss as a class. 11. Assign Copy Master 7 (To Each His Own) as homework. Remember to revisit this worksheet after one week, as directed. Characteristics of Ninth-Grade Students Spiritual Development They think more deeply about spiritual truths they have already learned. They can understand the interrelatedness of Bible events. They want to know how to apply spiritual truths to their lives. They may need additional guidance if they do not come from homes that model Christian living. Emotional and Volitional Development They do not consider themselves children, and they are independent in their attitudes and habits. They are still greatly influenced by the actions and opinions of their peers. They are often governed by role models they have consciously or unconsciously chosen to follow. They are greatly influenced by television, movies, music, and magazines. Sexual Development Their sexuality is becoming an important aspect of their lives. Relationships with Parents They are in the process of leaving their parents in order to develop independent lives. They share less of their experiences with their parents. They are still influenced by their parents, especially if their parents respect their growing independence. iv

5 Learning Style They can study one topic in depth over a number of class periods. They still enjoy a variety of learning experiences: ~ working independently and in peer groups ~ learning by listening and by doing ~ learning by reading and by writing ~ learning by answering questions and by asking questions ~ analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating, and creating They question things they have previously accepted without question. Some Teaching Strategies Meet the students where they are and then stretch them: Recognize that your students have different levels of Bible knowledge and spiritual development, even when they might have received similar spiritual training in elementary school. Do not make assumptions about their previous learning. Start with the simple. Review the basics. Then move on to more complex concepts, deeper understandings, and applications of Bible truths relevant to their teenage years. Create an open, responsive environment: Recognize that as your students develop independent thinking skills, they may question things they previously accepted without question. Maintain a classroom in which it s good to ask questions, even spiritual questions. You are a spiritual leader. If they have questions, you want to give them truthful and appropriate answers. Encourage them to search the Scriptures not look to worldly experts for answers. Allow them to work together on some exercises: Occasional cooperative-learning activities yield many positive results. Your students may enjoy their work more when they do it with their peers. They may become accustomed to discussing spiritual issues with their peers a skill we hope they take with them outside the classroom. And when they have already tried out their ideas on a small group of their peers, they may feel more confident discussing an issue in front of the whole class. To keep chatty students focused on the task at hand, give the students definite and fairly short time limits. v

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7 Reading the Bible: As God s Inspired Word 1 Kings 8:54-56; John 17:17; Romans 1:16; 10:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Peter 1:21 Goals We pray that the student knows these spiritual truths: God breathed into the writers of Scripture the thoughts and words they wrote. The Bible is completely true and trustworthy. Only God s Word can make us wise for salvation. develops these spiritual attitudes and habits: I proclaim the truth that all Scripture is Godbreathed (verbal inspiration). I am faithful in my study of God s Word. To Memorize John 17:17 ** Romans 1:16 ** 2 Timothy 3:16 2 Peter 1:21 Names of the books of the Bible Introduction Ideas You have just finished washing your neighbor s car. He had promised to pay you 8 dollars. But now he says, Listen, I m sorry. I don t have the money right now, but I ll give it to you on Thursday. I promise. Would you trust his word? Who are some people you would trust your parents? a friend? your pastor? God has given us his Word his promises in the Bible. In this lesson we ll see why we can trust his Word absolutely. Has anyone ever said to you, Don t believe everything you hear? Are these words good advice? Why or why not? When we re talking about God s Word, we can say, Yes, you can believe everything you hear. In this lesson we ll see why we can believe everything we hear in God s Word. Suggested Commentary Readings Pages 64,65 in Wolfgramm, Kings, The People s Bible series Pages 226,227 in Baumler, John, The People s Bible series Pages 19-22, in Panning, Romans, The People s Bible series Pages 26,27 in Kuske, 1,2 Thessalonians, The People s Bible series Pages in Schuetze, 1,2 Timothy, Titus, The People s Bible series Course 5 Reading the Bible: The Focus Lesson 1 1

8 The Book of Books 1 Kings 8:54-56; John 17:17; Romans 1:16; 10:17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Peter 1:21 What makes the Bible different from any other book? When questions arise, people go to certain books for answers. Doctors check for information about new drugs in the Physicians Desk Reference. Students look for answers to their questions in an encyclopedia. Baseball umpires check a rule book. Spelling bee judges check a dictionary. We call books like these final authorities because they contain information that has been carefully gathered and verified checked whether it is true or not. The final authority is the Book of books, the Bible. But what makes it the final authority? How do we know everything it says is true? In writing to the Thessalonians and the young pastor Timothy, the apostle Paul speaks to this point. 1 Th 2:13 a. What does Paul call the words that he preaches and speaks? Not the word of men, but the Word of God. b. If these were just Paul s words or just the words of any other person, no matter how wise or holy what could be the danger? The words or teachings could be wrong. Only God s Word can be completely trusted, because only it is absolutely true. 2 Ti 3:16 c. How can the words of the Bible be God s Word if Paul and other human writers wrote them? All Scripture is God-breathed. God the Holy Spirit breathed into the writers the very thoughts and words they wrote. d. What term have you learned that describes this wonderful miracle? Inspiration, which means breathing into. 2 Pe 1:21 e. How does the apostle Peter describe this process? He says the writers were carried along by the Holy Spirit. How do I know that the Bible is God s Word and not man s? By the miracle of inspiration, God breathed into the writers the words and thoughts they wrote. Solomon was one of God s inspired writers. God inspired him to write Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs, many of the proverbs, and a couple psalms as well. God also allowed Solomon to be the general contractor for his temple. When the temple was finished and the ark of the covenant had been brought in, Solomon led a dedication service during which he prayed to God and encouraged the people. 1 Ki 8:54-56 a. What had God done with all his good promises, including the promise of rest? He had kept them. Not one word has failed, Solomon said. b. Through whom had God given these promises? Through the inspired writer Moses. Jn 17:17 c. As Jesus prayed to his Father the night before he died, what did he say about the Word of God? Your word is truth. Because the Bible is God s inspired Word, what do we know about it? Because the Bible is God s inspired Word, we know it is completely true and trustworthy. Earlier we read Paul s words to Timothy, in which Paul told Timothy that the Scriptures are God s inspired Word. Timothy knew God s Word because his grandmother Lois and mother, Eunice, had taught it to him at a young age. Now Paul tells Timothy more about this Book of books, God s Word. 2 Ti 3:14,15 a. Different books have different purposes. What is the primary purpose of the Bible? To make us wise for salvation. 2 Course 5 Reading the Bible: The Focus Lesson 1 Copy Master 1a

9 Ro 1:16; 10:17 b. How does the Bible do this amazing thing make us wise for salvation? When we read and study the Word, God (specifically the Holy Spirit) works through the gospel to create and maintain saving faith in our hearts. (Note that the Greek word God gave Paul to use for power is the same word from which we get our English word dynamite. This is power!) Because the Bible is God s inspired Word, what does it have the power to do? Because the Bible is God s inspired Word, it has the power to make us wise for salvation. What makes the Bible different from any other book? The Bible is God s Word. By the miracle of inspiration, God breathed into the writers the words and thoughts they wrote. Because the Bible is God s inspired Word, we know that it is completely true and trustworthy and it has the power to make us wise for salvation. Course 5 Reading the Bible: The Focus Lesson 1 Copy Master 1b 3

10 The Book of Books Discuss This 1. : Evaluate: The Bible writers were like robots. They went into a kind of trance, their pens moved across the paper, and voila! there was God s Word! This is not an accurate description of the miracle of verbal inspiration. The writers were fully conscious of what they were doing. They used their own vocabularies and wrote in their own styles. But the Holy Spirit carried them along. He controlled when they wrote, what they wrote, and how they wrote. We accept this great mystery only by faith. 2. : Evaluate: The Bible contains God s Word. The Bible does contain God s Word, but this statement can be misleading. It can leave one with the impression that the Bible contains not just God s Word but man s words as well things such as myths and legends. Why is this statement dangerous? If it were true, who could say what is truly God s Word and what isn t? Would you ever buy bottled water that read Ninety-nine percent pure and one percent poison? Of course not. In the same way, we need to be sure that all the Bible is one hundred percent God s Word and it is! What is a more accurate statement? The Bible is God s Word. 3. : Evaluate: Since we don t have the original manuscripts written by God s inspired writers, we don t know whether the Bible we have today is God s Word or not. It is true that we don t have the original letters that Paul wrote nor the actual book of Genesis that Moses penned. However, we do have copies. God has preserved his Word for us in the original languages Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek through copies. Pastor Paul Kolander points out, There are over 1,700 Old Testament Hebrew manuscripts plus several hundred manuscript copies of the Greek translation of the Old Testament in existence. We possess about 5,000 Greek manuscripts of portions of the New Testament, plus many thousands of Latin, Syriac, and other early translations. We need have no doubt about the reliability of the Hebrew and Greek texts which are used today in translating the Bible, even though we do not have any of the original autographs of the Bible books in our possession. If the original manuscript of the Declaration of Independence were lost, the text would be known from the many copies that exist. In a similar way we know what the original text of the Bible is from the copies of the original autographs as well as through the translations made into other languages (The Scriptures How Shall I Read Them? p. 75). 4. : Evaluate: Some parts of the Bible just can t be true. They contradict science. The Bible and true science never contradict each other; they cannot, for God created the laws of science too. When a contradiction does seem to occur, it simply means man s understanding is flawed. We would stress, however, that the Bible is not a science textbook; it is the book that shows us how we are saved. 5. : Read Luke 16: When the rich man wanted Lazarus to appear to his brothers to warn them that they should repent before it was too late, what did Abraham tell him? They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.... If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. What does this say about God s Word? The Word of God is not only completely true, but it is completely sufficient. It shows us the way to salvation. It shows the Savior, who won heaven for us, and we need no further revelation. 6. : I always trusted all God s promises. But when I prayed that God would take away my mother s cancer, it didn t go away. I guess God must not keep his promises. Respond. 4 Course 5 Reading the Bible: The Focus Lesson 1 Copy Master 2a