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The Narrative
Another major form of presentation is narrative, or story-telling. Narrative presentations can easily be inductive in reasoning, presenting the conclusion at the end of the story, but they can also be deductive, using stories to illustrate the truth that is stated upfront.
Story-telling is an ancient form of teaching, and was used by Jesus extensively. (Jesus used inductive reasoning with story-telling throughout His earthly ministry.) This method may be more effective for certain lessons; a lesson built around a story in scripture would seem to fit this approach more easily. Yet even the “driest” lesson could be taught using a series of stories that progressively or repeatedly emphasize the scriptural truth.
The teacher need not be the only person telling stories, but could ask students to share life stories related to the scriptural truth. (Note: it may be best to ask select persons beforehand so they have time to prepare and not waste time recalling details or getting sidetracked into unnecessary minutiae.)
Raised From The Dead (Easter)
Lesson 7 - April 16, 2017
Focus Text: Luke 23:55-24:12
Central Truth: Christ's resurrection is good news -- that is true!
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify several proofs of the resurrection of Christ.
Lesson Outline:
- Burial of Jesus (Luke 23:50-56)
- Resurrection Dawn (Luke 24:1-7)
- The Good News Proclaimed (Luke 24:8-12)
How do the blessings promised in the Old Testament relate to Christians today?
In "God's Word for Today" Gordon Snider writes:
[Malachi 3:10-12] focus on blessings that will come to those who honor their financial commitments to God. These verses have been used by preachers of a “prosperity gospel” to prove that it is God's will for His people to be materially blessed. How do the blessings of these verses relate to New Testament Christians?
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 35.
Should we only give if we have much?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Jason Lindahl writes:
Jesus said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38). Human nature being what it is, if people are led to believe that certain circumstances excuse them from tithing, they will tend always to find themselves in those circumstances! Instead of encouraging people to withhold more because they are poor, we should encourage them to step out in faith and trust a never-failing God to bless them for keeping His commands. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10).
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 38.
The Practice of Tithing
In "Biblical Perspective" Larry Grile writes:
There are perhaps several important things to be said about this passage as well as the general issue of tithing, giving offerings, etc. Tithing was a practice long before the Old Testament Law was given (Gen. 14:20; 28:22). It was enlarged and required under the Sinai Covenant. Still in Jesus' day it was practiced by the adherents of the Law and was commended by Jesus (Matt. 23:23). After the inauguration of the New Covenant at Calvary, no more reference was made to tithing. The concept of tithing is found in only one place where Paul asked the Corinthians to lay aside money according to their financial profit during the week, to be given as an offering on the first day of the week when they gathered together for worship. Since tithing preceded the Law, was commanded as a worthy part of the Law, and was commended by Jesus, it has been generally considered by devout people as a proper way to honor God with our substance. Many have proven God's promise and found Him true to His word. As for offerings, Malachi was referring to special required offerings of animal sacrifices, etc., and to freewill offerings as mentioned in the Law.
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 35.