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Provide Paper and Colored Pencils
Not everyone in your group will be interested in coloring or doing something artsy, but you might be surprised to find out that doodling actually improves your recall by as much as 29%, according to a 2009 study by psychologist Jackie Andrade. Often meaningful connections are being made with what is said when we are actively doodling. And if your class members are drawing something that actually symbolizes a part of the lesson, they are even more likely to remember what was taught in the lesson. It is also beneficial to be able to write down a verse or thought that might otherwise be lost if there was not a place to write it. Set out some colored pencils or regular pencils and some paper and invite your class to doodle if they would like. Perhaps they will recall something during the week that they might otherwise have missed.
The Sending of the Son
Read Galatians 4:1-7
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father” (v. 6).
My three sons can’t help it. I can’t help it. My dad couldn’t help it. The Woods all look alike. (Don’t tell them I said so, but even the lady Woods look like the men Woods!) We all have the same high forehead, the same long, narrow English nose. If you have seen one you have seen all. I am never surprised when a person sees one of my sons and says, “He must be your son. He looks just like you.” My father’s image is stamped on me, and my image is stamped on my three sons. I see it in my grandson as well. In a sense, it is a genetic affirmation. “This is my son.” There is no denying that they are my sons. They have my likeness. In like manner, God has given His affirmation to each of us who know the forgiving grace of Jesus Christ. We are not mere objects of a creative God; we are His sons through birth and possession. We bear His likeness. His Spirit invades our being. We have become as Martin Luther stated, “Little Christs.” “Like Father, like son.” (L. Gayle Woods)
God has given His affirmation to each of us who know the forgiving grace of Jesus Christ. We bear His likeness.
God’s Revelation to Man (Christmas)
Focus Text: Luke 2:1-16
Central Truth: The virgin birth of Christ was God’s visible revelation of Himself to a sinful world.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to suggest some effective ways to spread the good news about Jesus’ birth.
Lesson Outline
1. The Decree of Caesar
2. The Birth of Jesus
3. The Announcement to Shepherds
Change Things Up
We all love our routines, but sometimes it is good to challenge our brains by doing something different. We all like to sit in the same spot and so do others, so we end up sitting by the same people which can lead us to interact to some extent with a smaller percentage of the group. A quick way to change things up and encourage new discussion is to change where your members sit. Divide your group up by gender or color of clothes or birthday months/seasons. Other ways to change things up could be to rearrange your classroom. Instead of rows of seating, bring in a table and gather around it. If your classroom is not very attractive, fix it up a bit with fresh paint and pictures. On a simpler scale, start the Scripture reading at the back of your class instead of the front, or move your prayer time to the beginning instead of the end.
A Vision of Pentecost
Read Joel 2:21-32
“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call” (v. 32).
We are introduced to God in the very first verse of the Bible. And then when man comes into the picture, we suddenly see the “Lord God.” He who inhabits eternity is right down here on earth to be near and dear to man; to meet every need and bless man in every way, and fellowship with him. Man has failed God many times, but God has been faithful. He created man with a conscience; then He made a covenant with Noah promising His goodness; afterward He gave the law; next, He gave His Son to take our punishment, and He has given us the Holy Spirit to speak to every man. Thank God, there is a bright side of history repeating itself. There have always been those who have responded favorably to God. God has never overlooked them. He has a “name,” and whoever calls on “the name of the Lord” shall be delivered. This “name is an appellation; it identifies Him.” It is a memorial, a reputation that describes His individuality. Whenever we call, He delivers. We don’t even have to bring a lamb; He provided Himself! He is as near and dear as He was to Adam, and He is more precious than you can explain. This is His identity — no one else is like Him! (L. Wayne Covert)
“What music is to the ear, what beauty is to the eye, what fragrance is to the nasal organs, what air is to the lungs, what water is to the fish — these and more also is divine love to the life of man” (Anonymous).
The Accuracy of Bible Prophecy
Focus Text: Daniel 2:28-35, 44, 45; Revelation 11:15
Central Truth: Fulfilled Bible prophecies are an evidence of its divine authorship.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list some fulfilled prophecies of the Bible.
Lesson Outline
1. God of Kingdoms
2. Earthly Kingdoms
3. The Eternal Kingdom