MS Bible Tu

Welcome, Powerpoint, and Survey

Have the students come in and take the survey, then welcome them and share the introductory powerpoint.

Explain that the class is generally going to be for increasing the knowledge of the Bible and its stories that span 1,400 years of human history.

I am not expecting that anyone is an expert in the Bible to be able to understand the class. In fact, it is just to introduce you to the Bible and some Christian practices.

Make sure that you ask questions when you have them, and know that there is no such thing as a dumb question.

Make sure to participate in the discussions as I will be tracking who participates and who does not (For a grade).

What is a Story?

So, what do you think of when I say the word “story?”

Typically, what is the goal of a story?

What do we learn from stories?

Do you think that stories can teach us truth in modern times even if they happened a long time ago?

Stories are used to teach things to us.

They aren’t always about fairy princesses or knights slaying dragons, sometimes they convey messages of truth. (Tell the brief boy that cried wolf).

The truth is that stories can help to remind us of important events. (For example, share birth of Gwen story).

Stories can help us understand right from wrong. (Fake George Washington cherry tree story).

Stories can help us learn from other’s choices. (Story of hearing stories of putting hands on hot stove).

So knowing what stories can do lets discuss the Bible and the stories we find in here.

What is the Bible?

Show the Bible Project what is the Bible video part 1.

When listening to the video, what do you think the Bible is about?

Who do you think the main character of the Bible is?

Why is it important to know information about the Bible?

It is important to know that the Bible is a collection of books written in different times and contexts.

It contains true stories about God and people.

While it is old and was written a long time ago, it still is an important book today.

The Bible itself is divided into the Old and New Testaments.

Just because it says Old or New, doesn’t mean that one is more important to the other, really it is just a distinction for B.C. and A.D.

It can also be classified as a distinction for Jesus to carry the story of the TANAK forward.

Show what is the Bible part 2.

The Bible contains its own narrative that we will call the Grand Narrative of the Bible.

Keeping that in mind let’s split into groups and do this activity.

Activity

Hand out the cards and explain that they need to sort them into where they think each one belongs. This is where they will earn their participation grade.

So why do you think that God chose to teach us through stories?

What do you think is the easiest to remember rules or stories? Why?

Alright pull out a paper and pencil. I want you to write down these two questions and answer them for me.

What is one thing I learned about the Bible today?

What is one Bible story I want to learn more about?

Tomorrow we will be talking about creation, so tonight try and read Genesis chapters 1-2 so you can be familiar with the story when we discuss it tomorrow.

Each week we are going to try and learn new stories and lessons from the Bible so that we can journey through the Scriptures together.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for each of these students. They are all image bearers of You. As such, I ask that you help to instruct them when reading your Scriptures. Teach them new lessons as they read. I love you, and thank you for all you will do this semester. In your precious name I pray, Amen.