Life Changing Bible Lessons

Life-Changing Bible Lessons

(Changing a Bible Story Into a Bible Lesson)

By Dr. James R. Julian Sr.

STEPS IN A TEACHER’S PREPARATION

I. Pray, read, and meditate

✰ Pray for your students and your lesson preparation time

✰ Read the Scripture portion at least three times

✰ Depend on the Spirit of God for your understanding of the Scripture

II. Following the steps of Bible story preparation

☆ Remember to reread your Scripture. This time consider the following

as your read.

✔ Write down the names of all the characters and places

✔ What is taking place in the story

✔ What can we learn about God in this lesson

✔ What is God trying to teach me

☆ Make a list of the events in the story

☆ Write them down in order (about 15 events)

III. Pathway to a Bible lesson

☆ Introduction

✔ A question

✔ A short illustration

✔ An exciting story event

✔ A direct approach

☆ Progression of events

✔ Use the events that you have chosen

✔ Do not include the climax of the story

✔ Write a verse reference after each event

☆ Climax

✔ The climax is one definite statement and is the high point

of action and suspense.

☆ Conclusion

✔ The end of the story, finish the action, natural ending

IV. Reaching the unsaved child

The unsaved child needs to hear the message of salvation.

G God loves your and me. He is the Creator of the world. He is Holy.

{Where do you put this Gospel truth in your Bible lesson? When God

takes care of, protects, helps, rewards, or provides for a person.

When a character is worried, afraid, lonely, discouraged, or sins.

When God makes a promise, a command, a blessing, or a

punishment. Romans 5:8; Leviticus 19:2; John 3:16}

O Jesus is the only perfect, sinless Son of God. {Where do you put this

Gospel truth in your Bible lesson? When a character pleases God,

(Jesus always did!) or is punished unjustly. When a father or son are

mentioned, a messenger is sent, or a character is given a job to do.

When Jesus Christ, the angel of the Lord, the Messiah, Passover, or

sacrifices are mentioned. II Corinthians 5:21}

S You and I have sinned. (Give two or three examples of sin). You

were born with a “want to” to sin. Your sin separates you from God.

{Use the personal word “you.” Use two or three examples of sin. Use

a Scripture verse that teaches “all have sinned.” Where do you put

this Gospel truth in your Bible lesson? Anywhere a specific sin or

sinner are mentioned. When a problem comes, especially one that

only God can solve. Romans 3:23, Psalm 14:2-3, Romans 3:10-11,

Ecclesiastes 7:20, II Chronicles 6:36a, Proverbs 20:9, James 4:17,

Romans 5:12, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:12, I John 1:8, Genesis 6:5}

P Jesus is the perfect Son of God. He willingly died on the cross for

you. He gave His precious blood as payment for your sin. {Where do

you put this Gospel truth in your Bible lesson? When a special plan

is made, a promise is kept, a miracle is performed, a life is changed,

a person is saved from harm, one person saves others, a life is

spared, or someone is forgiven. When salvation, the cross,

sacrifices or the crucifixion are mentioned. I John 1:7, Hebrews

9:22b, Revelation 1:5, Colossians 1:14}

E Ever living Savior; He was buried and rose again. {Teach that Christ

arose from the dead and is alive today. You might want to add that

He is highly honored and exalted. This truth is placed in the lesson in

the same type of areas as the “precious blood.” II Corinthians 15:3b-

4}

L Let Him be your Savior.

Admit to God you are a sinner and desire to turn from your sin

Believe the Lord Jesus died for you and is the only one who can take

away your sin. Call on the Lord Jesus, receiving Him as your very

own Savior from sin {Where do you put this Gospel truth in the Bible

lesson? Anywhere a decision is made, a life is changed, a promise is

kept, a miracle is performed, a special plan is made, a gift is given, a

provision is made, or at the end of the Bible lesson. Teach that you

must tell God that you know you have done bad things, and let Jesus

come in to take away the bad things so that you can be forgiven.}

Include the Invitation with each lesson:

✔ Briefly review sin, Christ’s death and resurrection.

✔ Use a verse and explain it.

✔ Have them bow their heads and close their eyes.

✔ Ask for a response (raise hand, open eyes, stand up).

✔ Give direction (come stand by me or meet me...)

V. Reaching the saved child

☆ Teach one main truth consistently in the story:

Example: “You need to read your Bible every day.”

☆ Draw that Bible truth from one of these areas:

✔ Knowing God

✔ Bible doctrines

✔ Christian conduct

☆ State the truth you desire to teach in a single simple sentence.

✔ This is called the main truth statement.

✔ Make the statement personal - use the word “you.”

Not: We need to read our Bibles every day.

Rather: You need to read your Bible every day.

✔ Give the main truth statement in a positive way.

Not: God wants you to stop telling lies.

Rather: God expects you to tell the truth.

✔ Try to include your main truth statement at least three

times in your lesson:

1. Reach the mind - the first time just say it.

2. Reach the heart - the second time, do some

teaching

a. Make it personal - use “you”

b. Tell them how - give them examples

c. Use a Scripture to support your truth.

3. Reach the will - the third time challenge them to

act on what they have just learned:

a. Use the words “will you”

b. Give them specific help in

remembering the main truth of the

lesson

c. Give the challenge at the end of the

lesson - either before or after the

invitation for the unsaved child

☆ Looking at the list of events you made for your lesson, see where this

main truth statement can be included.

VI. Practice your lesson during the week

☆ Using the outline you made, begin telling the lesson as you put up the

figures on the flannel board or as you turn the pages of the flashcard

☆ Be sure to bring out the message of salvation truths (GOSPEL) as

you marked them on your outline

☆ Include the main truth statement for the saved child

☆ Finish your lesson with the challenge for the saved child and the

invitation for the unsaved child

☆ You will want to go through your lesson at least three times before

teaching it. Be sure to include all the elements you have learned

about preparing a Bible lesson.