Teaching Plan
Connect
Connect activities get learners ready to learn. Choose one or two of the activities below to introduce this week's lesson.
Fun: Physical Challenge
(5–8 minutes, moderate set-up)
Provide enough dumbbells, heavy books, or gallon jugs filled with water to give two to each participant.
Discussion: Make Me Stronger
(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will discuss the ways that trials and adversity make people stronger.
Provide a dry erase board and marker.
Life and Times: Life from the Fire
(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
For more information on this story, go to https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/nature/fic_segi.htm.
Relational: On Trial
(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will share how difficult times have strengthened or weakened them in some way.
Explore
Explore activities lead learners to study Scripture. Teach the Key Study to focus on the Biblical Truth. If you choose, support the Key Study with one or two of the following activities.
Interactive Core Study: Growing Study
(15–20 minutes, easy set-up)
Provide a copy of the Learner Worksheet and a pen for each learner. Also, provide a dry erase board and markers.
Master Teacher Core Study: Growing Faith
(15–20 minutes, easy set-up)
Print one copy of the Master Teacher Outline for your use. Provide a copy of the Learner Worksheet and a pen for each learner.
Context Study: Trials for the Early Christians
(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will consider the trials that the early Christians faced.
Provide a dry erase board and markers. For more information on this topic, go to http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-27/persecution-in-early-church-did-you-know.html.
Closer Look: Temptation
(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Comparative Study: Obstacles to Growth
(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Provide a dry erase board and markers.
Transform
Choose one or two Transform activities to challenge learners to live differently. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit ultimately brings about change, so help students draw near to Him.
Discoverers: Bridge Out
(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will discuss strategies for identifying and avoiding temptation.
Provide index cards and pens.
Owners: Battle Without and Within
(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will discuss ways to respond to both trials and temptations.
Provide a dry erase board and markers.
Servants: Facing Trials with Faith
(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will discuss how their faith has matured by facing trials.
Provide a dry erase board and marker.
Shepherds: Triumph after the Trials
(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will identify triumphs that believers can experience in the trials of life.
Provide a sheet of paper and pen for each learner.
Take Home Activity
The Take Home Activity gives families the opportunity to study the biblical passage together and discuss how each member of the family might apply the truths from the lesson to his or her life.
Family Devotion
(10-15 minutes at home, easy set-up)
Distribute copies of the Family Devotion to students and encourage them to share the devotion with their family.