TEACHER S GUIDE GRADES 7-8. Learning to Know Jesus the Christ A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL

Transcription

1 TEACHER S GUIDE GRADES 7-8 Learning to Know Jesus the Christ A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL

2 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12 Project Coordinators: Owen Dorn, Raymond Schumacher Editorial Team: Owen Dorn, Lynn Groth, Rev. John Miller Art Director: Karen Knutson Design Team: Paula Brouwer, Pamela Dunn, Sarah Martinez Illustrator (line art): Nan Pollard We extend our thanks to the many employees of Northwestern Publishing House who have contributed to this project. Scripture is taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Catechism materials are taken from Luther s Catechism: Revised by Northwestern Publishing House. Hymn and hymnal references, unless otherwise indicated, are to Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal by Northwestern Publishing House. Christ-Light and the Christ-Light logo are registered property of Northwestern Publishing House. Northwestern Publishing House 1250 N. 113th St., Milwaukee, WI by Northwestern Publishing House Published 2011 ISBN All rights reserved. The contents of this CD may be reproduced and used only by the purchasing school or congregation. Sharing this material with other congregations or schools is prohibited.

3 Contents LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL INTRODUCTION NOTES PAGE vii Jesus Is the Revealed Word 1 Jesus Is the Sin-Bearing Substitute 13 Jesus Is the Resurrection and the Life 24 Jesus Is the Almighty Miracle Worker 35 Jesus Is the All-Knowing Teacher 46 Jesus Is the Eager Evangelist 57 Jesus Is the Persecuted Son of God 68 Jesus Is the Necessary Bread of Life 80 Jesus Is the Good Shepherd 91 Jesus Is the Loyal Leader 102

4

5 Introduction Christ-Light is a complete religion curriculum for youth from birth through grade 12. Materials for prekindergarten through grade 8 have been thoroughly updated to reflect current educational research. Characteristics of 12- to 14-year-old children Mental Development Can think abstractly Can delve more deeply into spiritual truths Can explore the application of spiritual truths in many different ways Can grasp where and when events took place Can concentrate for longer periods of time Can memorize easily Emotional Development Are becoming independent in forming personal attitudes and habits Can display irrational mood swings Are searching for identity and freedom Want to show that they are responsible Social Development Can work cooperatively in small groups Learn from words, actions, and opinions of their teachers Are greatly influenced by words, actions, and opinions of their peers Tend to share less of what they are learning with parents Are beginning the process of becoming independent from their parents May test parental authority Teaching Materials General Supplies Each child will need a Bible (NIV), a hymnal (Christian Worship), paper, and a pencil or pen. In order to best carry out many of the suggested activities, the teacher will need a chalk or marker board and projection equipment. Teacher s Guide Note that the Teacher s Guide is set up with parallel lesson plans one in the wide column and one in the narrow column. Thus, Sunday school and Lutheran elementary school teachers can use entirely different activities when teaching the same lesson. This coordination will maintain interest for those students who attend both Sunday school and Lutheran elementary school. When Sunday school and Lutheran elementary school coordination is not a factor, teachers have several options: Those who want one straightforward, complete lesson can use the wide column, start to finish. Those who want to design their own lessons may select activities from either the wide or the narrow column, or from the Lesson Activities section. Student Lessons Each four-page lesson contains a full-color contemporary teaching picture, a Bible study with life application, and grade-appropriate memory treasures. HOW TO USE THIS BOOK GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL INTRODUCTION vii

6 Teaching the Lesson Lesson Overview Lesson goals are not listed separately but are expressed in the Key Points, Application (Word Today), and Lesson Summary (Answer). As Christians, we have the priv ilege of being able to approach our God in prayer. The Teacher Prays offers a prayer that might be just what you would like to say to God before you begin teaching your lesson. Christ-Light provides a brief Scripture reading and prayer or song to open the lesson. The brevity makes it possible to teach the meat of the lesson during prime learning time. This section is designed to create student interest in the coming lesson. Introductions pro vide neces sary background, actively involve students, and lead them to anticipate an answer to the question addressed in the lesson. Teachers will use this section to teach the Word of God in a creative, interactive way. This section leads the stu dents to apply the truth to their lives and to exam ine ways in which they can respond. After leading the students to briefly summarize the main points of the lesson, each lesson closes with a song or prayer. Bible passage, catechism, and hymn memory treasures are incor porated into the lessons. Some of these memory treas - ures are taken from a core list that has already been taught in pre vious grades. Memory treas ures marked with one aster isk are core mem ory treas ures for both Sunday school and Luth eran elemen tary school; passages with two asterisks are addi tional core memory treasures for Lutheran elementary school. (Sometimes, due to space limitations, hymn stanzas could not be printed on student lessons. A file that contains the text of the hymn stanzas, which can be copied for handouts, is found on the Teacher s Guide CD. The file is labeled Hymntexts.pdf.) Lesson Activities These additional activities offer options for teaching, reviewing, applying, or responding to the truth of the lesson. Each lesson includes a Table Talk activity designed to encourage parent-child interaction. The importance of parents as the primary Christian educators of children cannot be stressed enough. Teachers must do everything they can to encourage parents to teach and use the Word in their homes. Teachers will not only encourage parents and students to use these activities, they will also teach them how. Suggestions: Attach the messages to student lessons, or incorporate the messages into classroom newsletters. GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL INTRODUCTION viii

7 The following list of memory treasure hymns has been developed for the Christ-Light grades 7-8 topical Bible study courses. * One asterisk indicates a core hymn for Sunday school and Lutheran elementary school. ** Two asterisks indicate that the hymn is an additional core hymn for Lutheran elementary school. Thus, Lutheran elementary school students learn both the Sunday school core hymns and the additional core hymns. Hymns with no asterisk are used in some lessons but are not considered core hymns. Sometimes, due to space limitations, hymn stanzas could not be printed on student lessons. A file that contains the text of the hymn stanzas, which can be copied for handouts, is found on the Teacher s Guide CD. The file is labeled Hymntexts.pdf. Hymn Category Hymn Number Hymn Title Name of Jesus 76:1,3,5 Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love Lent 128:1,2 Not All the Blood of Beasts Easter 143:2,3 He s Risen, He s Risen Easter 152:1-3,7,8 ** I Know That My Redeemer Lives Reformation 200:1-4 ** A Mighty Fortress Is Our God End Time 207:1-3 The Day Is Surely Drawing Near Worship and Praise 234:1,3 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Worship and Praise 241:4 Alleluia! Let Praises Ring Word of God 282:1 ** Lord, Open Now My Heart to Hear Word of God 283:1 Speak, O Savior; I Am Listening Word of God 284:1,3,4 How Precious Is the Book Divine Word of God 286:1-3 The Law Commands and Makes Us Know Word of God 287:1,2,4 The Law of God Is Good and Wise Word of God 288:1,3,4 The Gospel Shows the Father s Grace Word of God 291:1,4 We Have a Sure Prophetic Word Word of God 293 God s Word Is Our Great Heritage Confession and Absolution 304:1,5,7 * Jesus Sinners Does Receive Redeemer 348:1,4 ** Jesus, Jesus, Only Jesus Justification 380:1,2 Lord, Tis Not That I Did Choose You Justification 384:1 By Grace I m Saved Justification 390:1,2,5 Salvation Unto Us Has Come Justification 399:1,2 To God Be the Glory Prayer 411:1,2 * What a Friend We Have in Jesus Trust 417:1,2 I m But a Stranger Here Trust 422:1-4 ** Jesus, Lead Us On GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL INTRODUCTION ix

8 Hymn Category Hymn Number Hymn Title Trust 428:1,2 Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me Trust 429:1-3 * What God Ordains Is Always Good Trust 436:1,2,4 ** Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep Commitment 455:1 Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You Commitment 457:1,2 Fight the Good Fight Commitment 469:1-3,6 * Take My Life and Let It Be Commitment 472:1-3 Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray Commitment 478:1,2 ** With the Lord Begin Your Task Stewardship 484:1 Brothers, Sisters, Let Us Gladly Christian Love 490:1-3 ** Love in Christ Is Strong and Living Christian Love 494:1,3,4,5 Blest Be the Tie That Binds Christian Home 505:4,5 Love Is the Gracious Gift Church 539:1,4,5 In Christ There Is No East or West Ministry 545:1,2 Send, O Lord, Your Holy Spirit Ministry 546:1 Lord Jesus, You Have Come Saints and Martyrs 555:1-4 For All Your Saints, O Lord Evangelism 560:1,2 I Hear the Savior Calling Missions 573:1,2,4 * Hark! The Voice of Jesus Crying Evening 587:3,4 ** Now Rest Beneath Night s Shadow Evening 588:1,2,6,7 ** Abide With Me Confirmation 596:1 ** Let Me Be Yours Forever Death and Burial 606:1-3 ** For Me to Live Is Jesus Thanksgiving 610:1-3 ** Now Thank We All Our God GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL INTRODUCTION x

9 Bible Passage Memory Treasures * One asterisk indicates a core passage for Sunday school and Lutheran elementary school. ** Two asterisks indicate that the passage is an additional core passage for Lutheran elementary schools. Thus, Lutheran elementary school students learn both the Sunday school core passages and the additional core passages. * Genesis 1:1 ** Matthew 4:10b * John 3:16 ** Ephesians 4:32 ** Genesis 39:9b ** Matthew 6:33 ** John 5:39 ** Ephesians 6:1 * Exodus 20:11a * Matthew 7:7 ** John 11:25,26a * 1 Timothy 2:3,4 ** Job 19:25-27 * Matthew 11:28 * John 14:19b ** 2 Timothy 3:15 * Psalm 37:5 ** Matthew 18:20 ** Romans 1:16 ** 2 Timothy 3:16 * Psalm 50:15 * Matthew 22:37 * Romans 3:23 ** Hebrews 11:1 * Psalm 51:5 * Matthew 22:39b ** Romans 3:24 ** James 1:22 ** Psalm 103:1,2 * Matthew 26:41 * Romans 6:23 * 1 Peter 5:7 * Psalm 118:1 * Matthew 28:19 * Romans 8:28 ** 1 Peter 5:8 * Psalm 119:105 * Matthew 28:19,20 * Romans 10:17 * 1 John 1:7b ** Psalm 139:14 * Matthew 28:20b * 1 Corinthians 10:31 ** 1 John 3:15 ** Psalm 145:15,16 ** Mark 10:45 ** 1 Corinthians 12:3b ** 1 John 4:19 * Proverbs 3:5 * Mark 16:16 ** Galatians 3:26 * Revelation 2:10b ** Isaiah 41:10 * Luke 11:28 ** Galatians 3:27 * Isaiah 43:11 ** Luke 18:13b ** Galatians 4:4,5 ** Isaiah 64:6a ** John 1:29b * Ephesians 2:8,9 GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL INTRODUCTION xi

10

11 Learning to Know Jesus the Christ: A Bible Study on John s Gospel LESSON 1 Jesus Is the Revealed Word John 1:1-18; 17:3; 20:30,31 Why is it so important to know Jesus? 1. Jesus is true God, who came to live on earth as a human being. 2. Only Jesus reveals God as our loving and true Savior. 3. Knowing God as our loving Savior leads us to trust him for eternal life. Knowing Jesus is important because he is the God-man who alone reveals God as our loving Savior and gives us eternal life by faith. John 1:1,14 John 1:17 John 17:3 John 20:31 Hymn 76:1,3,5 Dear Lord, thank you for revealing yourself to me as my loving Savior. As true God, you became a man to rescue the world from sin. Help me share this all-important message with my students. Lead them to know you and to trust you as their Savior too. Amen. Use The People s Bible: Baumler, John, for addi - tional background infor - mation and explanation. Franzmann, Bible History Commentary: New Testament will also have helpful explanations for many of the Bible story accounts. Most of us can hold only two to four chunks of information in our working memories at one time. Teachers can enhance the working memory of students by using exercises that increase dopamine levels in the brain (for example, activities that require student movement or celebrations of joy over something done well). GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 1

12 Learning to Know Jesus the Christ: A Bible Study on John s Gospel JESUS IS THE REVEALED WORD Alternate Lesson Plan Read: Psalm 2:7-12 Pray: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to our world to free us from sin and death. Although you once humbled yourself to win our deliverance, you now live and rule on high. Speak to us through your Word that we might better know you and your saving work and grow more confident in your love for us. Amen. Think of some important instruc tions your parents may have given you before they allowed you to do something. Perhaps it was before they allowed you to mow the lawn or use the stove or ride your bike on the street. [Answers will vary.] Why were those instructions so important? [We could be seriously injured or even killed if we were careless.] God has given us the Bible to tell us about Jesus. Not knowing about Jesus is spiritually dangerous. Today we will answer the question, Why is it so important to know Jesus? Sing: Of the Father s Love Begotten (hymn 35:1,2) Pray: Jesus, God forever, born to live without sin but to bear all sin, thank you for coming to earth to save us. Bless us as we search your Word and see the evidence of your love. Amen. What s Important? Some information is more important to know than other information. Some information is vital for our well-being. Read through the following list. Then, on a scale of 1-6 (1 is high, 6 is low), rate the pieces of information as to their importance. Be ready to justify the rating you give each one. The doctor has discovered cancer cells growing on a patient s liver. A mysterious, ticking package has been discovered in the lobby of a public building. A student has trimmed her fingernails this morning. God loved the world so much that he sacrificed his only Son to redeem all people that they might have eternal life through faith in Jesus. Jeff had cereal for breakfast. The flight you intended to take to your destination has been cancelled. [Hopefully students will assign the highest rating to the information that God loved the world... God knows it is important that we learn about Jesus so important, in fact, that the entire Bible points to Jesus.] Today we will answer the question, Why is it so important to know Jesus? GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON 1 2

13 Learning to Know Jesus the Christ: A Bible Study on John s Gospel JESUS IS THE REVEALED WORD 1. John identifies Jesus as the Word. A word communicates a message or idea. As the living Word, Jesus communicates a very important message. Explain these two statements: Jesus is the messenger of God. [Jesus came to bring God s message of salvation to mankind.] Jesus is the message about God. [Because Jesus and the Father are one, in Jesus we see what God is like. By Jesus words and actions, we see that God is powerful and that he loves us. By Jesus words we learn also that God saves us from the guilt of our sin.] 2. Read John 1:1-5,12. Work with a partner. Explain each phrase and how it applies to Jesus. He was with God in the beginning. [As true God, the Son of God always existed with the Father.] Through him all things were made. [The Word was active in the creation of the universe.] In him was life, and that life was the light of men. [In Christ, God brings spiritual and eternal life to human beings by making it possible to know and believe in the saving work of Jesus.] He gave the right to become children of God. [In Christ, God brings spiritual and eternal life to human beings.] 3. Read John 1:6-9. God sent John the Baptist to prepare his people for the coming of Jesus, the Savior who came to take away the sin of the world. Evaluate this statement: The role of a pastor, Sunday school teacher, or Lutheran elementary school teacher is similar to that of John the Baptist. [Different: John the Baptist pointed people to the Godman, who hadn t yet been fully revealed as our Savior. Pastors, Sunday school teachers, and Lutheran elementary school teachers point to the one who has been revealed as our Savior. Similar: However, pastors, teachers, and John point to Jesus as God s Son and the Savior from sin.] How is Jesus in a unique position to reveal God to us? Jesus is true [God], who came to [live] on earth as a [human being]. 4. A clothing label tells you what materials went into making the shirt you are wearing. For example, it might say that it s 70 percent polyester and 30 percent cotton. The Bible tells us that Jesus is both human and 1. John identifies Jesus as the Word. A word communicates a message or idea. In what sense is Jesus the Word of God? [He brings God s Word to us. He shows us what God is like.] 2. The first verse of John s gospel shows us that Jesus is the living Word of God. What additional information do we learn about Jesus in John 1:1-5? [Jesus is true God. He was with God the Father at creation, and through him, God made the world. He is eternal, with no beginning and no end. Jesus is the source of life and spiritual light (he opens our eyes of faith so we can see). Those in the darkness of unbelief don t accept him.] 3. Read John 1:6-9. In these verses the apostle John uses the picture of light to describe Jesus. On a separate piece of paper, draw a picture that shows John the Baptist pointing people to the light (Jesus). Be prepared to explain why Jesus is called the light. [Possible picture: a picture of John pointing to Jesus, with rays of light emanating from Jesus and with stick people nearby shaded with darkness. Explanation: Like a lighthouse, Jesus shows those in spiritual darkness the way to eternal life.] 4. Jesus is true God and true man. How could you find special comfort from that fact in the following circumstances: GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON 1 3

14 Learning to Know Jesus the Christ: A Bible Study on John s Gospel JESUS IS THE REVEALED WORD You don t seem to fit in very well at school. [Because he is true God, Jesus knows our feelings. Because he is true man, who lived on earth and endured rejection, he knows from experience what we are going through.] You are enduring a painful recovery from an accident. [Jesus experienced pain greater than anything we could ever endure; he has the power to heal us, if that is his will; and he earned heaven for us where there will be no more suffering and pain.] 5. In John 1:14-18, John the evangelist quotes John the Baptist. Ask a student to act out the part of John the Baptist and elaborate on his message as it is summarized in verse 15. [John the Baptist said, He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me. That is, The One I ve been talking about is about to begin his work as the Lamb of God, who came to take away the world s sin. He is greater than me because he existed as God from all eternity. ] 6. Read Exodus 19:10-12, Then divide the class into pairs. One person in each pair will pretend to be an eyewitness to the events that took place on Mount Sinai. The other will pretend to be a news reporter. Give the reporter a card with the divine. Make up a label to describe him. [Encourage the students to write down percentages. When all the students have completed their labels, write the various answers on the board. Then explain that Jesus is unique. As 100 percent God and 100 percent man in one person, he defies explanation.] 5. Read John 1:14,15. By quoting John the Baptist s statement He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me, what truth was the inspired writer emphasizing about Jesus? [He is pointing out that Jesus existed from eternity. Jesus ministry is greater than John s because he is the eternal God, who came to wash away the sins of the world.] 6. Mount Sinai was a holy place where God had once appeared to Moses in a burning bush. Many years later after the entire nation of Israel escaped from slavery in Egypt, Moses brought them to the foot of this mountain. There God gave Israel the Law (Ten Commandments). Before he did this, God taught the people some important truths about himself and about themselves, namely: a. They were sinful. b. God is glorious and powerful. c. Their sin had separated them from their holy God. Read Exodus 19:10-12, Each of the following statements refers to one of the truths that God taught his people. Next to each statement, indicate which truth it implies. [a] Have them wash their clothes. [c] Be careful that you do not... touch the foot of [the mountain]. [b] Thunder and lightning and a loud trumpet blast came from a cloud over the mountain. [b] The LORD descended on [the mountain] in fire. [c] Warn the people not to force their way up to see the Lord. GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON 1 4

15 Learning to Know Jesus the Christ: A Bible Study on John s Gospel JESUS IS THE REVEALED WORD 7. The Law of Moses (Ten Commandments) underscores the truths that people are sinful, God is holy, and God punishes sins. Read John 1: According to John s words, what does Jesus reveal about God that the Law of Moses can t? [Jesus alone reveals God s grace and truth to the world. Grace is God s undeserved love for sinners that he demonstrated especially by saving us. And God is true. Because God is 100 percent truthful, we know that he will never go back on his promises.] What special truths about God does Jesus reveal to us? Only Jesus reveals [God] as our loving and true [Savior]. following questions to ask the witness: What unusual commands did Moses give you from God after you came to Mount Sinai? [We were to wash our clothes, and Moses put limits around the mountain.] I m told that everyone trembled with fright. What happened? [Thunder and lightning and a trumpet blast came from a thick cloud. The mountain trembled and was covered with smoke.] What special warning did Moses give you from God? [That we shouldn t force our way through to see God or we would die.] What did you learn about God and yourselves through these incidents? [They reminded us that we are sinful and that our sins have separated us from our holy God.] 7. God gave the Ten Command - ments through Moses. Through the Commandments, the people learned something about their God. Reread John 1: Briefly contrast what the people learned about God through Moses and through Jesus. [Through Moses the people received the Law, which taught them that God is holy and punishes sin. Through Jesus they learned that God is gracious and saves us from our sin.] GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON 1 5

16 Learning to Know Jesus the Christ: A Bible Study on John s Gospel JESUS IS THE REVEALED WORD 8. List the blessings of God s grace that help you in the following situations: Your conscience troubles you because you can t stop fighting with your siblings. [You can trust God s promise that by grace your sins are forgiven.] The thought of coming judgment makes you very nervous. [You have peace because you know Jesus took your punishment.] The World Health Organization warns about the possibility of an outbreak of a serious disease. [You have the assur - ance that in love, God is with you and can protect you and will work in all things for your good.] 9. Read John 17:3. In a discussion about eternal life, Sheldon said, I do know Jesus. I had to write a term paper about him once in high school. Micah responded, Intellectual knowledge of Jesus isn t enough. To know him means to recognize him as your own Savior and substitute. Evaluate their discussion. [To know Jesus means to believe what the Bible tells about him, that he has saved us from our sins according to his Father s plan.] 10. Read John 20:30,31. Why did John write about Jesus miracles? [John recorded Jesus miraculous signs so that his 8. All people have characteristics, sometimes called attributes, that make them unique. From nature and from the Bible we have learned many of the characteristics of God. Study the list of attributes of God that follows. Identify with an N those attributes that we learn primarily from nature. With a W, identify those we can learn primarily through the Word of God. Next to each attribute, explain why you can find comfort in that attribute. [N] all-powerful [We know that God has power to answer our prayers and protect us.] [W] merciful [We know that he won t treat us as we deserve, but in his mercy he forgives us and gives us all good things.] [W] compassionate [He cares for us and will use his power to take care of us.] [N] wise [He knows all things. He knows what is best for us.] [W] loving [We don t worry that he will punish us out of hatred. He loves us and everything he does for us comes from his love.] 9. Read John 17:3. This verse sounds like a mathematical equation. Put Jesus words into a mathematical formula. Then explain the formula. Knowing [God the Father] + [Jesus] = [eternal life]. [To know and trust in the one true God as he has revealed himself and in Jesus as our Savior is to have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.] 10. Read John 20:30,31. Then flip through John s gospel and compile a list of at least five of the miracles he is talking about. Why did God tell us about all of these miracles? [Possible answers: 1. Turned water into wine, 2. healed a royal official s son, 3. cured an invalid at the Pool of Bethesda, 4. miraculously fed more than five thousand people, 5. healed a man born blind, 6. raised his friend Lazarus from the dead, and 7. he himself arose from the grave! All these miracles prove that Jesus is true God and that we can trust in him for forgiveness and eternal life with God.] GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON 1 6

17 Learning to Know Jesus the Christ: A Bible Study on John s Gospel JESUS IS THE REVEALED WORD What does knowing God as our loving Savior lead us to do? Knowing God as our loving [Savior] leads us to [trust] him for [eternal] life. 11. An awkward silence filled Grandpa Smith s hospital room after his daughter and grandchildren filed in. They had just learned that Grandpa s cancer had spread to his brain. The doctors guessed that Grandpa had only a short time to live. Finally, Grandpa smiled and broke the silence, I know you were all shocked by the news. But this afternoon my pastor read a passage that reminded me that though we didn t expect this, the news is still good. His pastor had read John 20:31. Why could Grandpa say that what had happened was good news? [Because of his faith in Jesus, he knew he had eternal life.] Question: Why is it so important to know Jesus? Answer: [Knowing Jesus is important because he is the God-man who alone reveals God as our loving Savior and gives us eternal life by faith.] Sing: Jesus has revealed God as our loving Savior. We praise him by singing O God From God, O Light From Light (hymn 85:1). readers would believe that Jesus is who he said he is the promised Savior and have eternal life.] 11. John wrote (20:31) that those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God have life in his name. Take a moment to contemplate what that means; then complete this sentence: Having life in Jesus name means... [I have a home waiting for me in heaven; my sins are forgiven; my life has a greater purpose than simply to have fun; God loves me; God hears my prayers; I will be with Jesus forever in heaven.] Pray: O Word of God, we praise you for coming into our world to do your Father s will. You revealed God s grace and truth to a dying world. Help us stay connected to you and your Word so that we might see you faceto-face in heaven. Amen. GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON 1 7

18 Learning to Know Jesus the Christ: A Bible Study on John s Gospel JESUS IS THE REVEALED WORD John 1:1,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1:17 The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 17:3 This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. Hymn 76:1,3,5 1 Jesus! Name of wondrous love, Name all other names above, Unto which must ev ry knee Bow in deep humility. 3 Jesus! Name of priceless worth To the fallen here on earth For the promise that it gave, Jesus shall his people save. 5 Jesus! Name of wondrous love, Human name of God above; Pleading only this, we, too, Flee, O God, in faith to you. John 20:31 These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Activities 1. Table Talk Ask your parents if there was a time when they didn t know Jesus. If they have been Christians from little on, ask them to try to imagine what it would be like not to know Jesus. If they came to faith as older children or adults, ask them to explain what it was like not to know Jesus. 2. Now We Can See! Give blindfolds to half of the class. Mark off a street in the room using desks, and ask the students without blindfolds to act like cars going up and down the street. Allow the blindfolded students to cross the street. Eventually they will be hit by a car. (Make sure everyone drives gently.) Reverse roles so that everyone has a chance to wear a blindfold. Discuss how scary it would be to go through life spiritually blindfolded. Remind the students that Jesus came to remove the spiritual blindfold from our eyes. Now we can see God as the loving Savior that he is. 3. Options to Explore Word 1 Complete Copy Master 1, Jesus Is True God and True Man, to show that the Bible clearly teaches the truth that Jesus was able to save us because he is both God and man. Jesus is true God. Jesus was given divine names: [ You are the Christ, the Son of God (John 11:27); My Lord and my God! (John 20:28).] GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON 1 8

19 Learning to Know Jesus the Christ: A Bible Study on John s Gospel JESUS IS THE REVEALED WORD Jesus showed divine characteristics: [Jesus knows all things. Jesus was with God in the beginning. Jesus never changes. Jesus has all authority.] Jesus performed divine actions: [Jesus healed diseases, turned water into wine, and used a small amount of food to feed thousands of people.] Scripture gives Jesus divine honor (see John 5:22,23): [We are to honor the Son just as we honor the Father.] Jesus is true man. List a Bible passage that points to Jesus as true man: [ There is... one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).] Jesus has a human body and soul: [Jesus was born. Jesus died ( gave up his spirit [John 19:30]). Jesus was circumcised.] Jesus has human characteristics: [Jesus was tired and hungry. He was overwhelmed with sorrow and wept. Jesus slept.] Word Today 1 The idea that Jesus is both God and man is beyond our understanding. Evaluate this statement: We don t have to be able to explain Jesus, only to believe in him. [This is a solid statement. The teacher might want to ask the class to come up with other Bible teachings that are difficult to understand (for example, the Trinity, the resurrection of the dead). The truth that Jesus is both God and man is a revealed truth, not a reasoned truth.] Word Today 2 Name as many comic book superheroes as you can. Make a list of their special characteristics, and then compare them with some of God s attributes. [Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man are three classics that may come to mind. In general, they are powerful, smart, and concerned about doing good and helping people. But even fictional characters such as these fall infinitely short of God s power, wisdom, goodness, and love. God rescued the human race from the greatest evils of all: sin, death, and Satan.] Before the beginning of class, write HOLY, ALL-POWERFUL, and GOD PROVIDES FOR US on the top half of a sheet of paper. On a second sheet of paper, write the same words as well as GRACIOUS AND FORGIVES SINS. Cover the second sheet with the first. Hold them up and tell the class: This is how well we would know God without Jesus. When Jesus entered our world, he revealed God to us (show the second page) so that we can clearly see his grace and forgiveness. Reread John 1:14. Option: This exercise could be done with two transparencies or with two overlay text entries on a PowerPoint screen. Word Today 3 Look up the word knowledge in the dictionary. Do any of the definitions match the way we know Jesus? If not, write your own spiritual definition of the word. [Definitions will vary. Knowledge can be acquaintance with facts, familiarity with a subject, or acquaintance gained by sight, experience, or report. Knowing Jesus may begin with becoming acquainted with him through the inspired report we have in the Bible. But to know Jesus is to believe that he is God s Son, who became human to pay for our sins and the sins of the entire world.] 4. A Look Back As a review exercise, write the following statements on slips of paper and put them into a bag. Have students choose them and read them aloud one at a time. Allow the rest of the class to respond. a. True or false: Jesus was human just as we are. [True. Jesus is human. But he is also true God. He was not born with a sinful nature as we were. For that reason he could be tempted in every way as we are, but be without sin.] b. Evaluate: Just as a mermaid is supposedly part fish and part human, Jesus is part God and part man. [The idea that Jesus is part God and part man is a common misconception. Jesus is GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON 1 9

20 Learning to Know Jesus the Christ: A Bible Study on John s Gospel JESUS IS THE REVEALED WORD 100 percent God and 100 percent man, inseparably joined in one person, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It s logically mind-boggling but biblically correct.] c. Evaluate: From the beauty and wonder of nature, people can learn of God as gracious and loving. [From nature, people can know of God s power, wisdom, and GOODNESS that he provides for all living things. But only in Scripture, which reveals the person and work of God s Son, can we truly know God s love, mercy, and forgiveness.] d. Evaluate: Since God s Old Testament people didn t know Jesus, they didn t know God s grace and forgiveness. [God s Old Testament people knew Jesus insofar as they knew the prophecies concerning the Savior, whom God would one day send. And in these wonderful promises of God, they knew him as their loving and forgiving Savior.] e. True or false: God reveals himself as our loving Savior in Jesus Christ, but he demands that we set aside our unbelief and accept him by faith. [False. In the gospel God makes no demands. It s all about what he s done for us in Jesus. Through this message itself, the Holy Spirit leads us to put our confidence in Jesus and what our loving God has done for us in him.] 5. Picture This! Use Copy Master 2 to expose your students to some of the picture language John uses to describe Jesus in his gospel. The quality of the sketches will vary depending on the artistic ability and creativity of each student. [Answers: 1. the Lamb of God; 2. the Bread of Life; 3. the Water of Life, or living water; 4. the Light of the world; 5. the gate; 6. the Good Shepherd; 7. the way; 8. the vine.] GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON 1 10

21 Name Jesus Is True God and True Man Complete the following, listing examples from Scripture that show that Jesus is true God and true man. Jesus is true God. Jesus was given divine names: Jesus showed divine characteristics: Jesus performed divine actions: Scripture gives Jesus divine honor (see John 5:22,23): Jesus is true man. List a Bible passage that points to Jesus as true man: Jesus has a human body and soul: Jesus has human characteristics: GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON 1 JESUS IS THEREVEALED WORD COPY MASTER Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 11

22 Name Picture This! If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a picture of Jesus is priceless. Throughout his gospel, John uses picture language to help us grow in our relationship with our Savior. Look up the following Bible references, and write the vivid word pictures John uses in each. Then draw one of these images on the back of this page and give your picture a title. 1. John 1:29 2. John 6:35 3. John 7:37,38 4. John 8:12 5. John 10:9 6. John 10:14 7. John 14:6 8. John 15:5 GRADES 7-8 LEARNING TO KNOW JESUS THE CHRIST: A BIBLE STUDY ON JOHN S GOSPEL LESSON 1 JESUS IS THEREVEALED WORD COPY MASTER Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. 12