Southern Maryland Christian Academy Middle School Summer Bible Assignment To prepare students for the upcoming Bible course, students will partake in a summer devotional project. Students will complete a 9 week devotional. Through this Bible devotional, students will be able to build faith, enhance biblical knowledge, obtain the ability to apply God s word to current life situations, and cultivate a love for Christ. For this project, the student is expected to read and reflect upon a verse and a devotional each week during the summer vacation. After reading and reflecting, the student is to apply both the verse and the devotional prompt by answering the question to the related topic in a journal (composition book). To enhance the grade, the student should include images/ artwork that depict the meaning of each verse and devotional prompt. This is a required activity and will be counted as a test grade for the first quarter. The journal will be due to the Bible teacher on the 2nd day of school. For each devotional response, include the week number of the devotional, and the Bible verse, and the devotional prompt. Each response to the devotional should be a well written paragraph (4-5 sentences) that includes one to two sentences discussing how this devotional is applicable to your personal life. Materials needed for your devotionals are 1. KJV Bible only 2. A composition book 3. Colored ink pens, pencils 4. Magazine clippings or pictures from the internet if you choose to not draw pictures
MIDDLE SCHOOL WEEKLY SUMMER DEVOTIONALS Week 1 Read, Reflect and Apply Isaiah 26:3 to the prompt below: As teenagers, the excitement of growing up comes with a lot of uncertainty. Pressure from school, temptations from friends, and even frustrations with ourselves it seems like we always have something to worry about. But in the middle of all that, God still asks us to trust Him. And to do that, we have to remember that there s a solution to all of the things that worry or trouble us, and that solution is the peace that comes from trusting God. Is there something that you re worried about right now? How does God s peace give you encouragement? Week 2 Read, Reflect and Apply Psalm 37:23 to the prompt below: Have you ever had a concern that you felt was too small to talk to God about? The good news is that God loves us enough to be concerned with anything that concerns us, big or small. Remember that there is no detail too small to take to God. He loves you enough to care about it all! As you pray today, don t hold back! Share it all with God, no matter how big or small it might be. Week 3 Read, Reflect and Apply 1 Peter 1:21 to the prompt below: Trusting God begins with an initial step of faith, and that s not always an easy thing to do. Remember that all God requires of you is one step at a time. And as you grow in faith, your dependence, trust, and love for Him will grow as well. This week, find time to connect with someone you admire, like a friend, Small Group Leader, or parent. Ask them to share specifically what their first initial steps of faith and trust in God looked like. How can you use some of things they shared in your steps of faith?
Week 4 Read, Reflect and Apply 1 Timothy 6:11 to the prompt below: While it s fun to dream about what we want to do in the future, it s also important to not lose sight of who we want to be right now. This verse gives us a great starting point for developing the kind of qualities that make us more like God: faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. This week, ask your parents, best friend, or someone you trust for honest feedback about a character quality that could use some work in your life. How can you commit to trying to develop more of that quality in yourself this week? Week 5 Read, Reflect and Apply Proverbs 2:20 to the prompt below: We learn a lot from the example of others both good and bad. As students, you have the unique opportunity to learn from the mistakes and regrets of others. By talking with those who have walked your path ahead of you, you can avoid regrets by learning from the mistakes they ve made. This week, ask your parent or another trusted adult to share something they learned during their years as a student that might be helpful for you. In what ways can you this advice in your life now? Week 6 Read, Reflect and Apply Isaiah 25:1 to the prompt below: The Bible gives us proof that God is trustworthy. Stories of the way God provided for and led people like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Ruth, and so many more serve to remind us that God is faithful, no matter what! The Bible is a record of God s faithfulness, and just as He was faithful then, remember that He is faithful today. In what ways have you seen God be faithful to you? Thank Him for His faithfulness as you remember and reflect on each one. Week 7 Read, Reflect and Apply Psalm 105:4 to the prompt below: There is nothing more annoying than having the battery die on your phone, right? Right when you need it, the screen goes black and there s nothing you can do until you get to a power source. In the same way our phones need power to survive; we need to stay connected to the power of God to be continuously recharged with His love. When we make an effort to seek Him and stay connected to Him, we ll find ourselves more ready to face whatever comes at us. Take time to recharge when you're in God s presence. In what ways can you connect or reconnect with God?
Week 8 Read, Reflect and Apply Psalm 26:4 to the prompt below: Trusting God is not always easy, and it s especially challenging when we feel like He leads us toward something we re not sure about. No matter where God is leading, remember that you can not only trust Him, but you can talk to Him about your fears, concerns, and worries as well. He sees your heart and wants to lead you, even when you re struggling to follow. Is there something God is calling you to that you re unsure about? Share how this verse helps you in trusting in God. Week 9 Read, Reflect and Apply Habakkuk 1:5 to the prompt below: Change is easier for some people than it is for others. Something like going to a new school or experiencing an unexpected change at home can feel completely overwhelming to a lot of people. Remember that change brings new opportunities for us to trust God. And when we resist moving forward to new things, we risk missing out on some of God s greatest blessings! This week, write this verse down and post it somewhere you can see it. Take a look at it throughout the week to remind you that God is always working and moving in your life, even when it means doing something new! How is God changing things in your life?
JOURNAL WRITING RUBRIC POOR (1) OKAY (2) GOOD (3) EXCELLENT (4) Thinking/Inquiry (Information and Ideas) -Expresses incomplete or inaccurate ideas Presents some accurate information and some ideas complete ideas insightful ideas Communication (Analyzing and Explaining) -Meaning and intent are frequently clear -Shows limited sense of -Meaning and intent are sometimes unclear -Shows some sense of -Meaning and intent are clear -Shows clear sense of -Meaning and intent are clear and engaging -Show strong sense of Application (Conventions in Language) Frequent, major Some major Some minor Few minor mechanical errors Making Connections Makes one personal connection with topic and/or Bible verse Makes two (2) personal connections with topic and/or Bible verse Makes three (3) personal connections with topic and/or Bible verse Makes four (4+) personal connections with the topic and/or Bible Knowledge/Understanding (Information and Ideas) -Presents incomplete or inaccurate information and ideas Presents some accurate information and some ideas complete ideas insightful ideas Overall Rating: /20 Teacher Comments: