Teacher s Guide Christian Doctrine

Teacher s Guide Christian Doctrine This set contains... Student Lesson Copy Masters Teacher s Guide CD with Student Lesson Copy Masters and Teacher s Guide in PDF and RTF files Lesson 11: The Word of God: Inspiration, Inerrancy, and the Infallibility of Scripture Lesson 12: The Natural and Revealed Knowledge of God Lesson 13: Angels and Demons Lesson 14: Christology Lesson 15: Conversion and Election Lesson 16: Law and Gospel Lesson 17: Justification and Sanctification Lesson 18: Old Adam and New Self Lesson 19: The Sacraments Lesson 10: Christian Prayer Lesson 11: Church Fellowship Lesson 12: The Roles of Man and Woman Lesson 13: Confession and Absolution Lesson 14: Eschatology Suggested for Grade 12 ISBN 0-8100-1134-4 www.nph.net 74N9081

Curriculum Developer: Prof. David Kuske Project Director: Gerald Kastens Writing/Editing Team: Owen Dorn, Donald Helwig, Rev. John Miller, Rev. Earle Treptow, Rev. Roger Zehms Consultant: Jayne E. Jaeger Design Team: NPH Design Services Authorized by the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. We extend our thanks to the many employees of Northwestern Publishing House and WELS Parish Services who have contributed to this project. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society. All hymns, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal. Copyright 1993 by Northwestern Publishing House. Northwestern Publishing House 1250 N. 113th St., Milwaukee, WI 53226-3284 2005 by Northwestern Publishing House Published 2005 Printed in the United States of America ISBN 0-8100-1134-4 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of Northwestern Publishing House. Printed with soy inks on recycled paper.

Introduction COURSE FORMAT This set contains 14 lessons. You may spend as many days as you wish on each lesson. LESSON FORMAT Each lesson contains four to five copy masters for use with the students. These student copy masters may be reproduced. The teacher s guide contains copy master text, answers, and other instructions. Each student should have a three-ring binder to store and organize all the copy master pages. Overview This page contains the information the teacher needs to understand the lesson. Lesson title Bible references Spiritual goals: We pray that the Holy Spirit would help our students learn these spiritual truths and adopt these spiritual attitudes and habits. Suggested memory treasures: Assign these as you see fit. Be sure to discuss their relationship to the truths in the lesson. The students will have learned almost all the suggested memory treasures in their Christ-Light lessons at Lutheran elementary school or Sunday school. One asterisk designates those memory treasures that are part of the Sunday school core. Two asterisks designate what is additional core for Lutheran elementary schools. Suggested commentary readings: Read these to review Scripture or to add depth to your instruction. Introduction ideas: Use these to interest the students and to help them see their need for what they will learn in the lesson. Copy Masters The Bible lesson guides the students in their study of specific portions of the Bible. It begins with an Aim question and ends with a Truth that answers that question. Key Points are emphasized along the way. You may hand out the Bible lesson copy master and have the students fill it in as you teach the lesson, or you may have the students work in small groups to complete a portion of it before you discuss it. Please note that the student pages will lose their effectiveness if assigned as homework before class. The Ponder the Point page contains questions related to the Bible lesson directly preceding it. Each option is designated to the specific Key Point to which it is most closely connected. The discussion options require a variety of learning skills, such as analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and application. At least some of these questions should always be used because they help the students apply the lesson to their lives. Plan in advance which questions you will use and where the questions fit best. Then vary your use of these questions: ~ Discuss some questions as a class. ~ Have students write answers first before discussing the questions as aclass. ~ Have students discuss the questions in pairs or small groups before discussing them as a class. ~ Assign some questions as homework. The remaining pages contain activities to help the students explore the topic and make applications to their lives. The pages may include additional Bible studies of different kinds, real-life situations, skits and roleplays, simple doctrinal studies, hymn and memory treasure studies, illustrations, writing activities, simple art activities, and so on. They may be done in class or outside of class, independently or in small groups. Select those activities best suited to your class, and limit the number of activities to fit the time allotted. Plan in advance at what point in the lesson you can most appropriately and effectively use the selected activities. iii

Sample Lesson Plan The following lesson plan is for Lesson 1: The Word of God: Inspiration, Inerrancy, and the Infallibility of Scripture. 1. Introduce the first lesson with the Introduction option (Ask students how much attention...). 2. Hand out Copy Master 1 (The Word of God: Inspiration, Inerrancy, and the Infallibility of Scripture). Read and discuss the first section, concluding with Key Point 1. 3. To apply this Key Point, hand out Copy Master 2 (The Word of God: Inspiration, Inerrancy, and the Infallibility of Scripture), the Ponder the Point page, and discuss applications 1 and 2. 4. Return to the lesson on Copy Master 1. Put the students into small groups to read and discuss the second section, concluding with Key Point 2. Then discuss the section together as a class. 5. To apply Key Point 2, use applications 6 and 7 on Copy Master 2. 6. Return to the lesson on Copy Master 1. Read and discuss the third section, concluding with Key Point 3. Then answer the Aim question with the Truth of the lesson. 7. To apply Key Point 3, use applications 8 and 9 on Copy Master 2. 8. To further apply the lesson, use Copy Master 3 (Ours Forever). Give the students time to write their thoughts down first. Then discuss some of those paraphrases as a class. 9. Assign Copy Master 4 (Study Scripture) as homework. Give a reasonable deadline and then ask students to share what they learned with the class. Characteristics of Twelfth-Grade Students Spiritual Development They think more deeply about spiritual truths they have already learned. They can understand the interrelatedness of Bible events. They want to know how to apply spiritual truths to their lives. They may need additional guidance if they do not come from homes that model Christian living. Emotional and Volitional Development They are quite independent in their attitudes and habits. They are greatly influenced by the actions and opinions of their peers. They are often governed by role models they have consciously or unconsciously chosen to follow. They are greatly influenced by television, movies, music, and magazines. Sexual Development Their sexuality is an important aspect of their lives. Relationships with Parents They are in the process of leaving their parents in order to develop independent lives. They share fewer of their experiences with their parents. They are still influenced by their parents, especially if their parents respect their growing independence. Learning Style They can study one topic in depth over a number of class periods. They still enjoy a variety of learning experiences: ~ working independently and in peer groups ~ learning by listening and by doing ~ learning by reading and by writing ~ learning by answering questions and by asking questions ~analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating, and creating They question things they have previously accepted without question. iv

Some Teaching Strategies Meet the students where they are and then stretch them: Recognize that your students have different levels of Bible knowledge and spiritual development, even when they have received similar spiritual training in elementary school and the early high school years. Do not make assumptions about their previous learning. Start with the simple. Review the basics. Then move on to more complex concepts, deeper understandings, and applications of Bible truths relevant to their teenage years. Create an open, responsive environment: Recognize that as your students develop independent thinking skills, they may question things they previously accepted without question. Maintain a classroom in which it s good to ask questions, even spiritual questions. You are a spiritual leader. If they have questions, you want to give them truthful and appropriate answers. Encourage them to search the Scriptures, not look to worldly experts for answers. Allow them to work together on some exercises: Occasional cooperative-learning activities yield many positive results. Your students may enjoy their work more when they do it with their peers. They will become accustomed to discussing spiritual issues with their peers a skill we hope they take with them outside the classroom. And when they have already tried out their ideas on a small group of their peers, they will feel more confident discussing an issue in front of the whole class. To keep chatty students focused on the task at hand, give the students definite and fairly short time limits. v

The Word of God: Inspiration, Inerrancy, and the Infallibility of Scripture Numbers 23:19,20; 2 Samuel 23:1,2; John 10:34,35; 1 Corinthians 2:10b-13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Peter 1:18-21 Goals We pray that the student knows this spiritual truth: The Bible is God s Word, verbally inspired, true, and without error. develops these spiritual attitudes and habits: I continue to grow in my understanding of and confidence in the Bible. I take advantage of opportunities to read and study the Bible. To Memorize John 10:35b John 17:17 ** 2 Timothy 3:16 2 Peter 1:21 Hymn 293 Suggested Commentary Readings Pages 183,184 in Kuske, Numbers, Pages 316-318 in Mittelstaedt, 1,2 Samuel, Pages 157,158 in Baumler, John, Pages 27-33 in Toppe, 1 Corinthians, Pages 26,27 in Kuske, 1,2 Thessalonians, Pages 146-152 in Schuetze, 1,2 Timothy, Titus, Pages 159-167 in Jeske, James, 1,2 Peter, 1,2,3 John, Jude, Introduction Idea Ask students how much attention they would give to a tabloid headline announcing an invasion from outer space on New York City. How might they react differently if the same announcement came from the president in a live broadcast? Reliability of the source makes a big difference in the attention we give to messages that are important to us. We confess that the Bible is very important to us as the source and norm of Christian doctrine, but Satan brings relentless attacks in many forms against its reliability. Who among us has never struggled with doubts concerning the truth of the Scriptures? May the Holy Spirit make us attentive to our study of the Word today and strengthen our faith in the truth of every word in the Bible. Christian Doctrine Lesson 1 1

The Word of God: Inspiration, Inerrancy, and the Infallibility of Scripture Numbers 23:19,20; 2 Samuel 23:1,2; John 10:34,35; 1 Corinthians 2:10b-13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:14-16; 2 Peter 1:18-21 AIM How can I be sure that the Bible is true? In his second epistle, the apostle Peter writes that James, John, and he were eyewitnesses to Jesus glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. They heard the Father decree his approval of Christ s life and mission. Jesus Christ is the Savior foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures. Then Peter writes about the source of those Scriptures. 2 Pe 1:18-21 a. In what way had the words of the prophets been made more certain? Jesus had come and fulfilled the words of the prophets. b. Why do believers do well to pay attention to the Word? The Word is a light that shines in the darkness. Believers can depend on it to pierce the darkness and confusion that Satan inflicts upon their hearts and minds. c. What does Peter say about Scripture s origin? The Bible didn t come from the ideas and interpretations of its human writers. It was God the Holy Spirit who carried along these human writers, guiding them to write down the very words of God. 2 Ti 3:14-16 d. How do we become convinced that God s promises are true and reliable? Only God himself can convince us that his promises are true and reliable. He does this through the Scriptures as people correctly teach and understand them. Paul reminded Timothy of how that was true in his life. It was through the Scriptures that Timothy learned the truth about God. It was through the Scriptures that Timothy himself became wise for salvation and received faith in Jesus as his Savior. e. Paul says that Scripture is God-breathed, that is, God s breath (the same word for spirit) produced it. What is the significance of Paul s use of the word all? Paul emphasizes that not just part of the Bible is God s Word, but every single word, including all the historical and geographical statements as well as those that deal with faith and life, is God s Word (inspiration). 1 Th 2:13 f. Paul opened his letter to the Thessalonians with a prayer of thanksgiving for the faithfulness that God s Word had worked in their hearts. He repeats that prayer in this verse. Why did the Thessalonians receive the message of Paul in the way they did? (See also 1 Thessalonians 1:5.) Through the power of the Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, they accepted the message as the Word of God, not just the opinion of Paul. This statement is significant in that the verse refers not just to the established Old Testament canon but to letters being written by the Lord s apostles. The early Christians also received these letters as the Word of God. KEY POINT 1 How can I be sure that all of the Bible is God s Word? The Holy Spirit working through the Word convinces me that all of the Bible is God s Word. 2 Sa 23:1,2 a. What did David know about the things he was writing in the Old Testament? David knew that the Holy Spirit was moving him as he wrote. 1 Co 2:10b-13 b. Who alone can know God s mind and reveal his thoughts to human beings? Only God himself can do this, specifically, God the Holy Spirit. He reveals the deep things of God to human beings. c. What does Paul say about his writings in the New Testament? Paul says that what he was writing was not just his opinion or his interpretation but the true, errorless Word of God. Jn 10:34,35 d. What did Jesus himself say about Scripture? (See also John 17:17.) In quoting Psalm 82:6, Jesus himself speaks of Scripture as God s Word, correct in all its parts. When he says it cannot be broken, he indicates that everything it says is either true or will come true. There are no errors in it whatsoever. 2 Christian Doctrine Lesson 1 Copy Master 1a

KEY POINT 2 How can I be sure there are no errors in the Bible? There are no errors in the Bible because Scripture is God s Word. Balak, king of the Moabites enemies of God s people bribed the prophet Balaam to pronounce a curse on the Israelites who were advancing on the Moabites. Balaam refused and indicated he could only say what God told him to say. Nu 23:19,20 a. What difference is there between God s promises and the promises human beings make? Human beings often fail to keep their promises; sometimes they tell outright lies. God keeps his promises. He does what he says he s going to do. b. Why was God intent on keeping the promises he made to the Israelites? He had promised to bless them because of the promise of the Savior he had made. Even though they often disobeyed him and turned aside from him, God preserved a believing remnant because he promised to send the Savior to them and through them. Ultimately, all of God s promises center in Christ and the blessings he gives through faith in him. Paul told the Corinthians, No matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). KEY POINT 3 Of what can I be sure regarding God s promises? God s promises are true. TRUTH How can I be sure that the Bible is true? I can be sure that the Bible is true because the Holy Spirit convinces me that it is God s Word, and as such, it has no errors and all its words and promises are true. Christian Doctrine Lesson 1 Copy Master 1b 3

THE WORD OF GOD: INSPIRATION, INERRANCY, AND THE INFALLIBILITY OF SCRIPTURE Ponder the Point 1. KEY POINT 1 : A professor of philosophy in a secular university asked Karl in class, How can you be so sure that everything the Bible says is true? Karl answered: Years ago I asked my dad that same question. He told me that if I would just keep reading and studying my Bible, I would find out. He was right. How is the dad s advice to Karl good for anyone who questions the truth of Scripture, including this professor? That God s Word, the Bible, is true in every word is a matter of faith. Such faith comes only through the working of the Holy Spirit through the power of the Word. Conviction of the truth of the Bible is impossible for people who reject or separate themselves from the Word. 2. KEY POINT 1 : A skeptic asks, Isn t it rather ridiculous to say that all of what the Bible says is true just because the Bible itself says so? Respond. It s not so ridiculous as you would like to say it is. Even the truth about the things we observe in the world is furnished by the things themselves rather than by external testimony. Consider, for example, the truth that certain trees lose their leaves in late autumn and regain them in spring. While it is true that not all the truths of the Bible are observable, the Bible s testimony about itself carries divine conviction. The Bible s testimony has the power to produce an effect on the heart as it is learned and as its true sense and meaning is brought to mind. 3. KEY POINT 1 : One commentator says that when Jesus fed five thousand people with a boy s lunch of five loaves and two fish, there was no miracle involved. Rather, the boy s generosity moved many people to open their picnic baskets and share. Evaluate that commentator s interpretation. The commentator is denying the clear Word of God that this is a miracle. Many so-called Bible scholars approach Scripture with the presupposition that nothing miraculous can happen. Thus, they need to explain away the Bible s miracles in other ways. In doing this, they also deny the miracle of verbal inspiration. 4. KEY POINT 2 : The evangelist Luke tells us there were two angels at the tomb on Easter (Luke 24:4). Mark mentions only one angel (Mark 16:5). This discrepancy, some might say, proves that there are errors in Scripture. How might you answer such a charge? The Bible contains no errors or contradictions, even though it may at times appear that way to our human understanding and logic. Luke is being more specific in the details he presents. Mark is more concise and talks only about the one angel who spoke. He doesn t deny that another angel was present. In understanding Bible statements, we need to consider the whole context and the writer s purpose. One writer may look at an incident from one perspective, and another writer from a different perspective. 5. KEY POINT 2 : Mikael said, The errors people seem to see in the Bible are really their own problem, not God s. Explain. Because of our limited, sinful understanding, there are things in Scripture that seem like errors, or are difficult to understand. In addition, we may wish more information on certain items in Scripture than God has given us. In each case, the problem is in our understanding, not in God s revelation. 6. KEY POINT 2 : What do you think of this teaser ad found on the back of a Bible? This version is easy to read and understand. So this Bible can be a Word from God to you. While the intent is a good one to get people to read the Bible the wording is not what it could be. It gives the impression that the Bible isn t the Word of God on its own but only becomes the Word of God when it is read and believed. The Bible is God s Word at all times, whether it is believed or not. It is the truth at all times, whether it is believed or not. 7. KEY POINT 2 : Evaluate: The Bible contains, God s Word. By replacing the word is with the word contains, the statement becomes meaningless to the foundation of faith. The Bible does not merely contain God s Word, alongside myths, fables, errors, or outdated ideas, as 4 Christian Doctrine Lesson 1 Copy Master 2a

many would lead us to believe. No person has the Godgiven authority or right to decide what in the Bible is true and what is not true. If that were the case, what would happen to our confidence in any part of God s Word? 8. KEY POINT 3 : Make a list of things God promises you in his Word. See if as a class you can come up with at least ten. List the things on the chalkboard or on a sheet of paper as the students give them. The list might include things like forgiveness, eternal life, strength, help, peace, joy, comfort, things working together for good, fellowship, salvation, resurrection, new life, and hope. Discuss which of those things are most meaningful. Remember that God does not promise good health, wealth, or problem-free living, but he does promise us forgiveness, freedom from the effects of sin, and eternal life. 9. KEY POINT 3 : Evaluate: It doesn t matter whether or not you believe that the Bible is God s Word. What really matters is that you believe that Jesus is your Savior. It s true that what makes a person a member of the holy Christian church is faith in Jesus as Savior. However, we cannot arrive at that faith except through reading and hearing God s Word. If the inerrancy of Scripture is up for debate, so is what Scripture reveals Jesus doing for our salvation. We can only be certain that Jesus is God and man in one person and our Savior from sin because the Bible says it. Our certainty is tied up in the inerrancy of Scripture. OURS FOREVER I continue to grow in my understanding of and confidence in the Bible. Hymn 293, God s Word Is Our Great Heritage, reminds us of the assurance that is ours because of the promises of God s Word. The first part of the hymn is a confession of faith; the second part is a prayer. Paraphrase each in the spaces provided below. Students will need their hymnals for this exercise. God has given us a great inheritance, his precious Word for all time. Our major goal is to keep and share it so that others through the ages may also have it. It guides our living and gives us confidence even in the face of death. Lord, as long as the world stands, use faithful believers like us to preserve the truth of your Word. Help us see to it that Scripture s saving truths are handed down from generation to generation until you return in glory. Christian Doctrine Lesson 1 Copy Masters 2b and 3 5