God's Big Plan 2007
Chronological Bible Storying from Genesis to Revelation. This approach focuses on sharing God's Word through stories that can be remembered and retold by anyone, no matter their level of literacy. You may find that some part of a particular lesson does not work well for your setting. As we say here at Mission Arlington, "Hang out and hover." Hang out with your students. Get to know them as well as their strengths and weaknesses and adapt preliminary questions and the review to their setting. And constantly hover around John 3:16. Because of this, you will notice a distinctive difference in our lessons compared to traditional "storying." Traditional storying builds up to the gospel, never giving details out of chronological order, thus an actual invitation might not be given until the life of Christ is taught. We have learned that we may have only one chance with those who hear us teach. In fact, we received a call years ago from a concerned mother wondering why her daughter had not learned about Jesus that day in Bible Study. The story she had learned about was Moses and had been Biblical, but we realized then the importance of sharing the gospel every time we meet.
Lesson 01: In the beginning . . . (156K)
Sunday, January 07, 2007
God has always been and is all knowing. God has given us His Word, the Bible. Memory verse: 2 Timothy 3:16a.
Lesson 02: God Creates Angels (158K)
Sunday, January 14, 2007
God has always been, but angels are created. God created angels to serve as messengers and guardians. Lucifer's disobedience led to his punishment. Memory verse: Colossians 1:16.
Lesson 03: God Creates the World (169K)
Sunday, January 21, 2007
God is a big god and He does amazing things. By the words of His mouth, the world was created. Memory verse: Jeremiah 32:17.
Lesson 04: God Creates the First Man and Woman (181K)
Sunday, January 28, 2007
God created the first man and then made a garden for him to live in. When the animals were not the right kind of helper for Adam, God created the first woman. God brought them together in the first marriage. He alone is worthy of our worship. Memory verse: Psalm 95:6
Lesson 05: The First Man and the First Woman Sin (246K)
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Satan is God's enemy, as well as ours. This lesson looks at the temptation of Adam and Eve and their sin. God's Word must be believed and obeyed. There are consequences for disobedience. Memory verse: Psalm 119:11.
Lesson 06: Life Outside the Garden (160K)
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Life outside the garden, with it's separation from God, teaches us our need to guard ourselves from sin. God is displeased with sin but is pleased with obedience. Memory verse: 1 Peter 5:8.
Lesson 07: Noah Pleases God (157K)
Sunday, February 18, 2007
In a world of evil and disobedience, Noah pleased God. After paitently giving the world a chance to turn to Him, God destroyed the world with a flood. After the flood, God promised Noah that He would never destroy the world again with a flood. Memory verse: Hebrews 11:6
Lesson 08: God's Promise to Abraham (157K)
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Out of all the people of the world God chose Abraham to make a promise with. And even though Abraham grew up in a home where idols were worshipped, he believed and obeyed God. Memory verse: Romans 4:3.
Lesson 09: God Gives Abraham a Son (171K)
Sunday, March 04, 2007
God is faithful. He keeps His promises. God gave Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac, in their old age. Abraham was found faithful in his willingness to sacrifice his only son. Memory verse: John 3:16
Lesson 10: A New People! (152K)
Sunday, March 11, 2007
God keeps His promises. His promise to Abraham was not just for Abraham. The promise passed from Abraham, to Isaac and then to Jacob. In Jacob, with his twelve sons, we begin to see the multiplication of Abraham's descendants. Memory verse: Romans 4:21b.
Lesson 11: Jacob's Favorite Son (237K)
Sunday, March 18, 2007
The life of Joseph shows us that sometimes bad things happen to good people. Joseph trusted God in the good and the bad. God can be trusted and has a plan for our lives. Memory verse: Psalm 146:5.
Lesson 12: Joseph Rules Egypt! (255K)
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Joseph is such a great reminder that obedience to God is best, no matter the circumstances. We are also reminded that God works all things together for good to those who love Him. Memory verse: Romans 8:28
Lesson 13: God Hears His People (241K)
Sunday, April 01, 2007
God hears His people. He heard the Israelites cry out for help and put His plans into action. God had already saved Moses to deliver His people. God has a plan for each of us. Memory verse: Jeremiah 29:11.
Lesson 14: Deliverance! (153K)
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Israel needed a way out of Egypt. The blood of the Passover Lamb protected them and God delivered them. We need a way out of the sin that enslaves us. The blood of the Lamb of God was spilt to make that way. Memory verse: John 1:29. This year, Easter falls on April 8. If you are looking for a more traditional Easter lesson, please look through our Easter lessons from the Life of Christ Curriculum.
Lesson 15: The Wilderness (246K)
Sunday, April 15, 2007
After the exodus, God continued to show Himself faithful by opening the Red Sea. Once in the wilderness, God made it evident that He wants to communicate with us. He gave us His Word, the Ten Commandments. But we see that the Law is simply a tutor, meant to lead us to Jesus Christ. Memory verse: Galatians 3:24.
Lesson 16: The Traveling Church (233K)
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Even though Israel complained and sinned as Moses received the Ten Commandments, God desired to live among His people. He gave instructions for the tabernacle and when it was finished He moved in, in the form of a cloud. Many years later, God sent His Only Son to "tabernacle" among us. Memory verse: John 1:14
Lesson 17: A New Place! (248K)
Sunday, April 29, 2007
God had promised Abraham a new people and a new place. With the crossing of the Jordan and the destruction of Jericho, God moves His people into the place they have waited for. Memory verse: 1 John 2:25.
Lesson 18: The People's King (239K)
Sunday, May 06, 2007
When the people of Israel wanted to be like all the other nations and have a king, they were really rejecting God. The people's king was disobedient to God. God desires our obedience more than sacrifices. Memory verse: 1 Samuel 15:22.
Lesson 19: God's King (162K)
Sunday, May 13, 2007
God chose King Saul's replacement before he left the throne. God's choice was David, the shepherd boy. God doesn't judge people the way we do. God looks at the heart. Memory verse: 1 Samuel 16:7.
Lesson 20: King Solomon (157K)
Sunday, May 20, 2007
God promised that King David's son would follow him as king. God would also allow him to build God a house. King Solomon, King David's son, pleased God by asking for wisdom. King Solomon also built God a house, the Temple. Solomon failed to continue following God and his sons would suffer. Obeying God is what leads to success. Memory verse: 1 Kings 2:3.
Lesson 21: Showdown at Mount Carmel (241K)
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Elijah, God's prophet, confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah prayed for God to reveal Himself and the results make it clear that there is no other god but God and that He alone is worthy of worship. Memory verse: Jeremiah 33:3a.
Lesson 22: The Promise! (234K)
Sunday, June 03, 2007
After Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God in the Garden of Eden, God gave them, and us, a glimpse of His Big Plan - the promise of His Son. During the time of the prophets, God shared more of the detail of that plan. And God isn't mere human who lies. God keeps his promises. Of His plan we can be sure. Memory verse: Numbers 23:19.
Lesson 23: Captivity! (173K)
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Long ago, God promised a new place to Abraham. He kept His promise when Joshua and the Israelites moved into the Promised Land. God warned the people that staying in this wonderful place depended on their obedience to Him. And even though they vowed to obey Him, they soon turned away to worship other gods. God punished their disobedience by sending Nebuchadnezzar to take them captive. In the midst of much disobedience, Daniel chose to trust God and follow Him - no matter the consequences. Even in His discipline, God is loving and faithful. God blessed Daniel. Memory verse: Psalm 119:9.
Lesson 24: Esther (165K)
Sunday, June 17, 2007
The story of Esther reminds us that God has a big plan. It was His plan to put Esther in the palace to save His people from evil Haman. God wasn’t surprised by Haman's plans. The story of Esther also teaches us that God is approachable. Unlike the king, who could have had Esther killed for coming into his presence univited, God wants us to come to Him. Memory verse: Proverbs 3:5.
Lesson 25: Time to Rebuild (153K)
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Because of their disobedience, God had raised evil kings to take His people captive. God is now ready to return them to Jerusalem and uses another king to make it happen. The people rebuild God's temple and then the city walls. Memory verse: Ezra 10:11a
Lesson 26: The Silence is Broken (151K)
Sunday, July 01, 2007
After the last prophet shared God's message, four hundred years passed without a word. The silence was broken with the angel Gabriel's announcement to a young virgin named Mary. She was to have a son. He was to be given the name Jesus because He would save His people from their sins. Memory verse: Matthew 1:21.
Lesson 27: A Messenger (148K)
Sunday, July 08, 2007
God communicates with man. God announced to Mary and Joseph that they would have a son, His Son. God spoke to Zechariah, too. God was giving him a son as well. This son would be very important to God. He would be the one shouting in the wilderness, "Prepare the way of the Lord," getting people ready for Jesus. Memory verse: John 3:30.
Lesson 28: It's a Boy! (151K)
Sunday, July 15, 2007
During the time of the Roman Empire when Caesar Augustus was being heralded as the people's savior, God chose to send the Savior of the world. David's Forever King had finally arrived! Memory verse: Luke 2:11.
Lesson 29: The Boy Jesus in the Temple (152K)
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Jesus grew. On a trip to Jerusalem, Jesus parents did know that He had stayed when they left. They searced for three days. And although His parents didn't completely understand, they found Jesus right where He should have been. The Bible tells us that Jesus became wiser and stronger and more pleasing to God and to man. Memory verse: Luke 5:52.
Lesson 30: Jesus Obeys God (157K)
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Jesus began His ministry in obedience to God. First, He was baptized, not because of sin, but because it was the right thing to do. Then, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit in to the wilderness to be tempted. And although He was tempted, He didn't sin. Jesus' response to Satan was based on God's word, "It is written . . ." Memory verse: Psalm 119:11.
Lesson 31: Twelve Follow Jesus (165K)
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Many people chose to follow Jesus. Twelve men were chosen especially to walk with Jesus, spend time with Him and follow Him. When chosen, they left what they were doing and followed Him. We should also follow in His steps. Memory verse: 1 Peter 2:21.
Lesson 32: Be Born Again (154K)
Sunday, August 12, 2007
In a late night meeting with Jesus, Nicodemus is confronted with his need to be born again. Although a teacher, he found this hard to understand. But everyone has sinned and deserves death. God sent His One and Only Son to provide salvation from the penalty of sin for anyone who believes. Memory verse: John 3:16.
Lesson 33: Jesus Teaches From the Mountain (171K)
Sunday, August 19, 2007
As Jesus began His ministry, many people followed Him. Jesus was always aware of the people around Him. On this particular occasion, Jesus took the opportunity to teach His disciples and the crowd. Jesus taught them that they were salt and light. He taught them how to pray. Jesus taught them to seek God first. Memory verse: Matthew 6:33.
Lesson 34: Jesus Has Power Over Demons (163K)
Sunday, August 26, 2007
At creation, we not only saw God create the world, but He also created angels. Lucifer's decision to disobey God resulted in his expulsion from heaven to earth where he is seeking those to devour. The demon possessed man from Gerasenes shows us that God is greater than Satan. Jesus has power over demons. Memory verse: 1 John 4:4.
Lesson 35: What Kind of Soil Are You? (225K)
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Jesus often taught by telling stories. Through the story of the soils, Jesus teaches us that spiritual growth and multiplication give evidence to spiritual life. Memory verse: John 15:5.
Lesson 36: Jesus Has Power Over His Creation (159K)
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Jesus was creating with God in the beginning. If Jesus created the oceans, fish and grain for bread, there is no reason why He cannot do as He will with those things. He is able to multiply bread and fish. He is able to walk on water. We can be assured that He knows our needs and is able to supply what we need. Memory verse: Philippians 4:19.
Lesson 37: Jesus Has Power Over Sickness (153K)
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Jesus is Creator and spoke all things into being. With Him, nothing is impossible. Jesus has power over demons. He has power over His creation and He has power over sickness. He even put Himself in our place and suffered what we should have suffered. Memory verse: Isaiah 53:4.
Lesson 38: Jesus Has Power Over Death (168K)
Sunday, September 23, 2007
We have seen Jesus' power over demons, His creation, and sickness. Through Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead we also see His power over death. We, too, can be made new - through salvation. Memory verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Lesson 39: Remember Me (234K)
Sunday, September 30, 2007
As Jesus neared the time of His death, He longed to eat the Passover meal with His disciples. As they ate and subsequently walked through the city of Jerusalem towards His arrest, Jesus made sure the disciples knew what was important. "If you love me, you will do the things I command." Memory verse: John 14:15.
Lesson 40: Jesus Gives His Life for You (154K)
Sunday, October 07, 2007
We are reminded that sin entered the world through Adam. Sin makes us enemies with God and because of sin, death comes to everyone. But when we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Memory verse: Romans 5:6.
Lesson 41: He's Alive! (152K)
Sunday, October 14, 2007
After Jesus' death on the cross, Mary Magdalene and her friends went to the tomb to prepare Jesus' body. They were surprised to find the stone rolled away. The angel's message to her - "Why are you looking for someone who is alive where dead men should be. He is not here. He's alive!" We should be cheered by this news. Christ has defeated the world. Memory verse: John 16:33.
Lesson 42: God's Big Plan Explained (159K)
Sunday, October 21, 2007
After His resurrection, Jesus met two men on the Road to Emmaus. Starting with Moses and then the prophets, Jesus explained to them why He had to suffer and die. Many of Jesus' followers had a hard time believing that Jesus was alive without seeing Him. Those of us who have faith in Him without seeing are the ones who are really blessed. Memory verse: John 20:29.
Lesson 43: Jesus Goes Back to Heaven (153K)
Sunday, October 28, 2007
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to over five hundred people. He walked through locked doors, He broke bread with His followers, and He ate with them. Before Jesus returned to heaven, He instructed His followers to go into all the world and He reminded them of the promise of the Holy Spirit. Memory verse: Matthew 28:19.
Lesson 44: The Helper Comes (153K)
Sunday, November 04, 2007
The disciples waited in Jerusalem for God to keep His promise of sending the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came to all the believers. He comes now to those who believe. He cannot be seen, but His work in our life can: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Memory verse: John 14:26.
Lesson 45: The Church Grows (151K)
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Before Jesus returned to heaven he commanded believers to be His witnesses. They were to start in Jerusalem, then move out to the neighboring cities of Judea, even farther out to areas like Samaria, and then to the whole world. They showed their love for Him by their obedience. Peter, John, Philip, Paul and many others shared the love of God with those who had never heard. They couldn't stop telling about all they had seen and heard. Memory verse: Acts 4:20.
Lesson 46: Love One Another (156K)
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Jesus' followers carried the good news all over their known world, but they couldn't be everywhere at once to help new believers know how to live. God prompted them to write letters. These letters would teach new believers how to live. And these believers would be known by their love for one another. Memory verse: John 13:35.
Lesson 47: Jesus is Coming Back! (138K)
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Jesus has promised to return. He tarries because He is patient and wants everyone to know Him. As we look forward to His return, we should live blameless lives. Memory verse: 2 Peter 3:9.
