Youth Christian Educator: 1st Quarter 2014

By R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation

Youth Christian Educator Teacher Manual (ages 12-17). This book is an instructional manual for

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Oct 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781589427587

Book preview

WHAT IS FAITH?

LESSON 1

JANUARY 5, 2014

LESSON AIM:

WHAT IT MEANS TO BELIEVE IN

JESUS CHRIST

THEME:

UNDERSTANDING YOUR FAITH

Selected Scripture:

Hebrews 11:1

Introduction

Tyrel and Ron were best friends. They had known each other since first grade, and now they were starting high school together. They did everything together, but the one thing they never had a chance to do was go to church together. Ron invited Tyrel a few times to go to church, but Tyrel would make excuses about why he couldn’t go. This time Ron invited him to Sunday school instead of the regular church service. Tyrel spent Saturday night at Ron’s house. Then he went to Sunday school with Ron and his family the next morning.

After hearing the lesson, Tyrel said to Ron, I don’t understand how someone can believe in somebody who has so much power, but is invisible. I guess that is what makes it hard for me to believe and want to go to church.

Ron thoughtfully responded, Nobody can actually see the wind, but we feel the effects of the wind every day whether we believe it is there or not. For example, think about football—the quarterback throws the ball, but the wind can alter the ball’s direction. It’s the same with Jesus Christ. We don’t see Him, but He exists. Do you understand this better?

Tyrel said, Yeah, man, I guess I never thought about it that way before you explained it. For the first time, I understand, and it gives me something to think about.

TOOLS FOR TEACHERS

Supplemental Materials:

extra Bibles, lesson books, hymnals, pencils, paper, or index cards

Preparations

• Study Hebrews 11:1.

• Customize the teaching objectives to fit your class, and use the Introduction to explain the lesson.

• Pray for your students.

References

• New National Baptist Hymnal, 21st Century Edition #500 (NNBH#503)

• God’s Promises Bible

PREPARING TO TEACH

Focus: The students should learn the importance of faith.

EXAMPLES FOR JESUS POINTERS (AGES 12-14)

1. Make sure every student has a Bible, paper, and pencil. Ask the students to look up Hebrews 11:1 and read it as a class aloud. Ask them to describe faith and how it affects their lives. What does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ? Listen to their responses, and then provide paper and pencils for the quick brainstorming game in the next step.

2. Give the students forty-five seconds to write down as many words as possible that come to their minds when they hear the word faith. Ask volunteers to read their responses. Explain to the students why it is important that we understand our faith in Jesus Christ.

3. Ask the students if they can explain their faith in one sentence. Explain that our faith starts with believing that Jesus is the Son of God, that He lived, died, and was resurrected to heal the broken relationship between God and humanity.

4. Allow students the time to read and reflect on the Training Activities in their student books. Lead a discussion on the questions and answers.

THE TEEN ENQUIRER POINTERS (AGES 15-17)

1. Make sure every student has a Bible, paper, and pencil. Ask the students to look up Hebrews 11:1. Then ask a volunteer to read the verse aloud to the class.

2. Give the students forty-five seconds to write down as many words as possible that come to their minds when they hear the word faith. Ask for volunteers to read their responses. Explain to the students why it is important that we understand our faith in Jesus Christ.

3. Ask for volunteers to explain how they practice their faith in their daily lives. Encourage them to give an example of how they shared their faith in Jesus with someone else.

4. Have the students reflect on things they believe in but cannot see. Read the Introduction to them. Have them list invisible things in nature they believe in. Ask for volunteers to read their responses.

5. Read the questions in the Training Activities in the student book. Lead the students in a discussion about their answers. Ask them to discuss what they learned today in class.

LESSON REVIEW

In the movie John O., John Q. Archibald comforts his wife during their son’s dire medical emergency by telling her to have faith, that is to believe something good will occur. Many people have certain views about faith and what it means. Some view faith as believing a desire will be fulfilled. Others count faith as the source