Reach Your Neighbors: Regional Evangelism through English as a second language ministries

By Peter Lai

This book is a 133 intermediate-level Bible study lessons for using English as a Second Language (ESL) or in Christian middle and high school English literature class instructions. Each lesson contains biblical text, reading comprehension (true/false), vocabularies, "fill in the blank" with vocabularies (above), "write your own sentence," and finally, reflection questions. The biblical texts are taken from the Bible chronologically, from Jesus's birth, his ministry, suffering, crucifixion, resurrection, and his ascension in the first chapter of Acts (lessons 1–83) and continues with the mission and ministry of apostles Peter and Paul and others in the Book of Acts (lessons 84–133). The primary purpose of the book is to help students of ESL and intermediate level of English classes understand historically how the Christianity all got started in the first century and to learn English language simultaneously. The author would like to stress the importance of the reflection questions on each lesson. As we all know, some students are newly immigrated from other countries to our neighborhoods. To them, the oppression by their governments back home is still new and fresh. Some questions might be politically sensitive to them, but in the meanwhile, their life stories are very real. Use these questions to let them talk about their life experiences back home and would most likely enhance their English language proficiency.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645443568

Book preview

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Reach Your Neighbors

Regional Evangelism through English as a second language ministries

Peter Lai

Copyright © 2019 Peter Lai

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2019

ISBN 978-1-64544-355-1 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64544-356-8 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

Lesson 6

Lesson 7

Lesson 8

Lesson 9

Lesson 10

Lesson 11

Lesson 12

Lesson 13

Lesson 14

Lesson 15

Lesson 16

Lesson 17

Lesson 18

Lesson 19

Lesson 20

Lesson 21

Lesson 22

Lesson 23

Lesson 24

Lesson 25

Lesson 26

Lesson 27

Lesson 28

Lesson 29

Lesson 30

Lesson 31

Lesson 32

Lesson 33

Lesson 34

Lesson 35

Lesson 36

Lesson 37

Lesson 38

Lesson 39

Lesson 40

Lesson 41

Lesson 42

Lesson 43

Lesson 44

Lesson 45

Lesson 46

Lesson 47

Lesson 48

Lesson 49

Lesson 50

Lesson 51

Lesson 52

Lesson 53

Lesson 54

Lesson 55

Lesson 56

Lesson 57

Lesson 58

Lesson 59

Lesson 60

Lesson 61

Lesson 62

Lesson 63

Lesson 64

Lesson 65

Lesson 66

Lesson 67

Lesson 68

Lesson 69

Lesson 70

Lesson 71

Lesson 72

Lesson 73

Lesson 74

Lesson 75

Lesson 76

Lesson 77

Lesson 78

Lesson 79

Lesson 80

Lesson 81

Lesson 82

Lesson 83

Lesson 84

Lesson 85

Lesson 86

Lesson 87

Lesson 88

Lesson 89

Lesson 90

Lesson 91

Lesson 92

Lesson 93

Lesson 94

Lesson 95

Lesson 96

Lesson 97

Lesson 98

Lesson 99

Lesson 100

Lesson 101

Lesson 102

Lesson 103

Lesson 104

Lesson 105

Lesson 106

Lesson 107

Lesson 108

Lesson 109

Lesson 110

Lesson 111

Lesson 112

Lesson 113

Lesson 114

Lesson 115

Lesson 116

Lesson 117

Lesson 118

Lesson 119

Lesson 120

Lesson 121

Lesson 122

Lesson 123

Lesson 124

Lesson 125

Lesson 126

Lesson 127

Lesson 128

Lesson 129

Lesson 130

Lesson 131

Lesson 132

Lesson 133

Lesson 1

The Messiah Comes

Luke 1:1–25

Before the coming of the Messiah, the land of Judea was ruled by the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire appointed Herod, a Jew, as the ruler of Judea. When Herod took power, he had the Jewish leaders, who had opposed him, executed.

The Roman Empire demanded two things from the Jews: taxes and their share of soldiers for the army. They allowed the Jews to believe in their own God. The Jews thought it was their right and their religious duty, however, to resist the Romans whenever they could. They remembered the words of their prophets about a great king who would come.

"We have suffered from these pagans, the Jews said. Surely God is going to come to our aid. God will send the Messiah to take over the government of our nation and of the world." This thought was the only hope for the Jews.

I. Mark the following sentences as true (T) or false (F).

(   ) 1.    Herod was a good ruler.

(   ) 2.    The Roman Empire demanded that the Jews could not believe in their own God.

(   ) 3.    The coming of the Messiah was the only hope for the Jews.

II. Read the following words.

Messiah

execute

soldier

prophet

suffer

pagan

government

III. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from section II.

  A person who foretells the future.

  The group or organization governing a country.

  The expected ruler of the Jewish people whose coming was prophesied in the Old Testament.

  A person who is not a believer in the religion of Christians, Jews, or Muslims.

  A member of an army:

  To carry out, to perform, or to inflict capital punishment.

  To feel pain or grief.

IV. Write your own sentences using these words.

execute

suffer

prophet

V. Reflect on the following questions.

What kind of human right was violated after a stronger and larger country invaded a weaker and smaller country?

What kind of political system does your country have?

How do you feel about it?

Why did you come to the United States?

The Jews thought it was their right to resist the invaders, the Romans. How do you feel about this?

Lesson 2

Name Him Jesus

Luke 1:26–38

In a village in Galilee called Nazareth, there lived a Jewish girl named Mary, who was a virgin. Mary was a kind and gentle girl. She loved God and walked close with God. Mary had promised to marry Joseph, a young man who also lived in the village.

One day when Mary was alone, the angel Gabriel, who was sent from God, came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High."

Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

The angel went on to tell her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be holy. He will be called Son of God. For nothing will be impossible with God."

Mary answered, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord. Let it be with me according to your word."

I. Mark the following sentences as true (T) or false (F).

(   ) 1.    Mary and Joseph both lived in the same village.

(   ) 2.    Mary was with Joseph when the angel came to her.

(   ) 3.    Jesus is the Messiah, who is the Son of God.

(   ) 4.    With God everything will be possible.

II. Read the following words.

village

virgin

promise

greetings

favor

overshadow

impossible

servant

III. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from section II:

  An expression of good wishes upon meeting someone.

  A preference for one side over the other.

  A settlement, usually smaller than a town.

  A person who has not had sexual intercourse.

  A person who is hired to perform household or personal services.

  Gracious kindness.

  To throw a shadow over; a sense of protection.

  Something that is unable to be done.

IV. Write your own sentences using these words.

promise

favor

impossible

V. Reflect on the following questions.

In your opinion, why did God choose Mary as the mother of Jesus?

How can this be? is a question Mary asked the angel. In what occasion would you ask God the same question?

Nothing will be impossible with God. What does this statement mean?

Lesson 3

Good News

Luke 2:1–14

One day Mary and Joseph heard a decree from Caesar Augustus announcing that everyone in the empire must go back to their own city and register. According to the decree, Mary and Joseph had to go up from Galilee to Bethlehem, the town of their ancestor David.

It was a three-day journey to Bethlehem. While they were there, it became time for Mary to deliver her baby. It was so crowded in Bethlehem and there was no room for them to stay: Finally, Mary and Joseph found a stable where they could stay. They were grateful. That night, it was there where Jesus, the Messiah, was born.

On the hills surrounding the city, shepherds were keeping watch over their sheep. Suddenly, there was a bright light in the sky. An angel of the Lord appeared to them and said, Don’t be afraid, for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. To you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. Then the sky was filled with angels singing praises to God: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!

I. Mark the following sentences as true (T) or false (F).

(   ) 1.    According to the decree, everyone must go to Bethlehem.

(   ) 2.    It was not crowded in Bethlehem.

(   ) 3.    Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the city of David.

(   ) 4.    Many angels were singing praises to God.

II. Read the following words.

decree

announce

ancestor

journey

deliver

stable

surround

III. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from section II.

  A building where domestic animals are fed and sheltered.

  To enclose on all sides, to encircle or encompass.

  To make known publicly.

  One from whom an individual is descended.

  An order or decision given by a person or group in authority.

  To help in childbirth.

  To travel from one place to another.

IV. Write your own sentences using these words.

announce

deliver

surround

V. Reflect on the following questions.

In your opinion, was the fact that Jesus was born in Bethlehem an accidental event?

Why was it good news to all people that Jesus was born?

What is meant by peace on earth?

Lesson 4

In the Temple

Luke 2:21–39

The baby was named Jesus. When Jesus was eight days old, he was circumcised. Then when he was forty days old, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem to be dedicated to the Lord. According to the law of the Lord, the first boy of a Jewish family was dedicated to God in a special way forty days after he was born.

There was a righteous man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, who had expected the coming of the Messiah for many years. The Spirit of God had told Simeon that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. So by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Simeon came to the temple. It was in the temple where he saw the baby Jesus—the Messiah.

Simeon took the baby up in his arms and praised God and said, "Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your Word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples."

I. Mark the following sentences as true (T) or false (F).

(   ) 1.    When Jesus was eight days old, he was brought to the temple.

(   ) 2.    Every boy of a Jewish family had to be dedicated to the Lord.

(   ) 3.    Before seeing the Messiah, Simeon would die.

(   ) 4.    The Messiah was born for everyone in the world.

II. Read the following words.

circumcise

dedicate

expect

inspiration

prepare

III. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from section II.

  To think or believe that something will happen or come about.

  To devote one’s time and energy to a special purpose.

  To cut off the foreskin of a male person as a religious rite or as a surgical process.

  To make ready.

  A stimulation to create or to express certain ideas.

IV. Write your own sentences using these words.

dedicate

expect

prepare

V. Reflect on the following questions.

In Jewish culture, why is the firstborn boy of a family always the most important member of all? Does your culture have a similar custom?

Why did Simeon expect the coming of the Messiah? Why did he say Now you are dismissing your servant in peace after seeing the baby Jesus?

Do you know that the Messiah came to save all peoples in this world? Did you know that this includes you and me?

Lesson 5

The Magi

Matthew 2:2–12

On the night of Jesus’s birth, wise men called magi saw a star in the sky. They traveled from the East to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage."

When Herod, the king of Judea, heard this, he was troubled. He called a meeting of all the chief priests and scribes of the people and inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’

Then Herod summoned the magi secretly and said, Go and search for the child. When you have found him, come back and tell me where he is. I want to go and worship him also. So they went.

When the magi saw again the star that they had seen in the East, they rejoiced with great joy. The star led their way to the place where the child was. They went into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. They fell down and worshipped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

I. Mark the following sentences as true (T) or false (F).

(   ) 1.    The magi were from the West.

(   ) 2.    Herod was happy when he heard that a king was born in Judea.

(   ) 3.    Herod wanted to go and worship the newborn king too.

(   ) 4.    The magi offered the baby three gifts.

II. Read the following words.

III. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from section II.

  To call together in order to do something.

  To be disturbed or worried.

  Precious metals or a highly valued object.

  A kind of gum resin used in perfumes and medicine.

  A kind of sweet-smelling gum burned as incense.

  The three wise men from the East who brought offerings to the infant Christ at Bethlehem.

  To feel or show great joy.

  Respect paid to God.

  To investigate.

IV. Write your own sentences using these words.

inquire

homage

summon

V. Reflect on the following questions.

The magi believed that a new star in the sky meant something special was happening on earth. In your culture, do you have the same belief?

was Herod troubled by the newborn king?

did the magi offer their treasures to the infant Christ?

Lesson 6

Flee to Egypt

Matthew 2:13–23

The magi were warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod. So they departed to their own country by another way.

On the same night, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." So Joseph rose and took the child and his mother, Mary, and fled to Egypt. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt I have called my son.

In Jerusalem, Herod was waiting for the magi to come back and tell him where the child was. When they didn’t come, he became very angry. In a rage, he sent orders out to kill all male babies in Bethlehem who were two years old or younger.

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord told Joseph in a dream to go back to his own land. So he took the child and Mary and went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophets, saying, He will be called a Nazorean.

I. Mark the following sentences as true (T) or false (F).

(   ) 1.    The magi returned to their own country by another way.

(   ) 2.    Joseph took the child and Mary to Egypt for a business trip.

(   ) 3.    Herod killed all babies in Bethlehem who were under two years old.

(   ) 4.    Jesus’s nickname is Nazorean.

II. Read the following words.

warn

depart

flee

fulfill

rage

dwell

III. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from section II.

  To live as an inhabitant.

  To carry out, to accomplish.

  To run away from.

  To go away, to leave.

  To inform or to advise about a future dangerous circumstance.

  Violent anger.

IV. Write your own sentences using these words.

warn

depart

flee

dwell

fulfill

V. Reflect on the following questions.

Why did the magi return to their own country by another way? What would happen if they went back to Herod?

A political killing happened in the first century where many boys were killed by an authoritative king. Is this kind of killing still happening in your home country or in other countries of the world?

Lesson 7

A Visit to the Temple

Luke 2:40–52

It was in Nazareth where Jesus grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. According to Jewish custom, people should go and visit the Temple in Jerusalem yearly to attend the Feast of the Passover.

When Jesus was twelve years old, his parents decided to take him to the Feast in Jerusalem. In these special feast days, the most famous rabbis of the land took turns teaching in the temple. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to hear these teachers.

When the feast was ended, Mary and Joseph were returning with their caravan. They didn’t notice that Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem. They thought Jesus was with some relatives in the caravan. When it came time to camp for the night, Mary and Joseph searched throughout the caravan, but they could not find him. So they returned to Jerusalem to look for him.

After three days of searching for Jesus, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone was amazed at his understanding and his answers. Mary said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety."

Jesus answered, Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house? Mary and Joseph didn’t understand what he was saying. So Jesus returned to Nazareth with his parents.

I. Mark the following sentences as true (T) or false (F).

(   ) 1.    According to Jewish custom, everyone should go and visit the temple at the time of the Passover Feast.

(   ) 2.    Rabbi means teacher in the Hebrew language.

(   ) 3.    Jesus didn’t go home with his parents because he loved Jerusalem.

(   ) 4.    The teachers were amazed at Jesus’s wisdom.

II. Read the following words.

wisdom

custom

rabbi

caravan

search

anxiety

III. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from section II.

  A religious leader of a Jewish congregation.

  Having good knowledge and sound judgment.

  Troubled and uneasy in mind, causing worry.

  A group of people traveling together.

  A unique way of behaving or doing something.

  To look or go over (a place) in order to find something.

IV. Write your own sentences using these words.

custom

search

anxiously

V. Reflect on the following questions.

In your own religious custom, do you have to go to a certain place for a certain kind of feast?

As a twelve-year-old child, Jesus was talking and discussing with the most famous teachers in his time. Can you think of any reason why he was so smart?

Did you ever lose your child or children in a crowd? How did you feel when you were looking for them? How did you react after you found them?

Lesson 8

The Baptism

Matthew 3:1–17

John, the son of Elizabeth, who was Mary’s cousin, was preaching along the banks of the Jordan River in Judea, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." He took those who repented out into the water and baptized them.

Meanwhile in Nazareth, Jesus had grown to be a man. He heard that John was preaching and baptizing near Jordan. So Jesus went to John to be baptized.

As John looked at Jesus, John was puzzled and said, I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?

But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness." So John agreed.

When Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water. Behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting on him.

Then a voice said from heaven, "This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."

I. Mark the following sentences as true (T) or false (F).

(   ) 1.    John was Mary’s cousin.

(   ) 2.    Jesus went to John to baptize John.

(   ) 3.    John agreed to baptize Jesus.

(   ) 4.    Jesus is the beloved Son of God.

II. Read the following words.

III. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from section II.

  At the same time; while something else is taking place.

  To deliver a sermon or religious address.

  To be free from guilt or sin.

  To perform a baptism on someone.

  A question that is difficult to answer.

  A kind of bird with short legs, a small head, and a thick body, which makes a cooing sound.

  Dearly loved, darling.

  A child of one’s uncle or aunt.

  To feel regret about what one has done or failed to do.

IV. Write your own sentences using these words.

repent

meanwhile

puzzle

righteousness

V. Reflect on the following questions.

Baptism is required to become a Christian. What kind of religious rites does your religion have that are similar to a Christian’s baptism?

When John was asked to baptize Jesus, why was he puzzled? Would you be puzzled if Jesus asked you to do something for him?

From our lesson, we know that Jesus is God’s beloved Son. Why is this fact so hard for many people to believe?

Lesson 9

Jesus’s Temptation

Matthew 4:1–11

After his baptism, Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

For forty days, Jesus wandered throughout the wilderness of Judea without eating anything. He was very hungry. The devil came to tempt Jesus and said, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."

But Jesus answered the temptation with words of scripture, saying, One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you.’

Jesus said to him, Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and said to Jesus,