Creative Bible Lessons

If your students have ever heard the story of Job, they are likely to remember one thing-suffering. (Well, they might remember a pile of cow dung, but they're teenagers!) While suffering is a prevalent theme in Job, the stories inside this book also provide readers with truth and wisdom about a just and loving God who walks with us in the midst of an unjust world. Every human being-Christ follower or not-has asked, "Why does God allow suffering?" We all know that there are no easy answers to that question. But as you take the book and story of Job piece by piece, you'll be able to guide students towards a better understanding of this God who can be so difficult to comprehend. Through the twelve sessions, you'll help your students face some of the tougher issues of life, like: • The relationship between sin and suffering • How to be a friend to those who are suffering (and how not to be!) • Why don't the wicked suffer? • How to survive suffering (and let God be God) In the tradition of the bestselling Creative Bible Lessons series, CBL in Job presents each session in sections to help you move your students through a sequence of engagement, reflection, learning, and application. Including preparation for leaders, materials lists, discussion starters, scripture lessons, and activities to help personalize the learning, you'll find that any youth worker can use this book to effectively guide students toward the important lessons from Job.

Christian adolescents in the 21st century face pretty much the same situations as the first-century Christians in Corinth did -- an indulgent, profligate, choose-your-own-god society. The latest in the Creative Bible Lessons series, Creative Bible Lessons in 1 & 2 Corinthians is a 12-lesson curriculum with an issues-oriented spin on living one's faith in the real world. It lets teenagers wrestle with the tension between biblical instruction and cultural realities. These 12 studies about the not-so-easily-tamed people of Corinth and their founding pastor Paul of Tarsus pave the way for youth workers and Sunday school teachers to teach high schoolers about conversion, transformation, failure, leadership, authority, and God's constant saving love even in the midst of people making a mess of things. Here are some of the not-so-ancient issues you'll explore in this study: Give Me Liberty or Give Me Love, Friends Don't Let Friends Go Unforgiven, Those Pesky STDs (Sexually Tough Decisions), Love Is . . ., No Easy Answers, Show Me the Money, and Ouch! Of course, there's lots of what the Creative bible Lessons series is known for: provocative and relevant discussion starters, to-the-point scripts, high-energy games, reproducible pages of interactive activities -- all in the context of hard-core Bible study.

This newest installment of the bestselling Creative Bible Lessons series provides practical faith-sustaining principles for Christian teenagers from every walk of life. These "pastoral epistles," written by the Apostle Paul at the end of his life, give sound instruction on how to lead the young church in a world of oppression, danger, and difficulty. In twelve chapters this book covers leadership, worship, getting in shape, walking the talk, knowing your enemy, money, overcoming opposition, and the Bible.

We may think of them as the leaders of tomorrow, but the kids you minister to are already leaders-they're the leaders of today. In hallways, on playing fields, and in their own homes, students are influencing the lives that surround them. Nehemiah is one of the Bible's most powerful examples of what a godly leader looks like. This newest collection of Creative Bible Lessons helps your students connect with this ancient figure in a way that is both engaging and relevant. Each session focuses on one chapter of the Old Testament book by using activities that emphasize four different learning styles-thereby ensuring that your students hear what they need to hear in ways they need to hear it. The session titles include: A Leader Passionately Prays. A Leader Teaches Truth. A Leader Walks the Walk. A Leader Instills Integrity. A Leader Hungers for Holiness. Each session also offers an overview, a list of things you'll need, background information on the Nehemiah chapter, openers, plenty of questions, and application options such as games, discussion starters, and small group activities that help the meaning of Nehemiah stick in your students' heads. Creative Bible Lessons in Nehemiah will get your students thinking about the kinds of leaders God is calling them to be and provide them with the tools to be that leader...today.

Do you want to teach solid Biblical truth to your kids without their eyes glazing over as soon as you say "open your Bibles"? Now you can, with Creative Bible Lessons in John: Encounters with Jesus. Following in the successful path of Youth Specialties' instant bestseller Creative Bible Lessons on the Life of Christ by Doug Fields, veteran family life and youth workers Janice and Jay Ashcraft have created 12 lively, ready-to-use lessons that actually make it fun to dig into Scripture. The Ashcrafts utilize creative learning techniques to spark your kids interest and keep them actively involved in each lesson, including: - Learning Games - Discussions - Video and Music - Skits, Melodramas, and Role-plays - "Digging Deeper" Investigations - Interactive Worksheets - And much more! These lessons are clear, easy-to-use, and complete. You'll be able to build in-depth, creative Bible teaching into your busy schedule with Creative Bible Lessons in John: Encounters with Jesus. 12 lessons.

Creative Bible Lessons in Genesis follows the work previously done with other studies in the series. What makes this volume different is that it is sensitive to the influence of postmodernism on today's culture and values, it complements the widespread use of multimedia, and is experiential in approach. With a desire to be relevant, it does not scan Scripture, but intends to be scripturally thorough and accurate, with an understanding that the power of the studies is ultimately found in the biblical text. Because much of what is understood to be "truth" today is arrived to by subjective interpretation, there is a strong but subtle element in the studies that highlights the Imago Dei (image of God) in man. The blueprint of the Trinitarian God in man is, perhaps, the sturdiest bridge between postmodern "experiencisms" and ultimate truth and reality. In order to emphasize these elements, Bible studies include projection games, helps, and visuals. Also, many of the studies are highlighted by a participation which attempts to be close to the text account. There are small group and large group elements that have been developed with the technologically savvy student in mind. Creative Bible Lessons in Genesis follows the lives of various individuals in Genesis. In a world where communication is less face-to-face and more screen to screen, family breakdowns are the norm rather than the exception, and role models often communicate debatable values, an anchor for life can only be found in the God, who does not change. Human nature can only be satisfactorily understood through the image of God in man, and that all behavior, desires, and actions people take are ultimate acts of worship, and desire for God. The return to the Imago Dei in man is the clearest way to present absolute truth to a relative society in that it is able to posit a valid argument for God and faith from an intellectual and logic platform, as well as from a subjective/emotional/experiential platform.

The Trinity can be one of the most difficult ideas in the Bible to understand. How can our God be made up of three different people? Andrew Hedges answers this question in Creative Bible Lessons on the Trinity, an in-depth guide perfect for small groups and student discussions. Divided into three sections, one for each aspect of the Trinity, this book presents students with a clear understanding of the role each part plays. Biblical evidence is supplemented with discussion questions so your small group can talk about how they see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in their own lives. Creative Bible Lessons on the Trinity also includes a guide to identifying and working with different learning styles, so you can connect effectively with each of the students in your small group. With this knowledge, you'll be able to effectively teach your students to incorporate what they learn about the Trinity into their day-to-day lives.

Grace, growth, freedom, and faith are the themes of these 12 dynamic lessons based on the letters from Paul to the Christians in Galatia and Philippi. As the next volume in the popular Creative Bible Lessons series, Creative Bible Lessons in Galatians & Philippians comes power-packed with the teachings of Paul. Six lessons from each book will guide you and your students through many of the Gospel's central truths, including: • Liberation from the religious "rules and regulations" corral • Reconnecting with true freedom in Christ • The purpose of the law and moral boundaries • Humility and friendship • Setting an example for othersJoy in spite of circumstances • To help you teach each lesson are clips from easy-to-get videos . . . games for mixing and games with a purpose . . . in-depth, ready-to-use questions for small-group discussions . . . original role plays, scripts, and spontaneous melodramas--plus a lot of other activities to choose from that give your students not only an occasional laugh, but also a taste of the extravagant grace of God as well as the kind of joy that literally overflows all over the place.

Think of it as a lean, mean Bible doctrine course--without the lecture. But with lots of options, videos, music, and drama. And small group work. And reproducible, interactive worksheets with eye-catching designs and soul-searching content. (Like, what else do you expect from St. Paul when he sits down to write the meatiest book of doctrine in the Bible?) in the 12 clear, complete sessions of Creative Bible Lessons in Romans. Author Chap Clark guides kids (and you) through the Big Ideas in this first-century letter to Christians trying their darndest to live godly lives in an ungodly culture. (Sound familiar?) From the not-so-savory picture the apostle paints of humankind in the opening chapters. . .through his celebration of grace and acceptance in midbook. . .to his tightly reasoned argument that love should fuel a Christian's decisions and relationships--here are topics made to order for teenagers living at the turn of the 21st century. Teach your way through Romans with these read-to-go sessions. Or scavenge whatever you want of the creative scripts, handouts, and other options to customize lessons of your own. Any way you use it, Creative Bible Lessons in Romans is your no-doze ticket to solid Bible doctrine.12 lessons.

Let your students experience the raw faith and rich praise in Israel's national songbook--the Psalms. The 12 sessions in Creative Bible Lessons in Psalms (the latest in Youth Specialties' Creative Bible Lessons series) unwrap this Old Testament book so your students understand the passion, anguish, and joy expressed by David and the other Hebrew songwriters--and then learn to love the same God that the ancient Jews loved. The meetings (which are perfect for high schoolers and middle schoolers alike) are arranged around kinds of Psalms, including- Torah Psalms Seeing God at work in your personal history Complaint Psalms When you're attacked, is God always your bulletproof vest? Royal Psalms Jesus in the Psalms Trust Psalms The God who really knows you, inside and out Penitential Psalms Shedding old skin--forgiveness and renewal Thanksgiving Psalms Gratitude is next to godliness Oracle Psalms How to hear God Taunt Psalms Battle lines are drawn And each session is loaded with options galore: clips from easy-to-get videos, games for mixing and games with a purpose, in-depth and ready-to-use questions for small-group discussions, original role plays, low-prep scripts, talks for you to give--activities to choose from that give your students not only a memorable time in youth group, but a taste of both the quiet trust and the boisterous celebration that the Psalms overflow with. Perfect for Sunday school teachers, youth workers, volunteers, CE directors, DREs, associate pastors--whoever wants to minister to real teenagers in a real world.

As a youth worker you have certainly spent much of your time addressing the current issues facing teens, but have you stopped to think about what may be behind students' behavior? Many of the not-so-wise choices students make are the result of a confused worldview that comes from uncertainty about who God is. It's easy for students to dismiss the truth when they learn from the world that all truth is relative. Creative Bible Lessons: Essential Theology uses a conversational approach to give students a theological foundation to better understand God and his purpose for how to live their lives. Throughout the twelve sessions of this study students will- • Learn how creation provides evidence of God's existence. • Look at how God has chosen to reveal himself through his Word. • Learn to live lives that reflect God's love for them. • Understand their need for God's direction. • Commit to following God's will as they make life decisions. • Discover how God's invitation to enter his kingdom affects the direction of their lives. • Examine where they are with God on a personal level. Following in the tradition of the bestselling Creative Bible Lessons series, you'll find audio, visual, and hands-on activities to engage your students in the pursuit of theology. And because every student learns differently, each lesson includes options to help you reach your particular group of students, whether they learn best from imaginative, analytic, common sense, or dynamic teaching styles. With all these tools at your disposal you are guaranteed to get your students fired-up for seeking God and his plan for them.

Was the book of Revelation penned by the crazy uncle in the family of Bible writers? You try to convince yourself that the apostle john is just another New Testament writer–kindly, gentle, and loving. You know…normal. But he's just so weird! Most of the time you have no idea what John is talking about in his revelation. When you must interact with his wild, otherworldly book, you escape as soon as you can to familiar, saner Bible texts. Like Matthew's Gospel or one of Paul's letters–after all, they straight-up tell you what Jesus did and what you should do! Yet Creative Bible Lessons in Revelation will quickly convince you and your students that St. John wasn't so much a crazy guy as he was a visionary, inspirational, and worshipful guy! And you don't have to subscribe to any pre- or post-eschatology theory in order to learn all sorts of good stuff from the apostle. So while these 12 sessions–complete and ready-to-teach–won't help your students identify who the antichrist is or give them the coordinates of Armageddon's opening salvos, they will, however, acquaint your youth group with the mysterious nature of Revelation, then demonstrate how these apocalyptic principles actually provide practical application for us today. Here's what's inside every session:-Detailed overviews for clear, convenient prepping.-Intriguing activities and games-with-a-point that introduce that session's topic.-Hardcore Bible studies and provocative questions that trigger dialogue in both large and small groups.-Application exercises that translate John's visions into practical, attainable actions and attitudes for students' daily lives.

Do you want to teach solid Biblical truth to your kids without their eyes glazing over as soon as you say "open your Bibles"? Now you can, with Creative Bible Lessons on the Life of Christ. Veteran youth worker and Bible teacher Doug Fields has crafted 12 lively, ready-to-use lessons that actually make it fun to dig into Scripture. Fields utilizes creative learning techniques to spark your kids' interest and keep them actively involved in each lesson, including: - Learning games... - Hilarious handouts - Art projects anyone can do... Challenging simulations - Thought-provoking worksheets... - Skits and role-plays These techniques are built into clear, easy-to-use lessons that keep your kids active as they absorb the Biblical truth of each lesson. Fields also provides you with a brief teaching outline in each lesson that you can present to bring the message home. Best of all, these lessons are so complete, they require very little preparation time. You'll be able to build quality, creative Bible teaching into your busy schedule -- with Creative Bible Lessons on the Life of Christ. 12 lessons.

Okay, so they used mule mail instead of e-mail -- but they were still surprisingly modern men and women. With emotions, decisions, and dilemmas as raw and real as the students sitting in front of you every week. David and Rahab, Daniel and Ruth--even with their rough edges, they passionately loved Jehovah in a way today's adolescents can understand and emulate. Here are 12 Old Testament character studies, including-- Believe it or not -Abraham: Living by faith is not for wimps - Faith overcomes a fast past -Rahab: What you live is what you believe. Everything else is just talk. - The waiting game -Joseph: Trials and temptations can make us strong. - Benchwarmer to first string -Moses : Often God uses the least likely person to do great things. - Right woman, right place, right time -Esther : God has created each one of us for a purpose. - Keeping promises -Ruth: Commitment means more than saying the right words. - Bad days for good people -Job: Suffering may be the condition from which humans benefit the most. - The long way home -Jonah: Sometimes we simply say no to God. -- And to help you teach the lesson are clips from easy-to-get videos . . . games for mixing and games that teach . . . in-depth, ready-to-use questions guaranteed to spark small-group discussion . . . original role plays, scripts, dilemmas faced by these ancient but very human believers in their Yahweh. For youth workers, Sunday school teachers, and CE directors, Creative Bible Lessons from the Old Testament will help your students understand that the God who offered hope and courage to ancient history-makers still does the same for teenagers today.12 lessons.