Learning Review Procedure: Teachers facilitate discussion and ask for student participation on Core Bible Stories, Weekly Bible Verses, and songs. Choose students to answer verbally in class. No writing is required, except for notes taken on the lyrics pages. Discussion is designed so that students increase long-term memory of the main ideas and hide God’s Word in their hearts!
Weeks 1 and 2 Core Bible Story (10 minutes)
Read Judges 7:1-14 (Parts I and II) — Gideon Defeats the Midianites
Teacher reads the Core Bible Story and instructs students to focus on the specific ways Gideon obeyed God and how the Lord encouraged Gideon. Gideon needed to persevere in obeying God, even when things got tough and what God called him to do seemed impossible. After reading the story, discuss the following questions in order to summarize the key points of the story:
1) Why did God want to decrease the number of warriors in Gideon’s army?
2) How did God decrease the size of Gideon’s army? How many warriors did Gideon start and end with?
3) What did God promise Gideon?
4) The Lord tells Gideon that if he is afraid, he should go down to the camp and listen in to what they were saying. He would then be encouraged to attack the camp. What did Gideon see and hear when he was spying on the camp?
5) What is the main point of the story?
1) The Lord made Gideon’s army week in order to show that it was God’s victory, and not a human victory.
2) First, God told Gideon to let anyone who was afraid to go home. Next, the Lord told Gideon to separate the men by how they drank water and only keep those who lapped the water. The army decreased in size from 32,000 to 300 warriors.
3) The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.”
4) He saw many people and camels, as thick as locusts. However, he heard a man telling a friend a dream about a round loaf of barley bread tumbling into the Midianite camp and collapsing the tent. This encouraged Gideon that God would give the Midianites and whole camp over to him.
5) Gideon had enemies who were more powerful than he. But Gideon had God’s power on his side. Gideon trusted God, and God defeated his enemies in a humanly impoosible way. We too have enemies who are more powerful than we are. We need to put on the full armor of God to battle these enemies.
Week 1 Bible Passage (5 minutes)
Ephesians 6:10–11
Ask a student to read the Bible passage from page 4 and then to close their workbook. Discuss: What is the main idea of the passage?
When we put on God’s armor, He gives us His power to fight the temptations of the devil.
Choose one student to recite the passage from memory (may get help from classmates).
— or —
Students partner up and quiz each other on the passage. After a few minutes, choose one student to recite the passage to the class from memory.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Week 1 Scripture Song (5 minutes)
“Game Face” (Ephesians 6:10–11)
Play the song in class. (CLICK HERE to open your Media Player)
Students turn to the Song Lyrics on page 5 of their Student Workbooks. While listening to the song, students write down their insights and make personal connections on the lyrics page (circle key words, underline action steps, write out what God is teaching them to do, rewrite main ideas in their own words, etc.).
Discuss: How does the song reflect the meaning of the passage?
There is a spiritual battle going on where Satan is trying to defeat us and pull us away from God. When we put our “Game Face” on, we use the armor of God to fight against the devil’s schemes or tricks. The armor of God includes: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of gospel peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
Week 1 Motto (5 minutes)
“Game Face” (Ephesians 6:10–11)
Note: Project this section of your Learning Review page (the Motto Buster Video) for your class to view and hear.
Play the Motto Buster Video in class to see who can guess the hidden motto first. Pause the video when students raise their hand to indicate they have solved the motto. Student states the motto out loud. If correct, student writes the motto on the board as the teacher facilitates discussion on the meaning of the motto.
Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power
Application: What are some practical ways you can be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power?
We can be strong in the Lord when we know, memorize, and use His Word in our lives. God’s Word acts as a shield of faith and can protect us when we use it. We put on God’s armor by letting faith, truth, and righteousness rule in our lives. We can live righteously when we obey God, extend peace to those around us, hold onto faith that God will never leave us, and pray constantly.
Week 2 Bible Passage (5 minutes)
Philippians 3:13b–14
Ask a student to read the Bible passage from page 11 and then to close their workbook. Discuss: What is the main idea of the passage?
We should live for Christ as if life were a race to be won. When we please God, we will be rewarded in heaven.
Choose one student to recite the passage from memory (may get help from classmates).
— or —
Students partner up and quiz each other on the passage. After a few minutes, choose one student to recite the passage to the class from memory.
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Week 2 Scripture Song (5 minutes)
“The Prize” (Philippians 3:13b–14)
Play the song in class. (CLICK HERE to open your Media Player)
Students turn to the Song Lyrics on page 14 of their Student Workbooks. While listening to the song, students write down their insights and make personal connections on the lyrics page (circle key words, underline action steps, write out what God is teaching them to do, rewrite main ideas in their own words, etc.).
Discuss: How does the song reflect the meaning of the passage?
The goal is to win the prize. The prize is eternity with Jesus. The goal is living FOR Jesus; the prize is eternal life WITH Jesus. According to the song lyrics, we are to set our “sights on Jesus Christ.” Though believers have not yet arrived in heaven, God has called us there!
Week 2 Motto (5 minutes)
“The Prize” (Philippians 3:13b–14)
Note: Project this section of your Learning Review page (the Motto Buster Video) for your class to view and hear.
Play the Motto Buster Video in class to see who can guess the hidden motto first. Pause the video when students raise their hand to indicate they have solved the motto. Student states the motto out loud. If correct, student writes the motto on the board as the teacher facilitates discussion on the meaning of the motto.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize
Application: Paul says he forgets what’s behind him and strains toward what’s ahead: the goal God has set before Him. What are some specific ways you can press on to win the prize?