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 5 and 6 Core Bible Story (10 minutes)
Read Matthew 6:19–24 — Jesus Teaches about Treasures in Heaven
Teacher begins by reading the Core Bible Story. Discuss how we are to seek God by living wholeheartedly for Him. Jesus teaches us to pursue Him and Him alone as we live for eternal rewards. Explore each of Jesus’ three metaphors about kingdom loyalty: 1) heavenly treasures vs. earthly treasures, 2) good eye vs. bad eye, 3) serving God vs. serving money. Teacher writes student responses (under each metaphor title) on the board to create discussion. The metaphor discussion may require more input from the teacher (notes below). 4) Finally, discuss practical ways we can store up treasures in heaven.
1) heavenly treasures vs. earthly treasures – a life lived for the kingdom will bear eternal rewards that cannot be destroyed or be stolen like earthly treasure. Heavenly treasures are eternal, but earthly treasures are temporary.
2) good eye vs. bad eye – A good eye is fixed on God and makes a person so full of light that others see it and he is a light of the world. A bad eye is fixed on many things and and makes a person full of darkness.
3) serving God vs. serving money – We can serve God or money, but not both, for chasing this world’ treasures prevents us from doing all God has for us. God wants our undivided loyalty. We can’t love wealth and serve God at the same time. We are only capable of loving one more than the other.
4) Ways to store up treasures in heaven: remain faithful, love those who don’t love us, secretly give to the needy, private prayer and fasting, offer hospitality to Christians, use talents God gives us for Him, and diligently seek Him.
Week 5 Bible Passage (5 minutes)
Matthew 6:20–21
Ask a student to read the Bible passage from page 36 and then to close their workbook. Discuss: What is the main idea of the passage?
All that we value on earth will be destroyed, but what we do for Jesus will last forever.
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.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Week 5 Scripture Song (5 minutes)
“To Go” (Matthew 6:20–21)
Play the song in class. (CLICK HERE to open your Media Player)
Students turn to the Song Lyrics on page 37 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?
“I’ll take mine to go” means living to please God, not to please men. Our hearts reveal what we treasure most: God or the world. A heart set on earthly treasure will eventually come up empty because we can’t take earthly accomplishments to heaven. A fortune will fade away, but what we do for Jesus lasts forever.
Week 5 Motto (5 minutes)
“To Go” (Matthew 6:20–21)
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.
There your heart will be also
Application: How does what you treasure reveal where your heart is?
How we spend our time and money shows what we value. If we are busy storing up material things and pleasing man, it shows we are living for rewards on earth and our heart is not with God. If we diligently seek Him, and are devoted to loving and serving Him and others, it reveals that our heart is living for the purpose of heavenly things.
Week 6 Bible Passage (5 minutes)
Romans 12:1–2a
Ask a student to read the Bible passage from page 43 and then to close their workbook. Discuss: What is the main idea of the passage?
As believers, we must offer our lives to Christ and no longer live by the ways of the world.
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.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Week 6 Scripture Song (5 minutes)
“Inside Out” (Romans 12:1–2a)
Play the song in class. (CLICK HERE to open your Media Player)
Students turn to the Song Lyrics on page 44 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: What does it mean to live from the “inside out”?
Living from the “inside out” means not pretending to love God. No one can follow Christ and love the world at the same time. We can fool people, but God sees inside our hearts. As Christ followers, we are to offer ourselves to God and live this life for Him.
Week 6 Motto (5 minutes)
“Inside Out” (Romans 12:1–2a)
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.
Transformed by the renewing
Application: How can we be transformed by the renewing of our mind?