SM Co-Mission Possible

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A WORD OF INTRODUCTION... YEAR ONE FOCUS: GOD’S RESCUE MISSION Scope: the Divine authority of God’s Word; how Old and New Testament events connect to form the single plot line of God’s redemptive story (see resource below); the arrival and death of Jesus, concluding with how the gospel can change us from the inside out. Essentially, this is a brief survey that spans from Creation to the Cross. YEAR TWO FOCUS: CO-MISSION POSSIBLE! Scope: the life of Jesus as presented in John’s gospel; examining the Mission of Jesus to bring life, light, and love to those broken by sin. Each unit comprises its own “mission”: • MAN, Jesus...who is He really? (Mission 1) • INTERACTIONS of Jesus...not what we’d expect (Mission 2) • STATEMENTS of Jesus. He said...what? (Mission 3) • SUPERNATURAL POWERS of Jesus (Mission 4) • INDESCRIBABLE GIFTS Jesus came to give (Mission 5) • OBVIOUS CHANGES He brought to His followers (Mission 6) • NOW WHAT? Jesus invites us to be a part of this mission, a Co-Mission, to bring His message to others (Mission 7). Lessons will be geared to speak practically into the lives of young people. See the following pages for the Learning Objectives as well as the Scope and Sequence of the YEAR 2 curriculum. 3

4 MIDDLE SCHOOL MIDDLE SCHOOL SKILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL KNOWLEDGE CURRICULUM OVERVIEW: Skills are what the students at this level should be able to do prior to OVERVIEW: Knowledge outcomes are what the children should know moving up to high school. STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO: and understand at the end of fifth or sixth grades depending on M.S.1 Take steps to resolve conflicts biblically whether sixth grade is the end of elementary school or the beginning M.S.2 Share the Gospel with greater detail, using key memory verses along with a of middle. Programs should be prepared to assess these outcomes as a visual aide means of determining program effectiveness and the need for curricu- M.S.3 Memorize Scripture (Appendix A provides a list of verses. Programs can select lum modifications. STUDENTS WILL: from this list as appropriate for their learners or context) M.S.4 Use a concordance and electronic apps to locate Scripture references M.K.1 Begin to understand and articulate the Bible as one story by M.S.5 Access and use basic Bible study tools and methods as a means to accurately seeing the relationship of key Bible stories to The Redemptive Story understand God’s Word M.S.6 Make application of Scripture to daily life M.K.2 Know the key elements of the Redemptive Story: creation, fall, redemption, and restoration MIDDLE SCHOOL DISPOSITIONS M.K.3 Know the person and role of the Holy Spirit (third person of the OVERVIEW: Dispositions are the values, beliefs, and attitudes as demonstrated Trinity) through behaviors and life choices. STUDENTS WILL CHOOSE TO: M.D.1 Accept Christ or acknowledge a time when this was previously done M.K.4 Identify the relationship of Jesus to the Gospel and to one’s M.D. 2 Grow in their relationship to Christ through regular Bible study and prayer personal and present life M.D.3 Obey God’s Word and follow Jesus M.D.4 Practice biblical “one-another’s” in their relationships at home and in the M.K.5 Understand the meaning of the Kingdom of God, past, present classrooms (see Appendix A: Memory Verse Examples) and in the future M.D.5 Give testimony to God’s working in their lives M.D. 6 Regularly and devotionally study God’s Word M.K.6 Explain the cultural mandate (man’s responsibility to fill, subdue, M.D.7 Choose to act upon or obey scripture in daily life and rule over the earth. Genesis 1:28) and its implications for life today M.D.8 Commit to living a pure life M.D.9 Participate in the stewardship of God’s creation M.K.7 Articulate key aspects of the life of Paul, including his missionary M.D.10 Begin to seek God’s purpose for their life heart for the world as exemplified through his life and teaching M.D.11 Attend and serve others within the church M.K.8 Know the major worldview questions (What is reality and knowledge? What is of value and what is the nature of man?) with a basic answer to each question from a biblical perspective M.K.9 Understand the relationship of prayer to one’s growth in Christ M.K.10 Know the role or purpose of the church in the life of the believer

YEAR 2 OVERVIEW: WELCOME TO CO-MISSION POSSIBLE! Jesus carried out the ultimate mission in coming to Earth. It was God’s Rescue Mission* — to save sinners from the penalty, power, and, ultimately, the very presence of sin. When He returned to Heaven, He gave His disciples a great commission: “GO into all the world’ to share His powerful life-changing message with all people (Mk 16:15). But He didn’t leave us to do this alone. This commission is also a co-mission! His “GO” is linked with His “LO” —“LO, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). Year Two of School Ministries’ middle school curriculum invites students to participate in this M.I.S.S.I.O.N. We examine seven key truths about Jesus as revealed in John’s gospel: Jesus as a Man (and God), His Interactions with people, His startling Statements, His Supernatural miracles, His Indescribable gifts for His children, and the Obvious changes the risen Christ made in His followers’ lives. The final unit is called Now What? Students carefully examine Jesus — what He did and what He calls us to do. MISSION 2 MISSION 1 EXAMINING THE MAN: Who is He...really? KEY APPLICATIONS: Jesus didn’t “begin” in Bethlehem. MY STORY: My story began before I did: it started in Heaven, in the heart of God. Jesus’ arrival wasn’t coincidence. It was planned out perfectly. MY WORTH: My worth is determined by the God who went to great lengths to rescue me. Jesus didn’t come to save the planet. He came to save me...from Hell. MY RESPONSE: I must base my belief on the available evidence, not on my parents’ faith. EXAMINING HIS INTERACTIONS: Not what you’d expect KEY APPLICATIONS: Jesus flipped tables in the Temple: Jesus is HOLY. HOLINESS: How can we keep our “temples” (lives) clean in a polluted world? Jesus let a friend die. Jesus is HEAVENLY-MINDED. TRUST: We can trust Jesus when bad things happen. His plans are bigger than ours! Jesus washed the feet of those who failed Him. Jesus is HUMBLE. DISAPPOINTMENT: Responding when friends fail and enemies prevail (so it seems). REVIEW: MISSIONS 1 and 2 MISSION 3 EXAMINING HIS STATEMENTS: Jesus said...what? KEY APPLICATIONS: Jesus to a popular man: “You need to be re-born.” POPULARITY: Being accepted by God is more important than being accepted by people. Jesus to a sinful woman: “The man you’re living with isn’t your husband.” RELATIONSHIPS: Friends will fail us, and we will fail friends — but Jesus never fails. Jesus to an angry mob of men: “Go ahead and kill her...” FORGIVENESS: How is God able to forgive us? How can we forgive others? Jesus to a bunch of Jews: “Eat My flesh and drink My blood.” PEER PRESSURE: Many listeners forsake Jesus.“Will you also go away?” Jesus to the religious authorities: “Destroy this temple...” CONFIDENCE: Jesus rose from the dead just like He said. This gives us confidence. MISSION 4 EXAMINING THE SUPERNATURAL: Jesus’ mighty miracles KEY APPLICATIONS: Jesus’ first miracle...was a secret. OBEDIENCE: The secret to God’s blessing: “Do whatever He says.” MISSION 5 Jesus healed a dying boy...20 miles away. FAITH: Faith is taking God at His Word — even when it doesn’t make sense to us. Jesus fed 15-20 thousand people with a boy’s lunch. AVAILABILITY: God isn’t looking for amazing superstars but available servants. Jesus heals a man paralyzed for 38 years TOTAL DEPENDENCE: The “impotent” (powerless) man meets the Omnipotent Man. Jesus gave sight to a man born blind using spit and mud. FEAR OF REJECTION: It cost this man to identify with Christ. But He gladly did! REVIEW: MISSIONS 3 and 4 KEY APPLICATIONS: MY VALUE: What Jesus’ death teaches me about...me EXAMINING THE INDESCRIBABLE: Gifts too wonderful for words MY SAFETY: The assurance that nothing can separate me from God’s love The Gift of His Sacrifice MY GUIDE: The work of the Spirit in my life and how to not quench Him The Gift of Security MY MAP: Learning an easy method to help study the Bible, “20-10-5-1” The Gift of the Spirit MY TURN: A chance to practice this Bible study method, “20-10-5-1” The Gift of the Scriptures (Part One) The Gift of the Scriptures (Part Two) MISSION 6 EXAMINING THE OBVIOUS: The risen Christ changes lives KEY APPLICATIONS: WORSHIP: Who or what do we worship? What idols are in my life? He replaced worrying with worship. First two lessons by FAILURE: We can’t change our past, but our response to failure can change our future. He replaced failure with forgiveness. PERSPECTIVE: In every situation, our uplook will determine our outlook. He replaced hopelessness with happiness. } the teacher, followed DOUBTS: Honest doubts should lead us TO Jesus, not away from Him. He replaced questioning with confidence. by an Independent SUCCESS: We must properly define success before we can achieve it. Research Project; He replaced an empty fishing net with a full net. materials provided MISSION 7 NOW WHAT? JOINING THE MISSION TO: KEY APPLICATIONS: GROW His circle. MY MISSION: Building the Church with Jesus in the power of the Spirit GO tell others. MY MESSAGE: What the true gospel is and how to share it with others SHOW Christ to the world. MY MOTIVE: Making Jesus visible in my life in everything I do YEAR-END SUMMATIVE ACTIVITY 5



MISSION ONE: THE MAN, JESUS... WHO IS HE REALLY? 7



MISSION 1: THE MAN, JESUS: WHO HE REALLY IS Preliminary Draft LESSON 1: JESUS DIDN’T “BEGIN” IN BETHLEHEM! M1 L1 NOTES KEY TEXT: John 1:1-5  MEMORY VERSE: 2 Tim 1:9, 10 CURRICULUM: BIG IDEA: We will think about Jesus’ PRE-EXISTENCE in eternity past:  [1: John records only the Jesus is a real Person who lived long before time even began. number of men who were present, so the actual APPLICATION: My story began before I did: It started in Heaven, in the heart of God. number is much larger. See the same account in PREPARE: 1. For the opening activity, get supplies for a Neapolitan ice Matthew 14:21 where we cream snack. 2. If showing the video, set up in advance. read of women and children also being present. If most OPENER: 1. Welcome students and participate in a short get-to-know- of those men had a wife you activity of your choice while enjoying a bowl of Neapolitan and children, there could well have been 10 to 20 ice cream (the ice cream will be revisited later). 2. Introduce the theme of this year’s thousand people. John also records in 21:25 that Jesus curriculum: “CO-MISSION POSSIBLE”. Either watch the video at everydaypublica- performed so many miracles that the world could not tions.org > media > Co-Mission Possible Resources > INTRO. Or explain the overview contain all the books that could be written to describe yourself using the script on the “Additional Teacher Notes” page. 3. Activity: Invite them. But for now, let’s just use “5,000”.] students to take 5 minutes or so to generate some thoughts about who they think [2: In selecting these three for such special occasions, Jesus is. Have them complete “What do you know about Jesus?” in their student Jesus was not playing favorites. In fact, God says guide. 4. Group Discussion: Facilitate a discussion with those willing to share their that “favoritism” is a sin (James 2:9). Jesus was likely ideas from the activity. Record responses and note comparisons, questions for furhter preparing these three for the leadership roles they investigation, etc. At this point, welcome all responses with encouragement. would have in the early days of the Church after Jesus TRANSITION: One of the best ways we can get to know Jesus is by consult- returned to Heaven.] ing someone who actually knew Him very well. I know just the man! His name is John, and we are going to learn about Jesus from John’s writings. Why John? [Draw circles like the diagram to the right to show that John was]: A. One of 5,000 people1 who witnessed Jesus’ miracles (Jn 6:8-12) B. One of 500 eyewitnesses who saw Jesus after His resurrection (1 Cor 15:4-6) C. One of 12 disciples who followed Jesus for 3.5 years (Mk 3:14; Lk 6:12-16) D. One of 3 disciples who were invited to accompany Jesus on special occasions2: ▪ When Jesus was transfigured (Mk 9:2, 3) JOHN was... ▪ When Jesus raised Jairus’s daughter from the dead (Lk 8:49–56) ▪ When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mt 26:36–38) …1 of over 5,000… 6:36-38
…1 of over 500… E. John was called…“the disciple whom Jesus loved”. See John 13:23; 19:26; g? …1 of 12… 21:7; 21:20. Interestingly, while John is mentioned about 30 times in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he never refers to himself by name in the D …1 of 3… EVENTS gospel that he himself wrote. Instead, he uses this phrase, “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, which shows his great bond with Jesus. In pride, I The John once asked to sit next to Jesus in a place of prominence in His disciple coming Kingdom. So Jesus had to teach John a lesson in humility. When S whom Jesus… John wrote this gospel 50 or 60 years later, we see by John’s omission of his own name that he had learned this lesson. C I P L S: SP ECIA RESU PEO E LES (3. 5L LES SSES D EYE S) C I YR WIT S I P R R ECTION N E E P L TO SEE JESUS’ MIR A C 9