One Thing! Christopher Taylor, M.Div.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, I Corinthians 15:3-4

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15 He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him. John 14:21

“… the idolatry and slavery of religion is more dangerous than the idolatry and slavery of irreligion, because it is less obvious. The irreligious person knows he is far away from God, but the religious person does not.” Timothy Keller

Jonah

Isolated Bible Story Isolated Bible Story Verses Used Out of Context Isolated Bible Story Moral Application Don’t Lie Moral Application Don’t Steal Moral Application Share Moral Application Obey

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. Luke 24:27

I looked back at the previous 10 years and realized I had spent 10 years trying to convince kids to behave Christianly without actually teaching them Christianity. And that was a pretty serious conviction. You can say, "Hey kids, be more forgiving because the Bible says so," or "Hey kids, be more kind because the Bible says so!" But that isn't Christianity, it's morality. Phil Vischer, Sept. 2011

“Many years later, God was going to send another Messenger with the same wonderful message. Like Jonah He would spend three days in utter darkness. But this messenger would be God’s own Son. He would be called “The Word” because he himself would be God’s message. God’s Message translated into our own language. Everything God wanted to say to the whole world – in a person.” Page 163

Creation FallRedemption Restoration “The Big Story” Bible Account Bible Account Bible Account Bible Account

Morality-BasedGospel Centered You must try for Jesus What you do Obedience from obligation/duty You are the hero of the story The story is basically about me Aims primarily at action Stays small within the story You must trust in Jesus What Christ has done for you Obedience from gratitude/love God is the hero of the story The story is about Jesus Aims primarily at the heart Appeals to the Big Story of Redemption

Bible Story or Account? What is fiction and nonfiction?

Examine the Bible Account O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. 5 You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:1-10 What do these verses teach us about God?

How do we teach omnipresence to children? Use the correct vocabulary interchangeably with a kid friendly definition. Example: omnipresence everywhere (younger children) all present (older children)

Select an object if possible: There are no perfect objects. Try to think of an object the children would be familiar with.

The Lesson

Creation What do we usually teach about creation?

God created Ex-nihilo … Out of nothing Creation is dependent on God, God is not dependent on creation. God is distinct from his creation. God created the universe to show His glory. Creation God

Noah’s Ark Many of our Sunday School Rooms and baby nurseries are decorated with Noah’s Ark portraits and graphics. When we teach the story of Noah’s Ark what should be our focus? Many lessons focus on the cute, cuddly, animals getting on the boat two by two. It is presented as a cute and cuddly story.

The story is really one of God’s displeasure with creation and God’s desire to save it. We need to tell the whole story focusing on God and his role in this biblical account. The account is about so much more than Noah and the animals. The reasons for the boat and the rains is just as important as the animals and rainbow.

My Objectives God is righteous, love, grace, and forgiveness. He always keeps His promises. The character of God may be seen throughout this Bible account. God used the Ark to save His people, Noah and his family, just as He sent Jesus to save us.

What is your one thing?