From Theme to Message © John Stevenson, 2012

Begin with one central text and then go to others.Begin with one central text and then go to others. Distinguish between the concept and the biblical terms that describe it.Distinguish between the concept and the biblical terms that describe it. The development of a theme has two phases:The development of a theme has two phases: –The survey of the data –The synthesis of the data Chapter 8

Read a concordance…Read a concordance… –Cautiously –Intensively –Selectively –Broadly –According to families of books Chapter 8

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2).

“…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; 16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal. (Hebrews 12:15-16).

What should one do if an employer orders something that is ethically “gray” C neither immoral nor illegal, but far from ideal?

What does the Bible teach about the environment?

What does the Bible teach about the process of aging?

Verses 1:1-4 Big idea? Possible applications Creative teaching options 1:5-8 1:9-11

Verses 1:12 Big idea? Possible applications Creative teaching options 1: :16- 18

Verses 1: Big idea? Possible applications Creative teaching options 1: :1-13

Verses 2: Big idea? Possible applications Creative teaching options 3:1-12 3:13- 18

Verses 4:1-4 Big idea? Possible applications Creative teaching options 4:4-12 4:13- 17

Verses 5:1-6 Big idea? Possible applications Creative teaching options 5:7-11 5:12- 20

Use same chart that we used for James to plan a series of lessons from Philippians