The document discusses teaching the Bible through a narrative lens rather than a topical one. It notes that viewing the Bible as a cohesive story, from Creation to Christ's return, allows the full context of passages to be understood rather than taking passages out of context. It warns that topical teaching risks putting human opinions above scriptural truth and can lead to biblical illiteracy. The document advocates teaching the biblical narrative and helping students see their own story within the overarching story of God.

2.             

3.  

4. 

6. } } Kenda Dean & Ron Foster Finger-pointing is always in a Godward direction . . .

21. 

22. 

23. } } 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG) Every part of Scripture is God breathed and useful one way or another – showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

30. } } My servant Moses is dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses.

31. } } No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them.

32. } } This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful.

33. } } Joshua 1:2-3,5-6,8-9 (NIV) I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

36. } } The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. Those twelve stones, which they had taken out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal, saying to the Israelites…

37. } } Israel crossed over the Jordan here on dry ground.” For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we crossed over…

38. } } When your children ask their parents in time to come, “What do these stones mean?” then you shall let your children know…

39. } } so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may fear the LORD your God for ever. Joshua 4:19-24 (NIV)

40. ACTIONS What We Do MOTIVATIONS Why We Do Things PERSPECTIVES How We See Things

42. The IHS

43. The I.N.R.I

44. The Fish

54. George Barna A contemporary snapshot of youth culture , states that 3 out of 4 teenagers believe that the central message of the Bible is that “ God helps those who help themselves .”

59. ● What do you like most about being a Sunday School teacher? ● What is the hardest part or the worst thing about being a SS teacher? ● Think back and describe the best Sunday School teacher you ever had. ● What was it about him or her that sticks out to you the most?

60. Wanted: Jr High Sunday School Teacher Have a few hours, one day a week to spend in service to the Kingdom of God? Want to be around highly energetic and promising young people? You’re in luck! This position just recently opened…again .

61. Qualified applicants are required to have a beating heart, possess their own NIV (with concordance), duct tape, personal HMO with low deductible, thick skin, and photocopying skills. Benefits include donuts (donuts not included), not having to work in the nursery, good parking space (because you arrive earlier than anyone else), and coffee (not necessarily included). Curriculum provided. References not required.

62. Many of us have been operating from an old model of teaching . . .

64. } } When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:12-17

65. What Jesus did . . . painted the world in a new way

66. You Are An Artist!

67. Then you invite them to join in - to dip their fingers in the paint.

68. 1 The artist who fingerpaints is a story teller .

69. dean borgman } } Every person is a story in progress—but to be a story without significance is unbearable. Ultimately all our stories are begun and are completed in God. We reflect the Creator’s spirit, intelligence, and passion. This Creator has communicated to us in the form of person and story. We are creatures of the great storyteller;

71. They’re looking for something that connects them to a purpose greater than breathing in and out .

72. rodney clapp } } "The church understands itself as a new and unique culture. The church is at once a community and a history—a history still unfolding and developing, embodying and passing along a story that provides the symbols through which its people gain their identity and their way of seeing the world."

74. 2 The artist who fingerpaints is a spritual guide.

75. 3 The artist who fingerpaints points out spiritual truth in everyday living.

84. 4 The artist who fingerpaints points students to their place in the Story .

85. 5 The artist who fingerpaints points students to God.

87. It is time to FINGERPAINT

88. We allow a single scripture to interpret the whole Story rather than the whole Story to interpret the single scripture.

110. -Patricia Lebon-Herb “ When people write novels, paint paintings, exercise complicated math theories, write music, they are all looking for some kind of truth…”