0.3 Teachers Guide Suggested Lesson Structure – 12 Step Overview

This is a suggested lesson structure for the 12 Step Overview of the Bible. It is designed to give suggestions for how each lesson may be presented.

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12 Step Overview Of The Bible

A suggested study structure.

The goal of this Bible study is to give a high level overview of the Bible in 12 steps. It aims to present the four major events or parts of each step, the location, the main figure and summarise the step with a sentence or simple statement.

The objective is to give participants an understanding of the major eras of the Bible, how they relate to each other and a way to relate parts of the Bible they are reading to the big picture.

 

Aims:

The aims at the end of the bible study are:

Participants:

  • Will be able to name all 12 steps (hopefully in order)
  • Name the four ‘events’ or subsections in each step
  • Name the location of each step
  • Name the major figure identified in each step
  • State the summary sentence for each step

A suggested structure for each lesson:

  1. Review
  2. Preview
  3. Present
  4. Recap

1 – Review

  • Using the Printable blank overview of the Bible ( Item 0.2 ) review last sessions
    • Name
    • 4 Events
    • Major character
    • Statement
    • Location
  • Summarise events so far (inviting participation)
    • g. So far we have seen in Creation there was Creation, Fall, Flood and Tower. God creates everything, including humans , who rebel against God and destroy God’s perfect creation. This happened in Eden and involved Adam
    • In The Patriarchs there were Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph. God chooses Abraham to start a family that would make God known to the world. This started in Ur (Iraq), mostly occurred in Canaan and finishes in Egypt. The main character is Abraham.
  • Games, points, a buzzer challenge (hold up answer written down or in chat), each ‘bubble’ taking it in turn to summarise a step etc. can be used. The more participation the more chance of memorisation

2 – Preview

  • Present this week’s overview of Step Name, Events, Person, Location and Statement.
  • Encourage people to write the items down as we get to them on their blank work sheet or a piece of paper etc.
  • The idea is to let them know where you are about to go.

3 – Present

  • Present the topic. Maybe show where it connects to the previous step (e.g. Israel’s / Jacob’s children have been in Egypt for 400 years. The Egyptions have forgotten how they were helped by Joseph and have turned them into slaves …. We pick up the story here.
  • Present the location
  • Present each of the four events
  • Add information for each topic as you want to.
  • Invite questions but keep it to the event / topic.

4 – Review

  • Invite questions.
  • Summarise the topic, the four events, the location and the major figure
  • Revise the statement
  • Revise the previous eras in about 5 -10 seconds each (name, statement, 4 events)
  • Encourage further reading / study using resources from the site or other links (there is a list of links and test cards on the main 12 Steps page https://biblestudy.org.nz/12-steps-to-understanding-the-bible/

 

Tips / Suggestions

  • DO NOT LOOK AHEAD – this is an unfolding revelation and we don’t want to confuse people, who may not have our understanding of the bible, with facts that raise questions outside of the scope of what we have covered. We learn a little and use it a lot.
  • Avoid theology. This is an overview whose goal is understanding of how the Bible hangs together historically through the pages – not a seminary class. We can always revisit pictures and theologies running through the Bible at a later date. This study is understanding the Biblical story through time. Our revisit will be stronger if we have this foundation laid.
  • Review the goals / objectives and aims and see if your lesson plan meets those
  • Don’t be afraid to finish early. The goals can be met in a shorter time. Better to have a short lesson than add confusion. Learn a little – use it a lot.
  • Questions are raised – feel free to review those questions at the end as part of the discussion. For example if one was raised on how present God is in each part of the Bible. Asking how present He was in this part is a good part of the after study discussion as it revisits the information we have learned.
  • Remember: We are all at different levels of learning and understanding. Sometimes even long term Christians have no concept of how the Bible hangs together over time. At the end of this we want all participants to be on a level playing field of understanding – both new Christians and older Christians. Stick to the goals and we will achieve this.
  • The overview can be summarised as the history of creation, the history of Abraham’s children, the history of Jesus, the history of the early church. If we stick to this we will have a stronger learning outcome.