Jesus—the Son of God

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Middle School

Lesson 8
Summer 2020
By: Frieda Nossaman
July 26, 2020

Lesson Focus:

Jesus is the Son of God.

Bible Basis:

Matthew 17:1-12; 2 Peter 1:16-18

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Internet access

Step 4:

Whiteboard and marker
Paper
Pens/pencils
Internet connection

Summary & Links:

Students will explore the truth of Jesus’ divinity as they discuss who people say Jesus is.

Memory Verse:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
—John 14:6

Students will explore the truth of Jesus’ divinity as they discuss who people say Jesus is.

Materials Needed:

Internet access

Begin class by asking your students the question, “Who is Jesus?” Don’t correct anyone’s statements, but allow as many students to share as possible. Most of your students will say similar things about who Jesus is.

Many people in the world have opinions about Jesus. Most people believe He existed as a man, but may not believe more than that about Him.

Watch the following video and use it as a springboard for discussion about today’s focus [1:43]:
Who Is Jesus? (NY Street Interviews)

Discuss:

What are your thoughts about how these people responded to the question Who is Jesus? (Answers will vary, but some may have felt frustrated by some people’s answers. Others may have been surprised at how many people seemed to grasp the truth about Jesus.)
Why is it important to ask this question and to understand its answer? (Invite discussion.)
Would your friends and community members answer this question in similar ways? Explain. (Answers will vary. Invite discussion. Each person in your group will have different people around them, some may have faith in God and others may not. Let students know that it is okay to ask people what they think, but that we should look to God’s Word for our answers.)

Today’s lesson has to do with learning more about how we can know Jesus is the Son of God. Aren’t you thankful that we aren’t leaving this big question, “Who is Jesus?” up to chance! Let’s learn more about who Jesus is by looking at facts about Him and claims His Father made on His behalf.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

Whiteboard and marker
Paper
Pens/pencils
Internet connection

Before this step, write the following question on the whiteboard: “Why do you live/act/strive/work/play/love the way you do?” If you are using this online, write the same question on a document and share your screen. Ask students to have paper and pens or pencils available at home. In person, hand out paper and pencils or pens and invite students to write one answer to this question choosing the verb they think best fits them and their personal answer.

After a few minutes, invite volunteers to share what they wrote down. Make a mental note to yourself regarding the number of students who mention Jesus Christ as their answer.

We all work hard to live our lives. That can mean being loving or being cruel. Sometimes our circumstances and the people we surround ourselves with affect the outcome of how we live, act, strive, work, play, and love others and ourselves.

If a large number of students mentioned that Jesus Christ has something to do with how they live their lives, note that now. Simply state, “Who” we believe in, affects how we live!

Show the following video about NFL quarterback Nick Foles. Invite students to contemplate: How does one do life in the midst of struggle?

Length of video: [2:02]
Nick Foles Shares About Jesus During Jaguars Press Conference

Discuss:

How has Nick Foles’s belief in who Jesus is affected him? (Answers will vary but might include: he has Someone he can lean on when times are tough; he has joy in the midst of an injury; his purpose is in Christ.)

The disciples in today’s lesson had the privilege of hearing God’s voice proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God. Many in the world will refute this claim as we saw in the video we watched at the beginning of our time together. Ask students to look at the verb they wrote on their paper earlier. Encourage your middle schoolers to take a few minutes to think and write about how Jesus being who He says He is affects their own lives. If it doesn’t appear to make much difference, have them record how it should affect them. Examples might be: representing Jesus to their friends, praying with people in the moment rather than just telling them you will pray for them later, looking for opportunities in everything they do to praise God—even if it is just a finger pointed to heaven like an athlete in a game. Encourage your students to find ways to incorporate several of the things they listed into their upcoming week.

Close in prayer thanking Jesus for helping us proclaim the truth of who He is: Jesus Christ the Son of God!

Take time during the week to text with your middle schoolers during the week. Check in on how they are doing praising God. Remind them that it’s never too late to get started praising God.

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David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Middle School