Digging Deeper #4

From the previous 3 Digging Deeper postings we now have:

* The selected text (Acts 1)

* 16 Content items

* An outline of 2 summarized text divisions

From these, we get to create a subject sentence and a lesson aim.

Subject sentence. Keeping it simple, a Subject Sentence is a complete sentence of 10 words or less whereby a reader/listener with moderate Bible knowledge will have a reasonable idea where in the Bible the text can be found. I usually mix the content summary divisions together in order to produce the subject sentence. In this example, for this text I wrote the following subject sentenct: Jesus gives last instructions and apostles choose Judas’ replacement.

So, why bother? This forces us to think critically about where we are studying in the Bible and to be succinct in our descriptions. If someone asks what the lesson is about, the answer can be short, sweet, and to the point.

The aim of the lesson. If you are teaching (even if it's just yourself), the aim of the lesson is that with which you want your students to walk away. Again, keeping it simple, the aim of the lesson is described by completing this phrase: Cause the student(s) to... I typically replace students with children because that's who I was typically teaching and, even if the students are older, we are all children of God. For this example, the aim of the lesson I have is: Cause the children to learn that Jesus’ disciples are always to rely on God’s power.

Again, why bother? It's important that we remain purposeful about whatever we do as we serve the Lord. This aim forces us to begin with the end in mind as we prepare to share with others, or simply take our Bible study to the next level. One quick note, though. It's okay to refine this aim after finishing up the next part of the process as we seek the Holy Spirit's teaching with regard to lessons, truths, and applications.

Next step is, you guessed it, lessons, truths, and applications.

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