The following is a lesson structure that allows your family to have “Family Sunday School” together. Parents, we know this may be a touch intimidating, but it’s worth it. The following lesson plan should make it relatively easy to facilitate Family Sunday School as a group in thirty minutes or less.
Preparatory Resources
- 3/3’s Method for Family Worship – Canon Matt Schneider has provided this format to use as the structure for Family Sunday School. The first page provides some principles; the second page is the actual lesson. Obviously, you can pick and choose the elements you would like to use.
- Teaching on the 3/3’s Method for Family Worship – Canon Schneider taught two classes on family worship and the 3/3’s Method in our Faith and Family class in February. You can access these resources at the following links:
Class #1 – February 9
Class #2 – February 16
As you go through Family Sunday School, refer to the 3/3’s Method PDF. Below, we include helpful resources to supplement the method, such as music for the praise section and a video to introduce the Bible passage and series.
Step #1: Look Back
Refer to the recommended practices in “Step #1 – Look Back” in the linked PDF above. In addition to prayer and sharing, this section includes option to sing songs, among others. Sometimes it can be awkward to sing a capella. Linked below are two familiar songs to Advent families with audio and lyrics on the video. Play it loud! It makes it less awkward to sing out!
Song #1 – Holy, Holy, Holy (Lord God Almighty)
Song #2 – How Great Thou Art
If you have younger children, here are some songs we sing in children’s chapel. We also have a playlist on Spotify with favorites from children’s chapel.
Song #1 – Ask Me Whooo: Questions 4-5
Song #2 – God Made Me
Song #3 – The Lord’s Prayer
Step #2: Look Up
We’re currently working through a series, “Trusting God in Scary Times.” Each Bible passage we study will relate to one key attribute of God that enables us to trust him in times of fear: His goodness, sovereignty, and favor. For Family Sunday School, we want you, as a group, to read and analyze the passage.
Over the next several weeks, we will go through a series, “Trusting God in Scary Times.” Each Bible passage will relate to one key attribute of God that enables us to trust him in times of fear. For Family Sunday School, we want you, as a group, to read and analyze the passage.
Today’s passage, Psalm 40:1-10, talks about God as a rescuer. Watch this short video introduction:
Now read the passage:
Psalm 40:1-10
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.
6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Use the questions below to dig into the content and use the questions in Step #2 – Look Up of the 3/3 handout for personal application.
Discussion questions:
V1 – How did God respond to the speaker’s prayer?
V2 – Out of what did God draw him? How can you relate our present crisis to this place? Where did God put him after raising him up?
V3 – How did the speaker respond to God’s deliverance?
V4 – What makes a person blessed (happy)?
V8- How has God’s rescue of the speaker affected his feelings toward the Lord?
V9-10 – What has the speaker done with his story of God’s deliverance? Do you think we may have stories of deliverance to tell from this crisis? How is the sharing of the gospel like this man sharing of his deliverance?
Step #3 — Look Ahead
You can finish up the lesson with the content on Step #3 — Look Ahead — of the 3/3’s Method PDF.