Jesus, Gospel, and Salvation: Whole-Story Synthesis

Teens (ages 13-17) · Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 5:1-12; Luke 15:1-32; Mark 15:33-39; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; Acts 2:36-41; Romans 6:1-11; Ephesians 2:1-10 · Standard ·35 minutes

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Objective: Students can locate the cycle theme within Creation, rebellion, promise, Jesus, church, and new creation.

Read: Selected passages from the cycle

Opening: Ask: What does the passage actually say before we explain what it means?

Say:

Jesus announces God’s kingdom, embodies its ethics, dies, rises, and becomes the centre of the gospel proclaimed by the church.
The gospel calls for a human response while salvation remains grounded in God’s grace and Christ’s completed work.
A responsible synthesis distinguishes direct textual claims from theological integration and framework conclusions.

Ask:

What can you point to directly in the passage?
How does the big idea arise from the evidence?
What would be an overstatement?
What response fits the passage?

Do: Complete the Gospel and Salvation Evidence Map activity.

Close: Pray using one truth from the passage and one faithful response.

Materials: Bible; Gospel and Salvation Evidence Map

Standard outline · 35 minutes

4 minConnect. Locate the lesson within the biblical storyline and activate prior knowledge.
4 minContext. Identify genre, setting, and immediate literary context before making claims.
9 minRead and observe. Read the principal passage and distinguish observation from explanation. Ask: What does the passage directly say or depict?
7 minDiscuss. Test the big idea against the passage and identify interpretive limits. Ask: How does the big idea arise from the passage or synthesis? What should we avoid claiming?
7 minActivity. Complete the primary evidence-based activity. Activity: Gospel and Salvation Evidence Map. Printable: T2-L25-P01-gospel-and-salvation-evidence-map.
4 minRespond. Name one faithful response and pray. Ask: What is one faithful response to this lesson?

Activity details

Gospel and Salvation Evidence Map · 10 min

Materials: Gospel and Salvation Evidence Map; Bible; Pens or pencils

Read the designated passages and record direct observations.
Place each observation or claim into the resource categories.
Discuss which conclusions require synthesis or inference.
Write one careful application that follows from the evidence.

Low-resource option: Draw the same categories on blank paper or complete the exercise verbally.

Closing

Memory verse: Genesis 1:26-31

Prayer: Thank God for what the passage reveals and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: Students can locate the cycle theme within Creation, rebellion, promise, Jesus, church, and new creation.