ADVANCED LEVEL 2 – Lesson 9 for Teachers

LESSON 9: READ AND RESPOND

THEME: THE LOVE OF THE FATHER – PART 2

VERSE: Jeremiah 31:3: “The Lord appeared to him from far away.  I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

VOCABULARY: dating, effect, broke up, encounter, ex-girlfriend, connected 

STORY: There is a man. He is 38 years old. His name is John. When he was 30 years old, he met the love of his life.  He knew this was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. They were dating for two years. After two years dating, the man had an encounter with Jesus. The encounter was so strong that his life changed. He stopped going out and drinking alcohol and started going to church. This also had an effect on his relationship. His girlfriend did not believe in the Lord. John wanted nothing more than to show his girlfriend that she could have a much fuller life with a relationship with the Lord. Eventually, John and his girlfriend broke up. John never got over his girlfriend.  She would come back into his life at different points but they never stayed together. She didn’t want to let him go but she didn’t want to be with him if he was a Christian. This was really hard for John. He sought the Lord in it all but he still loved his ex-girlfriend. He stayed connected with the Lord but he still struggled every day. Every time his girlfriend came back he just fell back into wanting to be with her. But he still wanted to stay strong in his faith One day he was feeling really lonely thinking about his ex-girlfriend. He decided to spend time with the Lord worshipping the King and praying. He was at a low point when he felt arms wrap around him. He knew that the Lord was there and was showing him that no matter what happened, he had the love of the Lord on his side. From that day forward he got stronger and stronger and slowly was able to move on from his girlfriend. Jeremiah 31:3 says, “The Lord appeared to him from far away.  I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” 

STORY WITH QUESTIONS: There is a man. (Is there a man or woman?) He is 38 years old. (How old is he?) His name is John. (What is his name?) When he was 30 years old, he met the love of his life. (What happened when he was thirty?) He knew this was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. (How did he feel about her?) They were dating for two years. (How long were they dating?) After two years dating, the man had an encounter with Jesus. (What happened after two years?) The encounter was so strong that his life changed. (What happened?) He stopped going out and drinking alcohol and started going to church. (What did he start doing?) This also had an effect on his relationship. (What happened in his relationship)  His girlfriend did not believe in the Lord. John wanted nothing more than to show his girlfriend that she could have a much fuller life with a relationship with the Lord. (What did John want to show his girlfriend?)  Eventually, John and his girlfriend broke up. (What happened to their relationship?)  John never got over his girlfriend. (Did John get over his girlfriend?) She would come back into his life at different points but they never stayed together. (Did they stay together?) She didn’t want to let him go but she didn’t want to be with him if he was a Christian. (What was she doing?) This was really hard for John. He sought the Lord in it all but he still loved his ex-girlfriend. (Who did he seek in all this?) He stayed connected with the Lord but he still struggled every day. (What happened every day?) Every time his girlfriend came back he just fell back into wanting to be with her. But he still wanted to stay strong in his faith. (What was happening to John?)  One day he was feeling really lonely thinking about his ex-girlfriend. He decided to spend time with the Lord worshipping the King and praying. (What did he do?) He was at a low point when he felt arms wrap around him. (What did he feel?) He knew that the Lord was there and was showing him that no matter what happened, he had the love of the Lord on his side. (What was the Lord showing him?) From that day forward he got stronger and stronger and slowly was able to move on from his girlfriend. Jeremiah 31:3 says, “The Lord appeared to him from far away.  I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” (What can we learn from this verse?) 

ACTIVITIES:

  1. Review the vocabulary words. Listen to the Vocabulary File for pronunciation. Look up the meaning of any words you don’t know.
  2. Listen to Audio 1 as you read through the story.
  3. Listen to Audio 2 – Story with Questions as you read through the story and answer the questions.
  4. Discuss the following questions:
    • What does it mean to receive the Father’s love? 
    • What can help us out of difficult times?
    • What does this story show us about the Father’s love? 
    • Have you experienced the Father’s love? 
  5. End the class with prayer.