Youth Vacation Bible School Session Plan Sheet
Date: 2013
Unit Title: Thrill Seekers: Embrace the Unexpected
Session 1 Title: Sharp Turn
Bible Passage: Acts 9:1-18
Coordination:
Central Bible Truth: When God is involved, we have every reason to embrace
change and no reason to be afraid.
Key Verse: For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love,
and sound judgment. 2 Timothy 1:7
Life Question: How do I respond to God’s call to make a sharp turn in my life?
Teaching Aim: Students will recognize changes that God might want to make in
them and will describe the differences that such changes would make in their lives.
Hook Learners' Attention
Stimulation: Send YouTube video of roller coaster ride to group. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8w8D6eX0yU
This ride begins with lots of sharp turns before everything goes downhill.
Life can be like that; are you experiencing any “sharp turns” in your life?
We’ll be studying about the sharp turn Saul of Tarsus had in his life and what we can
learn from him about facing ours. Come to Youth VBS Session 1 and let’s learn
together about how we can respond to God’s call to make the sharp turn in our lives.
Signs outside room – Roller Coaster Signs - Sharp Turns Ahead!
Jump-Start Learning
Motivation:
Optional: Create a visual of some of the major changes in the lives of Teenagers.
Which one is the scariest for you? You have 3 minutes.
- Introduction: Introduce Unit and Sessions 1-5 - Using Focal Wall
- Preparation: Brainstorm with youth “Everything YOU know about the life of Saul
of Tarsus who later became Paul the apostle; before and after his conversion.”
- Transition: Saul’s life took a sharp turn on the “Road to Damascus”.
Keep Learners Actively Involved
Examination:
Team 1- Changed – Acts 9:1-9; pg. 10
Why do you think Saul went to such lengths to hunt down Christians?
Act out, draw, or Interview – the conversion Saul; what happened?
Team 2- Commissioned – Acts 9:10-16; pg. 12
Why was going to Saul a task that called for bold obedience?
Act out, draw, or Interview –God’s visit with Ananias’; what happened?
Team 3- Empowered – Acts 9:17-18; pp. 14-15
What did Ananias call Saul that indicates that Ananias’ obedience was
more than just external?
Act out, draw, or Interview – Ananias’ visit with Saul; what happened?
Team Presentations and Group Discussions about biblical passage and truths discovered.
How did people in today’s Bible passage – such as persecuted Christians in
Damascus, Ananias, and Saul – respond to having to make sharp turns in their lives?
Why did Saul change so drastically?
Key Verse Activity – Puzzle made of verse words; activity involving learners in
understanding the key verse. Ask, “What does this verse say about how God has
EQUIPPED you to face the sharp turns in life?”
…So They Will Take It Home!
Application: Apply biblical Truths to Life
General – Brainstorm on tear sheet on wall:
- What are some changes that some teenagers need to make in their lives?
- What changes has God done in you that can be attributed only to His
miraculous power? How has God equipped you to face these changes?
Specific – Write on Post – it – Note:
- What change does God want to make in your life?
o …Right now?
o …This week in VBS?
Team ONE Assignment
Read in your Bible: Changed – Acts 9:1-9
Research: Student Book – pg. 10 – Unscramble “Element of Surprise”
Discover:
1. Why do you think Saul went to such lengths to hunt down
Christians?
2. Some people believe that it doesn’t matter what you believe, as
long as you’re sincere. How do you feel about that? Was it ok for
Saul to persecute Christians since he sincerely believed that he
was doing the right thing?
3. How does the miracle that God did in Saul’s life encourage you?
Do you have friends who are antagonistic towards Christianity?
Does it encourage you to witness to them?
4. Do you sometimes have doubts? What sharp turn might you need
to take?
Create: Act out, draw, or Interview – the conversion of Saul.
What happened?
Option: Role play a conversation with a friend who does not believe
in Jesus, and is antagonistic to Christianity. What might you say
to Him/Her?
Present: Your team has 15 minutes to prepare a 3 minute presentation
Research:
Christ comes to us (Acts 9:1-9)
Soon after the resurrection of Christ, the church experienced unprecedented growth.
Although Jewish leaders tried to suppress it, the good news spread quickly. Within about
two years, there were over 10 thousand disciples in Jerusalem.
After Stephen’s death, Jewish leaders prepared to do whatever was necessary to stop
this movement. In Jerusalem, a great persecution against the disciples arose. The chief
persecutor was a Pharisee named Saul (later known as Paul). With full authority from the
Jewish high priest, Saul arrested many followers of Jesus.
Team TWO Assignment
Read in your Bible: Commissioned – Acts 9:10 - 16
Research: Student Book – pg. 12 – Respond to the question in “A
New Reputation”.
Discover:
1. Why was going to Saul a task that called for bold obedience for
Ananias? What was Saul’s reputation that could have kept
Ananias from witnessing to Saul?
2. God could have healed Saul’s eyes without any help. Why do you
think he called on Ananias to go visit Saul?
3. Do you have a friend that has a reputation that might keep you
from sharing the gospel? What is God calling you to do that will
require bold obedience?
4. How is your reputation? What sharp turn might you need to take?
Create: Act out, draw, or Interview –God’s visit with Ananias’; what
happened?
Option: Role play a witness to a friend with whom it might be
difficult to share the gospel.
Present: Your team has 15 minutes to prepare a 3 minute presentation
Research: Christ commissions us (Acts 9:10-16)
One day in Damascus, a disciple named Ananias encountered Jesus through a vision. Jesus
told Ananias about the vision in which Saul had seen Ananias enable him to see again.
Ananias must have been shocked at the Lord’s words. He knew of Saul’s campaign against
the “saints”—those who follow Jesus. Ananias wasn’t refusing to do what the Lord
commanded: he simply could not understand why Jesus would want him to seek out Saul.
Jesus could have healed Saul’s blindness without help. But He chose to use Ananias in
the process, perhaps to build Ananias’ faith. With a word, the Lord told him to “Go!”
Team THREE Assignment
Read in your Bible: Empowered – Acts 9:17 - 18
Research: Student Book – pg. 14-15 – Select words in “Fully
Equipped” that describe Ananias’ obedience. Read the commentary
and answer the following questions:
Discover:
1. What did Ananias’ call Saul that indicates that Ananias’ obedience
was more than just external?
2. What did Ananias do, and what were the results?
3. Do you have a friend who is a new believer? How might you
encourage him/her?
4. Do you sometimes need encouragement? What sharp turn might
you need to take?
Create: Act out, draw, or Interview – Ananias’ visit with Saul; What
happened?
Option: Role play an encouraging conversation with a friend who is a
new believer.
Present: Your team has 15 minutes to prepare a 3 minute presentation
Research:
Christ empowers us (Acts 9:17-18)
Ananias went to Saul as he had been instructed. He greeted Saul as “brother.” Despite any
previous reservations, Ananias now acknowledged Saul as a fellow believer in Christ.
Ananias “placed his hands” on Saul and mentioned Saul’s encounter with Christ on the
road. Ananias explained that Jesus had sent him so that Saul could see again and be “filled
with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly, the first purpose was accomplished. Something like fish
“scales” fell from Saul’s eyes, and his vision was restored.
God saves us so that He can use us. He equips us to do His will. Ananias’ actions
demonstrated the truth of 2 Timothy 1:7, which would be written years later by the man he
just visited. Paul wrote: “God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness.” Ananias discovered,
as we can, that when we trust and obey God, He replaces fear with power so that we can
accomplish His plan.
Create a visual of
some of the
major changes in
the lives of
Teenagers.
You have 3 minutes.
Which one is the
scariest for you?
Everything
you’ve always
wanted to know
about the Apostle
Paul but were
afraid to ask…
What do YOU know about
Saul who became Paul?
What are
some changes
that teenagers
need to make
in their lives?
What change might you
need to take?
Do you feel Equipped?
For God
has not given
us a spirit
of fearfulness,
but one
of power,
love,
and sound judgment.
2 Timothy 1:7
Hey Youth,
Look at this video: It’s the scariest roller coaster ride ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8w8D6eX0yU
…Scary, HUH?
This ride begins with lots of sharp turns before everything goes downhill.
Life can take some pretty sharp turns at times!
Are you experiencing any “sharp turns” in your life right now?
In Session one of Youth Vacation Bible Study, we’ll be studying about the sharp turn Saul
of Tarsus made in his life, and what we can learn from him about facing ours.
Life can be a Roller Coaster Ride! Come to Youth VBS Session 1, and let’s learn together
about how we can respond to God’s call to take the sharp turn in our lives with him
Your Bible Study Leader
LIFE! Sharp Turns Ahead!
Hey Youth,
Look at this video: It’s the scariest roller coaster ride ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8w8D6eX0yU
…Scary, HUH?
This ride begins with lots of sharp turns before everything goes downhill.
Life can take some pretty sharp turns at times!
Are you experiencing any “sharp turns” in your life right now?
In Session one of Youth Vacation Bible Study, we’ll be studying about the sharp turn Saul
of Tarsus made in his life, and what we can learn from him about facing ours.
Life can be a Roller Coaster Ride! Come to Youth VBS Session 1, and let’s learn together
about how we can respond to God’s call to take the sharp turn in our lives with him
Your Bible Study Leader
LIFE! Sharp Turns Ahead!
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