The Word of God is profoundly simple...and amazingly complex. Understandable to children…yet confounding to scholars. Only through the work of the Holy Spirit can our eyes be opened that we may “behold wondrous things” out of God’s law (Psalm 119:10).
Our brand new curriculum,
Open My Eyes, teaches 9
th-12
th grade students how to study the Bible. Students will learn careful observation tools and sound interpretative principles as it provides pointed application suggestions so the Word of God might be understood as the biblical authors intended, and practiced in everyday life.
Open My Eyes begins with lessons on the authority, clarity, necessity and sufficiency of the Bible and the need to study the Bible and understand God’s plan of redemption. Then, youth will gain an understanding of the different genres of biblical literature (poetry, parables, gospels, etc.) and the inductive Bible study process as they practice reading, observation, interpretation and application skills. The curriculum concludes with five lessons aimed at the heart of the students, with the challenge not to presume upon the patience of God, but to respond to Him in faith.
Instead of being taught the same old Bible stories and lessons, I am being taught how to determine the lesson my own.–Sanya, student
You can learn more by viewing the
Curriculum Scope & Sequence and the
Sample Lessons. The following resources will equip you to teach the youth in your church or home:
Classroom Kit
The Classroom Kit contains everything your class needs to start this curriculum. The main resource, the Teacher’s Guide, contains 40 lessons which alternate between a large group teaching time and small group discovery and discussion. Each lesson features a focus statement that summarizes the main ideas of the lesson and serves as anchors for understanding how to study the Bible. Students are encouraged to follow through on a personal application step each week.
Open My Eyes is not intended to be an exhaustive study of inductive methods, but rather an introduction to them, with the prayer that it will start youth on a lifetime journey of Bible study. These skills can be practiced in any inductive Bible study.
Student In-Class Notebook
The notebook provides students with a format for recording important points taught in the lesson as well as an opportunity to practice inductive Bible study skills as they mark up passages, make observations of the text and interpret the meaning. Youth will fill out charts, map passages and make an outline to discern the flow of the author’s thoughts. This record of their interactions with the Word will not only serve as a reminder of truths and Bible study skill taught, but will also be a journal of insights imparted by the Holy Spirit.
Student At-Home Journal
Why do students need to study at home? Besides reinforcing important truths and skills learned in class, the Student At-Home Journal provides an opportunity for the student to practice inductive Bible study skills. Without this practice, the student will be hampered in his use of sound observation, interpretation and application skills. Hearing must become doing in order for these skills to take root.
More importantly, the journal provides the student with the opportunity and encouragement to personally interact with the Word of God and to ponder His relationship to God. It becomes a means for the Holy Spirit to work in the heart of the student as he thoughtfully responds to questions, meditates on the Word, and considers what God is asking of him.
The Inductive Bible Study Handbook
The Inductive Bible Study Handbook is a reference tool that teaches the 4 main steps of and tips for inductive Bible study. The steps include read, observe, interpret and apply.
Students will use the Handbook in conjunction with both the Student In-Class Notebook and the Student At-Home Journal. The Handbook can also be used as a stand alone resource.
Open My Eyes is a curriculum seeking to do just that – open the eyes of our youth to see the truths in God’s Word. Our children are confronted with a culture in which it is acceptable to define their own truth. And, accordingly, are influenced to interpret God’s Word in a way that seems right to them, rather than discerning the God-given meaning of the text. Open My Eyes equips them with tools, a methodology for proper interpretation, to rightly handle the Word of Truth. I am grateful that our church is reinforcing and strengthening skills that we seek to teach in our home.–Pamela, parent
Order a copy of
Open My Eyes today and start teaching your youth the important skill of studying the Bible!
Order online or by calling 877.400.1414.
