An Explanation on How to Teach this Material

1. These lessons are intended to introduce the class to the central theme or Story of the New Testament and each of the books to be covered.  Your purpose is not to pick up on any doctrine in these lessons and develop that particular doctrine, but merely to introduce the central message of the book you are studying to the class.  Concentrate in the overall on the central theme or story of the book.  The class should come away with an understanding of what each of the books being studied is about.  For instance, Acts is about the spread of the Gospel as the Apostles and other apostolic Christians carried out the Great Commission of preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  Acts is not simply about the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, although this is an interesting and important ingredient in the Book of Acts.  So do not follow in detail the theme or doctrine of the working of the Holy Spirit, but focus on how the story of the Holy Spirit enriches or fits into the book of Acts.  Although the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is decidedly significant and vital to the New Testament and Christian faith, this is not the place to pursue this doctrine.
2. This is not a study in Christian doctrine.  A study of Christian Doctrine will be covered in another series of lessons.  This series of lessons is intended to acquaint the class with the central message of each book of the New Testament, and consequently the story if the New Testament as a whole.
3. We speak of the Story of the New Testament or of each book.  By this we mean the overall message, narrative, account, or purpose of the book to be covered.  “Story” emphasizes what it was that the writer wanted to tell his readers and what he wanted them to hear.  Story does not negate the inspiration or authority of the book; it emphasizes the message the writer intended.
   Think of that beautiful hymn “Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word…”
4. Each of these lessons is designed to be completed in one class period of either 30 minutes of 45 minutes.
5. If the class duration is 30 minutes be sure to start the class on time, even if class members are still arriving.
6. Where Scriptures are indicated, read them to the class, asking the class to follow in their own bible or translation.  You do not have the time to wait for the class to find the text and to read it to the class, and when some in the class read, they do so quietly with the result that some in the class do not hear.  So, teacher, you read the text and encourage the class to read along with you or read the text at home!
7. Do not spend time on materials not include in the lesson outline.  You will be tempted to “chase” some doctrinal development!  Resist this and stay with the material in the lesson.  If you “chase” a particular doctrine and develop it you may not complete the lesson in the one class period you have at your disposal.
8. The lessons are designed to build on one another.  If you deviate too much from the lesson to which you have been assigned you will lose the story line!
9. It will be natural for the class to lead you into a discussion of several of the major themes in these great texts, and you may of your own initiative be tempted to do the same.  Resist this temptation! Although there are many interesting and challenging doctrinal issues to spend time on, the purpose of this series of lessons is to introduce the class to the overall story of the book such as Acts and to give them an understanding of why this book was written, and what its major themes are.
10. Therefore, keep before you and the class the central theme of the book and focus on how the writer developed the story or message.
11. Look carefully at the Scriptures listed as important for each book and comment briefly on these and how they develop the story of the book.
12. Do not spend too much time on the individual details of each of the books included in the lesson.  You do not have enough time for doctrinal details!  Merely survey the book briefly, concentrating on its central story.
13. Later in another series of lessons we will concentrate on major New Testament doctrines.