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!

Thrill Seekers

Embrace the

unexpected

SHARP TURN

When God is involved,

we have every reason to

embrace change and no

reason to be afraid.

Sharp

Turns Ahead