Bible Theme Resources
Exploring a theme for a few weeks, a term or even a year can be an interesting way of sharing key Bible stories, concepts or characters with your learning community.
At the classroom level, teachers may find choosing a theme for devotions for a term is a good way to choose Bible stories/passages and activities which help build a good understanding over the weeks.
For example, a theme like ‘Jesus is the Rock’ might offer good opportunities to explore the Bible stories and passages about rocks and stones, make the clear connection to Jesus as the rock of our salvation, and provide opportunities for creative responses (painting rocks, building a rock wall, creating a cairn on the altar, creating a labyrinth in the school yard) and learning songs related to the theme (Rock of Ages, I Come to the Rock).
At a whole school level, a theme such as the Fruits of the Spirit might be an interesting theme across a term, shaping devotions as well as weekly worship services.
A theme like this allows classes to enter into the topics at their own level, while building some common understandings, so that when you gather together for worship, everyone can engage with the content. A whole school focus on one fruit of the spirit each week could culminate in a great end-of-term worship time – maybe followed by a feast of fruit salad?
A theme across a semester or year should have a number of sub-themes to build up an overall message.
A theme like “Questions,” for instance, could be divided into four sub-questions, one for each term: Who is God? Why Jesus? Why the Church? Jesus Loves Me? Within each question there is a lot of scope for exploring various Biblical passages/stories.
One primary school had a great theme of ‘Guess Who?’, based on the board game, in which the first half of the year the characters from the Old Testament who pointed to Jesus were uncovered. In the second semester, the characters were from the life of Jesus, New Testament characters and later people of faith who knew Jesus and whose own actions pointed to him.
Implementing a theme
When selecting a theme, it can be helpful to consider the following:
- What are the current needs of your class/community? (Coming out of a rough time/period of great change and uncertainty – Jesus is my Rock, A Mighty Fortress, Our Unchanging God. Lots of new students/start of year – something fun with lots of opportunities for bonding – Fruit of the Spirit, Mission Possible)
- When will you run this theme? How does it relate to key events in the school calendar? In the church year? Are there significant events coming up which I can incorporate into this theme? (eg Heroes of the Faith in Term 4 – weave in Martin Luther for Reformation Day)
- How long will the theme last?
- Choose a key verse/passage to use as a focus (eg Galatians 5:22-23 for the Fruits of the Spirit)
- Select Bible passages/stories which will bring out different elements of the theme and allocate them across the weeks. For example each fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control paired with Bible stories showing that fruit in action/developing our understanding of it.
- Add in activities and music to flesh out your theme. Consider one or more songs for your group to learn across the span of the theme, which add to student understanding of the theme.
- How will you introduce the theme? Will you start with a worship service introducing the theme? If in a single classroom, how can you create some excitement about the theme?
- Make it visual. How can you add visual impact to the theme? Can you put up posters/set up a display/decorate the altar to reinforce the theme? Can you create some common PPT slides related to the theme which can be used in each worship service or in every class devotion time?
- Make sure you do a final check through the theme to make sure everyone knows what will happen when, how students will be involved, and most importantly, that all devotions/worship focuses on God’s Word and points to Jesus.
Theme Ideas
Themes are only limited by your imagination and their helpfulness in sharing the word of God. You may like to develop a theme based on your school values, or a theme on the name of the school eg Concordia, St John, St Peter, Redeemer. This might be especially helpful at the start of a new year.
Some common themes are listed below with links to relevant resources.
LEA Values
As central to their mission and ministry, Lutheran schools seek to nurture individuals, who are aware of their humanity, open to the influence of the Holy Spirit, and growing in and living according to a cohesive worldview …. while living in community and reflecting characteristics of God through core values. The resources below include a series of devotional resources which were prepared by David Schmidt to be used across campuses at Prince of Peace Lutheran College in Queensland. You can find the full collection at: http://www.lutheran.edu.au/elibrary/worship-and-devotions-2/staff-devotions/values-devotions/
LIFELONG QUALITIES FOR LEARNERS STATEMENT
Love (adore, worship, care for, devotion to, fidelity, kindness, peace, trust, resilience, happiness, have esteem for, honour …
For Christians, the expression of love is always a response to God’s love. It is a way of being that leads to inner peace. Love flows from the heart and manifests itself in caring, kind and respectful thoughts, words and actions. Key passages include: Psalm 136, John 15:12-13, John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 13, Ephesians 5:1- 2, 1 John 3:18, Philippians 2:12-13, Romans 12:9-11
CODE OF ETHICS statement
Love – In response to God’s love for us, we demonstrate the same kind of love for others
LEA Values Devotions
Psalm 136:1 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-1-week-4-love-1/
Matthew 22:37-39 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-1-week-5-love-2/
Other Devotions
Bible Story Resources
LIFELONG QUALITIES FOR LEARNERS STATEMENT
Justice (integrity, honesty, truthfulness, honour, veracity, uprightness, fairness …
Through genuine concern, and the developing of a conscience for the rights and wellbeing of everyone in the human family, justice focuses as much on understanding and responding to the reasons for suffering and injustices as it does on responding to unjust conditions. It requires integrity between beliefs, words, and actions. It may necessitate taking a stand and acting with courage. Key passages include: Isaiah 26:7-8, Romans 12, Matthew 5:7, Ephesians 2:1-5, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Job 8:3-7…
CODE OF ETHICS statement
Justice – Through genuine concern and through developing a conscience for the rights and well being of others, we act with fairness and consistency and respond to injustice with courage and integrity
LEA Values Devotions
Jeremiah 23:5–6 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-2-week-3-justice-1/
Matthew 5:7 (Sermon on the Mount) https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-2-week-4-justice-2/?wpdmdl=1678&ind=0
Bible Story and Theme Resources
LIFELONG QUALITIES FOR LEARNERS STATEMENT
Compassion (mercy, sympathy, empathy, concern, kindness, consideration, gentleness, care …
Having compassion is being loving and attending to people’s innermost needs. It is exercising the ability to reach out, to walk in another’s shoes, to be open and responsive to the needs and concerns of others and being active in caring for others. Key passages include: Philippians 2:1, Hosea 11:4, Matthew 5:44, John 15:17, Romans 12:9-13, Colossians 3:12-15 …
CODE OF ETHICS statement
Compassion – We are open and responsive to the needs and concerns of others, and exercise the ability to reach out and actively care for them
LEA Values Devotions
Matthew 20:29–34 Jesus heals the blind https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-2-week-9-compassion-1/
Bible Story Resources
LIFELONG QUALITIES FOR LEARNERS STATEMENT
Forgiveness (benevolence, grace, mercy, amnesty, excuse, pardon, understanding, kindness, absolve, acquit, reprieve …
Forgiveness is breaking the cycle of un-grace, pardoning the wrongs others have done to us and seeking pardon for the wrongs we have done to others. Forgiveness often comes with pain and can involve stepping over our hurt. Forgiveness releases both ourselves and others, enabling new starts and new beginnings, another chance. Key passages include: Matthew 18:21-22, Luke 17:3-4, Romans 4, Colossians 3:13, Matthew 5:7, Ephesians 4:32
CODE OF ETHICS statement
Forgiveness
We pardon the wrongs others have done to us, seek pardon for the wrongs we have done to others and in doing so, focus on making a new start
LEA Values Devotions
Matthew 18:21-22 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-1-week-6-forgiveness-1/
Colossians 3:13 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-1-week-7-forgiveness-2/
Bible Story Resources
LIFELONG QUALITIES FOR LEARNERS STATEMENT
Service (help, assistance, benefit, good turn, aid, support, good deed, charitable act, faithfulness …
There is a saying you can serve without loving, but you cannot love without serving. Service involves selfless giving, loving others and making a difference in their lives by identifying and responding to their needs, individually and collectively, and carrying out that service without expecting recognition or reward. Key passages include: Luke 12:35-37, Matthew 20:28, John 12:26, John 13:12-17 …
CODE OF ETHICS statement
Service – We give our love, time, energy, gifts in response to the needs of others and to make a difference in their lives without expecting recognition or reward.
LEA Values Devotions
Matthew 20:28 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-2-week-5-service-1/
John 12:25–26 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-2-week-6-service-2/
Bible Story Resources
LIFELONG QUALITIES FOR LEARNERS STATEMENT
Humility (humbleness, modesty, unassuming nature, meekness, gentleness …
Acting with humility involves recognising and valuing one’s own gifts/abilities and the gifts/abilities of others as being equally valid but of no lesser or greater importance. It is using those gifts/abilities in service to others with an attitude of selflessness. It is being thankful rather than boastful and willing to respect and learn from the experience of others. Key passages include: Proverbs 22:4, Matthew 5:5, Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 9:35, Philippians 2:3-4 …
CODE OF ETHICS statement
Humility – We recognise and value the gifts and abilities of others equally to our own and therefore respect and learn from their experience.
LEA Values Devotions
Matthew 5:5, Psalm 37:11 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-2-week-7-humility-1/
Mk 9:2-4, 35–37 (Transfiguration) https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-2-week-8-humility-2/
Bible Story Resources
LIFELONG QUALITIES FOR LEARNERS STATEMENT
Courage (valour, bravery, nerve, pluck, daring, fearlessness, fortitude, boldness, perseverance, intrepid …
Courage is the strength of heart that enables people to stand up for their convictions to do the right thing, even when it is hard or fearful. It involves being firm of spirit despite the ups and downs of life and it means ‘having a go’ even when success is uncertain. Key passages include: Psalm 112:8, Luke 21:19, Acts 20:24, Philippians 1:27-30, 2 Timothy 1:7 …
CODE OF ETHICS statement
Courage – We have the strength of heart and firmness of spirit to stand up for what is right and ‘have a go’ despite difficulties, uncertainty and setbacks.
LEA Values Devotions
Luke 21:19 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-2-week-1-courage-1/
Philippians 1:27-30 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-2-week-2-courage-2/
Other Devotions
Bible Story Resources
LIFELONG QUALITIES FOR LEARNERS STATEMENT
Hope (expectation, trust in, faith in, anticipation, look forward to, expect, desire, aspire, optimism)
Hope enables us to look forward with expectation and confidence, placing our trust and faith in God’s provision of the things we need to handle all kinds of situations and events that occur. Hope is open-ended, open to all possibilities and not limited by what we might wish for. Hope allows God to define our lives. Key passages include: Psalm 31:14-15, John 6:20, Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 3:11-12, Philippians 4:6-7 …
CODE OF ETHICS statement
Hope – We place our trust and faith in God’s provision of the things we need to handle all kinds of situations and events and look forward with trust and confidence.
LEA Values Devotions
Jesus walks on water https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-1-week-2-hope/
Philippians 4:6-7 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-1-week-3-hope/
Other Devotions
Bible Story Resources
LIFELONG QUALITIES FOR LEARNERS STATEMENT
Quality (value, worth, excellence, merit, effort, usefulness, of important …
People bring their gifts, abilities, skills and talents to fruition seeking excellence, striving always to do their best, giving careful attention to every task, every relationship, every interaction. They ensure that their input and efforts result in quality outcomes that, in turn, lead to the successful use of their gifts, abilities, skills and talents for the benefit of others. Key passages include: Psalm 148:1-14, Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 2 Peter 1:5-7,…
CODE OF ETHICS statement
Quality – In every task, every relationship, every interaction we strive always to use our gifts, abilities, skills and talents to bring out the best outcome.
LEA Values Devotions
Matthew 5:14-16 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-3-week-1-quality-1/
2 Peter 1:5-7 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-3-week-1-quality-2/
Other Devotions
Bible Story Resources
LIFELONG QUALITIES FOR LEARNERS STATEMENT
Appreciation (admiration, approval, enjoyment of, gratitude, thankfulness, value, recognition, respect, wonder and awe, comprehension …
Appreciation is recognising and valuing highly the gifts and blessings given to us and surrounding us. It is an attitude of gratitude for learning, loving and being. It is a positive attitude that responds in wonder and awe to, and with respect for, the created world – its fragility and its potential. Key passages include: Psalm 148, Habakkuk 2:20, Philippians 4:4-9, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, 1 Peter 2:17,…
CODE OF ETHICS statement
Appreciation – We recognise and value highly the gifts and blessing given to us and surrounding us.
LEA Values Devotions
Ps 148:1–6 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-1-week-8-appreciation-1/
Philippians 4:4-7 https://www.lutheran.edu.au/download/lea-values-term-1-week-9-appreciation-2/
Other Devotions
Bible Story Resources
Other Values
Devotions from Learning Communities
Bible Story Resources
God at work in the world
Mission Possible
Reflecting God’s Love
Live Learn Pray
What does it mean to be a Christian in 20__?
Bible Story Resources
Bible Story Resources
Devotions from Learning Communities
Bible Story Resources
Devotions from Learning Communities
Bible Story Resources
The Search Institute has identified 40 positive supports and strengths that young people need to succeed. Half of the assets focus on the relationships and opportunities they need in their families, schools, and communities (external assets). The remaining assets focus on the social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people (internal assets).
These developmental assets have been used widely in Lutheran schools, and there is a large collection of worship and devotional resources available to support them.
Resources
Bible Story Resources
Themes drawn from Bible Passages
The Parables
The Miracles of Jesus
The Beatitudes
The Body of Christ
A term of worship or devotions could be developed around the Fruit of the Spirit.
For example:
Week 1 – Introduction – Galatians 5:22-23
Week 2 Love – Jesus – see values above also 1 Corinthians 13, the Crucifixion, The Prodigal Son
Week 3 Joy – Hannah (1Samuel 2:1-10), Mary Visits Elizabeth, Birth of Jesus, The Resurrection, John 16:16-28,
Week 4 Peace – Abigail (1 Samuel 25), The Birth of Jesus, Baby Jesus is Brought to the Temple, The Beatitudes,
Week 5 Forbearance/patience – Abraham and Sarah, Job, James 5:7-11, Romans 5:3-5
Week 6 Kindness – The Good Samaritan
Week 7 Goodness – Creation, Josiah (2 Kings 22 & 23), King Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29)
Week 8 Faithfulness – Ruth, Three Men in the Fiery Furnace, Daniel in the Lion’s Den
Week 9 Gentleness – Jesus Enters Jerusalem On a Donkey, Zechariah, 1 Thessalonians 2:7
Week 10 Self-control – Daniel in the Lion’s Den, Jesus is Tempted
Faith Foundations
Martin Luther wrote the Small Catechism as an introduction to the core elements of the faith. It includes explanations of the 10 Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and the Sacraments (Baptism and Holy Communion). Schools could use each of these sections as themes, extending across a whole year. It would be wise to connect each part to a different Bible story or passage.
Themes from Learning Communities
Why do Christians do that? Each week, we explored a common thing that Christians do that may seem confusing to someone new to the church, and explore the meaning and history of this practice (e.g. ‘Why do Christians put ash on their foreheads on Ash Wednesday? Why do Christians pray the Lord’s prayer? Why do Christians worship on Sundays?)
Big Questions
Resurrection – how does it impact life?
Resources
Grow Ministries Resource: Living the Catechism – GROW have designed this resource to help classrooms, small groups and families use the Luther’s Small Catechism to learn about the teachings of the Christian Faith. We have created simple-to-use sheets. Living the Catechism includes: The Ten Commandments (10 sheets), The Lord’s Prayer (9 sheets), The Apostles’ Creed (9 sheets)
The Biblical Narrative
“From page one to the final word, we believe the Bible is a unified story that leads to Jesus. ” The Bible Project
While we may know specific Bible stories, sometimes its hard to see the ‘the big picture’ – the full scope of the Bible narrative. Themes can help students understand the context, interconnections, and overall purpose of the scriptures.
Some theme ideas include:
- ‘The Story’ – how does the Bible point to Jesus?
- Heroes, Highlights, Hardship
- Key facts about this biblical character (e.g. Old or New Testament? Male or female? What are they famous for? What are their flaws?)
- What we can learn about God through this character
- Guess Who? Each week, we explore a different character of the Bible through the lens of the classic board game, Guess who? Each week, we aim to share:
- How this character’s life points to Jesus
- Story (God’s story, our story)
- Specific Books of the Bible (eg Genesis, Mark, Acts)
Resources
Grow Ministries Resource: Grow Disciples God’s Big Story – God loves us and offers grace and redemption to us every day. In this module, students and leaders share their life stories with one another in order to build a solid foundation of trust and friendship within their faith community. At the same time, students will learn about God’s ‘big story’, and start considering how it is connected to their lives and how their own story is part of God’s big story. The trajectory of creation, fall and redemption is the blueprint for this module.
God’s Big Story Sessions
- Telling Our Stories
- God’s Big Story: Creation
- God’s Big Story: Fall
- God’s Big Story: Redemption
God’s Big Story is one of five modules that can be used as an entire curriculum or as supplementary sessions to an existing confirmation course. The other modules are The Old Testament, The Story of Jesus, The New Testament, and Being Lutheran. There are 37 sessions in total.
GROW Ministries Woven Together – weekly devotional resources designed to ether draws us into God’s big narrative by beginning at Genesis and continuing all the way to Revelation in one year.
- We encounter a God who comes close to us, as he came close to the ordinary people in the Bible.
- We discover together that we are a lot like the people God has always loved and worked through.
- We see how the weaving of God’s story of love and redemption is woven through the lives of the people in the Bible, and we listen to the ways his story is also woven though our lives, in our families.
Woven Together is designed to be simple. A simple story to read. A prayer to say. A blessing to give.
Grow Ministries Resource: Books of the Bible Cards – A resource to learn about the books of the Bible.
- Who is the author?
- Who are the key characters?
- What are some of the key stories in each book?
Download, print, cut and laminate to make as many sets as you need. Game suggestions included.
Creative Themes
Worship Themes
Song Sleuths
Each week, we unpack the meaning of a different worship song, using the following questions as a guide:
- What questions do we have about this song? (I.e. Are there any lyrics that we do not understand?)
- What does this song teach us about God?
- How does this song connect to the Bible?
God of wow!
Each week, we explore something in our world or something about God that make us go, ‘Wow!’, using the following questions as a guide:
- How does this ‘Wow!’ focus point us to Jesus?
- What does this ‘Wow!’ focus show us about God’s power/creativity/heart/character?