青少年教程 (门徒*第3课) | 你在想什么？

​编者按
这是一套在美国很受欢迎的教材，按年龄共分三部分：0-6岁学龄前儿童教程，6-12岁学龄儿童教程，和12岁以上青少年教程。我们将陆续翻译成中文，分享给大家。
这套教材里的每一篇，无论是教程还是各种活动，都独立成篇，没有先后顺序，大家可以按需要和负担选择使用。
*更多内容：thedoorofsheep.com/青少年 

课程目的

• 向学生介绍门徒拿但业

• 帮助学生了解圣经对合神心意的思想有何教导

• 给学生一个机会，以实际而有意义的方式，努力培养更合神心意的思想习惯

主题

使徒、门徒、跟随耶稣、习惯

背诵经文

歌罗西书 3:2

开始祷告(5-10分钟)

团队建立(5分钟)

绕圈解冻（游戏）

这个游戏基本上与冻人游戏相似，需要一块可以跑动的空间。先选一个人作“冻结者”。当“冻结者”碰到某个人时，那个人就会被冻住，必须站着不动，直到一位没有被冻住的人绕着他完整跑一圈。被解冻之后，他就可以重新加入游戏。“冻结者”的目标是把所有人都冻住。最后一个被冻住的人可以成为下一轮的“冻结者”。

开始(5分钟)

一般讨论:

• 谁能说出全部十二门徒的名字？

• 你是否遇见过一个认识你、而你却不认识他的人？当时的情形怎样？

我们一直在学习耶稣的门徒。在今天的故事中，我们会认识一位耶稣早已知道的门徒，而且知道得相当深入。

深入学习(20分钟)

读 约翰福音 1:43-46

这里是拿但业第一次出场。他几乎可以确定就是其他地方所称的巴多罗买。几周前，我们学习腓力时读过这段经文。拿但业听见福音的方式与大多数人一样，是从别人口中听见的。但这次相遇很有意思。

拿但业的反应

讨论问题:

1. 拿但业听见福音消息时，最初的反应是什么？（怀疑。）

他无法相信，像弥赛亚这样有价值的人物，竟会来自拿撒勒。这种想法有几个可能的原因：

• 拿但业来自迦拿，耶稣来自拿撒勒

• 拿撒勒很可能被视为一个不体面的地方

• 在当时，相距十英里不像今天这么方便。你能想象步行或骑驴走十英里吗？

不过，我们也不要因为拿但业带着判断就对他太过苛刻。拿但业听见耶稣来自拿撒勒时所作出的反应，可能很像我们看见神使用一个出乎意料的人，在我们的生命中成就祂旨意时的反应。

• “一个无家可归的人懂得怎样讲道吗？”

• “一个非基督徒能教导我认识耶稣什么呢？”

• “像我这样没有任何突出恩赐的人，神能使用我做什么呢？”

神常常会在我们意想不到的人和处境中工作。有时，问题在于我们怎样看待别人；另一些时候，则是我们对自己的看法，拦阻我们看见神更大的计划。

读 约翰福音 1:47-51

耶稣迎接拿但业的方式很有意思。祂没有正式问候，甚至也没有说“来跟从我”。耶稣与拿但业建立关系的第一步，是告诉他关于他自己的一件事。

讨论问题:

1. 耶稣为什么会用这种方式介绍自己？

2. 假如你是拿但业，你会有什么感受？

耶稣可能是想从一开始就让拿但业知道，祂不是拿撒勒来的某个普通人，而是一位必须认真看待的人。祂不但能看透拿但业，甚至知道自己不在现场时，拿但业做过什么。从这段经文的上下文来看，我们可以推断，当时耶稣本人并不在场。

耶稣把拿但业的思想完全显明出来。我们永远不会知道拿但业在无花果树下究竟做了什么，或想了些什么。有些人认为，犹太拉比习惯坐在葡萄树、无花果树或橄榄树下研读律法。我们所知道的是，拿但业也清楚知道，耶稣知道他心里所想的一切。而在他里面，耶稣没有发现虚假。

3. 假如我们内心的思想完全显露出来，耶稣会怎样评价我们？

4. 假如耶稣直接指出你的思想，祂会对你说什么？请说明。

联系实际（25分钟）

读 诗篇 94:11

讨论问题:

1. 我们的思想和行为，哪一个更重要？请说明。

2. 神是否能够同时听见并明白每一个人的所有思想？

3. 这会怎样改变你对认罪的看法？又会怎样影响你是否愿意在神面前诚实？

读马太福音 22:37

讨论问题:

1. 我们个人的思想生活对神有多重要？

2. 回头看看这段经文，耶稣当时在回答什么问题？（哪一条诫命是最大的？）

3. 你怎样尽意爱神？

读 罗马书 8:5-7

保罗指出，我们的思想总是在朝着某一个方向倾斜，不是受罪性支配，就是受圣灵支配。第6节指出，我们的思想不是给我们带来生命和平安，就是把我们带向毁灭！

圣经非常清楚地说明，把我们的思想交给神是何等重要。我们常常从参加教会活动、每天的行为和每日读经来衡量自己对神的服事，这些当然都很重要。然而，我们的思想是决定、行为和委身产生的地方。我们的思想必须纯洁！

请想一想，你一生中曾犯过的某项罪。大多数时候，我们的罪都植根于一些在心中停留已久的思想。事实上，我们每一个人心里都有一些不值得骄傲的思想。我们应该怎样处理呢？以下是四种回应。

1. 承认

读 以赛亚书 55:8和诗篇 94:11（再次阅读）

我们必须承认并明白，我们的思想并不是神的思想。我们是有罪的人，不能认为自己心里所想的一些事情没有问题。我们也必须记得，神知道我们所有的思想。没有任何事能向祂隐藏。

有人曾说，品格就是没有人看见时你所做的事。但事实是，始终有人在看。当我们意识到，对别人或关于别人的不洁思想会使神忧伤时，就应当更靠着圣灵管理自己的思想生活。

2. 阅读

读 希伯来书 4:12

圣经是我们属灵道路上极其重要的指引！如果我们不让神的话充满思想，又怎能期望自己的心思常常专注于神呢？神的话是活泼的。当我们的思想错误时，祂的话会使我们知罪。

3. 祷告

读 诗篇 26:2

神已经知道你的思想，但如果你真心希望在祂里面保持思想纯洁，就应当求祂在你产生不合宜的思想时使你知罪。如果你求神洁净你的思想，并认真除去其中不洁净的事，我相信祂一定会帮助你。

4. 专注

读 腓立比书 4:8和歌罗西书 3:2

如果你想成为一名优秀的足球运动员，教练会告诉你，你必须让足球充满你的生活。你需要踢足球、为足球训练、在电视上观看足球、去现场看比赛、抱着足球睡觉，并在墙上贴满足球海报。同样，如果我们真心想作认真的基督徒，就必须让神的事充满我们的生命！我们的思想必须时刻专注于属灵的事。

请花一点时间思考以下这些不容易回答的问题：

• 你的思想里充满了什么？

• 假如耶稣明天在学校或其他地方走到你面前，祂会怎样评价你的思想生活？

• 祂能否对你说：“你是一个真实的基督徒，在你里面我找不到虚假”？

读 歌罗西书 3:2

今晚，我给你们的挑战是认真察看自己的生命，看看是否有哪些方面使你难以保持思想纯洁。假如你发现了一些已经存在或可能出现问题的地方，就把歌罗西书 3:2打印出来，贴在与那个问题有关的物品上。每当你使用那样东西时，都要让进入你思想的内容先经过歌罗西书 3:2的过滤。

备选-活动（5分钟）

思想卡片（PDF）

上课前，把思想卡片打印在中等厚度的卡纸上，并将每张卡片剪下来。上课时，邀请学生拿一张或多张卡片，放在他们需要被提醒、要思想荣耀神之事的地方，例如电视机、电脑等。每张卡片上都印有歌罗西书 3:2和一幅大脑的图片。

结束祷告(2分钟)

请学生两人一组，彼此分享准备把思想卡片放在哪里，并互相代祷。

****** 英文版 *******

The Disciples

Lesson 3: What Are You Thinking?

LESSON OBJECTIVES

Goals

1. To introduce students to the disciple, Nathanael

2. To educate students on what the Bible says about Godly thinking

3. To give students an opportunity to strive for more Godly mental habits in a practical, worthwhile way

Topics

Apostles, Disciple, Following Jesus, Habits

Scripture Memorization

Colossians 3:2

OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes)

GROUP BUILDING (15 minutes)

All Around Frozen (Game)

This game is basically like freeze tag, and will require some running around space. Start by selecting someone to be the first "Freezer". When the "Freezer" tags someone, he or she becomes frozen, and must remain still until someone who is not frozen runs a full lap around the frozen person. Once free, he or she is allowed to re-enter the game. The object is for the "Freezer" to try to get everyone frozen. The last person frozen can become the next "Freezer".

GETTING STARTED (5 minutes)

General Discussion:

• Who can name all twelve of the disciples?

• Have you ever met someone who knew you, but you didn't know them? How did that go?

We have been talking about the disciples. In today's story, we hear about a disciple who Jesus knew, well, kind of.

DIGGING IN (20 minutes)

Read John 1:43-46

Here we have our introduction to Nathanael. He is most certainly the same disciple who is elsewhere named Bartholomew. We read this passage a few weeks ago in our study of Philip. Nathanael hears the gospel in the same way that most do, by word of mouth. But this encounter is interesting.

Nathanael’s Reaction

Discussion Questions:

1. What is Nathanael’s first reaction to news of the gospel?  (Doubt) 

He can’t believe that anything worthwhile like the Messiah would come out of Nazareth. This is true for several reasons:

• Nathanael from Cana, Jesus from Nazareth 

• Likely, Nazareth was considered the wrong side of the tracks

• Living 10 miles apart in those days was not as simple as it is today. Can you imagine ten miles on foot or donkey? 

But let’s not be so hard on Nathanael for being judgmental. Nathanael’s reaction to Jesus’ hometown might be similar to the response that we would give when God uses someone unexpected to do His Will in OUR lives.

• What does a homeless person know about preaching?”

• What can a non-Christian teach me about Jesus?”

• What can God do with someone like me who doesn’t have any flashy gifts?”

Often God uses people in situations that we would not expect. Sometimes, our view of other people is a concern. While other times, our own view of ourselves hinders us from seeing God’s bigger plan.  

Read John 1:47-51

It is interesting how Jesus greets Nathanael. There is no formal greeting, or even a “come and follow me.”  Jesus begins His relationship with Nathanael by telling him something about him. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What would prompt Jesus to introduce Himself this way?

2. How would you have felt if you were Nathanael?

Jesus possibly wanted to show Nathanael from the beginning that He was someone serious, not just some chum from Nazareth. Not only could He see right through Nathanael, He even knew Nathanael’s actions when he WASN’T there.  We can assume that Jesus wasn’t actually there in person from the context of the passage. 

Jesus laid Nathanael’s thoughts bare. We will never know what Nathanael was doing or thinking underneath the fig tree. Some suggest that it was a Jewish custom of rabbis to study the law under a vine, fig tree, or olive tree. What we do know, as did Nathanael, is that JESUS knew what he was thinking. In his case, Jesus found nothing false.

3. What would Jesus say of us if our inner thoughts were revealed? 

4. What would Jesus say to you if He confronted you with your thoughts? Explain.

MAKING IT REAL (25 minutes)

Read Psalm 94:11

Discussion Questions:

1. Which is more important, our thoughts or our actions? Explain.

2. Is God able to hear and understand ALL the thoughts of EVERYONE at the same time?

3. How does this change the way you view confessing sin? How about being honest with God?

Read Matthew 22:37

Discussion Questions:

1. How important is our personal thought-life to God?

2. Look back at the passage—what question is Jesus answering? (Which is the greatest commandment?)

3. How do you love God with all your mind?

Read Romans 8:5-7

Paul suggests that our minds are leaning one direction or another. Either they are controlled by sinful nature or the Spirit’s nature. Verse 6 suggests that our minds will either offer us peace and life, or they will destroy us!

The Bible is CLEAR about the importance to give God our minds. Often we think of our service to God in terms of our commitment to church activities, our daily actions, and our daily Bible reading (all are important). However, our minds are the seat of our decisions, actions, and commitments. Our minds must be pure!

Think about a sin that you have committed in your life. Most of the time, our sins are rooted in thoughts we have had for some time. The fact is, each of us has thoughts in our lives of which we are not proud. What are we to do about it? Here are four responses to that question.

1. RECOGNIZE IT

Read Isaiah 55:8, and Psalm 94:11 (again)

We need to recognize and understand that our thoughts are NOT the thoughts of God. We are sinful people, and we are NOT OK to think some of the things we do. We also must remember that God knows all of our thoughts. We can hide nothing from Him. 

A person once said that character is what you do when no one else is looking. The truth is, someone else is ALWAYS looking. When we recognize that impure thoughts about or toward others hurt God, we should be able to control our thought lives in a more Spirit-filled way. 

2. READ

Read Hebrews 4:12

The Bible serves as such an important guide in our Spiritual walk!  How do we expect to keep our minds on God if we aren’t filling our minds with His Word?  His Word is living, and it will convict us when our thoughts are wrong.

3.  PRAY

Read Psalm 26:2

God already knows your thoughts, but if you are serious about wanting to keep your mind pure in Him, ask Him to convict you of improper thoughts. If you are asking God to purify your mind and you are seeking to clean it out, I assure you He will help.

4.  FOCUS

Read Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2

If you want to be a great soccer player, your coach will tell you that you need to immerse yourself in soccer.  You need to play soccer, train for soccer, watch soccer on TV, attend soccer games, sleep with your ball, and have soccer posters on your walls. In much the same way, if we really want to be serious Christians, we have to immerse ourselves in the things of God! Our minds have to be focused on Spiritual things all the time.

Think for a minute on these tough questions:

• With what is your mind filled?

• If Jesus were to approach you at school or somewhere tomorrow, what would He say about your thought-life? 

• Could He say about you, “You are a true Christian, in whom I find nothing false”? 

Read Colossians 3:2

My challenge for you tonight is to look at your own life and see if there are any areas where you struggle to keep your thought-life pure. If there are some areas or even some potential areas, type out Colossians 3:2 and post it on that object. Whenever you use that thing, put what goes into your mind through the Colossians 3:2 filter.  

Optional Activity (5 minutes)

Brain Cards (PDF) Click here for NIV  Click here for KJV  

Before class, print several copies of the Brain Card sheets on medium card stock and cut out each card. During class, invite the students to take one or more cards, and put them somewhere that they need a reminder to have God-honoring thoughts. Maybe the television, computer, etc. Each card displays Colossians 3:2 and a picture of a brain.

CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)

Have your students pair up, share where they are going to put their Brain Cards, and pray for each other.