Just for Teachers

Welcome to The Bridge

The Bridge is designed to help junior high students build a biblical foundation while engaging with topics that matter in their everyday lives. Students will move through different topics and series that help them understand The Bible, develop godly character, and apply biblical truth to real-life situations. We’ve designed this with a Sunday school youth class or mid-week youth group in mind.

Our goal is simple: help students know Jesus, understand the Bible, and confidently follow Him in today’s world. We want to make full-circle pursuers of Jesus.

Quarterly Rhythm for Year 1

Each quarter follows a consistent structure that balances Bible study, character development, practical life topics, and wisdom for everyday living.

Quarter Structure

  1. Mark 
  2. Mark
  3. Mark 
  4. Hot Topic
  5. Character Study (OT)
  6. Mark 
  7. Mark
  8. Hot Topic
  9. Character Study (NT)
  10. Mark 
  11. Mark
  12. Mark
  13. Wisdom 

Why This Structure?

This rhythm helps students experience the Bible from multiple angles throughout the quarter:

  • Mark helps students know Jesus.
  • Character Studies help students learn from real people in Scripture.
  • Hot Topics help students connect biblical truth to everyday life.
  • Proverbs helps students develop practical wisdom for daily decisions.

We mix it up througout the quarter to keep each week interesting and fresh for students.

Weekly Lesson Flow

Every lesson follows the same basic structure. This consistency helps students know what to expect and allows leaders to focus on discussion and discipleship.

1. Snapshot (6–8 Minutes)

Start each lesson by watching the lesson video together.

The Snapshot provides a big-picture overview of the lesson and introduces the main biblical truth students will explore.

Teacher Tips

  • Videos can be found directly embedded in the topic online, or at the Bridge Youtube Channel. Take a look at the Year 1, 2 and 3 playlists for all the videos you’ll need.

2. Icebreaker (5–10 Minutes)

After the video, lead the group through the provided activity or discussion starter.

The purpose of the Icebreaker is to:

  • Build relationships
  • Get students talking and comfortable
  • Create a natural bridge into the lesson topic

Teacher Tips

  • Use this time for students to introduce themselves with their name, grade, etc.
  • Feel free to change up the ice breaker or examples if they aren’t relevant to your student’s age group/life.

3. Highlights (10 Minutes)

Next, read through the lesson’s key talking points and Scripture passages together. We encourage you to have students take turn reading them. This keeps them engaged and involved.

This section reinforces the lesson’s main ideas and helps students engage directly with God’s Word.

Teacher Tips

  • Encourage students to use their own Bibles whenever possible.

Goal

Students should leave this section understanding the lesson’s primary biblical truth and where it is found in Scripture.

4. Unpack (20–25 Minutes)

This is the most important part of the lesson.

Use the discussion questions to help students process what they learned and apply it personally. You as the teacher should ask the questions and encourage students to participate. Feel free to be involved in answering the questions yourself.

Teacher Tips

  • Ask one question at a time.
  • Feel free to change up questions or ask your own as you get to know your classroom better.
  • Give students time to think before answering.
  • Ask follow-up questions that help students go deeper.
  • Encourage students to interact with one another, not just the leader.

Helpful Follow-Up Questions

  • Why do you think that?
  • What stands out to you about that?
  • Have you ever experienced something similar?
  • What does this teach us about God?
  • How should this affect the way we live?

Creating a Healthy Discussion Environment

  • Listen carefully.
  • Appreciate every student’s contribution.
  • Redirect conversations gently when necessary.
  • Avoid turning discussion time into a lecture.
  • Keep bringing students back to Scripture.

Goal

Students should leave with a clearer understanding of God’s Word and one practical way they can respond to it.

Leader Expectations

You do not need to be a Bible expert to lead students effectively.

Your role is to:

  • Create a welcoming environment.
  • Facilitate discussion.
  • Encourage participation.
  • Build meaningful relationships.
  • Point students back to Scripture.
  • Help students take practical next steps in their faith and make disciples.

Remember: discipleship happens best through consistent relationships, meaningful conversations, and faithful engagement with God’s Word.

Final Encouragement

Students are looking for authentic adults who care about them and point them toward Jesus.

Don’t worry about having all the answers. Be present. Ask good questions. Listen well. Trust God’s Word and His Spirit to do the work.

Your faithfulness week after week can have an eternal impact.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15b

Lessons in Quarter 1

  1. What’s the Book of Mark All About? (1:1)
  2. Who Was John the Baptist? (Mark 1:2-8)
  3. The Mission Begins (Mark 1:9-15)
  4. Grid Series: Born Again
  5. Grid Series: All In
  6. Grid Series: Going Out
  7. Bible Basics: Where Did We Get the Bible?
  8. Bible Basics: What is the Structure of the Bible?
  9. Bible Basics: What to do When the Bible Doesn’t Make Sense
  10. Bible Basics: What is the Story of the Old Testament?
  11. Bible Basics: What is the Story of the New Testament?
  12. Dangers of Labeling Others
  13. Christmas Lesson*

*Insert where necessary in the quarter.

Snapshot (6-8 min)

Get started by watching the lesson video as a group. In this lesson, we’re looking at four practical ways to build a strong foundation for the school year: choose good friends, be a great friend, be a good student, and put God first. These habits won’t make life perfect, but they’ll help you stand strong when life gets busy and challenging. When Jesus is at the center of your life, you won’t just survive this school year—you can make a real difference in the lives of the people around you.

Icebreaker (5-10 min)

This or That (School Edition): Have everyone stand up. Designate one side of the room as Option A and the other as Option B. Read each pair (questions) below one at a time, and have students move to the side that best matches their answer.

  • Early bird or night owl?
  • Math or English?
  • PE or Art?
  • Homework first or procrastinate?
  • School lunch or packed lunch?
  • Paper planner or phone calendar?
  • Sit in the front or the back?

Transition: Those were fun questions, but here’s the one that really matters: Who do you want to become this year? Let’s look at four habits that can help you build your life on the right foundation.

Highlights (10 min)

Take turns reading the talking points and Scripture passages aloud. These points help summarize the lesson and give students key takeaways for the day. Have students read the talking points and verses.

  • The people you spend the most time with will influence who you become, so choose friends who help you grow closer to Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:33
  • Being a great friend means encouraging others, refusing gossip, and using your words to build people up instead of tearing them down. Ephesians 4:29
  • Working hard in school is one way to honor God because everything we do can be an act of worship when we do it for Him. Colossians 3:23
  • Staying connected to Jesus through prayer, reading the Bible, church, and Christian friends gives you the strength to face everyday challenges. John 15:5, Hebrews 10:25
  • Putting God first doesn’t just change your Sundays—it changes how you live every day at school, at home, and with your friends.

Unpack (25 min)

Read through the questions one at a time and discuss them as a group. Encourage everyone to participate, listen well, and share honestly. This is an opportunity to learn from God’s Word and from one another.

  1. What part of today’s lesson stood out to you the most? Why?
  2. Which of these four tips do you think is the hardest to live out during the school year? Why?
  3. Read 1 Corinthians 15:33. How have your friends influenced your decisions and the person you are today—for better or worse? Share some examples.
  4. What are some good qualities to look for in a friend?
  5. Have you ever been hurt by gossip or rumors? How did it affect you?
  6. Read Ephesians 4:29. What are some phrases that build people up?
  7. What are some ways you can be good student and show respect to your teacher?
  8. What usually distracts you from putting God first during the week? What are you going to do to change that? *Leaders feel free to help them brainstorm ideas
  9. If your classmates only knew you by your actions, would they guess you’re a follower of Jesus? Why or why not?