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. Mark: The Action Gospel
  2. Mark: The Strangest Influencer
  3. Mark: The Mission Begins
  4. Hot Topic: Back to School Tips
  5. Originals: Noah
  6. Mark: The Upside Down Kingdom
  7. Mark: The Final Word
  8. Hot Topic: Can I Trust the Bible?
  9. The Sequels: Timothy
  10. Mark: Jesus’ Busy Life
  11. Mark: The Ultimate Outcast
  12. Mark: Rulebook vs Relationship
  13. Wisdom: Fear of the Lord

*Insert where necessary in the quarter.

Snapshot (6-10 min)

Get started by watching the lesson video as a group. In this lesson, we see how Jesus meets us in the middle of life’s storms and reminds us who he really is. As the disciples struggle against the wind and waves, Jesus reveals his power and tells them not to be afraid because he is with them. Peter’s experience shows how quickly fear can take over when we lose focus on Jesus. The big reminder is that no matter what we’re facing, we can trust Jesus and keep our attention on him.

Icebreaker (5-10 min)

Focus Challenge: Choose one student to stand at the front of the room and complete a challenge, such as balancing a book on their hand while standing on one foot for 15 seconds.

For the first round, everyone stays completely quiet while the student completes the challenge.

For the second round, have everyone else try to distract them without touching them. Students can make noises, ask random questions, wave their hands, or say funny things.

Afterward, ask:

Which round was easier? Why?

Transition: Peter experienced something similar when he walked on the water. While his attention was on Jesus, he kept going. But when he became focused on the wind and waves around him, fear took over and he began to sink.

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 disciples were scared and overwhelmed, even though Jesus knew exactly where they were. When life feels out of control, Jesus hasn’t forgotten about you. Mark 6:48.
  • Jesus told the disciples, “Take courage! I am here!” Our confidence doesn’t come from having an easy life; it comes from knowing Jesus is with us. Mark 6:50.
  • Jesus showed that he is more than a teacher—he is God. The same God who called himself “I AM” in the Old Testament is the Jesus who came walking across the water. Exodus 3:14.
  • When Peter focused on the storm instead of Jesus, fear took over. The things we constantly focus on can either grow our fear or strengthen our faith. Matthew 14:29-31.
  • You can invite Jesus into whatever storm you’re facing. Talk to him, pray about what you’re worried about, and trust that he is with you even when your situation doesn’t immediately change. Isaiah 41:10.

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. What are some “storms” students your age might face that can make life feel overwhelming? Are there any storms that you are experiencing right now?
  3. Why do you think it’s sometimes easier to focus on everything going wrong than to focus on Jesus? What are some ways we can shift our focus onto Jesus?
  4. Jesus told the disciples, “I am here.” How could remembering that Jesus is with you change the way you handle a stressful situation?
  5. Peter started sinking when he focused on the wind and waves. What are some things that tend to distract you from trusting God?
  6. What’s one storm or stressful situation in your life where you need to trust Jesus more this week? What could that actually look like?