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 general 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 (6–10 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.
  • Videos can also be found in a downloadable folder below.

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 2

  1. Mark: The Unforgiveable Sin
  2. Mark: The Parable of the Soils
  3. Mark: Jesus Calms a Storm
  4. Hot Topic: How to Make Prayer a Daily Habit
  5. The Originals: Joseph
  6. Mark: Déjà Vu Miracle
  7. Mark: Jesus Walks on Water
  8. Hot Topic: How Do I Deal With Negative Friends?
  9. The Sequels: James
  10. Mark: Inner Purity
  11. Mark: Disbelief vs Doubt
  12. Wisdom: Humility vs Pride
  13. Christmas Lesson*

*Insert where necessary in the quarter.

Snapshot (6-10 min)

Get started by watching the lesson video as a group. Merry Christmas! In this special Christmas lesson, students will look at the chaos of the very first Christmas and see how easy it is for Jesus to get crowded out. They’ll learn that good things like school, sports, family traditions, gifts, and friends can still become distractions when they take all of our attention. Students will be challenged to intentionally make room for Jesus in their schedule, their Christmas traditions, and the way they give this Christmas season. And msot importantly, to open the door of their hearts to Jesus.

Icebreaker (5-10 min)

Favorite Traditions: Go around the circle and have each student answer the question below:

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Transition: Christmas traditions are so fun! But they aren’t the whole point. Think about some ways you can include Jesus in your everyday life as we unpack today’s topic.

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 first Christmas was crowded and chaotic, and it can be easy for our Christmas to feel the same way. Bethlehem was packed with people, and there was no room in the guest room when Mary and Joseph arrived. In the same way, our schedules can get so full of parties, presents, travel, and activities that we barely make room to think about Jesus. Luke 2:7.
  • Make room for Jesus in your schedule. Even ten minutes of reading the Bible and praying can help you intentionally focus on God instead of letting your whole day get filled with everything else. He is so deserving of our time. Luke 10:41-42
  • Make Jesus part of your family traditions. Christmas lights, presents, movies, and parties are fun, but Christmas is ultimately about Jesus. Look for simple ways to bring him back into the center of what your family does. Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
  • Make room for Jesus in the way you give. You don’t need a huge amount of money to be generous. God cares about a willing heart, whether you’re giving a dollar, buying something for someone in need, or finding another way to help. Giving gifts to others is a great way to remember the greatest gift God has given us – salvation. 2 Corinthians 8:12.
  • Jesus wants more than a small corner of your life. He wants a real relationship with you. Don’t become so distracted by everything happening around you that you miss the opportunity to know and follow him. Revelation 3:20.

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 usually takes up the most time and attention in your life during Christmas break?
  3. Which Christmas traditions help you think about Jesus? Which ones can easily distract you from him?
  4. Which Jesus-centered tradition will you encourage your family to do this season?
  5. Are you willing to commit to ten minutes with God every morning for the next month? What do you think might change in your life if you start doing that?
  6. What is one way you could be generous this Christmas, even if you don’t have much money?
  7. Read Revelation 3:20. What does this verse mean?
  8. Spend any remaining time enjoying talking about Christmas as a group and praying for one another.