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 learn from Mark 8:11-21that having questions about God isn’t the same as refusing to believe. The Pharisees had closed hearts, but the disciples were confused and still chose to stay with Jesus and keep learning. Jesus also warns us to watch out for influences that can slowly pull our hearts away from him. When faith feels confusing, the goal isn’t to have every answer—it’s to keep seeking the truth and stay close to Jesus.

Icebreaker (5-10 min)

Would You Rather — Rule Edition: Read ridiculous statements and have students vote Believe It, Question It, or No Way.

Examples:

  • A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance. — True
  • Bananas are berries. — True
  • Your teacher secretly lives at school. — False
  • You swallow eight spiders a year while sleeping. — False — that’s a myth.
  • A cloud can weigh more than a million pounds. — True

Transition: Then ask: “Is questioning something always a bad thing?” Use it to explain that asking questions can actually be smart—the important thing is whether you’re willing to accept the truth when you find it.

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.

  • Doubt means you have questions but you’re still open to the truth. You don’t have to pretend you understand everything about God. Keep asking, learning, praying, and looking for answers. Mark 8:17-21.
  • Disbelief closes the door before the conversation even starts. The Pharisees weren’t honestly trying to learn from Jesus—they had already decided he was wrong. Mark 8:11-13.
  • Be careful what influences your heart. Jesus warned about the “yeast” of the Pharisees and Herod because even small attitudes can slowly change the way you think and live. Mark 8:15.
  • Don’t let religious pressure or social pressure pull you away from Jesus. You can get distracted by trying to look like the perfect Christian or by trying to fit in with everyone around you. Keep Jesus at the center.
  • When you’re confused, stay in the boat. The disciples didn’t understand everything, but they stayed close to Jesus and let him keep teaching them. When you have questions, talk to God, read the Bible, and ask trusted Christians for help.

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’s the difference between asking a question because you really want an answer and asking one because you just want to argue?
  3. What are some things at school, online, or in your friend group that can slowly influence the way you think?
  4. Which pressure do you think is harder for students your age: trying to look like the “perfect Christian” or trying to fit in with everyone else? Why?
  5. What could “staying in the boat with Jesus” actually look like when you’re confused or struggling with your faith?
  6. What’s a question about God, the Bible, or Christianity that you think students your age might be afraid to ask? Or is there one that you’ve been wanting to ask? Take some time to unpack students questions, and feel free to visit PursueGOD.org/keywords for help answering.