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, students will explore Mark 2 and see that following Jesus is about a real relationship, not just checking off religious rules. Jesus forgives and heals a paralyzed man, welcomes people others reject, and challenges empty religious traditions. Students will learn that the goal is not to just check off boxes to become a “good Christian”, but to know Jesus and follow Him.

Icebreaker (5-10 min)

Check the Box: Read a list of simple tasks and have students give themselves one point for each one they completed that day:

  • Brushed your teeth
  • Made your bed
  • Ate breakfast
  • Checked your phone
  • Helped someone
  • Prayed
  • Read the Bible
  • Complained about something

Afterward, ask: “Does checking a box always mean your heart was really in it?”

Transition: It’s possible to complete a task without really caring about it. The same can happen in our faith—we can check all the right boxes while missing a real relationship with Jesus.

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.

  • Faith is meant to move us to action. The man’s friends did not give up when the doorway was blocked; they found another way to bring him to Jesus. Mark 2:3-5.
  • Jesus proved that he is more than just a teacher or healer. His authority to forgive sins shows that he is the Son of God. Mark 2:10-12.
  • Jesus welcomes people who know they need help. You do not have to pretend to be perfect. Being honest about your sin is the starting point for a relationship with him. Mark 2:15-17.
  • Religious habits cannot save us; only trusting in what Jesus did on the cross can save us. Prayer, fasting, Bible reading, and church attendance are spiritual disciplines that help us grow in our relationship with God.
  • We obey God because we are already loved by Him, not because we are trying to earn his love. Romans 12:1

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. Have you ever felt like being a Christian was mostly about following rules? What made you feel that way?
  3. What is the difference between doing something to impress people and doing it because you love God?
  4. The paralyzed man’s friends worked hard to bring their friend to Jesus to be healed. What is one way you could help a friend get closer to Jesus?
  5. What is one spiritual habit—such as praying, reading the Bible, or going to church—that you could approach as a way to connect with God instead of just checking a box?
  6. How do you start a relationship with Jesus? Take some time to talk about this and the difference between “religion” and “relationship”.
  7. Have you ever felt like you had to earn God’s love? What does this lesson teach instead?