ISAIAH BIBLE LESSON INSTRUCTIONS
Prepare a 1400–1700-word Bible study lesson from 1 of the following passages in Isaiah: Isaiah; 22:15–25; The lesson should be like a manuscript of a sermon, lesson, or Bible study that you would deliver in a church context.
The lesson must contain the following elements:
1. An introduction that introduces the passage/topic of the lesson that includes a 1-sentence (highlighted) summary statement that gives the central idea of your lesson.
2. A detailed explanation of the passage within the body of the lesson. You should cover the entire passage (for longer passages, this will obviously involve less detail for each verse), and the lesson should focus on explaining your passage to the audience—this should not be a topical lesson that simply uses the passage as a starting-point for your theme.
3. Application and theological issues relevant to the audience should be integrated into your explanation of the passage. Focus on explaining how this passage is relevant and practical to your contemporary audience. Be specific in showing how the passage applies to Christians today. The applications should be directly related to your explanation of the passage, and there should be a clear connection between the message of the passage itself and the applications that you are drawing for your audience. The balance between explanation of your passage and application should be roughly 70–75% to 25–30%.
4. Do not include long quotations of your passage or parallel passages that you use in the lesson—if using a parallel passage, simply provide the reference. This will allow you to devote maximum space to your explanation/development of the passage and your lesson.
5. You may provide brief illustrations, but keep them to the point and try to use no more than 1–2 of these.
6. Write the manuscript as you would speak the lesson, but the paper should reflect spelling, grammar, and style appropriate for a graduate-level written assignment. The paper should be double-spaced and use 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins all around. As with a formal term paper, use headings to mark off the major sections of your message.
7. You are required to use a minimum of 3 scholarly reference sources in addition to any of the required textbooks (journal articles and commentaries especially). You may use devotional commentaries (e.g., Henry, Wiersbe, Spurgeon, Lucado), study Bibles, or popular preacher’s sermons, but these will not count toward the required sources. Please include a bibliography at the end of your message/lesson listing the sources you have used. Your paper should footnote specific citations/quotations from other sources, but as in other written assignments for this course, avoid lengthy quotations of outside sources (Your explanation and development of the passage should be apparent).
8. This sermon/lesson should be your own original work and not something that is a modification of another teacher/preacher’s outline or message.
Introduction • The introduction orients the reader to the passage being studied and provides some indication of the relevance of the topic for the audience.
• The introduction provides a one-sentence summary statement of the central idea of the message. 14–15 pts. 13 pts. 11–12 pts. 0–10 pts.
Structure • There are clear transitions between paragraphs and sections.
• The treatment of the topic is logically oriented.
• Assertions are properly supported by evidence. 14–15 pts. 13 pts. 11–12 pts. 0–10 pts.
Content • The assignment elements are incorporated into the lesson as set forth in the instructions.
• The lesson provides the proper balance of the explanation of the text and application of the text to the audience.
• The application of the passage is directly connected to the details of the message of the passage itself. 51–55 pts. 46–50 pts. 42–45 pts. 0–41 pts.
Conclusion • The conclusion offers a good summary of issues treated in the paper and offer practical application. 14–15 pts. 13 pts. 11–12 pts. 0–10 pts.
Element Criteria Excellent:
Satisfies criteria w/ excellent work Good:
Satisfies criteria Average:
Satisfies most criteria Poor:
Does not satisfy criteria Points
Earned Comments from Instructor
Materials/
Sources • The bibliography contains at least 3 scholarly sources.
• Materials are properly cited and quoted.
• Quotations are minimal and (since this is a lesson manuscript) are only used when necessary and essential.
• Current sources are used. 23–25 pts. 21–22 pts. 19–20 pts. 0–18 pts.
Style • The paper properly uses Turabian.
• The paper is properly formatted. Proper headings are used.
• Footnotes and bibliography are properly formatted.
• The paper reflects a graduate level of vocabulary.
• The paper is without spelling and grammar errors. 23–25 pts. 21–22 pts. 19–20 pts. 0–18 pts.
