SERIES: TRUE AND BETTER | 5 WEEKS ON WHO IS JESUS
SERIES OVERVIEW (DOWNLOAD SERIES OVERVIEW)
The Bible is not a random collection of disconnected stories. It is one big story that points us to Jesus. In this five-week series, students will look at five people from the Old Testament and see how each one gives us a shadow of the Savior who was coming. Adam, Joseph, Moses, Boaz, and David all show us something important about God’s rescue plan, but none of them are the hero of the story. Jesus is the true and better Savior, Deliverer, Redeemer, and King. This series will help middle school students see that the whole Bible points to Jesus and that He is better than anyone or anything else we could build our lives on.
OVERVIEW FOR EACH WEEK IN THIS SERIES:
7.12-WEEK 1 – THE TRUE AND BETTER ADAM
Word of the Week: Obedience
Text: Genesis 3; Matthew 4; Romans 5; 1 Corinthians 15:21–22, 45–49
Main Point: Jesus wins where Adam failed
Big Idea/Summary: In Genesis 3, students will see how Adam chose his own way instead of trusting and obeying God. But in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced the weight of the cross and fully surrendered to the Father’s will. This lesson will help students see that Jesus is the true and better Adam who obeyed perfectly, surrendered completely, and went to the cross to rescue us from sin.
- MSM
- MSM Teaching Guide wk1
- MSM Discussion Guide wk1
7.19-WEEK 2 – THE TRUE AND BETTER JOSEPH
Word of the Week: Faithfulness
Text: Genesis 37–50; Acts 7:9–10; Matthew 26:47–50; Philippians 2:5–11
Main Point: Jesus endured suffering so that His people could experience freedom
Big Idea/Summary: Joseph was betrayed, rejected, and treated unfairly, but God used his suffering to save many lives. In an even greater way, Jesus was betrayed, rejected, and crucified so that sinners could be saved. This lesson will help students trust that God can still be working even when life feels unfair.
- MSM
- MSM Teaching Guide wk2
- MSM Discussion Guide wk2
7.26-WEEK 3 – THE TRUE AND BETTER MOSES
Word of the Week: Deliverance
Text: Exodus 3:7–10; Deuteronomy 18:15; Hebrews 3:1–6; Hebrews 8:6
Main Point: Jesus is the deliverer who sets us free.
Big Idea/Summary: Moses was sent by God to rescue His people from slavery in Egypt and lead them toward freedom. But Jesus is the greater Deliverer who rescues us from sin and brings us back into relationship with God. This lesson will invite students to see where they feel stuck and trust Jesus as the One who sets them free.
- MSM
- MSM Teaching Guide wk3
- MSM Discussion Guide wk3
8.2-WEEK 4 – THE TRUE AND BETTER BOAZ
Word of the Week: Redemption
Text: Ruth; Isaiah 54:5; 1 Peter 1:18–19
Main Point: Jesus is the Redeemer who brings hope to the helpless.
Big Idea/Summary: Boaz showed kindness to Ruth, protected her, provided for her, and redeemed her when she could not fix her situation on her own. Jesus is the true and better Boaz because He redeems us through His own blood and brings us into the family of God. This lesson will help students see that Jesus notices, loves, and rescues people who feel unseen or helpless.
- MSM
- MSM Teaching Guide wk4
- MSM Discussion Guide wk4
8.9-WEEK 5 – THE TRUE AND BETTER DAVID
Word of the Week: Victory
Text: 1 Samuel 16–17; Isaiah 9:6–7; Luke 1:32–33; Revelation 19:11–16
Main Point: Jesus is the King who wins the victory for us.
Big Idea/Summary: David defeated Goliath as the representative of God’s people, winning a battle they could not win for themselves. Jesus is the true and better David because He is the anointed King who defeats our greatest enemies: sin, death, and Satan. This lesson will challenge students to stop trying to fight battles only Jesus can win and trust the King who has already won the victory.
- MSM
- MSM Teaching Guide wk5
- MSM Discussion Guide wk5
Media Files:
