To begin the session:
Distribute copies of the “Basic Instructions” exercise from the activity page, which you can download here. Distribute a black marker to each group. Have participants work in groups of four to complete as indicated.
To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Distribute copies of the “Choose This Day” exercise from the activity page. Ask small groups to complete as indicated.
Download “In the World” for October 25, 2026 here.
The New York Liberty faced the Atlanta Dream in a WNBA matchup earlier this month. With 4.3 seconds left in overtime, the Liberty passed a ball inbound from behind their basket. The move confused announcers and wasted precious time. The Liberty could have started at midcourt with their inbound pass if they’d used what’s called a “reset timeout.” The team had one remaining—but they didn’t know! Player Breanna Stewart had asked the referees about the timeout and was told the Liberty did not have one left. The referees may have talked among themselves and determined the team had one, but the information failed to reach Stewart. The confusion may have cost the Liberty the game, 101–98.
Stolen silver, muttered curses, and blessing in the Lord’s name begin today’s text. Although Micah’s mother “consecrates” the returned silver, in the same breath she communicates an intention to make it into an idol. Her son uses that idol to set up a family shrine. Eventually, he convinces a man from the tribe of Levi, those in Israel set apart to be priests of the Lord, to serve in his shrine. Although Micah and his mother act in the name of God, they obviously do not follow the specifics of God’s law. Their lack of clear understanding and instruction ultimately lead to the creation of a new center for idolatrous worship in northern Canaan.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
To begin the session:
Distribute copies of the “Oppressors and Deliverers” exercise from the activity page, which you can download here. Have small groups of three or four work together to complete as indicated. Then invite groups to share their conclusions with the whole class.
To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Distribute copies of the “Before and After” exercise from the activity page. Have participants complete it in pairs before discussing their conclusions in small groups.
Download “In the World” for October 18, 2026 here.
A powerful, late-Summer sneaker wave swept a 10-year-old boy into the rough surf near Santa Cruz, California. The region is experiencing more of these waves than typical because of tropical cyclones elsewhere in the Pacific Ocean. Despite the danger, a 16-year-old lifeguard, in his first year on the job, rushed into the water and relied on his ocean experience to keep hold of the boy through a series of surging waves. With help from another lifeguard and nearby adults, both were brought safely to shore. The young lifeguard is being hailed for his tremendous courage and persistence despite his age and being new to his job. For his part, he deflected praise to the many lifeguards who regularly risk their safety to protect others.
The Israelites disregarded the covenant, and for eighteen years they have been oppressed by Moab. But God raises up Ehud, whom the people choose to deliver their tribute. Ehud has special skills with a blade, and he conceals a short sword to bring with him. He gives the treasure to King Eglon, who has grown very fat at the expense of others who are suffering. Ehud has left the audience with the king of Moab, but something turns him around. He claims to have a secret message for the king, who seems eager to hear it. Then Ehud stabs the Moabite king and escapes. Through Ehud, God delivers Israel from oppression and restores peace lasting for a whole generation.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Divide participants into small groups of three or four and distribute the “How Not to Forget” exercise from the activity page, which you can download here. Allow several minutes for groups to complete this exercise as indicated. Then allow groups to share their reflections with the class.
To encourage personal application:
Distribute the “Personal Commitment” exercise from the activity page. Give participants a few minutes to work on the exercise. Encourage participants to post their responses somewhere they will see them regularly and be reminded of their commitment.
Download “In the World” for October 11, 2026 here.
On August 25, country music star Dolly Parton passed away. Parton found fame through her musical ability, flamboyant dress, and force of personality. Her death has brought to light another dimension of her imprint on the world. Dolly impacted millions of people through her Dollywood Foundation, which funds scholarships, disaster relief, and the Imagination Library—a program which offers free books to young children across the globe. Upon her passing, Dolly’s legacy was celebrated around the world. In the US many flags were flown at half-mast, the Empire State Building was lit up in pink, and many celebrities and public officials shared statements about her. It was announced that The Nashville International Airport will be renamed in her honor. Dolly Parton’s legacy continues into the next generation, through her art and generosity.
After his final speech, Joshua sends the tribes back to their individual territories—their inheritance from God. Joshua’s faithful leadership inspired faithfulness in others. He and those leading with him restrained the Israelites from falling back into old ways. When Joshua dies, he is buried in Ephraim’s territory, but no one takes his place. A new generation of Israelites grows up in the land. Without a leader like Joshua to guide them; they do not grow up to know or serve God. Instead, they serve the gods and goddesses of the people around them. God is aggrieved, and he gives them over to their enemies. This consequence shows that Israel cannot be safe without God’s help.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
To begin the session:
Distribute copies of the “Can I Get a Witness?” exercise from the activity page, which you can download here. Have learners complete it individually in a minute or less before discussing conclusions in small groups of two or three.
To encourage personal application:
Distribute copies of the “My Stone, My Commitment” exercise from the activity page. Invite participants to complete the exercise at home during the upcoming week. To encourage participation, inform them that time will be allotted at the beginning of the next class period for volunteers to share what they wrote.
Download “In the World” for October 4, 2026 here.
Thousands of football fans in Jacksonville took a break from cheering on their teams to witness a different kind of accomplishment: 100 people taking their final step toward becoming U.S. citizens. During this ceremony, each candidate completed years of dedication to the naturalization process by taking the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. The new citizens represented 50 countries of origin. A witness described the joy and pride evident on the faces of the candidates as they reached this significant milestone. While this halftime show featured no elaborate stunts, musical performances, or dance routines, it provided something even more memorable. As the crowd cheered, these newest citizens of the United States of America celebrated a life-changing moment they will never forget.
Joshua has assembled all the tribes and leaders at Shechem. He gives a final sermon to encourage them to commit to serving God. Although Israel’s ancestors were idol-worshipers, they are called to reject the religions around them. The people repeatedly agree and commit to the covenant expectations. Joshua warns that keeping the covenant will not be easy, but rebellion will lead to disaster. The listeners want to choose the way of blessing, as Joshua had urged them to do, and they recommit to exclusive worship of God, formalizing a covenant renewal. Joshua records everything in written form, and as a second reminder he sets a standing stone as a witness to the commitments being made.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
Download “In the World” for September 27, 2026 here.
The war between Russia and Ukraine is now in its fourth year since Russia’s full-scale invasion. The loss of life has been staggering, both for civilians and for the soldiers on both sides of the battlefield. In response to the war’s brutality, Ukraine has developed an unmanned ground vehicle to drive right up to wounded soldiers and pull them to safety. The country has also been taking the step of training every soldier in first aid, to serve as combat medics. It was recently reported that some Russian soldiers are receiving medical care from these Ukrainian medics, after they had been left stranded with no help.
Rahab provides Israel’s spies with safety in the city of Jericho. She sends the king’s men looking somewhere else so the spies won’t be found. Rahab recognizes that God has given the land to the Israelites. Already the people of Jericho have heard of God’s mighty works. They are afraid because of Israel’s powerful God. By her actions, Rahab recognizes Israel’s God as the Lord of heaven and earth. Rahab asks the Israelite spies to show kindness to her family and spare them. Later, the Israelites march around Jericho seven times. The priests sound the trumpet, and Joshua commands the army to shout. God gives the city to the Israelites, and Rahab and her family are spared.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
To begin the session:
Distribute copies of the “What I Know, How I Learned” exercise from the activity page, which you can download here. Have learners complete it individually in a minute or less before sharing responses with a partner.
To encourage personal application:
Distribute copies of the “Unexpected in God’s Great Hands” exercise from the activity page. Encourage learners to complete the activity as a take-home during the upcoming week. To encourage completion, state that you will allow time at the beginning of next week’s class for learners to share responses.
Download “In the World” for September 20, 2026 here.
Nine days after the devastating Nepal-Tibet floods, two men were rescued from a tunnel that had been buried by massive amounts of mud and debris. An air pocket within the underground tunnel system allowed the men to survive while they were trapped. Because of the muddy conditions, it took nearly three days to build the infrastructure to begin meaningful rescue efforts. People feared there was no chance of finding anyone alive after more than a week had passed. Rescue workers persevered through additional rain, flooding, and being temporarily trapped themselves to rescue these men. Above ground, family members admitted they had begun to lose hope. Underground, one of the men recited prayers to remain calm and focused. As rescuers brought the men to safety, the lead rescue coordinator could not contain his emotions, bursting into tears of relief and joy.
Joshua and the Israelites face a threat from Canaanite tribes who form a united opposition. A large army with horses and chariots stands in the way of God’s people’s ability to take possession of the land. God tells Joshua that there is nothing to fear, that the whole army will be destroyed in a day. Joshua is not to keep the horses or chariots that are captured. When God gives this army into their hands, Joshua obediently orders destruction of these weapons. From the Negev desert in the south to the hill country of the north, God is with his people as they are able to take possession of all of this territory, even when local rulers oppose them. God even sets the Anakites fleeing from the area (giant people who had terrified the Israelites). Once each tribe receives an inheritance, the area is at peace.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Distribute copies of the “Questions, I’ve Got Questions” exercise from the activity page, which you can download here. Encourage learners to work in small groups to complete as indicated.
Ask the following questions for whole-class discussion: 1–Why did the Lord command Joshua to disable the horses and burn the chariots? 2–Why did the Lord harden the hearts of the Canaanites? 3–What was the significance that the Lord directed the Israelites to destroy the Canaanites completely? 4–Why was the land called an “inheritance”?
To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Distribute copies of the “Responding to Faithfulness” exercise from the activity page, which you can download here. Direct learners to work in pairs to complete it as indicated. If time allows, ask volunteers to share their responses before the whole class.
To encourage personal application:
Distribute copies of the “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” activity from the activity page. Have learners work with a partner to complete as indicated before discussing conclusions as a whole class.
Download “In the World” for September 13, 2026 here.
A memorial celebration is underway at the Museum of Boulder in Colorado. The public is invited to visit between August and January to explore an exhibit of over 200 artifacts that tell the story of the museum’s 100 years of faithful preservation, curation, and exhibition work. The exhibit will provide behind-the-scenes access to the process of caring for over 45,000 objects stewarded by the museum. The Museum of Boulder aims to educate visitors about how decisions are made in preserving history and telling stories for future generations. The museum believes the exhibit will shed light on a vital question: “What does it take to care for a community’s legacy?”
After crossing the Jordan, God exalts Joshua before the Israelites; and they respect him as they did Moses. God tells Joshua when to have the priests, along with the ark of the covenant, come out of the water. When the priests step onto the bank, the flooding waters return to their place because God has control over creation. After leaving the Jordan River, the Israelites camp at Gilgal near Jericho. There, Joshua sets up twelve stones, which are to be a reminder to the generations to come. God did this so that all people could see his power and turn to him.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Distribute copies of the “Crossing Into Promise” activity from the activity page, which you can download here. Read Joshua 1:1–11 and invite learners to complete it individually in a minute or less before reviewing responses with a partner.
To encourage personal application:
Distribute copies of the “Spelling Out Courage” exercise from the activity page. Have learners work in pairs or small groups to complete as indicated.
Download “In the World” for September 6, 2026 here.
Earlier this year, the world was captivated by watching the reports of the Artemis II mission, which successfully carried four astronauts on a trip around the moon. The plan is for humans to land upon the moon for the first time since the Apollo era by 2028. In the midst of this, the former head of the Kennedy Space Center retired. The newly designated senior director of launch operations, Brian Hughes, is stepping into the role at a crucial juncture—when the Kennedy Space Center is managing multiple missions and launch operators—SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, and others.
Moses, the great leader of the Israelites and God’s servant has died. Joshua, Moses’ aide, is to be his successor. The people are preparing to cross the Jordan to enter the land of promise, and God will be with Joshua as he was with Moses. God tells Joshua to take courage, since he will be the leader that the people need. This encouragement is aimed at provoking the Israelites to follow the law that God had given. The law doesn’t require simple obedience, but rather a lifestyle of seeking God’s way. This alone can prepare the people to enter the promised land.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
Download “In the World” for August 30, 2026 here.
Wildfires have devastated the Pacific Northwest this summer. By early August, millions of acres had burned across Washington and Oregon. Near Spokane, Washington, officials ordered over 60,000 residents to evacuate. The local Presbyterian Disaster Assistance agency has approved financial aid and assistance for individuals affected by fires. However, local ministers are responding in more personal ways. The Reverend Sheryl Kinder-Pyle, a Presbyterian minister based in Spokane, invited several evacuees to stay in her home amid the evacuation and recovery efforts. She cites Romans 8:35–39 as an encouragement for hospitality, comparing the “nakedness” in that passage to the loss of possessions resulting from wildfires. She invites members of her denomination to be proactive in their efforts to extend hospitality.
While on a missionary journey, Paul and Silas travel to Macedonia and the city of Philippi. They spend several days there, giving Paul the opportunity to preach. On the Sabbath, Paul and his group travel to the banks of a local river, where they meet Lydia, a seller of purple cloth. She hears the gospel and accepts its message. Desiring to be faithful to God, Lydia extends hospitality to Paul and his companions and invites them to stay in her home. Later, after Paul and Silas are released from prison, she again demonstrates hospitality by taking them in again. Her acts of hospitality demonstrate her faithfulness to God and her love for other members of God’s family.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Distribute copies of the “Finding the Way” exercise from the activity page, which you can download here. Have learners complete it as a take-home activity.
To encourage personal application:
Distribute copies of the “Planning Hospitality” exercise from the activity page. Have participants complete it individually in a minute or less before discussing conclusions with a partner.
To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Distribute copies of the “Letter to a Mentor” exercise from the activity page, which you can download here. Instruct students to complete it as indicated.
To encourage personal application:
Distribute copies of the “Letter to a Mentee” exercise from the activity page. Instruct students to complete it as indicated.
Lead the class in prayer for young believers and children. Ask students to spend one minute asking God to bring a particular person to mind who they feel called to support in life and faith. Allow time for “popcorn” prayers for these believers.
Download “In the World” for August 23, 2026 here.
A family reunion makes the news in Temple, Texas, because of the group’s commitment to remembering, sharing, and preserving the story of their ancestor. Jeff Hamilton was the first recorded free Black resident of Bell County. The Hamilton family celebrates his freedom as well as his efforts to help and feed others. They remind one another of his legacy because they value both past and future generations, and they desire to preserve the life lessons they all carry.
The apostle Paul writes to commend his young protégé, Timothy. As a mentor, Paul desires to inspire Timothy’s faith and asks him to visit. Paul speaks of Timothy’s faith history: a legacy passed to him through his Jewish mother and grandmother, Eunice and Lois. He wants Timothy to tend his faith, fanning it like a fire, to ensure that he will also have a strong legacy to pass along. Paul reminds his young mentee that from his earliest days, Timothy was trained in Scripture (what is now our Old Testament). Since Scripture comes from God and is entirely reliable in leading people to salvation, it is the right tool for Timothy to apply wisely to his life.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
To begin the session:
Follow the instructions on the “Tough Questions (Facilitator Page)” exercise from the activity pages, which you can download here.
Lead into Bible study by saying, “We all have doubts and questions—some are inconsequential curiosities, but others have real significance to our faith and worldview. In today’s lesson, notice the main character’s questions and doubts. Consider the ways you relate to him.”
To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Ask participants to pair up with a partner. Distribute the “Thomas’s Journey” exercise from the activity page. Ask pairs to complete the activity as indicated.
Download “In the World” for August 2, 2026 here.
Scientists recently applied complex layers of technology to examine a specific planet designated as K2-18b for signs of alien life. This planet fits the potential profile for one that could support life: the right distance from its star, the right kind of atmosphere, and rich in chemical building-blocks that life requires on earth. Scientists even used precision telescopes and other technology to “listen” for transmissions that would indicate intentionally-crafted communication. To date, there have been no confirmed sound signatures that point to intelligent life. The search for life outside of our planet relies on technology created to detect life as we know it. Some theorize that we do not yet understand life as it might appear outside of earth.
In Scene One, Jesus has given a clear report about Lazarus to his disciples: Lazarus died from an illness. Jesus is eager to go to Lazarus, to cause others to believe. Thomas rallies the other disciples with a courageous attitude—willing to face death with Jesus. In Scene Two, we skip ahead to the eve of Jesus’ arrest. Jesus is promising to go ahead of them, but he is talking about departing to be with God the Father. Thomas asks how to follow Jesus, to wherever he is going. Jesus gives an indirect answer: find God by following Jesus. In Scene Three, Jesus appears to the disciples in a locked room. Jesus appears, and Thomas gets all the evidence he needs. Thomas is together with the other disciples, when they meet Jesus again beside the Sea of Galilee.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
Download “In the World” for July 26, 2026 here.
The American chemist Raymond Davis Jr. (1914–2006) was famous for studying neutrinos. These tiny, nearly massless particles move through space and matter. In 1961, Davis began studying neutrinos from the sun. But his “Homestake Experiment” detected only one-third of the expected number according to then-current models. The surprising result became known as the “solar neutrino puzzle.” Some questioned the validity of Davis’s work, but he remained committed to the research. Later, scientists confirmed his findings but learned that their understanding had been incomplete. Updated research showed that neutrinos can change forms as they travel from the sun, Davis’s experiment revealed a truth that took decades to understand. His work was finally honored with the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Mary trusted God even when she could not see the full picture of his work. She treasured the shepherds’ words after the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:15–19). Years later, at a wedding in Cana, she trusted Jesus to respond when the wine ran dry (John 2:1–5). Then, at the cross, she stood near her son as he suffered. Before he died, Jesus entrusted her care to a disciple (John 19:25–27). Throughout Jesus’ life, Mary witnessed Jesus’ humanity and his divinity, even though she may not have fully understood. Her consistent “yes” to God teaches us that we can trust him when we do not yet fully understand how his purposes will unfold.
Any videos or web materials are for your personal use. If you play any media files in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.
To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Distribute copies of the “Same News, Different Experiences” exercise from the activity page, which you can download here. Give groups a few minutes to work on it and share their responses.
Ask a volunteer to read John 19:25–27. Ask small groups to discuss the following question and create a group “Top Ten” list: If you knew you would die tomorrow, what are the ten most important things you would want to say or do? Then ask, “What does John 19:25–27 reveal about what was important to Jesus?”
Distribute copies of the “Perspectives” exercise from the activity page. Give groups time to combine their responses.
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