LITE4 Curriculum Framework

Framework elements
Important concepts / options which should be covered in the 3 years

1.  Creation (Genesis 1)
God is the Creator of all things.  Evolution is false.  God created humans in His image.  Everything was perfect to begin with: no death, all vegetarian.
Jesus: Nothing was created without Jesus , and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:15-17)
2.  Humankind (Genesis 2)
How man and woman were made.  The job descriptions given to man and woman.  The nature of the male-female relationship, especially in marriage.
Jesus: Men and women are the same in status, but have different roles (Galatians 3:28; 1 Corinthians 11: 3, 11-12)
3.  The Fall (Genesis 3 & Exodus 20)
The existence of the devil.  What the devil does.  What sin is (roots of sin: covetousness, pride, unbelief).  The result of sin in creation - the origin of suffering, death.  God's three pronouncements (to the devil, the woman, the man). The significance of clothes (animal skins) in covering our shame.
Exodus 20: The Ten Commandments – a clear basic guide to what sin is.
Jesus: He has crushed the power of Satan (Colossians 2:13-15; Hebrews 2:14,15); In Jesus, Christian women no longer want to dominate their husbands, and Christian husbands no longer want to rule their wives (Ephesians 5:22-33); Pain in child-bearing, and a cursed earth, will remain until the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-5); The animal skins were a “type” for Jesus, who died so that our sins might be covered and forgiven (Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12; 61:10; John 1:29; Ephesians 1:7); Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit so that we no longer have to sin (Romans 8:1-11; Galatians 5:16-18, 24-25)
4.  Cain & Abel (Genesis 4)
“Two ways to religion” – the way of faith (sacrifice a lamb), the way of your own works. The first murder (springing from covetousness, pride, and unbelief about the right way to worship God!). The first city (built in rebellion against God – God originally wanted people to spread out and fill the earth, not stay in one place!). The first mention of the degrading of marriage – a man having two wives.
Jesus: The right way to God is through faith in Jesus (the Lamb of God) and not our works (Ephesians 2:8-10; Hebrews 11:4; John 14:6). Jesus helps us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48) and we will suffer for following His ways (Matthew 5:10-12) (There will always be discord among people over revealed religion). Jesus helps us to be missionary people, filling the earth (Matthew 28:19) , and to be faithful to our one marriage partner (Matthew 5:27-32)
5.  Adam's Genealogy (Genesis 5)
In our family trees we can trace 'good lines' and 'bad lines'.
Jesus: Because of our faith in Jesus, we are adopted into the family of God! (John 1:10-13), and cut off from our evil ancestry!! (Ephesians 1:5-14; 2:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
6.  Noah: earth corrupt, ark, flood (Genesis 6, 7)
The final degradation of sex and marriage: harems, demonic possession, and worse. There is a judgement day for sin. There was a worldwide flood (which accounts for most of the fossils, canyons, coal & oil deposits). The (few) people who believed God were saved.
Jesus: If we believe in Jesus, we are saved from the coming Day of Judgement (John 5:24-30; Acts 17:29-31; 2 Peter 3); Jesus can set us free from demonic possession (Mark 1:21-28; Luke 8:1-2); As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be before Jesus comes back! (Matthew 24:36-51) At the end of the age, only (relatively) few will be saved (Matthew 7:13,14; Luke 18:6-8; cf Revelation 7:9-10)
7.  Noah: re-creation, re-covenant (Genesis 8:1-9:17)
Although the environmental conditions are totally different to the pre-flood world, God still wants us to 'be fruitful and multiply'.  Mankind can now eat meat.  Rainbow - no more a worldwide flood, even though every inclination of the heart of man is evil from childhood.
Jesus: When we trust in Jesus and are saved, we are no longer part of this world system, but belong to Christ's Kingdom (Colossians 1:13); We are still to produce children in the context of marriage! (Matthew 19:1-15); Jesus pronounced all things “clean” for us to eat (Matthew 15:10-20); He gave us communion, as our constant sign that He loves us and has died for our sin and that in Him we are safe (Matthew 26:17-30; 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26)
8.  Noah: curses & blessings to his children (Genesis 9:18-29)
The power of our tongues to bless and to curse, to build up and to destroy.
These curses and blessings shaped world history: the Canaanites did become the slaves of the the Semites and Japhethites; the Semites (the decendants of Abraham), did conquer the Canaanites and occupy what is now the land of Israel; the Japhethites (who lived around the Mediterranean), did take over the land of Israel (The Greeks under Alexander the Great, and then the Romans).
Jesus: Let your words be truth (Matthew 5:33-37), full of grace and seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6); Jesus does not want us to curse people (Matthew 5:21-26); Have a positive confession (James 1:5-8)
9.  Nations, the spread of people, & origins of idol worship (Genesis 10,11)
All nations and races on earth come from Noah.  The origin of the different language groups at Babel.  God opposes our proud independent schemes!  People in a group can do many awesome things, but a) is it what God wants done? b) for whose glory?   God sees everything.  We must trust and obey God, and find our security and unity in Him alone. History tells us that at the time of Nimrod and Babylon, idolatry, astrology and witchcraft really got a foothold. (Origin of idol worship and "The Queen of Heaven with her child" with Nimrod and his wife.)
Jesus: All of us who believe in Jesus are part of the same spiritual family, no matter where we are on earth! (Ephesians 2:11-22); Jesus reminds us and empowers us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Matthew 22:34-40); Jesus wants us to work together as a BODY, and so accomplish great things for HIM! (1 Corinthians 12; Acts 2:42-47)
10.  Abraham (Genesis 12:1-9)
God wants to bless and heal the world by making a blessed people united in Him.  God chooses a person who has FAITH = BELIEVE what God says.  Faith is the key to blessing.  The first test of faith: LEAVE your home country = LEAVE your old pagan influences behind & FOLLOW God's leading.  God promises Abram land.
Jesus: He said we also must leave our old lives and attachments behind, and then we are fit to be His disciples! (Luke 9:23-27, 57-62).  The meek (NOT weak!) will inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5)
11.  Messianic prophecy - the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham (Isaiah 61)
The description of what a blessed and healed world looks like.  God will send someone to implement this.  A job description for God's servant.
Jesus: He is this person! (see next lesson!) Jesus is progressively fulfilling this prophecy in this age (now, plus in the Millenium) (Mark 10:23-31; Revelation 20:1-6).
12.  The coming of the Messiah  - the fulfillment of Isaiah 61 (Luke 4)
Jesus Christ, who resisted all the devil's temptations, is God's servant to bless and heal the world, to bless and heal YOU and ME!
13.  Being "born again"
How YOU and I can be blessed and healed: Turn from your sins, Believe in Jesus Christ (in His death, burial, and resurrection for you, and that you want Him to be your master), Get baptized, Receive the Holy Spirit.
14.  Identity in Christ
You are special, made in the image of God, and all your sins are totally forgiven and you are a child of God, God lives in you by His Spirit, etc, etc, !
15.  Christian Community Life
Bible Study, Prayer, Worship, Getting together, Telling others about Jesus.  The nature of God.  God as Trinity.  God as Father.  Jesus as Lord and brother!  Holy Spirit as motivator, convictor, counselor, comforter.
16.  Daily living God's way
We are to be under the authority of the Bible in everything.  The Spiritual realm (angels, demons). Environmental issues.  Economics and daily work.  Friendships, courtship and marriage. Politics and government. Other religions.
17.  Spiritual gifts and talents
Everyone has a gift.  Discerning your gift(s).  Growing in the use of your gifts.  Teamwork, Modeling & Mentoring.
18.  Servant Leadership
Qualifications for leadership.  God wants us all to be leaders.  Servanthood is the number one quality.