Rotation.org Writing Team
Paul and the Bright Light
Computer Workshop
Summary of Lesson Activities
Students will explore the Life of Paul (Kid's Interactive Bible Series) to learn the story of Saul's conversion on the Road to Damascus, think about the meaning of Paul's name ("small") and their own "spiritual name."
"Life of Paul" software program is now free to the supporting members of Rotation.org, learn how!
Scripture
Acts 9:1-22, Saul/Paul on the Road to Damascus
The scripture in this lesson plan is presented twice in the software, therefore, there is no separate scripture reading step in the lesson plan.
Key Memory Verse: "So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NRSV) 
This verse is found in the memory scramble game in the software.
Lesson Objectives
See the Bible Background at rotation.org for this set's complete list of objectives.
Preparation and Materials
- Read the Bible Background.
- Install and Preview the Life of Paul.
- Print the Life of Paul outline.
- Print the Student Worksheet attached to the end of this lesson and make a copy for each student.
- Sticky Nametags
- Pre-cut a pair of "something like fish scales" for each student to write on during the reflection.
Tech Notes for the Software
Depending on your operating system, you may be able to set your screen display to have Life of Paul appear full screen, see Life of Paul outline for how to notes. Verify that the Bible Time Theater video clip works. If the curtain just opens and closes, you need to manually install the version of Quicktime found on the download.
Lesson Plan
Open
Welcome your students and tell them that in a few minutes, they'll be using the Life of Paul software. But first....
Write the following list of words/names on the board (or share them) and have your students pick one name/description that describes them. Suggest that it may not be a trait that others may know about them.
As they reveal their chosen name, write it on a nametag and stick it to them. Say, "for the rest of the lesson we will refer to you by that name." Invite them to explain why they think that word describes them. (This will segue into a discussion of the meaning of Saul's name change to Paul.)
Quiet Faithful Spiritual
Deep Humble Prayerful
Trustworthy Honest Persevering
Kind Generous Loving
Thoughtful Forgiving Helpful
Ask them if they know which of those words is what the name "Paul" means in the Greek language (humble or small).
Say: Explain that in today's story, we learn about a man named after Israel's first king, King Saul. And this man hated Christians. He thought they were fake. But as we will learn today, when Saul became a Christian, he changed his name to Paul, which means, "small." We don't think it meant he was short. Rather, we think Paul's name is his way of telling us about how he was changed by Jesus. "Small" can mean "humble," or "lowly" —someone who doesn't think they are better than others. Jesus used the word "meek" to say the same thing. (Matthew 5, the Beatitudes).
Now let's dive into the software to find out how the man named after a king, and who hated Jesus, came to name himself "small" and became one of the great followers of Jesus ever!
Dive into the Software
Have your students use the worksheet attached to this lesson to guide them through the sections of the software for this particular lesson plan.
Remind the kids to work together, take turns, and complete their worksheets. Give them 15 minutes. Remember to sit with your students to guide them and provide structure.
Start the Software in the Main Story: "Paul and the Bright Light" and follow the instructions in the worksheet. After viewing the story and interacting with it a bit, students will go into the "Discover the Bible" section to locate and respond to a study note. Optionally, you may have them hear and see a narrated version of the scripture which has more detail from the story than the Paul and the Bright Light presentation had. Following that, they will view a video clip of Saul hearing Christ on the road. It's short, but leads to an interesting question on the worksheet.
After they have completed the worksheet at the computer, gather the class together away from the computers, but do not exit the program (tell them they'll get back to it in a bit).
Sit in a discussion area with your worksheets and go over their answers. The key point of your discussion time is the "experience of conversion."
Discuss the topic of "conversion" as befits your church's theological tradition and age group. Be diligent to express the fact that NOT ALL Christians have a single or dramatic conversion experience like Paul did. Many grow up in the faith, and they come to know Christ gradually, but all share one common experience: feeling Christ has personally reached out to them, and having a personal relationship with him. Jesus is more than just an idea.
Point out that even Paul had many things which prepared him to accept Jesus. He went to worship, he studied scripture, and he prayed.
Ask: What was Saul's faith missing? (a personal relationship with Christ —knowing who Jesus is. He was blind to it. He was so sure of the "old" way of his religion that he couldn't see what God was trying to do. So God stepped in, as he usually has to do with all of us.
Ask: How did Saul's conversion to belief in Jesus change him? Look at his name change! His name means, "small" or "humble."
Ask: If Jesus is the one who changes our minds, what's the purpose of the Church then? (help, support, continued learning, and a way to help spread the good news and serve other)
Reflect
Pull out the stack of "paper fish scales" you prepared ahead of time. Hand one to each student and ask them to write on the fish scale "something that keeps people from believing in Jesus." Once they've done that, have everyone share their "scale." Have them place that "scale" in front of them so others can see it. Now hand them a second scale and ask them to pick one of the scales someone else shared and write it on their second scale. These two scales are to go home with the student as reminders. Stick them under the edges of their nametag.
Possible answers: doubt he was the Son of God, don't care, don't think he exists, too busy, too selfish, unwilling to give up, fear of God. Feel free to offer thoughts on these.
Play the Memory Verse Game
It's found in the Fun and Games Section in the Life of Paul software.
To play, pick one of these two memory verses from the game, as they both address "change" that comes with belief.
2 Corinthians 5:17... the old life is gone, the new life ....
Galatians 5:22 fruit in us: love, joy, peace ....
Adaptations for Younger Children
Younger children will need a "Bible Lab Buddy" at the computer to work through the discussion questions and write down the children's responses. You may choose to simply have the "Buddy" conduct the discussion at the computer and eliminate the worksheet and the discussion about "conversion."
Help them write on their scales and stick the scales below their nametags.
Written by Neil MacQueen for the Rotation.org Writing Team
Copyright 2016, Rotation.org Inc.
Pictured: Main Menu from Life of Paul CD
