1. Tailoring our devotions Focus on the big ideas of a lesson, preferably one that has already happened Do a key word search on biblegateway.com or some similar Bible search engine Note: you may need to search something other than the NIV, for example…

2. Tailoring our devotions If we have just talked about the importance of planning in our class, the NIV references to planning (4 total) almost all have with God’s planning, where as the Message references (14 total) also have to do with man’s planning, e.g., “Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.” Proverbs 21:5

3. Tailoring our devotions Many words from our curricula are very modern, so unless we’re dealing with a more modern translation of the Bible, it’s going to be difficult to do a meaningful word search Nonetheless, with a bit of ingenuity (e.g., not checking the “Match whole words only” box on the keyword search) we can find what we need

4. Tailoring our devotions At the same time, we need to be careful not to stretch a Scripture too far, trying to make a connection It’s a put-off for people, especially students, when we try to over- spiritualize life principles Here’s an example of a fairly simple connection to the idea of assessment…

5. When we’re tested Assessment doesn’t only happen in the classroom! Sometimes we as believers are tested by God: When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" John 6:5-9

6. When we’re tested Fortunately, God’s tests tend to be more formative than summative! Jesus was not interested in assigning a final grade. Instead he wanted to give the disciples a chance to exercise their faith. Though they didn’t do very well with exercising their faith at the beginning of this story, they did very well at the end…

7. When we’re tested "Bring them here to me," he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:18-21

8. When we’re tested Note that Jesus only gave thanks and broke the bread The actual miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish came at the hands of the disciples The disciples had enough faith to obey Jesus’ commands, and as a result the people were fed…they passed the test!