📖

The Slave Trader's Transformation

Hymn Study: Stories of Faith Through Song

Day 61of 180
Week 13of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand how God can transform a person's life completely

2

Learn about John Newton's journey from slave trader to hymn writer

3

Recognize the power of God's grace and forgiveness

📖 Scripture Connection

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.”

— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (WEB)

Perfectly illustrates John Newton's spiritual transformation from slave trader to pastor

📦 Materials Needed

  • BibleMouse Resource Guide: Grade 3 Music
  • Hymnal or printed lyrics of 'Amazing Grace'
  • World English Bible
  • Notebook and pencil
  • Optional: Timeline or map
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

In today's BibleMouse lesson, we'll explore how God can change a person's entire life through His amazing grace.

💭 Review Question: What did we learn about music and praise in our last lesson?
2Teaching (8 min)

John Newton's incredible story of redemption and transformation

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Newton worked in the slave trade, doing terrible things
  • During a terrible storm at sea, he called out to God
  • God rescued him and completely changed his life
  • He became a pastor and wrote 'Amazing Grace'
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What do you think made Newton change?
  • How might God use someone's past to help others?
3Activity: Grace Timeline Activity (10 min)
discussion

Create a visual timeline of John Newton's life, highlighting his transformation

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw a long horizontal line
  2. Mark key events in Newton's life
  3. Use different colors to show 'before' and 'after' God's intervention
  4. Write 2 Corinthians 5:17 at the bottom of the timeline
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Parents help draw timeline

Challenge: Add more historical context about the slave trade

4Closing (3 min)

Reflect on how God can use anyone for His purpose

📝 Review Questions:
  • What was John Newton's job before becoming a pastor?
  • What famous hymn did he write?

Coming up: Tomorrow, we'll explore each verse of 'Amazing Grace' and its meaning

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Sensitive topic of slavery requires age-appropriate discussion

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Focus on redemption, not graphic historical details
  • Emphasize God's transformative power
  • Encourage empathy and understanding
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find historical context confusing

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Compassionate understanding of personal transformation

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Listen to 'Amazing Grace' together
  • Research other hymn writers with powerful stories
  • Use BibleMouse Printables Library for additional worksheets

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 62 →Back to Music