Purpose: Run a complete lesson using Chapter 47 and the Student Self‑Study page as the student material.
Recommended Level: A2–B1 | Lesson Length: 30–45 minutes
1) Lesson Overview
- Theme: reconciliation, Christian freedom, changed hearts, old enemies becoming friends, and remembering a sermon after worship.
- Skills: Listening, reading, vocabulary development, discussion, sequencing, and personal reflection.
- Outcome: Student can explain why Jake and Colt raise the flag together, connect their friendship to Paul’s changed life, and discuss how God’s grace can heal old wounds.
Tutor Tip: Depending on the age, number of students, English proficiency level, and available class time, please feel free to modify this lesson material to best meet your students' needs. You may want to read the Student Self-Study TEFL lesson for additional ideas as you plan your lesson.
Story Tip: This chapter refers to the war and to Jake and Colt having fought on different sides. Keep the lesson focused on reconciliation, grace, and peace. Help students understand that the story does not ignore the past, but shows how Christ can give people a different future.
2) Warm-Up Questions
- Have you ever seen two people become friends after being angry with each other?
- Why is it sometimes hard to forget old hurts?
- What does it mean when someone says, “That person has changed”?
- Why is peace between former enemies important for a family, town, or country?
3) Vocabulary
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Tutor Prompt |
|---|---|---|
| newlywed | a person who has recently married | Who are the newlyweds sitting on the porch swing? |
| porch swing | a hanging seat on a porch that moves back and forth | Where did Jake and Mary sit after church? |
| father-in-law | the father of a person’s husband or wife | Who is Jake’s new father-in-law? |
| icehouse | a building or place used to store ice | Why did the family drink cold well water instead of lemonade? |
| worship | honoring God, often in church or prayer | What morning event were they remembering on the porch? |
| conversion | a major spiritual change, especially turning to faith in Christ | Whose conversion did Pastor Kendall preach about? |
| Damascus Road | the road where Paul met the Lord and his life was changed | What happened to Paul on the Damascus Road? |
| persecuting | treating people badly because of what they believe | Who had Paul been persecuting before the Lord changed his heart? |
| purpose | the reason for doing something; a mission or goal | What new purpose did the Lord give Paul? |
| Independence Day | the Fourth of July, when Americans celebrate national independence | What do Jake and Colt do together every Independence Day? |
| flag | a cloth symbol of a country, state, or group | Why does Caldwell want Jake and Colt to raise the flag together? |
| reconciliation | the healing of a broken relationship | How do Jake and Colt show reconciliation? |
| grace | God’s undeserved kindness and help | Why does Caldwell say God’s grace matters more than the past? |
| miracle | something only God can do | What does Caldwell call God’s greatest miracle? |
| heals old wounds | helps people recover from past hurts | How does Christian freedom heal old wounds in this chapter? |
4) First Listening
- Listen once without reading.
- Ask: "Where are Jake, Mary, Caldwell, Colt, Thomas, Tiny, and Boone sitting?"
- Ask: "What Bible story did Pastor Kendall preach about?"
- Ask: "What do Jake and Colt do together every Independence Day?"
Expected Big Idea: Pastor Kendall’s sermon about Paul’s conversion helps the ranch family think about Jake and Colt. Paul once hurt Christians, but the Lord changed his life and sent him to people he never expected to love. In a similar way, Jake and Colt once fought on different sides of the war, but now they stand together as friends.
5) Comprehension Check Questions (CCQs)
- What time of day does Chapter 47 begin?
- Where is Boone resting?
- Why are Thomas and Tiny sitting quietly on the porch?
- Why does Jake say Pastor Kendall gave them plenty to think about?
- What story did Mary say she had heard many times before?
- What did Colt remember from Pastor Kendall’s sermon?
- Why did people in church look at Jake and Colt?
- Why did Old Man Caldwell start the flag-raising tradition?
- What does Caldwell want the children to remember?
- What new purpose did the Lord give Paul?
- Why does Caldwell say the past still matters?
- What does Mary say about freedom?
- What does Caldwell call God’s greatest miracle?
- What does Caldwell say families should do after church?
6) Speaking Practice
- Why do you think Jake felt shy when people looked at him and Colt in church?
- Why did Caldwell want children to remember peace more than the war?
- How is Paul’s changed life similar to Jake and Colt’s friendship?
- What does Caldwell mean when he says, “It isn’t because the past doesn’t matter. It’s because the grace of God matters more”?
- What kind of freedom does Mary say is not only about a nation?
- Why is a heart set free by Jesus Christ called God’s greatest miracle?
- How can talking about a sermon after church help people remember it?
7) Sequencing Practice
Ask the student to retell the chapter in order using these prompts:
- The family sits quietly on the porch after Sunday worship.
- Jake says Pastor Kendall gave them plenty to think about.
- Mary says Paul’s conversion felt new to her that day.
- Caldwell explains that the Lord changed the direction of Paul’s life.
- Colt remembers that Paul was sent to people he never expected to love.
- Mary says people in church looked at Jake and Colt.
- Caldwell explains why he asked Jake and Colt to raise the flag together.
- Caldwell says the children should remember the peace.
- The group connects Paul’s work with Jews and Gentiles to Jake and Colt’s friendship.
- Caldwell says God’s grace matters more than the past.
- Mary says freedom is not only about a nation.
- Caldwell says a heart set free by Jesus Christ is God’s greatest miracle.
- Boone thumps his tail, and everyone laughs about supper.
- Caldwell says families remember more when they talk about the Lord’s Word after church.
8) Writing Task
- Option A: Summarize Chapter 47 in 5–10 sentences.
- Option B: Explain why Jake and Colt raise the flag together every Independence Day.
- Option C: Write a paragraph about how God’s grace can heal old wounds.
- Option D: Explain Caldwell’s sentence: “Most folks remember who won the fight. The Lord's usually more interested in who finally shook hands.”
Fluency Tip: Encourage students to use contrast language such as once, but now, although, and instead: "Paul once persecuted Christians, but now he served Christ." "Jake and Colt once fought on different sides, but now they raise the flag together."
9) Wrap-Up
Wrap-up: Chapter 47 teaches that God’s grace can change hearts and heal relationships. Paul’s life was changed on the Damascus Road, and he was sent to people he never expected to love. Jake and Colt’s friendship shows a similar lesson: the past was real, but it did not have to keep them apart forever.
Final Question: "Why can a changed heart sometimes be a greater miracle than winning a fight?"