Level 2 — Elementary (CEFR: A2)
Unit 6 — Verb Group 2: -ER Verbs
Lesson 11 — Near Future with -ER Verbs
Lesson Overview
Level: 2 — Elementary Unit: 6 — Verb Group 2: -ER Verbs Lesson: 11 of 13 Estimated Time: 45 minutes
What this lesson covers:
- Near future (ir + a + infinitive) applied to -ER verbs
- The near future is verb-group-neutral — the infinitive is used unchanged
- Ministry sentences with -ER verb infinitives in the near future
- The curriculum key sentences applied and extended
Near Future: Verb-Group Neutral
The near future construction is entirely independent of verb group:
ir (present) + a + infinitive
The infinitive form is identical to the dictionary entry — whether -AR, -ER, or -IR. No modifications are needed. This makes the near future the simplest future construction: once ir is conjugated, the infinitive simply follows.
Voy a creer más profundamente en sus promesas. — I am going to believe more deeply in his promises. Va a leer el Evangelio de Juan esta semana. — He is going to read the Gospel of John this week. Vamos a hacer discípulos. — We are going to make disciples. Van a ver la gloria de Dios. — They are going to see the glory of God. ¿Vas a leer el evangelio esta semana? — Are you going to read the gospel this week?
The Curriculum Key Sentences
Voy a creer en sus promesas. — I am going to believe in his promises.
creer is -ER; the infinitive is unchanged in the near future. This sentence expresses an act of will and intention — a declaration of faith as a decision.
Voy a creer aunque no veo todavía. — I am going to believe even though I cannot see yet. Va a creer — está muy cerca. — He is going to believe — he is very close. Vamos a creer juntos por esta situación. — We are going to believe together for this situation.
Vamos a hacer discípulos. — We are going to make disciples.
hacer is irregular in the present (hago) but the infinitive is always hacer. In the near future, the infinitive is used — no irregularity applies.
Vamos a hacer lo imposible posible. — We are going to make the impossible possible. Vamos a hacer todo lo que Él nos pide. — We are going to do everything he asks of us. ¿Qué vamos a hacer con lo que Dios nos ha dado? — What are we going to do with what God has given us?
¿Vas a leer el evangelio esta semana? — Are you going to read the gospel this week?
leer is -ER; infinitive unchanged. The near future used here as a pastoral question about commitment and follow-through.
¿Vas a leer la Biblia antes de dormirte hoy? — Are you going to read the Bible before sleeping tonight? ¿Qué van a leer esta semana como iglesia? — What are they going to read this week as a church?
Additional Near Future Ministry Sentences
creer: Si oras con fe, vas a creer todavía más. — If you pray with faith, you are going to believe even more. La iglesia va a creer por un avivamiento en esta ciudad. — The church is going to believe for revival in this city.
ver: Vamos a ver cosas que ningún ojo ha visto. — We are going to see things no eye has seen. Van a ver milagros en sus propias comunidades. — They are going to see miracles in their own communities. ¿Vas a ver al pastor antes de que salga? — Are you going to see the pastor before he leaves?
hacer: Dios va a hacer mucho más de lo que pedimos. — God is going to do far more than we ask. ¿Qué va a hacer usted con lo que aprendió hoy? — What are you going to do with what you learned today?
poder: Vamos a poder predicar el evangelio en cada rincón. — We are going to be able to preach the gospel in every corner. Van a poder entrar al pueblo pronto. — They are going to be able to enter the village soon.
saber: Pronto van a saber lo que significa la gracia. — Soon they are going to know what grace means. Vas a saber hablar español si sigues practicando. — You are going to know how to speak Spanish if you keep practicing.
volver: El misionero va a volver el próximo año. — The missionary is going to return next year. Cristo va a volver — eso es nuestra esperanza. — Christ is going to return — that is our hope.
Negation and Questions
No voy a creer las mentiras del enemigo. — I am not going to believe the enemy’s lies. ¿No van a hacer nada al respecto? — Aren’t they going to do anything about it? El Señor no va a dejar sin respuesta esta oración. — The Lord is not going to leave this prayer unanswered.
Near Future for Evangelism and Invitation
The near future is particularly effective in altar call and invitation language:
Si pones tu fe en Cristo hoy, vas a encontrar la paz que buscas. — If you put your faith in Christ today, you are going to find the peace you are looking for. Vas a ver que Dios es fiel. — You are going to see that God is faithful. ¿No vas a creer esta noche? — Won’t you believe tonight? Si lo entregas todo a Dios, Él va a hacer algo hermoso con tu vida. — If you give everything to God, He is going to do something beautiful with your life.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1 — Near Future Production
Produce the near future of each sentence using all five forms of ir:
creer / en sus promesas → Voy a creer / Vas a creer / Va a creer / Vamos a creer / Van a creer en sus promesas.
Repeat with: ver la gloria de Dios, hacer discípulos, leer la Biblia, volver al Señor
Exercise 2 — Ministry Announcement Production
Produce 5 near-future ministry announcements using different -ER verbs. Deliver them aloud as if addressing a congregation.
Exercise 3 — Evangelism Conversation
Role-play an evangelism conversation where you use the near future to describe what will happen when the person accepts Christ. Use at least 3 different -ER verb infinitives:
Si crees, vas a… / Dios va a hacer… / Vas a ver… / Vas a poder…
Exercise 4 — Recognition
A partner reads a passage with mixed present and near future -ER forms. You identify which forms are present tense and which are near future:
La iglesia cree en el poder de la oración. Vamos a creer juntos por este milagro. El pastor hace todo lo posible. Dios va a hacer lo imposible. Veo la necesidad de esta comunidad. Vamos a ver a Dios obrar aquí.
Key Takeaways for This Lesson
Before moving to Lesson 12:
- Near future (ir + a + infinitive) is verb-group-neutral — the infinitive is always used unchanged
- Irregular present tense forms are irrelevant in the near future (the infinitive bypasses all present irregularities)
- Know the curriculum key sentences: voy a creer, vamos a hacer discípulos, ¿vas a leer?
- Near future is the primary future tense in spoken Latin American Spanish — it will appear far more than the simple future in ministry conversation
Daily Practice
Three near future sentences about your actual day:
Hoy voy a creer por… / Voy a hacer… / Voy a ver…
Each uses a different -ER verb infinitive. This daily habit builds the near future reflex for -ER verbs to match what you already built for -AR verbs.