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November 1, 2026: Holy Living and the Second Coming
BIBLICAL BASIS: The Relationship of Holiness to the Second Coming
FOCUS TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11, 22-24; 2 Peter 3:10-14; 1 John 3:1-3
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Psalm 24; James 5:7, 8; 2 Peter 3:1-16; Revelation 20:6; 22:11
DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 Corinthians 15:49-54
KEY VERSE: Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (1 John 3:3).
CENTRAL TRUTH: The life of the believer must be characterized by holy living in order to be prepared for the Second Coming of Christ.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several reasons why Christians must be holy in view of Christ's coming.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. A Proper Preparation (1 Thess. 5:8-11)
II. A Blameless Preservation (1 Thess. 5:22-24; 2 Peter 3:10-14)
III. A Purifying Hope (1 John 3:1-3)
October 11, 2026: How To Be Sanctified
BIBLICAL BASIS: Biblical Steps to Sanctification
FOCUS TEXT: Psalm 51:2-7; Romans 12:1, 2; Hebrews 9:11-14
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ezekiel 36:27; John 16:12-15; Romans 5:1-5;
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17; Hebrews 8:10
DEVOTIONAL READING: Ephesians 3:14-21
KEY VERSE: And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Conviction of need is a condition for the personal quest after holiness.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain how to get sanctified according to the Bible.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. An Acknowledgment of Need (Psalm 51:2-7)
II. The Consecration of a Life (Romans 12:1, 2)
III. The Cleansing of the Heart (Hebrews 9:11-14)
October 4, 2026: The Holy Spirit and Holy Living
BIBLICAL BASIS: The Role of the Spirit in the Life of the Believer
FOCUS TEXT: John 7:37-39; 14:16-18; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13; Hebrews 10:14-16
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: John 16:5-15; Romans 8:10-16
DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 John 4:1-11
KEY VERSE: God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
CENTRAL TRUTH: God offers the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit to make us more Christlike.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Promise of the Spirit (John 7:37-39)
II. The Person of the Spirit (John 14:16-18)
III. The Work of the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:9-13; Heb. 10:12-16)
September 23, 2026: Unwavering, Obedient Faith
Read Genesis 22:1-13.
Unwavering, Obedient Faith
"And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah;
and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of" (v. 2).
How did a man from an idolatrous, sinful society become the father of our faith? What enabled him to hear and obey when he was called out of Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 12:1-3)? What inspired Abraham to trust God when directed to sacrifice his son?
While scripture provides little insight into Abraham's relationship with God prior to this call, we find some clues about what enabled him to walk in unwavering obedience. First, Abraham likely learned of God from his forefathers. Abraham was a descendant of Noah through Shem, who was old enough to have known Methuselah and who actually outlived Abraham. From Shem, Abraham may have learned of the one true God. Hearing stories of God’s faithfulness before and after the Flood, he would have learned to trust God (James 2:23).
Second, Abraham had enough of a relationship with God to recognize His voice. When God called him to leave his home for an unknown destination, Abraham went, trusting in God’s promises. Third, Abraham eventually developed such a close friendship with God that, when God asked him to sacrifice his son, Abraham had no doubt who was asking. Because of God’s faithfulness to Abraham over decades, he trusted God--even when it didn't seem to make sense.
May God help us to walk so closely with God that we know Him fully and trust Him completely! (Lyle Witt)
“But we never can prove the delights of his love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor he shows,
For the joy he bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.”
--- John Sammis
God, help us to trust and obey You!
September 27, 2026: The Qualities of Holy Living
BIBLICAL BASIS: Holy Living in the Life of the Believer
FOCUS TEXT: Galatians 5:22-26; 1 Peter 2:21-25; Ephesians 4:20-24
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Acts 15:8, 9; Romans 6:1-14; Ephesians 1:3-14
DEVOTIONAL READING: Romans 8:11-17
KEY VERSE: Flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (1 Timothy 6:11).
CENTRAL TRUTH: The essence of holy living consists in man's willingness to conform to the nature and will of God.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several characteristics of a holy person.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. A Life of Fruitfulness (Galatians 5:22-26)
II. A Life of Christlikeness (1 Peter 2:21-25)
III. A Life of Right Conduct (Ephesians 4:20-24)
Sept. 17, 2026:
Thursday, September 17
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22.
Instruction in Practical Holiness
“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men” (v.15).
As a little girl, Mrs. William Booth, who became a leader of the Salvation Army, was running along the road with a hoop and stick when she saw a prisoner dragged away by a constable to the lockup. The mob was hooting at the unfortunate culprit, and his utter loneliness touched her heart. It seemed to her that he did not have a friend in the world. Quickly, she sprang to his side and marched down the street, determined that he should know there was one soul that felt for him, whether he suffered for his own fault or that of another.
“Quench not the Spirit” but follow His gentle promptings. Call that one that needs a friendly reminder that you care. Pick up the meal tab for a police officer or soldier. Practical holiness will be evident in your daily walk with God. Love is not what you say, love is what you do.
Welcoming the Comforter is described using various terminology: Sanctification, the Infilling, the experience of holiness, being filled with the Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost, and the Second Blessing. Throw the door of your heart wide open. Welcome, Holy Spirit, we need You. (BKT)
Holy Spirit, like a dove, Who descended from above;
Make our hearts henceforth to be,
Temples ever worthy Thee.
--- Clarence T. Steele