Remember that your class may have different styles of learners. Although it can be challenging to accommodate everyone, it can also be fun to try! Perhaps you can come up with a great object lesson to go along with your lesson. You could also have students write down a few key points that stuck out to them during the lesson and share it back toward the close to help everyone remember the main ideas.
Read Proverbs 23:22-26
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” (v. 23).
“Invest in truth and wisdom . . . and don’t part with them,” says a modern Bible version. I occasionally read investment advice from a successful brokerage. The writers tell their readers what stocks they should purchase — they are considered good investments. The desire, of course, is that the investment will gain in value, increasing the investor’s wealth. However, the advisors also tell their readers how to calculate a “trailing stop” — the price at which to sell the stock if it begins to lose value. The idea is for the “trailing stop” to rise along with the stock value but provide for a selling price to lock in most of the gains when the stock falters. They offer such advice, of course, because investments rise and fall in value, companies lose money or go out of business, and investor confidence sours. No one wants to lose money, so everyone is poised to sell his investment at the most advantageous moment. God’s advice about truth and wisdom, though, does not include a “trailing stop” or a selling price. Rather, He urges us to purchase, or invest in, truth — and then keep it! We should even add to it. Truth is an investment that will never lose its value. Our greatest advantage is to keep it, for truth will take us to heaven. (Steven E. Hight)
Truth is a valuable investment for eternity.
Focus Text: 2 Peter 2:1-3, 10-22
Central Truth: The believer must know how to identify teachings contrary to the Bible and overcome temptation to follow them.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways to distinguish truth from error.
I. Conduct of False Teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3)
II. Characteristics of False Teachers (2 Peter 2:10-19)
III. Condemnation of False Teachers (2 Peter 2:20-22)
It can be tempting to quickly move from meet and greet time in Sunday school class to the lesson. Fellowship is a key and important component. People often connect best over food, so if that is an acceptable option at your church, try using some refreshments to encourage your class to connect. This is especially helpful if you regularly have new people in attendance. Use that time to ask questions like, “What are some ways God has been acting in your life this week? What are some things you have learned from your own study of Scripture?”
Read Acts 2:41-47
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (v. 42).
What is your favorite type of bread? Whole wheat? Sourdough? French? Italian? Banana? Pumpkin? Zucchini? The old saying is that “bread is the staff of life” meaning that it is one of the basic components of food in almost every region of the world. All over the globe, people are enjoying some type of bread today. When the writer of Acts wrote about the early church “breaking bread,” it probably referred to sharing the Lord’s Supper or Communion. But right before, he references the idea of fellowship — camaraderie, support, friendship, encouragement. This is one of the important ways the first-century believers connected with one another. And it could very likely have included food. Maybe those church dinners we love are biblical, after all! As members of Christ’s body, the Church, we are called by Him to develop deep relationships that help us live His way and enrich us as people created in His image. We are to keep growing in this area, always adding to our ability to host others and to accept others’ invitations graciously. You don’t have to serve bread — after all, some are gluten intolerant or eating fewer carbs these days. But you do need to share what you have. That’s a menu option we can all agree on. (Valerie A. Quesenberry)
Let us break bread together on our knees, (on our knees) Let us break bread together on our knees. (on our knees) — Traditional
Fellowship is about breaking bread to form unbroken relationships.
Focus Text: 2 Peter 1:1-12
Central Truth: We must build the knowledge of God’s Word and grace into our lives daily.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways in which they may experience spiritual growth.
I. The Provision of God (2 Peter 1:1-4)
II. The Progression of Faith (2 Peter 1:5-8)
III. The Prompting to Remembrance (2 Peter 1:9-12)
Silence is not your enemy. There is nothing wrong with allowing the class to quietly contemplate a question that has been asked or a point that has been made. It can be awkward, and you can be tempted to break silence sometimes. However, do not be afraid of the silence. It is in those moments that the Holy Spirit can speak to hearts.
Read Acts 7:54-60
“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (v. 56)
When Stephen was falsely charged before the Sanhedrin, he courageously used the opportunity to confront the religious leaders about their historic persecution of the prophets and their recent rejection of Jesus. Such an affront to their reputation and authority angered the council members, who were “cut to the heart” and “gnashed . . . their teeth” (Acts 7:54). Stephen’s proclamation that followed, however, triggered immediate action. His claim that Jesus was standing at the right hand of God led the council to abandon all further discussion, preempting justice to deliver the immediate judgment of stoning for alleged blasphemy. In light of the council’s ability to mete out capital punishment, what inspired such courage in Stephen? Acts 6:8 reveals that Stephen was so “full of faith and power” that he “did great wonders and miracles.” Stephen believed so much in God and drew so much strength from God that even mortal danger did not shift his focus from his Savior. Even as the stones pummeled his body, Stephen — being filled with the Spirit — followed the example of his Savior by praying for his persecutors, by offering forgiveness with his final words: “Lay not this sin to their charge.” (Lyle A. Witt)
Tho’ I falter, His arm will hold me; I can rest on His strength and grace; Tho’ the darkness of night enfold me, Soon I know I shall see His face. — Civilla Martin
Stephen’s courage came from knowing and trusting Jesus.
Focus Text: 1 Peter 4:1-5, 12-19
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways in which they might react to suffering for Christ.
Central Truth: The example of Jesus Christ in His suffering should inspire the Christian to strength and purity in his own life.
I. AN EXAMPLE PORTRAYED (1 Peter 4:1-5)
II. RIGHT ATTITUDES COMMENDED (1 Peter 4:12-16)
III. TESTING TIMES IDENTIFIED (1 Peter 4:17-19)
If you decide to ask discussion questions, be certain that they will always create quality discussion. Do not ask questions that only have one right answer if you are looking for a discussion. Whenever you ask a discussion question, your goal is to help people share their thoughts and really think about the material. Ask open-ended questions.