Lesson 11 - November 12, 2017
Focus Text: Genesis 22:1-13
Central Truth: Our faith in God is demonstrated by our obedience to His will.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify why faith must result in action.
Lesson Outline:
Take some time to allow each class member to give examples of practicing simplicity in their lives. Some may focus on being good stewards of their money and developing frugal habits. Perhaps the topic of contentment will arise, or individuals might choose to convey ways in which they have kept their expenses down so that they would be more able to give to missions, charities, or the church. Facilitate a discussion that pertains to the lesson about the importance of uncluttering one's life. Begin with the significance of having a looser grip on physical items that accumulate over time. Allow the topic to lead into the need to unencumber our minds which allows God to reveal Himself through our prayer and devotions. Ask volunteers to share "God-encounters" that were possible when they were able to take a break from the chaos of life.
Read Genesis 18:1-8
“And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat” (v. 8).
As a child, I often heard the advice not to make mountains out of molehills. There is definitely a danger in making things bigger than they are. But there is also an opposite danger — failing to recognize the largeness of the moment. Failing to recognize that opportunity is knocking, and may not knock again.
The writer to the Hebrews seems to have had this event from the life of Abraham in mind when he wrote in 13:2, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Abraham seems to have recognized that his guests were not normal travelers, and this was no ordinary moment. He seized the moment.
Our God is gracious and forgiving. And that is great because we all fail to recognize special moments at times. So don’t despair if you can look back on times when you failed to rise to the occasion. But live ready for the moment! Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the people and events He is bringing into your life today! (Gordon Snider)
Are you ready for the opportunities God may bring your way today?
This devotional is the Monday, October 30, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.
Lesson 10 - November 5, 2017
Focus Text: Genesis 19:1, 15-25
Central Truth: We find deliverance from God’s judgment through God’s grace.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to understand that God’s grace is available in life’s most difficult circumstances.
Lesson Outline:
Present the possibility to the class of engaging in various forms of community service on a regular basis. This venture will challenge students to think of others and to reach beyond the four walls of the church. Start by brainstorming about some options that could be considered. Ask individuals to share the types of volunteerism in which they currently participate or activities they have especially enjoyed in the past. It would be feasible to clean a home or yard for a shut-in or neighbor, or to visit a soup kitchen to serve the needy. Food could be brought along to encourage the interest and involvement of the group. There might be a girls' home or pregnancy center nearby to which the members could donate items. Some individuals may be unable physically to attend the outreach effort, but they could pray and/or donate toward the cause.
Read Genesis 15:8-16
“And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance” (v. 14).
With each move, from parsonage to parsonage, from one church and town to the next appointment, our possessions increased. I have a mental picture of that move from our first church to the second. All we owned fit in the back of a borrowed pick-up truck. We saw the baby dresser and rocker at the back of the truck as we followed in our car down Mississippi’s red-clay roads. My pastor/husband’s books could fit in one bookcase, assembled by his father, and now his study has floor to ceiling built-in shelves nearly full of books and resources.
God’s promise to Abram included “great substance” after 400 years of affliction in a strange land. God repeated that promise with specifics to Moses: “When ye go, ye shall not go empty” (Ex. 3:21). The Israelite men and women would “borrow” gold and silver jewelry from their Egyptian neighbors. Thus, Israel would “spoil the Egyptians” (Ex. 3:22). The gold and silver, along with fine linen, would be used to build the tabernacle. (Ann Coker)
The God of Abram praise, All praised be His name,
Who was, and is, and is to be, Always the same!
The one eternal God, Whose timelessness is clear;
The First, the Last: beyond all thought, Throughout the years!
— Daniel ben Judah
What God promises He fulfills in His good time.
This devotional is the Tuesday, October 24, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.
Lesson 9 - October 29, 2017
Focus Text: Genesis 15:1-8; 17:3-8
Central Truth: We can trust God to keep His word.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list various promises God has fulfilled in history.
Lesson Outline:
Read Proverbs 3:5-10
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (vs. 5, 6).
I have been watching the construction of a section of interstate highway to the north of our hometown. We live in an area bounteous in limestone, so the earthmoving machinery has had to move tons of material to clear the way for the leveling of the ground.
The basic promise in our text for today is that God will "clear the way" for
you - if you trust Him, if you renounce your own wisdom, if you acknowledge Him in everything. But that’s a tough program unless you have come to a place of total surrender to Him.
When we allow God to cleanse the rebellion from our wills, then the most
natural thing is for us to trust Him for wisdom to make right choices. (Leonard Sankey)
Breathe on me, breath of God, Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will, to do and to endure. - Edwin Hatch
God has given to humans the awesome power of choice; it is our responsibility to use it wisely.
This devotional is the Sunday, October 22, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.
Observation: Sundays can be as eventful as other days. There are seasons in the church calendar which make the Lord’s Day just as hectic as any other. Check in with the class for input about this issue. Do they notice themselves being so industrious in “God’s work” that they fail to reserve intervals to restore their souls? Are they too harried to be sensitive to the needs around them? Do the class members take opportunities to sit down with their families for occasional meals and quality time? Inspire the group to plan sessions to refuel and restore their spirits before the Lord. When Sundays become crowded with church events, encourage them to seize additional moments on alternative days in the week to devote to time alone with God. Rest from one’s work is modeled by God. It is important that we discuss how to follow His model.
Lesson 8 - October 22, 2017
Focus Text: Genesis 13:5-15; 14:14-16
Central Truth: We should ask God for wisdom for life’s decisions.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list some guidelines for making right choices.
Lesson Outline: