Heavenly Father, thank You again for the gift of Your Son Jesus. Help our teachers as they lead their classes today to encourage any students who do not know You as Lord and Savior to make that decision today. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
In "God's Word for Today" Jim Baker writes:
When we consider why Jesus went to the cross, it should cause each of us to want to follow Him. The question Pilate asked, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” (Matt. 27:22), should elicit a response in each life. Will YOU accept Christ or crucify Him?
The lessons in this quarter have given many reasons to follow Christ, the Son of God. He is the suffering Savior who forgives. And because of His resurrection we have hope for today and eternity. He is the Good Shepherd and cares for us. Though He has supreme authority, yet He humbled Himself to reach us. To know that He intercedes for us gives us confidence to live daily for Him. With all these reasons to be a Christian, there is no excuse to reject Him. There is more to gain than to lose.
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 81.
In "Word Focus" Darrell Grim writes:
The Lord's reply to Pilate's question was deliberately ambiguous. Jesus spoke here as He spoke to the Jews — in parables. If they really wanted to find out the truth, they could, but their blinded eyes made His teaching seem as nonsense. Jesus gave Pilate enough to pique his curiosity. Had he continued to press with an earnest desire to know the truth, without doubt Christ would have revealed more to him.
Discussion: When God seems not to give us "straight" answers, do we continue to seek His word or are we content to be blind to Truth?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 78.
But one thing is needful and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)
Martha, rushing back and forth preparing to serve a meal for at least twenty, glanced to where her sister Mary sat, and murmured to herself, “What is she doing? Does she not realize her responsibilities? She is wasting her time!”
Life can be extremely hectic and stressful with barely a solitary moment. That is how life is many times, but in all this, am I allotting God only a moment of my time? Have I confined Him to the devotional room yet not invited Him into the kitchen? Have I greeted Him at the door in the morning then left Him behind as I labor “for Him”? Have I heard His sweet invitation to learn of Him yet neglected to come, be still at His feet when He would speak to me?
As His child and disciple, I must carefully guard my time. The devil would use genuine responsibilities and jobs that have to be done to prevent me from having any quality time with Jesus. If I do not spend quality time learning of Jesus through His Word and prayer daily than I have failed to honor Him with my time and cut myself off from my spiritual food. My one-on-one time with Jesus is the most crucial part of the day. If it fails to take place, whatever prevented it from happening is now driving a wedge between me and God.
My responsibilities are an important part of my service to God; however, in Christ’s eyes one thing must be my first priority: Listening coupled with obeying His voice. (Erika Fenstermaker)
“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” — Jesus (Matthew 6:33)
This devotional is the Wednesday, May 25, 2016 entry of Opening the Word
The Message paraphrases James 3:1, "Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards. And none of us is perfectly qualified." Teaching is rewarding work, even as it is draining physically, mentally, and spiritually. Teaching can have powerful impact on lives, even while we may feel a failure.
Considering the importance of teaching, the various methods one should employ, the purpose of life change, etc. could cause us to give up due to intimidation. But we must not cower to fear; God has called you to a great ministry. Therefore, as Apostle Paul challenges us in Romans 12:6-8, let's be faithful to perform it to the best of our ability. We will never be perfect, but God will use even our imperfections to His glory.
Thank you, teachers, for your labor of love and faithfulness in service!
Lesson 13 - May 29, 2016
Focus Text: Mark 15:1-15
Central Truth: We bear the responsibility for choosing who Christ will be to us.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should have each one decided personally to make Christ the Lord of his life.
Lesson Outline:
Heavenly Father,
We recognize Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. We believe this is true and we acknowledge His authority in our lives. Yet our world does not recognize Christ's authority. Indeed, many actively oppose His authority on their lives. And… this fleshly mindset has also affected many Christians, who believe Jesus is their Savior, but not their Lord. As we study this lesson today, may we be convinced of the absolute necessity of submitting every aspect of our lives to the authority of Christ.
In Jesus' name.
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Randy Bland writes:
Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians to refute some heretical teachings that had seeped into the Church. One of these heresies was that Jesus was not divine; He was just a good man who taught valuable lessons to follow. The heretics were trying to convince the Church that they still needed rules and secret knowledge to ensure that they would be saved. This heresy can still be found in some churches today, so Paul's majestic hymn to the supremacy of Christ is as important now as it was then.
Discussion: How do you see Jesus' authority being questioned today, even, at times, in the church?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 75.
In "Biblical Perspective" Randall McElwain writes:
The moneychangers and them that sold doves operated in the Court of the Gentiles, a large court that was open to Gentile visitors. Because the annual half-shekel Temple tax had to be paid in a standard Temple coin, moneychangers were able to charge exorbitant rates for changing the Roman currency into Temple money. In addition, the priests controlled the sale of doves and sacrificial animals, which were greatly overpriced. These transactions were necessary; foreign money had to be changed to Temple coin, and it was more convenient to purchase animals for sacrifice at the Temple than bringing them long distances. However, Jesus objected to the unjust exchange rates and inflated prices, as well as to the spirit which turned a “house of prayer” into a bazaar.
Discussion: What exactly was the injustice Jesus found at the Temple? Was it that animals were being sold and that money was being exchanged? Or was it something else?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 72.
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Matthew 7:29)
What a difference between self-imposed authority and God-appointed authority! With great delightful humor I recall my high school history teacher’s love for teaching with authority. Casual observance would estimate her avoirdupois to be approximately 300 pounds, so you can picture this: Twenty-five ninth graders are in their typical rowdy “don’t like boring history class” mood, when Mrs. B. enters the room, whispering the roll call. In a matter of seconds, these perceptive scholars notice Mrs. B. is experiencing laryngitis. This is the perfect time to ignore her raspy voice, so the volume of raucous behavior heightens, only to antagonize Mrs. B. to the next level in order to gain control. She steps onto the desk chair, but seeks to acquire a more authoritative presence by climbing onto the sturdy (we hope) wooden desk. With every ounce of remaining strength, Mrs. B. engages inflamed vocal cords to restore order…and the students inwardly congratulate themselves, “We did it again!”
Of course the foregoing story is silly at best, but perhaps it will serve to illustrate just how significant it is that our Master Teacher instructs with the authority that is inspired by the God of the universe. It is not usurped. It is not arrogant. It is not contradictory. It is not self-serving. On the contrary, it is full of grace and truth. It inspires. It informs. It convicts. (RB Kuhn)
Lord, preserve me from misusing my authority; help me to lead with confidence that comes from submitting to the authority of my Savior.
This devotional is the Thursday, May 26, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.