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What is the living water Jesus provides?

In "Biblical Perspective" Randall McElwain writes:

Since the “living water” is the Holy Spirit given through the work of Jesus Christ, verse 38 may refer to “rivers of living water” flowing from Christ. Another possibility is that the “living water” represents the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Because of that work, rivers shall flow to others, bringing them to Christ. Either way, Jesus is the source of the living water that springs forth in abundance far beyond the water used in the Feast of Tabernacles.

Discussion: What are the implications of this basic spiritual truth that Jesus is the source of living water?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 36.

2016-04-08T09:00:00+00:00April 8th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , |0 Comments

The Symbolism of Living Water

In "Word Focus" Darrell Grim writes:

Rivers of living water (John 7:38). Each day of the Feast of Tabernacles the people came with palm branches to the Temple. They would hold the palms in the air and march around the great altar. While they did this, the priest would take a golden pitcher, which held about two pints, and fill it at the pool of Siloam. It was then carried back through the Water Gate as the people recited Isaiah 12:3 — “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” The water was then poured on the altar as an offering to God. At that point the Hallel (Ps. 113 — 118) was sung. At specified points in the singing the people would raise their palm branches and shout to the Lord. On the last day of the feast they marched seven times around the altar in memory of their seven-day march around the walls of Jericho. It was in the midst of this symbolism that Jesus stood and proclaimed the true water of life.

Discussion: With this cultural background, how do you think the Jewish people "heard" Jesus' proclamation that He could provide them living water?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 34.

2016-04-07T09:00:00+00:00April 7th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , |0 Comments

Teaching is Not Listening

Another extreme teachers may veer into, in their desire to encourage discussion and thought, is simply to allow their students to drive the lesson's conversation. Admittedly, this extreme may also be the result of the teacher's lack of preparation. They don't know what to say, so they just ask their students to say what's on their mind.
Regardless, this point might sound contradictory to what has been suggested in this quarter's previous tips. If teaching is not about lecturing and we need to encourage discussion, doesn't that mean listening? Furthermore, isn't it true that the teacher often feels like they learn more from the lesson than are able to teach their students?
The problem comes in the extreme; the teacher should guide the discussion at the least. Ideally, the teacher should have good understanding of the biblical principles in question and be able to help students replace worldly concepts, faulty reasoning, or uninformed thinking with God's truth.

2016-04-06T09:00:00+00:00April 6th, 2016|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: |0 Comments

Water from the Lord’s House

“Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar” (Ezekiel 47:1).
As a young Christian, I never wanted to miss a church service. I felt the need to be there for Sunday school, morning worship, the Sunday evening service, and Wednesday night prayer
meeting. In fact, it felt like I needed to be there all the time. Our pastor always encouraged us to be faithful to God’s house. He said that we would miss out on a blessing if we were not consistent in our attendance. How true! I found this out the few times that I was not there! Indeed, I had missed out on a blessing.
Ezekiel was led to follow the water coming out of God’s house. The further he went, the deeper the water became. Even so, the deeper we go with the Lord; the greater are the blessings from above, richer are the insights from His Word, and victorious are the spiritual battles which end with Christ at our side. He alone is the “water of life,” but it is up to us to step into the water. (James Baker)

Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Wet your feet in the water of His love
Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Come join angels singing praise to the Lamb of God
--L. Kirk Talley

Go deeper with Christ; He was lifted high for us.

This devotional is the Tuesday, April 5, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

2016-04-05T09:00:00+00:00April 5th, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: , , |0 Comments

The Water of Life

Lesson 6 - April 10, 2016
Focus Text: John 4:7-14; 7:37-39; Revelation 7:15-17
Central Truth: The "living water" supplied by Christ abundantly satisfies the thirsty soul.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state how one can obtain the living water.
Lesson Outline:

  1. The Living Water (John 4:7-14)
  2. The Invitation to Drink (John 7:37-39)
  3. No More Thirst (Revelation 7:15-17)
2016-04-04T09:00:00+00:00April 4th, 2016|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: , |0 Comments

The Shame of the Cross

In "Word Focus" Darrell Grim writes:

Bearing his cross (v. 17). It was the custom that four soldiers were detailed to each cross, and they were under the command of a centurion. The cross was usually carried by the one who would soon be nailed to it. In many cases his arms were tied to it. Normally they took the longest route and through the most crowded streets to attract the most public attention. This had a twofold purpose. First, it was a deterrent to others inclined to break the law. Second, it gave opportunity for anyone who had evidence in behalf of the condemned to come forth. Whether these customs were followed in the case of Christ’s crucifixion is unknown.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2, KJV).
Discussion: As followers we are to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus. What does this say then about the "shame" we may endure as a result of carrying our cross for Jesus?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 28.

2016-04-01T09:00:00+00:00April 1st, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: |0 Comments

Teaching is Not Grandstanding

Everybody likes a good show, right? Another temptation we face as teachers is to put on a show to entertain our students. No, we might not call it such. But the intention is the same. How does this happen?
Sometimes, the teacher is trying to engage the curiosity of their students. So they launch off into a highly animated one-person skit. The class is entertained, but other than telling their friends what an enjoyable class they had this Sunday, are not prepared to live any differently. At other times, the teacher may be so animated by a certain topic that they put on a show, even unintentionally, expressing their frustration, disgust, etc. with the issue at hand. Again, the students may applaud the teacher for voicing their own irritation. But the end effect is a rant.
Passion in teaching is important; how can you use passion to reinforce the lesson, instead of replacing the lesson?

2016-03-31T08:00:00+00:00March 31st, 2016|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: |0 Comments

The Savior Dies

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water (John 19:34).
Jesus, the blood and water flowing from your side speak to us the surety of your death and
the blessings that flow to penitent believers.
The blood and water speaks of the two great benefits which all believers partake through Christ Jesus. They are justified by his blood and purified by the cleansing stream of Calvary. They both flow from the pierced side of our Redeemer. To Christ crucified we owe merit for our justification, and grace for our sanctification.
And, your legs were not broken. These soldier thought they were in control but were in fact fulfilling prophecy, "that the Scripture should be fulfilled, a bone of him shall not be broken"; referring to Psalm 34:20, "he keepeth all his bones, not one of them is broken; and again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced."
Isaac Watts give us these words from his song When I Survey:
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
Jesus, I want to be at my best for you this day. (William Cook)
This devotional is the Friday, April 1, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
Bremner Cross by NPS / Jacob W. Frank is licensed under CC BY 2.0

2016-03-30T08:00:00+00:00March 30th, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: , , |0 Comments

The Price of Free Salvation

Lesson 5 - April 3, 2016
Focus Text: John 19:17-30
Central Truth: Jesus purchased salvation through His death on the cross.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to tell someone else how free salvation can be attained.
Lesson Outline:

  1. The Savior's Suffering (John 19:17-22)
  2. The Savior's Compassion (John 19:23-27)
  3. The Savior's Death (John 19:28-30)
  4. The Savior's Burial (John 19:38-42)
2016-03-29T12:30:00+00:00March 29th, 2016|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: |0 Comments
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