FOCUS TEXT: Ecclesiastes 2:1-13

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ecclesiastes 1:1 – 2:26; Matthew 6:19-25; 16:24-28

DEVOTIONAL READING: Luke 12:15-21

KEY VERSE: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal (Matthew 6:19).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Depending on material things of this world to bring happiness results only in disappointment and disillusionment.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify that which brings true fulfillment in life.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Futility of Pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3)
II. The Futility of Wealth (Ecclesiastes 2:4-13)

FOCUS TEXT: Proverbs 23:19-35

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Proverbs 23:1-8; Romans 1:24-32; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:18-20

DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27

KEY VERSE: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Temperance in every area of living is the mark of a truly wise man.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list areas of life that need self-control.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Control Your Appetite (Proverbs 23:19-21)
II. Learn From Experience (Proverbs 23:22-28)
III. Abstain From Evil (Proverbs 23:29-35)

FOCUS TEXT: Proverbs 19:1-8, 17; 22:16-23

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Proverbs 19:1-29; 22:2, 7; Ecclesiastes 2:1-11; Hebrews 13:1-6; James 2:2-13

DEVOTIONAL READING: Proverbs 14:20-31

KEY VERSE: But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? (1 John 3:17).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Christian compassion toward the needy in this world is an obligation for which God holds us accountable.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways in which they may help people in need.

LESSON OUTLINE
I. Condition of the Poor (Proverbs 19:1-8)
II. Compassion for the Poor (Proverbs 19:17)
III. Champion of the Poor (Proverbs 22:16-23)

FOCUS TEXT: Proverbs 3:1-18

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Proverbs 3:1-26; 4:1 – 5:23; Matthew 7:24-27

DEVOTIONAL READING: Proverbs 3:19-26

KEY VERSE: Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding (Proverbs 3:13).

CENTRAL TRUTH: The path of wisdom leads to satisfaction in life and purity in character.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify several benefits of true wisdom.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Value of Obedience (Proverbs 3:1-4)
II. The Value of Trust (Proverbs 3:5-12)
III. The Value of Wisdom (Proverbs 3:13-18)

FOCUS TEXT: 2 Peter 3:8-18

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Titus 2:11-15; 2 Peter 3:1-18

DEVOTIONAL READING: Mark 13:28-37

KEY VERSE: Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness . . . ? (2 Peter 3:11).

CENTRAL TRUTH: The believer's responsibility is to live righteously in the hope of Christ's coming.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways they can be better prepared for Christ's coming.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Delay of Christ's Coming (2 Peter 3:8, 9)
II. Dissolution at Christ's Coming (2 Peter 3:10-13)
III. Diligence for Christ's Coming (2 Peter 3:14-18)

FOCUS TEXT: James 3:1-12

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ephesians 4:24-32

DEVOTIONAL READING: James 3:13-18

KEY VERSE: If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body (James 3:2).

CENTRAL TRUTH: The spiritually mature person has control of his tongue.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several principles which will guide the Christian in proper use of his tongue.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Power to Direct (James 3:1-4)
II. Power to Destroy (James 3:5-8)
III. Power to Delight (James 3:9-12)

FOCUS TEXT: James 2:1-13

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Romans 14:1-23; James 2:1-26

DEVOTIONAL READING: Romans 14:6-12

KEY VERSE: If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well (James 2:8).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Our belief in God is demonstrated by our behavior toward people.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several reasons why Christians should not be wrongly prejudiced against others.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. It Results From Evil Motives (James 2:1-4)
II. It Is Inconsistent With Love (James 2:5-9)
III. It Judges Without Mercy (James 2:10-13)

FOCUS TEXT: James 1:17-27; 2:14-18

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: James 1:1-27

DEVOTIONAL READING: James 2:19-26

KEY VERSE: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Your actions bear witness to the validity of your profession.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list at least three ways one's faith can be demonstrated by his works.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Dynamics of Faith (James 1:17-21)
II. The Demands of True Religion (James 1:22-27)
III. The Demonstration of Works (James 2:14-18)

BIBLICAL BASIS: The Importance of Fruitfulness in the Christian Life

FOCUS TEXT: John 15:1-17

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: John 15:1-27; Philippians 1:3-11; Colossians 1:9-14

DEVOTIONAL READING: Galatians 5:22-26

KEY VERSE: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Abiding in Christ requires knowing Christ's words.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain how abiding in Christ brings fruitfulness.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Vine and Its Caretaker (John 15:1-3)
II. The Vine and Its Branches (John 15:4-6)
III. The Vital Connection (John 15:7-11)
IV. The Link of Love (John 15:12-17)

BIBLICAL BASIS: Ezra's Renewal of God's Covenant with Israel

FOCUS TEXT: Nehemiah 8:5, 6, 8-10; 9:1-3; 10:28, 29

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: 2 Kings 22:8-20; Proverbs 3:1-6; Romans 10:11-17; Ephesians 6:10-17; James 1:5-25; 1 Peter 1:23-25

DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 119:9-16

KEY VERSE: Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Psalm 119:11).

CENTRAL TRUTH: The godly life is instructed by God's Word.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to adopt a simple plan for effective Bible study.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Reading the Word (Nehemiah 8:1-18)
II. Obeying the Word (Nehemiah 9:1-38)
III. Practicing the Word (Nehemiah 10:1-39)