BIBLICAL BASIS: The Role of the Spirit in the Life of the Believer

FOCUS TEXT: John 7:37-39; 14:16-18; 1 Corinthians 2:9-13; Hebrews 10:14-16

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: John 16:5-15; Romans 8:10-16

DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 John 4:1-11

KEY VERSE: God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

CENTRAL TRUTH: God offers the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit to make us more Christlike.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Promise of the Spirit (John 7:37-39)
II. The Person of the Spirit (John 14:16-18)
III. The Work of the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:9-13; Heb. 10:12-16)

BIBLICAL BASIS: Holy Living in the Life of the Believer

FOCUS TEXT: Galatians 5:22-26; 1 Peter 2:21-25; Ephesians 4:20-24

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Acts 15:8, 9; Romans 6:1-14; Ephesians 1:3-14

DEVOTIONAL READING: Romans 8:11-17

KEY VERSE: Flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (1 Timothy 6:11).

CENTRAL TRUTH: The essence of holy living consists in man's willingness to conform to the nature and will of God.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several characteristics of a holy person.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. A Life of Fruitfulness (Galatians 5:22-26)
II. A Life of Christlikeness (1 Peter 2:21-25)
III. A Life of Right Conduct (Ephesians 4:20-24)

BIBLICAL BASIS: Sanctification as a Second Work of Grace

FOCUS TEXT: Matthew 3:11, 12; Acts 8:14-17; Titus 2:11-14

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Romans 6:11-14; Colossians 3:5-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24

DEVOTIONAL READING: Acts 2:1-8

KEY VERSE: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection (Hebrews 6:1).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Entire sanctification is experienced as a second blessing of grace subsequent to regeneration.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list reasons why sanctification is a crisis experience.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. A Doctrine To Be Believed (Matthew 3:11, 12)
II. An Experience To Be Enjoyed (Acts 8:14-17)
III. A Life To Be Lived (Titus 2:11-14)

FOCUS TEXT: Job 38:4-8, 22-29; 42:1-3

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Job 38:1 – 41:34; Psalms 8:1-9; 33:1-22;
104:1-35

DEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 40:18-26

KEY VERSE: For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods (Psalm 96:4).

CENTRAL TRUTH: God, though omnipotent, transcendent, and Lord of all creation, is forever at work with man in all the experiences of life.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify three attributes of God and the effects each of these has on their lives.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. God's Greatness (Job 38:1-8, 22-29)
II. Job's Humility (Job 42:1-6)

FOCUS TEXT: Job 1:20-22; 2:1-10

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Job 1:1 – 2:13; 42:1-17; 2 Corinthians 11:24-33; 1 Peter 3:14-17

DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 Peter 4:12-16

KEY VERSE: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10).

CENTRAL TRUTH: God's care and grace are available to us in the hardest circumstances of life.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain how to reconcile God's promise of help with the occurrence of difficulties in life.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. A Righteous Response (Job 1:20-22)
II. Satan's Persistence (Job 2:1-6)
III. Job's Patience (Job 2:7-10)

FOCUS TEXT: Ecclesiastes 11:9 – 12:14

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Psalm 119:1-56; Ecclesiastes 11:1-10

DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 119:1-8

KEY VERSE: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Pleasing God and living for His glory should be the main goal of life.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways in which they may please God with their lives.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Responsibility of Life (Ecclesiastes 11:9, 10)
II. The Perils of Procrastination (Ecclesiastes 12:1-8)
III. The Duty of Man (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14)

FOCUS TEXT: Ecclesiastes 7:1-9; 9:7-10

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Job 23:8-12; Psalm 73:24-28

DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 90:1-12

KEY VERSE: The excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it (Ecclesiastes 7:12).

CENTRAL TRUTH: A serious and responsible attitude toward right living makes for the best decisions and the best reputation.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list three principles from God's Word which can help them make right choices in life.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Better Things (Ecclesiastes 7:1-5)
II. Pursue Patience (Ecclesiastes 7:6-9)
III. Righteous Living (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10)

FOCUS TEXT: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7; Psalm 84:1-4, 10

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ecclesiastes 3:16 – 4:16; Psalm 27:1-14

DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 95:1-6

KEY VERSE: O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker (Psalm 95:6).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Appropriate expressions of worship to God are characterized by sincerity and humility.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways to promote greater reverence in worship in their church.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Honesty in Worship (Ecclesiastes 5:1-3)
II. Keep Your Vows (Ecclesiastes 5:4-7)
III. True Worship (Psalm 84:1-4, 10)

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)