Lesson Highlights

What is the Christian's Identity?
What is the Christian's Identity?

What is the Christian's Identity?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Randy Bland writes:

Our identity is given to us by God the Father, through the work of Jesus on the cross. We receive this work of salvation by grace through faith. The Father declares that we are righteous, but it can be hard for us to believe this when we are struggling with temptation. In spite of our struggles, however, God has declared that we are His children. Only repeated, willful sin can change that. When we learn to accept that God has accepted us in Jesus, we can move into a deeper walk with God.

Discussion: How does understanding our identity as Christians help us grow spiritually?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 63.

Herald & Banner Press2016-05-06T09:00:00+00:00May 6th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Identity|0 Comments

Spiritual Fruitfulness and Unfruitfulness
Spiritual Fruitfulness and Unfruitfulness

Spiritual Fruitfulness and Unfruitfulness

In "Word Focus" Darrell Grimm writes:

The contrast between the branches is illustrated in the husbandman's actions toward each. The word translated as husbandman not only indicates ownership but labor as well. So Christ said that “He,” the Father, cuts away those who bear no fruit. Christians are not fruitless because of some defect in their graft to the Vine, but because of the choice of their free will. Likewise the fruitful branch is so because of a desire to be so. Instead of being cut away completely, this branch undergoes a pruning which cuts away all that hinders fruitfulness. This pruning has been likened to the experience of sanctification. The heart must be purged of the old nature, or stunted growth and unfruitfulness will follow.

Discussion: Fruit is a natural by-product of a healthy tree or vine. If a Christian is unfruitful spiritually, what does that say about his or her heart?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 58.

Herald & Banner Press2016-05-05T09:00:00+00:00May 5th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Fruitfulness|0 Comments

The Contrast between Pride and Humility
The Contrast between Pride and Humility

The Contrast between Pride and Humility

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Randy Bland writes:

One definition of pride is an inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority. This definition is an apt description of the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable. Humility, on the other hand, is defined as having a modest opinion of one’s own importance. Perhaps we should add that it is having a true opinion of one’s own importance. The publican knew exactly who he was and where he stood before God. Such knowledge is the most important thing when it comes to living lives of humility.

Discussion: What kind of opinion do we possess?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 50.

Herald & Banner Press2016-04-22T09:00:00+00:00April 22nd, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: humility, Pride|0 Comments

The Fulfillment of the Passover
The Fulfillment of the Passover

The Fulfillment of the Passover

In "Word Focus" Darrell Grim writes:

The Rabbinical customs prescribed that after the passing of the cup, the head of the group was to rise and wash his hands. It was probably at this point that Christ rose from the table. However, He departed from the traditional hand washing and adapted it to foot washing. Christ was injecting a very practical and relevant principle into the liturgical humdrum that was a part of the Jewish feasts. He was, throughout this feast, transforming it from the Paschal meal to the Eucharist. He was the fulfillment of all that the Paschal meal represented.

Discussion: What are other similarities and differences we see between the Passover feast and the Last Supper?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 46.

Herald & Banner Press2016-04-21T09:00:00+00:00April 21st, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Lamb, Passover, Sacrifice|0 Comments

What is the living water Jesus provides?
What is the living water Jesus provides?

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.

Herald & Banner Press2016-04-08T09:00:00+00:00April 8th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Holy Spirit, salvation|0 Comments

The Symbolism of Living Water
The Symbolism of Living Water

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.

Herald & Banner Press2016-04-07T09:00:00+00:00April 7th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: salvation, Thirst|0 Comments

The Shame of the Cross
The Shame of the Cross

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.

Herald & Banner Press2016-04-01T09:00:00+00:00April 1st, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: cross|0 Comments

Happy Easter!
Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6)
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of Your only Son. We thank You for His sinless life, His suffering in our behalf, and His loving sacrifice. We praise You for Your power in raising Him back to life and His victory over sin and death, giving us reason to worship this and every Easter!

Herald & Banner Press2016-03-27T08:00:00+00:00March 27th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Easter|0 Comments

How Should Christians Live in the Aftermath of the Resurrection?
How Should Christians Live in the Aftermath of the Resurrection?

How Should Christians Live in the Aftermath of the Resurrection?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Randy Bland quotes N.T. Wright's Surprised by Hope:

I know that God’s new world of justice and joy, of hope for the whole earth, was launched when Jesus came out of the tomb on Easter morning, and I know that He calls His followers to live in Him and by the power of His Spirit, and so to be new-creation people here and now, bringing signs and symbols of the kingdom to birth on earth as in heaven.

Bland finds three truths from this statement:

The resurrection is for everyone.
The resurrection opens up the possibility for Christians to live by the Spirit.
We must realize that we live in what theologians call the time between the already and the not yet.

Consult your Adult Teacher's Insights for more discussion!
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 26.

Herald & Banner Press2016-03-26T08:00:00+00:00March 26th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Easter, resurrection|0 Comments

Even so … for God so loved
Even so … for God so loved

Even so … for God so loved

John 3:14-16:

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God's gift of love to us!

Herald & Banner Press2016-03-25T08:00:00+00:00March 25th, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: cross, Crucifixion, Good Friday|0 Comments