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August 2, 2026: Counsel for Right Living
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)
July 26, 2026: Reverence in Worship
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)
July 19, 2026: The Peril of an Empty Life
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)
July 12, 2026: Wisdom and Appetite
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)
Editorial: Comparing Your Values with Jesus’ Values
It seems significant that Jesus opened this sermon by setting his priorities. The kingdom person would first be a person of character and secondly a person of action. We live in a world that has that order reversed. In our world people are generally valued more by what they can accomplish than by who they are. Our society even suggests that a person’s private life should be of no concern to others. What is important is what they produce.
There are many ways of examining how well your faith in Christ is growing. One of them is by comparing your life with the template Jesus lays down in the Beatitudes.
In his commentary on this sermon, Larry Richards has shown that each of the beatitudes establishes a value of Jesus that conflicts with the values of the world. Jesus begins by valuing “poverty of spirit.” The world values self-confidence, competency, and self-reliance. But bravado does not impress God. He wants to know if we understand our inadequacies. He knows that without Him we are nothing. The question is whether we recognize the same truth.
Jesus valued “mourning” over pleasure. That is, does the fact that we have nothing of concern to us? Or do we pass it off as “no big deal?”
Jesus valued a submissive spirit over a proud, powerful spirit. The word “meek” was used to describe a well-trained beast of burden. Although the animal was much more powerful than its controller, it moved as the slightest movement of the reins. Are you that much under the control of the Holy Spirit?
Jesus valued spiritual desire over self-satisfaction. Verse 5 literally says, “Blessed are those who are hungering...for they are being filled.” In the economy of God, you can’t be full without desire.
Jesus valued mercifulness more than independence. The world disdains mercy because it is condescending. We want to believe that we can do it ourselves. The only time we want mercy is when it is coming our direction! Not so with the Christ-follower!
To have a pure heart requires separation from anything unclean. By contrast, the world values “broad-mindedness.”
Jesus values peace over competition. We live in a very competitive society. But often, competitiveness is the birthplace of division. Jesus desires that we be one.
To Jesus, it was better to be persecuted for righteousness’ sake than to be the life of the party, the popular person whose attention everyone craves.
How do your values line up with those of Jesus? Being honest in your assessment will tell you a lot about your relationship with the King.
July 5, 2026: Wisdom and Social Responsibility
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)