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June 25, 2025: A Secret Kindness
Read Ruth 2:14-20.
A Secret Kindness
“And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not” (v. 16).
I remember the first time someone prayed this prayer for me: “And dear Lord, please drop some handfuls of purpose into her life today.” At first, I didn’t quite know what the phrase “handfuls of purpose” (also “handfuls on purpose”) meant. After a bit of research, I quickly fell in love with the concept. My friend had prayed that God would sprinkle some small extra blessings into my day— unexpected signs that He sees, cares, provides, and loves me.
If I’m not careful, I lose sight of how often God does this and miss it entirely. I barely give these “handfuls of purpose” cursory side glances in the hurried rush of life's busyness and to-do lists. What comfort I could gain if I were more alert to these moments!
Friend, are you catching the “handfuls of purpose” God is dropping into your everyday life? Did you witness last night’s fabulous sunset or this morning’s blush-pink sky?
Did you hear that birdsong just outside your window or wonder at the iridescence on a soap bubble? Did your friend’s encouraging text seem random or impromptu? Did that pay raise come at just the right time? I don’t know what God might do for you today, but stay alert. Boaz isn’t the only one who showers people with quiet kindness. He learned from the One who does it best. (SW)
Multitudes of precious blessings Every moment round me spread;
Blessings from my heav’nly Father Showered down upon my head.
--- H. H. Green
June 29, 2025: Ruth: A Woman of Commitment
FOCUS TEXT: Ruth 1:8-18; 4:13-17
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ruth 1:1 -- 4:22
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 37:3-7
KEY VERSE: Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God (Ruth 1:16).
CENTRAL TRUTH: God honors those who honor Him.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify areas in their lives in which they can be more committed to God.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. An Important Choice (Ruth 1:8-14)
II. A Heroic Commitment (Ruth 1:15-18)
III. An Abundant Reward (Ruth 4:13-17)
April 27, 2025: Does a Loving God Send People to Hell?
FOCUS TEXT: Matthew 18:7-14; Revelation 20:11-15
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Matthew 8:11, 12; 13:37-42; Mark 9:42-48; Luke 16:20-31; Revelation 14:9-11
DEVOTIONAL READING: John 3:14-21
KEY VERSE: The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God (Psalm 9:17).
CENTRAL TRUTH: The holiness of God requires God's final judgment upon the sinner.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify why there is a hell.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Woe to Evildoers (Matthew 18:7-10)
II. God's Concern for the Lost (Matthew 18:11-14)
III. The Doom of the Wicked (Revelation 20:11-15)
April 6, 2025: What Are the Roles of Spirit Beings?
BIBLICAL BASIS: The Biblical Reality of Demons and Angels
FOCUS TEXT: Matthew 8:28-34; Hebrews 1:5-14
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Job 38:4-7; Psalm 103:19, 20; Mark 5:1-17; Luke 8:26-36; Acts 12:5-11; Revelation 12: 7-12
DEVOTIONAL READING: Mark 9:17-29
KEY VERSE: Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word (Psalm 103:20).
CENTRAL TRUTH: The Bible clearly teaches the existence of angels, demons, and the devil.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list some activities of angels and demons.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Existence of Demons (Matthew 8:28-34)
II. The Existence of Angels (Hebrews 1:5-14)
March 30, 2025: How Can I Be an Optimist in This World?
BIBLICAL BASIS: Understanding the Christian's Hope
FOCUS TEXT: 2 Corinthians 4:15 -- 5:10
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Daniel 3:16-18; John 14:1-4; Philippians 1:18- 24; Titus 2:11-14
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 42:1-11
KEY VERSE: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD (Psalm 31:24).
CENTRAL TRUTH: God, unchanging and absolute, is the ground of man's hope and undergirds the Christian's confidence, security, and expectation.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify things for which a Christian hopes.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Basis of Our Hope (2 Corinthians 4:15-18)
II. The Assurance of Our Hope (2 Corinthians 5:1-5)
III. The Perseverance of Our Hope (2 Corinthians 5:6-10)
March 23, 2025: How Can I Identify Truth?
BIBLICAL BASIS: Understanding How to Identify Error
FOCUS TEXT: 2 Peter 2:1-10; 1 John 4:1-6
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Jeremiah 9:3-8; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 6:3-5; 2 Peter 2:1-22; Jude 1:1-18
DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 John 2:21-29
KEY VERSE: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).
CENTRAL TRUTH: God provides dependable guidance through His Word for identifying truth.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify the characteristics of false prophets.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Conduct of False Teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3)
II. The Condemnation of False Teachers (2 Peter 2:4-10)
III. The Recognition of Error (1 John 4:1-6)