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May 21, 2023: Christian Living in the Neighborhood
BIBLICAL BASIS: Understanding Our Relationship to Our Neighbor
FOCUS TEXT: Romans 12:14-21; Galatians 5:13-15; Hebrews 13:1-3
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Proverbs 25:8-20; Matthew 25:34-46; Titus 3:2-7; James 1:26, 27
DEVOTIONAL READING: Matthew 5:13-16
KEY VERSE: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Our love for God finds its release in a needy world.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify several ways they can show love for needy persons.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Peaceableness of a Christian Spirit (Romans 12:14-21)
II. The Power of Christian Love (Galatians 5:13-15)
III. The Practical Christian Witness (Hebrews 13:1-3)
May 7, 2023: Safeguarding the Home
BIBLICAL BASIS: Strengthening Family Relationships in the Home
FOCUS TEXT: Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-25
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Deuteronomy 30:11-20; Joshua 24:14-24; James 1:22-27
DEVOTIONAL READING: Deuteronomy 30:15-20
KEY VERSE: Fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life (Deuteronomy 6:2).
CENTRAL TRUTH: The Christian home's greatest priority is instilling love for God.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways to develop a Christian heritage.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Keep God's Commandments (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)
II. Instruct Your Children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)
III. Reinforce the Lesson (Deuteronomy 6:20-25)
April 26, 2023: Parental Instruction
Read Proverbs 1:7-19.
"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother" (v. 8).
Most of us want to look good in the eyes of others. For sure, some will go further to make that happen than others, but most of us want it. And the proverb writer seems to suggest that feeling is not all bad. Our text verse is combined structurally with verse 9. "For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck."
Jewelry, whether a crown on your head or chains around your neck, is designed to signify dignity. But the proverb says such signs of dignity can be achieved in different ways. One of them is by obeying the instruction of parents. In well-trained eyes, submission to parents moves a person to the head of the class!
How are you trying to look good in the eyes of others? Again, the Bible does not condemn that, so long as the motives and methods are godly. (Gordon Snider)
"I would be true, for there are those who trust me."
--- H. A. Walter
April 30, 2023: Building Family Relationships
FOCUS TEXT: Ephesians 5:31 – 6:4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Peter 3:1-7
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Luke 2:51, 52; Ephesians 4:32; 5:22, 25; 2 Timothy 1:3-6
DEVOTIONAL READING: Proverbs 23:19-26
KEY VERSE: Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it (Psalm 127:1).
CENTRAL TRUTH: The Christian home should follow God's relational principles.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several ways they can make their home a better place in which to live.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. God's Order for Marriage (Ephesians 5:31-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Colossians 3:18, 19)
II. God's Order for Children (Colossians 3:20; Ephesians 6:1-3)
III. God's Order for Parents (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21)
April 20, 2023: Responsibility for Wealth
Thursday, April 20
Read Matthew 25:14-30.
Responsibility for Wealth
"Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury" (v. 27).
In the Parable of the Talents, the master conveys a certain amount of money to three servants. The funds represented both an opportunity and an obligation. Nowhere are the funds viewed as being intended for personal pleasure. The two "profitable" servants used the opportunity with an eye to their obligation to the master. Both were rewarded with more significant opportunities for investment, not a life of ease based on the investment or the profits. The third servant is condemned because he failed to seize the moment to enhance his master's holding but was contented to "manage" his holdings with an eye to not losing. Possessions are the Father's investment in His children with which they are to extend His kingdom. Doing so brings His commendation. Failure to do so brings His condemnation.
Contrary to the opinion of the unprofitable servant, our Father is not a demanding taskmaster. God's bounty is strikingly evident in our daily lives. But the ultimate purpose of such gifts provides both opportunity and obligation. Failure to understand these underlying purposes for His investment in us justifies the Master in removing the investment He has made in us. Blessings bring responsibility. (William Snider)
April 23, 2023: Christian Principles for Giving Money
FOCUS TEXT: Malachi 3:8-10; 2 Corinthians 9:5-15
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11; Matthew 6:1-4; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 6:35-38; Galatians 6:6-10
DEVOTIONAL READING: Luke 16:1-13
KEY VERSE: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Proper biblical stewardship includes giving as God directs.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways in which their stewardship of money could be improved.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Pattern for Giving (Malachi 3:7-12)
II. The Principles of Giving (2 Corinthians 9:5-7)
III. The Privileges of Giving (2 Corinthians 9:8-15)