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August 12, 2026:
Read Acts 2:41-47.
Growth in Fellowship
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (v. 42).
Some years ago, I was sitting on the platform of a church in LaPaz, Bolivia, where I was to preach. During the service, a woman stood to testify. As she did so, there were tears streaming down her face as she spoke with passion. I suddenly felt a wonderful kindred spirit with her. I asked my missionary friend what she was saying. He told me that she said she knew she was saved but was earnestly seeking the blessing of entire sanctification. Later, as I reflected on the “oneness” I had felt, I realized there was little I had in common with her. She was of a different nationality, culture, and language. We lived in different worlds. The only thing we had in common was the one thing that mattered more than all else: the bond of the Holy Spirit, which made me inwardly exclaim, “She is truly my precious sister in Christ!”
The Greek word for this “oneness in Christ” is “koinonia” which is translated “fellowship.” It is a beautiful word that implies communion and communication in the unique relationship that exists between true believers. However, such relationships need to be and should be carefully nurtured by transparency, kindness, and love. (Michael Williams)
“How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
(Psalm 133:1)
August 16, 2026: The Testing of Job
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)
August 9, 2026: The Whole Duty of Man
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)
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)