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Prayer Conclusion
As we conclude this quarter of emphasizing the Sunday school teacher in prayer, consider how you will continue to make prayer an integral part of your ministry. What emphasis in prayer for the next Sunday school quarter is the Holy Spirit impressing upon you?
Heavenly Father, we pray for each teacher who has been reading these prayers this quarter and praying them throughout the week. Father, create in these dear people and our churches a renewed passion for prayer. Don’t allow this emphasis on prayer to fizzle out at the end of this quarter of lessons. Instead, may we continue to be a people committed to intercessory prayer.
Help us, Lord, to truly learn to pray for the needs of others, and not just our own needs and wants. May we love others, first, through prayer. Give us a vision that sees more than our personal needs. Instead, help us to demonstrate a real concern for others in prayer.
Thank You again for Your love and grace. In Jesus’ name we pray all this, Amen.
The Christians' Responsibility to God's Family
Lesson 13 - February 26, 2013
Focus Text: Romans 14:1-18
Central Truth: We are responsible to promote Christlike living in God's family.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify three things they will do to help a spiritually weak Christian.
Lesson Outline:
- Accepting a Weak Brother - Responsibility (Romans 14:1-9)
- Accusing a Weak Brother - Danger (Romans 14:10-13)
- Accommodating a Weak Brother - Necessity (Romans 14:14-23)
What is the Christian's Relationship to the Government?
In "God's Word for Today" William Snider writes:
New Testament writers were clear in directing Christian citizens to respect and obey governmental authority. (See Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1, 2; Titus 3:1; and 1 Peter 2:13-17.) With secular governments unappreciative of spiritual values and at times even oppressive, it would be convenient to disregard their authority as anti-God. Paul argued to the contrary. Government is a divinely authorized impediment to anarchy and a divinely appointed agent for the punishment of evildoers to the degree that the ruler “beareth not the sword in vain.” Christians are directed to pray for those in authority over them, and to be submissive to the rule of law. Only in the most extreme cases were they to implement the dictum of Peter: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Following the example of Christ himself, believers were directed to pay taxes inasmuch as they derived certain privileges from government which they could not provide for themselves. In the New Testament understanding, being a Christian citizen should be grounds for being a better citizen rather than a rebellious one. Likewise, being a Christian should entail a life motivated by love for all.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, pages 70-71.
The Example of Daniel
Read Daniel 1:8-17
“Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs” (v. 9).
Talk about blessing in adversity! Because Daniel had purposed to serve God even in captivity, God came through for him and the three Hebrew boys. What about Queen Esther? She also entered the kingdom “for such a time as this.” Joseph was another example of God's gracious deliverance. His brothers meant it for evil, but God intercepted their plot and worked out His divine plan. He was used to save his entire family — yes, even the embryonic nation of Israel. These all played a vital role in government. God sometimes allows adverse circumstances to come into our lives so that He can be glorified in the final analysis. (SJG)
Dare to be a Daniel!
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known!
— Philip P. Bliss (Public Domain)
This devotional is the Saturday, February 18, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.
Pray for God’s Blessing
Father, I come again in prayer to ask for Your blessing upon my life and my volunteer ministry within our local church. There have been many misguided teachings over the past years concerning praying for Your blessing. Some have basically taught that we can confidently pray for our every whim and desire. Others have suggested that Your blessing is like a bubble gum machine: insert a prayer or a tithe, and out comes a blessing. I recognize that the purpose of prayer is about aligning my will with Your will, not about merely presenting You a wish list.
Yet, Lord, I do feel a deep need for Your blessing upon my life. I recognize that without Your enabling power I cannot be victorious spiritually or successful in ministry for You. So I humbly ask for You to pour out blessings upon my life so that I can glorify Your name and be a blessing to others.
Thank You in advance for the grace You are going to provide. Amen.
The Christian and Civil Authorities
Lesson 12 - February 19, 2017
Focus Text: Romans 13:1-14
Central Truth: God has ordained governmental authorities for our good.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify some obligations a Christian owes government authorities.
Lesson Outline:
- The Issue of Inappropriate Resistance (Romans 13:1-4)
- The Issue of Rightful Subjection (Romans 13:5-7)
- The Issue of Appropriate Obedience (Romans 13:8-14)