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Pray for Your Pastor
Heavenly Father, I pray for my pastor as the senior leader and shepherd of this congregation. Give him the wisdom and insight he needs to direct our church according to Your will. May we follow his lead, instead of arguing, complaining, or revolting against his leadership. Instead, help us to join hearts, hands, and minds in one accord as we seek Your Spirit’s leading.
Bless our pastor with understanding of how best to teach and equip our church for service. Give him fresh insight each week as he studies Your Word to deliver to our congregation. Help him to demonstrate the truths of Your Word to be extremely practical to our lives.
Encourage our pastor as he seeks to train volunteer workers, such as myself, how to better serve the church. Help him to see areas in which we can improve and be able to equip us for greater ministry. Help us to be humble enough to receive the training we need, even though we may have served in our volunteer ministries for many years.
God's Unchanging Purpose
Lesson 9 - January 29, 2017
Focus Text: Romans 9:6-24
Central Truth: God has purposed to save all who trust Him by faith.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain how God's election displays His sovereignty.
Lesson Outline:
- Election and the Promise of God (Romans 9:6-13)
- Election and the Character of God (Romans 9:14-18)
- Election and the Responsibility of God (Romans 9:19-24)
Online Sunday School Workshops
http://www.sundayschoolhelp.org/Workshops-Gen.html offers two online workshops that may offer you some ideas to make your Sunday school a better program.
Four Laws of Romans 8:28
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Omar Lee writes:
The abundant life, someone has said, is governed by four laws as found in Romans 8:28. 1. The law of operation, all things work. God is not the author of inactivity in itself. We work for our bread; we work out our salvation; we work for the Lord. Even the universe follows laws of operation. 2. The law of cooperation, together. While some things do not appeal to us of themselves, they give flavor to other ingredients. For instance, vanilla is not appealing by itself, but put a certain amount in ice cream, and you have a delicious dessert! Not all the things in our lives may be appealing, but they may operate with other things to make us more successful Christians. 3. The law of compensation, for good. Not all things may look like they work together for good, but God's promises never fail! Job lost all, yet he gained all! Poison, steam, and lightning are instruments of death to some, but they can be made to work together for good. The poison can be made into a painkiller. the steam can produce work, and the lightning can in another form be light! 4. The law of limitation, that love God. The abundant life can only come to the one who loves the Lord abundantly. More than conquerors have all these laws working for them.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 50.
Treasure in Earthen Vessels
In "God's Word for Today" William Snider writes:
The Apostle Paul correctly told the Corinthians that we have the treasure of salvation in “earthen vessels” (2 Cor. 4:7). The provisions of the atonement do not address the impairments to our humanity. Paul called them “infirmities.” Sometimes these defects may have spiritual consequences for us and others. Often the devil will capitalize on these to shake our confidence in the work of God in us. It is impor-tant that we recognize and not dismiss these. Yet we must not despair because of them. God is aware of these flaws. He has made provision for our ongoing maturity. Think about this promise and His provision as you contemplate imperfect self. They do not affect His love for you.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 46.
Why did God predestinate us?
In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:
While verses 29 and 30 form the biblical basis for the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination, we must remember that Paul introduced these thoughts to encourage the believer facing suffering. Paul's emphasis was that God was the initiator in our salvation, even before we were born. His purpose in salvation was to conform us to the image of his Son. For Jesus, the way to glory was through suffering, and so it will be with us.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 47.