Our Blog
All Things New
Lesson 12 - August 21, 2016
Focus Text: Revelation 21:1-7, 22-27
Central Truth: Someday God will make the entire universe completely new.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to briefly describe the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem.
Lesson Outline:
- A New Life Style (Revelation 21:1-8)
- A New City (Revelation 21:9-12)
- A New Kind of Light (Revelation 21:22-27)
Plan at least four ministry opportunities your students may participate in.
A missing emphasis in many churches is the ministry of the believers. For too long, ministry has been seen as the task of only the pastor. Such an idea is unbiblical and results in an unhealthy church. One way to reverse this tide is to begin promoting ministry within the Sunday school class setting. By planning only four ministry events per year - at least in the beginning - you may stretch the spiritual muscles of your class but hopefully not strain them.
What kind of ministry opportunities should your class engage in?
- Fall - Consider hosting a community-wide blood drive or engaging in a project such as Christmas shoeboxes.
- Winter - Your class may want to go caroling at a nursing home, clear snow from the sidewalks of elderly persons (part of or not part of your church), or volunteer at the homeless shelter.
- Spring - A fun class project may be to do yard work for someone not physically able or as a way to clean up the neighborhood.
- Summer - Send some or all of your class on a missions trip or provide a car-care clinic with free refreshments.
The End of All Evil
Lesson 11 - August 14, 2016
Focus Text: Revelation 20:1-15
Central Truth: Someday righteousness shall forever triumph over evil.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to contrast the end of those who live wickedly with the end of those who accept the plan of redemption provided by Christ.
Lesson Outline:
- Satan Bound (Revelation 20:1-3)
- The Millennium (Revelation 20:4-6)
- Satan's Final Attack and Defeat (Revelation 20:7-10)
- The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)
Prayer – Lesson 10, The Triumphant Christ
Heavenly Father, thank You for the victory prophesied and promised in Your Holy Word. Help our teachers and students today to be renewed spiritually as they are reminded of our hope in Christ, that one day soon He will return to conquer this world for His own. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
How does our hope in God overcome sorrow?
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Don Englund writes:
Our choice to trust in God and His purposes is a choice that defies the verdicts of the enemy of our souls who often suggests that our condition is personal, that it extends to all areas of our lives, and that it is permanent. Health professionals and psychological remedies may not have the answers we need, but Jesus, the Author of life, does! He is alive! He is in control! He is effectively managing the affairs of this sin-cursed world at the present moment! He gave us life on earth and is the Source of the greatest human dream on earth — eternal life! No, we do not sorrow as those who have no hope (1 Thess. 4:13), for our sorrow is not personal, not pervasive, not purposeless, and not permanent. Because He lives, you and I can face tomorrow.
Source: Christ, the Triumphant Lord: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 61.
What is a danger of great spiritual experiences?
In "Biblical Perspective" R.E. Trotter writes:
So awe-inspiring was the heavenly vision which John beheld that he fell at the feet of the angelic messenger entrusted with such a revelation, in an unwarranted attitude of worship. It is said that in the Early Church there was a tendency to worship angels, and that this and a similar incident earlier are recorded as warnings to the Church. As the angel deflects attention from himself, he reminds John that he is but a fellow servant with him and with all who have accepted Christ and hold His testimony. The angel then seems to say, in effect, “Keep your worship for God, for He is at the center of all true prophecy.”
Source: Christ, the Triumphant Lord: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 59.