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The Revelation of Christ
Lesson 1 - June 5, 2016
Focus Text: Revelation 1:9-18
Central Truth: The living Christ reigns on high.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways this revelation of Christ gives us confidence for today.
Lesson Outline:
- The Eternal Christ (Revelation 1:4-11)
- The Majestic Christ (Revelation 1:12-16)
- The Sovereign Christ (Revelation 1:17-20)
Prayer – Lesson 13, What Will YOU Do With Jesus?
Heavenly Father, thank You again for the gift of Your Son Jesus. Help our teachers as they lead their classes today to encourage any students who do not know You as Lord and Savior to make that decision today. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Will you follow Christ?
In "God's Word for Today" Jim Baker writes:
When we consider why Jesus went to the cross, it should cause each of us to want to follow Him. The question Pilate asked, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” (Matt. 27:22), should elicit a response in each life. Will YOU accept Christ or crucify Him?
The lessons in this quarter have given many reasons to follow Christ, the Son of God. He is the suffering Savior who forgives. And because of His resurrection we have hope for today and eternity. He is the Good Shepherd and cares for us. Though He has supreme authority, yet He humbled Himself to reach us. To know that He intercedes for us gives us confidence to live daily for Him. With all these reasons to be a Christian, there is no excuse to reject Him. There is more to gain than to lose.
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 81.
Why did Jesus often not give straight answers?
In "Word Focus" Darrell Grim writes:
The Lord's reply to Pilate's question was deliberately ambiguous. Jesus spoke here as He spoke to the Jews — in parables. If they really wanted to find out the truth, they could, but their blinded eyes made His teaching seem as nonsense. Jesus gave Pilate enough to pique his curiosity. Had he continued to press with an earnest desire to know the truth, without doubt Christ would have revealed more to him.
Discussion: When God seems not to give us "straight" answers, do we continue to seek His word or are we content to be blind to Truth?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 78.
Choose Only the Best
But one thing is needful and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)
Martha, rushing back and forth preparing to serve a meal for at least twenty, glanced to where her sister Mary sat, and murmured to herself, “What is she doing? Does she not realize her responsibilities? She is wasting her time!”
Life can be extremely hectic and stressful with barely a solitary moment. That is how life is many times, but in all this, am I allotting God only a moment of my time? Have I confined Him to the devotional room yet not invited Him into the kitchen? Have I greeted Him at the door in the morning then left Him behind as I labor “for Him”? Have I heard His sweet invitation to learn of Him yet neglected to come, be still at His feet when He would speak to me?
As His child and disciple, I must carefully guard my time. The devil would use genuine responsibilities and jobs that have to be done to prevent me from having any quality time with Jesus. If I do not spend quality time learning of Jesus through His Word and prayer daily than I have failed to honor Him with my time and cut myself off from my spiritual food. My one-on-one time with Jesus is the most crucial part of the day. If it fails to take place, whatever prevented it from happening is now driving a wedge between me and God.
My responsibilities are an important part of my service to God; however, in Christ’s eyes one thing must be my first priority: Listening coupled with obeying His voice. (Erika Fenstermaker)
“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.” — Jesus (Matthew 6:33)
This devotional is the Wednesday, May 25, 2016 entry of Opening the Word
Teaching is Challenging
The Message paraphrases James 3:1, "Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards. And none of us is perfectly qualified." Teaching is rewarding work, even as it is draining physically, mentally, and spiritually. Teaching can have powerful impact on lives, even while we may feel a failure.
Considering the importance of teaching, the various methods one should employ, the purpose of life change, etc. could cause us to give up due to intimidation. But we must not cower to fear; God has called you to a great ministry. Therefore, as Apostle Paul challenges us in Romans 12:6-8, let's be faithful to perform it to the best of our ability. We will never be perfect, but God will use even our imperfections to His glory.
Thank you, teachers, for your labor of love and faithfulness in service!