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The Supreme Authority
Lesson 12 - May 22, 2016
Focus Text: Mark 11:12-26
Central Truth: Christ has all authority over the world.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to name three ways God's power and authority affect them.
Lesson Outline:
- The Cursed Tree (Mark 11:12-14, 19-26)
- The Cleansed Temple (Mark 11:15-18)
- The Challenged Authority (Mark 11:27-33)
Prayer – Lesson 11, Christ, Our Intercessor
Heavenly Father,
We thank You again for Your love for us. We stand amazed before Your goodness. For not only does the Holy Spirit intercede on our behalf, but the Son also continually intercedes for us! Help us to live in the confidence that You are good and have planned what is best for us.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
If Jesus Prays for Us…
In "God's Word for Today" David Woods writes:
We are aware that one of the primary ministries of the Holy Spirit is intercession with the Father on the Christians' behalf. Our scripture today highlights another wonderful truth: Christ intercedes with the Father for us. As we read in Romans 8:34: “Christ . . . also maketh intercession for us.” And if Christ's regular intercession is anything like His prayer in John 17, we ought to live every moment of every day with supreme confidence!
Discussion: How does Jesus' intercession give you courage?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 66.
The Trinity and Sanctification
"And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." (John 17:19)
In "Biblical Perspective" Randall McElwain writes:
It is God's Word, the truth, that provides the power by which the disciples would be transformed (Beacon Bible Comm.). It is God's Son and His self-consecration that makes sanctification possible. While we correctly associate the Holy Spirit with sanctification, it is a trinitarian doctrine; all members of the Trinity play a role in our sanctification. When Jesus prayed for their sakes I sanctify myself, He used the same language used in New Testament atonement passages. Examples include Mark 14:24 (“this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many”) and John 6:51 (“and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world”). Just as Jesus provided for our atonement, He provided for our sanctification.
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 67.
Model of Prayer
After this manner, therefore, pray ye: Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (v. 9)
A model is a visual representation of something that is worth copying. Models are used to help learners understand a difficult concept; to explain the steps for completing a project; or to inspire observers to want to follow the model. There are business models, fashion models, and role models – just to name a few.
So why did the disciples ask for a model prayer? Did they need information or inspiration? Jesus did not ask. But He did give them what they requested. So how does this model prayer help us? Is it a magic formula that, if correctly followed, guarantees success? Hardly.
Perhaps Jesus knew that we needed confirmation that it is okay with God to ask Him for our daily needs. Perhaps He knew that we needed to be reminded that praise is a part of prayer; that worship opens the door to the throne room of God. Perhaps He wanted to remind us to think globally rather than just locally.
So here is the model prayer that Jesus gave. How will you use it today? Heartless ritual never brings us into the presence of God. But when we approach this model prayer with a learner’s heart we may find our prayer life revitalized. (Gordon Snider)
"Lord, teach us to pray!"
This devotional is the Monday, May 9, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
Teaching is Preparing
Our lessons are designed with a wealth of material for the teacher. At the beginning of the lesson, we have a section devoted to a key word from the scripture. On the left side, you will find the scripture text and solid commentary that illuminates the Word. On the right is a discussion-oriented lesson plan that begins with the contemporary need to which this scripture speaks, the story of the text, exploration of the scripture, and application to our lives. At the end you will find a section devoted to key doctrines found in this lesson. Illustrations and quotes are also included.
With all these helps, it may be tempting not to spend time in preparation. However, it takes skill and preparation to know how to weave these elements together. Furthermore, while questions (and suggested answers) are provided, you should ask if these questions are the best, or if the answers need further development. In other words, be diligent in preparing to teach!