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Prayer – Lesson 7, The Good Shepherd
Heavenly Father, we pray for our teachers and students this morning to understand to a greater degree than ever before the loving care of the Good Shepherd. In Jesus' name, Amen.
The Feeding Shepherd
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (Psalm 23:5)
When I was a small child our family was traveling to a distant camp meeting and we were running short on funds. This was before the days of credit cards and we were almost out of cash. We had decided that we had enough money to buy gas for the rest of the trip, but not enough for food. I think one of us boys must have been praying desperately for something to eat. As we were traveling along, a car pulled up beside us and motioned for us to stop. As we pulled to the side of the road, we found out that it was someone we had met in a previous meeting. They asked if we would join them for breakfast – their treat! We followed them to the next exit and enjoyed a wonderful meal together. Believe me, there was some mighty rejoicing as we climbed back in the car that morning. (Daniel Edwards)
The Psalmist said, "I've never seen the righteous forsaken or his seed begging bread." Certainly the Lord has taken good care of me!
God, whose giving knows no ending,
All our life is from thy store:
Nature’s wonder, Jesus’ wisdom,
Costly cross, grave’s shattered door.
Gifted by Thee, turn we to Thee,
Offering up ourselves in praise;
Thankful hearts shall rise forever,
Gracious Donor of our days. - Robert Lansing Edwards
Our daily bread comes from His hand!
This devotional is the Monday, April 11, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
The Purpose of Teaching
Teaching is not... . The tips for teachers in this quarter has thus far focused on the negative, explaining what teaching is by what it is not. The following weeks' tips will focus on the positive, defining several characteristics of teaching. At this mid-way point, then, let us seek a simple definition of teaching.
Consider this summary of one teacher's philosophy of teaching: the teacher is one who has Faith in the future, knows and understands students, who understands motivation and the effects on learning interacting with other students has, who knows the subject and how to help students learn the subject, who is a continual learner, who sees herself or himself as a role model, who teaches students how to think and asks questions, and who lives to serve. (http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/my-philosophy-of-teaching/)
What is your purpose in teaching? Why do you do what you do?
The Good Shepherd
Lesson 7 - April 17, 2016
Focus Text: John 10:1-18
Central Truth: Christ cares for us like a shepherd for his sheep.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to name two promises of God's care that they will share with someone else.
Lesson Outline:
- The Shepherd Knows His Sheep (John 10:1-6)
- The Shepherd Protects His Sheep (John 10:7-10)
- The Shepherd Loves His Sheep (John 10:11-18)
Prayer – Lesson 6, The Water of Life
Heavenly Father, help our teachers today to clearly explain how Christ provides living water … and how we may obtain it. In Jesus' name, Amen.
What is the living water Jesus provides?
In "Biblical Perspective" Randall McElwain writes:
Since the “living water” is the Holy Spirit given through the work of Jesus Christ, verse 38 may refer to “rivers of living water” flowing from Christ. Another possibility is that the “living water” represents the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Because of that work, rivers shall flow to others, bringing them to Christ. Either way, Jesus is the source of the living water that springs forth in abundance far beyond the water used in the Feast of Tabernacles.
Discussion: What are the implications of this basic spiritual truth that Jesus is the source of living water?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 36.