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Lesson 13: Cultivating a Positive Attitude
Lesson 13 - November 29, 2015
Focus Text: Philippians 4:4-13
Central Truth: The Christian family should be marked by its positivity.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several ways they can demonstrate a positive attitude in life.
Lesson Outline:
- The Expression of Positivity (Philippians 4:4-7)
- The Encouragement of Positivity (Philippians 4:8-9)
- The Example of Positivity (Philippians 4:10-13)
Lesson Highlight: "living sacrifice"
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1)
In Doctrinal Discussion, Dr. Gayle Woods writes:
Offering your life for God’s service is your reasonable, or logical, act of worship. Contrary to popular belief, worship does not begin at 9:45 a.m. and end at 12 p.m. on Sunday. A “living-sacrifice Christian” worships God all week long. You worship God by allowing Him to be the operator in your life. He sits in the driver’s seat. When we call the shots, we misuse and sometimes abuse our lives. We make poor decisions. We tend to wander aimlessly through our day. We concentrate on the mundane duties of today, forgetting to focus on the importance of eternity and the imperative of our God-given mission. So God says, “Bring your body to me and I will use it rightly. I will use it to bring peace to hearts. I will use it to bring joy to spirits. I will use it to bring healing to relationships. I will use it in my infinite wisdom.”
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 74.
Lesson Highlight: The Kindness of God
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. (2 Samuel 9:3)
In "Biblical Perspective" for this lesson, Dr. Gordon Snider writes:
The kindness of God could be translated “the greatest kindness possible.” A similar expression is found in Psalm 65:9 where, in order to describe the great size of a river, the river is called “the river of God.”
Discussion: How does this comparison amplify our understanding of the "kindness of God"?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 72.
Lesson Highlight: "The LORD be between me and thee"
"The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed forever." (1 Samuel 20:42)
In "Word Focus" for this week's lesson, Dr. Glenn McClure writes:
At this point in our lesson, David knew two important facts: First, God’s purpose was unfolding as the life of His “anointed” was being preserved, for Samuel had chosen him in the name of God. Second, he and Jonathan had made a sacred oath. Loyalty to each other was not by the force of this oath, but the oath was only proof of their loyalty. David had respect for God’s timing and still saw Jonathan as a “prince,” thus, he “bowed himself three times” to Jonathan. Further proof of his loyalty is seen in the latter part of our lesson (2 Sam. 9:1-7). Yet Jonathan’s loyalty is to be admired, for he recognized God’s hand upon David. He had the power to take David’s life, but his love for David and the Lord superseded any desire for an earthly throne. Both of these men maintained a loyalty to God’s will. As a result they were able to be loyal to each other in the working out of His will.
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 70.
Devotional: Loyalty in Adversity
Read Proverbs 17:14-19
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (v. 17).
People that are consistent in loving their friends and their God through adversity are made out of good metal. Following my father’s death in the Snow Belt area of western New York, my mother was left alone to take care of the home place. She was totally devoted to God, her family, church, and lost souls. One wintry Sunday morning, the car doors were frozen shut. There was no way to enter the front seat of the car. The back doors opened, but the locks froze so the doors would not stay closed securely. At nearly eighty years old, with love and determination, she walked through deep snow to the barn, found some clothes- line, and climbed into the back seat. She then took the clothesline and tied the two back doors securely shut. She then carefully crawled over the back of the seat and slipped up under the steering wheel of the car. She warmed up the car and drove to church. By the time she arrived at church all the locks had thawed. She joyfully opened the front door of the car, got out, and enjoyed a great Sunday school and worship service. Later she called me and shared with me that she was not too old to crawl over the back of the seat of the car so she would not miss church. (Walter Hedstrom)
Loyalty in adversity is still a priceless commodity!
This devotional is the Friday, November 20, 2015 entry of Opening the Word.
Being Loyal
Lesson 12 - November 22, 2015
Focus Text: 1 Samuel 20:35-42; 2 Samuel 9:1-7
Central Truth: The Christian family may be noted for its dedicated relationships.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain ways they can practice loyalty to their family, friends, and fellow Christians.
Lesson Outline:
- A Secret Warning (1 Samuel 20:35-39)
- A Sorrowful Goodbye (1 Samuel 20:41-41)
- A Solemn Promise (1 Samuel 20:42)
- A Steadfast Friend (2 Samuel 9:1-7)