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Lesson Highlight: "bought with a price"

"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Corinthians 6:20)
In "Biblical Perspective", Dr. Gordon Snider writes:
Ye are bought with a price. Your body should have a “Sold” sign on it! The purchase price is the blood of Christ which “cleanses from guilt,” “releases from bondage,” and “abolishes the enmity” that sin created between man and God (The Essentials of Life, W. H. Griffith Thomas). Therefore glorify God in your body. This might be translated “with your body,” but “in” is the more literal reading of the Greek text. Since the property in which you live belongs to God, live in such a way as to bring Him glory. Don’t trash the place where you live with immorality which is not becoming to the owner of the house.
Discussion: Since we have been bought by the blood of Christ, how then should we live?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 43.
Lesson Highlight: "whosoever looketh"

"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)
In "Word Focus", Dr. Glenn McClure writes:
Jesus made a definite point to inform the Pharisees that this commandment not only dealt with the external act, but also the secrets of the heart and the movements of the eye. Matthew 5:28 brings to mind two quotes of Wünsche: “The eye and the heart are the two brokers of sin.” “Passions lodge only in him who sees.” Within this short verse we find this truth revealed, and why Scriptures deal seriously with moral purity.
The word looketh on in the Greek is blepō, which literally means “to see.” It is not just sight, but is an intended look, an effort made to gaze upon something; the constant fixation of the eyes upon something to examine it. Metaphorically it implies directing the mind upon it or joyfully beholding it. “According to the literal meaning of the Greek, the man who is condemned is the man who looks at a woman with the deliberate intention of lusting after her” (Barclay, NDSB).
The words of Randolph O. Yeager seem appropriate on this subject: “Jesus is not condemning everyone who looks at a woman; only those who look at a woman for the specific purpose of illicit sexual fantasy. The look must be directed toward the woman with a specific purpose in mind — that mental adultery with her can be enjoyed. Many men have looked at women in a legitimate way and later, as a result of that look, have found themselves aroused to evil thoughts. This is not the situation that Jesus was describing. The evil intent must precede the look; thus the look is for an evil purpose. The mental adultery has already been committed before the gaze is directed at its object. This is the force of hēdē (already). . . . Note that epithumeō (lust) [used here in v. 28] is the word used in the tenth commandment (Thou shalt not covet)” (Renaissance New Testament).
Discussion: Why might some argue that what they look at has no effect on them spiritually?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page, 40.
Purity 101

Read Psalm 119:9-16
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (v. 9).
101 courses are generally considered rudimentary, or basic introductions to further studies or pursuits. Many colleges may offer several of these 101 courses, but I don’t know of any that offer Purity 101! In fact, there seems to be very little written or taught on purity outside of religious circles. It is not a popular topic in our day. If you want any authoritative instruction regarding purity, the Bible, God’s Word, will give you the best overview and the clearest understanding that this is a matter of the heart!
Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” This psalmist seemed to understand that, for after raising the question about cleansing his way, he went on two verses later to say, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” The object of cleansing is purity; parameters of moral purity are found throughout God’s Word, so that aligning ourselves with God’s standard and living by it is basic and imperative for Purity 101. (Rodney Stearns)
Purity is based on our relationship with God, without such a relationship purity becomes unlikely!
This devotional is the Thursday, October 15, 2015 entry of Opening the Word.
Maintaining Purity
Lesson 7 - October 18, 2015
Focus Text: Matthew 5:27-28; Ephesians 5:3-5; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Central Truth: The Christian family is careful to promote sexual purity.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to name several ways they safeguard their family in the area of sexual purity.
Lesson Outline:
- Purity in Thought (Matthew 5:27-28)
- Purity in Speech (Ephesians 5:3-5)
- Purity in Action (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
Lesson Highlight: "neighbor"

In "Biblical Perspective" Dr. Gordon Snider writes,
It should be remembered that the point of the story was to define the term “neighbor.” The priest and Levite were presented as being the most likely to treat the wounded man as a neighbor, but they did not. Then came an unlikely candidate, a certain Samaritan. As he journeyed suggests that his journey was more extensive than just a commute from Jerusalem to Jericho. As a result he was likely more equipped to help, but also under greater time constraints. He also saw him, the same verb used of the priest and Levite. But instead of responding with apathy, the Samaritan had compassion on him. He was deeply moved in his inner being by the plight of the wounded traveler. The same verb was used often by Matthew and Mark to describe Jesus’ response to situations of need. (See Matt. 9:36 and Mark 1:41 for examples.)
Discussion: What would you say it means to be a neighbor?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, pages 35-36.
Lesson Highlight: "Christlike"

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Dr. Gayle Woods discusses what it means to be Christlike, in part saying:
Romans 12:1, 2 speaks of the necessity of a continual condition of surrender to God. In this surrender we volunteer our lives as “living [sacrifices].” We relinquish all selfish ambitions to God, desiring to have our minds renewed and transformed so that we think like Christ. Thinking like Christ brings us to the next aspect of being like Christ. This human responsibility also includes a continual freedom from sin. The Sinless One expects His servants to be “dead indeed unto sin,” according to Romans 6:11. When we offer ourselves upon the altar of personal sacrifice for the glory of God, we no longer bow the knee to sin. Sin ceases to be our master. We follow in the footsteps of our Lord, refusing to look back toward the enticements of rebellion and disobedience. We follow our Lord in obedience, sacrificial love, and patient suffering (John 15:10, 12, 13; 1 Peter 2:19-23).
Discussion: What one thing (habit, attitude, action, etc.) do you need to change in order to be more Christlike?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 38.