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October 11, 2023: Recalling God’s Past Help
Read Psalm 44:1-8.
“But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us” (v. 7).
Notice how verse 3 ends: “For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor unto them” (v. 3).
Have you ever played peek-a-boo with a baby? When your face comes into view, the baby often breaks out into a big smile. While a baby might not recognize or appreciate all that is done to protect and care for it, he or she does recognize a smiling face! I think of this when I read how God used His sword and strength and gave us the gift of the “light of [His] countenance.” He also let the light of His wonderful face shine on us. He has done more things for us than we will ever know or perceive, but He did not stop there.
As your relationship with God deepens and matures, you will recognize more and more ways He has helped you in the past. We can take great comfort in remembering His past help, but our present troubles also look much smaller when we see the light of His loving face shining down on us. (Karen Speak)
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim.
In the light of His glory and grace."
--- Helen H. Lemmel
Let the light of Your face shine on me!
October 15, 2023: Uplook for the Downcast
FOCUS TEXTS: Psalms 42:1-11; 43:1-5
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Psalm 27:1-14; Isaiah 25:9; Habakkuk 3:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 103:13-22
KEY VERSE: Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God (Psalm 42:11).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Hope in God gives us victory over discouragement.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list at least three ways to express hope in God.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Desire of the Heart (Psalm 42:1, 2)
II. The Dilemma of the Soul (Psalm 42:3-7)
III. The Determination of the Will (Psalm 42:8 -- 43:5)
October 8, 2023: How to Deal with Worry
FOCUS TEXT: Psalm 40:1-17
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Proverbs 20:22; Isaiah 40:28-31; 1 Timothy 6:17
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 37:27-40
KEY VERSE: Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass (Psalm 37:5).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Faith rests assured that God always knows our needs.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify one area in their lives in which they will exercise greater trust in God.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Trusting Brings Deliverance (Psalm 40:1-6)
II. Trusting Brings Joy (Psalm 40:7-10)
III. Trusting Brings Victory (Psalm 40:11-17)
October 1, 2023: The Greatness of God
FOCUS TEXT: Psalm 33:1-15
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Psalm 104:1-9; Ephesians 3:14-21
DEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 43:10-15
KEY VERSE: Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable (Psalm 145:3).
CENTRAL TRUTH: God delivers all who trust in Him.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify three attributes of God and the specific effects each of these has on their lives.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Great in His Righteousness (Psalm 33:1-5)
II. Great in His Power (Psalm 33:6-12)
III. Great in His Knowledge (Psalm 33:13-22)
Sept. 24, 2023: Turning Fear into Courage
FOCUS TEXT: Psalm 27:1-14
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Proverbs 29:25; Isaiah 41:9-13; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 34:4-18
KEY VERSE: For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee (Isaiah 41:13).
CENTRAL TRUTH: In every kind of circumstance we can count on God's faithfulness.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to tell how we should respond when trouble arises.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Confidence in the Promise of God (Psalm 27:1-3)
II. Refuge for a Time of Trouble (Psalm 27:4-6)
III. Prayer for a Time of Need (Psalm 27:7-14)
Sept. 14, 2023: Christ’s Transfiguration
Read Mark 9:2-8.
“And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son: hear him’” (v. 7).
In this mountain-top experience of the transfigured Jesus, the Lord showed the His glory to His inner circle, Peter, James, and John. Moses and Elijah were also present. Jesus is seen as the perfect fulfillment of the Old Testament law given by Moses and the prophets’ messages represented by Elijah. Jesus’ glorious appearance and approval by the voice of the heavenly Father, “This is my beloved Son: hear him” (v. 7) revealed Him as the eternal Saviour of the world.
Dr David McKenna said Jesus’ sinlessness, Sonship, and suffering were all revealed when God the Father said, “Hear him" v. 7. Peter wanted to build three tabernacles on the mountain. Still, they were to “follow” Jesus until His death, resurrection, and ascension. So we are to “hear Him” and follow Him today.
“And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.”
---C. Austin Miles
Don’t just “hear” Jesus, but tell others who He is. (David Fruth)