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Being Filled with Confidence in God
Lesson 4 - September 27
Focus Text: Joshua 14:6-14
Central Truth: The Christian family views life as full of God-given opportunities.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain several reasons why the Christian should view life with supreme confidence.
Lesson Outline:
- Confidence in God's Past Promises (Joshua 14:6-9)
- Confidence in God's Current Enabling (Joshua 14:10-11)
- Confidence in God's Future Blessing (Joshua 14:12-14)
Biblical Family Values, The Way, Truth and Life Series
Lesson Highlight: "how can I … sin against God?"
In the "Biblical Perspective" for this week, Dr. Gordon Snider writes:
Not only was this action forbidden by the master, it was wrong in the sight of God. A clear sense of right and wrong is one of the best defenses against temptation. Joseph did not have to think about it. He knew what was wrong, and he was not going to violate his conscience.
Discussion: Why is it helpful for us to see all sin as a sin against God, rather than just the breaking of the rules or a sin against someone else?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 18.
Lesson Highlight: "the Lord made all … to prosper"
In "Biblical Perspective" Dr. Gordon Snider makes these comments...
His master saw that the LORD was with him. How did this heathen officer recognize the presence of the Lord? It seems likely that Joseph’s success was so remarkable that Potiphar asked for an explanation, and Joseph was quick to point to his God. From the beginning there was no bitterness toward God in Joseph for his circumstances. Bitter people seldom, if ever, make successful people. The LORD made all . . . to prosper. Joseph was not a “flash in the pan.” His success was an ongoing thing because God was constantly with him. Joseph turned out to be a better witness to his owner than he had been to his brothers. Such, sometimes, is the result of adversity.
Discussion: Are we careful to point to God as the reason for our success in life?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 17.
Supported in Integrity
Read Psalm 41:10-13
“And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face forever” (v. 12).
At one time the State of Illinois was going through a great financial depression. Pennsylvania had previously faced a similar situation; their solution was called “repudiating the debt.” This simply meant the disowning or disregarding of all their debts, leaving their creditors holding the sack. It solved their problem — but not their creditor’s.
Since Pennsylvania, a larger and richer state, took this action, there was pressure on Illinois, a smaller and poorer state, to do the same. This plan was initiated in their state capitol, but a representative named Stephen Douglas was greatly against such a move. Although he was elderly and very ill, his aids carried him into the Senate chamber on a stretcher. He powerfully argued against such action, and instead moved “that Illinois be honest.” His argument and his motion touched the hearts of all members and soon passed. Eventually Illinois became one of the wealthiest of the States.
The psalmist declared that God upheld him in his integrity and even gave him a fixed place before the face of God. It will be of lasting value if we give integrity a high place of honor in our lives and business practices. It should also have a prominent place in our personal and church dealings; dealings that are honest, upright, and ethical will have the favor of God. (Ray Crooks)
“My life shall be a challenge, not a compromise” (Charles Cowman).
This devotional is the Monday, September 14, 2015, entry of Opening the Word.
Living With Integrity
Lesson 3 - September 20
Focus Text: Genesis 39:1-12
Central Truth: The Christian family insists on living with integrity at all times.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify and put into practice at least two principles for maintaining integrity in their lives.
Lesson Outline:
- Integrity in Daily Chores (Genesis 39:1-6)
- Integrity in Difficulty Circumstances (Genesis 39:7-10)
- Integrity in Definite Crisis (Genesis 39:11-12)
"pray for us" – Hebrews 13:18
"Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly." (Hebrews 13:18)
In "Biblical Perspective" for this week's lesson, Dr. Gordon Snider writes:
Is there a connection between the leaders of verse 17 and this request for prayer support in verse 18? Some would suggest that there is, and that this request shows that whoever wrote Hebrews had at one time been a leader among them. For we . . . have a good conscience. For here grammatically can be a cause for what follows. “Pray for us because.” If that is so here, the leader’s integrity becomes a call for prayer. Because he had lived blamelessly in their midst he hoped his people would be even more inclined to include him in their prayers.