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Leading Christ's Church
November 23 - Lesson 12
Focus Text: Acts 20:17-38
Big Idea: Faithful Christian ministry is marked by selfless service.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain what selfless Christian service looks like.
Lesson Outline:
- An Example of Faithfulness (Acts 20:17-27)
- A Call to Faithfulness ( Acts 20:18-38)
The Universal Call of God
Read Isaiah 55:1-7
“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (v. 1).
I had the privilege of growing up on a farm. Each summer we would put up several hundred bales of hay to feed to the cattle during the long winter months. My job usually entailed moving the hay from the wagon onto the elevator to be carried up to the haymow. It seemed we always baled on the hottest days of the year, and I remember seeing the poor guys working the mow come crawling out with sweat streaming down their faces and hay dust clinging all over them. They looked miserable! I watched as they rinsed off at the water spigot. Then Grandma would say, “How about some fresh lemonade?” As the cool refreshing drink washed down their throats, it seemed like it washed away the misery with it, and I saw smiles come back to their faces again. My job was not nearly as rigorous as theirs, but Grandma gave me some of that wonderful lemonade, too.
Now, as a preacher of the gospel, I have the remarkable privilege of offering a drink of living water to the wretched, miserable souls I meet along life’s road. I love to watch the despair melt away as the love of Jesus washes over their souls and in its place comes the sweet countenance of joy. (Daniel Edwards)
Oh, I have found it, the Crystal Fountain,
Where all my life’s deep needs have been supplied;
So freely flowing from Calv’ry’s mountain,
And now my soul is fully satisfied.
— Floyd W. Hawkins
Thirsty? There is living water for all!
This is the Tuesday, November 4, 2014 devotional reading of Opening the Word.
Photo credit: "Porteau Cove Provincial Park *" by Kyla Duhamel used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized, cropped, text added.
God Has No Favorites
November 9 - Lesson 10
Focus Text: Acts 10:34-48
Big Idea: God's righteous character leaves no room for favoritism.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list reasons that favoritism is unacceptable for the Christian.
Lesson Outline:
- Christ's Acceptance (Acts 10:34, 35)
- Christ's Forgiveness (Acts 10:36-43)
- Christ's Baptism (Acts 10:44-48)
Christ’s Power to Forgive Sins
Read Matthew 9:1-8
“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house” (v. 6).
Forgiveness is often controversial. Scandalous, even. When one chooses to forgive, many people do not understand, do not agree, and may even attack the forgiver. “They need to pay for what they did!” “People need to know what kind of person he is!” “You need to teach her a lesson!”
Jesus was certainly attacked for His radical forgiveness. He was criticized for associating with people of shady reputation. “Doesn’t He know who that is? Doesn’t He know what they have done?”
Of course He knew. He still knows. He still sees the depth of the depravity in each of our hearts. And His forgiveness still reaches deeper than the cancer of sin can ever go. (Karen Speak)
From the depth of sin and sadness
To the heights of joy and gladness
Jesus lifted me, in mercy full and free.
With His precious blood He bo’t me;
When I knew Him not, He sought me,
And in love divine He ransomed me. — Julia H. Johnston
Choose to forgive even when you disagree.
This is the Monday, October 27, 2014 devotional reading of Opening the Word.
Photo credit: "Asking for Forgiveness" by Vic used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped.
To God Be the Glory
November 2 - Lesson 9
Focus Text: Acts 3:1-26
Big Idea: All glory belongs to Christ, the Son of God.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways they give Christ the glory for the wonderful things He is doing in their lives.
Lesson Outline:
- Christ's Power to Heal (Acts 3:1-12)
- Christ's Rejection by Mankind (Acts 3:13-17)
- Christ's Grace for All (Acts 3:18-26)
Peter Recognizes Jesus as Lord
Read Matthew 16:13-19
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16).
It is common practice for an individual seeking employment to provide a resumé along with the application for employment. Usually a part of the resumé includes references of individuals other than family members who know the applicant as more than just a casual acquaintance.
In this passage of Scripture Jesus asked His disciples what others were saying about Him. They responded with the hearsay of the day concerning Christ. But then Jesus narrowed His focus to the disciples, and outspoken Peter responded without hesitation, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
It is interesting that in this setting Peter readily recognized Jesus as Lord, and he was blessed by Jesus with deep spiritual insight. At a later time however, when questioned as to his relationship to Jesus, he denied three times any affiliation to the Savior.
If Jesus were filling out an employment application today, would your name appear as a reference? Do you know Him as Savior and Lord, or do you just know about Him? (Marshall Mosley)
But “I know whom I have believed, And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed Unto Him against that day.”
— Daniel W. Whittle
Do you know Him or just know about Him?
This is the Monday, October 20, 2014 devotional reading of Opening the Word.
Photo credit: "Resume - Glasses" by Flazingo Photos used under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped and Resized.