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March 29, 2023: Return Blessing for Reviling
Wednesday, March 29
Read 1 Corinthians 4:11-16.
"And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it" (v. 12).
Recently in my reading, I was reminded of the principle of turning contention and trouble into a time of blessing. The author suggested the reader keep a notebook listing the names of those who had cursed, criticized, or attempted to destroy their ministry. That little hand-written book of names was marked by notes of prayer times, its pages stained with tears, all representing the petitioner's intentional prayer for God's intervention and blessing on others.
There is a deep peace and joy in smiling politely at a person whose intent is to destroy your reputation and ability to minister grace. But smile, when you know you have that morning lifted that person to the Lord, asking for His help, there rises a sense of peace and joy.
Paul said, "we bless," even when he was being reviled and persecuted. It reminds me of the Lord's words, "Father, forgive them." (Pastor Clair Sams)
Blessing and honor and glory and power,
Wisdom and riches and strength evermore
Give ye to Him Who our battle hath won
Whose are the kingdom, the crown, and the throne.
--- Horatius Bonar
Asking the Lord's intervention and blessing on others always strengthens the petitioner.
April 2, 2023; When Christians Disagree
FOCUS TEXT: Philippians 2:1-4; Romans 14:19-23; 15:1-7
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Romans 14:1 – 15:13; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
KEY VERSE: For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Christ expects His Church to be unified in our love for Him.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways they can strengthen relationships in our local church.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Seek to Avoid Confrontations (Philippians 2:1-4)
II. Follow After Peace (Romans 14:19-23)
III. Forbear One Another (Romans 15:1-4)
IV. Receive One Another (Romans 15:5-7)
March 26, 2023: Christians and Their Employment
FOCUS TEXT: Ephesians 6:5-9; 1 Peter 2:18-25
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Proverbs 6:6-11; 1 Timothy 6:1, 2; 1 Peter 2:9-25
KEY VERSE: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men (Colossians 3:23).
CENTRAL TRUTH: We should work in our jobs as though Christ were our boss.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. A Diligent Devotion (Ephesians 6:5-9)
II. A Proper Service (1 Peter 2:18-20)
III. A Perfect Example (1 Peter 2:21-25)
March 15, 2023: Proper Stewardship Rewarded
Read Matthew 10:40-42.
"He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward" (v.41).
Accepting responsibility is usually serious business. Failure brings consequences; successful completion has its rewards. When God entrusts something into His people's hands, He always stands ready to reward them for being faithful administrators of His resources. He doesn't do this to incentivize nor bribe them, but rather to let them see that there is great reward in loving service and joyful compliance.
God's promised rewards are sure, but so are the consequences of failure. Those consequences are often magnified by the knowledge that we had an opportunity for something great, but we failed to grasp the opportunity. One of the greatest torments of hell will be knowing we could have gone to heaven with all the beauty and presence of God, but, through poor choices, we chose a different route. I do not know that this is an accurate depiction. But I do know that I do not want to exchange the presence of God in my life now for anything that is being offered by this world. (TJB)
God, may our actions and heart be in line with your will.
March 19, 2023: Being Good Stewards
Understanding Our Personal Accountability to God
FOCUS TEXT: Matthew 25:14-29
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14; 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2; 9:16-23; 1 Peter 4:10, 11
KEY VERSE: Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. -- Matthew 25:23
CENTRAL TRUTH: God holds us accountable for all He gives us.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list things of which they can be a better steward.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Personal Accountability (Matthew 25:14-19)
II. Faithfulness Commended (Matthew 25:20-23)
III. Slothfulness Condemned (Matthew 25:24-30)
March 12, 2023: The Christian Way of Life
FOCUS TEXT: Colossians 3:5-17
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ephesians 5:1-4, 11-17; Colossians 3:5 – 4:6; 1 John 2:7-11
KEY VERSE: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. -- Colossians 3:17
CENTRAL TRUTH: Proper relationships begin with a proper relationship with God.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify several ways a proper relationship with God revolutionizes our relationships with people.
LESSON OUTLINE:
- Put Off the Old (Colossians 3:5-9)
- Put On the New (Colossians 3:10-14)
III. Live a Christian Life (Colossians 3:15-17)