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Sept 13, 2020: Hope
PRINTED TEXT: Romans 4:17 25; 1 Corinthians 15:12 20
CENTRAL TRUTH: Believers have a living hope in Christ for time and eternity.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this class we should be able to state at least three reasons for our hope.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Hope Believing in Hope (Romans 4:17 25)
II. Hope Rewarded (1 Corinthians 15:12 20)
Sept 6, 2020: Faith
The Difference
Basic to the understanding of this lesson is a grasp of our own depth of faith. Some pray, “God, increase my faith.” We don’t need God to increase our faith. We need to exercise the faith that we have. How solid is the faith that you have in God? If you face shattering circumstances in life, is your trust in Him going to waver?
In Paul’s defense before King Agrippa in Acts 26, he concluded his statement regarding the death and resurrection of Christ by saying, in effect, “This is not a deep dark secret. Check it out for yourself. You believe what the Word of God says, don’t you? It is all there, as plain as day” (vs. 26, 27).
Does the devil bring doubts to your mind? Read the Bible and make up your own mind. It doesn’t make God nervous when we search the Scripture in order to bolster our faith.
Our faith is founded on the great realities of the Bible – a literal creation, the existence of Israel, the miracles of God, the prophecies of the Messiah and their miraculous fulfillment, the marvelous virgin birth of the incarnate Son of the everlasting God, His sinless life, His sacrificial death, His victorious resurrection, and His triumphant ascension into heaven.
Justified By Faith
Read Romans 5:1-8.
“Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 1).
She shot her boyfriend! He was beating her up; she feared for her life. She claimed it was self-defense. Time and again, we justify our decisions and actions, the things we say and the way we respond to what is happening to us. At times it seemed like a raw reflex; it was spontaneous, but nevertheless, it was what caused us to draw on our resources and what we felt were our strengths.
What about when you turn the other cheek, when you go the extra mile, when you give your cloak as well as your coat, when you use a soft answer in responding to anger, when you endure hardness as a good soldier? Do you justify those times by your faith in God who gives you grace and strength and wisdom? The hope we have is because of the love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts. Thus our actions and reactions are to be justified by our faith! As Christians, let us act the way we do because we are who we are through Jesus Christ, our Lord! (Rodney Stearns)
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus blood and righteousness;
…………………….
On Christ, the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.”
Justify your faith by living out the Lord Jesus within you!
Sept 6, 2020: Faith
PRINTED TEXT: 1 John 5:1 15
CENTRAL TRUTH: Faith in God is one of the most important principles in being an overcomer in the Christian life.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson we should be able to identify ways in which our faith in God should be demonstrated in our daily lives.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Victory Through Faith (I John 5:1 5)
II. The Witness of Faith (I John 5:6 12)
III. Assurance Through Faith (I John 5:13 15)
August 30, 2020: The Need
THE NEED
When we find a really good restaurant or read a really good book, what is our typical reaction? We want to tell somebody. And it should go without saying that we want to tell someone if we come across something they really need. The group of lepers who had found a source of food outside besieged and starving Samaria said to one another, “We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace . . . now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household” (2 Kings 7:9).
If we have found new life in Christ, we have found the most wonderful thing in the world. But of course, many around us would not share our enthusiasm, considering the news of a clearance sale more exciting. How can we share with others what we have found? Should we try?
Be ready to give your class the answer on Sunday!
Aug. 26, 2020: The Master’s Commands
Read Matthew 10: 9-16
The Master’s Commands
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (vs.16).
Jesus was our perfect example. His preaching and teaching were sometimes pointed, and at other times couched in stories and allegories. He knew his audience and how best to speak to them. We do not have His wisdom! But we need to seek a measure of His wisdom when approaching others. Some will dismiss you immediately, some will be curious, and others will scoff and seek to argue. Others, prepared by God, will seek to know more. In any case, a gentle wind will leave a pleasant breeze, where pontificating may leave a fretful scar.
Will it stir the stormy waters or bring a peaceful calm;
speak as Jesus did and breathe a restful balm?
Will it greet the wayward son, or heap on bitter shame;
mend the broken fences, or seek to assess blame?
Will it lift a lowly spirit, or drag it farther down;
bring joy to others, or let them slowly drown?
Will it fuel an angry conflict, or give the gift of peace;
trifle with their feelings, or bring a sweet release?
Will it wound without a cure, or remind of God’s great love;
taste of empty words, or fill with joy above?
Take caution every day, that blessings flow from what you say
-Jan Hamilton