Our Blog
A Profile of Persecution
Focus Text: 1 Peter 4:1-5, 12-19
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways in which they might react to suffering for Christ.
Central Truth: The example of Jesus Christ in His suffering should inspire the Christian to strength and purity in his own life.
I. AN EXAMPLE PORTRAYED (1 Peter 4:1-5)
II. RIGHT ATTITUDES COMMENDED (1 Peter 4:12-16)
III. TESTING TIMES IDENTIFIED (1 Peter 4:17-19)
Discussion
If you decide to ask discussion questions, be certain that they will always create quality discussion. Do not ask questions that only have one right answer if you are looking for a discussion. Whenever you ask a discussion question, your goal is to help people share their thoughts and really think about the material. Ask open-ended questions.
Matthew’s Story of the Resurrection
Read Matthew 28:1-10
“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it” (v. 2).
Kansas, where I have spent most of my life, is not known for its earthquakes. They are not all that rare, but they are generally too faint to be felt over a wide area. They do not usually cause any damage. The region of the world where Jerusalem sits, however, averages one major earthquake every eighty to 100 years, according to the Jerusalem Post. Since the last one was in 1927, I doubt there are many people either in the Holy Land or reading this book that can remember it. My grandparents were not even alive yet! I can just imagine what it might have been like to be on guard duty the morning the world shook, an angel appeared, and an enormous rock rolled out of place. There would have been no childhood stories to relate this to, no social context to surround it. The earth moved, a heavenly warrior materialized, and the last line of defense obediently got out of the way. (Michelle D. Avery)
No wonder the soldiers fainted.
Embrace Visual Learning
There are four main learning styles that most people are able to learn under. They are visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing. In your classroom you likely use auditory and reading/writing the most. You probably do not need to use kinesthetic. Most of your class members are happy to sit still for a while. The style you could try adding is visual. It is an important learning style that we often use for children but fail to take advantage of for adults. Whenever possible, bring in visual aids. Maps are great for showing where things were in biblical times, pictures of artifacts can help bring a lesson to life, and diagrams help us make connections by organizing what we have studied. If you have access to the Internet, you can easily find ways to visually enhance your lesson and help your class members remember more of what you have taught for weeks to come.
The Great Guide
Read John 16:7-15
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come” (v. 13).
We were traveling off the beaten path. The trip that could easily have been done in one day had been divided into two days, simply for our enjoyment. We knew that our general direction was west, and rather than follow the main routes, we chose some highways that were just little lines on the map. Driving through some very sparsely inhabited country, our GPS somehow lost contact with the satellite. Thankfully, our compass still worked, and we found our way through. This road of life goes through some challenging terrain, too. It is easy to get off course and lose our way. Except that the Holy Spirit has come and He guides us through the maze we call life. Our Sunday school teacher recently referred to the Holy Spirit as God’s Positioning System. He has the ability to lead us through the challenges of life. When we listen to the instructions given in the Bible and maintain sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, He guides us in, through, or around the pitfalls of life. (Mark D. Avery)
Holy Ghost, with light divine, Shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the shade of night away, Turn my darkness into day. — Andrew Reed
The Holy Spirit living in us helps us stay on course.
Life in the Spirit
Focus Text: John 16:13-15; Galatians 5:16-26
Central Truth The Holy Spirit has come to guide us in God’s ways.
Objective By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify evidences of being guided by the Holy Spirit.
Lesson Outline
1. The Work of the Spirit
2. Victory Through the Spirit
3. Walking in the Spirit