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Concluding Benedictions
Focus Text: Romans 11:33-36; Hebrews 13:20, 21; 2 Peter 3:14-18; Jude 1:24, 25
Central Truth: God provides grace for our every need.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several evidences of God’s blessing in their lives.
Lesson Outline:
I. A Benediction for Wisdom (Rom. 11:33-36)
II. A Benediction to Completion (Heb. 13:20, 21)
III. A Benediction to Diligence (2 Peter 3:14-18)
IV. A Benediction for Perseverance (Jude 1:24, 25)
A Prayer for God’s Blessing
Father, I come again in prayer to ask for your blessing upon my life and my volunteer ministry within our local church. There have been many misguided teachings over the past years concerning praying for your blessing. Some have basically taught that we can confidently pray for our every whim and desire. Others have suggested that your blessing is like a bubble gum machine: insert a prayer or a tithe, and out comes a blessing. I recognize that the purpose of prayer is about aligning my will with your will, not about merely presenting you a wish list.
Yet, Lord, I do feel a deep need for your blessing upon my life. I recognize that without your enabling power I cannot be victorious spiritually or successful in ministry for you. So I humbly ask for you to pour out blessings upon my life so that I can glorify your name and be a blessing to others.
Thank you in advance for the grace you are going to provide. Amen.
A Prayer for God's Blessing
Father, I come again in prayer to ask for your blessing upon my life and my volunteer ministry within our local church. There have been many misguided teachings over the past years concerning praying for your blessing. Some have basically taught that we can confidently pray for our every whim and desire. Others have suggested that your blessing is like a bubble gum machine: insert a prayer or a tithe, and out comes a blessing. I recognize that the purpose of prayer is about aligning my will with your will, not about merely presenting you a wish list.
Yet, Lord, I do feel a deep need for your blessing upon my life. I recognize that without your enabling power I cannot be victorious spiritually or successful in ministry for you. So I humbly ask for you to pour out blessings upon my life so that I can glorify your name and be a blessing to others.
Thank you in advance for the grace you are going to provide. Amen.
The Quality of Hope
Read Romans 15:1-4
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (v. 4).
Visiting a children’s program in Indonesia, Wess Stafford was asked to say a few words. Wanting to communicate their value to God, he told the children they were special. He then picked up a little girl on the front row named Jessica. Using her as an example, he spoke tenderly of her uniqueness and that Christ loved her. Noticing tears around the room, he found out that, weeks earlier, she had been brutally raped. If anyone needed to hear that message, it was Jessica. Her healing began that day.
Some aren’t as receptive, however. Danny Velazquez was one. To many, he seemed to be on top of the world. He went about his work day wearing cashmere and sipping martinis. Living in a loft apartment, he was highly regarded by his clients. One was a Christian who frequently told him, “The day you call on the name of the Lord, He will set you free.” He politely ignored her advice. But Danny’s relationship with alcohol and drugs spiraled out of control eventually leaving him homeless.
One day, hallucinating and hearing voices, he remembered those hope-filled words. At that moment Danny cried out to God. When he later awoke in a hospital, he was a changed man. God had set him free. (Cyretha C. Horton)
You too can find new life through the hope found in God and His Word.
A Prayer for Spiritual Growth
Focus Text: Colossians 1:3-17
Central Truth: Spiritual growth results from complete obedience to God’s Word.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list some evidences of spiritual growth in the life of a Christian.
Lesson Outline:
I. Testimony of Faith (Col. 1:3-8)
II. Prayer for Christian Growth (Col. 1:9-12)
III. God's Power to Deliver (Col. 1:13-17)
A Prayer for the Church
Father, I pray for my local church. I thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I praise you for the blessings you have bestowed upon us and ask for continued grace.
You know the needs of our congregation. (List specific needs here.) I pray that, according to your will, you would give healing to those who are suffering with physical needs. Encourage them, despite their pain, to live for you. I pray for those with financial needs. Supply what they lack. Provide for them, as a sign of your love and grace. I ask you also to remember those who are under heavy burdens of stress, etc. Lighten their load. Let them know that you are with them, to help them through these trials and to give grace for every hour.
Father, help our church to be a light of love and holiness to this community. May we be known as a people who love God and one another. Increase our influence for Christ in our world. Thank you for all this. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.