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July 28, 2024: Leadership in the Church
FOCUS TEXT: 1 Timothy 3:1-16
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Acts 6:1-8; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 Peter 4:8-11; 5:1-11
DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15
KEY VERSE: And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you (1 Thessalonians 5:12).
CENTRAL TRUTH: God calls specific people to guide His Church.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify some requirements of godly leaders.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Requirements of a Pastor (1 Timothy 3:1-7)
II. The Requirements of a Deacon (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
III. The Behavior of Believers (1 Timothy 3:14-16)
July 21, 2024: Spiritual Gifts and the Church
FOCUS TEXT: Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Romans 12:1-21; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
DEVOTIONAL READING: Ephesians 4:11-13
KEY VERSE: As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10).
CENTRAL TRUTH: God gives us spiritual gifts that we may serve the Church.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify their spiritual gifts.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Gifts Given To Be Used (Romans 12:3-8)
II. Gifts Given for the Common Good (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
III. Gifts Given as the Spirit Desires (1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
July 14, 2024: Worship and the Church
FOCUS TEXT: 2 Kings 23:1-3; 1 Chronicles 16:23-29; 29:6-10
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: 2 Chronicles 6:1-42; Psalm 84:1-12; Matthew 21:12-16
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 96:1-13
KEY VERSE: O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker (Psalm 95:6).
CENTRAL TRUTH: The worship of God is essential to the Christian's life.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list practical ways they can express their worship of God.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Worship by Reading (2 Kings 23:1-3)
II. Worship in Prayer and Praise (1 Chronicles 16:23-29)
III. Worship Through Giving (1 Chronicles 29:6-10)
July 7, 2024: Cooperation in the Church
FOCUS TEXT: Acts 6:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-7
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Exodus 18:13-26; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:1-16; Philippians 2:1-8; 4:1-3
DEVOTIONAL READING: 1 Peter 4:7-11
KEY VERSE: Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind (Philippians 2:2).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Cooperation is a key attitude of the effective church.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several ways their church can show better cooperation.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Cooperation by Choice (Acts 6:1-7)
II. Cooperation in Ministry (1 Peter 5:1-4)
III. Cooperation Through Submission (1 Peter 5:5-7)
June 30, 2024: The Lord of the Church
PRINTED TEXT: Matthew 16:13-27
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ephesians 1:15-23; Colossians 1:12-20
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 24:1-10
KEY VERSE: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Jesus Christ is the head of the Church.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways to put Christ in His place as Head of the Church.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Divine Revelation (Matthew 16:13-20)
II. The Human Misunderstanding (Matthew 16:21-23)
III. The Challenge to Follow (Matthew 16:24-27)
June 12, 2024: Example of Unity
Read John 17:20-23.
“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;” (v. 20)
“When I first went out to my mission field in Africa,” related Dr. Green, “the boat carried me up a wide, beautiful river flowing through the jungle, and as night came on, I listened with many misgivings to the roll of war drums. They continued far into the night. The captain of the boat felt uneasy and tried to discourage me from going ashore. I admit I was trembling with fear. But I found that ‘the Lord standeth within the shadows keeping
watch above His own.’ After years of delightful labor, I left the jungle on the same boat. As it came down the river, thousands of these same natives gathered on the shores near their villages to say farewell. As the boat came into sight, they broke into song, but not a war song. A united group of believers could be heard singing, ‘All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.’” Someday, we will stand before God’s throne, singing praises to our King, in a mass choir with believers from every corner of the planet.
The size of the Church will not impress the world. The inward union expressing one mission will impress them. It is a unity of hope for the future, for humanity, and the promise of someday being where Jesus is. The Gospel creates a unity of faith with our
Father, our Savior, our Holy Spirit, and our fellow believers. Me plus three or me plus the Trinity are a formidable force. With God’s help, nothing shall be impossible! (Beverly Tatum)
“Feed the hungry, heal the heart,
Till the morning's beam;
White as wool, 'ere they depart,
Shepherd, wash them clean.”
--- Lyman Brackett
Sheep are necessary for a shepherd, even as a shepherd is necessary for a flock.