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Paul: Saved to Serve

Focus Text: Acts 9:1-16
Central Truth: Christ calls us from self-centered righteousness to selfless service.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify some areas of service in which they need to be involved.
Lesson Outline:
I. Confronted by Christ (Acts 9:1-5)
II. Submission to Christ (Acts 9:6-9)
III. Sent by Christ (Acts 9:10-16)

August 13th, 2018|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Paul, rescued, Self-centered|0 Comments

Picture of a Disciple

Create a word picture of Peter for your character notebook.

Peter was a man who often acted on impulse, but still was mightily used of God.

Ask the class to list what Jesus may have seen in Peter to select him to be a disciple.

List the differences in Peter when he was first called and after he became an apostle. List the similarities.

What motivated Peter? Why was he a man of action? How was his action modified and directed after he met Christ?

Compare Peter’s faith to that of other people in the Bible. Compare our faith to Peter’s faith.

August 10th, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|0 Comments

Submission to the Father

“And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt” (v. 39).
We have this idea that Jesus went through His life, happily looking forward to the cross. We sing, “He had no tears for His own grief, but sweat- drops of blood for mine,” from Charles Gabriel’s otherwise wonderful hymn “My Savior’s Love.” In these last moments, before He would begin rushing headlong for the cross, Jesus was asking His Father if there was any other way. Jesus did not want to go through the agony of crucifixion.

We get several English words from the Latin crux. One of them is “excruciating,” which we use to describe unbearable pain. Unbearable pain was the point of crucifixion. Nails were driven through the wrists and ankles, but that was only the beginning. The nails were driven in such a way that one was supported by the nail in the ankles, but had to pull one’s self up on the nails in the wrist in order to breathe. Very often the victim had been whipped, so the lacerated back scraped up and down the rough wood of the cross. Added to this was the humiliation of being naked and held up for public spectacle.
Why would Jesus submit Himself to the Father’s will and embrace the cross? Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus went to the cross “for the joy set before him.” The joy set before Him was the salvation of sinners. His obedience even to death has saved us. (Randy J. Bland)

How marvelous, how wonderful! And my song shall ever be: How marvelous, how wonderful! Is my Savior’s love for me. — Charles Gabriel

Will you follow Jesus’ example and be obedient to the Father?

August 8th, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Crucifixion, Submission|0 Comments

Peter: A Man of Action

Focus Text: Matthew 14:25-31; Acts 3:1-7
Central Truth: Faith in God requires action.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways we can put our faith into action.
Lesson Outline:
I. Faith in Action (Matt. 14:25-31)
II. Healing the Sick (Acts 3:1-7)

August 6th, 2018|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: active faith, healing, Peter, praying, walking on water|0 Comments

Side-by-Side Pictures

There are two characters for today’s word pictures, Mary and Martha. Create a separate picture for each one.

We are not to criticize Martha’s service, but to learn the importance of keeping our service to God in proper focus.

Analyze each woman’s weaknesses and strengths. Compare the hospitality of Martha and Mary. Was one sister better than the other?

Did Mary and Martha work as a team? Can two people working together be more effective than when working alone.

Have the class tell what they admire about Mary and Martha, or about someone else they know.

August 3rd, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: admire, Sisters, strengths, weaknesses|0 Comments

Giving Sacrificially

“And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites” (v. 2).
Does the Lord need our money? Right now, you may be formulating an answer in your mind. A church treasurer may say – absolutely! A pastor may be thinking — I need my salary. A missionary president may reflect upon the many needs upon the foreign field. Yet, I ask, does God really need our money?

Note three thoughts in our text verse: 1) God knows if you are giving to His cause: “he saw.” Indeed, we do have a responsibility to give our tithes and offerings to God’s work (Mal. 3:10). 2) A poor widow gave. She wanted to give to the Lord. What a wonderful attitude she displayed. “God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). 3) She gave a small offering — only two mites. Yet, it was sacrificial, for she gave all she had (Luke 21:4). Do we likewise give sacrificially and cheerfully?
I believe that God rewarded this widow for her devoted service, and He will bless us also when we are faithful to give. (James O. Baker)

There’ll be show’rs of blessing from our Father’s hand, On His word of promise we may firmly stand; There’ll be rains refreshing on the thirsty land When the tithes are gathered in. — Mrs. C. H. Morris

What is my attitude in giving to the Lord?

August 1st, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: generosity, sacrifices|0 Comments

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