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The Glorious Hope
Lesson 6 - January 7, 2018
Focus Text: Isaiah 11:1-12
Central Truth: In a world of darkness, Christians must be known as people of hope.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students will be able to identify three ways they can be known as people of hope in a world of darkness.
Lesson Outline:
- The Glorious Hope: Righteousness (Isaiah 11:1-5)
- The Glorious Hope: Peace (Isaiah 11:6-10)
- The Glorious Hope: Victory (Isaiah 11:11-12)
Calling: The Fruit of Cleansing
Lesson 5 - December 31, 2017
Focus Text: Isaiah 6:1-10
Central Truth: Cleansing from sin should always produce a passion for proclaiming the Word of the Lord.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways the passionate Christian can proclaim the Word of the Lord.
Lesson Outline:
- The God Who Calls (Isaiah 6:1-4)
- The Hindrance to Hearing God's Call (Isaiah 6:5)
- The Hindrance Removed (Isaiah 6:6-7)
- The Call of God Explained (Isaiah 6:8-10)
The Inspiration of Hope
Monday, December 18
Read 1 John 3:1-6
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he [Christ] is pure” (v. 3).
It is easy to become discouraged when it can seem so long since Christ ascended leaving us with the promise that He would come again. Many times Christians are taunted by the world for believing in such an old promise. The fact is that we, much like Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:25-40), aren’t believing in an old promise but in an ever-present Promise Giver. This is the reason for the discipline and effort that the Christian must make to be made pure “even as he is pure.” We must live our lives every day with the awareness that His coming is imminent and we must be ready.
I had a close family member that suffered a major heart attack and needed a heart transplant. While waiting for that to happen, he would have some very rough days. He was unable to participate in some activities, eat some foods, and visit some places. His life style had to be altered to be a candidate for that procedure. He often commented that he could tolerate these trials because he would get a new heart someday and be able to get back to a full life.
We must be willing to change our lives now because of the hope of what is yet to come. (Tim Brubeck)
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness” (Edward Mote).
Encourage Your Students
Take a few moments to inspire the class with the hope of eternity. Encourage the members to look up or quote verses that come to mind about heaven. Start the conversation with Titus 3:7: “That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Discuss the aspect of faith in this matter, and point out the confidence that Christians can have based upon Scripture. Allow an opportunity for testimonies of God’s assurance in the lives of individuals. Perhaps there are those who would like to share a story about the “home-going” of a saint that they experienced. The awareness of something supernatural is often evident to those in the room, and the one passing from this life is many times filled with a sense of peace. End by including, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36).
Young at Heart
There may be teens and young adults in your church that your class members know well (or not at all). Together as a group, discuss conceivable activities that could be planned to assist your group in developing a closer connection with the youth of your church. Following are some possible events to consider: family game night, church picnic, youth/adult interviews (pre-planned questions to facilitate conversations), progressive dinners, etc. In order to easily permit parishioners to get better acquainted, perhaps factsheets listing information about each young person could be compiled. These might include a picture, age, year in school/occupation, details about one’s family, interests/hobbies, and a prayer need. The adult class members could select one or more youth to remember in prayer, and they could make a point to write notes of encouragement to the young people and intentionally develop a connection with them.
God’s Providences
Lesson 13 - November 26, 2017
Focus Text: Genesis 37:23–28, 36; 39:19–23; 41:37–41
Central Truth: God works through our circumstances to fulfill His purposes.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to give examples how God works through various circumstances to accomplish His will.
Lesson Outline:
- Sold into Slavery (Genesis 37:23–28, 36)
- Betrayed by a Lie (Genesis 39:19–23)
- Promoted (Genesis 41:37–41)