Meet the Writers. Production & Ministry Team JEFFREY HOLDER Content Editor. Management Personnel BRET ROBBE, Director, Leadership and Adult Publishing

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2 Meet the Writers Production & Ministry Team JEFFREY HOLDER Content Editor CURTIS HONTS Commentary Editor DANIEL DAVIS Production Editor NICOLE CHILDRESS Graphic Designer BRENT BRUCE Graphic Design Specialist ALAN RAUGHTON Lead Adult Ministry Specialist DAVID APPLE Adult Ministry Specialist CHRISTINA ZIMMERMAN Editorial Project Leader Send questions/comments to: Content Editor, Life Ventures Leader Guide One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN ; or make comments on the Web at Management Personnel BRET ROBBE, Director, Leadership and Adult Publishing KEN BRADDY, DEBBIE JOHNSON, RON KECK Managing Directors, Leadership and Adult Publishing DAVID FRANCIS, Director, Sunday School BILL CRAIG, Director, Leadership and Adult Ministry GARY H. HAUK, Director, Publishing LifeWay Church Resources BIBLE COMMENTARY September: Joseph Cathey, Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church, Godley, Texas, has earned degrees from Ouachita Baptist University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Joseph and his wife, Nancy, have two children. Joseph enjoys competitive target shooting, hunting, fishing, swimming, and writing. October: Argile Smith pastors First Baptist Church, Biloxi, Mississippi. For 14 years he served as professor of preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He received degrees from William Carey College and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Argile and his wife, Connie, have three sons. Argile enjoys traveling, writing, and fishing. November: Stephen J. Andrews is professor of Old Testament, Hebrew, and archaeology and is director of the Morton-Seats Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri. He has degrees from Carson-Newman College, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Hebrew Union College. Stephen and his wife, Tammie, have two sons. Jim Davis wrote the interactive elements in the commentary for this quarter. Jim works in the Office of the Attorney General for the state of Alabama and serves Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover, Alabama, as an adult Sunday School teacher. Jim and his wife, Sonya, have one son. TEACHING PLANS September: Polly Cooper Brown is a retired psychologist living in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Polly is a widow and has one daughter and four grandchildren. A member of Balboa Baptist Church, Polly is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, the University of Central Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. October: Mic Morrow is retired from LifeWay where he served as an editor and adult ministry specialist for 33 years. A widower, Mic has two adult children and one granddaughter. Mic is a graduate of Gardner-Webb College, Carson-Newman College, and Southern Seminary. A resident of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Mic teaches senior adults at Tulip Grove Baptist Church. November: Becky McClendon is ministry coordinator for her adult Sunday School class at Northside Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and spends much of her time caring for her aging mother. A former public school teacher, Becky is a graduate of Samford University. She and her husband, John, have two young adult sons. F a l l

3 CONTENTS Bible Studies for Life: Life Ventures Leader Guide is designed for teachers of vocationally retired adults age 65 and up. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. The 2000 statement of The Baptist Faith and Message is our doctrinal guideline. FEATURES: 2 How to Become a Christian 3 Meet the Writers 6 Bible Studies for Life: Life Needs and Biblical Concepts 7 Effectively Using Your Life Ventures Leader Guide 8 Additional Resources 10 Work Up a Soul Sweat 78 Blessings of Mentoring 160 Demon Possession in the First Century 162 Coming Next Quarter LESSONS: 14 STUDY THEME: BALANCED SPIRITUAL GROWTH 16 September 4 Connect (Ps. 133; 1 Cor. 12:12-18,21-26) 26 September 11 Grow (2 Tim. 3) 36 September 18 Serve (Rom. 12:3-15) 46 September 25 Go (John 1:29,35-46,49-51) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. The suggestions in this resource for pronouncing Bible names are from That s Easy for You to Say: Your Quick Guide to Pronouncing Bible Names by W. Murray Severance, copyright 1997 by Broadman & Holman Publishers. Used by permission.

4 F A L L V O L U M E 6, N O STUDY THEME: IT S A MIRACLE! 58 October 2 Glory Revealed (John 1:14,18; 2:1-11) 68 October 9 Forgiveness Offered (Luke 5:17-26,29-32) 88 October 16 Hope Discovered (Luke 7:1-17) 98 October 23 Wholeness Restored (Mark 5:1-3,6-13a,15-20) 108 October 30 Satisfaction Found (John 6:5-13,35-40) [Evangelism Lesson] 118 STUDY THEME: MAKE YOUR LIFE COUNT 120 November 6 Accept the Call (Ex. 3:1-6,10-15; 4:10-12) 130 November 13 Stand for the Lord (Ex. 32:7-20,25-26) 140 November 20 Respond to Difficult Situations (Num. 20:1-13; Ps. 106:32-33) 150 November 27 Adopt the Right Perspective (Deut. 32:1-9,36-39,43) LEADER RESOURCES PAGES On pages are eight pages of leader resources. The information includes skill development, general training articles, and ideas for improving Sunday School ministry. On page 86, you will find a Sunday School Session Plan Sheet that you may reproduce. These pages can be removed and placed in a binder for future use. Life Ventures Leader Guide (ISSN X; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. For ordering or inquiries, visit or write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. Printed in the United States of America. Photo Credits: ISTOCK PHOTOGRAPHY

5 W E E K O F S E P T E M B E R 4 CONNECT B ACKGRO UND PA SSAGES : Psalm 133; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 FOCAL PA SSAGES : Psalm 133; 1 Corinthians 12:12-18,21-26 SCRIPTURE OUTLINE Community Is Vital (1 Cor. 12:12-18) Community Cares for Its Own (1 Cor. 12:21-26) Community Leads to the Lord s Blessing (Ps. 133) W H AT T HIS L E SSON IS A B O UT This lesson highlights the priority of community among believers as revealed in the Bible. Community produces blessing, provides care, and is created by God. HOW T HIS L E SSON C A N I M PA C T Y O UR L IFE Value authentic Christian community and make it a priority in your life. T EACHING PLAN B I BLE COMMENT ARY ISTOCK PHOTO Teaching the Lesson Find EXTRA! help online at: Needed for the Session! LEARNER GUIDE, pen or pencil for each learner! Marker board or large sheets of paper, markers Preparing to Teach Through Personal Bible Study In our church, we have had a problem getting people to sign up to work in Vacation Bible School. The excuse often given is I am not good with children, or Working with children is not my gift. However, this year we wanted the congregation to look within themselves and see that even though their gifts may not entail working with children, we could use them for other tasks that might not seem as glamorous as teaching. We encouraged our people to volunteer for taking pictures, helping decorate, making snacks, or tearing down decorations after the week-long event. What quickly became apparent was that we desperately needed 16 Life Ventures Leader Guide

6 B I B L E C O M M E N T A R Y others to help us get the church ready for a huge influx of children that would take our church by storm during the VBS week. Yes, teachers, counselors, and administrators were needed. However, those jobs could not take place without other members helping to makeover our church to enhance the learning environment. This year s Vacation Bible School was a success not simply because of the teachers, counselors, and administrators but rather because everyone who was able worked together in community to see that children heard the gospel. The weakest member of our church who paved the way for VBS shared in every child who came to know Christ as their Savior. Community Is Vital KJV 1 Corinthians 12:12-18 HCSB 12For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14For the body is not one member, but many. 15If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members everyone of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 12 For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body so also is Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 So the body is not one part but many. 15 If the foot should say, Because I m not a hand, I don t belong to the body, in spite of this it still belongs to the body. 16 And if the ear should say, Because I m not an eye, I don t belong to the body, in spite of this it still belongs to the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted. T E A C H I N G P L A N " STEP 1:! PACK ITEM 1 Poster: Study Theme 1 " STEPS 2-4:! PACK ITEM 2 Poster: September 4 Lesson Outline " STEP 1 Introduction LEARNER GUIDE (pp ) Share information from the study theme introduction. Emphasize that spiritual growth is a continuous, lifelong process and needs to be balanced. PACK ITEM 1 Poster: Study Theme 1 Call attention to the title of each lesson. SAY: This study will help us discover ways to balance our spiritual growth by connecting with other believers, growing in spiritual maturity, serving fellow believers, and telling others about Jesus. Write on the board: CommUnity. ASK: What is implied by the unique spelling of Comm- Unity? (There is to be unity among the community of believers in the church.) LEARNER GUIDE (p. 13) Call on a volunteer to read What This Lesson Is About. Invite learners to circle three aspects of community among believers. Invite learners to silently read How This Lesson Can Impact Your Life. Week of September 4 17

7 T E A C H I N G P L A N B I B L E C O M M E N T A R Y SAY: This lesson will help us define authentic community and show us some ways to make it a priority in our lives. " STEP 2 Community Is Vital (1 Cor. 12:12-18) Introduce the focal passage by sharing information from the Bible commentary* about the situation in the church at Corinth that prompted Paul to write to them. Call on a volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 12: Direct learners to scan verses ASK: What was Paul comparing with the analogy in verses 12-18? In what ways are the parts of the body analogous to the gifts of the Spirit in the church? LEARNER GUIDE (p. 15) Invite learners to share their responses to the question in Think It Through. Ask a volunteer to read the paragraph he or she wrote explaining why the parts are necessary to the whole in the church. Direct learners to review verse 13. ASK: How are the many parts of the church (the body of Christ) made one? (See the Bible commentary,* p. 19.) DISCUSS: What is meant by the statement that there Paul probably wrote First Corinthians sometime in the mid-50s of the first century a.d. while in Ephesus on his third missionary journey. Most likely Paul s letter to the Corinthians dates from the end of his stay in Ephesus, a period of three years (Acts 19; 20:31). The Acts 18:12 statement that Gallio was proconsul of Achaia at the time Paul was in Corinth plays a significant role dating New Testament events. If we allow time for the events in Acts 18:18 19:1 and begin with a reference to Gallio on an inscription in Delphi (indicating he assumed his office during the summer of 51), then the time frame for Paul s writing First Corinthians is approximately a.d *(See teaching plan.) In chapters 11 14, Paul addressed some of the most pressing problems in the Corinthian church. Among the problems that had the church deadlocked were divisions at the Lord s Supper (11:17-34) and the misuse of spiritual gifts in public worship (chs ). In the midst of the Corinthian inflammatory rhetoric, Paul took the church to task as he chastened them in love. Chapter 12 gives us a glimpse into the inner workings of God s heart as He empowers the body to engage in ministry tasks. The twin topics of variety and unity in spiritual gifts segue into the diversity and interdependence of all church members. In 12:12-18, Paul addressed the inescapable diversity and necessary unity of members within the body of Christ. In verses 12-14, Paul laid out the basic theological underpinnings for his discussion. Paul used a multifaceted metaphor with the imagery of a body, emphasizing both its unity (the body is one) and noting its great diversity (but has many parts). While this seeming contradiction may puzzle some readers, Paul saw the church not as a democracy or a group of unrelated individuals but rather as the body of Christ. In this mystery of unity in the body of Christ, there is diversity and uniqueness of each individual. i Read the article Using the Body as an Analogy in the Fall 2011 issue of Biblical Illustrator or on the Fall 2011 Biblical Illustrator Plus (CD-ROM). A three-fold exposition is begun in 12:12, forming the basis for the subsequent chapter. First, Paul noted that the human body is a solitary unit. Just as a body is made up of complex, interworking, numerous parts, so Christ s body has many parts (limbs and organs). Despite the differences of each organ or limb, they work interdependently so that the body may thrive and function. Christ is the subject of this body, for there can be only one body, which is the church. This Christological point cannot be missed as Paul clarified it with the phrase so also is Christ. Second, Paul noted that the body has many parts with a necessary diversity in its members. An explanation is in order to il- 18 Life Ventures Leader Guide

8 B I B L E C O M M E N T A R Y T E A C H I N G P L A N lustrate how a multitude of members can be a single community existing in harmony. Third, he explained how Christians, though many and unique, all together make up this single entity known as the body of Christ. Just because believers are to have unity does not mean that we will always agree. It does mean, however, that when we disagree, we learn to do so with grace and maturity. *(See teaching plan, p. 18.) The great Unifier in all of Scripture is the Holy Spirit, and it is He to whom Paul pointed as the common thread that binds Christians together. Christians share in the experiences of being baptized by one Spirit and of being formed into one body by the Spirit. Romans 8:9 indicates that believers are given all of the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation. In that moment of salvation, regardless of what kinship the person had before faith, he or she becomes a part of the family of Christ. The community of Christ was all made to drink of one Spirit (see John 4:14; 7:38-39). Thus, all Christians are baptized into the same reality most pointedly, the body of Christ at the moment of conversion. It is through the element of faith and the action of the Spirit that believers are immersed in the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit is the adhesive that holds together the body of Christ the church. All believers, regardless of their varied ethnic, religious, or sociological backgrounds prior to conversion, participate in this one body the church through the Holy Spirit. The dispute of the Corinthian church appears to have been directed toward individuals who were seen as less gifted members of the church. In order to address the importance of proper regard for all parts of Christ s body, Paul turned to the human body for his illustration. Encouragement is given to those who might have thought that their gifts were not as needed as the spectacular, public, attention-garnering gifts. *(See teaching plan.) The respective functions of the differing body parts (foot, hand, eyes, and ears) are detailed in such a way so as to show the needed contrasts. The hands, feet, eyes, and ears each play an assigned role in the human body. Indeed, the human body would collapse into dysfunction without coordination of the body parts. The eye needs the hands to accomplish its objective, and the head needs the feet to reach its destination. Each part of the body is integral to the whole, for a human body cannot fully function as God originally designed without even the weakest member. This unity in diversity is designed by God, as Paul noted. God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted. In the church Paul stressed the fact that every person is vital, being placed in the community by divine appointment. If there were no diversity, unity would neither be needed nor significant. With a rhetorical question, Paul highlighted the need for unity within community. He asked, If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? A body consisting of can be no lone ranger Christians? Have you ever felt like a lone ranger Christian? Why did you feel that way? What can be done so that no believer feels like a lone ranger? Direct learners to scan verses and to name the parts of the body mentioned there. Write responses on the board. ASK: Which of these would you be willing to do without? What point was Paul emphasizing with this analogy? (See the Bible commentary.*) Read verse 18. DISCUSS: Are senior adults exempt from using their spiritual gifts to serve the church? Explain. What can result from some believers failing to use their spiritual gifts? PACK ITEM 2 Poster: September 4 Lesson Outline Call attention to point one. DISCUSS: What does it mean for believers to have authentic community with other believers? What is implied by saying that community is vital? Remind learners that connecting with other believers in the church is one of the steps for growing toward spiritual maturity. Week of September 4 19

9 T E A C H I N G P L A N B I B L E C O M M E N T A R Y DISCUSS: How has being connected to your community of believers influenced your spiritual growth? LEARNER GUIDE (p. 16) Conclude this section by inviting learners to share how they responded to What About Me? Discussion Options: Life Impact Plus What are some sources of disunity between senior adults and younger generations? What can seniors do to promote unity in the face of such disagreements? What gifts do you see at work among the senior adults in our church that are vital to the health of our church community? What could result if the seniors in our church decided to retire from serving the church? What is the impact of a lack of community on an individual s spiritual growth? What are some things senior adults in our church might do to increase the sense of community in our church? What might our class do? a single entity, such as a single eye, ear, or any other part, would be a horror. When we try to prioritize giftedness or identify some as more important and others as less important, we trespass on God s role to build the body as He chooses. When Paul asked, Where would the body be? (1 Cor. 12:19), he stressed the impossibility of a body made up of only a single entity. Clearly no matter how impressive or important a member of the body might be, one cannot form a church from a single individual. But a unified church made up of diverse people now that s vital! What activities have strengthened the sense of community in your Bible study group? Community Cares for Its Own KJV 1 Corinthians 12:21-26 HCSB 21And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. 21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, I don t need you! Or again, the head can t say to the feet, I don t need you! 22 But even more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those parts of the body that we think to be less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have a better presentation. 24 But our presentable parts have no need of clothing. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, 25 so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. 26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 20 Life Ventures Leader Guide

10 B I B L E C O M M E N T A R Y Paul moved from the inescapable diversity of members within the body (12:12-20) to the inescapable interdependence of members of the body (12:21-26). Stating the obvious, Paul asserted that those parts of the body that are considered weaker are necessary. (See Digging Deeper below.) The weaker members of the body, whether they be external parts we generally cover or inward organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, stomach, etc.), are regarded here as unpresentable but yet are shown a special modesty and greater honor. Although the weaker parts are not visible, they are intimately vital for the human body. Likewise, those in the body of Christ who may be deceptively ordinary or unimpressive in their giftedness are as necessary as the most prestigiously gifted member in the congregation. Within the church, all members are crucially important to God, no matter what others may think, and should be to one another as well. i A previous Biblical Illustrator article Honor and Shame in the First Century (Winter ) relates to this lesson and can be found on the Fall 2011 Biblical Illustrator Plus (CD- ROM). Paul made it clear in verses that the interdependence of all parts is necessary for the body to function. Each member must care for and support the other members whether weaker or stronger. The Christian community at Corinth was charged to care for its own individuals within the body. Caring for one another in the D I G G I N G D E E P E R weaker (1 Cor. 12:22; more feeble, KJV) The Greek word rendered weaker has the literal sense of frailty in the human body. In the phrase those parts of the body that seem to be weaker, the word refers euphemistically to the more delicate, vital internal organs or possibly the external body parts we tend to cover for modesty s sake. Paul notes that the weaker parts of the body receive special treatment, such as being protected inside the body or being clothed for modesty. While the body can function without hands, feet, and eyes, it cannot function without the weaker parts, for they are essential to the body s survival. By analogy, believers with deceptively ordinary and unimpressive gifts are vitally necessary for the survival and functioning of the believers community. Not only is it impossible for any one Christian to experience community without other believers, but even those believer parts who seem to be weaker and offer little are indispensable. T E A C H I N G P L A N " STEP 3 Community Cares for Its Own (1 Cor. 12:21-26) PACK ITEM 2 Poster: September 4 Lesson Outline Invite learners to read the second point in unison. LEARNER GUIDE (p. 17) Direct learners to circle the phrase mutual dependence in the first sentence of this section. ASK: What is meant by mutual dependence in the church? Call on a volunteer to read 1 Corinthians 12:21-26 while other learners listen for a description of mutual dependence. Invite volunteers to explain Paul s analogy. LEARNER GUIDE (pp ) Call on a previously enlisted learner to read the first two paragraphs under the subheading Community Cares for Its Own. Be sure to review the word study on weaker in Digging Deeper. Invite learners to share how they responded to the question in What About Me? SAY: Paul s discussion of greater and lesser gifts culminated with the ultimate truth of verses Call on a volunteer to read verses as other learners listen to learn God s purpose for designing the Week of September 4 21

11 T E A C H I N G P L A N B I B L E C O M M E N T A R Y church to work this way. (unity, no division) LEARNER GUIDE (p. 19) Invite learners to share their responses to the questions in Think It Through. LEARNER GUIDE (pp ) Invite learners to locate the last three paragraphs beginning with When we talk about caring Direct separate groups of learners to each scan one of the paragraphs to identify one way a community might care for its own. After a brief time, call for responses. List these on the board. Invite learners to suggest other actions that demonstrate concern for fellow believers. List on the board. DISCUSS: How does giving or receiving care from other believers affect spiritual growth? Discussion Options: Life Impact Plus What are some of the biggest needs of seniors that can be met by other believers? What can seniors do to show care for church members outside their own age group? Why do some seniors resist help from other church members? What is our responsibility toward fellow church members who resist asking for assistance? What can younger people learn from senior Christians about a church caring for all of its members? body of Christ is especially noteworthy regarding the Corinthians behavior at the Lord s Supper (11:17-34). In contrast to the Corinthian behavior of exclusivity, Paul noted that God has put the body together. Here Paul used the language of combining or blending elements, colors, hues, or composing a musical melody in order to create a harmonious whole. The combining of diverse people and gifts is done so that there will be no division in the body, not only in regular worship and the Lord s Supper (see 11:17-34) but more generally in the dayin-and-day-out relationships of believers with one another. Clearly divisions such as jealousy, scorn, and strife have no place within the community of Christ. When the church comes together for the Lord s Supper or other functions of worship, it is to be as a whole body. Paul was clear that God has structured the body in such a way that the members have the same attentiveness for one another as for themselves. Naturally members have the same concern for each other so that if one part of the body hurts, every member suffers with the stricken one. However, the converse is also true of the body of believers if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. The gift that God has given to the church is a mutual dependence on Him as well as on our fellow congregants. When we honor those members of the body with the weaker or unpresentable gifts, we have the opportunity to practice the love of Christ! Every Christian is important to fellow believers individually as well as to the church as a whole. Because of this interdependency of believers who make up the body of Christ, what happens to the strongest or the weakest happens to the whole of the community. As the body of Christ, we show that our community cares for its own as we take care of and uplift the weakest member of our congregation. A vibrant and vital community is one that cares for the people in its midst who otherwise might be overlooked. A vibrant and vital small group leaves no members behind. List members of your Bible Study group who may need care or may have been overlooked, and write down a way you could lift up each person. 22 Life Ventures Leader Guide

12 B I B L E C O M M E N T A R Y Community Leads to the Lord s Blessing KJV Psalm 133 HCSB 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. 1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! 2 It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron s beard onto his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord has appointed the blessing life forevermore. *(See teaching plan.) How delightful when a community of believers walks and acts in love as the body of Christ. The psalmist painted a beautiful picture of unity of the Spirit in Psalm 133. This small psalm is no doubt one of the more powerful Psalms of Ascent, or otherwise known as Songs of Zion (Pss ). These psalms held up the standard of unity for God s people and were particularly utilized during those times they made the ascent to Jerusalem for special times of worship. This psalm is from the hand of King David and was written to commemorate both unity and community in the Israelite s life. The life of David was one of great turbulence and strife. Yet in the midst of this cacophony, we see a man at peace because of his standing before God. This psalm could easily date to the time frame of the coronation of David at Hebron (2 Sam. 5:1-5; 1 Chron. 12:38-40). If this is the time frame, then for a season the people of Israel were of one heart and mind concerning David and his leadership of the nation. The first verse sets the tone for the whole psalm, How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! Fundamental to understanding this first verse is the underlying concept of peace and unity within the family unit. David knew that political and communal unity is a gift from God. **(See teaching plan.) In order to help the reader grasp the vibrant praise in the first verse, David turned to two illustrations from the realm of worship. The first illustration hearkens back to the consecration of Aaron as the high priest (Ex. 29:7; Lev. 8:12). Present within this illustration are two mental pictures that are prevalent in our minds. One often thinks of anointing oil in T E A C H I N G P L A N " STEP 4 Community Leads to the Lord s Blessing (Ps. 133) PACK ITEM 2 Poster: September 4 Lesson Outline Call attention to the third point. Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 133. Use information from the Bible commentary* to explain the purpose of this psalm. Direct learners to review verse 1. ASK: How is living together in community described in verse 1? Write good and pleasant on the board. SAY: In verses 2-3, David illustrated the grace and blessing of God associated with living in community by reminding the Israelites of anointing oil and refreshing dew. Write oil and dew on the board. Use information from the Bible commentary** to explain these illustrations. DISCUSS: What is the message about living in community that David wanted the people to understand and rejoice in as they ascended to worship in Jerusalem? Note the phrase life forevermore in verse 3. Stress that the unity we experience in Week of September 4 23

13 T E A C H I N G P L A N B I B L E C O M M E N T A R Y the church is a mere foretaste of heaven to come. LEARNER GUIDE (p. 21) Invite learners to share how they responded to the question in What About Me? Discussion Options: Life Impact Plus Why should Christians strive for unity in every activity within the church? What might you use to illustrate the blessings of community in the way that David used oil and dew? Do senior adults recognize and appreciate God s blessings through community now more than they did at other times in their lives? Why or why not? " STEP 5 Conclusion SAY: The objective of this lesson is to help us value authentic Christian community and to make it a priority in our lives. ASK: What have you learned or been reminded of that will help you place even greater value on being a part of our Christian community? LEARNER GUIDE (p. 22) Invite learners to read silently the five biblical truths found in Reflection. DISCUSS: What could you do during the coming week to show that you value community among believers this purposeful ritual as running over the head and down on the beard of Aaron. This anointing was done at the behest of God (Ex. 30:22-30). In a sense the anointing came from God down to man. The priests had direct instructions on how and when to make the oil of anointing so as to make it purely for the purposes of God. What is seen in this anointing is a divine commissioning within the family or community of God. This illustration is divinely focused so that it paints a picture of the grace and blessing of God within the community of believers. The second illustration moves from the seemingly great (Aaron) to the small (common dew falling from Mount Hermon to Mount Zion) receiving God s blessing. At the heart of this simile are the two significant mountains in Israel s geography. Mount Hermon, in the north, is the higher of the two mountains, Zion being the smaller more southern mountain. David again implicitly made use of blessing coming down from above. In a land where the lack of rainfall or moisture could mean the difference between food or famine, life and death, David painted a very strong picture of God s grace. The life-giving dew showed God s great mercy by His watering the land every morning. This bountiful gift of moisture was the substance of life for the land of Israel. How gracious is God as He dwells in the community of His believers. What is significant is that the whole of Israel benefited from both the illustrations. The high priest stood before God on behalf of the congregation of Israel in order to plead for atonement for their sins. Yet without the life-giving moisture in the form of dew, the nation of Israel would be in serious trouble in the form of drought. When a community of believers, the body of Christ, is at peace, it benefits every member from the greatest to the least. If there is disunity within the community of believers (as was the case in the Corinthian church), then there is spiritual drought. Think of a group of believers you have been a part of who had the unity of the Spirit described in Psalm 133. List some characteristics of the group that made it special: How have you been blessed by being a part of that group? Lastly, the psalmist noted that in a way this unity and peace that are present in the body of God s people are a foretaste of heaven to come life forevermore. The unity that God s people are blessed with is a unity that cannot be created by programs or human-based initiatives but rather by the Holy Spirit. People loving God, each other, and the lost can only come from the power and work of the Spirit of God. Christ told His disciples, I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me (Matt. 25:40). Brothers and sisters in 24 Life Ventures Leader Guide

14 B I B L E C O M M E N T A R Y T E A C H I N G P L A N Christ living together, working together in harmony, helping the least among them, and reaching outward are not merely a sign of earthly worship. Rather, it is a sign of the worship that will take place around the throne of God (Rev. 5:8-14). Indeed, the Lord has appointed the blessing life forevermore. Biblical Truths of This Lesson in Focus to participate in the life of the church. be intentionally sought. pathize with fellow members experiencing difficulty. inferior because his or her gifts are not the same as the gifts of others. should strive for unity in every activity within the church. please God. and are making it a priority in your life? LEARNER GUIDE (p. 22) Call on a volunteer to read Applying the Word. Challenge learners to take one of these actions or another action that would increase unity among believers. Close with prayer asking God to open hearts so community can grow among your group of believers. How active is your group in the life of the church as shown through use of spiritual gifts? Mark with an X on the scale below: Not very active On fire! What specific steps can you take as a leader to increase the group s sense of community? DEPARTMENT PERIOD SUGGESTIONS Welcome Greet participants warmly. Invite them to greet one another. Introduce guests and new members. Suggested Music Blest Be the Tie (The Baptist Hymnal, 1991, No. 387; 2008, No. 389) Suggested Scripture Reading Ephesians 4:1-6 Sharing Make brief announcements about department or church activities. To introduce today s lesson, hold up an object that has parts that are easily separated (for example, a puzzle or a hand mixer). Take the object apart. Holding up each part, ASK: Do we really need this piece? Why? Establish that each part is necessary for the whole to function as it was intended. SAY: The same principle is true in the church. Unity is necessary among believers for the church to function effectively. Caring Share prayer requests and ministry opportunities. Prayer Lead in prayer or enlist a class leader to lead in prayer. Week of September 4 25