4EXPLORE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>THE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>BIBLE$

Transcription

1 4EXPLORE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>THE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>BIBLE$ QUICKsOURCE LEADER FALL 2009 Psalms Songs of LIFE

2 PARABLE OBJECTS FOR THIS QUARTER September 6 Reading Glasses September 13 Road Sign September 20 Photo of a Couple September 27 Megaphone October 4 Shepherd s Staff October 11 Pre-Wash Spot Removers October October November 18 Security Blanket 25 Fat Wallet 1 Older Model Phone November 8 Video Camera November 15 Display of Christian Bumper Stickers, Pins, Slogans November 22 Blank Thank-You Note November 29 Old Family Bible FEATURES 2 How to Become a Christian 3 How to Use QuickSource 5 Reflections 39 Explore the Bible Cycle 40 Life Span: Birth to Heaven 61 Expanded Key Words 63 Connect, Grow, Serve, Go 65 Map 66 Coming Next Quarter 66 Meet the Writers AT A GLANCE NOVEMBER OCTOBER SEPTEMBER Study Theme: Psalms: Singing God s Praises 6 God Is Revealed Psalm 19: God Is Just Psalm 9: God Is Faithful Psalm 105:1 106: God Is Great Psalm 135: Study Theme: Psalms: When the Music Stops 4 When I Need Comfort Psalm 23: When I Have Sinned Psalm 51: When I Am Afraid Psalm 56: When I Have Doubts Psalm 73: When I Am Afflicted 102: Study Theme: Psalms: Living in Harmony with God 8 Choose Wisely (evangelistic lesson) Psalm 1: Live Righteously Psalm 112: Give Thanks Psalm 116: Obey God s Word Psalm 119: ABOUT THE COVER David Playing the Harp Lebrecht Music and Arts/Corbis Historical Standard RM 4 QuickSource

3 Explore The Bible: Qu i c k So u r c e The Ease and Effectiveness with Which Jesus Taught Volume 5, No. 1 Fall 2009 PRODUCTION AND MINISTRY TEAM melody mccoy Content Editor wanda king Copy Editor Paul robertson Graphic Designer brent bruce Graphic Design Specialist alan raughton Lead Adult Ministry Specialist david apple Adult Ministry Specialist DAVID o. BRISCOE Editorial Project Leader MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL BRET ROBBE Director, Leadership and Adult Publishing Ron Brown, 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 Send questions/comments to Editor, ETB Qui c k So u r c e One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN Or make comments on the Web at Printed in the United States of America EXPLORE THE BIBLE: Qu i c k So u r c e (ISSN ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President, 2009 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 , or WRITE to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, FAX or WRITE to the above address. We believe 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. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Reflections Ahhh. Are you looking forward to studying the Psalms as much as I am? First, here s a word from behind the scenes with your editorial team. Much as we regret it, it s impossible to study all the 150 Psalms in one quarter especially in 13 sessions of 45 minutes each (on average)! All 150 Psalms are rich in imaginative word-pictures and in conveying the Lord s great faithfulness to His people; so it was a very hard job to select just a few that would fit our timing constraints and also be representative of the Psalms as a whole. Hope you think we made some good choices. As our Study Theme, Songs of Life, indicates, the Psalms were poems first composed to be sung. David is the best known of all the psalmists (see our cover), but others followed in the rich tradition of composing prayers and praise songs to the Lord. All the psalmists honest pleas and petitions to the Lord can inspire us to be just as transparent before God. After all, as the Psalms testify, He knows what s on our hearts anyway, for better or for worse! The Psalms are unmatched for giving us a breathtaking and inspiring view of God s glory. His work in creation, His mysterious ways, His life-giving instructions, His mighty deeds, His willing help, and His unchanging nature are all on display in these personal poems. Sometime this fall, why not compose your own psalm to the Lord? Suggestions 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. KJV King James Version. Message The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. NASB Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission ( The Ease and Effectiveness with Which Jesus Taught NIV From the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. NIrV Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTER- NATIONAL READER S VERSION TM, COPYRIGHT 1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. NKJV From the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. NLT Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL USA. All rights reserved. Photo credits: CP2 liquidlibrary / Jupiterimages Unlimited; 8,12,16,20,24,28,32,36,42,46,50,54,58 Glenn Gregory QuickSource 5

4 " " " FIND KEY WORDS IN YOUR OWN BIBLE; THEN USE AS YOU T EACH ONE OF TWO PLANS God Is Revealed LESSON PASSAGE: Psalm 19:1-14 LIFE IMPACT: To respond positively to God s revelation of Himself Psalm 19:1-6 1 The o heavens a declare the b glory of God, and the sky a proclaims the work of His hands. 2 c Day after day they d pour out speech; c night after night they communicate knowledge. 3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. 4 Their o message has gone out to all the earth, and e their words to the ends of the inhabited world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a groom coming from the bridal chamber; it rejoices like an athlete running a course. 6 It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat. Psalm 19: The o instruction of the LORD is o perfect, reviving the soul; the f testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. 8 The o precepts of the LORD are right, making the heart glad; the commandment of the LORD is radiant, making the eyes light up. 9 The g fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the h ordinances of the LORD are i reliable and altogether righteous. 10 They are more o desirable than gold than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey than honey dripping from the comb. 11 In addition, Your servant is warned by them; there is great reward in keeping them. Psalm 19: Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. 13 Moreover, keep Your servant from j willful sins; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be innocent, and cleansed from blatant rebellion. 14 May the words of my mouth and the o meditation of my heart be o acceptable to You, LORD, k my rock and o my Redeemer. Exploring Key Words o or + a b c d e f g h i j k = details on pages These Hebrew verbs express the continuous revelations of the heavens and could be translated keep on declaring and keep on proclaiming. The Hebrew word kabod indicates something heavy in weight, meaning the full weight of God s importance. parallel expressions designating the ongoing testimony of God s greatness indicating an uncontrolled gush; an outflow that bubbles forth; a ceaseless river of inspirational testimony Not actual words, but the splendor of heaven and earth. The heavens speak eloquently through the testimony they present to our eyes and hearts. God s testimony teaches us who He is and how we should live. What valuable information! + the parts of God s law that evoke fear and reverence in us binding laws, especially those that establish a precedent for other judicial decisions God's Word is truth and therefore is totally trustworthy. deliberate sins motivated by reliance on one s own ability or the hope of personal gain a reference to rocky sites as places of refuge, leading to the image of God as a rock a solid source of protection FOR MORE DETAILED COMMENTARY, SEE YOUR SEPTEMBER 6 LEADER GUIDE, ADULT COMMENTARY, or LEARNER GUIDE 7

5 THIS IS A COMPLETE PLAN LINKING SPIRITUAL TRUTH TO WHAT YOU ALREADY UNDERSTAND Parable Plan God Is Revealed LESSON PASSAGE: Psalm 19:1-14 LIFE IMPACT: To respond positively to God s revelation of Himself Parable object: READING GLASSES Intro: Display a pair of reading glasses. Ask those with glasses to tell why they wear glasses. Say: People wear glasses for different reasons, but the goal of all vision correction is for individuals to see things with better clarity than before. We are frustrated when we can t see an object clearly whether it is a newspaper on the desk, a sign in the distance, or something that is hidden from our view. Explain that, with great clarity, Psalm 19 celebrates how God has revealed Himself to us through both nature and Scripture and begs for us to respond to His revelation. 1Call on a learner to read Psalm 19:1-6. Ask: How does creation speak without an audible voice? How have you experienced creation crying out that there is a Master Creator? Where have you visited and experienced a celebratory moment basking in the glory of God s creation? The small details related to the earth s placement in space with the perfect rotation and right combination of gases in the air to sustain life are all part of God s master plan. Reflect on the day after day and night after night consistency of His creation. Review the psalmist s descriptions of the sun. Many in David s day worshiped the sun, but David knew that it was the Creator of the sun who deserves worship and praise. 2 Pick up the reading glasses and say: God gave us two types of glasses by which He reveals Himself to us one in His creation and another in His written Word. Read Psalm 19: Ask: Why did the author say the Word was perfect? Unlike creation, the Word proves that God is both good and just. The Word gives hope and is a much more complete picture of who God is. Ask: How is God s Word right, reliable, and valuable? How can God s right and reliable Word impact the decisions you make, the way you act, and how you view the future? Share a time in your life when you lived by His Word and God blessed you. Point out that David compared the Word of God to gold a highly prized substance. Ask: How do Christians demonstrate or fail to demonstrate that they consider the Bible a highly prized possession? 3 Put an oil or gel-like residue on the reading glasses to block clear vision. Ask a learner to wear the glasses while trying to read Psalm 19: Ask the learner to tell if the words were hidden from his or her clear view due to the smudges. Read the verses again and ask learners to listen for what the writer did not want to be hidden from his heart. Ask: What was the psalmist s request before God? Why do we sometimes try to hide from Him? What s the difference between willful and unintentional sin? How does asking God to reveal all our sin show a willing spirit to submit to Him? Remind learners that with God s clear revelation of Himself to mankind comes a personal responsibility to bring delight to Him with our lives. Challenge: When you see someone wearing glasses, consider how God has clearly revealed Himself to you through His creation and His written Word. As you celebrate His creation and read with clarity the truth of His Words, respond by living your life in such a way as to bring Him pleasure and delight. 8 FOR MORE TEACHING HELPS, SEE YOUR SEPTEMBER 6 LEADER GUIDE/LEADER PACK

6 " THIS IS A COMPLETE PLAN LINKING SPIRITUAL TRUTH TO WHAT YOU ALREADY UNDERSTAND God Is Revealed LESSON PASSAGE: Psalm 19:1-14 LIFE IMPACT: To respond positively to God s revelation of Himself Discussion Plan Introduction: The most meaningful worship experience I ever had was utterly spontaneous. As I laid out shells from past vacations on a flat surface to select some for party table decorations, I quickly realized how vast God s creative ability is. Some shells were hardly bigger than my fingernail, while others dwarfed my hand. So many surprising colors, both delicate and bold, tinted shells of a huge variety of shapes and swirling patterns and textures. I was compelled to bow my head and my heart to praise God for the amazing natural gifts He has given us on earth and to confess sorrowfully that I often take their beauty for granted. Point out that as we begin our study of the Psalms, the poetry and sense of awe inspired by today s text, Psalm 19, properly remind us of God s incomparable skill as Creator of the world and of His unique ability to reveal Himself to persons through both the created world and His Word, the Bible. Let the learners share their thoughts and experiences about how God reveals Himself personally to us as we read His messages and love letters in the Bible and as we seek to obey His instructions and follow His will for our lives every day. " Psalm 19:1-6 See His Glory 1. Who speaks in verses 1-4? What do they say? What is the purpose of God s created world? The o heavens, including the sky, continually testify to God s b glory, His marvelous work in creation, and His infinite care for us His creations with whom He seeks individual personal, loving relationships. Ask and discuss: What in creation fills you most with a sense of God s glory? Are you more inspired by a large natural wonder, such as Niagara Falls, or a tiny one, such as an ant? God s purpose in creating and maintaining the earth is to show people His awesome nature and thereby to draw people to Himself, in addition to giving us a good environment in which to live. 2. Is the truth about nature s origins and purpose obvious to everyone? Why don t some people hear it? Some people are oblivious to the earth s beauty, becoming immersed in temporary and imagined worries or in their busy lives as they neglect the things that matter most. Other people revere nature or certain natural elements, but not the God who created them. They elevate the concerns of earth over the concerns of God for His people. 3. To what familiar images did David compare the sun (vv. 5-6)? What was his point in doing so? David vividly personified the dazzling sun as a festive bridegroom and as a triumphant runner. He identified Planet Earth as God s obedient servant, which faithfully occupies its space in the heavens and vigorously runs its daily course in the sky. David pointed out that nothing that happens on earth is hidden from the glare of the sun or the gaze of the Creator. 4 Bonus for Psalm 19:1-6: As you begin the lesson, enlist learners to read the entire psalm responsively, with great reverence and feeling. You might ask one reader with a good reading voice ahead of time to read the entire psalm; or consider using six readers who will each read one of the following sections: (1) verses 1-4a; (2) verses 4b-6; (3) verses 7-9; (4) verses 10-11; (5) verses 12-13; (6) verse 14. " FOR MORE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, SEE YOUR SEPTEMBER 6 DISCOVERY STUDY GUIDE 9

7 PAGE 2 OF DISCUSSION PLAN Psalm 19:7-11 Search His Word 4. What six names did David give to the Jewish law in verses 7-9? What did he mean by calling the law the fear of the Lord (v. 9)? How should we handle God s law His Word? He called the law the Lord s o instruction, f testimony, o precepts, commandment, g fear, and h ordinances. God s law is so pure, and its requirement so high, that we revere it, are in awe of it, and may indeed tremble at the knowledge of having so great a treasure. Discuss: What treasure is especially dear to you? What do you do to safeguard it? What would you do if you damaged or lost it? Do you have the same sense about God s Word as a treasure? 5. What seven words describe the law in verses 7-9? What phrases describe its effect on our lives (vv. 7-10)? For individual contemplation: Which of David s phrases about God s law best matches your experience with Scripture? How does your sense of its value translate into the time you spend reading it? The seven words describing the law in verses 7-9 are: o perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, pure, i reliable, and righteous. The phrases David used to vividly reinforce the law s effects on our lives are: reviving the soul; making the inexperienced wise; making the heart glad; making the eyes light up; enduring forever; more desirable than gold; and sweeter than honey. 6. What does God s revelation through Scripture do for us that His revelation in creation does not (v. 11)? God s law warns us when we are tempted to do wrong, in order to help us stay on track spiritually. God s Word confirms that we are personally rewarded when we follow His leadership daily. Psalm 19:12-14 Seek His Approval 7. What is the difference between our human unintentional sins (v. 12) and our j willful sins (v. 13)? Unintentional sins are not planned in advance; they occur as we fall to spontaneous temptations. Willful sins are categorized by active rebellion on our part. They are committed deliberately, even though we are fully aware that we are sinning as we act in ways contrary to God s instructions. 8. For individual contemplation: What hidden faults or j willful sins (vv ) are in your life? David confessed his sins to God. Therefore, he serves as a good role model for us. Give the learners a moment to consider whether they use God s Word as a source of restoration between God and themselves after they have committed sins. 9. Discuss: Which would nurture your faith most: (a) meditation on creation? (b) meditation on God s Word? (c) a combination? Ask the learners to answer the following questions silently. Do I meditate on all God has done to reveal Himself to me? Do I desire God more than anything else in life? What rewards, public or private, have I received by following God s Word? 4 Bonus for Psalm 19:12-14: Provide each learner with a blank sheet of paper. Ask learners to consider how this lesson has heightened their awareness of God s glory, as disclosed in creation and in Scripture. Let them use the papers to write a prayer of thanksgiving to God in class if time allows, or at home if not. Application: It s easy to lose our awe of God as the Creator and Great Communicator. This week, set aside time to worship God through the beauty of creation or His self-revelation through His Word. 10 FOR MORE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, SEE YOUR SEPTEMBER 6 DISCOVERY STUDY GUIDE