SCHOOL LESSONS 1 st QUARTER

Transcription

1 THE CHURCH OF GOD SABBATH SCHOOL LESSONS 1 st QUARTER January, February, March

2 THE SPIRIT OF LOVE Lesson 1 For week ending January 2, 2016 The Spirit of Love is at the very heart of the essence of God, for God is love. The far-reaching consequence of the proper operation of this spirit in our lives is manifest in having proper love for God, for His Word, for our fellow-believers in the Christian community, and for lost and dying humanity throughout the world. It is easy to see why we must have this spirit burning in us. KEY TEXT: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God... Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:37,39,40). 1. I John 4:8 tells us that God is love. Analyze this concept and see how the true love of God is manifest in verses 9 and By understanding the principles of love displayed by God, Himself, we can realize how we are to have love to God and one another. Study the concept that love is the giving of oneself (John 3:16). 3. To what extent and by what means are we to love God (Deuteronomy 6:4,5; 10:12,13)? 4. Discuss some of the characteristics of love that are outlined in I Corinthians 13: The new commandment which Jesus gave His disciples was to be the identifying quality of New Testament believers. Read John 13:34,35 and compare the kind of love that Jesus had for us with the kind of love which we should have for one another in order to prove our discipleship. 6. True love for the brethren is that which is manifest without respect of persons. If we love only select persons or those who love us, what have we accomplished? Demonstrate this truth from James 2: In Colossians 3:14 we are told that love is the bond of perfectness or maturity. Discuss the ways in which the Spirit of love is the unifying factor of all the Seven Spirits of God that brings us to perfection or spiritual maturity. Study Revelation 2:1-5 and evaluate the reason why the Ephesus church s departure from the love of God and man would cause the angel to remove the entire candlestick from the church. Page -1-

3 GOD S GO YE MINISTRY Lesson 2 For week ending January 9, 2016 The Christian faith is not limited to those who are fortunate enough to discover it for themselves. Every believer is commanded of Christ to share his faith with others, to leave the confines of the house of worship and to confront the people of the world wherever they are with the Gospel message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. KEY TEXT: The Lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled (Luke 14:23). 1. The great example which we have for the concept of taking the message of salvation to the people where they are is found in the ministry of our Lord, Himself. Consider the method of Jesus in Matthew 9:35 and Mark 6:6. 2. Examine the attitude of Jesus toward the need of the people in Matthew 9:36-38, and see what His response to the need was in Matthew 10:1-10. Discuss the nature of the work which He commanded the Twelve to do. 3. In Luke 10 Jesus sent out seventy additional ministers of the Gospel. Notice what He commanded them to do in verses 1-3, In Matthew 28:19,20 and Mark 16:15,16 we find the record of the Great Commission. Jesus commanded His disciples to go everywhere preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom and teaching the people to observe His commandments. What responsibility does this place on every believer? 5. In Acts 1:8 Jesus told His disciples what would happen to them when they received the promised Holy Spirit: They would be witnesses throughout the world. Discuss the impact of the Holy Spirit upon those who receive it. What should be the minimal response to this gift? 6. Paul reveals to us the secret to the manner in which the Gospel message is conveyed. It is particularly appropriate that a message which is based on faith should be conveyed by personal contact. Analyze Romans 10:13-18 to understand the responsibility we have to share our faith with others. 7. Jesus commanded all of His servants to go out through the parable of Luke 14: Consider these words as continuing instruction to us today. Where are we to take the Gospel according to verses 21-23? Page -2-

4 BY FAITH Lesson 3 For week ending January 16, 2016 One of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit is FAITH. The Bible tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. As Christians, we must place our trust fully in God and realize, by faith, that He is able to take care of us. God promises that if we are faithful, He will guide our footsteps. KEY TEXT: "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). 1. What is faith? Read and discuss Hebrews 11:1-3. Discuss the faith that is necessary to believe in the Biblical account of Creation and the formation of everything that we see around us today. 2. Read Ephesians 2:8. The act of salvation requires faith. Romans 10:9 tells us that we are saved if we believe. Discuss the word believe and the action that accompanies this word. Are we saved if we merely confess with our mouth (James 2:19)? 3. The opposite of faith is unbelief. Can we limit the power of God in our lives by our lack of faith? How was the ministry of Jesus hindered because of unbelief (Matthew 13:54-58)? 4. The Bible instructs us that we should live by faith (Romans 1:17). Is it possible to live by faith and not pay our tithes and give offerings (Malachi 3:10,11)? When we do not give of our finances to the Lord, who are we placing our trust in? 5. True faith in Jesus Christ creates deeds, or works. Can we believe that Jesus Christ is God of the universe and then disregard His instructions to us? Read James 2: Verse 18 tells us that we can see what people believe by what they do. 6. How can we get more faith? Read Romans 10:17. Discuss the necessity of daily reading the Bible and feeding our s piritual needs as we do our physical needs. Can we depend on the Word of God for direction (Psalm 119:105)? "Faith in God sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible." Page -3-

5 THE WILL OF GOD IN THE WORD OF GOD Lesson 4 For week ending January 23, 2016 As children of God, it should be our desire to do only what our Father in heaven would have us to do. He has given us His Word, the Bible, as an instruction manual to show us how to live and do His will in every situation. Since the Bible has been given to us as a revelation of God s will, we will not be able to say we didn t know. We must study the scriptures and be doers of His Word! Minister Jessica Clark KEY TEXT: Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him (Proverbs 30:5). 1. The Heavenly Father has given us His W ord so that we do not lose our way as we seek to live our lives in this world. He has shown us the way of salvation! God s supreme desire for us is that we believe in Jesus, receive eternal life and that none would be lost. Confirm this as you read John 3:16 and John 6: W hen Jesus Chris t, the Son of God, came into this world, He revealed to us the Father and His will. Consider how Jesus was the living and willing Word of God as you study the following scriptures John 1:1-5 and Hebrews 4: Prayer is an important part of our lives as believers if we want to be found doing the will of God. Jesus taught His disciples to pray that the Father s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-13). W hat does I John 5:14,15 promise us if we pray according to His will? 4. In order to stay in God s will, there are commandments that Jesus gives us to abide by so that we can abide in Him. Expand upon this are you read Mark 12:29-31 and John 15: The Apostle Paul urges us as believers to allow God to transform our minds. Through this process of transformation we come to know the perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). By these transformations, we give up all that is of the world and reap the benefits of living in obedience to the will of God (I John 2:15-17). Page -4-

6 THE BATTLE FOR FAITH OVER FEELINGS Lesson 5 For week ending January 30, 2016 Feelings should never sit in judgment over our faith, but our faith should always sit in judgment over our feelings. Feelings are tricky and unreliable; one minute they give us just enough courage to face our giants and in the very next moment they will shift and cause us to run for the hills in fear. Regrettably, society has conditioned people to focus on their feelings as a way of guidance through life. Many marriages have come to ruin because feelings were lost. Deaconess Kimberley Combs KEY TEXT: This Good News tells us how God makes us right in His sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, It is through faith that a righteous person has life (Romans 1:17). 1. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit, a seed that once planted during the bornagain experience, grows and matures during the fiery trials of circumstance (Galatians 5:22-23; I Peter 1:7). Contrary to feelings, faith has substance, like a stone foundation that is reliable and unchanging in the midst of the unknown darkness (II Corinthians 5:7). How does faith differ from feelings? 2. Feelings are also a fruit; however, a fruit of the flesh. One sure way to discern feelings from faith is to examine the type of fruit. The fruit of the Spirit will honor God and give clarity to a situation; however, the fruit of the flesh will do whatever is necessary to satisfy the flesh which usually results in confusion and fear (I Corinthians 14:33; Psalms 44:15; James 3:16). Discuss how feelings can cause confusion and fear. 3. Faith moves throughout the spirit-realm to move the hand of God, while feelings can only move throughout the fleshly-realm and rarely does more than contribute a fleeting moment of relief (Ephesians 4:18-20). How can we elevate our faith over our feelings (II Corinthians 10:5)? Feelings have no intellect; they must ride piggyback on the thoughts of the mind (Romans 12:2). 4. The significance of our thoughts should never be underestimated. Whoever is in control of our thoughts, will control our emotions. God is love and in perfect love there is no fear (I John 4:18). Faith gives us hope in Christ and peace in our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). Give your mind something good to think on and the feelings will follow (Philippians 4:8). Page -5-

7 DIVINE LAW - A SURE ANCHOR Lesson 6 For week ending February 6, 2016 In a changing world, we definitely need something that is unchangeable on which we can anchor our lives. Those who understand the immutability of God, have just such a sure anchor! Knowing that God never changes is more than just a slogan or a jingle to them, for it gives continuity and dependability to the entire Word of God and gives assurance of what it is that pleases God in this generation. KEY TEXT: "I know that whatsoever God doeth it shall he forever... that which hath been is now; and that which is to he hath already been; and God requireth that which is past" (Ecclesiastes 3:14,15). I. One of the most quoted scripture verses in the Bible is Hebrews 13:8. Analyze this verse in the context in which it was written and discover the full impact of its meaning. 2. The immutability of God is also manifest in the fact that He is consistent in fulfilling His promises to those who meet the qualifications. This is the message of James 1:17. How dependable is Yahweh God? 3. The unchangeableness of God is manifest in the fact that whatever is done by Him or by man follows a distinct pattern so that the same things occur over and over again. This is the message of Ecclesiastes l:9 and Job 8:8-10. Compare this concept with the age-old cliché history repeats itself." 4. Probably the greatest testimony to the fact that God never changes is the very existence of the Jews as a distinct people. The fact that Israel exists defies all the laws of history for assimilation of conquered peoples. Discuss the survival of the Jews in the light of Malachi 3:6. 5. The consistency of God is also manifest in the numerical pattern which He repeatedly uses to fulfill His work. Analyze the repeated use of numbers three, seven, and twelve in the Scriptures. 6. Romans I:20 tells us that God is understood by things that are made. Discuss some of the ways that the laws of nature confirm His immutability. 7. In Exodus 3:14,15 God said that His eternal name is Yahweh, which means, "I AM THAT I AM." Since He is the "I AM," He is always in the present, without future or past. Therefore, He is always the same. Because we know that Yahweh never changes, we are sure that what pleased Him in the past will also please Him today. Page -6-

8 SAFETY IN THE MULTITUDE OF COUNSELORS Lesson 7 For week ending February 13, 2016 There are many differing opinions and views when it comes to the interpretation of God s Word. God has given a framework within which His church should stay in order that we might safely interpret Scripture. That is the multitude of counselors. It is the responsibility of the Council of Apostles and Elders under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop to rightly divide God s Word. KEY TEXT: Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14). 1. It is wisdom when we as individuals seek the perspective of others while we are making decisions. What is the danger of relying solely on our own views, especially when it comes to the interpretation of Holy Scripture (Proverbs 12:15;14:12)? 2. The Church of God is governed by the scriptural order and system of Theocratic Government in which God rules His people through a divinelyappointed Anointed Leader and a scriptural pattern of bishops appointed under Him. The first responsibility of the Presiding Bishop is to set forth the doctrine or meat in due season for the Church (Matthew 24:45). As the anointed leader of the church, it is his duty to give direction and prophetic leadership to the Church. This is the same way in which God dealt with Moses by speaking to him face-to-face (Numbers 12:1-8). 3. It is important to understand that the Church does not set forth it s own laws of actions. Discuss the fact that it is God alone who as the Lawgiver, gives the laws to direct His people (Isaiah 33:22; James 4:12). 4. With the Anointed Leader there is a multitude of counselors called the Council of Apostles and Elders (Ephesians 2:19,20). It is the responsibility of the Council to interpret what God s Word is saying to the Church and to establish doctrines based on these interpretations. This is the scenario found in Acts 15:1-7, It was not until there had been much disputing that James, the Anointed Leader of the Church at that time, gave the final decision. 5. It is by this process of debate and evaluation that the doctrine of the Church is progressively developed so that the entire Church may see eye -to-eye and speak the same things (Isaiah 52:8; I Corinthians 1:10). The approval of the Council is required for any teachings or practices that are to be termed Apostles Doctrine and which are to be published to the entire Church for to keep (Acts 16:4). Page -7-

9 TYPES AND SHADOWS Lesson 8 For week ending February 20, 2016 Today, for many believers, understanding the Old Testament has been deemed unnecessary. This could not be farther from the truth. The only way to truly understand the New Testament, is to have an understanding of how God dealt with His people in the Old Testament. As a matter-of-fact, the Early Apostles did not have a New Testament to preach from! They preached the revelation of Jesus Christ from the Old Testament scriptures. By studying the Old Testament, we can clearly see the plan and pattern that the Lord has established from the foundation of the world. Elder Mark Clark KEY TEXT: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Matthew 5:17-18). 1. Our Savior is revealed in the Scriptures from the very beginning when God said, Let there be light (Genesis 1:3-4). Compare this with what John writes about the revelation of Jesus Christ in John 1:1-5,14. With this in mind, let s take another look at the account of Creation (Genesis 1:3,9,11,14,26). Notice that every time the Lord created something, He spoke it into existence. Discuss the role of Jesus as the Word of God by whom the world was created. 2. Jesus uses a prophetic type in John 6:48-51 when He refers to Himself as the Bread of Life. He was referencing the manna that the Children of Israel ate while in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4). Jesus goes on to say in John 6:53-57 that we must eat His flesh. This was not a new concept. Consider Yahweh s instructions to His people in Exodus 12: The Law was a shadow of good things to come (Hebrews 10:1). According to the Law, an offering had to be perfect (Leviticus 22:18-21). Notice also that this was a freewill offering. Discuss how Jesus fulfilled this scripture when He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 4:15) and willingly laid down His life for the sins of all mankind (Matthew 26:39; John 10:17,18). 4. Moses was also a type of Christ. One of his major roles was as a mediator between God and the people (Deuteronomy 5:1-5). Jesus, the prophet who was like Moses (Acts 3:20-23), also fulfilled this role as the Mediator between God and man when He came and spoke to the people the very Word of God (I Timothy 2:5; John 12:48-50;14:10). Page -8-

10 THE TWO TEMPLES Lesson 9 For week ending February 27, 2016 The Old Testament account of the building of the Temple in Jerusalem by Solomon, of it s destruction by King Nebuchadnezzar, and of its restoration by Zerubbabel, is a great prophetic type that reveals the building of God s spiritual temple the Church in the days of Jesus, its destruction by the Roman Empire, and its restoration among the Gentiles in the Last Days. KEY TEXT: In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old (Amos 9:11). 1. The Temple which Solomon built in approximately 970 B.C. was prophetic of the spiritual temple which Jesus built during His Judean ministry. Discuss this aspect of the ministry of Jesus as you read the following I Chronicles 28:9,10; Luke 11:31 and Matthew 16: When Jesus chose out Twelve Apostles and sent out the Seventy before Him, He was laying the foundation of the Early Church, the spiritual temple of God. The temple as a type and shadow of the church is further confirmed in the New Testament by Peter and Paul (I Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:20-22). 3. History tells us that Solomon s Temple stood until approximately 586 B.C. when it was destroyed by the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar. It was this same Babylonian religion with the worship of many gods that gradually became the downfall of the Early Church. Discuss the warning that the Apostle Paul gave to the Church found in Acts 20:28, The Roman Emperor Constantine was the primary agent in the destruction of the Early Church. The final blow came to the Church when Constantine, the high priest of the Roman religion, assumed leadership of the Church in 325 A.D. At that point, as surely as Solomon s Temple had ceased to exist, the Church that Jesus had established as an organism of Theocratic Government ceased to exist. Consider the prophecy of Isaiah 1: The rebuilding of the Temple by Zerubbabel (Zechariah 4:9) was prophetic of the rebuilding of the Church in the Last Days among the Gentiles. Discuss the way in which God used a Gentile king to make possible the restoration of the Temple (Ezra 1:1; Isaiah 44:28). James, the chief bishop of the Early Church, used Amos 9:11,12 to confirm the fact that Gentiles would be a part of the Church. What must happen in order for the Last Days Church to be restored (Isaiah 1:26,27)? Discuss the role restoration plays in the return of the Lord (Acts 3:21). Page -9-

11 HOW TO HAVE A STRONG MIND Lesson 10 For week ending March 5, 2016 You may ask the question, What is the mind? The mind is a faculty of the brain with which we gather information, reason, and draw conclusions. There are many different sources battling for control of our mind. The goal of every follower of Jesus should be to have the mind of Christ. This requires the help of the Holy Spirit. KEY TEXT: Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee (Isaiah 26:3). 1. One of the things that will fortify the mind of a believer is disciplined reading and study of the Word of God. As we acquire wisdom and understanding from God s Word, our mind is made clean (Proverbs 4:5-7). Confirm this further as you read Psalms 119:104, Satan works through deception to corrupt the human mind (II Corinthians 4:4). Not only does Satan have a hold on those that are in the world, he also seeks to weaken the minds of those who have committed their lives to Christ (I Peter 5:8). This is why we must have a love for the truth (II Thessalonians 2:8-11; John 8:31,32). A mind that is renewed in the Word of God will continually move in the direction of God s will (Romans 12:2; II Corinthians 10:4,5). 3. Prayer is also a very important factor in keeping a strong mind. Through prayer, we keep our minds focused on the good things of God so that the peace of God that excels all thoughts, may guard our minds through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:6-8). 4. Another requirement to have a strong mind is faith. By faith we are able to place our complete trust in Jesus alone to be our source of wisdom and salvation. Discuss what James 1:5-8 has to say about how faith or lack of faith affects the mind. W hat does it mean to be doubleminded? 5. A strong Christ-like mind will be marked by an overwhelming love for the Lord (Matthew 22:37). It is a mind on which God has written His laws by the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 10:15,16). Discus s the important role that the Holy Spirit plays in keeping our minds strong in the Lord (John 16:13,14). Page -10-

12 THE SPIRIT OF PERFECTION Lesson 11 For week ending March 12, 2016 As a theological term, perfection is often misunderstood; however, it is a Biblical process that is so important that one of the Seven Spirits of God is devoted to its development in the Church. When we learn the true nature of the work of perfection, we can develop it in our lives to make us the quality of people that God is searching for in the world today. KEY TEXT: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4: 13). 1. The idea of striving for perfection is something that some avoid because it seems to be an impossible goal. However, we need to understand the Biblical meaning of perfection so that we can be everything God has called us to be (I John 3:2,3). 2. The word perfection in the Scriptures is translated from Greek words that mean to complete [teleios] and to fit thoroughly or to adjust [katartizo]. These meanings indicate that perfection is an adjusting process toward the completion of our Christian experience. Expand on this concept from I Thessalonians 3:10; I Corinthians 13:10; and Hebrews 6:1. 3. Perfection is one of the Seven Spirits of God. Discuss this Spirit in light of the characteristic of the Son of Man in Revelation 3:1 and the message to the Sardis church in Revelation 3: Another term for perfection which is more easily understood is maturity. Discuss the process of maturity and its effect on the believer by studying Ephesians 4: Growth toward maturity is what the Spirit of Perfection is all about. Confirm this truth by analyzing I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18; and Ephesians 2: The Spirit of Perfection involves leaving the past and reaching out to the future with change and development in mind. Demonstrate this truth from Philippians 3:3-16. How can we get our minds out of the past? 7. Discuss the commandment of Jesus in Matthew 5:48. How can we be perfect even as God is perfect? Page -11-

13 WALKING IN THE AUTHORITY OF GOD Lesson 12 For week ending March 19, 2016 The word authority as used in the Bible usually means a person's right to do certain things because of the position or office that he holds. Since there is no authority except from God, every other kind of authority other than that of God Himself is derived and therefore secondary to God's power. KEY TEXT: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. (Proverbs 29:2). 1. The authority of the Bible is above every other kind of authority because the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It is not only to be read, but to be believed and obeyed. If we are doers of the Word, then we will put it into action in our lives. Consider II Timothy 3:16-17 and II Peter 1: The most noble use of authority is in serving others. Christ came to serve humanity. Confirm this by His own words in Luke 22:25-27 and John 13: The Christian who seeks to follow Christ's example will learn to use authority with others more than over others. Discuss the importance of ministering with the right heart and motives (Luke 9:46-48). 4. The Heavenly Father delegates authority to those whom He commissions to fulfill His purposes. When all is said and done, however, all authority will one day be returned to God, who gave it. Discuss this in light of I Corinthians 15: Explain why the people were astonished at the authority which Jesus revealed when He taught and performed miracles (Matthew 7:28-29; 8:23-27; Luke 4:36). Did they believe He was the Son of God? 6. God's authority is absolute and unconditional. Consider God's power: He has authority over nature (Job 38: 1-4); governments (Daniel 2:20-21;4: 17); and history (Acts 17:22-31). He has power over Hell and the grave (Luke 12:5). Let us walk softly in the authority that God has given us through Christ in the Holy Spirit. Page -12-

14 "TAKING THE FIRST STEP" Lesson 13 For week ending March 26, 2016 Holding back on God is a serious problem. God created us for His glory and His purpose. When we drag our feet in service or obedience to Him, we open ourselves up for curses instead of the blessings God intended. God desires to use you and I. If the task that God sets before you seems overwhelming, just take the first step and watch what God will do on your behalf. Is there any faith involved if we know all the details before stepping out? Elder Gene Miller KEY TEXT: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it... " (Zechariah 4:9a). 1. Every task that God has asked us to do has a starting point. When building a natural building, the builder must take the plummet and find the plum point to begin construction so that the building will be level and in order. Read Zechariah 4:9,10. Discuss the importance of getting the foundation right so that you can build upon it (I Corinthians 3:10-13). 2. It does not matter how great your vision is or how great your plans are, if you never take the first step to begin the work! Read Ezra 3:6-9 and Haggai 1:2-8. How important is it to keep focused on your work? Read Ezra 5:1,2,16. Sometimes we get complacent because we talk about the job we've been asked to do. Is it enough just to know and talk about our assignment (James 1:22,23)? 3. Another example of taking a first step is found in Joshua 3. Israel had wondered in the wilderness for many years, but it was time to go into the Promised Land. Read Joshua 3:3. There were two things that Israel needed to do before entering in. First, they had to be willing to move from their place, and second, they had to follow the Ark of God (the presence of God). Taking a first step sometimes means doing things and going places you have never done or been before. 4. If God has called you, He will make a way for you! All we have to do is be obedient and begin the journey. Read Joshua 3: The word Gospel begins with the word GO. Taking the first step by faith will open the way. Read Matthew 28: Who will GO? Read Isaiah 6:8. What should our response be? Page -13-

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