Sunday School Superintendent. September, October, November 2017 FALL QUARTER

Transcription

1 Sunday School Superintendent September, October, November 2017 FALL QUARTER

2 Vol. LXXXII No. 4 Sunday School Superintendent FALL QUARTER September, October, November 2017 Editorials... 2 Covenants with God UNIT I: Signs of God s Covenants Sept. 3 The Rainbow Gen. 8:20-22; 9: Sept. 10 Circumcision Gen. 17: Sept. 17 Sabbath Observance Exod. 31: Sept. 24 A Spirit-Filled Heart Ezek. 36: UNIT II: Called into Covenant with God Oct. 1 God s Covenant with Abram Gen. 15:1-6, Oct. 8 God s Covenant with Israel Exod. 19: Oct. 15 Obeying God s Law Exod. 20: Oct. 22 God s Covenant with David II Sam. 7:1-6, 8-10, Oct. 29 God s Covenant with the Returned Exiles Neh. 9:32-38; 10: UNIT III: An Everlasting Covenant Nov. 5 Faithful God, Unfaithful People Num. 25:10-13; I Sam. 2: Nov. 12 Promise of a New Covenant Jer. 31: Nov. 19 Mediator of the New Covenant Heb. 12:14-15, Nov. 26 Remembering the Covenant I Cor. 11: Paragraphs on Places and People Writer: Thomas R. Chmura Edited and published quarterly by THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE GOSPEL WORKER SOCIETY UNION GOSPEL PRESS DIVISION Rev. W. B. Musselman, Founder Price: $1.65 per quarter* $6.60 per year* *shipping and handling extra ISBN Lessons based on International Sunday School Lessons; the International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright 2014 by the Committee on the Uniform Series and used with permission. Edited and published quarterly by The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division, 2000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio Mailing address: P.O. Box 6059, Cleveland, Ohio

3 Editorials BY THOMAS R. CHMURA Covenants with God God is a personal, relational Deity who places a distinctive emphasis on a spiritual relationship with His people. From the very beginning of time when God walked in the midst of His garden with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day (cf. Gen. 3:8), God has revealed His desire for an intimate relationship with His people. Throughout the course of history, God has entered into unique agreements with His people. As we study the distinct elements of these spiritual covenants this quarter, my prayer for you is that the lesson material will heighten your appreciation of the relationship you have with the Lord God and encourage you to sanctify it with a holy and reverential awe. This fall quarter consists of three units of study. In the first unit, the focus is on the signs of God s covenants. Lesson 1 is a discourse on the covenant sign of the rainbow (Gen. 8:20-22; 9:8-17). As we ponder the events following the tragic consequences of the Flood, we are reminded of God s promise to Noah and all earthly creatures that God will never again destroy the earth by overflowing it with water. Lesson 2 highlights the covenant sign of circumcision (Gen. 17:1-14). God visited Abram when he was ninety-nine years old and reaffirmed an everlasting agreement with him. This covenant included several significant elements: Abram s name change, the promise of numerous progeny and their possession of a special homeland, and a physical covenant sign that all males would receive. Lesson 3 focuses on the covenant sign of Sabbath observance (Exod. 31:12-18). In this lesson, we read about God s verbal exchange with Moses regarding a unique day of the week. We will discover that the covenant sign of the holy Sabbath emphasized the principle of spiritual rest and included a severe consequence if God s people dishonored God s special day. Lesson 4 concludes the first unit of study. This lesson showcases the covenant sign of a Spirit-filled heart (Ezek. 36:22-32). God s people had dishonored His holy name through their irreverent lifestyles. We will study how God will display His holiness by removing the irreverent hearts and earthly spirits of His people and replacing them with renewed hearts filled with the presence of His Spirit. Lessons 5 through 9 compose the second unit of study, which emphasizes that God s people have been called into covenant with God. Lesson 5 gives prominence to God s covenant with Abram (Gen. 15:1-6, 17-21). Even PLEASE NOTE: Fundamental, sound doctrine is the objective of the Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division. The writers are prayerfully selected for their Bible knowledge and yieldedness to the Spirit of Truth, each writing in his own style as enlightened by the Holy Spirit. At best we know in part only. They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:11). 2

4 in Abram s childless state, God promised that he would produce an heir along with innumerable descendants who would possess a unique and detailed homeland forever. Lesson 6 sets the stage for God s covenant with Israel (Exod. 19:16-25). In a context of meteorological wonders and boundaries He set with the people, God descended upon Mount Sinai, where He would meet personally only with Moses and Aaron as He established His covenant with His people, Israel. Lesson 7 concentrates on the covenant requirement of obedience (Exod. 20:18-26). While God s people remained at a distance from their holy God, Moses received detailed covenant instructions that required complete obedience on the part of God s people. Lesson 8 gives prominence to God s covenant with David (II Sam. 7:1-6, 8-10, 12-16). We will learn about David s desire to build God s temple and God s detailed response, which did not grant David s desire but assured David of greater eternal outcomes. Lesson 9 concludes the second unit of study. It draws attention to God s covenant with the returned exiles (Neh. 9:32-38; 10:28-29). In this lesson text, we will learn of the dynamic value of honest confession and the resulting consequences that bring honor and glory to God. Lessons 10 through 13 compose the final unit of study, which concentrates on an everlasting covenant. Lesson 10 contrasts the faithfulness of God with His unfaithful people (Num. 25:10-13; I Sam. 2:30-36). In this lesson, we will learn of godly passion, a sad prophecy, and an uncompromising promise. The promise of a new covenant is the spiritual theme of lesson 11 (Jer. 31:27-34). Through the Prophet Jeremiah, the Lord revealed that He will establish a new agreement with His people an agreement that includes immense spiritual benefits. Living in relationship is the longing of every human heart. In lesson 12, we celebrate the Mediator of the new covenant (Heb. 12:14-15, 18-29). We will be impressed with the peaceful nature of the new covenant, the Person who mediated the new covenant, and the resulting gratitude that God s people offer as their reverent service. Lesson 13 concludes this quarter s theme of covenants with God. The lesson lays emphasis on remembering the new covenant (I Cor. 11:23-34). This concluding lesson emphasizes not only the need to remember the new covenant but also the means to help us remember it and the consequences of unworthy disrespect. I pray that this quarter s lessons will inspire you to faithfully carry out your spiritual leadership over the Sunday school. (Editorials continued on page 31) Sunday School Superintendent 3

5 LESSON 1 SEPTEMBER 3, 2017 The Rainbow Lesson: Genesis 8:20-22; 9:8-17 Read: Genesis 8:20 9:17 TIME: unknown PLACE: mountains of Ararat GOLDEN TEXT I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth (Genesis 9:11). SELECTED HYMNS (Adults) God Will Take Care of You (Martin) Draw Nigh to God (Croft) SELECTED HYMNS (Juniors and below) Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God (Lafferty) The Joy of the Lord (Vale) A PRAYER CONCERNING GOD S FAITHFUL PROMISE Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me (Ps. 101:6). SUPERINTENDENT S SPECIAL During the Thirty Years War in the 17th century, German pastor Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home. One night as they stayed in a small village inn, homeless and afraid, his wife broke down and cried openly in despair. To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of Scripture promises about God s provision and keeping. Then, going out to the garden to be alone, he too broke down and wept. He felt he had come to his darkest hour. Soon afterward, Gerhardt felt the burden lifted and sensed anew the Lord s presence. Taking his pen, he wrote a hymn that has brought comfort to many (Our Daily Bread, May 7, 1992). The title of Pastor Gerhardt s hymn is Give to the Winds Thy Fears. God s faithful promises enable His people to give Him all their fears and have them replaced with courageous hope and immense joy. GUIDING THE SUPERINTENDENT Developing friendships is not an easy endeavor. It takes time to develop mutual understanding and trust. Such relationships grow through trial and error. Now, through 4 a relatively new social phenomenon called friendship contracts, some people are seeking to spell out the process. These contracts document the expectations of each party so