FALL The Living Word SERIES. The Value of Wisdom LESSON MANUAL

Transcription

1 FALL 2018 The Living Word SERIES The Value of Wisdom LESSON MANUAL

2 Lesson Manual 2018 Pentecostal Publishing House 36 Research Park Court Weldon Spring, MO All rights reserved. Manufactured in USA, September 2018, EDITORIAL STAFF Editor in Chief: Robin Johnston Associate Editor, Curriculum: Lee Ann Alexander Word Aflame Adult Editor: Jonathan McClintock WRITERS Jarrid Younkin Ann Ahrens Scott Graham LJ Harry Chris Paris C.A. Brewer Robert Gilstrap CONTENTS September 2 Editorial... 3 The Right Response...5 September 9 Redeeming Our Pain...12 September 16 Surrendering Control...19 September 23 Seeking the Source of Wisdom September 30 The Purpose and Value of Seasons October 7 Making the Right Choice October 14 The Blessings of God October 21 God Is Just October 28 Giving the Best...61 November 4 The Highest Priority November 11 The Goodness of Relationships...75 November 18 The Sacredness of Marriage November 25 The Value of Wisdom All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce, distribute, or transmit any part of this publication in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without possessing prior documented approval from Pentecostal Publishing House, a department of the United Pentecostal Church International. To request permission, contact customerservice@pentecostalpublishing.com. 2

3 Editorial GOOGLE AND GODLY WISDOM by Jonathan McClintock In 1996, a new internet search engine was launched. I am not sure how much it improved the web experience for others, but for me, my life immediately became easier. I could find the answer to almost any question by visiting askjeeves. com. After my dial-up connection finally pulled up the site, I was greeted by a friendly looking butler named Jeeves. Below his picture was an empty box that invited me to ask anything I wanted. Of course, two years later, a small, insignificant company named Google was born and they completely revolutionized the way information was accessed across the world wide web. And though many speak fondly of the google search engine today, for me, Jeeves will always hold a special place in my heart. We live in a day where knowledge about almost anything is at our fingertips. In fact, you could say that, in today s world, knowledge is cheap. An internet search will cost you less than a second of your life. Those seeking specialized knowledge can log on to coursera.com and take entire self-paced college courses, offered by many well-known, reputable universities from around the world, completely free. Knowledge is cheap. However, wisdom is quite expensive. The wisdom of Job did not come cheaply. The trials he faced, the ridicule he endured, and the questions with which he wrestled, led him to discover a fountain of wisdom he would have never found otherwise. And yes, God may have granted Solomon s request for wisdom, but his actual attainment of wisdom did not come without a hefty price tag. It was not until Solomon wore himself out trying to fill his life with temporary pleasures, that he finally bowed to the frustration and despair a life without God s guidance will produce. It was then he recognized the wisdom from God was his most valuable possession. This quarter, the following lessons will carry you on a journey through the Wisdom Literature of Scripture. I pray you come to understand in a fresh, new way, the value of wisdom in a world filled with cheap knowledge. For truly, it is the attainment of godly wisdom and understanding that should be the duty of every disciple of Jesus Christ. 3

4 LESSON MANUAL This Lesson Manual has been developed with the goal of providing teachers numerous options to assist in preparation and delivery of each lesson. In each lesson you will find a Focus Thought, Focus Verse, and Lesson Text that lay a foundation and give direction for the material that is to be presented. In addition, there are a couple attributes that help the teacher connect with their students and keep the audience engaged: 1. There are questions dispersed throughout the body of each lesson that are intended to provoke thought and spark discussion. We urge teachers to use these questions as a means of helping students apply each portion of the lesson. 2. Some paragraphs in each lesson will contain underlined words. These underlined words indicate some missing word students will use to fill in the blanks in their Student Workbook. This is another way for teachers to increase student engagement with each lesson. STUDENT WORKBOOK The Student Workbook has been organized in such a way so that students are given the tools to not only follow the major points of each lesson but will also have a tool to further their personal discipleship and devotion throughout the week. 1. The Focus Thought, Focus Verse, and Culture Connection have been included in the Student Workbook. 2. The Approach section is designed to give the student important portions of the manuscript with and without fill-in-the-blank segments. 3. The Analyze section will allow the students to interact with the Lesson Text, reflecting on its message and meaning. 4. The Ask section gives the students thought-provoking questions to help them gain a further understanding of the Scripture Text and the lesson. 5. The Apply section will help the students consider how they can best apply what they have learned from the lesson. 4

5 Lesson 1 September 2, 2018 The Right Response FOCUS THOUGHT Because of God s omniscience and compassion, we can remain faithful and worship Him through any trial. FOCUS VERSE Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. LESSON TEXT Job 1:1, 6 12, There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. 5