1. A PowerPoint is available for this lesson 2. Two identical instruction manuals 3. Study Bibles (one per group) Lesson Overview

Transcription

1 Lesson 21 Learn to Live Scope and Sequence Doctrinal Truth: Theology Bible Lesson Objective Students will learn that study of God s Word is the key to finding God s will for their lives. Sticky Statement His will is in the Word Key Verses Proverbs 3:5-6 Checklist 1. A PowerPoint is available for this lesson 2. Two identical instruction manuals 3. Study Bibles (one per group) Resources Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 368. Lesson Overview I. God s Word directs our path Proverbs 3:5-6 II. God s Word instructs us to surrender to God s will Romans 12:1-2 III. God s Word instructs us how to follow 1 Corinthians 10:31 VI. God s Word instructs us on our purpose and place Romans 12:4-5 V. God s Word instructs us on prayer Philippians 4:6 Trust Issues Page 213

2 Topic Obedience to parents Use of bad language How to treat others Bible Reference His will is in the Word. Hook Teacher s Note: Before the lesson begins, find two identical, thick instruction manuals. This could be to a car, a cell phone, or printed from online. Before the lesson begins, find three features or solutions that the instruction manual can solve. The class will open with a few questions to help the students begin associating with an instruction manual. What do you do when something in a car, or on your phone, starts malfunctioning or stops working? [Allow for discussion.] By a show of hands, how many of you would go and find the instruction manual for that object? [Pause for possible hands to be raised.] How many of you have ever read, or seen, any instruction manuals? [Pause for possible hands to be raised.] We assume that our cars, phones, or any other thing is going to work. What happens when the items in our life stop working or something doesn t work right? Do we just throw the items away? The manual contains instructions on how the product works, and what the original intent was for the product. The more we know about the product, the more we know what we can do. Teacher s Note: This is the place for the Instruction Manual game. Ask two students to come to the front. Hand them each an instruction manual. Ask them how to solve a problem that you previously researched. This is a race, so the first to find the solution wins. Once the student has found the solution, begin the next search. Again, have three features or solutions ready in case a tie breaker is needed. Recommended time needed is 3-5 minutes. Example: If you were using an i-phone manual, you could ask the students to show you the instructions on how to add an additional keyboard to the phone so you can type in a different language. Now we need two volunteers for a game. [Select two students and allow them to come to the front of the room.] This is a race to see who can find the answer to my problem. [Play the Instruction Manual game.] Trust Issues Page 214

3 Lesson Content Our volunteers had to turn in the instruction manual to find the solution. Just like the instruction manual, God s Word is where we should turn for our answers. A question that is often asked is, How can I know God s will for my life? This series we are in, Trust Issues: Building Confidence in God s Word, is designed to help you trust the Word of God for the answers to life. So, to find answers about God s will, we are going to turn to the Word of God. Please remember that each of these sections are a springboard or starting point in which we can study more of God s Word. So how can we find God s will? His will is in the Word. Teacher s Note: Due to the amount of Scriptures in the lesson, consider assigning the Scriptures before the lesson begins. I. God s Word directs our path Proverbs 3:5-6 [Read Proverbs 3:5-6.] We find in God s Word that knowing God s will for our lives involves allowing God to direct our path. This is not simply following a bunch of rules, nor is it wondering if a giant lightning bolt is going to zap us for doing something wrong. Christianity is all about our relationship with God. When God directs our path, we are developing a relationship with Him. We must seek to know Him, and not just know about Him. Some of you may be asking, How can God direct my path? As with most relationships it must be centered around time. Time must be spent in His Word, like a daily devotional and Bible reading. Time must be spent in the study of God s Word. Time must be spent in prayer. Time must be spent with God. Teacher s Note: Sometimes it is difficult for a student to grasp the end goal of a directive of Allowing God to direct your path. To help with clarity, ask the students to talk about what consequences would be present for a Christian not following God. What would you say would be the effects/characteristics of a Christian who doesn t spend time building their relationship with God, or allowing God to direct their path? [Allow time for discussion.] Answers may include: They are not reading their Bible. They may not go to church. Spiritually immature. Not a spiritual leader. What would you say would be the effects or characteristics of a Christian who doesn t spend time building their relationship with God, or allowing God to direct their path? [Allow time for discussion.] When we allow God to direct our path, we are following His will. How do we know this? His will is in the Word. Trust Issues Page 215

4 II. God s Word instructs us to surrender to God s will Romans 12:1-2 We find in God s Word that surrender is also part of God s will. For some people, the scariest prayer to pray is, God, I will do whatever you want me to do and go wherever you want me to go. Too often, we try to plan and do things and simply hope that God is just ok with our planning. The question we need to ask is, what does God want us to do? [Ask a student to read Romans 12:1-2.] We find in God s Word that we are to be presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice. Our living sacrifice is when we surrender to God everything: our body (12:1), our mind (12:2), and our interaction (12:2); and live for Him each day. This is more evidence that His will is in the Word. III. God s Word instructs us how to follow 1 Corinthians 10:31 Just like the instruction manuals earlier, are we willing to turn to the Bible and follow the instructions already laid out for us? How often do we do fake it, acting on the things that we already know? Many people seem to search and want to know what God s plan is for their lives, but they overlook the fact that most of His will is already carefully explained in His Word. God is very clear about many, many aspects of His will. For instance, our priority is to glorify God in all that we do. [Ask a student to read 1 Corinthians 10:31.] Teacher s Note: Ask the student to specify areas of their lives in which they can give God the glory. [Allow time for discussion.] While an answer of everything is correct, encourage the students to make it more specific and personal to them. What are the areas of our lives in which we all can give glory to God? [Allow time for discussion.] We find in God s Word that we should follow God in all that we do. As we continue to study God s Word we find that His will is in the Word. IV. God s Word instructs us on our purpose and place Romans 12:4-5 God has created you to fulfill a specific role in this world. There is no one else who can achieve completely what God has purposely created you to do. God didn t create us to all be the same. We have a purpose and place. [Ask a student to read Romans 12:4-5.] God often clearly demonstrates His plan for our lives by lining up circumstances in obvious ways. God even did that for the Apostle Paul and his entourage in the book of Acts. In Acts 16:6-8, Paul found that God was continuing to close doors on his missionary journey, and then everything changed. [Ask a student to read Acts 16:9-10.] We see in God s Word that even Paul had to face closed doors in his ministry. God often uses closed doors to show us clearly what He does not want us to do. He also uses open doors at times to show us what He does want us to do. Trust Issues Page 216

5 Teacher s Note: Ask the students: What would be some other examples of circumstances in which God could use to direct our paths? [Allow time for discussion.] Responses could include but not limited to: joy, tragedy, loss of a loved one, etc. What would be some other examples of circumstances in which God could use to direct our paths? [Allow for discussion.] V. God s Word instructs us on prayer Philippians 4:6 We find in God s Word not only the command to pray, but we find how to pray. [Ask a student to read Philippians 4:6.] We find in God s Word the command to pray in everything we do. Christians are dependent on God and His provision. We are called to pray with unreserved confidence. We should keep nothing back. Nothing is too great or too small to bring before God. Some often ask, how should we pray? [Ask a student to read Matthew 6:9-13.] We find in God s Word the example of Jesus prayer. This is traditionally called the Lord s Prayer. Did you catch the words of Jesus in verse 9? [Ask a student to reread Matthew 6:9.] Jesus told us to pray like His example. How would we know God s will about prayer if not for God s Word? His will is in the Word. Connection Teacher s Note: For this connection point you will need multiple Study Bibles ready (one per group). Group size will depend upon your situation and number of Study Bibles you have. It could be beneficial for the Study Bibles to be identical, but not necessary. Before this Connection consider the topics for the questions. You will need three. The students will be asked to look up a topic such as: patience, telling the truth, or obedience. They will then use the Study Bible to find a verse or verses that talk specifically about that subject, and record their answer in their student notes, or blank pieces of paper. Recommended time needed for this activity is 5 minutes. Now we are going to divide into groups. Every group will need a Study Bible. [Take a moment to break into groups.] Also, everyone will need a copy of the student notes or a blank piece of paper. In a moment, I am going to give you a topic in which you will record in a box under Topic. Then you will need to find the correlating Scripture and put it next to it under Bible Reference. [Give the first, second, and third topics, allowing for time between each for students to search for the Bible references.] Trust Issues Page 217

6 Topic Obedience to parents Use of bad language How to treat others Bible Reference In our first game, students searched for topics in an instruction manual. In our groups, we searched for topics that apply to our lives. We didn t reward those who found the topic first during the group search time. Why? How fast you find the information is not as important as knowing where to look. The next time you begin to ponder God s plan for your life, where will you turn? His will is in the Word. What commitment are you going to make today to turn to God s Word and learn more about what God has already shown us? Could it be a higher devotional goal, or reading the Bible more? Today is an opportunity to trust more in Scripture. His will is in the Word. Decision Today we introduced how we can study and find God s will in the Word. Is there a problem, challenge, or topic that you would like to study or find out more about in the Bible? This week I would like to encourage you to find out what the Bible says about a specific topic. Will you commit to spend some time this we researching what the Bible says about how we should treat our enemy. As you research, make a commitment to treat your enemy the way the Bible says. Teacher s Note: Encourage students to connect with their small group leader so that the leader can help them with the process. Sticky Statement His will is in the Word Trust Issues Page 218

7 Small Group Discussion Questions 1. How many of you have tried to fix something by reading a manual or watching a video? How did it go? (This is to engage the students and begin the process of talking as a group. Share a time you tried to do something and failed, but then found out it was so easy once you followed the manual.) 2. When you have a problem where do you turn first? (While some kids will give you the answer of the Bible, encourage students to be transparent. Make a statement like, We tend to go to friends, maybe parents, Wikipedia, Google, Siri, Alexa, and even social media. Take a step further with, Why do you think we go to these solutions? ) 3. What steps can I take this week to trust God and His Word more? (Guide the students to think of specific ways they can trust more in God through His Word. Possible answers: a higher devotional goal, more daily Bible reading, searching the Bible for answers, or studying a specific topic. Direct their attention to the challenge to research the idea of ways to treat their enemy. See if there is a specific time where you can get together with a student or students to help with this process.) Trust Issues Page 219

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