Young People s Bible Class March, April, May 2016 SPRING QUARTER
Vol. XCVII No. 2 Young People s Bible Class SPRING QUARTER March, April, May 2016 The Quarter Ahead... 2 Editorial... 3 The Gift of Faith UNIT I: Tests of Faith Mar. 6 Powerful Faith Mark 9:14-29... 5 Mar. 13 Simple Faith Mark 10:17-31... 10 Mar. 20 Struggling Faith Mark 14:26-31, 66-72... 15 Mar. 27 Resurrection Faith (Easter) Mark 16:1-8... 20 UNIT II: Restorative Faith Apr. 3 Healing Faith Luke 7:1-10... 25 Apr. 10 Saving Faith Luke 7:36-50... 30 Apr. 17 Spiritual Deliverance Luke 8:26-36... 35 Apr. 24 Reconciling Faith Luke 15:11-24... 40 UNIT III: Fullness of Faith May 1 Increasing Faith Luke 17:1-10... 45 May 8 Grateful Faith Luke 17:11-19... 49 May 15 Humble Faith Luke 18:9-14... 53 May 22 Childlike Faith Luke 18:15-27; Mark 10:16... 57 May 29 Joyous Faith Luke 19:1-10... 61 Edited and published quarterly by THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE GOSPEL WORKER SOCIETY UNION GOSPEL PRESS DIVISION Rev. W. B. Musselman, Founder Price: $2.00 per quarter* $8.00 per year* *shipping and handling extra ISBN 978-1-59843-426-2 Lessons based on International Sunday School Lessons; the International Bible Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright 2012 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 44109-5812. Mailing address: P.O. Box 6059, Cleveland, Ohio 44101-1059. www.uniongospelpress.com
The Quarter Ahead The late British evangelist Smith Wigglesworth said the following concerning faith, It is a blessed thing to learn that God s word can never fail. Never hearken to human plans. God can work mightily when you persist in believing Him in spite of discouragements from the human standpoint... I am not moved by what I see. I am moved only by what I believe... No man considers how he feels if he believes. The man who believes God has it. Everyone can use a faith boost. Our capacity to believe God is critical to our Christian life. We cannot survive without dependency on God. This quarter we will look at lessons aimed at increasing our faith. Our first unit presents tests of faith. Lesson 1 teaches us about the power of faith. We will learn the importance of believing that God can accomplish seemingly impossible feats. Lesson 2 informs us about simple faith. We must develop the ability to trust Him. Lesson 3 helps us overcome our struggles to trust in God. We need not fear man when we trust in God. In lesson 4, we commemorate our Saviour s resurrection. Jesus is alive! Our second unit is titled Restorative Faith. Although they made many mistakes, we see God still loving His people. Lesson 5 shows a non-jew believing in the power of Jesus and recognizing His authority. He trusted that Jesus could merely speak and heal his servant. Lesson 6 teaches about saving faith. The woman in this lesson anointed Jesus with expensive ointment. She received redemption and salvation as a result of her faith. In lesson 7, we learn about spiritual deliverance. We see a demon-possessed man receive cleansing. Lesson 8 teaches us about reconciliation. We see a lost son who had squandered his inheritance. Despite his reckless behavior, his father received and restored him when he returned home. Our third unit of study focuses on the fullness of faith. In lesson 9, we will learn about the importance of increasing our faith. It will become evident to us that faith is needed to live victoriously and to serve God effectively. Lesson 10 teaches about grateful faith. We will see the importance of expressing gratitude to God. In addition, we will note the importance of not feeling entitled to God s goodness. Lesson 11 teaches the importance of having humble faith. In this lesson, we will see the importance of not comparing ourselves with others. In addition, we will see how important it is not to place ourselves on pedestals. Lesson 12 shows us that we must maintain a childlike faith. We will learn the importance of seeing God as our Father and following Him as His children. Lesson 13 shows us a joyous faith. A sinful tax collector had a great change of heart. He sought to see Jesus, and the Saviour connected with him. The tax collector s encounter brought him salvation. Tyrone Keith Carroll Sr. 2 PLEASE NOTE: The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division, most earnestly endeavors to proclaim fundamentally sound doctrine. 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).
We Must Have Faith TYRONE KEITH CARROLL SR. Obstacles and challenges are unavoidable. Sometimes the intensity of challenges causes us to become fearful. For instance, someone is diagnosed with a serious disease that appears incurable. That situation may cause fear and doubt to surface. Research has proved that positive people tend to overcome their health challenges. They do not cave in to the pressures or the enormity of their challenges. Likewise, God desires His children to have faith. He wants them to fully trust Him. The writer of Hebrews defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (11:1). Concerning faith, Corrie Ten Boom stated the following, Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible. Boom Many people celebrate the achievements and victories of biblical heroes. We are captivated with David defeating Goliath. We are inspired by Moses stretching his rod and causing the Red Sea to part. We get excited when we hear about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. All of the above-mentioned heroes have one common thread. All of them possessed faith. For significant victories to occur, faith is a requirement. We are reminded, 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 (Heb. 11:6). Faith is critical. Unless God s people have faith, God will not be pleased. Why? God has unlimited power and resources. He alone can perform miracles. He has the power to heal, emancipate, and change situations. Because of these realities, we must be eager to place our faith in Him. Many people reduce faith to mere belief. However, faith involves activity. It must be exercised. James 2:26 says, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. God has called us to do substantial things. It could be serving as a missionary in a third-world country. It might be serving as a pastor or becoming a Christian businessperson who funds major mission projects. Whatever our calling may be, faith along with actions is required. Practically speaking, you may have to raise funds, mop floors, or knock on doors for things to occur. Faith involves taking risks. Sometimes when faced with a daunting situation, our nature may be to stay neutral or to play it safe. We must realize, however, that most substantial feats are accomplished only when we assume risk. Young People s Bible Class 3
Taking risks can sometimes make a person look foolish. For instance, God told Noah to build an ark (Gen. 6:13-14) because He was going to destroy the earth with a flood. Up to that time, the earth had never received rain (2:5). Plants and foliage were watered by mists springing up from the ground (vs. 6). Despite how things appeared, Noah faithfully built the ark. It is likely that he warned the world of God s coming judgment during this time (II Pet. 2:5). He was probably mocked as he built the ark; yet he persisted. As God had promised, the rains fell and the waters flooded all the earth. Noah and his family survived the Flood. This would have never occurred if he had not taken a risk. We must know that our Heavenly Father desires to bless His people. Failing to trust Him demonstrates several things. First, it implies that He is not trustworthy. More specifically, it suggests that He is a liar that His promises are not true. Numbers 23:19 states, God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Not having faith says that God lacks the power to produce miracles and blessings. This type of doubt suggests that God is limited that He does not have the capacity to alter situations. Sometimes fear keeps us from trusting God. Fear is a paralyzing feeling that we sometimes allow to dominate our thinking. It has kept many people from taking significant steps that could possibly change their future. Fear is a means Satan uses to torment God s people. He loves to show us the worstcase scenario in order to dissuade us from attempting great things or believing in God for miracles. We also sometimes fall prone to 4 doubt. Choosing to live in doubt can carry painful consequences. This can happen when we allow ourselves to see situations as hopeless. One unknown author is quoted as saying, Doubt sees the obstacles. Faith sees the way. Doubt sees the darkest night. Faith sees the day. Doubt dreads to take a step. Faith soars on high. Doubt questions Who believes? Faith answers I. As the old cliché goes, doubt sees the glass half empty, faith sees it half full. The well-known British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon once said of doubt, The enemy continues to sow tares among the wheat. It is not my aim to introduce doubts and fears into your mind, but I shall hope rather that the rough winds of self-examination may help drive them away. It is not security, but carnal security, which we would kill; not confidence, but fleshly confidence, which we would overthrow; not peace, but false peace, which we would destroy. Having doubt will deprive us of endless possibilities. We will not see the full manifestation of God s glory. When we see others facing difficult challenges, we may become cynical watching them struggle with their trust in God. However, doubt must be combated with faith. What challenges are before you that require trusting God? Maybe your ability is not sufficient. Maybe your finances are slim. Maybe negative things from your past affect your future. Regardless of your situation, things can change. Jesus said, If thou... believe, all things are possible (Mark 9:23). To experience great things, broaden your thinking. Saturate yourself daily in prayer and God s Word. This will assist you to increase your faith. Open your eyes to the endless possibilities (cf. Eph. 3:20). Then wait on God to work.
LESSON 1 MARCH 6, 2016 Scripture Lesson Text MARK 9:14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. 15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. 16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. 19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. 20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Je sus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25 When Je sus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Je sus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. 28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. NOTES Young People s Bible Class 5
Powerful Faith Lesson: Mark 9:14-29 Read: Mark 9:14-29 TIME: A.D. 29 PLACE: possibly near Mount Hermon GOLDEN TEXT Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23). Lesson Exposition The late Dr. E. V. Hill, a prominent African-American pastor, frequently quoted these words: If you have the faith, God has the power (mtzionla.org). This slogan was used to inspire people to anchor their faith in God. By doing so, they would see the miraculous occur in their lives. This week s lesson stresses the importance of trusting in God. We will discover the importance of living by faith. HELP SOUGHT IN A DESPERATE SITUATION Mark 9:14-18 Masses of people traveled great distances to witness Jesus ministry. Some of the masses were desperate for miracles and eager to make contact with Jesus. Although Jesus cared about the masses, He noticed the scribes questioning the disciples. They verbally attacked the disciples. Jesus put a stop to the scribes attacks. During Jesus exchange with the scribes, a man in the multitude spoke concerning his son. This father had a son who was suffering because of an evil spirit. The evil spirit had blocked the boy s speech. It caused him to 6 have seizures. He would foam at the mouth and gnash his teeth. Apparently, the father was aware of Jesus and the disciples ministry. Growing weary of his son s condition, the father brought him to the disciples. Since Jesus was unavailable, he believed the disciples were capable of casting out the evil spirit. To his disappointment, the disciples were unsuccessful in casting out the evil spirit. He then expressed his concern to Jesus. From the father s tone, it appeared he was dubious about the disciples. DRASTIC MEASURES TO SECURE MIRACULOUS HEALING Mark 9:19-24 The son s bizarre behavior was undoubtedly an embarrassment and a nuisance. How painful it must have been for the father to endure his son s outbursts and unruly behavior! The father demonstrated humility, which is crucial to see God s power at work. He pushed past his pride and moved toward the Lord. Hearing of the disciples failure to heal this boy, Jesus reacted with agitation. He said to the onlookers, O faith-