For March 15

News

1. Attendance 3/1/09 -- We had 532 in Sunday School Sunday!! 274 at 8:30 and 258 at 9:45!

2. CARE Ministry -- If your class has not been involved in the CARE ministry on Tuesday nights, please come out and get involved. One class that has consistently been involved in CARE has grown twofold in attendance. CARE is every Tuesday night -- supper at 5:30, activities at 6:00 p.m.

3. Project Care: Mission Possible -- Last year our church participated in an outreach/mission blitz in the community called Operation Inasmuch. We will be doing this again this year under the name of Project Care: Mission Possible. Stay tuned for information about projects your Sunday School class can do on the blitz date -- Saturday, April 25!

4. THANKS! -- Thanks to those who turned in their choices for the summer curriculum. For others, we will order the curriculum you used in the winter quarter.

Lesson Supplement for March 15

Explore the Bible
"Act on Revealed Truth"
Isaiah 7:1-14,16

Intro. -- Remember that the topic for the current unit is, "Maintain Spiritual Health." The title of each lesson for the month then answers the question, "How can I maintain spiritual health?" The lesson for this Sunday would have us to understand that we can maintain our spiritual health by acting on revealed truth. Life presents so many challenges and many times they come unexpectedly. The best way to be prepared for any challenge in life is to be spiritually prepared and that means that we know God's revealed truth and we are committed to living that truth in all circumstances. After all, when you are facing a challenge, wouldn't you want to know the truth? The outline for this week's lesson gives four steps that we can take in times of challenge and stress that will enable us to respond properly.

Isaiah 7:1-2 -- Fear is a natural initial reaction to challenges we face. After all, an event in our lives is not considered a challenge unless it threatens our customary way of life or threatens our expectations of life. A threat can create the feeling of uncertainty and lost control that makes us uncomfortable. If we misplace our focus, we can become gripped by fear. When this happens, the challenge we are facing controls us. The correct focus is to turn our eyes on God and begin to see that the challenge before us is no match for Him. If we want to maintain spiritual health, let us act on the revealed truth that God is faithful and powerful enough to supply everything that we need.

Isaiah 7:3-9 -- On our coins, at least for now, it says, "In God we trust." Do we really? There is no person alive who does not trust in something. It might be themselves, an ideology, possessions, relationships, etc., but we are all looking for someone or something to trust. When people feel there is nothing worthy of trust, they lose hope and die emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and sometimes physically. Placing confidence in anything other than God is misplaced confidence. If we want to maintain spiritual health, we need to act on the revealed truth that God is faithful. We CAN count on Him!

Isaiah 7:10-12 -- When challenges come, they threaten us in many ways, not the least of which is our integrity. If we are believers in the Lord, He tells us to do something. If we disobey, we lose our testimony. God tells us to trust Him and maintain our obedience to Him during times of testing as well as in the good times when it is easier to obey. When testing comes, we may be tempted to overcome the challenge outside of God's plan, purpose, and power. Check yourself before temptation becomes sin and your integrity is lost. If we want to maintain spiritual health, we need to act on the revealed truth that we should live obediently in challenging times.

Isaiah 7:13-14,16 -- In this section, we find the prophetic announcement of a virgin birth and the name "Immanuel" which means, "God with us." It is interesting that this announcement of this sign comes after King Ahaz's refusal to trust God enough to give him a sign that He is trustworthy. God has indeed given us the ultimate sign that He is trustworthy and that He will deliver us by sending His only Son, Immanuel incarnate, and giving us the Holy Spirit, Immanuel indwelling the hearts of those who believe. If we want to maintain spiritual health, we must act on the revealed truth that Immanuel -- "God IS with us." There is deliverance! There is hope! There is victory in challenging times!

Conclusion -- In order to maintain spiritual health, we must act on the revealed truth of God's word. Study His word, and then you will know how to act in challenging times!

For Further Help with this Week's Lesson Visit http://www.lifeway.com/articleclick/?id=166474 and read Dan Kassis' weekly article

Comments Welcome -- Any ideas for illustrations, other scripture, or class activities to enhance the lesson?