For March 29

News

1. Attendance 3/22/09 -- We had 575 in Sunday School Sunday!! 285 at 8:30 and 290 at 9:45!

2. CARE Ministry -- Every Tuesday night -- supper at 5:30, activities at 6:00 p.m.

3. Project Care: Mission Possible -- Sign up for volunteers begins THIS WEEK! Event date is Saturday, April 25!

Lesson Supplement for March 29

Explore the Bible
"Stay Spiritually Alert"
Isaiah 38:1-6; 39:1-2,5-8

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 staying spiritually alert. There are many similarities in principle between physical health and spiritual health. Some examples are: what goes in comes out (sorry about this one, but it's true), when one part is hurting the whole is impacted, and exercise and discipline make for a happy and healthier life. Today's lesson identifies another shared principle between good physical health and good spiritual health: Be alert! The slightest distraction can have catastrophic results. I'll leave you to think of examples where this is true in the physical and spiritual realm.

Isaiah 38:1-6 -- In order to stay spiritually alert we must practice fervent prayer. Hezekiah was confronted with an enemy that sought to destroy Judah and him. He had already seen the devastation that Israel, the northern kingdom, had experienced at the hand of the Assyrians. In addition to this threat, Hezekiah was suffering from a terminal illness. These were dire circumstances. As Thomas Paine said during the difficult days of the American Revolution, "These are the times that try men's souls," so Hezekiah's soul was experiencing trial. In these kinds of moments, we face the risk of being distracted into thinking about ways out of the existing situation in order to relieve the stress. We run the risk of making a bad choice or giving in to temptation. What can we do to manage that risk? Follow the example of Hezekiah in this case. Pray fervently. Turn to God at all times but especially in these kinds of moments. Do so before you rush into something that risks your spiritual health. God is concerned about your health, and He will answer. Pray!

Isaiah 39:1-2 -- In order to stay spiritually alert we must guard against pride. Hezekiah had prayed fervently to the Lord, and the Lord saw his tears and his humility and blessed him with an extension on life. Now completely healed, Hezekiah receives visitors bearing gifts from Babylon sent to him by the king of Babylon after he heard about Hezekiah's physical recovery. Instead of giving God the glory for protecting Judah and healing his body, Hezekiah pridefully showed off the treasures of Judah, treasures that could have been lost forever if God had not intervened in response to Hezekiah's prayer. Pride always goes before the fall, and not too many years later, Judah fell - Hezekiah had died and now all the treasures became someone else's. When we neglect to give God His glory and we no longer acknowledge our dependence on Him, we cease to be spiritually alert and we risk giving into to prideful temptation. Remain humble and acknowledge your dependence on Him (Prov. 3:5-6). Guard!

Isaiah 39:5-8 -- In order to stay spiritually alert we must consider long-term consequences. Every decision we make, whether good or bad, will have its consequences. What we decide today will, in many ways, determine how we live tomorrow. This is why there is such a great need to be alert at all times. Attention should be given to the potential outcomes of every decision we make before we actually make the decision. Thinking through a decision in this way will keep us from harmful consequences. Hezekiah turned toward the wall and to God when he was ill and in dire straits, but he turned away from God after God had heard his prayer, healed him, and saved Judah. Verse 8 further highlights human selfishness. Once made aware of the consequences of his prideful actions, Hezekiah rejoiced that those consequences would not be felt heavily during his lifetime. This reminds us that it is as important to stay spiritually alert in good times as well as in difficult times. Remember, your decisions will impact your future and potentially the future of people you care about. Decide carefully. Consider!

Conclusion -- In order to maintain spiritual health, we must stay spiritually alert. Three disciplines to practice in order to stay spiritually alert are to pray fervently, guard against pride, and consider the long-term consequences. Pray-Guard-Consider is the plan to implement in our lives to maintain our spiritual health. Jesus told his disciples something similar when in the Garden of Gethsemane, he told them to "watch and pray."

Commitment -- Lead students to determine how they will implement these disciplines into their lives this week (praying fervently, guarding against pride, and considering the long-term consequences).

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?