News
1. CARE Ministry -- Every Tuesday night -- supper at 5:30, outreach/in reach activities at 6:00 p.m.
2. VBS -- Dates for Vacation Bible School are July 19-23. Be sure to remind class members about these dates and continue to ask if any would volunteer to help. If you get some names of volunteers to help, e-mail those names to me or post them under comments to this blog post.
Lesson Supplement for June 28
Explore the Bible
"Claim Your Freedom"
Galatians 5:1-15
Intro. – This week's lesson begins the second unit in our series of lessons for the summer. This unit is entitled, "Walking in Freedom." As we approach July 4th we turn our attention to celebrating the freedom we have as citizens of the United States. These lessons will help us to remember to celebrate and live in the victory that Christians have as citizens of the kingdom of God. Freedom is not free. It is purchased by the sacrifice of others. The freedom we enjoy as Christians was purchased at the cross with the death of Jesus Christ. This week's lesson encourages us to claim the freedom that He purchased for us.
Galatians 5:1A – What does our freedom as Christians include? It includes freedom from the slavery of sin. Without Christ we are slaves to sin. Sin controls the choices we make and causes the consequences we face. Life is a mess. The only way we can be set free from the control of sin is to place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ and believe that the gift of His payment for our release from sin is sufficient for our freedom from it. The Galatians would completely understand this analogy since slavery was a part of every day life at the time. Once a slave you were dependent on someone else to purchase your freedom because you could not do it on your own. The same holds true for us. As slaves to sin we are powerless to purchase our freedom and we rely on Jesus Christ and the price He paid to set us free.
Galatians 5:1b-6 -- Freedom in Christ also includes freedom from the law. In Paul's letters, we will read about how the Gentiles are not required to become circumcised in order to become followers of Christ. He was speaking out against some who were imposing Jewish laws on Gentiles as part of their salvation. Paul has already stated in verse 1A that Christ has given us freedom. When we add other "requirements" to salvation, we are basically saying that what Jesus did and the price He paid is still inadequate for salvation. Paul is saying that Jesus paid the price in full once and for all. Believers should accept this freedom, this gift, and not put themselves under the "yoke" of laws and requirements that restrict and really don't have any added effect to one's salvation any way.
Galatians 5:7-12 -- Do we see a little of Paul's anger in this section of scripture particularly in verse 12?? Paul sets the record straight. If anyone wondered where he stood on the issue of Gentile circumcision, he makes it clear in this passage. Yes, Paul was a Jew, but he does not believe Gentiles must convert to Judaism first in order to become followers of Christ. Don't let false teachers derail you from a good race. Don't let them place a yoke of any kind that restricts you from experiencing the joy of the freedom Christ gives. False teachers were adding a burden on the people much like a coach adding heavy weights on the body of an Olympic sprinter while at the same time cheering for him to win. If this has happened to us in our spiritual walk, we should retain the freedom we have in Christ. Repent of the "weights" that we or others have added and run the race with our eyes fixed on Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Galatians 5:13-15 -- We have already discussed how our freedom in Christ includes freedom from slavery to sin and freedom from the law. In this final section of scripture we see that our freedom in Christ includes the freedom to please God. It was impossible as unsaved sinners, no matter how hard we may have tried, to please God in our own efforts. We all fall short of his glory (Romans 2:23). Because of what Jesus did for us, we can now offer our lives to God as pleasing sacrifices. We offer a pleasing sacrifice to God when we serve one another in love and when we live in obedience to Him. If we do these things, we are living in the full freedom that our citizenship in the kingdom of God grants us!
Commitment – Lead students to examine whether they have received and are living in the true freedom of Christ. They are not if they are attributing their salvation and their spiritual growth to any "good works" they be doing.
For Further Help with this Week's Lesson Visit http://www.lifeway.com/articleclick/?id=166474 and read Dan Kassis' weekly article
Bible Studies for Life
"God Builds Confidence"
1 John 5:12-21
Intro. -- During the month of June, we will study the book of 1 John to "Build Certainty" in our lives. In a world of uncertainties this study should strengthen and encourage us. This week's lesson focuses on the confidence that we can have in our salvation, our prayer life, and in our victory over sin.
1 John 5:12-13 -- How can we be certain that we have eternal life? John offers several checkpoints in this letter, but in these verses, he reveals specifically that we can know that we have eternal life if we have the Son. I have often said to people that the question that everyone must decide in life is "What are you going to do about Jesus?" You really only have two options, you either believe in Him or you don't. John makes this clear -- either you have the Son and have life or you don't have the Son and you don't have life. If you believe in Jesus and are committed to following Him, then you can be confident that you have eternal life.
1 John 2:7-11 -- If I have the Son that means that I am in Him and He is in me. I live my life in obedience to Him. I strive to live as Jesus would live. If this is so, then it follows that my desires are going to be in line with His desire. Therefore, when I pray, I can be confident that God will hear me because I will be praying in accordance to His will. I want what He wants. However, I have been guilty at times of praying, "your will be done" but deep down inside I really wanted God to do what I wanted. We can't hide that from God. He knows if we are sincere in praying for His will to be done. When our desires are in alignment with God, He hears us and He grants what we have asked Him for. Verses 16-17 deal with what we should do when we see a fellow believer commit sin. John tells us that we should pray for that brother or sister. It is God's will that His children walk in obedience to Him. Therefore, when we see a brother commit a sin, we can be confident that when we pray for him, that we are praying in accordance with God's will and He will hear us. God will then convict the brother in order to bring about the restoration that needs to occur. Obviously the restoration will occur as God does His work to convict and when the brother confesses and repents. We should pray for that time to occur in a brother's life.
1 John 5:18-21 -- Believers can be certain that they can live in victory over sin. When we are "born of God" we become members of His family. He has rescued us from the control that sin has held over us and He gives us the power to overcome the temptations that we face as we remain in this life. True believers do not habitually sin. True believers do sin on occasion but they immediately confess and repent when they become convicted of their sin and they strive to no longer do it. We are secure in our relationship with God because of Christ who "keeps" us from the "evil one" who "does not touch" us. John's concluding remark is that we should be on guard as we go through life. This too will help us live victoriously over sin!
Commitment -- Lead students to examine their levels of confidence in salvation, prayer, and victory over sin. This lesson should be an encouragement to believers that there is security in our relationship with the Lord. If we have Him, we don't need to be concerned about our salvation, we can know that our prayers are heard and answered, and we can be victorious over temptation and sin in our lives!
Comments Welcome -- Any ideas for illustrations, other scripture, or class activities to enhance the lesson?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
For June 14, 2009
News
1. CARE Ministry -- Every Tuesday night -- supper at 5:30, outreach/in reach activities at 6:00 p.m.
2. VBS -- Dates for Vacation Bible School are July 19-23. Be sure to remind class members about these dates and continue to ask if any would volunteer to help. If you get some names of volunteers to help, e-mail those names to me or post them under comments to this blog post.
Lesson Supplement for June 14
Explore the Bible
"Receiving the Gospel"
Galatians 2:15-3:9
Intro. – This week's lesson is the second in a three-part unit, "Walking in Truth," which will cover the first four chapters of the book of Galatians. The goal of last week's lesson was to lead students to gain a clear understanding of what the true Gospel is. The intent of this week's lesson is evangelistic in scope on two fronts. First of all, the lesson will lead students to examine if they have genuinely accepted Christ by faith and entered into a relationship with Him. Secondly, for students who have already nailed down their salvation, this lesson will help them to share with others how to become a Christian.
Galatians 2:15-16 – The context in which these two verses are written is a discussion about Paul's disagreement with the Apostle Peter. Peter had demonstrated that he believed the gospel was for Gentiles and did not require them to follow strict Jewish laws. However, when certain Jewish Christians came to the mission field, Peter acted differently in their presence and seemed to go the other way in expecting Gentiles to follow the strict Jewish laws and customs in order to be truly saved. Paul's confrontation with Peter was to argue that the truth of the gospel is that we "Jews by birth" know that "no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ." Paul goes on to say that no human being will ever be justified by the works of the law. The basis of salvation is faith. You cannot ever do enough good deeds in life to merit salvation and eternity in heaven. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ. He is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6). Have your students accepted Jesus by faith or are they trying to work their way into God's graces and His heaven?
Galatians 2:17-21 -- A genuine salvation experience causes one to change. One's outlook on life changes. One's behavior changes. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that the old way of living (sin) becomes new (obedience). How does this change take place in a believer's life? First of all, when you give your life to Jesus and accept Him by faith you are placing your belief in everything about Jesus. You believe in your heart that He is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for your sins, and that He rose again from the grave and is alive today awaiting His return to earth. Secondly, when you give your life to Jesus and accept Him by faith you are acknowledging your need for Him. You are acknowledging that you are a sinner and that you can never work your way to a relationship with God. So, in a genuine conversion experience, one places one's belief in Jesus by identifying completely with His mission and purpose. Paul captures this identification in verses 19-20 when he says, "I have been crucified with Christ (died to the law) and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." This is true conversion. It is identifying completely with Jesus and giving Him total control of one's life. I "died" with Him and now I live with Him. When Christ lives in and through me, I am different than I was before He saved me!
Galatians 3:1-5 -- This section encourages us to be consistent with our understanding of salvation and with our way of living it out. Last week, we talked about the false teachings that were infiltrating the church at Galatia and Paul writing this letter to set the record straight about the truth of the gospel. Here, he admonishes the Galatians to get back on the right track. Don't let anyone rob you of the joy you have in Christ by imposing a works-based understanding of salvation upon you. Don't be foolish, he says. Live by faith. You accepted Jesus by faith, now live by faith under the leadership of His presence in your life through the Holy Spirit. Anyone who attempts to add requirements to salvation other than faith in the work of Jesus Christ is basically saying that Jesus' death on the cross was not good enough for salvation. It was somehow inadequate. This diminishes the awesome work of Jesus in His death on the cross.
Galatians 3:6-9 -- Believers are blessed by God. The promise of that blessing is found in God's promise to Abraham when God tells Abraham that all nations will be blessed through him. The law did not exist at the time of this promise to Abraham. The law came much later through Moses. By grace God gave the promise to Abraham. By faith, Abraham received that promise. Abraham did not earn the promise. He simply believed God, and "it was credited to him for righteousness. Therefore, all nations (including Gentiles) are sons of Abraham if they have faith as he did.
Commitment – Lead students to examine the validity of their own salvation based on the teachings learned in this lesson. Are they living by faith in Jesus Christ or are they attempting to work their way to salvation? Encourage believers to use this lesson to help them witness to people this week.
For Further Help with this Week's Lesson Visit http://www.lifeway.com/articleclick/?id=166474 and read Dan Kassis' weekly article
Bible Studies for Life
"God Gives Love Lessons"
1 John 2:3-11, 15-17
Intro. -- During the month of June, we will study the book of 1 John to "Build Certainty" in our lives. In a world of uncertainties this study should strengthen and encourage us. Last week's lesson focused on the certainty of fellowship with God and with other believers. All humans have a need to belong and feel connected to others. This need can best be met when one belongs to the family of God. This week's lesson focuses on three ways that we can be certain that we have a relationship with God. Are we obeying God? Do we love others the way God loves? Do we avoid worldly influences?
1 John 2:3-6 -- John minces no words as he states that we can be sure that we have a relationship with God if we are keeping His commands. Obedience is evidence of relationship. You cannot say that you know God if you do not do what He says. In fact, John says that we should walk just He walked. We should be like Jesus. A true disciple is one who not only adopts the teaching of the one he follows, a true disciple literally strives to become exactly like the one he is following. A disciple lives, breathes, eats, and sleeps the one He is following. Obedience is evidence of true discipleship.
1 John 2:7-11 -- Now John offers another measure to determine the certainty of one's relationship with God. This measure states that you can know that you are in a relationship with God if you genuinely love others. John's readers would know that the command to love others is nothing new, but what is new is that in Christ's coming, He displayed exactly, to its fullest extent, what it means to love others. Believers are without excuse when it comes to loving others. The example has been given and the bar has been set. To "love" anyone less than the extent that Jesus loves us is not love at all. You and I are blind if we think we are walking in the light yet maintain hatred toward another. Loving others as Christ loved us is proof of one's relationship with God and certifies that relationship as genuine.
1 John 2:15-17 -- In contrast to the previous section of scripture where we are to love others, here John says that we are not to love the world. The "world" can be identified as anything that is contrary to the nature and Spirit of God. Additionally, in His prayer to the Father recorded in John 17, Jesus prays for his followers who are in the world "but not of the world." Love of worldly things is a form of idolatry because it shifts our love and devotion from God and establishes a replacement "god" in His stead in our lives. You cannot love the world and love God at the same time. There is no room for both. In these verses, John specifically identifies the things of this world as lust and pride. If our decisions and behaviors in life are selfishly motivated we have to question if the Father's love is truly in us. Do you want to be certain that you have a relationship with God? Ask yourself, "Do I avoid worldly influences or am I drawn to them?"
1. CARE Ministry -- Every Tuesday night -- supper at 5:30, outreach/in reach activities at 6:00 p.m.
2. VBS -- Dates for Vacation Bible School are July 19-23. Be sure to remind class members about these dates and continue to ask if any would volunteer to help. If you get some names of volunteers to help, e-mail those names to me or post them under comments to this blog post.
Lesson Supplement for June 14
Explore the Bible
"Receiving the Gospel"
Galatians 2:15-3:9
Intro. – This week's lesson is the second in a three-part unit, "Walking in Truth," which will cover the first four chapters of the book of Galatians. The goal of last week's lesson was to lead students to gain a clear understanding of what the true Gospel is. The intent of this week's lesson is evangelistic in scope on two fronts. First of all, the lesson will lead students to examine if they have genuinely accepted Christ by faith and entered into a relationship with Him. Secondly, for students who have already nailed down their salvation, this lesson will help them to share with others how to become a Christian.
Galatians 2:15-16 – The context in which these two verses are written is a discussion about Paul's disagreement with the Apostle Peter. Peter had demonstrated that he believed the gospel was for Gentiles and did not require them to follow strict Jewish laws. However, when certain Jewish Christians came to the mission field, Peter acted differently in their presence and seemed to go the other way in expecting Gentiles to follow the strict Jewish laws and customs in order to be truly saved. Paul's confrontation with Peter was to argue that the truth of the gospel is that we "Jews by birth" know that "no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ." Paul goes on to say that no human being will ever be justified by the works of the law. The basis of salvation is faith. You cannot ever do enough good deeds in life to merit salvation and eternity in heaven. Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ. He is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6). Have your students accepted Jesus by faith or are they trying to work their way into God's graces and His heaven?
Galatians 2:17-21 -- A genuine salvation experience causes one to change. One's outlook on life changes. One's behavior changes. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that the old way of living (sin) becomes new (obedience). How does this change take place in a believer's life? First of all, when you give your life to Jesus and accept Him by faith you are placing your belief in everything about Jesus. You believe in your heart that He is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for your sins, and that He rose again from the grave and is alive today awaiting His return to earth. Secondly, when you give your life to Jesus and accept Him by faith you are acknowledging your need for Him. You are acknowledging that you are a sinner and that you can never work your way to a relationship with God. So, in a genuine conversion experience, one places one's belief in Jesus by identifying completely with His mission and purpose. Paul captures this identification in verses 19-20 when he says, "I have been crucified with Christ (died to the law) and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me." This is true conversion. It is identifying completely with Jesus and giving Him total control of one's life. I "died" with Him and now I live with Him. When Christ lives in and through me, I am different than I was before He saved me!
Galatians 3:1-5 -- This section encourages us to be consistent with our understanding of salvation and with our way of living it out. Last week, we talked about the false teachings that were infiltrating the church at Galatia and Paul writing this letter to set the record straight about the truth of the gospel. Here, he admonishes the Galatians to get back on the right track. Don't let anyone rob you of the joy you have in Christ by imposing a works-based understanding of salvation upon you. Don't be foolish, he says. Live by faith. You accepted Jesus by faith, now live by faith under the leadership of His presence in your life through the Holy Spirit. Anyone who attempts to add requirements to salvation other than faith in the work of Jesus Christ is basically saying that Jesus' death on the cross was not good enough for salvation. It was somehow inadequate. This diminishes the awesome work of Jesus in His death on the cross.
Galatians 3:6-9 -- Believers are blessed by God. The promise of that blessing is found in God's promise to Abraham when God tells Abraham that all nations will be blessed through him. The law did not exist at the time of this promise to Abraham. The law came much later through Moses. By grace God gave the promise to Abraham. By faith, Abraham received that promise. Abraham did not earn the promise. He simply believed God, and "it was credited to him for righteousness. Therefore, all nations (including Gentiles) are sons of Abraham if they have faith as he did.
Commitment – Lead students to examine the validity of their own salvation based on the teachings learned in this lesson. Are they living by faith in Jesus Christ or are they attempting to work their way to salvation? Encourage believers to use this lesson to help them witness to people this week.
For Further Help with this Week's Lesson Visit http://www.lifeway.com/articleclick/?id=166474 and read Dan Kassis' weekly article
Bible Studies for Life
"God Gives Love Lessons"
1 John 2:3-11, 15-17
Intro. -- During the month of June, we will study the book of 1 John to "Build Certainty" in our lives. In a world of uncertainties this study should strengthen and encourage us. Last week's lesson focused on the certainty of fellowship with God and with other believers. All humans have a need to belong and feel connected to others. This need can best be met when one belongs to the family of God. This week's lesson focuses on three ways that we can be certain that we have a relationship with God. Are we obeying God? Do we love others the way God loves? Do we avoid worldly influences?
1 John 2:3-6 -- John minces no words as he states that we can be sure that we have a relationship with God if we are keeping His commands. Obedience is evidence of relationship. You cannot say that you know God if you do not do what He says. In fact, John says that we should walk just He walked. We should be like Jesus. A true disciple is one who not only adopts the teaching of the one he follows, a true disciple literally strives to become exactly like the one he is following. A disciple lives, breathes, eats, and sleeps the one He is following. Obedience is evidence of true discipleship.
1 John 2:7-11 -- Now John offers another measure to determine the certainty of one's relationship with God. This measure states that you can know that you are in a relationship with God if you genuinely love others. John's readers would know that the command to love others is nothing new, but what is new is that in Christ's coming, He displayed exactly, to its fullest extent, what it means to love others. Believers are without excuse when it comes to loving others. The example has been given and the bar has been set. To "love" anyone less than the extent that Jesus loves us is not love at all. You and I are blind if we think we are walking in the light yet maintain hatred toward another. Loving others as Christ loved us is proof of one's relationship with God and certifies that relationship as genuine.
1 John 2:15-17 -- In contrast to the previous section of scripture where we are to love others, here John says that we are not to love the world. The "world" can be identified as anything that is contrary to the nature and Spirit of God. Additionally, in His prayer to the Father recorded in John 17, Jesus prays for his followers who are in the world "but not of the world." Love of worldly things is a form of idolatry because it shifts our love and devotion from God and establishes a replacement "god" in His stead in our lives. You cannot love the world and love God at the same time. There is no room for both. In these verses, John specifically identifies the things of this world as lust and pride. If our decisions and behaviors in life are selfishly motivated we have to question if the Father's love is truly in us. Do you want to be certain that you have a relationship with God? Ask yourself, "Do I avoid worldly influences or am I drawn to them?"
Commitment -- Lead students to examine the certainty of their relationship with God by these three measurements:
- Obedience
- Love of others as Jesus loves
- Avoidance of worldly influences
It may be necessary to lead people to understand how they can be saved if after examining themselves against these measurements, they discover that there may be some uncertainty about their relationship with God. Help believers who are certain of their relationship with God to re-dedicate themselves to obedience, loving others, and avoiding worldly influences.
Comments Welcome -- Any ideas for illustrations, other scripture, or class activities to enhance the lesson?Saturday, June 6, 2009
For June 7, 2009
News
1. Change to the Blog -- For the summer, you will find summaries and ideas for lessons from Explore the Bible Curriculum series and Bible Studies for Life.
2. CARE Ministry -- Every Tuesday night -- supper at 5:30, outreach/in reach activities at 6:00 p.m.
Lesson Supplement for June 7
Explore the Bible
"Talking About the Gospel"
Galatians 1:6-9, 11-12, 15-16; 2:1-6
Intro. – This week's lesson is the first in a three-part unit, "Walking in Truth," which will cover the first four chapters of the book of Galatians. This week, we examine chapter one through chapter two, verse 10. The intent of this week's lesson is to lead students to gain a clear understanding of what the true Gospel is. Just as was the case in Paul's day, false teaching can enter into the minds of sincere believers today and create confusion for the individual and for the church. Paul sets the record straight about how one is saved. The message he gave the Galatians long ago is the message we need to hear to correct any false understanding of the means of salvation.
Galatians 1:6-9 – Paul taught that salvation came by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This was and is the only means to salvation. The false teaching that began to penetrate the church in Galatia was the notion that "true" salvation did not occur unless believers also followed the Jewish laws and traditions. By requiring adherence to Jewish rules and regulations, this false teaching emphasized that Jesus' death on the cross was not enough for salvation. Anything that introduces additional ideas or requirements to the gospel truth that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is identifiable as a false teaching.
Galatians 1:11-12, 15-16 -- To validate his message as the gospel truth, Paul states that the gospel he delivered was not something that he made up on his own. Rather, the good news he proclaimed is a message that he received directly from the Lord, making it of divine origin and not something man-made. Paul's divine encounter with the Lord Jesus can be found in Acts 9:4-5. Immediately after receiving the gospel directly from the Lord and responding to it in faith, Paul states that he did not consult with other human sources for what he was supposed to preach. The Holy Spirit in his life revealed to him what he was to preach. When we understand the gospel as good news delivered directly from God, we can easily discount anything contrary to that message as insignificant chattering.
Galatians 2:1-6 -- If we are going to walk in the truth, as our current unit emphasizes, we must begin with a commitment to the gospel truth and accept no compromise to it. In these verses, Paul tells the Galatians that he delivered the same gospel to the Christian leaders in Jerusalem that he was preaching on the mission field to the Gentiles, and the Christian leaders did not reject the message of liberty that he proclaimed nor did they add anything to it. This also validated his message and his ministry because if they had had a problem with it, the Christian leadership would have corrected him then. Obviously, the smugglers (false teachers) had infiltrated the church at Galatia in an attempt to enslave believers to a works-based type of salvation. Paul would not compromise, and he counsels the Galatians and us to do the same.
Commitment – Lead students to be committed to the gospel of salvation by God's grace through faith in the Lord Jesus without compromise. Don't let anyone or anything that adds to this simple gospel message rob you of the joy of freedom in Christ Jesus!
For Further Help with this Week's Lesson Visit http://www.lifeway.com/articleclick/?id=166474 and read Dan Kassis' weekly article
Bible Studies for Life
"Connections Matter"
1 John 1-2:2
Intro. -- During the month of June, we will study the book of 1 John to "Build Certainty" in our lives. In a world of uncertainties this study should strengthen and encourage us. This week's lesson will focus on the certainty of fellowship with God and with other believers. All humans have a need to belong and feel connected to others. This need can best be met when one belongs to the family of God. When all other relationships around us crumble, we can find security in the certainty of the bond between God and members of His family.
1 John 1:1-4 -- John begins this letter to fellow believers with an introduction that parallels the same introduction he used in his gospel. Jesus is the Word of life who has always existed. He became flesh and dwelt among us, and John experienced Jesus through his senses. John saw Jesus, heard Jesus, and touched Jesus. John was an eyewitness to the life and work of Jesus. What he experienced with Jesus, John now declares to his readers so that they too can experience what he continues to experience with Jesus -- fellowship. John says that our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Believers have a bond with each other because they share a common bond with the Father and His Son.
1 John 1:5-7 -- The first four verses in chapter one identify the fellowship bond. These next verses reveal how to live in the joy of that bond. The message that John heard from Jesus and has declared to these believers is that God is light and there is absolutely no darkness in him at all. This means that God is holy and righteous. There is no error or fault in Him. Just as light and dark do not compromise to form something in between, there is no gray area when it comes to God. Therefore, we cannot say that we have fellowship with God if we are walking in darkness. If we are living life having made the choice to do as we please, then we have no fellowship with God, and to say that we do is lying. Fellowship with God is evidenced by our walking in the light, having been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
1 John 1:8-2:2 -- The fellowship bond would never happen if it was left up to you and me. We are sinners. To say we are not, we deceive ourselves and make God a liar. We have lived in darkness and continue to be tempted and swayed by the darkness of our world. Therefore, the only way "the dark" can have fellowship with the light is if the light drives away the darkness. Jesus did just that! He who is the light died for us and took upon himself our sins and the sin punishment so that by believing in Him we might be rescued and brought into fellowship with the light. Therefore, let us confess our sins immediately upon being convicted of them. He then will be faithful to forgive us and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness making us "light" in order to have fellowship with God who is light.
Commitment -- Amazing Grace -- Isn't it truly amazing the extent that God would go to make a fellowship bond with him a reality? The fact that He did go to such lengths and the fact that the relationship bond finds its basis in Him who is light and not on us who are sinners gives us confidence in the certainty of its endurance. This is great news in a world of uncertainties! Lead students to thank God for the fellowship bond believers share with Him. Connect the relationships to each other in the class because of the common bond with God the Father that each believer shares. Lead students to confess any sin that has remained unconfessed so that they can return to the joy of the fellowship.
Comments Welcome -- Any ideas for illustrations, other scripture, or class activities to enhance the lesson?
1. Change to the Blog -- For the summer, you will find summaries and ideas for lessons from Explore the Bible Curriculum series and Bible Studies for Life.
2. CARE Ministry -- Every Tuesday night -- supper at 5:30, outreach/in reach activities at 6:00 p.m.
Lesson Supplement for June 7
Explore the Bible
"Talking About the Gospel"
Galatians 1:6-9, 11-12, 15-16; 2:1-6
Intro. – This week's lesson is the first in a three-part unit, "Walking in Truth," which will cover the first four chapters of the book of Galatians. This week, we examine chapter one through chapter two, verse 10. The intent of this week's lesson is to lead students to gain a clear understanding of what the true Gospel is. Just as was the case in Paul's day, false teaching can enter into the minds of sincere believers today and create confusion for the individual and for the church. Paul sets the record straight about how one is saved. The message he gave the Galatians long ago is the message we need to hear to correct any false understanding of the means of salvation.
Galatians 1:6-9 – Paul taught that salvation came by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This was and is the only means to salvation. The false teaching that began to penetrate the church in Galatia was the notion that "true" salvation did not occur unless believers also followed the Jewish laws and traditions. By requiring adherence to Jewish rules and regulations, this false teaching emphasized that Jesus' death on the cross was not enough for salvation. Anything that introduces additional ideas or requirements to the gospel truth that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is identifiable as a false teaching.
Galatians 1:11-12, 15-16 -- To validate his message as the gospel truth, Paul states that the gospel he delivered was not something that he made up on his own. Rather, the good news he proclaimed is a message that he received directly from the Lord, making it of divine origin and not something man-made. Paul's divine encounter with the Lord Jesus can be found in Acts 9:4-5. Immediately after receiving the gospel directly from the Lord and responding to it in faith, Paul states that he did not consult with other human sources for what he was supposed to preach. The Holy Spirit in his life revealed to him what he was to preach. When we understand the gospel as good news delivered directly from God, we can easily discount anything contrary to that message as insignificant chattering.
Galatians 2:1-6 -- If we are going to walk in the truth, as our current unit emphasizes, we must begin with a commitment to the gospel truth and accept no compromise to it. In these verses, Paul tells the Galatians that he delivered the same gospel to the Christian leaders in Jerusalem that he was preaching on the mission field to the Gentiles, and the Christian leaders did not reject the message of liberty that he proclaimed nor did they add anything to it. This also validated his message and his ministry because if they had had a problem with it, the Christian leadership would have corrected him then. Obviously, the smugglers (false teachers) had infiltrated the church at Galatia in an attempt to enslave believers to a works-based type of salvation. Paul would not compromise, and he counsels the Galatians and us to do the same.
Commitment – Lead students to be committed to the gospel of salvation by God's grace through faith in the Lord Jesus without compromise. Don't let anyone or anything that adds to this simple gospel message rob you of the joy of freedom in Christ Jesus!
For Further Help with this Week's Lesson Visit http://www.lifeway.com/articleclick/?id=166474 and read Dan Kassis' weekly article
Bible Studies for Life
"Connections Matter"
1 John 1-2:2
Intro. -- During the month of June, we will study the book of 1 John to "Build Certainty" in our lives. In a world of uncertainties this study should strengthen and encourage us. This week's lesson will focus on the certainty of fellowship with God and with other believers. All humans have a need to belong and feel connected to others. This need can best be met when one belongs to the family of God. When all other relationships around us crumble, we can find security in the certainty of the bond between God and members of His family.
1 John 1:1-4 -- John begins this letter to fellow believers with an introduction that parallels the same introduction he used in his gospel. Jesus is the Word of life who has always existed. He became flesh and dwelt among us, and John experienced Jesus through his senses. John saw Jesus, heard Jesus, and touched Jesus. John was an eyewitness to the life and work of Jesus. What he experienced with Jesus, John now declares to his readers so that they too can experience what he continues to experience with Jesus -- fellowship. John says that our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Believers have a bond with each other because they share a common bond with the Father and His Son.
1 John 1:5-7 -- The first four verses in chapter one identify the fellowship bond. These next verses reveal how to live in the joy of that bond. The message that John heard from Jesus and has declared to these believers is that God is light and there is absolutely no darkness in him at all. This means that God is holy and righteous. There is no error or fault in Him. Just as light and dark do not compromise to form something in between, there is no gray area when it comes to God. Therefore, we cannot say that we have fellowship with God if we are walking in darkness. If we are living life having made the choice to do as we please, then we have no fellowship with God, and to say that we do is lying. Fellowship with God is evidenced by our walking in the light, having been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
1 John 1:8-2:2 -- The fellowship bond would never happen if it was left up to you and me. We are sinners. To say we are not, we deceive ourselves and make God a liar. We have lived in darkness and continue to be tempted and swayed by the darkness of our world. Therefore, the only way "the dark" can have fellowship with the light is if the light drives away the darkness. Jesus did just that! He who is the light died for us and took upon himself our sins and the sin punishment so that by believing in Him we might be rescued and brought into fellowship with the light. Therefore, let us confess our sins immediately upon being convicted of them. He then will be faithful to forgive us and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness making us "light" in order to have fellowship with God who is light.
Commitment -- Amazing Grace -- Isn't it truly amazing the extent that God would go to make a fellowship bond with him a reality? The fact that He did go to such lengths and the fact that the relationship bond finds its basis in Him who is light and not on us who are sinners gives us confidence in the certainty of its endurance. This is great news in a world of uncertainties! Lead students to thank God for the fellowship bond believers share with Him. Connect the relationships to each other in the class because of the common bond with God the Father that each believer shares. Lead students to confess any sin that has remained unconfessed so that they can return to the joy of the fellowship.
Comments Welcome -- Any ideas for illustrations, other scripture, or class activities to enhance the lesson?
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