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?