In this lesson we want to look the reason why we live in a "gimme" society: 1) Worldliness, 2) Covetousness, 3) Selfishness. Each one should be able to explain why our society is so selfish with Biblical examples. Each may be able to understand these desires in the hopes of avoiding them.
Today, the world has changed God’s original purposes for sex. Pleasure has become the chief aim. Sex is pleasurable, but if that is its chief purpose, marriage no longer has any real significance beyond pleasure, and when the married decide there is no more pleasure, they will abandon their relationship. Consider, however, the difference between that and the notion that reproduction is the primary purpose of sex. When reproduction is the goal, married people may pursue that goal together by having and rearing children. That goal will not admit to easy defeat because they are investing themselves in something other than themselves, their children.
We learn from king Hezekiah the lesson of 1) Restoration, 2) Prayer, 3) Pride.: In this lesson we will study and learn from the life of good king Hezekiah.
Unity brings joy when we have the right 1) Attitudes, 2) Actions, 3) Authority. Each person will understand the relationship between joy and unity as presented in Philippians 2:1-11. This lesson will emphasize that joy in Christ comes from unity.
Men are to labor to provide for their wives and children. 1 Timothy 5:8 says, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Women are to take care of the home and care for children. Paul wrote to Titus, “The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5).
Why did God make us free to choose anyway? And why should there be negative consequences to bad choices to begin with?” God made humans free because freedom is necessary to proclaim love. Could this be done without freedom? Not without sacrificing love. “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). For example, I could program my computer to tell me that it loves me regularly. Initially, it might give me an ego boost, but after a while, it would get dull. Why? Because it is just the computer telling me what I told it to do with no will of its own. The computer does not choose to love me; I choose for the computer to love me, and that’s not real love.
Who made God? Where did He come from? God was not born like human beings are born, and neither did he ever have a beginning. The Bible teaches that God has always existed. Psalm 90:1-2 says, “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Psalm 93:2 says, “Your throne is established from of old; You are from everlasting.” In other words, God never had a beginning and He will never have an end. He is eternal. This is a hard concept to understand, but that is what the Bible says about God.
What are the dangers of listening to false prophets? 1) Diversion, 2) Division, 3) Damnation. That we would be keenly aware that God expects us to believe and obey the truth and that to be lead astray by false teachers is serious business.
God gave Adam and Eve very definite roles in relationship to the family. Adam was to be the “breadwinner” of the home by going out and working hard to provide for the family. Eve was to bear and take care of their children. These roles were the consequence of Adam and Eve’s sin against God, and the post-fall standard for the distribution of labor in the home.
God’s righteousness extends to matters of conscience with two concerns: 1) Judging, and 2) Influence. Each hearer should be able to explain the problems of judging and influence in relationship to decisions of conscience.
For example, I love the idea that as the Church, we are in a partnership with each other. You are my partner, and I am your partner. I also love the idea that we are in fellowship with each other. We share something in common with each other even though we may come from different places and different backgrounds. It’s that commonality that brings us together in relationship. And I love the idea of participation, that we are involved with each other for a common mission, a common goal.
Wouldn’t you like people to say that about you to others? Especially when it comes to living for Jesus? I think there are two things here for us to learn. First, I think this scripture encourages us to live our lives in such a way for Jesus that others in the church and in the community, should speak well of us. And then I think this scripture should encourage us to speak well of others in the church.
Faith brings joy when we 1) Trust Christ, 2) Desire Christ, 3) Work for Christ. Each hearer will understand that faith brings joy when we trust, desire, and work for Christ. Each person will work on developing joy through faith.
See, the Psalmist’s original audience needed to know that the knee bent, the body bowed in worship and praise to God means nothing unless they are living it every day outside of the community of the Lord’s people. And we too, need to be reminded of the same thing. That our worship here means nothing unless we are living it every day when we are out there in the world.
All Christians must grow. Spiritual growth (like physical growth) involves 1) Proper Nourishment, 2) Proper Exercise, 3) Proper Rest. All should understand what they need to do to grow as Christians.
Isaiah 11:1-5 depicts the Messiah as a banner for the people: 1) His Identity, 2) His Impact, 3) His Increase. Each person should see how Jesus fulfilled this prophecy.
God gave Adam and Eve this command, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). For this to happen, Adam and Eve needed to move beyond the status quo. They needed to flourish. The word flourish means to thrive and prosper. It means to reach one’s full potential as a human being. God has the same desires for us today. He doesn’t want us to languish in idleness but make a concerted effort to be the most we can. Are we doing that?
What if I told you that you smell? First, you may be offended. How dare brother Jon say something like that, telling me I smell? Then again, you may be confused? I smell? (Sniff, Sniff) Or, maybe, you might be thinking, how did brother Jon know? Now, you may be wondering, Jon, where are you going with this thought? Well, let me tell you something. If after reading this, you realize you don’t smell, well, you’re going to want to make a decision about that.
The fruit of the Spirit is love: 1) Love Comes from God, 2) Love Unifies, 3) Love Will Not Fail. Each person should understand that true love comes from the Spirit, not from the flesh.
In this lesson we will discuss the four commands in 1 Peter 2:17: Honor all men; Love the brotherhood; Fear God; Honor the king. The hearer should be able to quote and explain the verse citing a supporting scripture for each point.