SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON HELPS Homer A. Kent, Th.D. • Allison Arrowood (children) Lesson material is based upon outlines of the International Sunday School lessons copyrighted by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
God’s desire for each of us is absolute loyalty and putting first things first. Choosing to Trust the Lord Matt. 6:25-33 The greatest folly to which man can give himself is to trust in himself. This is definitely true in view of the character of God which has been revealed to us in the Bible. This Book reveals to us a God who is both able and willing to supply the needs of His followers. Why then trust in man’s puny self when Om nipotence waits to assist in every situa tion? The passage before us teaches God’s children not to worry about the material things of life (v. 25). An illustration of God’s care of the fowls of heaven rein forces the exhortation (v. 26). Another illustration is taken from God’s provisions in nature setting forth the idea that God will provide for His little children (w . 28,29); A word of reproof follows in verse 30 for failing to trust the God who wants to provide for His own. Do you classify among those characterized as “ O ye of little faith” ? Verse 32 tells us that to fail to trust in the Lord for His provision is to act like the unsaved peo ple of the world. The climax of the sec tion is verse 33 which promises that those who choose God and put Him first in their lives will be cared for as the children of God should be. Choosing Excellent Things Phil. 1:9-11 Here the Apostle is anxious that his readers shall demonstrate their vital Chris tian experience by the proper kind of love (v. 9), and that they “ may approve things that are excellent” (v. 10). A more literal reading of this phrase, appearing in some marginal readings, is as follows: “ that ye may distinguish the things that differ.” How important is it to do this! Are you clear on the difference between works and salvation, between the old na ture and the new, between salvation and rewards, between true believers and mere professors? Paul also was much concerned that believers shall be found sincere, that is, “ clear to the light,” and filled with the fruits of righteousness. How do you measure up by this standard? Choosing to Think Nobly Phil. 4:8 Paul exhorts all Christians to think on things which are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and of good report. Add all these things together in their perfection and one will see none other than the face of Him who is altogether lovely. Think on Him! “ Remember Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:8 ARV). Helps for the Children Choosing the Best Matt. 6:24-29; Phil. 4:8 Memory Verse: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thess. 5:21). Boys and girls constantly have to choose between right and wrong; they must have standards or rules which will help them to make the choice that will please the Lord Jesus Christ. God’s Word gives Christian children many commandments and rules for their daily living. God’s Son, the Lord Jesus, gives the strength and the courage to obey these rules and to make the correct choices. It is helpful CONTINUED ►
can to encourage love and good works among the brethren (v. 24). And God’s children must not neglect the fellowship of the saints in God’s house (v. 25). Evidently, this sort of neglect will be characteristic of the latter days. Remem ber, one coal of fire set off by itself will soon turn grey and cold. So the believer who neglects the house of God will lose his spiritual warmth and glow. Helps for the Children Church Friends Help One Another Acts 2 :4 6 ,4 7 ; Heb. 10:23-25 Memory Verse: "Let us consider one an other to provoke [stir up] unto love and to good works" (Heb. 10:24). The book of Acts in the New Testa ment tells us about the first Christian church. The early Christians did not have beautiful buildings in which to worship as do most Christians today. They had no organs, no pianos, no song books, no stained glass windows, no comfortable seats. They did have something, though, that many churches today do not have although they may have all of these out ward aids to worship. The early Chris tians had a real love for one another and a real desire to share that which they had with other Christians. Some times their meetings were held in homes; sometimes they met at the edge of a river to worship. Because their lives were full of love for one another and praise to God, those who were not Christians began to notice the difference, and to note the peace and joy in their lives. Rather than provoking one another to church quarrels and gossip, the early Christians provoked (stirred up) one another to love and to good works. It was easier for other Christians to live for Christ because their friends encouraged them to be faithful to Him. God has commanded us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together for worship. It is possible to be a Christian and not attend some church, but a grow ing Christian will want to fellowship and serve with some group of God’s chil dren. Do you cause others to want to say and do the things that will please the Lord Jesus when they are ip your pres ence, or is it harder for them to honor the Saviour while they are with you? August 8, 1954 Choosing the Best Matt. 6:25-33; Phil. 1:9-11; 4:8 Pointers on the Lesson What are the real values of life, and how does choosing them affect your Chris tian growth? This important question is answered by Jesus in the passage from the Sermon on the Mount chosen for today’s study and by Paul in the pas sages from his Epistle to the Philippians. And we too must make our answers through our own choices and through our appreciation of what is highest and best.
August 1, 1954 Christian Worship and Fellowship Acts 2 :4 6 ,4 7 ; Col. 3:12-17 Heb. 10:23-25 Pointers on the Lesson
The word ,worship comes from two Anglo-Saxon words meaning worth and ship, suggesting a consideration of the value of a ship. In some way the word came to be associated with the recognition of the worth of God. As it is the ship that brings the sea traveler safe into the harbor, so only God can bring the soul of man at last into heaven. Worship then has to do with the proper recognition of the worth of God, a veneration of His name, an adoration of His person. Fellow ship has to do with intimate association. In the Christian realm it may refer to man’s relation to God or to believers with other believers. Both worship and fel lowship aré essential to growth in the Christian life. The Grace of Continuation Acts 2:46, 47 It is a wonderful thing to begin the Christian life. It is even more wonderful to continue stedfastly in it. This second chapter of Acts shows how many re ceived the Word and were added to the church (v. 41). The passage before us records how they continued in the things of the Lord, worshiping Him “ in the temple” and fellowshiping with one an other in their various homes (v. 46). So radiant was their living that a constant stream of new converts found their way into the church (v. 47). The Grace of Addition Col. 3:12-17 In the wonderful chapter before us we see that being identified with Christ means the putting off of the things of the old life, the things of the flesh (w . 8,9 ). In a positive sense ' it also means the putting on of a lot of new things. Thus for the Christian there needs to be both sub traction and addition. The particular sec tion before us has to do with the things the Christian is expected tp add to his life in order that he may become Christ- like. Consider each one of the several things included here and ask yourself frankly to what extent you have added these things to your life. How much of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, long- suffering, forbearance, forgiveness, love, peace, gratitude, living in the Word, and the joy of the Lord do you have in your life? The Grace of Stedfastness Heb. 10:23-25 If there is to be a consistent growth in grace there needs to be a tenacious holding to the great doctrines of our faith. We must consider them again and again and relate them to our daily living (v. 23). Moreover, we must do all that we
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