Sunday School Lesson for August 11

This week’s passages are from Psalm 50:1-8 & Luke 12:32-40.

Psalm 50:1-8

Psalm 50 is about the almightiness of God and contains some very harsh words of condemnation upon religious people who choose to ignore God’s commands. In effect, what is expressed is God’s anger against those who would seek perfection in making sanctimonious sacrifices and the keeping of religious rites rather than actually living by God’s Word.

In our present pluralistic culture, Psalm 50 is highly relevant. It should make us all ponder over how we practice our faith. Do we express it in terms of religious obligations, or do we convey it in merciful deeds?

Questions for study and reflection

The first couple of verses present an image of God authoritatively summoning the Earth into His presence each morning. How do we initially approach God on a daily basis?

The psalmist writes about God being Judge of all the Earth. How does this type of imagery relate to our own beliefs?

God is portrayed as being angry because of the religious hypocrisy of His people. Are we prone to the same sin? Give examples.

In the second half of the psalm, God declares the wicked to be those who hate God’s commands and set aside His words. Is this still happening in the Church today? Why/why not?

Psalm 50 is not a comfortable psalm to read. How does it still challenge us today?

Luke 12:32-40

Today’s verses cover two important areas in the life of any Christian. Firstly, we are meant to be generous with our belongings and share them with the poor. We are not to spend our lives increasing our possessions, because they will eventually possess us and we may lose God.

Secondly, we are to live our lives expecting the Lord at any time. Christians are meant to believe that Jesus will return to Earth one day. As each day passes, we get one day nearer to that amazing event, so we are urged to be ready for Christ every day.

Questions for study and reflection

Why did Jesus emphasize our need to let go of our possessions and to build up our treasure in heaven? How do our hearts reveal what we treasure most?

Jesus calls us to be like servants awaiting the return of their master. Do we understand what this image means for us today? Are we willing to actually be servants?

What does Jesus expect of us while we await His return? Are we ready for Him or do we just take each day for granted?

What do you personally think will happen to you when Christ does return? Why do you think that?

The mission of the Church, as the Bride of Christ, is to prepare the world for His Return. In reality, are we doing this effectively and faithfully? Why/why not?

Any other thoughts or questions?

Next Sunday’s readings: Isaiah 5:1-7 and Luke 12:49-56

Sunday School Lesson for Sunday August 04

This week’s passages are from Psalm 107:1-9 & Luke 12:13-21.

Psalm 107:1-9

Psalm 107 is a song about the mighty works of God and how thankful His people should be for delivering them, time and time again. The events described in the psalm could relate to the time of the Patriarchs, the Wilderness wanderings, the time of Kings, and even to the years after the Babylonian exile. In fact, the references could also be taken as prophecies about events that occurred during Christ’s lifetime.

The main point of the psalm is that God’s people frequently get themselves into trouble and end up needing God’s help to rescue and deliver them. Sound familiar, folks?

Questions for study and reflection

What makes us most thankful towards God? How do we experience His enduring love in our lives?

Why do you think the psalmist refers to God’s people as ‘the redeemed of the LORD?’ Redeemed from what?

What do the people do when they find themselves in dire situations beyond their control? What are they hoping will happen?

Where do we see God’s unfailing love in the world today? How can our churches become the channels of that love in our communities?

Share or think about a situation when you cried to the Lord for help. What happened? Did you thank Him for the outcome?

Luke 12:13-21

           

Christ tells the parable of the rich fool in response to a demand that someone makes about a family inheritance dispute. Jesus uses the issue to tell His people that life is not about how much we possess or accumulate, but about maintaining a healthy relationship with God.

Jesus wanted His disciples to learn this important lesson in order to prepare them for the years of hardship that lay ahead of them. If they became too attached to their home comforts and possessions, they would eventually lose their connection to God. The whole parable, then, is a cautionary tale about ambition and greed, power and possessions.

Questions for study and reflection

Why do you think someone approached Jesus to settle the financial dispute with his family? How did Jesus initially respond?

Why does Jesus tell people to be on their guard against greed? How could an abundance of possessions affect someone’s faith in God?

How successful was the rich man in the story? What did he want to do with that success?

How close does verse 19 relate to our own circumstances? Isn't this what our society defines as success?

What does this parable teach us about life? Why should we be bothered to think seriously about our own mortality?

Have we fallen into the folly of storing up possessions for ourselves instead of building up the riches of God within us? What should we do to make God more of our focus in life?

Any other thoughts or questions?

Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm 50:1-8 & Luke 12:32-40

Sunday School Lesson for July 21

This week’s passages are from Psalm 52:1-7 & Luke 10:38-42.

Psalm 52:1-7

Psalm 52 is personal song written by David about one of his arch-enemies, Doeg the Edomite. When David fled from King Saul’s court, he was helped by Ahimelech the priest at a town called Nob. David and his men were given food, shelter, and Goliath’s sword, all of which was witnessed by Doeg.

Doeg reported all of this to King Saul and then carried out a dreadful slaughter of the priests and people. This psalm is David’s reaction to what occurred, so much of the language is strongly cursing Doeg, especially in the original Hebrew.

Questions for study and reflection

Read over the first seven verses of the psalm. What are your first impressions?

What are the accusations that David makes about Doeg? Were they justified?

What does David expect God to do about Doeg’s wickedness? Is this justifiable?

Have you ever prayed an angry prayer? What was the cause? What did you expect God to do? How was this resolved?

Read the remaining verses of the psalm (vv8-9). Has David found closure to his anger?

Luke 10:38-42

           

Luke’s story about the sisters Martha and Mary has been told by the church for many generations. In this passage, Jesus gets to meet the sisters for the first time. Martha has invited Him to her home, and she is honored by His acceptance of her request. Things, however, do not go as Martha plans, especially when she sees her sister spending all of her time with Jesus, instead of helping her prepare the meal for Christ and his disciples.

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Questions for study and reflection

Why do you think Martha invited Jesus to her home? How must she have felt when He accepted her invitation?

What did her sister Mary do when Jesus arrived? Why was this important to her?

What made Martha complain to Jesus? What did she expect Him to do?

How did Jesus respond to Martha? What was He trying to teach her?

Sometimes, church people can be so busy with ministries and missions, projects and programs that they forget about the one thing that is eternally important: Jesus.

What are the best ways of listening to Christ in our lives and churches? How do we keep ourselves focused upon Him, rather than being distracted by the church things in our lives?

Any other thoughts or questions?

Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm 85:8-13 & Luke 11:1-10

Sunday School Lesson July 14

This week’s passages are from Psalm 25:1-10 & Luke 10:25-37.

Psalm 25:1-10

Psalm 25 is another prayer poem which appears to be very judgmental and full of self-righteousness. The psalmist appeals to God’s mercy because of his ardent desire to be sincerely faithful and focused upon God’s Word. Unfortunately, he contrasts this with his enemies, declaring them to be shameless and treacherous. You don’t find Christ’s future call to “Love Your Enemies,” in this psalm.

But there is also a redeeming element of confession and humility in the psalm. The writer calls upon God to give him a waiver for his past rebellious sins, especially those in his youthful days. He appeals for God’s faithfulness, mercy, and love to be given to those, like the psalmist, who devote their time to God’s ways and words.

Questions for study and reflection

Why do you think the psalmist feared to be shamed by his enemies? What did he want God to do?

How does the writer contrast his faithfulness to those of his enemies? What was he trying to make God do?

The psalmist calls upon God to remember His mercy and love in verse 6, but then asks God to forget his own sinful past? Why?

How is God’s faithfulness described throughout the psalmist? How do we appeal to that faithfulness today?

Luke 10:25-37

            The story of the Good Samaritan is one that we learn from a very early age in church. It is about how we treat one another as human beings, as well as depicting the hypocrisy of people claiming to be religious without showing compassion. The contrast between the lowly Samaritan and the religious leaders was used by Jesus to convey His message that our differences should not get in the way of accepting, loving, and helping one another.

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Questions for study and reflection

Why did the expert in the law want to test Jesus? What did he hope to accomplish with his question?

How does Jesus respond to the question? What was He hoping that the lawyer would do?

After hearing Christ’s reply, as well as His instruction in v28, the lawyer wants to continue the debate. 

What do you think his motives were for doing this? Had he actually listened to what Christ has already said?

What are the main points in the parable of the Good Samaritan? How would those points have affected the lawyer, as well as the people who witnessed the discussion?

How do our churches practice being good neighbors in the communities to which they belong? Are our churches known for their religious faithfulness or acts of compassion?

Acceptance and compassion are the fruits of both faith and love. How do we as Christians convey those to other people in our lives?

Any other thoughts or questions?

Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm 52:1-7 & Luke 10:38-42

Summer Sunday School: June 16

This week’s passages are from Psalm 5:1-8 and Luke 7:36-50.

Psalm 5

Psalm 5 initially appears to be a personal outpouring of anxieties by David. Throughout his life, he was plagued by enemies and constantly at war with neighboring nations. He also had to contend with fierce family rivalries between his sons that ended up in bloody civil wars.

In this Psalm, David appeals to God to rescue him through His mercy and righteousness. David feels as though he is a victim and therefore seeks vindication from God. However, the Temple is also mentioned, which means that some verses were added on to this original Davidic psalm. How do we know this? - because David was not alive when the Temple was built.

Questions for study and reflection

Why does David come to God for help? What does this tell us about the king’s situation?

David prays to God and makes his petitions in the morning. When and how do we make our personal requests to God on a daily basis?

David describes God as taking no pleasure in evil and hating all wrong. How would you define evil in today’s world? Does God actually oppose it?

The other psalmist comes to the house of God to make his requests. Is being in church important when we pray? What makes each of our sanctuaries a house of God?

Luke 7:36-50

            

Compassion and faith seem to be the main themes of Luke 7. In this passage, Jesus is humbly served by a heartbroken woman. The holy people in Christ’s company are offended by this intrusion. Jesus uses the event as a special teaching moment about sin, repentance, and charity.

            

Simon the Pharisee is probably a good man because he takes the opportunity to invite Christ into his home. He is blind-sided by the woman’s unexpected interruption. Jesus, however, does not rebuke Simon for his lack of understanding. Instead, He graciously takes Him to a higher level of spiritual maturity.

Questions for study and reflection

What made Simon the Pharisee invite Jesus to his home? Why did Jesus accept the invitation?

Why did the woman feel compelled to go and find Jesus? What do you think made her weep publicly at his feet?

Jesus uses the situation to talk about being grateful for the forgiving of debts. What debts have we incurred with God and how do we seek them to be forgiven?

Jesus says to the woman that her faith has saved her. From what has she been saved? How does this apply in our own situations?

Any other thoughts or questions?

Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm 42:1-7 & Luke 8:26-39

Summer Sunday School: Sunday June 09

This week’s passages are from Psalm 146:1-6 and Luke 7:11-17.

Psalm 146

Psalm 146 is the first of five psalms that the Jewish faith describes as ‘hallel’ psalms. ‘Hallel’ means to lift up praises to God and in Psalms 146-150, each psalm begins with the phrase ‘Praise the Lord.’

This psalm emphasizes the need for believers to trust God completely, and not to wholly depend upon political power or mortal leaders. Because God is the Maker of everything, He is also the One to whom we should center our lives by bringing both our praises and petitions to Him. The second half of the psalm (vv7-10) expresses God’s loving benevolence upon the poor and oppressed, challenging believers to do the same.

Questions for study and reflection

How do you praise the Lord? Does it always take place at church?

Why shouldn't we completely place our confidence in political leaders, parties, or government? How do we trust God on a daily basis?

What do you think about God as the Maker of everything? How does His creative powers affect our everyday lives?

What current hopes do you have in your life? Have you asked God to help you fulfill them? Why/why not?

Luke 7:11-17

          

           This short Gospel story is remarkable because Jesus performs a miracle that isn't requested. When He sees the funeral procession and the widow who has just lost her only son, it almost breaks Jesus’ heart.

           

            Without being asked, Jesus raises the young man from the dead and restores him to his grieving mother. It’s an amazing act of compassion and the whole incident causes the bystanders to be amazed. We are also told that the news about this remarkable event spread throughout the entire region.

Questions for study and reflection

What do you think that the widow was feeling before Jesus spotted the funeral procession? Why did such a large crowd follow her?

What might Jesus have felt when He saw the procession and watched the widow grieving? What does this tell us about Him?

What made Jesus intervene? What was the effect of the miracle upon both the widow and the crowd?

How does this Gospel story affect us today? What does this tell us about Christ’s power over death?

Any other thoughts or questions?

Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm 5:1-8 & Luke 7:36-50

Summer Sunday School: June 02

Summer Sunday School

 

All of our Sunday School classes are over for the first part of the year. They will return in August, when students of all ages can participate in special Bible lessons.

Throughout the summer, you can do your own Sunday School study at home, in a coffee house, or even in a church classroom. The pastor will write a short note about the Sunday readings for the sermon, as well as some questions for further study and personal reflection.

This week’s passages are from Psalm 96:1-6 and Luke 7:1-10. Click on the passage underlined title to read the verses online

Psalm 96:1-6

Psalm 96 reminds us that all of the original psalms were set to music and meant to be sung rather than just read. Singing has been a part of our faith since its inception. Even Jesus sang on several occasions in the Gospels - when telling one of His stories about children singing in the streets, He sang their song; after the Last Supper, He and the disciples sung a hymn; and even when He was dying on the Cross, He sang the first couple of words from Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” When we gather for worship on Sundays, singing is still a significant part of how we praise God and express our faith.

Questions for study and reflection

What songs do you like to sing in church? What makes them meaningful to you?

Why do you think the Bible is full of songs? What does this tell us about what God expects of our faith?

What is your favorite Psalm? Do you know a musical version of it?

Why does the psalmist encourage the whole Earth to sing a new song to God? Which new worship songs do you enjoy?

Luke 7:1-10

            The story of Christ’s encounter with the Roman centurion is remarkable because it reveals Christ’s compassion for those beyond His own people. It is also fascinating to read about a powerful foreign soldier seeking Christ’s grace.

            Luke wrote this story for the first readers of his Gospel. It gave a symbolic hope to them, for the centurion represents the Roman Empire submitting to the presence of the Kingdom of God through Christ. In many ways, the story became prophetic, taking on a greater significance as the influence of Christianity increased and the Roman Empire declined.

Questions for study and reflection

What did the centurion require of Jesus? What stories must he have heard about Him?

Why do the Jewish elders come to Jesus and advocate on the centurion’s behalf? What does this tell us about the centurion?

Why did the centurion send a message to Jesus not to come to his house? What made him feel unworthy?

Why is Jesus amazed at the centurion’s message? What is so great about the centurion’s faith?

 

Any other thoughts or questions?

 

Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm 146:1-6 & Luke 7:11-17