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 July 7

This week’s passages are from Psalm 66:1-9 & Luke 10:1-11.

Psalm 66:1-9

Psalm 66 celebrates the absolute sovereignty of God over both Nature and Time. Miracles of the Exodus are recalled, emphasizing God’s ability to overcome natural obstacles and historical issues. The psalm begins with an exhortation of all people everywhere throughout the Earth to praise God for His mighty deeds. The writer continues his theme by cheerfully relating about how God saved his people.

The second part of the psalm (vv13-20) becomes more personal and ritualistic. Sacrifices and vows, promises and rites are described as the means of securing God’s favor. The psalmist believes that God listens to his prayers, simply because the right sacrifices have been made.

Questions for study and reflection

The psalm begins with a call for the whole earth to worship God. What does this tell us about Who God actually is?

The psalmist mentions the great deeds that God had accomplished in Israel’s past. Why did the writer do this? What was he hoping that other worshipers would feel about God?

God's ability to save the people, as well as the psalmist, is mentioned several times throughout the psalm. Why is this praiseworthy? Have you experienced anything that is similar to this?

If God is God of all the Earth, then why do people worship Him differently? What should the Church be doing about this?

Luke 10:1-11

            

Today’s Gospel passage gives us an insight into Christ’s leadership tactics. He divides His followers into 36 pairings and sends them out before Him into the local towns and villages. Because Christ mentions harvest, this may have occurred towards the end of the year, so Jesus may have been winding down His ministry due to the onset of winter.

            

Jesus warns His followers that their mission could be dangerous. Some of them will be welcomed by the local people, but others may receive an indifferent or even hostile welcome. If they are warmly welcomed, then Christ instructs His disciples to give the people a peaceful blessing. If they are rejected, then they are to wipe off the dust of their shoes as a mark of God’s judgment on those unwelcoming people.

Questions for study and reflection

Why did Jesus send followers ahead of Him? What was the purpose of sending them in pairs?

Jesus mentioned the harvest as being plentiful, but the workers were few. What harvest was He talking about? How are we involved in this?

Jesus said He was sending them out like lambs among wolves, and that they could not take any money with them. What was He trying to teach His disciples? How would this affect their future ministries?

Jesus talks about peace being a great part in the success of these appointed missions. Why was this so important? How is this ‘peace’ experienced in Church life and mission today?

Why do you think Jesus talked about leaving a peaceful blessing or a mark of judgment on the towns that the disciples visited? Do we still practice this today?

Have you ever experienced ‘being sent’ into a place, event, or situation by Christ? If so, what was the outcome? If not, are you willing to go where He sends you?

Any other thoughts or questions?

Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm 25:1-10 & Luke 10:25-37