Sunday school lesson for July 28

This week’s passages are from Psalm 85:8-13 & Luke 11:1-10.

Psalm 85:8-13

The latter verses of Psalm 85 contain some of the most hopeful words in the Bible. Love and faithfulness, peace and righteousness are depicted as the greatest blessings God has to bestow upon those who listen to Him.

Obedience to God, according to the psalmist, brings about the well-being of God’s people and the whole nation. This thought is often emphasized, even today, during National Days of Prayer.

Questions for study and reflection

Why is peace given to those who listen to God? How can we experience that same peace in our own restless lives?

According to the psalmist, salvation comes through fearing the Lord. Is this something that we can accept today? What does it mean to fear God anyway?

Love and faithfulness appear to be the hallmarks of God’s favor. Have we ever experienced these blessings in our lives?

How do righteousness and peace bring about God’s goodness? Where do we see this happening in the world today?

Should we be praying for our nation? If so, then what should we be praying for?

Luke 11:1-10

           

Today’s passage is Luke’s account of how Christ taught His disciples to pray. A discipleship prayer was the identifying brand of a group of people following a particular teacher. Luke even mentions that John the Baptist had taught a special prayer to his disciples. This prayer has become The Lord’s Prayer for us today and is recited in Christian churches around the world.

Luke also adds some of Christ’s teaching about prayer, especially when it comes to asking God for something. Christian People are expected to be persistent in prayer when it comes to important matters. This is not to make God do something for us, but to show Him how committed and dependent we are toward Him.

Questions for study and reflection

Why did the disciples feel that they needed to learn a special prayer from Jesus? What was the purpose of that prayer?

How often do we say the Lord’s Prayer? Do we really mean what we ask and say?

Jesus tells a parable about a persistent neighbor seeking bread from a friend. What has this parable got to do with the process of prayer?

Verses 9 and 10 are among some of the best known verses in the Gospels. How do we apply them in our own lives? What is Jesus wanting us to understand through those verses about our prayers?

If God knows what we need, then why do we still need to ask Him for it?

Have you ever experienced God not granting your prayer requests? How did you cope with God’s response? Have you ever had your prayers fully blessed by God? How did you respond?

Any other thoughts or questions?

Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm 107:1-9 & Luke 12:13-21

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

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: 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

 

Summer Sunday School: Sunday May 26

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 8:1-9 and John 16:12-15.

Psalm 8

Psalm 8 is a beautiful ancient poem about God’s creative powers. Some scholars believe that it was even written before the Genesis creation narratives. Whatever its origins, the psalm is an expression of wonder and joy. Even today, with all of our amazing technology to look at the stars at the furthest part of the universe, this psalm invokes a wonderful thought of people being lovingly and specially created by God. As we look at the night sky and think about the wonders of creation, what is it, the psalmist asks, that makes us so special in God’s eyes?

Questions for study and reflection

How does the world around us display God’s majesty and power?

When you look at the stars, what do you think about?

Why do you think God made people?

Why do you think God made you?

 

John 16:12-15

            The Gospel of John was written at a time when the Young Christian Church was in jeopardy. The apostle John was among the last known surviving followers of Jesus, so his Gospel is written at a time when second and third generation Christians were wondering if the stories about Jesus were actually true.

            In this short passage, John emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit to bring the Church guidance and truth. These gifts were essential for the ministry and mission of the Gospel to continue. They are also sacred gifts that every generation of Christ’s followers require, even down to this present day.

Questions for study and reflection

How can we know if what is written in the Gospels about Jesus is actually true? Where does that truth come from?

Why does the Church still need to be guided by the Holy Spirit? What important issues are we currently struggling with and experiencing?

Where do we see the Holy Spirit at work within the Church?

How does the Holy Spirit help us to become better disciples of Christ? Does He do it for us or Jesus?

 

Any other thoughts or questions?

 

 

Next Sunday’s readings: Psalm 96:1-6 & Luke 7:1-10