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.

.

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.

.

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