Teaching Insights

LifeWay is offering a new email newsletter called Teaching Insights for the Explore the Bible Lessons. Reproduced below is my first receipt from their list server (if you are interested sign up here).

After reading it, I thought of Ecclesiastes 7:10, which says, "Do not say, 'Why were the old days better than these?' For it is not wise to ask such questions."

Nevertheless, I appreciate their efforts to help us better teach the Bible!

RW
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Nov. 4: A Caring Community
Many of you are seeing the fall leaves turn and spread their beautiful colors across the landscape. But is there anything more beautiful that a church that is active in expressing love within its membership? That's what this week's lesson is all about.

Look for ways to act in love toward your Sunday School members as November begins.

Blessings,Dan Kassis,
Internet ProducerLifeWay Sunday School

Unit: What Should a Church Be?
Lesson: A Caring CommunityScriptures: Matthew 18:6-7, 10-22

Many of us like to hear stories about the "good old days," when communities were smaller and more closely knit. We yearn for the times of former generations when people didn't lock their doors, kept their car keys in the ignition, and could walk on their streets at any time of night. If a child did something wrong, his mother heard about it before he even got home. Sick people and widows were cared for and looked after. Those in need found themselves fed and warmed by neighbors' love and gifts.

Interesting, isn't it, that this is really a picture of what the church should be? Back in the "good old days," more people went to church regularly, so their communities reflected the church's values. But even though fewer people in our neighborhoods attend church today, we can still pour those values into the people with whom we live, work, and play. This week's lesson reminds us that, as we in the church care for one other, we reflect the love of Jesus to a hurting world.
Give your learners an opportunity to share how the church has come to their aid in the past - even in small ways. Be sure to get to the heart of how these acts of love had spiritual impact. Use these stories to suggest people in your church today who might have similar needs and could benefit from your involvement.

If you feel those in your class are mature enough to handle the conversation correctly, consider allowing one or two learners to share how a church might have mishandled a disciplinary issue in the past. Be sure this discussion does not devolve into gossip or slander. Discuss how this issue should have been handled according to the directives Jesus gave in this lesson's Scripture passages. Consider what might have been the outcome if God's Word had been used as the final authority in this matter. Ask what your class members learned from these situations and how the Lord has helped them to grow as a result.

Consider Peter's question about forgiveness in the context of his eventual denial about knowing Jesus during His appearance before the Sanhedrin. Discuss how Jesus put His own teachings into practice after His resurrection and encounter with Peter by the lake. Ask your learners if there is any sin that has been committed against them that is greater than Peter's denial. Encourage those who still harbor resentment or bitterness toward an offending believer that Jesus' power of forgiveness is with all of them.

As you close this week's lesson, challenge your learners to look for new ways to care for other believers. Tell them to seek the Holy Spirit's direction in this area and ask Him for the courage to obey His movement in their hearts.