New lesson blog

A new blog (to me) commentary on “When Tempted To Sin”, by Nick Smith of Village Baptist Church of Fayetteville, NC.

Another lesson plan in the form of a series of questions is given by Chester Baptist Church, Chester, IL.

Lastly, lesson plans by Jay Hancock and Russ Rosser of Carmel Baptist Church in Matthews, NC may be of help to you.

I'll use a minimum amount of PPT this week since we only have to cover 20 verses.

Soft pillow

David Self’s commentary on, “When tempted to sin,” mentions the adage: “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” when he relates the injustice suffered by Joseph. The origin of that saying is interesting because it also notes the companion saying, “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned.” Both statements describe ‘unparalleled anger’. In the case of Hell, the simile of a woman’s scorn is used.

In the case of Heaven, a person is not used—but love is turned to hatred without the example of a person. One might be tempted to adjust the saying to include a person, for example, Heaven has no rage like Satan turned (I have in mind when Satan rebelled against The Almighty). I don’t know if this appropriate, however, since Satan is no longer a resident of Heaven.

Gene Fant’s commentary on the lesson mentions a saying attributed to R.A. Torrey regarding Romans 8:28, which he likened to “A soft pillow for a tired heart.”

Perhaps you should carry a soft pillow to class on Sunday and ask members to identify a promise verse they rely on in times of trouble like a soft pillow.

Underlying motivation

Gregory Pouncey suggests, “When tempted to Sin”, to start the lesson with 10 characteristics of integrity. My sense is that his plan is focused on the sin of adultery, although he also explores the issue of injustice. Joseph was a victim of injustice, but surely Potiphar’s wife was the one more tempted?

Joseph was suddenly dropped into the strange new culture of Potiphar’s house. What survival tips would you have given him? Have a positive attitude? Be patient—help is on the way? Adjust, realize that things will never be the same as they were back home? Make the best of the situation—you’ll get over it? I ask this because I want the class to discover Joseph's underlying motivation. What do you think motivated Joseph to act the way he did?

When Tempted to Sin, Genesis 39

As indicated in Genesis 39, Joseph was tempted to sin numerous times by Potiphar’s wife. The lesson we can take from this is what we should do “When Tempted to Sin.” Joseph also faced many different types of temptation to sin after his brothers sold him into slavery, and later after he was falsely accused. How do you handle temptation?

For one strategy of dealing with temptation, see the previous entry Choose in Advance. Determine not to sin well in advance of the temptation. Prepare an escape plan to avoid the destroyer. Avoid small compromises. That is, don’t give Satan even the smallest beachhead. Keep your eye on your heavenly goal—don’t be sidetracked.

You could show these five steps to avoid temptation and ask members which ones work best. Ask them if the steps are foolproof? Why?

Group exercise

Commenting on “When Others Hate You”, Gene Fant notes Pink’s 100 similarities between Jesus Christ and Joseph. Twenty one are found in Genesis 37-38, our background passage this week. An interesting exercise would be to divide your class into groups and either have them search for the 21 similarities in Genesis 37-38, or give them the similarities and ask them to find the corresponding verses. Either one would get members into the scriptures.

P.S. For those who do not have Microsoft Word, you can download a free Word document reader that allows you to view, print, and copy .doc files such as this Genesis 37 lesson plan from Jay Hancock.

10 ways to recognize a jerk

Gigi Sykes’ commentary on “When Others Hate You” (the lesson this week from Genesis 37) describes Joseph as a jerk. Here are 10 ways to recognize a jerk. What’s your take, did Joseph measure up to be a first rate jerk?

When others hate you, Genesis 37-38

This lesson begins our study of the last great person of focus in the book of Genesis—Joseph. It is based on Genesis 37-38 and titled “When Others Hate You,” by Donald Raney. His comments mention “dysfunctional families.”

Likewise, Russ Rosser of Carmel Baptist Church in Matthews, NC, offers a lesson plan for “When Others Hate You,” with specific teachings about “dysfunctional families”. For example, he covers various types of parents including those who are defficient, controlling, abusive, and alcoholic. He discusses how these parental types might impact children, and how their negative effects can be overcome. What you may find useful is a questionnaire that members can use privately (if you offer it as a handout) to assess how they might be affected.

You could start the class by asking members to name ways to make an enemy. Write the list on a marker board as they call them out. Here is a starter list as a suggestion:

- If you are the favorite of the boss, be sure and let others know it.
- File a lawsuit against a neighbor, or co-worker.
- Tell someone who works for you that he/she is a ‘little person’.
- Falsely accuse someone,or lie about them to others. Make sure they know it was you.
- Cheat someone in a business deal.
- Blame a problem on someone else in the organization when it was really your fault.
- Brag to your family that you make more money than they do, or that you live in a bigger house.

Checking spiritual temperature

Russ Rosser of Carmel Baptist Church in Matthews, NC, offers a lesson plan for “Renewing Commitment”. His approach suggests (to me) the idea of illustrating Christian commitment using a thermometer. For example, a "spiritual thermometer" might register at one end whether you are lukewarm, or at the other, if you are serving God in “fiery holiness”? I suppose you could take a thermometer to class and use it in your illustration.

I’ve mentioned the idea of using a thermometer before in posts about sharing Jesus, and getting the class to listen up.

Lesson focus

As I prepare to teach, several possible directions to take the lesson typically occur to me. For example, for the lesson, “Renewing Commitment”, the busyness of our lives and how we are distracted in our relationship with the Lord is used in the lesson plan for Renewing Commitment by Jeff Meyer from Bayleaf Baptist Church. Alternately, you could emphasize how not to respond when you are wronged (Jacob’s sons reacted by murdering their sister’s rapist, for example). This is suggested in the lesson commentary by Sam Tullock. Again, the text permits a lesson approach based on how to properly dedicate something to the Lord. This idea is suggested by lesson comments from Jan Freeman Hixson, First Church of Springdale. Have you decided how you will approach this week’s lesson and what focus you’ll take?

Renewing Commitment, Genesis 34:1-36:43

A reasonable way to start the lesson, “Renewing Commitment,” based on Genesis 34:1-36:43, is to use the Lifeway Adult Leader Guide suggestion for displaying rechargeable items (batteries, etc) and asking members how they are like our spiritual lives.

This gets people thinking about renewal. Another approach is to use the idea of illustrating a “big mistake” using the game of Jenga, which is suggested in the lesson plan by Jay Hancock of Carmel Baptist Church in Matthews, NC. Recognizing the big mistake in their lives leads members to a renewal of commitment.

Lifeway teaching insight

Lifeway's Internet Producer, Dan Kassis, sends out a weekly email with lesson commentary. I reproduced this week's version below for those of you who do not receive his mail.

Happy Easter!
RW

Unit: Growth of Faith
Lesson: Celebrating Easter's Significance
Scriptures: John 20:1-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28

We take a break from our study of Genesis this week to celebrate our Lord Jesus' victory over death and fulfillment of prophecy in His sacrifice on a cross and resurrection from a tomb. Our lesson takes a look at both a gospel account of Jesus' resurrection and the apostle Paul's affirmation to the Corinthian church of this critical teaching.

It is apparently not enough to the world that Jesus suffered for our sins. He now has to suffer a decreasing level of significance in society. During the enlightenment period, philosophers doubted the gospels. In the 20th century, scientists doubted the creation account. Today academicians doubt everything the Bible says. We have come to a point in the 21st century when the very belief in God is being attacked by modern atheists with publishing deals and speaking tours.

Even Christians who attend Sunday School and Bible studies are prone to influence from the constant barrage against Jesus from the media - and sadly from some church pulpits. But the absolute, verifiable, and undeniable truth of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are just as significant today as they were when the events unfolded before eyewitnesses. As you teach this lesson, you must communicate to your learners that Easter is a time to celebrate Jesus. This is also a great opportunity to ensure that all who attend your class session have made their own decisions to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Reading the eyewitness account of Jesus' resurrection in John 20, one perceives the depth of hope these people had put in their Teacher. Notice the way Peter and John ran to the tomb. Picture Mary weeping just outside the entrance. When she believes that the "gardener" has removed Jesus' body from the tomb, she resolutely states that she will take Him away. That one woman could have carried a body by herself is unlikely - but this only illustrates her determination to honor Jesus. The way she clings to the Lord when she finally recognizes Him further enforces this fact. What are the depths of the hope your learners have placed in Jesus? Easter Sunday is the perfect day to challenge them to rededicate their hearts fully to the Lord.

Paul's proclamation in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 is one of the earliest writings that support the death, burial, bodily resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. On page 34 of Lee Strobel's excellent book, The Case for Christ (Zondervan, 1998), Denver Seminary professor Dr. Craig Blomberg is quoted as remarking that this creed can be dated to within two to five years after Jesus' resurrection. There is no way any skeptic could credibly refute the historicity of these apostolic claims. The faith we place in Jesus is a rock-solid faith based on fact. This is a wonderful truth to communicate to your learners on Resurrection Sunday!

Have you taken time lately to think about the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection? In what specific ways will you celebrate your new life in Christ?

Light, life, action!

Mark Rathel’s comments on “Celebrating Easter’s Significance” emphasize the “new beginning”, the clue of left behind clothing, and the “light of men”, or the moral illumination Jesus is to the lives of believers. How has Jesus shed light on darkness in your life?

Consider demonstrating how a cheap flashlight cuts on and off (even though it has fresh batteries in it) to illustrate how undependable man's efforts are at stimulating good moral behavior compared to the perfection found in Jesus Christ.

To get a flashlight on, we bang it, wiggle it, or shake it. To keep it on, we handle it carefully so as not to jar it. But the light of Jesus is totally dependable. His light never fails, and in Him we never walk in darkness (John 8:12).

Celebrating Easter’s Significance, John 20:1-9, 15-18; 1 Cor 15:3-6, 20-22

This Sunday we will not have Bible Study classes at Champion Forest Baptist Church (even though we have lot’s of new parking spaces, I suppose we can’t keep two groups on campus at the same time—those in a worship service, and those in a Bible Study Class). So I won’t blog about this week’s lesson, “Celebrating Easter’s Significance” except to call to your attention various lesson helps posted on the web, such as the lesson plan offered by Jeff Meyer, Bayleaf Baptist Church. I’ll continue to look for others and post them if it makes sense.

Manchester Baptist Church, Manchester, MO posted a few study questions for the lesson as did CornerStone Baptist Church, Arlington, TX.

Unexpectedly, life is flourishing after the Chernobyl disaster in Russia. Reading parts of the article may be useful for introducing your Easter lesson, which includes the resurrection of Jesus from the dead! He is risen!

Happy Easter!

Growing spiritually by praying for others

Your life may not be in crisis at the moment, but most likely you have friends, or family members whose lives are in turmoil. What should you do?

Jay Hancock of Carmel Baptist Church in Matthews, NC, posted his lesson plan for “Growing Spiritually Through Crises”. He includes a two-sheet handout, “Scripture Prayers for Your Family and Friends.” He illustrates how to use it with a prayer for his daughter. Again, concern for others is a sign of spiritual growth.

Consider using his handout in your class to help members pray personally for crisis situations in the lives of family or friends.

Evidence of Spiritual Growth

According to Genesis 32:7, when Jacob faced a crisis, he was “greatly afraid and distressed.” At first he made a plan to divide into two camps, which would guarantee the survival of at least half of his family. Concern for others is one way of demonstrating spiritual growth.

Later, he prayed to the LORD. This signaled another way in which he was “Growing Spiritually Through Crises.” We can’t put marks on a wall showing spiritual growth, for example, like we do to show growth in height. So how do we determine spiritual growth? Some possible examples of spiritual growth include: being encouraged by the truth found in God’s word, demonstrating a voluntary concern for the well being of others, performing acts of service in the name of the Lord, praying continually?

To be more systematic, make a list of 'evidences for spiritual growth' (see p. 32) found in Transformational Discipleship, by Sneed and Edgemon, LifeWay Press. Use this list to help class members apply the meaning of spiritual growth.

Why not publish your list as a comment to this post? I know that others would appreciate it!

Growing Spiritually Through Crises, Genesis 32-33

Opps! I got ahead of myself last Saturday and confused Jeff Meyer's comments on this week's lesson, "Growing Spiritually Through Crises" with his comments on last week's lesson, which was titled: "Learning about God's faithfulness." Sorry about that! I want to be a help, not a waste of time.

Here is a quiz to determine a descriptive label for how you act in a crisis. I'm a "soother", not a "super hero." Are you a "crazy," a "stormy," or a "comic relief"?

You might consider reading parts of this article, which describes a person whose life is one crisis after another.

Crisis

Jeff Meyer of Bayleaf Baptist Church posted his lesson plan for “Learning about God’s faithfulness”. I always enjoy his comments, for example, I liked his angle on life shaping crisis in this lesson.

Hated in-laws

A lesson plan for "Learning about God’s faithfulness,” written by Jay Hancock of Carmel Baptist Church in Matthews, NC, was posted on the web. He mentions bad family situations. Can you top this one? Maybe read a story from a wbsite titled, I Hate My In-Laws? Lord, help us.

I forgot to pray

The lesson, “Learning about God’s faithfulness” teaches us that God is faithful regardless of our circumstances, even when we fail to pray.

If you google the phrases, “I forgot to pray”, or “I did not pray”, you’ll get tens of thousands of search results. I point this out to illustrate that we often fail to pray as Christians about the safety of a loved one, some issue in our lives, or a particular circumstance. Yet, things work out okay. Why is that? Well, it illustrates how God is faithful even when we go about our lives oblivious to His involvement.

How many times have your class members failed to pray in some situation, but God was nevertheless faithful? What a God we serve!

A heart of worship

Reading Genesis 31:1-3 to prepare for Step 3 of the lesson, “Learning about God’s Faithfulness,” reminds me somewhat of Matthew 28:16-20. In both situations where believers needed encouragement, the Lord unexpectedly spoke a command—“Go” with a reminder, “I will be with you.”

First, He is faithful to intervene by speaking to the heart of the believer need. Second, He adds the assurance of His continnual presence. How faithful is that?!

When life gets tough, what do you do? Pastor Ben Edgington recommends worship. Read the section titled, “a sole with hope” of his message “Worship when life is tough”. It’s encouraging.

Learning about God's Faithfulness, Genesis 29:1-31:55

Studying Genesis 29:1-31:55 this week, we can see Jacob learning about God’s faithfulness. In His sovereignty, God allows pain and trouble in our lives so He can make His faithfulness known to us.

Uncle Laban’s gods were nothing more than impersonal idols. On the other hand, Jacob worshipped a very personal God who inspired dread (the Fear of Isaac). God had revealed Himself personally to Jacob at Bethel. Paul understood God as personal (see Phil 4:19). In what ways does God get personal with us?

Ask members to think about a time when the Lord has revealed Himself to them personally. What were their circumstances?

Filtering a message

In preparing for Step 3 of the lesson, “Responding to God with Faith,” you may want to read the comments of Bob Deffinbaugh on Genesis 28. I particularly like his application of John 1:51 (Jesus is the ladder of communication) to Jacob’s dream.

Today’s world offers many ways to send a message—phone call, text message, fax, email, snail mail, blog comment, etc. However, among the various messages we receive, how do we distinguish which ones are prank calls, solicitors, junk fax, spam, etc versus genuine communication from people we love and trust? We must apply a filter to each message. Ask members to discuss what filters they use to discern if they are receiving a message from God.

Moving tips

While considering Step 2 of the lesson, “Responding to God with Faith”, I thought about the times I have moved (relocated to another city, or state) in my life.

To help members study Genesis 28:1-10, ask them to recall a time they moved to a distant city. Perhaps it was dictated by the company they worked for, or it happened when they were in the military. What advice, or tips did they receive? To help with the discussion, share a few of these tips when moving to Los Angeles, or these moving tips from FlyLady.

Responding to God with Faith, Genesis 28:1-22

Genesis 28, the background passage for this week’s lesson, “Responding to God with Faith,” includes the account of “Jacob’s ladder”. The lesson aim is to encourage members to grow closer to the Lord by choosing to make “steps of faith” (ties into the idea of a ladder).

The I-am.org (of which NAMB is a member) created a list of ten steps of faith. Consider working this list to produce a ladder of steps of faith your class members can chose to take based on where they are in their relationship with Jesus Christ. The Leader Guide is silent on possible steps of faith members might take, so such a ladder may be helpful to you for encouraging members as you present your lesson.

Exploiting the net

Based on Genesis 25:1-27:46, the lesson, “Do you help or exploit?” is rich in possible lesson applications: individual motivations, favoritism, exploitation, and victimization to mention a few. What direction are you going to take the lesson?

With his lesson plan, David Flanigan offers a learner handout that may help set your direction on Sunday.

Blessing vs Birthright

You may want to read up on the difference between birthright and blessing before you present Step 3 of “Do you help or exploit?”, which is based on Genesis 27:6-8. The LifeWay Adult Leader guide confounds the two (p.144). As I understand it, birthright passes patriarchal authority in the family, whereas blessing passes on financial assets.

Ask members if they are familiar with the meaning of “bless his heart”, or “bless her heart”? I can hear Rebekah saying "bless his heart" about Esau as she gives her instructions to Jacob for stealing his blessing.

Less than they bargained for

Step 2 of “Do you help or exploit?” selects Genesis 25:29-34 as its focus. Esau got less than he bargained for—lentil soup rather than a stew.

Search Google and you’ll find lot’s of people who get less than they bargained for. If you give your class members a minute, they will tell you about the worst product they ever bought.

Do you help or exploit? Genesis 25-27

My, my. Last week’s lesson contained “Chick flick” elements, such as the love story between Isaac and Rebekah. This week’s lesson, however, “Do you help or exploit?”, reads more like an action/adventure story that’s full of intrigue.

The interaction between Isaac/Rebekah and their sons Esau and Jacob features parental favoritism, sibling rivalry, deceit, rebellion, and the Lord’s active role in the lives of men and women.

Start the lesson by asking members to tell about a time when they got a really good deal. This will start the class with members in a happy frame of mind since they were winners in some deal. Then ask them to describe how the loser in the deal must have felt?

“Do you believe in ‘signs’?”

Do you plan to ask the discussion question, “Do you believe in ‘signs’?” as part of Step 3 in the lesson, “Do you seek the Lord’s Guidance?”? If so, read comments on the issue from pastor Ron Ethridge at Woodward Avenue Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals, AL.

To spur the discussion, start by reading the example of someone wondering if God gave them a sign about stock market investing using an incident of washing and drying blankets.

How I do my job

Step 2 of Do you seek the Lord’s Guidance underscores the importance of understanding the details of a job, or task in order to complete it successfully. Consider asking members to tell a neighbor “how they do their job”. For fun, afterwards have a few members explain how someone else does their job.

Here is a story on the way blogging changed how one person does her job. Ask members to identify factors that changed how the reporter does her job. Apparently, the Lord is not a factor.

Read the quote below from this story and identify how the person does his job. He leaves God out, too, yet he is apparently successful. Why?

“When I broadcast, I wear my feelings on my sleeve. I let the game dictate to me how I do my job. I don't prepare a lot of statistical notes, my institutional memory is what I depend on. I never know where they're coming from or when they're going to be there, sometimes they don't mean anything and sometimes they mean more than others.”

Do you seek the Lord's Guidance? Genesis 24:1-67

Over the next three weeks, I’ll be involved in teaching a special series of lessons pertaining to 2008 Impact, our church wide campaign. However, I’ll continue to blog about the lessons from Genesis since we plan to teach them eventually.

LifeWay titled this week’s lesson from Genesis 24:1-67, “Do you seek the Lord’s Guidance?”. Its aim is to help members seek the Lord’s guidance in daily living.

Members will probably be familiar with a number of the decision-making techniques listed. Surely, some have used methods to consider the pros and cons, or conducted a cost-benefit analysis when faced with a choice.

Consider introducing the lesson by showing a list of such techniques and asking members about their experience with such methods at work, home, or church. Ask them to name a method they use that’s not on the list. Hopefully, someone will mention praying for guidance from the Lord.

Powerpoint slides I used to teach this lesson (combined with the previous lesson since I taught both as one lesson).

Make a commitment to be obedient

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sam Tullock’s commentary on the lesson, “Do you obey in faith?”. Particularly, note how he listed the various tests that Abraham faced in Genesis 20-23. This makes for a great overview of the background passage to use in your class.

In case your interested, David Flanigan posted a complete lesson plan for “Do you obey in faith?”. I don't know David, but if anyone does, tell him to stop by and say hello.

As you think about how to wrap up your lesson, don't forget to encourage members to make a commitment to be obedient to the Lord. If there is an obstacle, or barrier preventing someone from making this commitment, it can be overcome by faith in God.

Spinning your wheels

In the LifeWay lesson, “Do you obey in faith?”, Step 4 is titled, “Do we follow through?” To follow through, we need to be accountable. Follow through on our commitment to be obedient is a measure of our trustworthiness.

Ask members how lack of follow through is like “spinning your wheels”?

As far as obedience is concerned, you’re not going anywhere.

Selective obedience: buffet style Christianity

I recommend reading Mark Rathel’s commentary on the lesson, “Do you obey in faith?”. He does a good job of relating other scriptures to Abraham’s task to sacrifice Isaac, such as Heb. 11:19, and John 19:17.

In reference to modern day believers, Rathel uses the term “selective obedience”. For example, Saul demonstrated selective obedience in 1 Sam 15:9. Perhaps you can use an illustration of eating from a buffet in Step 3 of the lesson. The video is a bit long, so use the points you want to make, and don't show the video?

Illustration of testing

The phrase, “When God doesn’t make sense” is usually associated with evil, or tragedy in the world. But you might also associate it with God’s command in Genesis 22:1-2, where Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac.

We can only imagine how valuable Isaac was to Abraham, and perhaps that is why God's command made sense. God wanted to test, or prove Abraham’s faith. The question is this: did Abraham still trust in the Lord, or had his faith shifted to his son of promise?

Can the fulfillment of a promise possibly supplant one’s faith in Jesus Christ? In what situations does God prove our faith today? (see 1 Peter 1:6-8)

As a teacher, I use exams to determine how well students understand material we’ve studied. Think about giving a brief quiz during step 2 of this week’s lesson, “Do you obey in faith?” It might work as “illustration of testing” if you reduced your quiz to three questions.Here other example quizzes.

Do you obey in faith?, Genesis 20:1-23:20

When I read the background passage, Genesis 20:1-23:20, for this week’s lesson, “Do you obey in faith?”, I thought of topics such as, God acting to protect Sarah, or God’s view of marriage, or negotiating an agreement Abraham style.

However, the LifeWay lesson emphasizes the notion of thoroughly obeying God. So I started thinking about examples in life where I am very careful to do as instructed. For instance, correctly completing a ballot. Get that wrong, and I waste my vote.

To start the lesson, have a discussion of modern day examples where we must follow instructions thoroughly and carefully. A few examples include: filing a rebate form, follow directions to a new destination, mixing an adhesive compound, and filling out a tax return. What others examples can you think of?

Powerpoint slides I used to teach this lesson (combined with the next lesson since I taught both as one lesson).

Powerpoint for "Do you care for others", Genesis 18-19

To teach “Do you care for others” from Genesis 18-19, consider using these questions posted by Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Tx.

Again, this week I’ll mention lesson commentary from Michael Reynolds, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Marion, Ohio.

Also, I posted my PPT slides that might be useful to some of you in teaching the lesson. Add your own comments, or questions, or change the photographs to make it your own!

Remember to pray for your class members. Ask God to transform individual lives as a result of your teaching His word!

What distracts you?

I’ve been in east Texas this week without Internet access, but late tomorrow, I hope to post at least a draft my PPT slides for “Do you care about others”.

What distracts you in life? A father made this watercolor painting after noticing how the T.V. distracted his son, who "looked back" as he passed through the room. What distracts class members enough to cause them to turn and look back?

What to pray

This week’s lesson, “Do you care about others,” focuses on caring for others enough to pray for them. 1 John 5:14 expresses the assurance we have that God answers our prayer if we offer it in agreement with His will.

Make a list of what to pray for others, such as (1) their relationship with Christ, (2) their obedience, (3) their worship of God, (4) that they would have wisdom and peace from God, (5) that they would trust the Lord, (6) repent of their sin and confess it to the Lord, (7) love and forgive others, (8) serve God, etc. I suggest that you have members make a list of people they are not particularly fond of and pray for them as I just outlined.

As a human, my natural desire is not to pray for people like this, especially ones I’m not particularly fond of. As a twist, ask members to suggest what they would like others to pray for them. Here is such a list from a single mom.

Do You Care About Others, Genesis 18:1-19:38

You can motivate this week’s lesson, “Do you care about others”, from Genesis 18:1-19:38, in several ways. David Self suggests using a “response to crisis” theme. Vicki Brantly begins by comparing her approach to prayer with how she shops for a list of items. Donald Raney reminds believers to do more than love each other and follow Jesus’ command to love both their enemies and those who persecute them.


How do you plan to get your lesson off the ground this week? Perhaps you can post a picture of various stages of a flower’s growth, and ask members to identify which stage best represents the growth in their concern for others.

Playing the lottery

I found a lesson commentary from Michael Reynolds, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Marion, Ohio. I appreciate it when pastors take time to help Bible teachers do a better job on Sunday Morning.

Sonshine posted questions for studying the lesson, “Do you trust the Lord’s promises?” as did First Baptist Church, Chester, Illinois.

In his commentary, pastor Michael raises the issue of misapplication of Scripture. He also raises the issue of Christians “playing the lottery” instead of trusting in the promises of God as recorded in Scripture.

Do you think Scripturally speaking, it is a sin for Christians to play the lottery? Is it just an unwise choice? Neither? (BTW: I don’t play the lottery, but I’m interested in what you think Scripture teaches). What do you think your class members think about playing the lottery?

Take God At His Word

The LifeWay leader material suggests singing the hymn, “Standing on the Promises” when you teach the lesson, “Do You Trust the Lord’s Promises?” An alternative is to have a musically talented class member sing the hymn, “Take Him At His Word”. Ask members to identify as many Bible promises as they can from the lyrics.

Timing is off

Reading, “Do you trust the Lord’s Promises”, I was reminded of Romans 4:20, which says, “[Abram] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God.” So in what way did Abram not trust God in Genesis 16:1-3? His timing was off? His means of fulfillment was wrong?

Seems to me that he assumed God would not provide an heir through Sarai since she was beyond childbearing age, so he accepted Hagar as a substitute.

What causes us to make wrong assumptions regarding God’s promises? I think we rely on our own reasoning rather than trust God’s Word. Our lack of knowledge of Scripture is another possibility.

Ask members for examples of life situations where their timing was off, or demonstrate how we make wrong assumptions by reading a few selections from this list. You could take a few Chinese fortune cookies to class and have members open and read what’s inside as examples of empty promises. Under what conditions would this later suggestion make sense?

Know the Bible

Post up this photo from Faulke’s Telescope and use God’s illustration of counting the stars to teach, “Do you trust the Lord’s Promises?”. Abram worried about an heir, but God reassured him with an appraisal of righteousness. By what means does God reassure you today regarding, say, His promise of external Life to those that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?

Time passed. Abram grew older. No heir was apparent. Doubt loomed. Abram deployed a contingency plan. He married Hagar and fathered Ishmael. What causes doubt in our minds about God keeping His promises? Answer: Not knowing His Word as given to us in the Bible.

Do you trust the Lord’s Promises

In the title of this week’s lesson, “Do you trust the Lord’s Promises,” the word trust grabs my attention. In Genesis 15:1-6, Abram believed God, but in verse 8, he ask the Lord God, “how am I to know…?”.

Abram wanted to move beyond trust to a place of knowing. At that point the LORD made a covenant with Abram (see Genesis 15:9-21).

As many Christians are, I am like Abram. I want to know rather than trust. Trusting is risky. Knowing offers certainty.

Manchester Baptist Church offers straight forward questions for this lesson that you might consider using as a 'pretest' to be given at the start of your lesson. Review the answers after your lesson.

What prevents us from trusting God's promises? (15:2-3)

How should we respond when God's promises have not materialized after many years of waiting? (16:2)

How should we respond to God when He fulfills His promises? (17:17-18)

Whom did Abram want to designate as his heir? (15:2-3)

Whom did Abram take as a wife at Sarai's request? (16:2-3)

By what name did the Lord identify Himself when He appeared to the 99-year-old Abram? (17:1)

What is the meaning of the name Isaac? (17:19)

Sanctity of Life Lesson

I'm over committed most of this week and will not be able to blog about the lesson.

Rats!

PowerPoint "God allows us to choose", Genesis 12-14

Thanks for answering the poll question on the right side of the page about use of PowerPoint in your class. For those of you who have not responded, please take a moment and vote. Here are my PPT slides for "God Allows Us to Chose".

The questions posted by First Baptist Church, Chester, Illinois appear below for the lesson, “God Allows Us to Choose” based on Genesis 12:1-9, 13:8-13. I think they can be a great help to making your class more interactive. However, answer the questions ahead of time yourself. Otherwise, it could turn into a situation of "the blind leading the blind".

Sunday School Questions for January 13

Many times people drift away from God and church. I'm sure many of us can think of some faces we have not seen in church lately. Could it be they are waiting for a word of encouragement from someone? How difficult would it be for this class to make a list of people that we have been missing and then volunteer in pairs and visit them, perhaps taking a small token gift, letting them know that we have been missing them and welcome them to come back?

1. Let's go around the room and say our names and tell us how many places you have lived in your life.
2. Today, all of us will make decisions that will affect our lives, some will be trivial, some important, and some spiritual. Who can give us an example of each one of these kind of decisions you will or already have made today?
3. Is having an abundance of choices a blessing? How so? Why does God allow people to choose whether they will follow Him?
4. In Abram's day, people rarely ventured from the safety and security of their families. Has God ever called you out of familiar territory to launch you in a strange land for His purposes? How did you respond? What was the outcome? What did you learn from this encounter with God?
5. Abram chose to trust and obey, which aided his fellowship with God. What effect do our choices to obey or not to obey God have on our fellowship with Him?
6. Would you prefer to be blessed by God or to be a blessing to others because of God? What is the difference? Reread 12:2-3.
7. All people choose either to obey or disobey the Lord. Deciding to do nothing equals disobedience. Why do you think Abram was willing to travel to the unknown land?Would you say that you are currently at a crossroads where God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone by faith and follow Him? How can you confirm that you are indeed hearing God's voice and not someone else's?
8. As we look at 12:7; what did Abram do as a form of worship? How does this act compare with what Noah did when he first emerged from the ark in 8:20? How did this action reinforce the intimate relationship each one had with God?
9. How do we worship God today? Which part of a worship service inspires you to truly worship the Lord? When was your most memorable time of worshiping God? How do you ensure that you are experiencing genuine worship and not merely going through the motions? Is corporate worship more valuable to you than your private worship? Why?
10. In 13:8-9; what was the reason Abram suggested that he and his nephew Lot part company? What does this say about Abram's character? As Lot chose the rich cities, Abram stayed on the less fertile soil of Canaan. What do these decisions tell us about their personal trust in God? How would you have chosen if you were Lot?
11. Lot knew the men of Sodom were wicked and still he wanted to be their neighbor. Have you ever compromised your relationship with God and danced with worldly temptations? How did God react to your choice?
12. Quickly someone read Joshua 24:14-15. The choice is yours! Whom will you worship? Whom will you give the center stage of your heart and life? Let's pray for one another.

Practice what we teach

In thinking about the lesson, “God allows us to choose,” I was reminded of the truism in a saying my co-teacher Curt uses: “We can make choices, but we can’t choose the consequences!”

Step 3 of the lesson advocates that we worship the Lord. Why? What are the benefits? When we studied Isaiah a couple of years ago, we learned that worshipping the Lord prevents spiritual blindness that comes from worshipping false gods. It helps us avoid foolish decisions, overcomes feelings of ineptness, renews our commitment to the One true God, who relieves our burdens, and He encourages us. Remember, God is high and lifted up. Certainly He is bigger than any challenge we face in our lives.

Take a moment in class to worship the Lord. As a class try singing Holy, Holy by Michael W. Smith

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, For our Lord God Almighty Reign
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, For our Lord God Almighty Reign
Hallelujah, Holy, Holy
Are you Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
You are Holy, Holy,
Are you Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
Amen

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, For our Lord God Almighty Reign
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, For our Lord God Almighty Reign
Hallelujah

Holy, Holy, Are you Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
You are Holy, Holy
Are you Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb

You are Holy, Holy
Are you Lord God Almighty
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
(repeat)

What's most important

An answer in part to a comment on yesterday’s post is found in Mark Rathel’s commentary on this week’s lesson, “God allows us to choose”. Scripture records where Abram built altars, not just the fact that he built them. Rathel helps us understand the significance of their location.

Most importantly, Abram chose to obey God. I have a friend Vic who used to say obedience includes our “thought, word and deeds”. God gives believers a choice to obey Him. He wants us to think, talk and act like Christ Jesus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Like Abram, none of us are perfect, so as sinners we practice confession of sin to God, forgive others who sin against us, and voluntarily love others. It is most important to our sense of experiential relationship with Jesus that we choose to confess our sin, forgive others, and voluntarily love others. These don’t happen automatically. Our motivation is love of God and a desire to experience deep relationship with Him. BTW, what are the benefits of obedience to the Lord?

Several videos on this site might be useful to help members focus on what’s most important in their lives. I might use the first three minutes of this video.

Please answer the poll on the right about using PowerPoint in your class. Thanks!

God allows us to choose, Genesis 12-14

This week’s lesson, “God allows us to choose” is exciting, and action packed. Based on Genesis 12:1-14:24, it focuses on God’s call of Abram, his worship of the LORD, and his nephew Lot’s choices. But you have a choice to present some of the other great elements from the background passage—Abram’s decision to sojourn in Egypt, the LORD’s promise and command to Abram in 13:14-18, Abram’s decision to rescue Lot, or Melchizedek’s blessing of Abram.

Ask members to identify elements in life where they have a choice. Also, ask them to identify life elements where they have no choice. Ask them if people have a choice to follow God or not.

By the way, we had 123 people download the PowerPoint slides posted for last week’s lesson. I hope you’ll take a second and answer the poll question on the right. Please click one of the choices. Appreciate it!

PPT Slides for Genesis 10-11, God's Purposes Trump Human Pride

If you make some useful updates to my slides for "God's Purposes Trump Human Pride", send me a note so I can update them and make your change available to everyone else.

Thanks!

Dominos falling

I recommend reading Dr. Sam Tullock’s commentary on “God’s purposes trump human pride.” I’ve struggled in preparing this lesson with the phrase “God’s purposes”, but Dr. Tullock’s introduction helps establish a boundary on the term that makes sense to me for this lesson.

Visually, I picture God’s purposes being accomplished as dominos falling in various places. Once God put His plan into motion, there is no stopping it.

Organizing our lives using cool technology

The aim of this week’s lesson, “God’s purposes trump human pride”, according to the LifeWay Adult Leader Guide is to help believers organize their lives around God’s purposes (p. 65). What are God’s purposes? How do they compare to human desires?

We’re beyond using brick and tar, but in our technology-based culture, it’s common to hop on the bandwagon of the latest gadget and build our lives around them in order to be cool.

Ask members to tell a story about their use of some gadgets to organize their lives: personal computer, HDTV, personal navigator, mp3 player, text messaging, wearable cell phones, etc.

Site Update

The bar chart shows traffic to this site by month in 2007 (taken from statcounter.com). I reported traffic to this site in 2006, too. The doubling in year-over-year growth can be seen in the following average monthly statistics:

Year: ----------------> 2006 2007
Page loads: ----------> 2640 5296
Unique visitors: -----> 1046 2237
First time visitors: ---> 644 1327
Returning visitors: ---> 403 911

I assume the traffic growth is an indicator of the utility of the site even though it has not worked out as I originally envisioned. I thought it would be a ‘happening place’ of active discussion of the weekly LikeWay Explore the Bible lessons, but that hasn’t come to pass.

Nevertheless, I thank God for those of you who visit here. May the Lord continue to bless us in 2008 as we prepare together to teach His word each Sunday.

God’s purposes trump human pride

Rick Hyde, pastor, First Church of England, Arkansas, comments on “God’s Purposes Trump Human Pride”, which is based on Genesis 11:1-9, 27-32. He relates the account of the Apollo 8 crew reading from Genesis in the troubled year of 1968. He connects it to the tower builders in Genesis 11. I plan to show a photomontage of various towers and state the name of the builder. (Does anyone know of a list of famous towers, or find a link on the web to a list?)

People today want to “make a name for themselves,” too. See this story. Corporate marketing knows how to appeal to this desire as the “Indian Elephant Tower Builder” commercial illustrates. Ask members if they have a desire to become famous.

Our pastor challenged us yesterday to “do something great in 2008”. He had in mind that regardless of our present circumstances, we can thrive through Christ, who strengthens us. He emphasized our partnership with Christ, and His power in us to meet the challenge of the possibilities that lay before us.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Cynthia Price from Arkansas comments on "God offers new opportunities", the LifeWay lesson for December 30, 2007, which is based on Genesis 8:15-17, 20-22, 9:1-3, 8-13.

Hope you have a great day celebrating the Lord's birth!

Lesson plans and questions

You might consider Bob O’Haver’s commentary on the lesson, “Accept God’s Promised Savior.” He has some neat features on his site, like roll-over Bible verse pop-ups. Cool!

Does anyone know what happened to the website for Milo Baptist Church? The URL is no longer valid. It’s odd that a church would allow the validity of its domain name to laspe.

Below are some lesson questions taken from First Baptist Church, Chester, Illinois (I copied them since the link is not sticky). Below those I also copied a few lesson questions from Manchester Baptist Church.

Sunday School Questions for December 23
Accept God's Promised Savior
Lesson Passage John 1:1-18

The holidays can be a very busy time for us. We need to be sure we make time for ourselves and more importantly, make time for God. The lesson today will allow us to see the glory of God by seeing the humanity of Jesus. As we saw in Genesis 1:3; the creation of light dispelled the darkness on the first day of creation and we see today how the light of Jesus pierced through the darkness of sin.

Let's dig in-
Share your name with the class and tell us about a gift you returned and why or a gift you gave that you know was returned.

What reasons can you give for not accepting a gift from someone? How does it make you feel when someone refuses to accept a gift from you?

Does the introduction to John's Gospel remind you of the introduction of any other Book in the Bible?

Verse 1 speaks in a paradox, who can tell us what a paradox is? Who is the "The Word"? What do these opening verses tell us about baby Jesus? Is it difficult to understand that even as an infant, Jesus was already ageless and timeless?

If Jesus were to stand visibly before you today and ask, "Who do you say I am?" how would you answer? Would your response be any different from what these Scriptures teach? How so?
Will someone read verse 5 to us? What does this verse mean to you?

Imagine you are at Christmas dinner at your non-Christian relative's house and the conversation turns to Jesus, how would you explain the Divinity of Jesus to those present?
How would you describe in your own words John the Baptist's messages about himself and about Jesus?

Can we all agree that John the Baptist had the role as Jesus' forerunner to bear testimony to the Deity of Jesus? A definition of a witness is someone who provides facts, not personal opinions. Are you a witness like John the Baptist? Do you convey the truth about Jesus' identity?

How does God provide means today to point people to Jesus? When you hear other Christians witness about Jesus, how do you usually feel? If you are not totally supportive of a fellow believer's testimony what does that say about you? What do you need to do about it?

What is the difference between knowing Christ and knowing about Christ? Honesty Time!- Which describes you best, do you know Him or know about Him?

Are all people, Christian or not, considered to be "children of God"? Those who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord are granted the awesome gift of becoming the children of God. What does this mean to you? What does this tell us about the nature of God's gift? What are the privileges and responsibilities of being called a child of God? In your opinion, what is (or would be) the greatest blessing involved in being a child of God?

John 1:14-18 proclaims that Jesus Christ was fully God in human form, the meaning of Incarnation. God made Himself known through Christ. How does this Christmas lesson reinforce your need for Christ? If you have never received Jesus as your personal Savior, what is holding you back? If you have, how will you take greater initiative to tell nonbelievers, even those non-Christian relatives, about who Jesus is and what He has done for you? Let's pray!

From Manchester Baptist Church:

Accept God's Promised Savior

Those who receive Jesus by faith become God's children.
~~John 1:1-18~~

Why is it significant that Jesus participated with the Father in creation? (1:3)
Why did John repeatedly refer to Jesus as light? (1:8-9)
How can we explain that Jesus' own people did not accept Him? (1:11)
How can we witness effectively to persons in our world? (1:15)

Study Questions

What title did John give to Jesus? (1:1)
How could Jesus have participated in creation? (1:3)
What divinely ordained task did John the Baptist fulfill? (1:7)
What do believers in Jesus receive? (1:12)
Who reveals God fully? (1:18)

Grace

Only by God's grace will someone “Accept God’s Promised Savior”. A couple of years ago, we studied Romans, and God’s grace was one of the lesson topics. I mention it as a possible help to your discussion of grace this Sunday. Below are links to each of my lesson posts for “What about God’s Grace?”.

Grace as God’s Ability
Can’t get there from here
Perspective gap
Abundant grace
More about God’s grace
Spotlight grace

Blessings

I enjoy reading each week Dr. Sam Tullock’s commentary on the Exlore the Bible lesson, which this week is “Accept God’s Promised Savior”. I can relate to his writing since he is in the trenches as a teacher, and is not just a hired gun commentator.

You might say, I ‘receive’ his teaching—knowing the source from which it comes, and the humility with which it is offered. I’ve never met Dr. Tullock personally, so I only know him thru his words. However, by receiving his teaching he is a blessing to me.

Jesus’ own people did not receive Him according to John 1:11. Unlike my virtual relationship with Dr. Tullock, they met Jesus personally, observed His behavior, and listened to Him talk. In Jesus, they could see God in action as a man, yet they did not receive Him. They missed a blessing.

Ask members to think of people they receive, and what blessings stem from the relationship. Perhaps reading excerpts from this story will help members recall the blessings they have received.

Using contrast

Proverbs 11:30 came to mind while thinking about Step 3 of “Accept God’s Promised Savior”, LifeWay’s Explore the Bible lesson this week.

The Leader Guide asks for teachers to describe an effective witness. The proverb describes “he who wins souls” as “wise”.

Here are tips for being an effective witness in a courtroom situation. What are the contrasts with being an effective witness for Christ?

Invisible, but present word

I’m reading The Call, by Os Guinness, and on p. 64 he makes a point about the Lord that I think is relevant to the lesson, “Accept God’s Promised Savior”. He says, “Words are the deepest, fullest expression in which God now discloses himself to us, beginning with His calling us, So it is in listening to Him, trusting Him and obeying Him when He calls that we ‘let God be God’ in all His majesty.”

This is key, because as Os points out, God does not reveal Himself to us in pictures, or objects, but in words. The Lord is invisible and inconceivable to our natural senses. Understanding that God reveals Himself to us with words, helps us dig into the Bible to know the Savior. Jesus was the incarnate word, or mind of God.

Of course there is no perfect analogy, but gravity is an invisible power that demands our obedience. It hurts when we fall.

The idea of a trace is a little technical, but it illustrates the notion of an invisible word—a word that’s present in a sentence, but not visible.

Accept God's Promised Savior John 1:1-18

"Accept God's Promised Savior" is the lesson this week, and it is based on John 1:1-18. It's not clear how I can add anything to the passage that can't be appreciated by simply reading it.

Pray for the technical people at http://forum.bible.org. Their site was hacked. Such evil! Pray that the perp will accept God's promised savior, Jesus Christ.

PPT slides for "Aspire to Walk With God"

Click to download my Powerpoint slides for “Aspire to Walk With God”, or forward the link to another Explore the Bible teacher that can benefit from them.

Are you good at following directions?

Pastor Jim McCullen titles step 4 of “Aspire to walk with God” in his lesson commentary as “Committed To Follow Instructions”, which raises the issue of how good are we at following directions?

How good are you at following directions? Take this test.

Yesterday, driving to Dallas, I noticed a billboard on I-45 that said,

Lost?
—the map is in my book.
—God

P.S. Below are some lesson questions taken from First Baptist Church, Chester, Illinois (I copied them since the link is not sticky).

Sunday School Questions for December 16
Aspire to Walk With God
Lesson Passage Genesis 6:9-18, 22

The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is how we, as Southern Baptists, reach out to our missionaries across the world. Have you given your Lottie Moon Christmas Offering yet? How would it be, if next Sunday, our class gave our's together? What was that last commandment we studied in Matthew 28:19?


Let's dig into this week's lesson-
Tell the class your name for the sake of those of us with bad memories or for our guests and then tell us how you got to school when you were in the fourth grade.In a week's time, how far do you think you walk? What is the farthest you have ever walked in one day? When you walk, is it easier to walk with a friend or loved one or do you prefer to walk alone?


Would you describe your walk with God as a daily event? As you walk with Him, do you do all the talking or do you allow Him to speak to you? How does that work? Do you ever allow the things of this world to distract you from walking with God?How would you describe Noah? How are you like or different from him? Can we all agree that if we walk with God as Noah did that we can overcome the challenges of our culture and our environment? Do you think our world today is more corrupt or less corrupt than it used to be? Why?What were the names of Noah's three sons? In what ways do you think Noah's integrity and allegiance to God affected his wife and sons? In your opinion, were they likely to have always supported him and his devotion to God?


When you are faced with immorality and corruption is it easy to continue your walk with God? When you have seen someone refuse to participate in the corrupt behavior of others, what do you think of them? What do you think allows them to refuse to participate? Noah followed God's leadership and led a life that met with God's approval. On a scale of one to ten, with ten being highest; how would you rate your own spiritual walk with God?


In Genesis 1:31a, God was pleased with all He had created and now we see God regretting that He had made them. In comparison of these moments in history; what contrast do you see? What does this tell us about the nature of sin?


Can you recall an incident in your childhood when you received a strict penalty from your parents for some wrongdoing? What did you do to cause your parent's grief? At the time, did you feel that they were fair or unjust in their discipline? In retrospect, how do you feel about it now? Are you grateful for their concern now that you are older and wiser? In your mind, was God's treatment of Noah's contemporaries justified or was he too severe? Why?


Would you agree or disagree with this statement; "We are so used to God's mercy that we abuse His grace and then complain that it is not enough when He grants it."? Defend your answer. When we look at all the natural calamities that have occurred recently, is God speaking to us or are they simply "accidents of nature"?Someone read Genesis 6:22. How was Noah able to do what God asked? In your life, how do you respond when God tells you to do something you may not understand or that seems too difficult? So far, what has your faith cost you? Do you walk with hesitation with God because you fear what might lie ahead? How has this lesson on Noah's faith and obedience encouraged you? Let's pray.

Filled with disgust

See comments by Mike Dawson: “Aspire to Walk with God” for an interesting example of a band member “skipping to stay in step.” That’s a practical discipline for sure!

Step 3 is concerned with God’s judgment as recorded in Genesis 6:11-13. The earth was filled with something other than what God intended.

Last week, Frito Lay wrongly filled bags of Lay’s Classic Potato Chips with Lay's Cheddar & Sour Cream Flavored Potato Chips. They made a judgment to recall the 2,460 errant bags.

Ask members if they have ever discovered their garden infested with bugs that kill the flowers, or fire ants that have a painful bite? If so, what did they do about it? My guess is they applied a bug killer to wipe out the infestation. God was disgusted that his creation was filled with other than what He intended.

Hire a guide

Step 2 of our lesson, “Aspire to Walk With God,” focuses on Noah’s character as revealed in Genesis 6:9-10. He was righteous and blameless. How so?

Noah didn’t travel alone, but like Enoch, he “walked with God.” His contemporaries did not and they got lost living life.

Liken the idea of “Why hire a guide” with following God’s leadership in life. To help reenforce, the aim of "walking with God", ask members to share about their travel experiences with and without a guide.

Personal Navigator

As I read the background passage, Genesis 5:1-8:14, for this week’s lesson, “Aspire to walk with God”, I kept asking myself what is God’s purpose in communicating this material to me? It might help you to approach some of these difficult narratives with “what purpose” in mind.

For example, what was God’s purpose in providing the genealogy given in chapter 5? Was it to highlight Enoch in contrast to the others mentioned?

Why did God preserve chapter 6 for us? Was it to emphasize the effects of sin on humanity, like the results of a union between believers and unbelievers?

Similarly, why did God tell us in chapters 7&8 about Noah and the judgment of a worldwide flood? How does knowing about Noah’s life help me today?

How are these difficult passages relevant in this day and age to your class members?

God wants believers to live in fellowship with Him by doing what is right. For that, Enoch earned the commendation: “walked with God”.

Mark Rathel’s commentary on the lesson mentions life direction and pace, which made me think about the direction road signs provide in life. I’m also considering using a personal navigator to illustrate that to reach a destination, we need to know a good path, and then stay on that path as we travel (it even talks to us!). In this sense, the Bible is like a personal navigator to a commendation, “walked with God”.

Milo Plan

Folks, Milo Baptist Church posted commentary for "Admit Your Sin Problem", our lesson from Genesis 3 &4 this week.

I've cut and pasted it into this blog entry (below), since their link is not permanent.

BTW, does anyone know what happened to "Bob" at Hampton Road Baptist Church? He used to post wonderful lesson plans, but suddenly stopped about a year ago.

ADMIT YOUR SIN PROBLEM
Gen. 3:1-4:26
KEY VERSE: And the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. Gen. 3:6

All people struggle with temptations and often sin against God.
Paradise did not last long in the garden of Eden. Though God had provided everything the man and woman needed, they fell prey to the serpent's temptation to want more. After dialoguing with the serpent, the woman broke God’s one command by eating the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The man quickly followed his wife's action (Gen. 3:1-6).

Realizing their nakedness, the man and woman fashioned crude coverings from fig leaves and hid from God when He came to walk with them in the garden. Knowing what they had done, God provided the man and woman an opportunity to confess their sin, but they refused to admit their guilt and instead blamed others. God punished the serpent, the woman, and the man by making life for more difficult for each. Adam named his wife Eve because she "was the mother of all living" (3:20. God demonstrated He cared for them by providing the appropriate clothing, but He also sent them out of Eden so they would not eat from the tree of life (3:7-24).

Adam and Eve became the parents of two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain become a farmer like Adam, while Abel became a shepherd. When Cain and Abel worshiped God, God accepted Abel and his offering of firstborn animals but not Cain and his offering of produce. When Cain became angry, God warned Cain not to fall prey to sin. Yet Cain ignored God’s and killed his brother. When God gave Cain the opportunity to confess, Cain, like his parents, refused. God punished Cain, driving him further from Eden; but God also protected him from possible enemies. Cain's line made great contributions to civilization but also maintained a spirit of vengeance (4:1-24).

Eve bore Adam another son whom they named Seth, who then had a son named Enosh. With this new line, the worship of God began again (4:25-26).1.

TEMPTATION LURES US (Gen. 3:1-5)1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the tree of the garden. 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. The first two chapters of Genesis focus on goodness and life. Chapter 3 provides the answer for the question, Why is there evil and death? How can evil be reconciled with God's goodness and the fact that everything originated with Him?

The origin of sin is found in the choice of the man and woman to obey the voice of the serpent rather and the voice of God. The serpent, speaking briefly and only twice, caused the woman to doubt first God’s word (3:1) and then God's goodness (3:4-5).THE SERPENT (GEN. 3:1)

Bible students long have argued over the serpent's identity in Gen. 3. Some Bible students suggest the serpent was symbolic of pagan fertility religions or representative of the forces of evil and chaos that opposed the created order.

Other Bible students believe the serpent symbolized life and wisdom since it was reborn on a regular basis through the shedding of its skin and cleverly survived even without limbs. Still other Bible students state the serpent symbolized humanity's inner desires that lead to sin (Jas. 1:13-14).

None of these views are based on the New Testament, which understands the serpent to be Satan employed the serpent, spoke against God and His command, and thus tempted the man and woman to sin. Even as Satan used Peter to attempt to dissuade Jesus from His mission (Matt. 16:22-23), Satan used the serpent and still uses situations and people today to tempt individuals to question and disobey God.

According to Genesis 3:5, the serpent promised that man and woman would "become like God knowing good and evil." But according to verse 7, all they really came to know was that they were naked.

That Adam and Eve struggled to cover themselves indicates that they felt guilt as a result of their sin.

All people sin and experience alienation from God and, to some degree, alienation from one another.

In what ways do we try to hide ourselves from other people? In what ways do we also try to hide from God.11. SIN ALIENATES US (Gen. 3:6-10)6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be sired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made them selves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day; AND Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

The focus of the serpent's beguiling speech was subtle: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil must have been intended by God to keep knowledge of good and evil from people. But people, created in God's image, need this knowledge to be like Him. By placing the tree off limits, God had declared that the ability and right to know what was good and what was not good for people was something that He had reserved of Himself.

The woman, enticed by the serpent (cp. 2Cor. 11:3), ate of the tree and in turn gave some of its fruit to the man, who ate willingly. In flaunting God's right to know and trying to be wise in their own eyes (3:6), the man and woman decided that they no longer needed God. The ultimate source of evil is not explained in Genesis, two facts are clear: evil did not originate with God, and it is subject to His power and will.

Created to be free and exalted beings, people have the capacity to choose God or to reject Him. Beginning with Adam and because of Adam, all people have chosen to elevate their own desires over the desires of God.111. GOD CONFRONTS US (Gen. 3:11-13, 22-23)11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat....................22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know god and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
Old Testament writers understood the corrupting effect of sin on humanity (Jer. 17:9). But it was the apostle Paul who most clearly set out the doctrine of original sin. Paul noted that sin had entered the world and spread to all people because of the sin of one man (Rom. 5:12). He drew a comparison between Adam-the one who had originally been without sin-and Jesus who-although also without sin-was punished for the sin of Adam (Rom. 5:14-21).

People, created in the image of God, succumbed to the temptation to become even more like God than they already were (3:5). As a result, they would share the dust of the serpent (3:14, 19). But someday the Messiah would come to defeat sin and bring people back into a right relationship with God.

All sinners must face the consequences of their sin, and the primary consequence is separation from God.

We need to recognize all people face temptations to sin against the Lord.

We need to realize all people sin and experience alienation from God and, to some degree, alienation from one another.

Because God holds all people accountable for their sins, we need to admit our sins and confess them honestly to Him.

That's what I'm talk'n about!

Dave posted his lesson plan today for “Admit Your Sin Problem”. How cool is that!? He’s in good company with his admission about reading this blog, but you have to like the fact that he shared his lesson plan with the rest of us!

It’s an outstanding contribution. Good job, Dave! Thank you!

Is that applause I hear in the audience?

Choose in advance

For this week’s lesson, “Admit Your Sin Problem,” the LifeWay Adult Leader Guide (p.26) asks, “Does awareness we are being tempted help us to resist? Why?” What is your answer to the question?

I believe the answer is yes because awareness should facilitate response. That is, being aware of an issue is surely better than the alternative? Right? One way to help members is to encourage them develop a plan to put into effect when tempted.

Consider playing the Steve Green song, “Guard Your Heart” on “The Mission” CD. Call attention to the lyric:

The human heart is easily swayed

And often betrayed at the hand of emotion

You dare not leave the outcome to chance

You must choose in advance

Or live with the agony

Such needless tragedy

Do you have a plan to put into effect when you are tempted? As the song says, “You dare not leave the outcome to chance”!

The price of sin, the price of grace

Sonshine offers questions to help you prepare for the lesson, “Admit Your Sin Problem”, based on Genesis 3:1-13, 22-23. I always find her remarks helpful, especially understanding "the price of sin, and the price of grace."

"Have you heard...."

To introduce this week’s lesson, “Admit Your Sin Problem”, I recommend opening with a hard-hitting discussion on the sin of gossiping. It plagues the church today, and dealing with it upfront will set a tone for members to better personally apply the lesson passage, Genesis 3:1-4:26.

You can start discussion of the topic by showing a list of gossip columnists, and asking members what these people have in common. As an alternative, share this news story to get members talking about the topic.

It would be instructive to crisply define "gossip" in a way that coincides with understanding it as sin. Anyone care to take a stab at a one-sentence definition? (Hit the comment link below and tell us what you think.)