The Apostle Paul calls us Jars of Clay (2 Corinthians 4:7). As followers of Jesus we must allow the Word of God to fill us with it's message of Truth and Grace. In this way, we become a "vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" (2 Timothy 2:21).

Monday, May 31, 2021

Compassion part 1

 May 31, 2021


LESSON 22: COMPASSION
A. Definition of compassion: 

B. An example from my everyday life: 

C. A positive example from the Bible: 2 Sam. 9:1-13; Luke 10:25-37; 15:18-24; 18:35-43; 1 Cor. 13; 1 John 4:7-21. 

D. A negative example from the Bible: 1 Kings 12:12-15; 21:5-15; Matt. 18:23-35; John 19:1-16. 

E. Thinking about compassion in my own life:
1. When have I been compassionate? 

 

2. In what situation did I fail to be compassionate? 

 

3. What problem in my life could God use to build compassion? 

 

4. Who can be a Christian model for me of compassion? 

 

5. How can I develop this quality in my life?

F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build compassion into my life: Prov. 10:12; Mark 12:29; John 15:12; Rom. 12:10; 1 Cor. 16:14; Col. 3:14; 1 John 4:18-21. 

G. Self-evaluation:
1. When I feel compassionate, do I take positive action? 

 

2. Do I serve people out of compassion or out of duty? 

 

3. Does my pride sometimes prevent me from showing compassion? 

 

4. Do I ever consider a person weak if he or she shows compassion? 

 

5. Are girls generally more compassionate than boys? 

 

6. Do I feel guilty when I have refrained from showing compassion? 

 

7. Does the misery of others usually produce feelings of compassion in me? 

 

8. Do I sense conviction when I see people exhibiting much more compassion than I do? 

 

9. Am I willing to inconvenience myself to show compassion to someone in need? 

 

10. Am I able to show compassion to people whose problems irritate me? 

 

11. In what ways do I express compassion? 

 

12. Is loving others one of my chief goals in life? 

 

13. Am I cooperating with God to make myself an instrument of His perfect love? 

Friday, May 28, 2021

Wisdom part 5

 May 28, 2021


LESSON 21: WISDOM
A. Definition of wisdom:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B. An example from my everyday life:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
C. A positive example from the Bible: Gen. 37:39-45; 1 Kings 3:23-28; Dan. 2:17-24, 46-49; Matt. 22:15-45; Luke 2:41-52. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
D. A negative example from the Bible: Gen. 3:1-7; Ex. 32:1-3; 1 Sam. 25; Luke 12:15-21; Rom. 1:18-32. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E. Thinking about wisdom in my own life:
1. When have I been wise?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. In what situation did I fail to be wise? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What problem in my life could God use to build wisdom? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Who can be a Christian model for me of wisdom? ________________________________________________
5. How can I develop this quality in my life?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build wisdom into my life: Prov. 1:7; 4:5; 24:3; Col. 2:3; James 1:5, 6; 3:13.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
G. Self-evaluation:
1. Try to remember the last three decisions you made. Were they wise ones?______________________________
2. Do I seek advice from wise people to help me with major decisions? __________________________________
3. Do I consider my parents to be wiser than I am? __________________________________________________
4. Am I gaining in wisdom or in foolishness? ______________________________________________________
5. Do I envy people who seem to make wise choices consistently? ______________________________________
6. Does wisdom receive higher priority in my life than “happiness”? ____________________________________
7. Does reading and study increase wisdom?_______________________________________________________
8. Are people today generally wiser than people were 2,000 years ago?__________________________________
9. Can I be successful without being wise? ________________________________________________________
10. Do I depend upon the Holy Spirit to guide me when making a decision? ______________________________
11. Do I seek direction from the Scriptures when faced with alternatives? ________________________________
12. Do I respect the advice of my parents, teachers, or pastor? _________________________________________
13. Am I convinced that the wisdom of the Bible is superior to the wisdom of this world?____________________
14. Am I teachable? Do I readily listen to advice? ___________________________________________________
15. In conversation, am I interested in receiving wisdom from others or giving mine? _______________________
16. Am I convinced that all true wisdom comes from God? ___________________________________________
17. Am I cooperating with God to make myself a wise person? ________________________________________

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Wisdom part 4

 May 27, 2021


LESSON 21: WISDOM
A. Definition of wisdom:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B. An example from my everyday life:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
C. A positive example from the Bible: Gen. 37:39-45; 1 Kings 3:23-28; Dan. 2:17-24, 46-49; Matt. 22:15-45; Luke 2:41-52. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
D. A negative example from the Bible: Gen. 3:1-7; Ex. 32:1-3; 1 Sam. 25; Luke 12:15-21; Rom. 1:18-32. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E. Thinking about wisdom in my own life:
1. When have I been wise?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. In what situation did I fail to be wise? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What problem in my life could God use to build wisdom? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Who can be a Christian model for me of wisdom? ________________________________________________
5. How can I develop this quality in my life?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build wisdom into my life: Prov. 1:7; 4:5; 24:3; Col. 2:3; James 1:5, 6; 3:13.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
G. Self-evaluation:
1. Try to remember the last three decisions you made. Were they wise ones?______________________________
2. Do I seek advice from wise people to help me with major decisions? __________________________________
3. Do I consider my parents to be wiser than I am? __________________________________________________
4. Am I gaining in wisdom or in foolishness? ______________________________________________________
5. Do I envy people who seem to make wise choices consistently? ______________________________________
6. Does wisdom receive higher priority in my life than “happiness”? ____________________________________
7. Does reading and study increase wisdom?_______________________________________________________
8. Are people today generally wiser than people were 2,000 years ago?__________________________________
9. Can I be successful without being wise? ________________________________________________________
10. Do I depend upon the Holy Spirit to guide me when making a decision? ______________________________
11. Do I seek direction from the Scriptures when faced with alternatives? ________________________________
12. Do I respect the advice of my parents, teachers, or pastor? _________________________________________
13. Am I convinced that the wisdom of the Bible is superior to the wisdom of this world?____________________
14. Am I teachable? Do I readily listen to advice? ___________________________________________________
15. In conversation, am I interested in receiving wisdom from others or giving mine? _______________________
16. Am I convinced that all true wisdom comes from God? ___________________________________________
17. Am I cooperating with God to make myself a wise person? ________________________________________

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Wisdom part 3

 May 26, 2021


LESSON 21: WISDOM
A. Definition of wisdom:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B. An example from my everyday life:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
C. A positive example from the Bible: Gen. 37:39-45; 1 Kings 3:23-28; Dan. 2:17-24, 46-49; Matt. 22:15-45; Luke 2:41-52. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
D. A negative example from the Bible: Gen. 3:1-7; Ex. 32:1-3; 1 Sam. 25; Luke 12:15-21; Rom. 1:18-32. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E. Thinking about wisdom in my own life:
1. When have I been wise?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. In what situation did I fail to be wise? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What problem in my life could God use to build wisdom? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Who can be a Christian model for me of wisdom? ________________________________________________
5. How can I develop this quality in my life?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build wisdom into my life: Prov. 1:7; 4:5; 24:3; Col. 2:3; James 1:5, 6; 3:13.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
G. Self-evaluation:
1. Try to remember the last three decisions you made. Were they wise ones?______________________________
2. Do I seek advice from wise people to help me with major decisions? __________________________________
3. Do I consider my parents to be wiser than I am? __________________________________________________
4. Am I gaining in wisdom or in foolishness? ______________________________________________________
5. Do I envy people who seem to make wise choices consistently? ______________________________________
6. Does wisdom receive higher priority in my life than “happiness”? ____________________________________
7. Does reading and study increase wisdom?_______________________________________________________
8. Are people today generally wiser than people were 2,000 years ago?__________________________________
9. Can I be successful without being wise? ________________________________________________________
10. Do I depend upon the Holy Spirit to guide me when making a decision? ______________________________
11. Do I seek direction from the Scriptures when faced with alternatives? ________________________________
12. Do I respect the advice of my parents, teachers, or pastor? _________________________________________
13. Am I convinced that the wisdom of the Bible is superior to the wisdom of this world?____________________
14. Am I teachable? Do I readily listen to advice? ___________________________________________________
15. In conversation, am I interested in receiving wisdom from others or giving mine? _______________________
16. Am I convinced that all true wisdom comes from God? ___________________________________________
17. Am I cooperating with God to make myself a wise person? ________________________________________

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Wisdom part 2

 May 25, 2021


LESSON 21: WISDOM
A. Definition of wisdom:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B. An example from my everyday life:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
C. A positive example from the Bible: Gen. 37:39-45; 1 Kings 3:23-28; Dan. 2:17-24, 46-49; Matt. 22:15-45; Luke 2:41-52. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
D. A negative example from the Bible: Gen. 3:1-7; Ex. 32:1-3; 1 Sam. 25; Luke 12:15-21; Rom. 1:18-32. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E. Thinking about wisdom in my own life:
1. When have I been wise?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. In what situation did I fail to be wise? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What problem in my life could God use to build wisdom? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Who can be a Christian model for me of wisdom? ________________________________________________
5. How can I develop this quality in my life?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build wisdom into my life: Prov. 1:7; 4:5; 24:3; Col. 2:3; James 1:5, 6; 3:13.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
G. Self-evaluation:
1. Try to remember the last three decisions you made. Were they wise ones?______________________________
2. Do I seek advice from wise people to help me with major decisions? __________________________________
3. Do I consider my parents to be wiser than I am? __________________________________________________
4. Am I gaining in wisdom or in foolishness? ______________________________________________________
5. Do I envy people who seem to make wise choices consistently? ______________________________________
6. Does wisdom receive higher priority in my life than “happiness”? ____________________________________
7. Does reading and study increase wisdom?_______________________________________________________
8. Are people today generally wiser than people were 2,000 years ago?__________________________________
9. Can I be successful without being wise? ________________________________________________________
10. Do I depend upon the Holy Spirit to guide me when making a decision? ______________________________
11. Do I seek direction from the Scriptures when faced with alternatives? ________________________________
12. Do I respect the advice of my parents, teachers, or pastor? _________________________________________
13. Am I convinced that the wisdom of the Bible is superior to the wisdom of this world?____________________
14. Am I teachable? Do I readily listen to advice? ___________________________________________________
15. In conversation, am I interested in receiving wisdom from others or giving mine? _______________________
16. Am I convinced that all true wisdom comes from God? ___________________________________________
17. Am I cooperating with God to make myself a wise person? ________________________________________

Monday, May 24, 2021

Wisdom part 1

 May 24, 2021


LESSON 21: WISDOM
A. Definition of wisdom:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
B. An example from my everyday life:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
C. A positive example from the Bible: Gen. 37:39-45; 1 Kings 3:23-28; Dan. 2:17-24, 46-49; Matt. 22:15-45; Luke 2:41-52. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
D. A negative example from the Bible: Gen. 3:1-7; Ex. 32:1-3; 1 Sam. 25; Luke 12:15-21; Rom. 1:18-32. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
E. Thinking about wisdom in my own life:
1. When have I been wise?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. In what situation did I fail to be wise? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What problem in my life could God use to build wisdom? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Who can be a Christian model for me of wisdom? ________________________________________________
5. How can I develop this quality in my life?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build wisdom into my life: Prov. 1:7; 4:5; 24:3; Col. 2:3; James 1:5, 6; 3:13.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
G. Self-evaluation:
1. Try to remember the last three decisions you made. Were they wise ones?______________________________
2. Do I seek advice from wise people to help me with major decisions? __________________________________
3. Do I consider my parents to be wiser than I am? __________________________________________________
4. Am I gaining in wisdom or in foolishness? ______________________________________________________
5. Do I envy people who seem to make wise choices consistently? ______________________________________
6. Does wisdom receive higher priority in my life than “happiness”? ____________________________________
7. Does reading and study increase wisdom?_______________________________________________________
8. Are people today generally wiser than people were 2,000 years ago?__________________________________
9. Can I be successful without being wise? ________________________________________________________
10. Do I depend upon the Holy Spirit to guide me when making a decision? ______________________________
11. Do I seek direction from the Scriptures when faced with alternatives? ________________________________
12. Do I respect the advice of my parents, teachers, or pastor? _________________________________________
13. Am I convinced that the wisdom of the Bible is superior to the wisdom of this world?____________________
14. Am I teachable? Do I readily listen to advice? ___________________________________________________
15. In conversation, am I interested in receiving wisdom from others or giving mine? _______________________
16. Am I convinced that all true wisdom comes from God? ___________________________________________
17. Am I cooperating with God to make myself a wise person? ________________________________________

Friday, May 21, 2021

Peace part 5

 May 21, 2021


LESSON 20: PEACE
A. Definition of peace: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. An example from my everyday life:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. A positive example from the Bible: Ps. 27:1-6; Luke 1:26-38; 2:25-32; John 14:25-31; Acts 27:21-25. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D. A negative example from the Bible: 2 Sam. 15:1-13; Matt. 2:13-18; 26:69-75; 27:1-7; Luke 8:22-25.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E. Thinking about peace in my own life:
1. When have I demonstrated the quality of peace in a difficult time? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. In what situation did I fail to demonstrate peace? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What problem in my life could God use to develop peace? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Who can be a Christian model for me of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________

5. How can I develop this quality in my life?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build peace into my life: Isa. 26:3; Matt. 5:9; John 14:27; 16:33; Rom. 5:1; 12:18; Phil. 4:7. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

G. Self-evaluation:
1. Am I able to maintain peace even when circumstances are not peaceful?___________________________________________________________________________________
2. When there are conflicts in relationships between my friends, do I help to restore peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Do I resist a critical, divisive spirit that destroys peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Am I willing to experience personal hurts in order to maintain peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Do I understand peace in the same way the Scriptures explain it?___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Am I aware of those situations that usually rob me of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
7. Am I taking steps to deal with the root problem? ___________________________________________________________________________________
8. Do others consider me to be a peaceful individual?___________________________________________________________________________________
9. Is this motto healthy: “Peace at any price”?___________________________________________________________________________________
10. Is the kind of peace I am seeking really attainable?___________________________________________________________________________________
11. Do I know how to attain that peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
12. Does reading Godʼs Word contribute to my inner peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
13. Am I sometimes “uncomfortable” when everything seems peaceful? ___________________________________________________________________________________
14. Do I really want to be a peaceful person who brings peace to others?___________________________________________________________________________________
15. Am I cooperating with God to make myself a person of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Peace part 4

 May 20, 2021


LESSON 20: PEACE
A. Definition of peace: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. An example from my everyday life:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. A positive example from the Bible: Ps. 27:1-6; Luke 1:26-38; 2:25-32; John 14:25-31; Acts 27:21-25. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D. A negative example from the Bible: 2 Sam. 15:1-13; Matt. 2:13-18; 26:69-75; 27:1-7; Luke 8:22-25.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E. Thinking about peace in my own life:
1. When have I demonstrated the quality of peace in a difficult time? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. In what situation did I fail to demonstrate peace? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What problem in my life could God use to develop peace? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Who can be a Christian model for me of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________

5. How can I develop this quality in my life?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build peace into my life: Isa. 26:3; Matt. 5:9; John 14:27; 16:33; Rom. 5:1; 12:18; Phil. 4:7. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

G. Self-evaluation:
1. Am I able to maintain peace even when circumstances are not peaceful?___________________________________________________________________________________
2. When there are conflicts in relationships between my friends, do I help to restore peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Do I resist a critical, divisive spirit that destroys peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Am I willing to experience personal hurts in order to maintain peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Do I understand peace in the same way the Scriptures explain it?___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Am I aware of those situations that usually rob me of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
7. Am I taking steps to deal with the root problem? ___________________________________________________________________________________
8. Do others consider me to be a peaceful individual?___________________________________________________________________________________
9. Is this motto healthy: “Peace at any price”?___________________________________________________________________________________
10. Is the kind of peace I am seeking really attainable?___________________________________________________________________________________
11. Do I know how to attain that peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
12. Does reading Godʼs Word contribute to my inner peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
13. Am I sometimes “uncomfortable” when everything seems peaceful? ___________________________________________________________________________________
14. Do I really want to be a peaceful person who brings peace to others?___________________________________________________________________________________
15. Am I cooperating with God to make myself a person of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Peace part 3

 May 19, 2021


LESSON 20: PEACE
A. Definition of peace: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. An example from my everyday life:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. A positive example from the Bible: Ps. 27:1-6; Luke 1:26-38; 2:25-32; John 14:25-31; Acts 27:21-25. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D. A negative example from the Bible: 2 Sam. 15:1-13; Matt. 2:13-18; 26:69-75; 27:1-7; Luke 8:22-25.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E. Thinking about peace in my own life:
1. When have I demonstrated the quality of peace in a difficult time? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. In what situation did I fail to demonstrate peace? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What problem in my life could God use to develop peace? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Who can be a Christian model for me of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________

5. How can I develop this quality in my life?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build peace into my life: Isa. 26:3; Matt. 5:9; John 14:27; 16:33; Rom. 5:1; 12:18; Phil. 4:7. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

G. Self-evaluation:
1. Am I able to maintain peace even when circumstances are not peaceful?___________________________________________________________________________________
2. When there are conflicts in relationships between my friends, do I help to restore peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Do I resist a critical, divisive spirit that destroys peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Am I willing to experience personal hurts in order to maintain peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Do I understand peace in the same way the Scriptures explain it?___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Am I aware of those situations that usually rob me of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
7. Am I taking steps to deal with the root problem? ___________________________________________________________________________________
8. Do others consider me to be a peaceful individual?___________________________________________________________________________________
9. Is this motto healthy: “Peace at any price”?___________________________________________________________________________________
10. Is the kind of peace I am seeking really attainable?___________________________________________________________________________________
11. Do I know how to attain that peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
12. Does reading Godʼs Word contribute to my inner peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
13. Am I sometimes “uncomfortable” when everything seems peaceful? ___________________________________________________________________________________
14. Do I really want to be a peaceful person who brings peace to others?___________________________________________________________________________________
15. Am I cooperating with God to make myself a person of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Peace part 2

 May 18, 2021



LESSON 20: PEACE
A. Definition of peace: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. An example from my everyday life:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. A positive example from the Bible: Ps. 27:1-6; Luke 1:26-38; 2:25-32; John 14:25-31; Acts 27:21-25. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D. A negative example from the Bible: 2 Sam. 15:1-13; Matt. 2:13-18; 26:69-75; 27:1-7; Luke 8:22-25.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E. Thinking about peace in my own life:
1. When have I demonstrated the quality of peace in a difficult time? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. In what situation did I fail to demonstrate peace? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What problem in my life could God use to develop peace? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Who can be a Christian model for me of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________

5. How can I develop this quality in my life?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build peace into my life: Isa. 26:3; Matt. 5:9; John 14:27; 16:33; Rom. 5:1; 12:18; Phil. 4:7. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

G. Self-evaluation:
1. Am I able to maintain peace even when circumstances are not peaceful?___________________________________________________________________________________
2. When there are conflicts in relationships between my friends, do I help to restore peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Do I resist a critical, divisive spirit that destroys peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Am I willing to experience personal hurts in order to maintain peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Do I understand peace in the same way the Scriptures explain it?___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Am I aware of those situations that usually rob me of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
7. Am I taking steps to deal with the root problem? ___________________________________________________________________________________
8. Do others consider me to be a peaceful individual?___________________________________________________________________________________
9. Is this motto healthy: “Peace at any price”?___________________________________________________________________________________
10. Is the kind of peace I am seeking really attainable?___________________________________________________________________________________
11. Do I know how to attain that peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
12. Does reading Godʼs Word contribute to my inner peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
13. Am I sometimes “uncomfortable” when everything seems peaceful? ___________________________________________________________________________________
14. Do I really want to be a peaceful person who brings peace to others?___________________________________________________________________________________
15. Am I cooperating with God to make myself a person of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________

Monday, May 17, 2021

Peace part 1

 May 17, 2021



LESSON 20: PEACE
A. Definition of peace: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. An example from my everyday life:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

C. A positive example from the Bible: Ps. 27:1-6; Luke 1:26-38; 2:25-32; John 14:25-31; Acts 27:21-25. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

D. A negative example from the Bible: 2 Sam. 15:1-13; Matt. 2:13-18; 26:69-75; 27:1-7; Luke 8:22-25.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E. Thinking about peace in my own life:
1. When have I demonstrated the quality of peace in a difficult time? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. In what situation did I fail to demonstrate peace? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What problem in my life could God use to develop peace? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Who can be a Christian model for me of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________

5. How can I develop this quality in my life?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build peace into my life: Isa. 26:3; Matt. 5:9; John 14:27; 16:33; Rom. 5:1; 12:18; Phil. 4:7. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

G. Self-evaluation:
1. Am I able to maintain peace even when circumstances are not peaceful?___________________________________________________________________________________
2. When there are conflicts in relationships between my friends, do I help to restore peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
3. Do I resist a critical, divisive spirit that destroys peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Am I willing to experience personal hurts in order to maintain peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
5. Do I understand peace in the same way the Scriptures explain it?___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Am I aware of those situations that usually rob me of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
7. Am I taking steps to deal with the root problem? ___________________________________________________________________________________
8. Do others consider me to be a peaceful individual?___________________________________________________________________________________
9. Is this motto healthy: “Peace at any price”?___________________________________________________________________________________
10. Is the kind of peace I am seeking really attainable?___________________________________________________________________________________
11. Do I know how to attain that peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
12. Does reading Godʼs Word contribute to my inner peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________
13. Am I sometimes “uncomfortable” when everything seems peaceful? ___________________________________________________________________________________
14. Do I really want to be a peaceful person who brings peace to others?___________________________________________________________________________________
15. Am I cooperating with God to make myself a person of peace? ___________________________________________________________________________________

Friday, May 14, 2021

Attentiveness part 5

 May 14, 2021


LESSON 19: ATTENTIVENESS

A. Definition of attentiveness:

B. An example from my everyday life:

C. A positive example from the Bible: Ex. 18:19-24; Ps. 34; John 10:1-5; Rev. 3:15-22.

D. A negative example from the Bible: Num. 22:15-35; Prov. 29:12; Isa. 7:10-15; Matt.             13:10-17; 16:21-25; John 6:58-61.

E. Thinking about attentiveness in my own life:
    1. When have I been attentive?
    2. In what situation did I fail to be attentive? 
    3. To whom would God want me to be more attentive? 
    4. What problem in my life could God use to build attentiveness? 
    5. How can I develop this quality in my life?

F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build attentiveness into my life: Ps. 25:5; 40:1;         Prov. 12:15; 23:12; 23:22; Mark 4:23; Heb. 2:1.

G. Self-evaluation:
    1. Would those close to me consider me to be a good listener? 
    2. Am I a good listener? Do my facial expressions and other gestures show that I am                 listening intently?
    3. When I am spoken to, do I stop what I am doing, look and listen? 
    4. Do I always look at the person who is speaking to me or do I glance away to other                 people or other distractions? 
    5. Are there certain people I pay more attention to than others? Do I know why? 
    6. How hard do my authorities (parents/employer) have to work to gain my attention?
    7. Do I listen to another person without wishing he would stop so that I could say                     something more interesting?
    8. Do I listen carefully when assignments are given to me so that the information is                     clear? 
    9. Do I ever make others uncomfortable by looking at my watch when they are talking?
    10. Have I cultivated the practice of responding to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit? 
    11. Do my personal prayer times include times of quiet meditation and listening to God? 
    12. Have I told God that I will do whatever He tells me to do if He makes it clear to me? 
    13. Do I have a recent testimony of how Scripture has spoken to me?

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Attentiveness part 4

 May 13, 2021


LESSON 19: ATTENTIVENESS

A. Definition of attentiveness:

B. An example from my everyday life:

C. A positive example from the Bible: Ex. 18:19-24; Ps. 34; John 10:1-5; Rev. 3:15-22.

D. A negative example from the Bible: Num. 22:15-35; Prov. 29:12; Isa. 7:10-15; Matt.             13:10-17; 16:21-25; John 6:58-61.

E. Thinking about attentiveness in my own life:
    1. When have I been attentive?
    2. In what situation did I fail to be attentive? 
    3. To whom would God want me to be more attentive? 
    4. What problem in my life could God use to build attentiveness? 
    5. How can I develop this quality in my life?

F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build attentiveness into my life: Ps. 25:5; 40:1;         Prov. 12:15; 23:12; 23:22; Mark 4:23; Heb. 2:1.

G. Self-evaluation:
    1. Would those close to me consider me to be a good listener? 
    2. Am I a good listener? Do my facial expressions and other gestures show that I am                 listening intently?
    3. When I am spoken to, do I stop what I am doing, look and listen? 
    4. Do I always look at the person who is speaking to me or do I glance away to other                 people or other distractions? 
    5. Are there certain people I pay more attention to than others? Do I know why? 
    6. How hard do my authorities (parents/employer) have to work to gain my attention?
    7. Do I listen to another person without wishing he would stop so that I could say                     something more interesting?
    8. Do I listen carefully when assignments are given to me so that the information is                     clear? 
    9. Do I ever make others uncomfortable by looking at my watch when they are talking?
    10. Have I cultivated the practice of responding to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit? 
    11. Do my personal prayer times include times of quiet meditation and listening to God? 
    12. Have I told God that I will do whatever He tells me to do if He makes it clear to me? 
    13. Do I have a recent testimony of how Scripture has spoken to me?

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Attentiveness part 3

 May 12, 2021


LESSON 19: ATTENTIVENESS

A. Definition of attentiveness:

B. An example from my everyday life:

C. A positive example from the Bible: Ex. 18:19-24; Ps. 34; John 10:1-5; Rev. 3:15-22.

D. A negative example from the Bible: Num. 22:15-35; Prov. 29:12; Isa. 7:10-15; Matt.             13:10-17; 16:21-25; John 6:58-61.

E. Thinking about attentiveness in my own life:
    1. When have I been attentive?
    2. In what situation did I fail to be attentive? 
    3. To whom would God want me to be more attentive? 
    4. What problem in my life could God use to build attentiveness? 
    5. How can I develop this quality in my life?

F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build attentiveness into my life: Ps. 25:5; 40:1;         Prov. 12:15; 23:12; 23:22; Mark 4:23; Heb. 2:1.

G. Self-evaluation:
    1. Would those close to me consider me to be a good listener? 
    2. Am I a good listener? Do my facial expressions and other gestures show that I am                 listening intently?
    3. When I am spoken to, do I stop what I am doing, look and listen? 
    4. Do I always look at the person who is speaking to me or do I glance away to other                 people or other distractions? 
    5. Are there certain people I pay more attention to than others? Do I know why? 
    6. How hard do my authorities (parents/employer) have to work to gain my attention?
    7. Do I listen to another person without wishing he would stop so that I could say                     something more interesting?
    8. Do I listen carefully when assignments are given to me so that the information is                     clear? 
    9. Do I ever make others uncomfortable by looking at my watch when they are talking?
    10. Have I cultivated the practice of responding to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit? 
    11. Do my personal prayer times include times of quiet meditation and listening to God? 
    12. Have I told God that I will do whatever He tells me to do if He makes it clear to me? 
    13. Do I have a recent testimony of how Scripture has spoken to me?

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Attentiveness part 2

 May 11, 2021


LESSON 19: ATTENTIVENESS

A. Definition of attentiveness:

B. An example from my everyday life:

C. A positive example from the Bible: Ex. 18:19-24; Ps. 34; John 10:1-5; Rev. 3:15-22.

D. A negative example from the Bible: Num. 22:15-35; Prov. 29:12; Isa. 7:10-15; Matt.             13:10-17; 16:21-25; John 6:58-61.

E. Thinking about attentiveness in my own life:
    1. When have I been attentive?
    2. In what situation did I fail to be attentive? 
    3. To whom would God want me to be more attentive? 
    4. What problem in my life could God use to build attentiveness? 
    5. How can I develop this quality in my life?

F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build attentiveness into my life: Ps. 25:5; 40:1;         Prov. 12:15; 23:12; 23:22; Mark 4:23; Heb. 2:1.

G. Self-evaluation:
    1. Would those close to me consider me to be a good listener? 
    2. Am I a good listener? Do my facial expressions and other gestures show that I am                 listening intently?
    3. When I am spoken to, do I stop what I am doing, look and listen? 
    4. Do I always look at the person who is speaking to me or do I glance away to other                 people or other distractions? 
    5. Are there certain people I pay more attention to than others? Do I know why? 
    6. How hard do my authorities (parents/employer) have to work to gain my attention?
    7. Do I listen to another person without wishing he would stop so that I could say                     something more interesting?
    8. Do I listen carefully when assignments are given to me so that the information is                     clear? 
    9. Do I ever make others uncomfortable by looking at my watch when they are talking?
    10. Have I cultivated the practice of responding to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit? 
    11. Do my personal prayer times include times of quiet meditation and listening to God? 
    12. Have I told God that I will do whatever He tells me to do if He makes it clear to me? 
    13. Do I have a recent testimony of how Scripture has spoken to me?

Monday, May 10, 2021

Attentiveness part 1

 May 6, 2021


LESSON 19: ATTENTIVENESS

A. Definition of attentiveness:

B. An example from my everyday life:

C. A positive example from the Bible: Ex. 18:19-24; Ps. 34; John 10:1-5; Rev. 3:15-22.

D. A negative example from the Bible: Num. 22:15-35; Prov. 29:12; Isa. 7:10-15; Matt.             13:10-17; 16:21-25; John 6:58-61.

E. Thinking about attentiveness in my own life:
    1. When have I been attentive?
    2. In what situation did I fail to be attentive? 
    3. To whom would God want me to be more attentive? 
    4. What problem in my life could God use to build attentiveness? 
    5. How can I develop this quality in my life?

F. A scripture verse I will memorize to help build attentiveness into my life: Ps. 25:5; 40:1;         Prov. 12:15; 23:12; 23:22; Mark 4:23; Heb. 2:1.

G. Self-evaluation:
    1. Would those close to me consider me to be a good listener? 
    2. Am I a good listener? Do my facial expressions and other gestures show that I am                 listening intently?
    3. When I am spoken to, do I stop what I am doing, look and listen? 
    4. Do I always look at the person who is speaking to me or do I glance away to other                 people or other distractions? 
    5. Are there certain people I pay more attention to than others? Do I know why? 
    6. How hard do my authorities (parents/employer) have to work to gain my attention?
    7. Do I listen to another person without wishing he would stop so that I could say                     something more interesting?
    8. Do I listen carefully when assignments are given to me so that the information is                     clear? 
    9. Do I ever make others uncomfortable by looking at my watch when they are talking?
    10. Have I cultivated the practice of responding to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit? 
    11. Do my personal prayer times include times of quiet meditation and listening to God? 
    12. Have I told God that I will do whatever He tells me to do if He makes it clear to me? 
    13. Do I have a recent testimony of how Scripture has spoken to me?

Sunday, May 2, 2021

The Victorious Sword - April 25, 2021 sermon


In 2018, an article in Psychology Today addressed the topic, “How to change people’s minds.”[1]  Although this article focused on how to teach students who have deeply rooted beliefs, the process has been, and continues to be, used by manipulators even today.  Here is the process:

  1. State and emphasize the central claim (i.e., the alternative position).
  2. Present and reinforce the central claim through core evidence.
  3. Address the erroneous information as a myth.
  4. Explain how the myth is erroneous (while keeping the truthfulness of the alternative position center-stage).

If you’ll notice, the new beliefs we want someone to accept are repeated and reinforced while continually denying the truth of the old belief.  That’s the strategy.  Repeat this often enough and an individual will begin to question what is true.

You need to know that this strategy to question your beliefs is a tactic Satan uses against a faithful person of God.  His desire is to have you change your beliefs, your convictions.  “No one actually believes this nonsense” he chides.  “You’ll end up on the wrong side of history unless you compromise.”

Since the beginning of time, Satan has used this strategy – questioning what is true – to turn people away from a life of faith.  He did this to Eve and Adam.  Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”[2] (Genesis 3:1).  Satan caused Eve to question God’s Word.  It’s too bad she didn’t have God’s words in writing.  Maybe it would have helped her to stand against the devil.

Does this strategy sound familiar?  Ever hear, “You’re mistaken; gender is fluid.”  “That’s not true; morality is relative.”  “We now know that homosexuality is normal.”  “The atonement of Jesus is a myth.”  Well, this is society using step #3 & 4; insisting repeatedly that your old beliefs about these things are not true.

Do you think God knew Satan would use this tactic; getting us to question what is right and what is true?  I believe He did because the Bible is filled with individuals who were able to withstand the sly deceptions of the Devil.  As kings and kingdoms attempted to turn the godly away from the Lord, the champions were, “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  They were able to, “stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10-11).

Consider the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Pressured by the king to bow before a great golden statue, these three young Jewish men refused to comply.  Why?  I believe it’s because they knew the Word of God.  These three young men knew what God had declared and what Moses had written down.  You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them[3] (Exodus 20:3-5).  Or what about Peter and John.  As the Jewish religious authorities forbade them from teaching about Jesus, these two Apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority[4] (Acts 5:29).

Where did these champions find the strength to stand while, all around them, they were pressured to comply?  It’s because there was a sword in their heart that defended their beliefs – their convictions.

Throughout this series on being battle ready, we’ve examined the importance of all the pieces of armor that defend us in this spiritual battle.  However, the last piece of armor Paul mentions is a soldier’s only weapon of offence.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God[5] (Ephesians 6:17).  A Christian who desires to remain standing in this spiritual battle against Satan and his demons must reach for their sword – the Word of God.  The Battle-Ready Christian needs to reach for the sword of the Spirit; it is not automatically placed in his or her hand.  To stand while the world attempts to change your beliefs, a Christian needs the sword of the Spirit – knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.

It was this knowledge and understanding that Jesus used against Satan while in the wilderness.  Satan tempted Jesus for 40 days.  As Jesus became weak from hunger, Satan launched an all-out attack.  In each case, Jesus used the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God – to stand firm.  No, the scriptures say,” was His reply (see Luke 4:1-12).

The challenge here is obvious; in a world where truth is determined by consensus – where popular opinion determines what is right or wrong - you are going to face pressure from the world and from the devil to surrender.  You will be pressured to “take a seat” rather than stand.  Satan wants us to comply with the ways of the world rather than stand firm.  And, in some Christian circles, even pastors and teachers are calling us to adapt to the ways of the world – to show tolerance and forbearance rather than stand.  For example, a recent exchange on Facebook led one pastor to say, “I think it would be hard to determine what is the correct view. All voices claim Biblical authority for their positions or soap boxes. It comes down to interpretation but then again, can we ever agree on what is the "correct" interpretation.”

That, my friend, is a sad example of a refusal to stand.  Rather than permit the Sword of the Lord to say what it should, many Christians today end up haggling over what they feel it should say… where consensus determines truth.  The problem with this is when you get a strong majority of individuals who reach a consensus on certain parts of scripture, they naturally begin to practice steps 3&4 – insisting that what you believe is a myth and in error. 

There is a difference between teaching the Word and questioning the Word.  When someone is teaching you the Word of God or helping you understand its meaning, they are allowing the Sword of the Spirit to stand on its own truth.  They are helping you recognize the authority God’s Word has over your life.  In contrast, when someone comes along questioning the Word, they are, in fact, saying, “Did God really say this,” or “Did this event really happen.”  And when someone begins questioning the Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God – they are placing the Bible beneath their scrutiny. 

 

My Christian friend, you need to take up that sword because it’s not just the devil or the world who is trying to change the deeply rooted beliefs of Christianity.  Some pastors and teachers are trying to sway your beliefs as well.  The battle isn’t just “out there.”  Some who claim to be religious are using tactics #3&4.

 

Some pastors insist that there are certain parts of the Old Testament we don’t accept to be true.  Others teach that the incident with Daniel and Belshazzar (the handwriting on the wall in Daniel 5) was a myth.  Some religious leaders today will have you question the authority of the entire Bible.  I know one who matter-of-factly claims the atonement of Jesus is a myth; that we’ve been misled to believe Christ’s death on the cross was necessary.  Do you see the tactic here?  It’s the same old strategy; “Did God really say this?”

 

In my life as a Christian, I have always been drawn to those pastors or teachers who encourage me to take up the Sword of the Spirit.  Unfortunately, there are many who stand in their pulpits calling people put down the Sword and question their beliefs.  This is why you and I must take up the Sword of the Lord and never let go.  Hold it tightly in your heart.  It is your only weapon in a world that is attempting to destroy your life of faith.  Unless you and I wield the sword, we are easily overcome.  Without the sword of the Spirit – an understanding of what God has said and what it means – we will eventually comply rather than stand.



[1] https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/thoughts-thinking/201804/how-change-people-s-minds?eml

[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ge 3:1). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ex 20:3–5). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 5:29). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Eph 6:17). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.