“God is just” was the accent of last month’s lessons. “Jesus calls for justice and mercy” is the accent of this month’s lessons. Therefore our texts will come from the Gospels—two from Matthew and three from Luke. Matthew 18 is Jesus’ fourth discourse in the Gospel. The theme of the discourse is taken from the […]
Week 26 Application | The Sword in Your Chest
Do you realize that you currently have a sword in your chest? Sounds uncomfortable, doesn’t it? Actually it’s quite normal to have this kind of sword in our chests, and most of the time it doesn’t hurt at all. I’m talking about a small bony structure located at the base of the sternum. In anatomical […]
Week 26 Study Questions
Use one or both of these questions to introduce the lesson: 1. In international politics, the phrase “red line” refers to an action taken by a nation that requires other nations to treat it as an enemy. What examples of a political “red line” can you think of? What actions by a nation, in your […]
Week 26 Mission | The Power of Example
The drive from Topeka to Denver on I-70 is efficient but not beautiful. Thankfully, the drive through western Kansas inaccurately portrays the whole state. There are, however, some eye-catching signs along I-70 like, “See the World’s Largest Prairie Dog.” The sign itself isn’t beautiful and the treasure it proclaims . . . well, it’s not […]
Week 26 Character | Taking It Personally
Could the rumors be true? The Jerusalem church sent Barnabas to investigate what was happening in Antioch. Only a few brave disciples obeyed Jesus’ command (Acts 1:8) to go beyond Jerusalem, beyond the Jews, beyond their prejudice and comfort. These courageous men from Cyprus and Cyrene shared the good news with the Greeks and it […]