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| July 25 – Continuing from last week we identified the role and role model of the husband. Role – love wives as Christ loved the church Role Model – Christ After a volunteer read Ephesians 5:25-30 we stated verbs Paul used to describe Christ’s commitment to His bride. Verbs included; gave, love, make her holy, washing, presenting, sanctify, cherish, nourish, provides, and cares. We then looked at what this says about a husband’s responsibility in marriage. The discussion focused on the fact that these verbs are action verbs, and a husband should be proactive and not reactive. This led into a discussion of specific ways a husband can provide and care for their wives. Ways included; • Active listening • Help around the house • Verbally appreciate (say it) all she does • Do things for her (ex. Have gates open for her when she gets home) • Discipline the children (back her up) • Actively be the spiritual leader of the home We also discussed the limitations of these passages, which included human frailty and choosing to be disobedient. We then discussed how both roles (husbands and wives) call for submission to Christ and one another, and how applying these concepts can bring joy to a marriage. Both roles call for obedience and man must submit to Christ to achieve obedience. Applying these concepts will bring joy because there is joy in Christ when submitting, there would be peace in the home, and there will be joy through the blessings the Lord will give. The lesson then turns to missions. We completed the 1st activity of day three (pg 149). Here we learned of Paul’s missionary strategy from Romans 15:19-21. His strategy was to tell the gospel to those who have never heard it. A volunteer then read Romans 15:23… 23But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, …and we looked at a map of the area Paul had ministered in. We then discussed how Paul could say he had no more work in those areas. Reasons included that he had started a church, and had touched all places (people groups, not necessarily each individual). We then discussed where Paul would want to go today, probably North Africa and Asia. To look at why there is a need for frontier missions, participants read Ephesians 4:17-19. Responses included that hearts are hardened, people are ignorant, and they are unexposed (18They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts). We acknowledged that the call to frontier missions can be daunting. We were reminded that this is a study about pursuing pleasure and that Dr. Piper said we also pursue lasting joy through missions. We then completed the 1st activity of day five (pg 151), which asked two questions regarding Mark 10:17-31 (the story of Jesus counseling the rich young ruler on how to get to heaven). 1. What is the most perplexing statement to you? One participant volunteered that it was how the rich young ruler was unwilling to give up all he had after all the sacrifices he had made in keeping the commandments (vs. 21 – 22). 2. What is the most exciting statement? One response was that when we give up brothers or sisters, father or mother, etc. for His sake we will receive a hundredfold now in this time (vs. 29-30). Another volunteered that it is that all things are possible with God (vs. 27). Next we looked at the motivating incentives for missions. The 1st motivating incentive is that with God all things are possible (vs. 25-27). The 2nd motivating incentive is your rewards (vs. 28-30). Dr. Piper further explains this on pages 152-153, and says “Surely what Christ means is that He Himself makes up for every sacrifice.” We ended this week by sharing our responses to the final activity of day five (pg 153). Luke 21:12-18 (New International Version) 12"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17All men will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. What does Jesus promise all those who answer the battle cry of Christian hedonism? Responses included persecution, opportunity to witness, the words to say, protection, and eternal life. |
| Adult Median Class Teacher-Dean Skalbeck |
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| Today (August 8) we began a new study based on the book Fire and Rain, The Wild-hearted Faith of Elijah, by Ray Pritchard. We started by looking at the statement those who risk little, achieve little. Those who risk the most, gain the most. Everyone agreed, with the reasoning that if you risk nothing, you keep what you have and that’s it, you gain nothing. We learned that this study of Elijah will challenge participants to be risk-takers so we can become all God wants them to be.
We continued by discussing why you must know the environment in which a person lives to fully understand the person. Reasons included that circumstances develop their character, we learn what challenges they face and how they rise to the occasion, allows us to show compassion, and can give us ministry opportunities. Dr. Pritchard then takes us back several centuries to help us get a feel for the environment in which Elijah ministered. We listed the kings on the board and described their reigns . • Jeroboam – Bad, Bad, Bad • Nadab – did evil in the sight of the Lord • Baasha – did evil in the sight of the Lord • Elah – did evil in the sight of the Lord • Zimri – was assassinated (after 1 week) “because of the sins he had committed, doing evil in the eyes of the Lord.”(1 Kings 16:19) • Omri – “Omri did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did more evil than all who were before him.” (1 Kings 16:25) • Ahab – was the worst of all We then completed the last activity of Day 1. The personal challenge that we gain in reading of the downward spiral of the nation of Israel is that we always need to be on guard, and not to follow blindly. Also, we discussed why it would be risky to minister for God in such an environment as that under Ahab. The discussion centered around the idea that they had been led so far away from God that there probably wasn’t much tolerance for that kind of ministry, it would be likely that they may be persecuted if not killed. This led into a comparison of that society with our society and how it is still risky to speak for God. We discussed how our government is leading us away from God and that people are beginning to be persecuted in this country for speaking out for God. One example was of the photographer who was sued, and lost, because they refused to photograph a lesbian couple’s marriage. Next we read 1 Kings 17:1; And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” We discussed how the word “And” could inject hope into the situation. One response was that it indicated that God knew what was going on and was going to help. Here it was emphasized that God often sends hope and help by sending His man or woman. Here God entered Israel’s terrible situation through Elijah. At this point we learn that Elijah’s name literally means “the Lord is my God”. El is God, Jah is like Jehovah or Yahweh, and the i in Elijah means my. We then determined why that name needs to define anyone who is going to be a risk-taker for God. We determined that you can’t be a risk taker for God if He is not your Lord, you would be taking risks for yourself . We also learned that Elijah was a mountain man, he came from the mountains. Because of this he was probably a bit uncouth, not very refined, and probably didn’t have the same level of education as those from the city of Jerusalem. Participants then shared images or words that come to mind when they hear the term “mountain man”. These included rugged, tough, smelly, honest, simplistic, direct, conservative, out-spoken, loud, and fearless. From the final activity of Day Three we learn that he had a nature like ours, and that he was a praying man (James 5:17). We then considered the significance of the fact that Elijah had a nature like ours. Responses included that it didn’t hinder him in his relationship with God, he had the same temptations and trials as we do, and it shows God chooses common people for His glory. We also looked at what our challenge is since we live in a world that is similar to Elijah’s and have a similar nature. All agreed that the challenge is to be risk-takers for God. Many learners may feel completely inadequate to be the kind of risk-taker that Elijah was which is why believers must learn Elijah’s secret. After a volunteer again read aloud 1 Kings 17:1 we looked at the reasons Elijah could boldly confront the evil in his day. 1. Elijah believed in the living God. From the activity on page 14 we learned that Ahab’s Baal is worthless (2 Kings 17:15) and Elijah’s God is alive. We also shared some worthless gods that are worshipped today which included money, sex, TV, power, positions, buddha, allah, celebrities, and food. 2. Elijah served the covenant God. 3. Elijah lived in the presence of God. 4. Elijah obeyed the call of God . We then looked at why Elijah was not afraid to confront the evil king Ahab. One answer was that God had his back, front, and both sides. Dr. Pritchard also said (pg 15) “One reason we are not bolder and more courageous is because we have more respect for men than we do for the Almighty God.” A volunteer then read Proverbs 29:25 aloud; The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. We discussed how fearing man snares believers. Responses included that they are usually self-seekers, not contributing anything worthy or beneficial, devastating homes and families. Next we completed the activity on page 15 to discover, from Isaiah 51:7-8, why God’s people do not need to fear man. Because the moth and worm will eat them up, and God’s righteousness and salvation are forever. In Day Five we learn that a radical Christian is nothing more than somebody who’s gotten down to the root issues of life and figured out what matters and what doesn’t matter. With this in mind we looked at how we can figure out what matters and what doesn’t. Participants volunteered that we need to be in the word, and if it has everlasting effects it is important. After reading Dr. Pritchard’s closing question, “Where are the Elijahs of the Lord God?” We completed the final activity; The male and female Elijahs of today stand firm in the Lord, they give themselves fully to the Lord and do everything in Love, and they are courageous. (1 Cor. 15:58; 1 Cor. 16:13-14) We finished this week by considering how doing “everything in love” requires a radical risk. Responses included that we may not be loved back a good majority of the time, and we won’t necessarily be respected in the eyes of man. |
| Aug 15 - We continued the study of Elijah by asking the question of what university would you have attended if money, grades, or location had not been a factor and why. Responses included Northwest University because they have a great history department, the same local one because she’s a homebody, and Texas Christian University (TCU) because they had an amazing campus. After all agreeing that we might not be too interested in attending “Dry Brook University”, we learned that is exactly where God sent Elijah to prepare him for the ministry that lay ahead. We then looked at the 1st activity of Day One and shared what we thought would be good, exciting verses to follow Elijah’s pronouncement in 1 Kings 17:1 ( 1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word." (NIV)). Some ideas included; • Psalm 37:7 (Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace.) • I am who I am • So I suggest you stop doing what you are doing and obey the Lord! After a volunteer read 1 Kings 17:2-4, we discussed whether we thought it odd that Elijah began his ministry by speaking one sentence and then left for the desert. Responses included no, it’s God’s way and I don’t know. We then read Mark 1:9-12 and Galatians 1:15-18 and discussed how Jesus’ and Paul’s experiences were similar to Elijah’s. The discussion centered on how they were driven into the wilderness to be alone at the start of their ministries and that it happened after miraculous events. This led into a discussion on why obscurity, silence, or solitude is a difficult but necessary place for God’s children to go. Some reasons were that we will then learn to listen to God, because we don’t like to be still or quiet, and we have nothing to do but listen . We then began looking at lessons Elijah learned by the brook. 1. God’s will is revealed to us one step at a time. God does not overwhelm His children with more of His will than they can bear to know. He gives them just enough light to know what they need to know for the next step. 2. God’s timetable and ours are not the same. Here we discussed reasons it was to Elijah’s advantage to hide at the brook for several months. Reasons included that he probably made Ahab and the whole nation angry, if they got rid of Elijah they got rid of the problem, and they might have sacrificed Elijah. We also shared ideas of what he may have been doing during that time (talked to God, made mudpies, fished (catch & release), and he was content to sit in the presence of God) and what we do in the dry and monotonous times of life (fall asleep, find ways to fill the time (busyness), and grumble). 3. God’s delays teach us to trust Him in new ways. 4. God’s power works even in our absence. After reading the quote “It is a great advance in the spiritual life when we come to understand that God doesn’t need us to do anything.” From Ray Pritchard we discussed the Isaiah 55 activity (pg 21). From Isaiah 55:8-11 we found the truths that Elijah was learning in the ravine. These included that God’s thoughts were not Elijah’s, and He will do what He said. 5. God’s blessings come after we obey, not before. After reading 1 Kings 17:5-6 we discussed how Elijah had learned this truth. He learned this because he had to be by the brook before he got fed. 6. God’s guidance comes through suddenly changing circumstances. From 1 Kings 17:7 we learn that sometime later the brook dried up. We then shared ideas on what might have been going through Elijah’s mind when the brook dried up. These included about time, my prayers have been answered, and that maybe he got nervous (nothing to drink). We then listened as the following statement was read: “Your hard times don’t necessarily mean you are doing something wrong. They may mean you are doing exactly what God wants you to do.” We continued by answering the following questions: How are the rests in music just as important as the notes? They give you time to breath, slow you down, and they add definition to the song. How are the rests in our lives just as important as times of action? They give you time to breath, your energy returns, it defines character, and gives you time to talk to God and listen to God. What are some rests of “dry brook times” in adults’ lives? Unemployment, depression, loss of job, loss of family member, family problems, loss of friends. Do we usually choose them or are they forced on us? They are usually forced on us. Why does God allow dry brook times? Because we don’t always listen/speak to God. What must we do with our dry brook rest times? Be still and know He is God. We ended here for this week, next week will continue by looking at Elijah and the ravens. |