• Acts 15:1-28

It has been said that the problem with living in the world is that occasionally one must interact with other people. The problem is that whenever two individuals are together for long enough, conflict will occur. Regardless of what type of relationship they share, differences of opinion will arise. In general, people approach conflict in one of three ways. Some seek to avoid conflict at all costs even if it means abandoning their personal preferences.

At the other extreme, some people welcome conflict by asserting that their way is the only “correct” way and demanding others submit. Finally, many people try to ignore conflict, hoping that it will simply go away and leave things unchanged. In the book of Acts we read about a conflict that threatened to split or stifle the growth of the early church. It was a conflict that both theological, in that it dealt with the meaning of salvation, and practical, in that it effected evangelism and fellowship within the church.

As we read the story, we see an example of how God desires His followers to deal with conflict. God calls on us to resolve any conflict in such a way that both sides of the issue are benefited, the relationship is preserved, and God is glorified.

Agree to Resolve the Problem (Acts 15:1-2)

For a number of years following the resurrection of Jesus, the beliefs of His followers were widely seen as comprising a new sect within Judaism. All of the earliest converts were Jews who maintained some connection to the rituals and ceremonial law of Judaism after accepting the Gospel. As these believers spread beyond Judea, they came into contact with Gentiles.

Through the missionary work of men like Paul, many of these non-Jews believed, accepted their message, and were baptized. Some of the Jewish leaders within the church thought that these new converts should be required to adhere to Jewish law in order to be a true believer. Paul, Barnabas, and others disagreed.

Rather than causing emotionally-heated argument, the two groups decided to resolve their disagreement peacefully before a judge in Jerusalem. Just as too often happens today, they could have either disregarded the problem and allowed bitterness to grow or insisted on their different opinions and created a fight. Instead, they chose to face and resolve the matter in a way that would please God.

Discuss the Issues (Acts 15:6-12)

Once everyone involved had gathered in Jerusalem, each side presented their arguments before James and the other leaders of the Jerusalem church. There are at least two things to take note of in these verses. First, one of the overarching concerns of everyone was likely to preserve the unity and reputation of the young church. It is often true that you can tell the most about a group of people by observing how they disagree.

At the Jerusalem Council, it appears that a genuine search for God’s will trumped any personal agendas. It appears that there was a sincere desire for open discussion. Second, there was a clear desire to discuss and consider the arguments of each side. Each side had sound reasons and used them to persuade the others.

Today it can be easy to face differences of opinion with the attitude that “it has never been done that way before,” and close off any further discussion. But there would never be any growth or development if there were no differences which were openly discussed. Conflict can be a good opportunity to examine our beliefs and determine why we hold them.

Look at the Scriptures (Acts 15:13-17)

While it is important to openly discuss and examine particular beliefs and practices periodically, we should always be sure no final decision be reached without consulting the Bible. Any brief look at the history of the church reveals that there have been many times when large crowds followed those who could offer convincing, but erroneous statements of belief.

The followers fell for the eloquent speech and forgot to assess what was said according to the consistent witness of Scripture. When Peter referred to the past history and traditions of the people, James looked into their sacred texts (which we now have as the Old Testament) and was convinced by what he found there. There are a number of issues confronting churches today such as the place of women in ministry which have honest believing supporters on both sides.

As churches wrestle with these issues, God wants us all to remember that he has provided assistance and guidance in the pages of His Word. It is up to us to look beyond carefully crafted human arguments and consider what God has said in the pages of the Bible whenever we are faced with conflicting opinions.

Reach a Consensus (Acts 15:22-28)

Finally, after carefully weighing the various arguments, the members of the Jerusalem Council determined that Gentiles should not be required to adhere to Jewish Law as part of becoming a believer and follower of Christ.

While it appears that James and Peter were clearly seen as leaders, neither of them simply imposed their position on the rest. They continued debating the issue peacefully until the rest of the leaders were convinced and then sent word throughout the region concerning their consensus.

The church has one head – Christ. No other human has been given sole authority to unilaterally make decisions concerning the direction of the church. God speaks to all believers and leads each into the Truth. Because of this, whenever we face conflict within the church, we should always be careful to get input from all and refuse to move forward until agreement has been reached.

• Acts 14:1-4, 11-23 

“I am following Jesus, so why do so many bad things keep happening to me?” At one time or another, every believer has asked this question.

Some seem to believe that committing his or her life to God and seeking to obey him should be the end of struggling with difficult situations. They move out in obedience to God’s call assuming God will simply remove any hindrance or resistance. Then when troubles come, they react.

Some become disillusioned with the Christian life and perhaps try to run and hide from life. Others complain to God and others. Still others seek to summon up the will power to overcome the difficulty within their own strength. God, however, never promised following him would be easy.

In fact, throughout the Bible, we can see following God often leads directly to problems because obedience to God puts us on a path contrary to the “way things work” in the world. God allows believers to encounter these times in order that we might grow stronger. God desires followers who will be committed to keep following him regardless of any obstacles. The life of Paul as recorded in the book of Acts provides us with ample examples of how we might do this.

Rejection and dependence (Acts 14:1-4)

As Paul journeyed as a missionary throughout the Roman Empire, large numbers of people came to accept the gospel and were saved. Many today read verses such as Acts 14:1 and think that that is how their own personal efforts at witnessing should be. As long as they are genuinely sharing the good news, they feel they should find nothing but success as many come to believe based on their testimony. When they meet resistance, they can quickly retreat into doubt and discouragement.

When we read the story of Paul, we see one who faced resistance greater than any we encounter today. There were many well-educated people who were directly contradicting Paul’s message and seeking to turn people against him. These people also convinced many Paul should be killed. Yet verse 3 indicates Paul did not leave at the first sign of trouble. He remained faithful to his calling to preach in the face of hostility, depending on God for protection. God is looking for believers who will refuse to run or be side-tracked by trouble.

Misconception and explanation (Acts 14:11-18)

As a way to strengthen and validate his message, Paul was given the ability by God to perform miracles. This gift, however, occasionally led some to see Paul as superhuman or divine. Paul then had to correct their misconceptions and direct their attention away from his miraculous acts to the God who was responsible for the gift.

Most believers today are not confronted with that kind of accusation, but often have to correct other misconceptions of those to whom they witness. Many outside the church look at the Christian life as a life of rules and regulations which take most or all of the fun and spontaneity out of life. They may see faith in Jesus as merely a crutch for the weak-minded. Believers need to be aware of such misconceptions and be prepared to deal with them honestly and explain the fallacy behind them.

The life of Paul clearly shows we never should allow anything to shift the focus away from Christ. Whatever misconceptions or false ideas we may encounter, we always should quickly refute them and clearly explain the truth.

Persecution and faithfulness (Acts 14:19-21)

Everywhere Paul went, he faced resistance and persecution. Often this was people from other areas following him and seeking to stir up distrust or hostility toward Paul. Soon false stories and accusations about Paul spread throughout the Roman Empire so that Paul was assaulted even as he traveled between towns. The level of persecution also escalated from verbal arguments and attacks to physical assault and attempted execution.

It certainly would have been understandable if he had altered his plans or stopped. Yet through all of this, Paul remained committed to fulfilling his call to spread the message. He simply refused to allow other people to distract him. His faithfulness even led him to return to places where he previously had been persecuted, even when friends tried to convince him not to go.

As we have mentioned, seeking to share the gospel often will place us at odds with those who do not believe. But God is calling his followers to press on through resistance and even persecution in our mission. Jesus told us we should even rejoice in our persecution knowing our faithfulness will have a great reward in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12).

Recognition and acceptance (Acts 14:22-23)

In this world, there will be trials and difficulties. Accepting Christ and seeking to follow him does not remove those troubles and may bring its own problems. Believers need to accept that and not allow it to cause them to give up.

Indeed, one of the most effective witnesses to the truthfulness of the Christian message is when a believer maintains their witness in the face of resistance. The world’s way is to seek the path of least resistance, so when an unbeliever sees someone maintain their commitment in spite of persecution, he or she is motivated to ask why. Persistence through obstacles leads to a recognition and acceptance of the truth. And God is looking for believers to demonstrate that kind of commitment whenever they face trying times.

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• Revelation 19:6-9, 11-16, 19-21 

Christians take extreme points of view on the return of Christ. Some folks look at every event in history as a sign of the end times. Conflict in Israel signals Armageddon, and global warming indicates God’s wrath and return. Some Christians take another extreme. They say, “I don’t know when Christ will return, so let’s just live as if it will never happen in our life times.”

The ideal, it would seem, falls in between these two points of view. Jesus indicated a great deal of uncertainty would exist around when he would return and bring about the fully realized kingdom of God, and he simultaneously indicated we also should live in anticipation of when that will happen.

This week’s lesson is about finding a way to live fully in anticipation that Jesus will return and bring ultimate deliverance for believers. It is about the belief that Christ’s return will signal Christ claiming his people, bringing about God’s kingdom and defeating the forces of evil in this world. Therefore, we can rejoice in what Christ will accomplish when he returns, and we can choose to live life here and now with a sense of victory because of what awaits us at the return of Christ.

Claimed! (Revelation 19:6-9)

Consider how good it feels to receive an invitation to a party, or even better, to a really nice party such as a wedding feast. It is an honor to be on the guest list, to be thought of so highly by another that we are invited to a celebration. Now ask your learners to consider how good it must be that the Creator of the cosmos is inviting us to the most important party in the history of time—the wedding of the Lamb of God.

By inviting us to the wedding feast of the Lamb, God is claiming us as special and dear. We will be called to rejoice and celebrate that the Lamb of God—Jesus—has arrived. We can celebrate because we will then know for fact all the things we have accepted as a belief. We will know Jesus’ promise to return to us is real. We will know the battle of this world between good and evil will be won. We will know we are claimed by Jesus, and we are invited to the party.

Faith in this event can help us to realize how beautiful a gift our salvation really is. Faith in this event also can help us to live victoriously now by living as if the battle is won and done. Faith in this event can inspire us to live righteously and faithfully because we anticipate a different outcome than the evil one would have us believe in.

While this passage does not describe the wedding feast, it does announce it. Is this wedding feast at the immediate time of Christ’s return? Or some later time? We cannot know for sure, but the bottom line is the wedding feast will come with the new heaven and new earth mentioned in Revelation 21:2, 9.

Conquered! (Revelation 19:11-16)

In this section of Scripture, we see the rider of the white horse, and by name, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords,” we identify him as Jesus, the one who previously has conquered death and is about to conquer the Antichrist and the beast. This chapter is the “end game” account of what ultimately will happen to the beast and the Antichrist we discussed July 6 and 13, and it is their vanquishing that further fortifies the lordship of Christ over all the earth.

For discussion with your learners, you might want to ask:

• How can we be encouraged by the certainty of Christ’s return?

• How can we proclaim Christ’s lordship with our words and actions?

Crushed! (Revelation 19:19-21)

Some say the battle of Christ and his army against the Antichrist and his army as depicted in Revelation 19:19-21 is the battle of Armageddon, as referenced in Revelation 16:12-16. This final battle between good and evil will be decisive. John predicts Christ’s victory in Revelation 17:14 and shows the end that will come to the false prophet and the Antichrist—being cast into the fiery lake. Their armies don’t fare so well either; they are killed with the sword that comes from the mouth of the horseman—Christ.

Your learners can stand on these truths from this passage:

• No matter how bad things get in our lives, Christ ultimately will be victorious.

• When we stand with Christ in our daily living—by following his teachings and witnessing of our faith in him—then we unify ourselves with Jesus and will not become a follower of the evil one.

• Just as Christ’s return and the believer’s victory are sure, so is the judgment of Christ’s enemies. We can be assured that ultimately, justice will come to pass according to God’s plan of grace and mercy.

• Revelation 13:1-10,16-18

This week’s lesson presents many difficult angles for the teacher—Revelation clearly is a coded book referencing many of the political and religious persecution problems of John’s day. This week’s passage focuses on an evil beast, frequently called the Antichrist by some interpreters, who rises from the seas and is followed by the whole earth.

While its cryptic nature makes it hard to follow, this passage has major implications for the way we live today, and in particular what leaders we choose to follow. Our own lifetimes have seen the rise of men like Hitler and bin Laden, so we are left to ponder if perhaps they are also examples of the idea of Antichrist?

Satan’s PR man (Revelation 13:1-6)

Whether you read the beast as the Antichrist is irrelevant. This passage clearly indicates that there is someone or something—a beast—that is a tool of the dragon, and the dragon is thought to be the evil one we refer to as Satan. The dictate for modern readers is to be careful in choosing whom we may be following, and to be careful about joining in “just because everyone else is doing it.”

We should reject any leader or teaching that lessens the sovereignty, holiness and majesty of Christ. Ask your learners to discuss how they evaluate the quality of a leader, such as a pastor. In particular, how should followers of Christ evaluate the preaching and teaching to which they expose themselves?

The ultimate control freak (Revelation 13:7-8,16-18)

The first beast will exercise such authority that the whole world will follow him. This beast is given authority to make war, and it also is given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. In John’s vision all the people of the world (except those written in the Lamb’s book of life) worship the beast.

John then identifies a second beast (vv. 11-12), later called the false prophet (16:13; 19:20; 20:10), who will require people to receive the mark of the beast in order to live or do business. Clarify for your learners that there are two beasts in chapter 13, and the mark of the beast refers to the first of the two beasts—the one commonly referred to as the Antichrist.

Gematria is the practice of assigning numbers to letters, a practice used by many to determine the significance of the number 666. There are scads of opinions about the significance of the number, with much speculation as to whom it could refer. The most probable is Neron Caesar according to the editors of the New Revised Standard Version, but the biblical truth for our lives is that John’s words in verse 18 call for divine wisdom and not mathematical ingenuity.

After all, others have thought that Hitler, bin Laden and Ronald Reagan were the Antichrist, too.

The persecutor (Revelation 13:7, 9-10)

In John’s vision, the beast was a source of suffering for followers of Christ, persecuting and killing believers. The harsh reality is that the evil forces at work in this world do intend to cause harm to God’s children, and this reality forces us to heed the call for patient endurance and faithfulness from those who suffer persecution.

If you feel the sense of dread and doom in this passage, that’s what John intended. He is partially quoting from Jeremiah 15, a passage his contemporary readers would know well as a word of doom from God. Yet there is a word of grace in this section of material, as it also is a partial quote from Matt 26:52.

There, Jesus is being captured in the garden and tells one of his disciples to put away his sword, “for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” It is John’s way of saying that believers must deal with the persecution in the manner of Jesus, not returning bad for bad, but instead choosing the peaceful way of Jesus as their ethical framework.

Exercising this endurance and faithfulness to Christ in the midst of persecution and even martyrdom is the call upon the life of a Christian. The harshness of our world is a good reminder, though, that Christians are “called out ones.” Paul uses this sentiment to describe the church in his use of the word “ecclesia.” It describes the very nature of the church as a body distinct from the world, yet very much in the middle of the rest of the world.

Our persecution and suffering, then, can be seen as an indicator of our faithfulness, especially when we intentionally live strong faith while the world looks on.

• Acts 11:19-30 

We all know at least one of them—those individuals who seem to always be able to immediately see the bright side of any situation. Not only do they seem to be continually optimistic, but they also have the ability to spread that feeling to everyone they come in contact with. They are natural encouragers who seem to have been given a gift for raising anyone’s spirit.

Because everyone knows someone like this, many excuse their own lack of encouraging by claiming they do not have that gift. Yet throughout the Bible, anyone who claims to be a follower of God is called on to be an encouragement to others. While there are those who have a special gift of encouragement, no one is exempt from encouraging.

The book of Acts tells us about someone who clearly was a gifted encourager. His name is Barnabas, and he was known as the “son of encouragement.” My dad always said that with a reputation like that, Barnabas is easily the most underrated and underappreciated person in the Bible. As we study his story, we can learn a lot about the meaning and method of being an encouragement in the life of someone else.

Approach new Christians (Acts 11:19-22)

In the early days of the church, there was a significant debate over how the gospel should be presented to those who were not Jewish. Some within the church, especially those from Jerusalem and Judea, simply would not preach the Good News to Gentiles.

Yet as the message spread beyond the borders of Israel, many Greeks became believers. Jewish believers from those Gentile areas such as Cyprus and Cyrene began to tell their neighbors about Jesus. Perhaps it was because they were more comfortable around Greeks, having lived among them.

Whatever the reason, suspicion arose among the church leaders in Jerusalem concerning these Gentile converts, and they sent Barnabas to assess the situation. While their exact motives may be unknown, it seems significant that they chose to send one who was especially known as an encourager. Certainly these new believers would need encouraging. They had believed a message which called on them to have a distinctively different lifestyle than they had lived before. Such a change may well draw scrutiny or criticism from friends and family.

The same is true for many today. New believers often are uncertain about aspects of the Christian life. They often find it difficult to break away from old habits. They need more mature believers to come and support and encourage them and calm their uncertainties. God calls on each of his followers to be ready to encourage new Christians.

Affirm all Christians (Acts 11:23-24)

New believers are not the only ones who need encouragement. Verse 23 states Barnabas exhorted all who were there to remain faithful. Perhaps Barnabas could foresee there would be those who would come to call into question the salvation of the Greeks or would criticize the Jews’ method of sharing the gospel with Gentiles. Whatever his motive, Barnabas clearly understood there are times when even mature believers need to be affirmed. Later, in Acts 15:37-39, Barnabas would again demonstrate this by taking Mark with him even when it created a rift between him and Paul.

Believers today certainly need affirmation and encouragement. Remaining faithful in following God can be difficult with so many other voices seeking to draw us onto a different path toward happiness and fulfillment in life. Sometimes something as simple as a pat on the back or an unexpected phone call or even just a smile is all it takes to “spur one another on to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

Help Christians serve (Acts 11:25-26)

Barnabas also knew these new believers needed more than his encouragement. They needed to be taught by someone who understood them. His first thought was Saul. It was Barnabas who had first taken Saul to the disciples in Jerusalem following Saul’s conversion (Acts 9:27). He knew Saul was a true believer and a gifted teacher. He also knew that even though Saul had been trained in strict Judaism, he knew how to “speak the language” of the Greeks. Finally, he knew that bringing Saul would not only encourage the new believers, but would be an encouragement to Saul as it gave him a place to serve.

Churches all across the world have believers who simply do not know where or how to serve. They may be unsure about their gifts and abilities and how those fit into the church. They may be unaware of opportunities to use their gifts. One of the greatest ways to encourage a fellow Christian is to help him or her plug into a specific ministry in which he or she can use their gifts in service. Doing so not only allows that person to grow through the experience, but encourages all those who are served through their service.

Show concern for Christians (Acts 11:27-30)

All Christian believers are part of a much larger family than most can even imagine. As such, we have the opportunity to be an encouragement not only to those we see daily, but also those we may never see.

When these new believers heard there would be a need among the believers in Judea, they immediately contributed to meeting the need. They gathered money and sent Barnabas to deliver it. They recognized that Barnabas was not only an encourager, but was also generous with his own resources (Acts 4:36-37). They knew that in addition to delivering the offering, he would also be a blessing to those in need through his words of support and concern.

Today, whenever there is any type of disaster anywhere in the world, hundreds of individual Christians and churches join to send people and materials in order to help. Jesus told us the world will know we are his disciples as we love one another (John 13:35). The most apparent demonstration of this is when we encourage others simply by showing concern for them.

• Acts 11:4-18

We live in a world where we are confronted with new ideas or perspectives on an almost daily basis. Most of the time when we hear about one of these, we take at least a moment and consider whether we can accept it. In many areas of our life we may even find that we are willing to alter previously held ideas in light of the new insight. Yet when it comes to issues concerning the Bible or religious beliefs, many will immediately reject any idea or thought that appears to be “new” without considering it. The attitude seems to be “that cannot be true because it does not fit with everything that I have always been taught.”

Within the realm of personal religion, “new” is seen as evil. Yet God did not stop speaking when the final words of the Bible were written. God is continually speaking in order to reveal new insights into His character or to correct erroneous beliefs. Often the beliefs one holds are based more on centuries-old church tradition than on biblical revelation. Yet when someone suggests an alternative interpretation of biblical teaching, many reject it as heresy instead of weighing it against the Bible. There is an old Hebrew prayer that expresses this well: “From the cowardice that shrinks from new truths, and from the laziness that is content with half-truths, and from the arrogance that claims to know all truth, O Lord of Truth, Deliver us.”

The book of Acts tells the story of when Peter came to understand this. From this story, we can learn that God desires for His followers to be always open to the possibility of new spiritual insight and attentive to hearing and applying those “new” truths.

Listen to God (Acts 11:4-10)

Peter had had a special relationship with Jesus. Not only was he one of the twelve apostles who traveled with Jesus during his earthly ministry, but he was also one of three (along with James and John) who seem to have made up a sort of inner circle. It was these three who Jesus often invited to significant events such as the Transfiguration.

It was Peter who boldly professed that Jesus was the Messiah shortly before the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. And it was Peter who had stood before the masses at Pentecost and preached the first post-resurrection sermon at which 3,000 people become new believers. In all of this, Peter maintained his firm devotion to his Jewish religious heritage. He knew and kept all of the law, including the dietary regulations. It is this characteristic that God chooses to use to teach Peter and future generations of believers an important lesson.

As a leader in the early church in Jerusalem, Peter would soon be faced with a question that would shape what we now call Christianity for many years: could non-Jewish people join this new movement? Dealing with this question would involve many of Peter’s traditional beliefs. God needed Peter to view people differently than that tradition had taught him.

Just as it was for Peter, today God desires to give new insight to the church which will help the church accomplish the mission God has given. This may require members of the church to throw out old deeply held beliefs based on tradition in favor of Truth. This can only begin as we commit to genuinely listening to the voice of God.

Look for Confirmation (Acts 11:11-14)

While it is important to be open to new ideas and perspectives, it is also important to avoid simply accepting any new thought even if it sounds good. We need to test such new ideas and look for support for its truthfulness. Peter had heard God calling on him to give up his traditional ideas of clean vs. unclean animals, but those ideas had been such a central part of his religious life, how could he be sure that this new way of thinking was correct and, more importantly, how was he to apply it to his life?

Confirmation came quickly as three Gentile men arrived at the home where Peter was staying at the very moment that the vision ended. These men were there to ask Peter to return with them to Caesarea. God does not want us to be lost in uncertainty about his call on our lives, so, along with the call, He will provide us with some form of confirmation.

This may come through the words of a trusted friend or through circumstances that arise which seem to point us toward following what God has said. It may also come as we pray and study God’s Word in a search for confirmation. However it comes, we can be assured that, if the new idea was truly from God, God will confirm it if we only look.

Learn the Application (Acts 11:15-18)

Finally, any new idea which God gives is given to us for a reason. God wants us to do something with it. It will either be for our personal growth, so that we can teach or help someone else, or to lead us into a new area of ministry. It is therefore important that, after we confirm the truthfulness of a new idea, we look for how God intends for us to live the new truth.

For Peter, a message which seemed to concern a new perspective on dietary laws was intended to teach him to be open to sharing the Gospel with all races and nationalities. While we today may not explicitly refer to any groups of people as “unclean,” we most often tend to minister only to those who look like us. One thing we may learn from this story of Peter is thus to be more consciously inclusive with the message we proclaim.

But this story also teaches us the way God desires for us to encounter new ideas. Even when they appear to directly contradict what we have “always been taught,” they may be part of God’s revelation to us of His Truth. We should therefore always be open to consider new ideas, looking for how God will confirm the truth, and ready to adjust our own thoughts and lives to align more closely with God’s full revelation.

• Revelation 5:1-14 

We begin a new series for July titled “Living with the End in Mind.” It is a four-part series that is a broad overview of Revelation and a bird’s-eye view of four major ideas found in this controversial and sometimes unsettling book.

This study is not about predicting the “end times” or “last days” because Jesus was clear only the Father knew those things (Mark 13:32-34). Jesus did say, however, there would be certain signs, and a careful reading of Revelation—even though it won’t give us a timetable—does help us to understand what we see around us. It also will help us to “live with the end in mind.”

For clarification, these lessons will distinguish between the use of the terms “end times” and “last days.” Scripture refers to the “last days” as the time between the resurrection of Christ and the fulfillment of God’s kingdom. The term “end times” refers to those events immediately preceding and surround the second coming of Christ and the fulfillment of God’s kingdom.

This week’s lesson is all about the power of Christ. By John asking the question “who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” we learn Christ indeed is worthy of title of Messiah, and that through Messiah, we see God’s plans for the cosmos are executed according to God’s will. Therefore, God really is “in charge.”

This is a message of hope for living in the world today, in times when it seems God is not in the midst of our world and that crises abound out of God’s control. But through the study of this passage, we can come to see that in the big picture, God is sovereign and the lordship of Jesus as the Christ is real.

Because Christ is victorious over death, he is in charge and believers will be victorious in him. We can trust God in the midst of what we are facing today.

Looking to Jesus (Revelation 5:1-7)

In this portion of his vision, John sees the scroll containing the events of God’s coming kingdom. He is dismayed, however, that no one is able to open the scroll because there is none who is worthy. His fears are allayed by the elder who speaks, “… the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

The elder is referring, of course, to Jesus. The One who is worthy was a lamb standing among the elders. He goes to the One seated on the throne and takes the scroll. Jesus is the Lamb who is able to take and open the scroll because he has been victorious over death.

Application ideas

• Read Ezekiel 2:9-10 aloud. Ask your learners what they believe the scroll contains. It is thought the scroll contains the purposes of God written upon it. Ask them to consider why Jesus’ holiness was required to open that scroll.

• Life’s biggest questions—the meaning of life and where we are going—are answered in the scroll. Because Jesus holds the scroll, he is the one to whom we should look for answers. Consider the words of Thomas in John 14:1-7 asking, “Lord, where are you going?”

Reigning with Jesus (Revelation 5:8-10)

This section of Scripture largely is the text of a new song sung by the four living creatures and the 24 elders. The song is a statement of praise about why Jesus is indeed worthy to open the scrolls. The slaughtered lamb harkens us back to Isaiah 52 and 53, the messianic script Jesus read as the guide for his life, ministry, death and resurrection.

The praise is centered on what Christ’s death means for the world and specifically for his followers. Made into a priesthood, this “tribe” of followers would come from every nation, every tongue, every ethnic group to serve as a kingdom of priests serving God.

The great news is that God is including us in the victorious kingdom by making us God’s children. No matter how challenging life is today, we can be encouraged to know that ultimately we share in Jesus’ reign of the coming Kingdom. Ultimately, nothing will ever defeat God nor God’s followers.

Application idea

• What does it mean in this time of “not yet” to see ourselves as ultimate co-heirs with Christ in his reign of the world? How can that change the way you live your life today, tomorrow or next week?

• What does it mean to live as a kingdom of priests? Can that happen in the here and now? Are believers called to live as if they are already citizens of God’s kingdom? How might that look?

Responding with worship (Revelation 5:11-14)

Don’t miss that the living creatures and elders were singing a song of praise to the Lamb, Jesus. They were joined by a host of angels in verse 11, living creatures numbering in the thousands, and then ultimately by all living creatures in heaven and on earth and under earth and in the sea. All of the elders fell down and worshipped.

It is our natural response to worship God when we recognize what God has done through Jesus the Christ. Our response of praise proclaims God is worthy and great.

Application idea

• Ask your learners these questions:

• Should we wait until we are in heaven to worship God?

• How often should we worship God? Where?

• What does worship do for us? How are we transformed by being in God’s presence, by praising God, by petitioning God with our needs?

When I was in high school, I got a job at a summer camp. I went through the application process and an interview regarding the expectations of the summer staff.

We were the ones who did everything: cleaned the buildings in between camps, emptied trash on a daily basis, served the food in the cafeteria, washed the dishes, mopped the floors, lifeguarded for kids swimming in the pool. Everything.

Most everyone got along famously that summer. We did what needed to be done—for the most part.

There was one of our coworkers that apparently didn’t realize what was required before she signed up. She was under the impression that all she needed to do was to sit by the pool and work on her tan. Every day was an opportunity to see how much work she could get herself out of.

Every day was a challenge to the rest of us to allow only what was “helpful for building others up” to come out of our mouths. I was continually wondering why in the world this girl would have come to this particular place of employment with the mindset firmly entrenched about not working.

As I left the high school years behind, I began to encounter people that reminded me of that summer coworker. But the context was different. These were people who claimed the name of Jesus Christ.

Missing a servant's heart 

They had all the outward markings that would make most casual observes draw the conclusion that they belonged. But for me, there was one thing lacking—a servant’s heart. I’m sure you’ve met them along the way: coming to church for what they can get out of it, befriending you as long as you have something to offer, sitting around constantly commenting on things that need to be done without actually doing anything. Unfortunately, I think that they have misunderstood the job description of a Christ follower. We are called to serve.

In the passage for this week’s lesson, we find Jesus’ disciples gaining a first-class “smack-upside-the-head” lesson in servanthood.

The setting is familiar. We are watching the disciples gather with the Lord for their last supper together. Bickering and arguing among the 12 about position and relevance seemed to be a continuing intrusion into what Jesus was trying to pour into their lives. So Jesus begins the lesson.

John beautifully fashions the juxtaposition of Jesus’ power (v. 3) and his heart of humility (v. 4). Try to comprehend the image of the logos of God taking the form of a servant in order to set the pattern for all who would follow after him.

"Do as I have done" 

After performing the duties of a servant, Jesus completes the lesson. He brings the disciples face to face with what I call the “so what?” moment. Why is it important that Jesus washed feet? “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15).

If Jesus is able and willing to take on a task that was absolutely beneath him, what is our excuse? While we may not be able to duplicate the exact ministry example (Peter and company have been dead for a long time), we can display the same attitude. As followers of Christ, we must develop the inward attitude (Philippians 2) that continually reminds us we must be humble.

I remember the words of one of my bosses while I was in seminary that helped me gain an understanding of the kind of attitude we’re seeking. If you’ve ever worked in any type of ministry, you know that regardless of what you have planned, things come up. Most of the time, the assignments that my boss, Chad, brought my way were not in any way connected to my job description. But together, we swept up broken glass, painted walls, disassembled toilets and mopped up puddles of water. Chad would always say the same thing: “Just another day in the ministry.”

He knew that we must do what needs to be done, irrespective of earthly title or position. He taught me to more fully understand the calling that is not limited to those who are ministers by vocation but extends to everyone who claims to be a disciple.

Serve others with a humble attitude without expecting anything in return. That is your calling.

• Proverbs 3:9-10; 11:24-26; 13:11; 15:16-17; 16:11; 23:4-5

By Gary Long

Willow Meadows Baptist Church, Houston

Managing money is one of the most difficult challenges of life, and how we manage money as a Christian says much about our faith. Christians are called to view the handling of money as an act of stewardship over something they do not own. Culture, however, suggests that “I earned it, so it’s mine to use however I choose.” This contrast defines the essential differences of how money is used.

The contrast also explains the difference between a Christian view of abundance and surplus that leads to satisfaction and contentedness versus the view of money as something after which one should clamor with every effort possible—and then hoard. It also frames the struggle of acquiring wealth by illegal or unethical means, and it frames the problems many experience when their sole focus is the gain of wealth. The physical and spiritual implications are profound, as are the relationship problems that arise when greed takes over.

In short, this week’s proverbs are really about developing a theology of stewardship in our lives, one which believes in the idea that God provides to the point of abundance—it is simply for us to choose the view of stewardship. The main question for your learner’s is this: What do my attitudes about money reveal about my life and faith? The goal is to help them see that God’s people honor God in the ways they think about, earn and spend their money.

Check your spiritual balance regularly (Proverbs 3:9-10; 15:16-17)

Proverbs 3.9 in the NIV says we should honor God with our “wealth.” But this does not capture the full extent of the Hebrew idea. The text more fully means we should honor God with our “being”—everything we have. Not only is our money part of how we honor God, but so is our thinking, our actions and our ways of using our money. When followers of God honor God in this way, the first of what we own/possess is due to God.

The concept of the first fruit offering is based here and is a part of ceremonial Hebrew law. The promise of Scripture is that if we have this mindset, then we also will view our lives as full of abundance. Our barns will be full of food, our vats full of wine. Make sure to note the sidebar in the printed material about the “First Fruits” offering in your preparations.

Proverbs 15:16-17 furthers this view, with the idea that it is better to have few possessions and be at peace with God than to have many possessions and be at odds with God. This proverb shatters the notion that wealth will lead to happiness and that material goods will be a substitute for the life of peace. The priority of biblical wisdom teaches that the priority of God’s people is to honor God with all we possess and with all we are. This is how we trust that God’s provision is the very best asset in our financial portfolio.

At the end of the day, these two passages of Scripture teach us money cannot provide us the important things of life, such as love and right relations with God and neighbor.

Never fall in love with $$$ (Proverbs 23:4-5)

This passage states clearly that the facets of wealth which enamor us will disappear quickly. Wealth can “sprout wings and fly off to the sky” quite easily. This is not to say that wealth evaporates, but it is to say that the things we believe wealth will provide us—like security, happiness, friendship, comfort, etc.—will sprout wings and fly. That is because all notions of those ideals are shattered when we learn money cannot secure them for us. Only living a godly life can help us discover true happiness, friendship, security or comfort.

Wealth also appears to have sprouted wings and flown away when we observe how greed can destroy a person’s well-being. Only by keeping wealth in proper perspective and never focusing our lives solely on gaining or keeping wealth can we find our lives invested in the things that matter most—in the things that endure.

You will find additional biblical thinking on this concept in Proverbs 11:28; 28:22,25.

Application idea

• An extraordinary insight into how pursuit of money affects all socio-economic classes is found the song “Sweetest Girl,” by Haitian born Wyclef Jean. Be warned that though the singers make a prophetic critique of greed and the societal impact of the quest for a dollar, references are made to strippers and prostitution. The song fully describes the depths to which people will go for financial security and will connect to folk who listen to pop radio.

Make every buck honestly (Proverbs 13:11; 16:11)

This first proverb teaches that the dishonest gain of wealth will dwindle quickly. While the NIV translates it as “dishonest money,” the NRSF offers “wealth hastily gained” as a variant translation on the Hebrew word that means “from vanity.” So no matter what translation you may use for teaching, the idea that wealth should be gained by doing good honest work remains true.

Biblical wisdom instructs people to make money honestly because, as Proverbs 16:11 will suggest, God blesses honest work and fair trade, and God condemns dishonest trade and quick, sloppy work.

Application ideas

• Ask your learners to examine their own work ethics. Do they give their employers “all eight” during the work day? Do they cut corners on occasion or with regularity? If they are business owners, do they always make sure to treat their employees and customers to the highest standards?

• Another idea—ask your learners who use computers for work to measure the amount of time they spend surfing the net while on company time? Is it ever okay to justify this behavior with the idea that “just a little is okay,” or “all the other employees do it even more than I do?”

Grow in generosity (Proverbs 11:24-26)

This proverb demonstrates yet one more of the counter-intuitive principles of God’s way of living life. It says the more generous we are, the more we are enriched, and, conversely, the more we hoard, the more we are cursed. It is antithetical to trusting in God’s provision when we hoard up for the future to the disadvantage of those around us.

You see this all the time at those “all-you-can-eat” buffets. You go there for lunch knowing dinner already is planned, yet you eat the lunch buffet as if there were no guarantee of dinner. We behave the same way in our ethics, as if there is a limited amount of good “stuff” in life, so we hoard that good stuff with the intent of keeping others from drawing down on the “fund of goodness.” But reality is that God’s goodness and abundance are never depleted. Christians are most god-like when they trust this reality and give generously to others.

The bottom line is that generosity enriches the giver and forges and unselfish attitude. This is not a version of the “gospel of prosperity,” but the reality is that the one who gives away will provide a blessing to the giver that may or may not be financial prosperity. However, one can be assured it will be a blessing of God’s abundance.

• Acts 9:15-22, 26-30 

Commitment. It is what turns young ball players into professional athletes. It is what transforms a local business into large corporation. It is what keeps families together and strengthens communities.

We all know and admire deep commitment whenever we see it. We all understand that real commitment is more than merely a verbally expressed promise. It is something lived through action.

Yet for many believers, their commitment to Christ consists of a memory of the day they surrendered their life to him. Their commitment consists of little more than attending and giving a few dollars to the church. It is largely a matter of having their eternal place in heaven secured.

While God certainly desires that all people surrender to his lordship, our commitment to him never should end there. God is looking for believers to totally commit all areas of their life to him. It is hard to find a clearer example of someone who understood this in the Bible than Paul. From the beginning of his Christian walk, Paul lived a life of total commitment.

Make a faith commitment (Acts 9:15-19)

Paul began his life as Saul, a young man trained in the strict regimen of pharisaical Judaism. He was trained to seek out any who would stray from the path of narrow adherence to Torah.

Saul apparently rose through the ranks and quickly became highly trusted among the leading Pharisees. Acts 8:1 states Saul was not only present at the execution of Stephen, but gave the event official approval.

Shortly afterward, Saul was given orders to go to Damascus and arrest anyone professing belief in Jesus. On the way to carry out this mission, however, Saul had an encounter with Jesus that dramatically altered the rest of his life. By the time Saul arrived in Damascus, he was professing belief in Jesus and was welcomed by Ananias as a new believer.

This experience points to the first step in total commitment. While our relationship to Jesus is a highly personal matter, it also must be made known publically. We must come to accept the gospel by faith and openly commit to submitting to God.

Demonstrate commitment (Acts 9:19-21)

While our initial profession of Jesus does secure our eternal place in heaven, it must go deeper. We simply cannot make a statement of commitment and continue to think and act like we always have. Accepting God’s new life means rejecting previously held beliefs and past behaviors. It means that we abandon some old habits and replace them with new ones.

For Saul, his trip to Damascus initially had been for the purpose of seeking to shut down the new church, but became one in which he arrived proclaiming the message he had come to town to oppose. From that day forward, Paul never ceased preaching the gospel. Everywhere he went, his first act was to locate the local group of believers and join them in proclaiming the message. In towns where no church existed, Paul started one.

Our commitment becomes real as we demonstrate it through turning from our old lives and sharing God’s message through word and deed.

Grow in commitment (Acts 9:22)

Not only does total commitment call us to go beyond mere profession to demonstration, it also leads us into a continually deeper understanding of God’s word. As we see how God works in, through and around us as we demonstrate our commitment, we find our commitment grows.

The more Saul preached, the more determined he became to continue preaching and the more powerful his preaching became. As he demonstrated his commitment to Jesus and his calling, his commitment grew stronger. Answers to the questions of his opponents became more convincing. Any concern about possible negative reactions by his listeners faded.

The same is true today as we come to understand God’s word more through experiencing it as we follow through with our commitment to live life surrendered to him. We also may find ourselves talking openly about God’s word more frequently than before. We find we are able to talk about the deeper issues of life in light of God’s word and to apply that word in new ways. We no longer worry about how others may respond because our overriding concern is living out our commitment. True commitment always leads to deeper commitment.

Show intense commitment (Acts 9:26-30)

In any area of life, there is perhaps no greater sign of total commitment to a cause than to remain faithful to it in the face of death. Saul knew well that the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were committed to arresting all who professed belief in Jesus. These were the same men who had carried out the execution of Stephen. They were the same men who had sent Saul on his mission to Damascus to arrest believers. Indeed, some had apparently come to Damascus in order to try and kill Saul once they learned of his conversion (Acts 9:23-25).

He could have “played it safe” and not gone to Jerusalem. There were likely those around him who tried to discourage him from going (Acts 21:12). Yet Saul apparently felt he needed to meet with the disciples in Jerusalem. Given his reputation, he could not be certain how the disciples would respond. Thus despite possible rejection by the disciples and arrest or execution by the religious authorities, Saul demonstrated intense commitment in going to Jerusalem.

It is easy for some today to look at this story and say, “Yes, but that was Paul, the great church planting evangelist.” But nowhere does the Bible differentiate between levels of commitment. All believers are called to the same depth of commitment demonstrated in sharing the gospel in all circumstances regardless of possible reactions. God desires all of his followers to live a life of intense commitment.

Matthew 11:28-30; John 14:23-26; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:11-14

There is a piece of my educational past about which I am not particularly proud. In my junior year of high school, I signed up for accelerated Algebra 2. The teacher was a very likeable fellow. He was a bit unorthodox in his methodology (at least as far as I was familiar). He laughed and joked and made up problems in his head for examples rather than following the book page for page.

Perhaps the most peculiar thing that I discovered about him was that although he assigned homework, he never took it up. As my adolescent logic kicked in, I decided that if he didn’t take it up, I wouldn’t have to bother doing any homework. It seemed like a great plan … until the tests. Then I learned a valuable lesson from a painful experience: The day-to-day learning must take place if I am going to gain an understanding and mastery of the subject. My final grade for Algebra 2 was not a passing grade. I had to repeat the course the next year. I did not, however, repeat my mistake.

The Christian life bears some striking similarities to my math class in high school. There are day-to-day assignments no one is grading. But failure to learn from the day-to-day leads to a dismal performance on the day of testing. We often have been guilty of over-simplifying what the Christian life looks like: thinking regular weekly attendance at a morning worship gathering is sufficient. Scripture paint a different picture. In each of the three passages, the concept of learning as an on-going behavior is prominent.

Jesus’ statement in Matthew “come unto me” (v. 29) is a well known offer. Many weary and burdened souls have sought respite in the words of the Savior. But in the midst of the offer to lighten the load we find the command, “learn from me.” The emphatic nature of taking a yoke is understandable, but the command to learn seems out of place to the hearers today.

Too often we hope someone learns a part of what we are teaching. Teachers constantly look for new ways to communicate in the hopes a student is paying attention. In calling an individual to discipleship—day-to-day learning—Jesus implies learning is not an option. It is something that must be done.

Now that I am in full math remembrance mode, may I share another story? One Christmas break, I was helping a friend who had fallen behind in her Geometry studies. I went over to see if I could offer any assistance. When my friend opened the book to chapter seven, she could make no sense of what the assignment was asking. In frustration, she showed me the pages of the chapter that offered no support for the expectations in the problems.

I asked a simple question: “Did you cover those concepts in the last chapter?” My friend was floored. It never had dawned on her that she was supposed to actually remember the details from previous chapters. In her mind, once the chapter was done, so were those concepts. It helped bring her into better focus on the subject of geometry.

Have you run into Christians who look at their faith in much the same way my friend looked at geometry? In John’s Gospel, we find the expectation of learning put into action.

The mark of one who is following after the Master is putting into practice all they have learned from Him. Jesus draws the line clearly: If you love me, you’ll obey me. If you do not obey me, then your love for me is suspect.

A.W. Tozer is quoted as saying: “The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith. The two are at opposite sides of the same coin.”

The focus on the Christian life is not learning a lesson and then discarding it. It is a lifetime of continually learning from our Savior, applying his truth to every area of our lives, and allowing our lives to be marked by more

• Proverbs 17:27-28; 18:20-21; 25:11-12; 26:20-22, 28Proverbs 17:27-28; 18:20-21; 25:11-12; 26:20-22, 28

What bothers me so badly about a loud mouth in a restaurant or theater having a cell phone conversation? Is it that it’s just loud? Or am I bothered by the fact that I’m hearing way more personal information than I need or want to know?

At the core of this social faux pas is the truth that some folk have no boundaries; words to them are cheap and flow effortlessly and thoughtlessly.

Your learners will connect easily to this lesson because each of us has experienced the misuse of words. Words can distance people from one another. Words can offend. Words can hurt. Words can lie. Words can damage.

But words also can do good. Words can bring people closer. Words can solidify people around ideas. Words can bring healing. Words can convey deep truth. Words can carry love, understanding and encouragement. This is the reason why Christians must carefully choose words, and sometimes censor our words rather than blurting out whatever comes to mind.

This week’s Bible reading teaches us that we are accountable for our words and that God wants us always to use our words for good. Words have real power and we should use them with wisdom.

Choose your words carefully (Proverbs 17:27-28)

Ask your learners if they’ve ever said something they regretted? By nature, humans make that mistake. Sometimes we say things in anger that hurt others, and later, we must apologize. Sometimes we say things hurriedly, and our impatience betrays us to less mature ways.

Ask your learners if they’ve ever fallen into the trap of “angry e-mail.” That’s a situation where many people have found themselves. For example, they receive an e-mail from another party that is offensive and they yield to the temptation to use words inappropriately. The reason this is a persistent problem in our culture of computers is that we are more likely to blast someone via e-mail than in person. And, like the toothpaste out of the tube, once that e-mail is out there, it can’t be retrieved.

This passage teaches that keeping silent is better than commenting on situations we don’t fully understand. It also teaches that saying things that are reactionary, rather than well thought out can lead to difficulty in relationships.

It’s best, then, to keep silent until we have chosen our words carefully. By thinking before they speak and being careful about what they say, God’s people avoid getting into trouble because of their words. Moreover, we can avoid embarrassment and trouble by carefully guarding our speech.

Respect the power of words (Proverbs 18:20-21)

We show wisdom when we understand how our words can bear fruit in others lives. The power of words is real and can be used for good effect. Proverbs 15:4 is an additional text you will want to highlight for your learners, as it points to the power of a good word, comparing it to a tree of life.

Undoubtedly, we have been hurt by the words of others, and have caused hurt in the lives of others with words. This is something we continually must examine in our spiritual lives. But we have a responsibility that goes beyond “do no harm” and extends into “do good with our words.” Christians can be life-affirming and life-giving in every social circle and have a responsibility and privilege to counter negativity, falsehood and slander with words that communicate God’s light. It is a very real and practical way in which we can be a blessing to others around us.

Perhaps the greatest use of time at this point in the lesson would be to allow for some silence and prayer asking God to reveal better ways to use their words. Consider these statements as a guided prayer for your group:

• God, reveal to me times when I have caused hurt with my words.

• God, give me insight into how I can speak words of encouragement to someone specific in my life.

• God, forgive me for using words negatively, and forgive me for times when I have failed to use words for good.

• God, give me sensitivity to know when to speak and when to remain silent.

Use good words (Proverbs 25:11-12)

Now that you have spent some time with your learners thinking about good and bad uses of words, it will be helpful to look at specific traits of good words. This proverb teaches that an aptly spoken word is like apple of gold set in silver—precious and desirable. But what makes for an “aptly spoken word?” There are many elements, but to be sure the definitions include truthfulness, gentleness and pleasantness.

We’ve been taught from a young age to always speak the truth. Proverbs 14:25 reminds us that a truthful word has the ability even to save lives, and that a mistruth can bear false witness— and even lead to death.

As your learners concentrate on using good words, truthfulness will be the primary characteristic you want to reinforce. The reality is that while we all know this teaching is the ideal, many times we fail to achieve the standard. Use of good words does not leave room for outright lies, nor lies of omission.

Speaking the truth is hard, and even more difficult is the challenge to speak truth gently. A gentle tongue can indeed turn away wrath but also can promote the ability to be truly heard by the other.

Ask your learners to remember a time when someone told them something they didn’t want to hear. Ask them to consider whether they heard that truth better or worse because of the tone of voice, the eye contact or the body language of the other. Ask them to consider ways that speaking truth gently can happen. Is it all in the words you say? Or is it how the words are delivered?

Avoid trash talk (Proverbs 26:20-22, 28)

Scripture pinpoints gossiping, constant quarreling and flattering someone insincerely as examples of especially hurtful, destructive speech. This passage points to the troubles of such speech, and also to the consequences of such speech. The bottom line? The truth comes out eventually.

By refusing to gossip or listen to gossip, we can help cool down conflict rather than heat it up. This is one of the most prevalent problems in established churches. There is a lack of focus on doing justice and mercy when gossip is the main food of the fellowship, and even listening to such talk is destructive to the church.

You can call your learners to self-examination and confession about this topic. Ask your students how they perceive the gossip/trash talking affects your congregation.