Lesson 5, Seasoning and Light of the World

Sunday School Lesson for the Adult Class

Witnessing as Jesus and the Bible instructs us to witness

V. Christians are the seasoning and light of the world                   Matthew 5:13 – 16

          A. Salt of the earth                                                        Matthew 5:13, Luke 14:34, 35, Mark 9:50,

If you are not full of God’s power and spirit are you any good for spreading the Gospel? Luke 14:33

          B. Light of the World                                                    Matthew 5:14, Luke 8:16, 11:33 – 36

Notice that we ARE the light and salt and not merely ‘have’ the light or salt. Once we accept him as our savior, we have a purpose that exists whether we choose to serve him or not. We can hide our light or salt, but we cannot remove it; we are made those things by Jesus Christ when we accept him.  –From ‘Cost of Discipleship’ Dietrich Bonhoeffer pg. 116

          C. City set on a hill -               When you are traveling at this time in history, you long for the cities. The highways and byways are where the robbers and bandits are. Traveling at night has its own hazards when there are no lights or electricity.

Do people look forward to our presence? Do people see us a haven in a sinful and dangerous world?

          D. Hidden candle -                  We can hide our lights, but it goes against common sense, the point of the candle, nature, and our God-given purpose.

          E. Light to the whole house - We are always to be a light everywhere we go, all the time.

          F. You let your light shine for God’s glory -       God gets the honor and glory if we are a light for him.

          Is there any self or ego in being a light for Christ?

Lesson 4 in Matthew, the Beatitudes

IV. The Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount                Matthew 5:1 - 12

            A. After attracting a following he begins to preach     Matthew 5:1, 2, Luke 6:20

Is a Christian’s work done in the church or outside the church building? Church is for worship and teaching, but Christ preached and taught in the church and evangelized outside the church.

Did Jesus convert more in the synagogues or outside them?

          B. The Beatitudes                                                Matthew 5:2 – 12, Luke 6:20 – 23

                   1. Blessed are the poor in spirit

                   2. Blessed are they that mourn

                   3. Blessed are the meek

                   4. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness

                   5. Blessed are the merciful

                   6. Blessed are the pure in heart

                   7. Blessed are the peacemakers

                   8. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake

                   9. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you

                             a. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Cost of discipleship chapter 6 expounds this well.

          C. The opposite of the Beatitudes – Proverbs 6:16 – 19

                   1. proud look

                   2. lying tongue

                   3. hands that shed innocent blood

                   4. heart that deviseth wicked imaginations

                   5. feet swift running to mischief

                   6. false witness

                   7. he that soweth discord

Can we be successful in winning souls to Jesus without these characteristics described in the beatitudes?

Does Christianity require that we are willing to suffer for the cause of Christ? (Verse 12)

Does the ‘American’ or ‘modern’ way of life conflict with the beatitudes?

I believe (the Great Commission in Matthew Chapter 10) that Christians are better to suited to witness when they have been taught to witness; not to go uninformed of God’s word. 

Lesson 3 of the New Adult Sunday School Lesson

Sunday School Lesson for the Adult Class

Witnessing as Jesus and the Bible instructs us to witness

III. Jesus fulfills scripture and calls disciples Matthew Chapter 4 v.12 – 25

          A. Jesus heads north Galilee, Naphthalim, Zebulan    Mark 1:14, Luke 4:14, John 1:39

         

          B. Fulfilled prophecy Matthew 4:14, Luke 4:17          Isaiah 9:1, 2, Isaiah 61:1, 2

Does God fulfill prophecy in our lives?

          C. Preaches just as John did                                        Matthew 4:17

          D. Starts to gather the disciples                                   Matthew 4:18, 19, Mark 1:16, 17, Luke 5:3, 4, John 1:39

         

Do we look for converts the same way? Were the disciples already converted? Is calling disciples the same as calling out the lost?

          E. Gathers more disciples                                            Matthew 4:21, 22, Mark 1:19, 20, John 1:42 – 49

Do we ever stop evangelizing? Is God’s Church supposed to be ‘big enough’? Do we retire from our Christian work?

          F. Jesus starts to teach, heal, and change lives           Matthew 4:23 – 25, Mark 1:21 – 28, Luke 4:22 – 37

Should our ‘fame’ in God’s work be known to others? Maybe not on the night news, but should it be known in circles that our church has powerful prayers, or that God’s work is done here?

I think (Great Commission in Matthew Chapter 10) that Christians are better to suited to witness when they have been taught to witness; not to go uninformed of God’s word. 

Witnessing as the Bible instructs us to witness: Matthew 4:1 - 11 The temptation of Jesus

Sunday School Lesson for the Adult Class

Witnessing as Jesus and the Bible instructs us to witness

II. Jesus is led into the wilderness to be tempted - Matthew Chapter 4 v.1-11

          A. Who takes Jesus into the wilderness – The Spirit                      Mark 1:12, Luke 4:1

Will the spirit take us to places where he will be tried?

          B. Jesus fasts 40 days and nights before his temptation       Luke 4:2

What is the significance of Jesus’ fasting?

Whose strength must Jesus rely on?

Could we clear our calendar to meditate on God and his word for 40 days?

Does God speak to busy people? If he did would they hear?

          C. The first temptation comes after he has fasted.                Luke 4:2

          D. Stones to Bread temptation                                               Luke 4:3

Hunger, lust, fatigue, all tempts us to give in to sin. Jesus proved we don’t have to give in to sin.

          E. Trying what God says, another temptation                      Luke 4:9 – 12

Similar to Adam and Eve, testing God to see if he means what he says is a sin because it goes contrary to his word first, and shows a lack of faith second.

          F. All the world for your soul - temptation                                      Luke 4:5 – 8

Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

While the temptation of ‘stuff’ is powerful, you can’t take it with you when you die.

          G. Angels ministered unto him                                               Mark 1:13

When God attend to you after you have overcome temptations and persecutions in his name?

Is any persecution comparable to eternity? Isn’t a soul saved worth persecution?

I think (Great Commission in Matthew Chapter 10) that Christians are better to suited to witness when they have been taught to witness; not to go uninformed of God’s word. 

New Adult Sunday School Lessons

This week we will be doing new lessons for the Adult class at our Church. I want to try and show the best way to be a light and spread the Gospel to the world by looking at how Jesus and the apostles themselves witnessed. I'm starting in Matthew the third chapter. If you get some use out of these lessons, please leave a message and let me know.

Lesson 1 Matthew Chapter 3

Witnessing as Jesus and the Bible instructs us to witness

I. John the Baptist comes onto the scene (Who is John and What does he do) - Matthew 3

A. Who is John?

1. John was the son of Zachariah and Elizabeth and Cousin to Mary and Joseph the parents of Jesus. Luke 1:5, Luke 1:36

2.  His birth was a miracle to aged parents as foretold by the angel Gabriel.           Luke 1:18, Luke 1:19

3.  John was set aside to be different and pure and full of the Holy Ghost.                Luke 1:15

Questions for the class

Is the birth of John and his purpose in life that different from what your purpose is?

Were you called by God? 2 Timothy 1:9, Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13,14

         

          B. What does John do?

                   1. Preaches in the Wilderness

                   2. Preaches repentance for the kingdom is at hand and make ready people for the Lord     Matthew 3:2, Luke 1:17

Is our message any different from John’s message?             Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8

                   3. Preaches as prophesied by Isaiah and in the spirit of Elias        Matthew 3:3, Luke 1:17

                   4. Baptizes with water unto repentance.                                Matthew 3:11

                   5. Tells of the one to come; Jesus.                                         Matthew 3:11,12, John 1:29  

What is the story we are to tell?                                            Matthew 28:19,20

                   6. He baptizes Jesus.                                                              Matthew 3:15               

C. God Proclaims/Declares that Jesus is his Son.                                    Matthew 3:17, Luke 3:22, Mark 1:11

Is our job to proclaim him? Can you proclaim who you do not know? Matthew 10:20

Article of Faith 18 - the final Article

XVIII.  OF THE WORLD TO COME

We believe that the end of the world is approaching; (1 Peter 4:7; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Hebrews 1:10-12 Matthew 25:31; Matthew 28:20; Matthew 13:39-43; 1 John 2:17; 2 Peter 3:3-13)

that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, (Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; Hebrews 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; (Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; John 6:40; John 11:25-26; Acts 10:42)

that a solemn separation will then take place; (Matthew 13:49; Matthew 13:37-43; Matthew 24:30-31; Matthew 25:31-33)
that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; (Matthew 25:31-46; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Corinthians 4:18)

and that this judgement will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.  (Romans 3:5-6; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12; Hebrews 6:1-2; 1 Corinthians 4:5; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:2-16; Revelation 20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 4:17; 2 Peter 3:11-12)

Articles of Faith 13 through 17

In our Sunday School class we are still going over the Articles of Faith. We are almost finished, but we are now covering articles 13 through 17. 

Article of Faith XIII – Of the Gospel Church

Of a Gospel Church We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers

1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; 1 Cor. 4:17; 14:23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. 3:5

associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel

Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-13

observing the ordinances of Christ

1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor. 2:7; 1 Cor. 4:17

governed by his laws

Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess. 4.2; 2 John 6; Gal. 6:2; all the Epistles

and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word

Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 12:14

that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons

Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1

whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8

 XIV.  OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, (Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:5; John 3:22-23; John 4:1-2; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 16:32-34; Acts 18:8)
into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Galatians 3:27-28)
to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20-21; Acts 22:16)
that it is prerequisite to the previleges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper; (Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles)
in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; (1 Corinthians 11:26; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20)
preceded always by solemn self-examination.  (1 Corinthians 11:28; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 10:3-32; 1 Corinthians 11:17-32; John 6:26-71)

 XV. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH 

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian  Sabbath; (Acts 20:7; Genesis 2:3; Colossians 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, (Exodus 20:8; Revelation 1:10; Psalms 118:24)
by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations: (Isaiah 58:13-14)
by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private  (Psalms 118:15)
and public; (Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 11:26)
and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God. (Hebrews 4:3-11)

 XVI.  OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT 

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society;  (Romans 13:1-7; Deuteronomy 16:18; 2 Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-23; Jeremiah 30:21)
and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed;  (Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:1-3)
except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Acts 5:29; Matthew 10:28; Daniel 3:15-18; Daniel 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20)
who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. (Matthew 23:10; Romans 14:4; Revelation 19:16; Psalms 72:11; Psalms 2:1-12; Romans 14:9-13)

XVII.  OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE
WICKED 

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; (Malachi 3:18; Proverbs 12:26; Isaiah 5:20; Genesis 18:23; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 6:16)
that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; (Romans 1:17; Romans 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 1 John 3:7; Romans 6:18; Romans 6:22; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Proverbs 11:31; 1 Peter 4:17-18)
while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; (1 John 5:19; Galatians 3:10; John 3:36; Isaiah 57:21; Psalms 10:4; Isaiah 55:6-7)
and this distinction holds among men both in and after death. (Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Proverbs 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; Luke 9:23-26; John 12:25-26; Ecclesiastes 3:17; Matthew 7:13-14)