Genesis 1:27; 9:6; Matthew 5:21-22; 22:36-40; Mark 10:46-52
Before the Session
For teaching plans and full explanations of all the verses in today’s lessons,
consult the Explore the Bible leader guide or commentary.
Make sure each learner has his or her own Explore the Bible learner
guide.
From www.namb.net, download and bring to
class the Operation Noah Rebuild video that describes the work of rebuilding New
Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
Honor Everyone (Genesis 1:27; 9:6)
Read the account given by Jeanne Assam who recently protected her church
from great harm as she stopped an attempted assassin from entering the sanctuary
of her church:
Security guard who stopped shooter credits God
"I give the credit to God. And I say that very humbly.
God was with me and the whole time I was behind cover -- this has got to be
God, because of the firepower that [the gunman] had vs. what I had," Assam
said.
"I did not run away and I didn't think for a minute to
run away, I just knew that I was given the assignment to end this before it
got too much worse. I just prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide me."
She told reporters she had not slept since the shooting,
"as I'm sure you can tell."
She said she was on the third day of a three-day regimen
of fasting and prayer, wanting to know God's will for what to do with her
life, when the shooting took place.
"I was weak, and where I was weak, God made me strong,"
she said. "He filled me and he guided me and protected me and many other
people. And I'm honored that God chose me."
Assam was one of about a dozen volunteer security guards
at the church, half of whom are armed, Boyd said. The guards are licensed,
trained and screened, and are church members, not "mercenaries," he said.
How did Assam’s actions show honor toward the people
in her church?
Why is human life important according to Genesis
1:27?How are we
created in God’s image?
Read Genesis 9:6. How does murder dishonor God and
others?
Do you believe Assam's actions honored or dishonored
God? Defend your answer.
Respect Everyone (Matt. 5:21-22)
Read
Matthew 5:21-22 and ask:
How does murder
disrespect human life?
What are other ways
people disrespect others?
Read
the following comments regarding beliefs and values in today's society:
Sufferin' Civility
"How strangers treat one another in the random swirl
of daily life says something about their society," concludes Tom Dunkel in
an article bemoaning the death of good manners in America. Dunkel blames
some of the rise in rudeness on a media-oversaturated culture. "Every
American seems to be starring in his own private movie, affecting his best
Dirty Harry I-take-no-lip sneer in public: Make my day, read my lips, get
outta my face."
Roll back the
reel of your movie from the past week. What does your "private movie"
indicate about your respect for others?
How can we
demonstrate that we value and respect everyone?
Love Everyone (Matt. 22:36-40)
Say:
Operation Noah Rebuild is a three-year partnership project (through August 2009)
between New Orleans churches and associations, the Louisiana Baptist Convention,
and the North American Mission Board to help New Orleans in the wake of
Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers are needed to rebuild homes; start, restart, or
strengthen churches; and reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ.
Show the Operation Noah Rebuild video (can be downloaded from www.namb.net)
that describes the work of rebuilding New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
Read Matthew 22:36-40.
Ask:
How do the
actions of the volunteers demonstrate their love for God? For others?
What projects
are you involved with because of your love for the Lord? What projects
demonstrate your love for others?
Value Everyone (Mark 10:46-52)
Read Mark 10:46-52.
Ask:
Why didn't the disciples and the people in the
crowd value Bartimaeus?
What people do we sometimes disrespect? Some examples might include the
elderly, the homeless, and so forth.
Read the excerpt about Church Under the Bridge in
Waco, Texas:
"I'm Loved Here"Church Under the Bridge Embraces Persons with
Mental Illness
Anyone who has attended Church Under the Bridge (CUB)
in Waco, Tex., will tell you that it is an unusual experience. Aside from
the noise of interstate traffic roaring overhead and the weather-colored
particularities of an outdoor worship service, our congregants include every
sort of person imaginable: young and old, homeless and well-heeled, high
school dropouts and seminary students, punks and housewives, addicts and
pastors, saints and sinners of every race. And in the mix are
numerous persons with serious mental illness. Some cling tightly to their
sleeping bag and few possessions, remaining isolated from the worship,
awaiting the hot meal served at 10:30 a.m. But others are helpful and
engaged as full participants in worship and leadership.
Kenneth, a Vietnam War vet with post-traumatic stress disorder, calls
himself "certified crazy" based on his VA diagnosis. But at CUB he is called
"head deacon" and is in charge of passing out the bulletins. Kenneth first
came to us 10 years ago, after being refused entrance to two other churches
soon after his acceptance of Christ. As a homeless man, his unkempt
appearance, dirty clothes, body odor, and untrimmed beard repulsed others.
Today, Kenneth writes letters to prisoners, assists folks in need, and helps
with Mission Waco's Poverty Simulation, a weekend program during which
economically privileged Christians experience poverty firsthand by
struggling on the streets and in the lower income neighborhoods of Waco.
"I'm loved here," Kenneth says with a smile.
Patrick's love, if not his gift, is music. Diagnosed with a serious mental
disorder and living in a group home, he still wants to be on the worship
team at CUB. So each week, playing an unplugged electric guitar, he strolls
the gravel aisles of the church, strumming and greeting folks as he goes. It
would be hard to imagine worship without his cheerful involvement.
Freddy and Helen occasionally sing "specials" at the church. A mentally
retarded married couple, their smiling countenances are contagious.
Others are less front stage. Robert, a schizophrenic homeless man, helps set
up chairs and tables. Michael, whose emotional immaturity leaves him
socially disabled in most settings, visits with Baylor students in the back,
sensing their acceptance of him. A new woman pushes her baby stroller with
only a toy doll on board. Still others sip hot coffee at the fringes,
leaning on one of the pillars of the bridge. But even they know they are
welcome.
After 12 years of being in church together, most congregants will tell you
that the joy and fellowship of worshipping with persons with SMI is what
makes the Christian fellowship here so genuine. "God is always reminding me
how foolish I am in all my "wisdom,'" says one member.”And it's never dull
here!"
EXTRA! is a supplement designed
to enhance and expand the effectiveness of printed curriculum provided by
LifeWay Church Resources.
EXTRA! is produced by Publishing
Services and Multimedia, LifeWay Church Resources, Copyright 2007, LifeWay
Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
SPECIAL NOTE: Some Internet
addresses given in EXTRA! are outside the LifeWay Internet domain. Because of
the changing nature of the Web, EXTRA! editors cannot be held responsible for
content on pages outside their control. At the time of this posting, the
specific pages mentioned have been viewed and approved by the EXTRA! editorial
staff. However, at the time of your viewing, the information on these pages may
have changed. Links from the specific page addresses referenced in this material
possibly could link to inappropriate material.
EXTRA! Weekly Supplemental Teaching Plans
Adult
Bible Studies for Life
Bible Studies for Life EXTRA
January 20, 2008
Breakthrough in Justice
Dana Armstrong
Psalm 7:1-17
Before the Session
For teaching plans and full explanations of all the verses in today’s lesson,
consult any of the Bible Studies for Life leader guides or
commentaries.
Make sure each learner has his or her own learner guide.
Psalm 7:1-2
Enlist a volunteer to read Psalm 7:1-2.
Read or paraphrase the following article:
Under Attack
Even after I confronted him with the truth, a
manager continued to spread lies about me in an attempt to tarnish my
reputation. I knew he had lied about other people as well, but this person
professed to be a Christ follower.
Before this experience, my counsel to someone in a similar situation
would have been to ignore the slander and get on with life. Otherwise, he or
she risked becoming mired in a war of words that would damage both people’s
reputations and ultimately bring harm to the cause of Christ.
Now that I was under attack, however, my attitude was different. This was
personal. I wanted to defend my reputation and at the same time expose the
other person’s true character. I reasoned that people might interpret a lack
of response on my part as an admission that there was truth in what was
being said about me. If people believed these lies, it could cost me
business and certainly cause some to question my integrity.
A Good Name
Reputation is no small matter. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more
desirable than great riches.”
When I asked for counsel from Christians I respected, the consensus was
to ignore the lies and let God be my defender. People who knew me would
realize what he said was untrue, and eventually his lies would catch up with
him, they counseled. This was sound advice, and I’m glad I followed it
instead of running with my emotions.
Do Not Fret
David was a man who experienced unjust persecution at various times in
his life. His advice is still relevant today: “Do not fret when men succeed
in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger
and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil. For evil men will
be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land” (Psalm
37:7-9).
In Psalm 27:12-13, he shares his own experience: “False witnesses rise up
against me. … I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the
Lord in the land of the living.”
While I don’t believe we should avoid opportunities to correct untrue
statements made about us, we don’t need to waste a lot of time and energy
defending ourselves from those who speak evil against us.
Our Defender
God is our defender, and He is more than able to guard our reputations. I
believe He is more interested in how we respond than in what is actually
said. “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’” Solomon writes in
Proverbs 20:22, “Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.” The emphasis
in Proverbs is on the person who bears false witness rather than the one who
is slandered:
“Whoever spreads slander is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will
not go free.” Proverbs 19:5
“He who pours out lies will perish.” Proverbs 19:9
Luke 23 recounts how Jesus responded to false accusations. While the
chief priests and scribes were “vehemently accusing Him” before Herod (v.
10), Jesus was silent. In verse 9, we read that Herod “plied him with many
questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.” Jesus did respond directly when
Pilate asked him if He was the King of the Jews: “It is as you say” (v. 3).
Don’t Get Sidetracked
A number of years ago, I served as director of communications for Campus
Crusade for Christ, where I worked closely with Dr. Bill Bright, the
organization’s founder and president. Dr. Bright has had a long-standing
policy of not responding to criticism. His focus has always been to bring
lost men and women to faith in Jesus Christ.
Today he is regarded as one of the greatest Christian leaders of our
time, and the unfair or slanderous things others may have said about him
over the years have done nothing to tarnish his reputation. He has stood the
test of time in his character, integrity, and unwavering devotion to Jesus
Christ.
The best way we can guard our reputations is by living lives above
reproach and always being mindful that nothing escapes God’s notice. We can
rest knowing He is our defender, and there will come a day when all the lies
and injustices of the ages will be revealed. That’s the truth.
How to Handle False Accusations
Don’t fret or pay back evil. God is your defender!
Live your life above reproach so people will doubt the slander.
Remember that God knows the truth, and His opinion of you is the
only one that counts.
Pray for the person making the false accusations.
Go to that person and try to resolve the matter.
Stick to the facts when you need to discuss the accusations with
others.
Don’t use this as an opportunity to spread gossip yourself.
Remember Joseph’s words to his brothers: “You meant evil against me,
but God meant it for good.” God has a way of using evil for good in
ways we can’t imagine.
Source: Beehler, Don. Under Attack. Retrieved
January 9, 2008 from www.lifeway.com.
Ask:
Do you agree with Beehler’s recommendations for
handling false accusations?
Why or why not?
Say: Life is not always fair. The issue
is how we handle unfairness and injustice. Regardless of the type or depth of
attack we experience—whether overt persecution or subtle gossip—our response
should be the same: trust in and dependence on God to help us through difficult
times.
Psalm 7:3-5
Read Psalm 7:3-5.
Say: David felt the accusations of his pursuers were false, but
he took time to evaluate whether or not their criticisms contained any truth.
Paraphrase the following article:
O.J. in trouble again
LAS VEGAS (AP) - News conferences, a slew of felony
charges, a perp walk in handcuffs and detention in a holding cell without
bail - it's clear authorities aren't giving O.J. Simpson any celebrity
breaks.
Police insist such treatment is prudent for a man whose name is synonymous
with a slow-speed chase from officers in a white Ford Bronco. But legal
experts are questioning whether Simpson is being singled out for extra-tough
prosecution in his casino-hotel robbery case as payback for his murder
acquittal more than a decade ago.
"It is regrettable that America has not gotten over the O.J. Simpson
criminal case," said Carl Douglas, who was co-counsel with Johnnie L.
Cochran in Simpson's 1995 criminal trial.
"The fact that he is being held without bail seems unfair and over the top,"
Douglas said. "O.J. has always been able to satisfy his obligations to the
court. He cooperated with the authorities in this case. He is not a flight
risk. And he certainly can't hide anywhere."
At least six plainclothes policemen, accompanied by a handful of hotel
security guards, arrested Simpson on Sunday at The Palms casino-hotel. He
was accused of leading an armed heist of sports memorabilia. Simpson said he
was only reclaiming possessions that had been stolen.
"By our standard, there was no major show of force," Sgt. John Loretto said.
Simpson was handcuffed and taken in a police vehicle to the Clark County
Detention Center to be booked on six felonies, including two counts of
robbery with use of a deadly weapon. If convicted of the charges, he could
get up to 30 years in state prison on each robbery count alone.
Justice of the Peace Douglas Smith, who made the decision to hold Simpson
without bail, was "concerned about the flight factor" and because Simpson
had no ties to the Las Vegas area, said Judge Nancy Oesterle, who addressed
reporters on Monday.
Are you
surprised that O.J. is in trouble with law again? Why or why not?
Is it easier to
presume O.J. guilty or innocent? Explain your answer.
Say: The best defense we have in proving our innocence is a
consistent, Christlike lifestyle. Our lifestyles and habits should be such that,
when others hear an accusation against us, they assume or know it’s not true.
Psalm 7:6-11
Read Psalm 7:6-11.
Read the following reminder from Henry Blackaby:
A Friendly
Reminder
ATLANTA (BP)--In Luke 18:1-8 Jesus reminds us "that men
always ought to pray and not lose heart" and to illustrate this, He spoke a
parable about a persistent, helpless widow who sought justice from her
adversary. But the judge to whom she took her complaint "did not fear God
nor regard man." He simply didn't care and sent her on her way. But after
her "continual coming" the judge granted her the justice she sought. How
much more, then, will God, who loves us with an everlasting love, "avenge
His own elect who cry out day and night to Him?"
There should never be a time when a believer should not have his
attention directed to God. God is faithful. God is always present and always
active in the midst of every situation. Our fellowship with Him should be
uninterrupted and unbroken. In every circumstance God has something to say.
This is why Jesus desires that our prayer life be a
continual 24/7 way of life. Paul knew this as well. His attention was
constantly directed toward God and he urged every believer to "pray without
ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
We have already observed the National Day of Prayer this month. May I
challenge you to continue praying daily and without ceasing "for all men,
for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and reverence (1 Timothy 2:2). Pray
continually for President Bush, our Congress, our courts and our military.
Pray for local and state officials. Pray for our policemen and our
firefighters. And pray for pastors and leaders everywhere who bring the Word
of God to the nations (Hebrews 13:7).
Jesus also said in praying that we ought never to "lose
heart" or become discouraged. Today, we are living in dark and desperate
times. Many believers have grown weary from the moral decay of our culture
and ask how long until God sweeps across the nation in a mighty revival.
Others have become discouraged with our involvement in Iraq and ask when God
will bring peace to the Middle East. And still others ask when God will
avenge His elect that are persecuted worldwide. Like the widow, many feel
helpless and oppressed in their circumstances. In all things, however, we
must remember that Jesus' promise remains true: "If you can believe, all
things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23). Therefore, let us ask
God to help our unbelief.
In a solemn closing remark (Luke 18:8) Jesus adds, "When the Son of Man
comes, will he really find faith on the earth?" Will He find His people in
persistent, fervent prayer? You see, Jesus knew from His own life how
essential prayer was to be in every life. But He wondered if people would
possess the type of faith required for such a prayer life. May we not
disappoint Him by ceasing to pray.
Say: We do not have to live without hope
in a world filled with evil and injustice because our hope is in the Lord. David
acknowledged that God is a righteous Judge who determines to serve justice.
David declared his desire to see God's justice served in his own life and in the
lives of others.
Enlist a volunteer to read 1 Thessalonians 5:15-17
and Proverbs 20:22.
Ask:
According to
the article and these verses, what does God call us to do?
Why do you
think God wants us to pray without ceasing about the evil and
injustices in this world?
Psalm 7:12-17
Enlist a volunteer to read Psalm 7:12-17.
Use the following article to explain how NAMB is working for justice for
the unborn:
NAMB pregnancy centers share resources through
affiliation with Care Net (June 2007)
Women in crisis in Alabama are learning of God’s love
and compassion through more resources than ever, thanks to an affiliation
between the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and Care Net pregnancy
centers.
The arrangement, begun in September 2005 and nearing
the end of its two-year duration, involves a sharing of ideas and resources
between the two organizations.
Care Net was founded in 1975 to encourage practical
and compassionate solutions to reduce abortions in the United States and
Canada. It is the largest pregnancy center affiliation organization in North
America with a network of 1,050 Christian pregnancy centers, according to
Kristin Hansen, Care Net vice president of communications and center
innovations.
The approximately 200 NAMB-affiliated pregnancy care
centers in the United States — including those in Athens, Birmingham,
Dothan, Eufaula, Gadsden, Huntsville, Ozark and Wetumpka — have become
affiliates of Care Net with a waived affiliation fee for two years.
“We feel as though the arrangement has benefitted the
centers over this two-year period. It is up to them now to decide on an
individual basis if they want to continue the affiliation,” said Elaine Ham,
pregnancy care ministry associate at NAMB.
As a Care Net affiliate, Choose Life of North Alabama
Inc. (the Huntsville NAMB affiliate) has taken advantage of membership
benefits such as the Option Line, which provides referrals 24 hours a day
through the Internet and a toll-free number; yearly conferences; and
pamphlets and brochures at a reduced cost.
In return, NAMB has helped train Care Net affiliates
on effectively sharing the gospel, provided educational material such as
tracts and DVDs and led workshops for Care Net pregnancy center leaders.
“The pregnancy center movement has enjoyed a greater
sense of Christian unity in recent years,” Hansen said. “The sharing of
resources between NAMB and Care Net is reflective of that unity and Care
Net’s desire to have a greater impact by working together with like-minded
Christian organizations.”
Ham seconded the need for that impact.
“The issue of abortion needs to be addressed by all
Southern Baptists in order to provide women in crisis pregnancies a place to
go where they will hear the truth of God’s Word, receive assistance with the
resources they need to carry their babies to term and receive healing and
forgiveness for past abortions,” she said.
Ham said some Christians are unaware of the extent to
which abortion affects the church.
“One out of three pregnancies ends in abortion, and
there is no difference in that number whether (the women are) churched or
unchurched,” she said.
Ham said NAMB’s goal is to reach pastors with the need
for educating and equipping church members so they understand how to help
prevent abortions by volunteering in pregnancy care centers, giving
financially to them and serving as church liaisons to the centers.
She said the training provided by NAMB equips
volunteers to share God’s Word with women struggling with unplanned
pregnancies.
Barbara Glenn, resource development director of Choose
Life of North Alabama, said the center never misses a chance to witness to
mothers who may not know God.
“Basically we share the gospel with every client that
comes in,” said Glenn, a member of Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville, in
Madison Baptist Association.
According to her, the Huntsville center was No. 3
among Care Net affiliates last year in commitments for Christ with 291,
following a Corpus Christi, Texas, center with 443 and a Pittsburgh center
with 326.
Pointing to the difference Baptists make, Glenn said
the majority of the Huntsville center’s volunteers are from area Baptist
churches.
EXTRA! is a supplement designed
to enhance and expand the effectiveness of printed curriculum provided by
LifeWay Church Resources.
EXTRA! is produced by Publishing
Services and Multimedia, LifeWay Church Resources, Copyright 2007, LifeWay
Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
SPECIAL NOTE: Some Internet
addresses given in EXTRA! are outside the LifeWay Internet domain. Because of
the changing nature of the Web, EXTRA! editors cannot be held responsible for
content on pages outside their control. At the time of this posting, the
specific pages mentioned have been viewed and approved by the EXTRA! editorial
staff. However, at the time of your viewing, the information on these pages may
have changed. Links from the specific page addresses referenced in this material
possibly could link to inappropriate material.
