From Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Pack, Summer 2007, display the picture
poster with the lesson outline for this session.
A Vision to Ponder (Zech. 4:1-5)
As adults enter, ask them to write on the
markerboard one thing or person they really depend on.
Read the following article, suggesting adults discover one thing the
Cash's depended on:
Anchored in Love: An Intimate
Portrait of June Carter Cash
On the heels of the June 5 release of
the 'Anchored in Love: A Tribute to June Carter Cash' album -- a collection
of songs written by or associated with the late singer and wife of country
outlaw Johnny Cash, performed by Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Elvis
Costello and Emmylou Harris, among others -- comes the accompanying
book, 'Anchored in Love: An Intimate Portrait of June Carter Cash,'
written by June and Johnny's only child together, John Carter Cash.
The biography, which takes its name
from a Carter Family song, is a telling account of June's life, from her
Appalachian childhood to her romance with Johnny and the struggles therein.
[When the editors at Thomas Nelson Publishing House asked him to write a
memoir] "that was not an easy answer," says Cash, sitting in the cabin
studio where his parents often recorded in their senior years. "I knew that
I'd be deciding to talk about some things I'd never talked about before. I'd
have to explain the darkness, and make the point the light."
In the book, Cash writes of grace and
love and happy times but he also touches on turmoil. His father, Johnny
Cash, was often haunted by despair and addiction, and his mother, late in
life, battled an addiction to pills. "I was concerned about writing
something that would be taken as sensationalist," says Cash. "I also knew
that it had to be truthful, and that the essence of the story had to end
sadly, in some ways."
To write "Anchored in Love," Cash often returned to the Maces Springs, Va.,
home that has long been a retreat for his family. His grandmother, guitar
legend Maybelle Carter of the Carter Family, lived there with her husband,
Ezra. Later, Cash's parents owned the house. He found it the proper place to
hole up, contemplate and write. "I had writing spells, focus spells, where
I'd write 10,000 words in a week," Cash says. "I was able to think back on
so many good things: her love, her strength, her joy, her inspiration, her
forgiving nature and above all her enduring love for my father."
In the book, Cash also details some
of his own struggles with addiction and depression. And he writes about some
problematic family dynamics, "I believe we're all fallible human beings," he
says. "We're all going to struggle. We're all going to hopefully get back up
and keep going. As my mother would say, 'Press on.' "
Ask: What did the Cash's
depend on? (Drug addiction among other things.)
Say: Maybe our dependence is not on a negative thing like
drugs, but perhaps we depend on ourselves when we really need to look to God. In
continuing to study Zechariah, we will read about his vision of a lampstand and
what God revealed about depending on the power of the Holy Spirit during the
people's rebuilding of the temple.
Enlist a volunteer to read Zechariah 4:1-5, as learners look for what was
unusual about the lampstand. Share responses. (Lampstand was automatically
filled with endless supply of oil, from the seven channels constantly feeding
into the bowl [Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1555])
Say: The lampstand was apparently similar to one in Israel's
tabernacle [Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1554] (Note: Don't look for a hidden
meaning in every detail of the vision. See the article "Zechariah's Visions and
Oracles" on the Biblical Illustrator Plus CD-ROM for Summer 2007.)
Ask:
If the lampstand represents Israel as a light to the nations,
what parallel do you recall from the New Testament? (In John 8:12
Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world.")
What does "seven" indicate in verse 2? (Direct adults to p. 68 in
the learner guide.)
While Zechariah received a vision, what is the primary way God
reveals His truth to us today? (through His Word)
Say: Zechariah's book contains
eight visions, each with a basic pattern of Zechariah seeing something which is
followed by an angel giving a brief explanation of the vision. While we know the
general message of Zechariah's book is hope and encouragement in rebuilding the
temple, you will learn
the meaning of this vision in the following verses where the angel's explanation
is given.
A Message to Heed (Zech. 4:6-10a)
Enlist another volunteer to read Zechariah 4:6-10a, as learners listen for
the central message of the vision in verse 6.
Ask:
What did the Lord say for Zerubbabel not to depend on? (Mention that
Governor Zerubbabel did not have an army, unlimited resources, or anyone
else to turn to for help.)
What times have you depended on your strength (force) or abilities to
get you through life?
How can you do a better job of depending on the Holy Spirit?
When have your obstacles seemed as great as a mountain (v. 7)?
How did the angel say the people would respond when the final piece, or
capstone, would be placed? Do you have a similar reaction when finishing
a task for God?
Can your work for God be successful without depending on His Spirit?
Call for responses to this statement: Even when apparent
results from various church programs and methods may be impressive, only God's
Spirit produces spiritual and eternal results.
Read the following article:
The Man in the Clouds
Some years ago, in Asia, a young national missionary couple felt the call of
God to take their 3-year-old son to a very resistant area in the North to
live among the native people. They labored faithfully for many years in this
notorious area known as the "graveyard of missionaries" without seeing a
single person come to Christ. Their every effort to share the gospel was met
with opposition, as they battled discouragement, depression, spiritual
oppression and polluted water.
One day the husband walked through the door of their tiny
home, collapsed and died. Distraught, his wife went to check on their sick
child. He also had died. Devastated, confused, she returned to the States,
with her acute loss, seemingly defeated.
A few weeks later, a "JESUS" film team arrived in that exact
area. This time the government officials allowed the film to be
shown. During the scene at Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River, when His face
first appeared on the screen, the crowd erupted with shouts and
exclamations. The team had no choice but to stop the film and learn what the
commotion was about. "It's the Man!" they shouted. "He is the One we saw
walking in the clouds!"
It seemed that everyone had seen Him the day the national
missionary and his son died. Clouds formed over the hillsides. The vision of
a Man, larger-than-life, appeared above the clouds, walking over their
hills, shedding tears. The people suspected that it was a m essage from God,
that He was displeased that they had rejected the gospel. Now, they were
being given a second chance.
As the team restarted the projector, the people settled down
to continue watching the film. Everyone was transfixed by the story. Then,
at the end, the majority of these hard, resistant, people put their faith in
Christ! Other miracles followed. People were delivered from evil spirits.
The sick were healed. The deep spiritual hunger of many was met.
But, the greater miracle is this: where once there were
no Christians, there are now 46,000 believers and hundreds of growing and
maturing churches! Today, they are preparing to send out their own
missionaries to other unreached people, some of whom will use the "JESUS"
film. The "graveyard of missionaries" has become the "vineyard of
missionaries!"
*On occasion, the Holy Spirit reportedly gives a vision of the risen Christ
that resembles the actor who portrays Jesus. It appears to be His way of
affirming the truth of His Word to some who have seen or will see the
"JESUS" film.
Why might God use visions or dreams with unreached people groups?
What was the Holy Spirit's role in this story?
A Master to Serve (Zech. 4:10b-14)
Enlist someone to read Zechariah 4:10b-14, while all look for the explanation
of the two olive trees.
Ask:
What do the seven eyes of the Lord scanning the earth mean? (God's
all-knowing eyes watched over His people to protect and lead them.)
What is a plumb line? (Direct this question to someone who likes
to build. Mention that this building tool symbolizes the work of
Zerubbabel and people in rebuilding the temple.)
What are the two olive trees? (They stand for the offices of governor
Zerubbabel and priest Joshua.)
Say: To be anointed was to have oil poured on one's head,
symbolizing being set apart for a specific service and anointed by God's Holy
Spirit.
Ask:
What results when churches rely on methods and programs and leave out
the Holy Spirit?
Have you ever done a task for God in your own strength? What was the
outcome?
Whatever task you are doing for God now, how can you depend more fully
on the Holy Spirit's power? (Look for the answer at the conclusion to
this story.)
Tell this story:
Three popular Bible teachers take 9,000 women deeper into the Word.
Although the West Coast is not considered part of the Bible Belt, an
observer wouldn't have known it by seeing the 9,000 women at Deeper Still,
an event led by popular Bible teachers Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay
Arthur.
Event attendees converged on downtown San Francisco March 9-10 to
experience 10 hours of music, worship and intense time in the Word of God
from the three well-known Bible teachers and successful authors: Shirer,
founder of Going Beyond Ministries in Dallas; Moore, founder of Living Proof
Ministries in Houston; and Arthur, founder of Precept Ministries in
Chattanooga, Tenn.
"We're not here to entertain you," said Arthur during a welcome time. "We
are here to join with you and go deeper still into the presence of God."
Shirer began the teaching time by asking, "What was it about David that
caused him to be a man seeking God's own heart?
"He recognized God as his source," Shirer said. "He realized everything he
had and everything he was came from God."
"When we give up control of our own lives and realize that God is in
control, then when things start spinning out of control, and they will, we
can look up at God and thank Him because He is going to have to take that
responsibility," she said.
Shirer gave five ways to discern God's voice: Look for the message of the
Spirit; live in the mode of prayer; search out the model of Scripture;
always remembering God's voice will never contradict Scripture; seek out a
mentor and submit to the mentor's ministry, just as Samuel did to Eli; and
expect the mercy of confirmation.
EXTRA! is a supplement designed
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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
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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
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EXTRA! Weekly Supplemental Teaching Plans
Adult
Bible Studies for Life
Bible Studies for Life EXTRA
July 22, 2007
Sharing Christ in All Places
Ashley Linne
Acts 13:1-3; 14:1-7,21-23
Before the Session
In the second article there are several names and phrases that may be
difficult to pronounce; you may want to practice them a time or two before
reading the article.
Provide some blank sheets of paper and some pens or markers, enough for a few
small groups of three or four people.
Acts 13:1-3
Read Acts 13:1-3.
Say: The church in Antioch had been worshiping God and fasting, which
is a good indicator that they were waiting to see what God was going to do next.
It can be very easy for us to move forward with plans, ministries, and events
and then ask God to bless them. However, it is best to seek the Lord first
and then act, allowing Him to be the wind in our sails. When it comes to going
out and sharing the gospel, it is especially important to let the Holy Spirit be
our guide. He will lead us to the right people, at the right time, in the right
place. (Remember that a good definition of successful evangelism is obedience to
God, leaving the results of our work to Him.)
Ask:
When was a time that you took a course of action before being certain
that it was God's direction? What were some of the results?
When was a time that you did something in full assurance of God's
direction? What were some of the results? How did you know God was
leading you?
One example of a mission endeavor that has had quite an impact is the JESUS
Film Project. They recently hit a milestone goal. Read the following news
article:
ORLANDO, Fla., July 3, 2007 Take some of the biggest box office hits of
all time, blockbuster films like Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Star
Wars, Titanic, and The Lion King. All have been translated into multiple
languages and shown to audiences around the world. But if you added them all
together they wouldn't reach even half the number of translations of JESUS,
the most-translated film in history.
This month, JESUS reaches an astounding milestone with the debut of its
1,000th translation. "Lanka Kol is our 1,000th translation of the JESUS
film," said Jim Green, executive director of The JESUS Film Project. "It's a
language many Americans have probably never even heard of, but there are
more than one million people in India who speak Lanka Kol and now we have
the opportunity to begin sharing the gospel story with them in their own
language."
Produced by Campus Crusade for Christ, the original JESUS film debuted in
U.S. theaters in 1979. With a viewing audience of more than 5 billion, JESUS
has been shown around the world, often in remote, Third World locations
using a makeshift screen and portable projector. For many audiences, it's
their first look at a movie image.
"Storytelling is the fundamental way that people communicate around the
world," said Green. "Through the JESUS film, we can tell the incredible
story of God's love in a simple way that people can relate to, and we can do
it in their heart language."
While the 1,000th translation is a major milestone, it's not the end of the
story. The JESUS Film Project plans to continue translating the film into
500 new languages which include every language with more than 100,000
speakers.
The JESUS Film Project is a ministry of Campus Crusade for
Christ, International, one of the world's largest
nonprofit, interdenominational organizations, founded by Bill and Vonette
Bright in 1951. Campus Crusade has more than 27,000 staff members and a
ministry presence in 190 countries around the world. Campus Crusade is
dedicated to showing people how to know and experience God's love and plan
for their lives. For more information, visit the Campus Crusade for Christ
website at www.ccci.org.
Say:
The gospel is interesting in that it is the gospel of peace, but it is a gospel
that can also polarize. We see this happening in our world today just as it did
in Iconium all those years ago. There were those who recognized their deep need
for Jesus and accepted Him wholeheartedly. And there were people who refused to
believe the message of Christ and set out to keep others from believing—even if
it meant killing the messengers. Here in the United States we rarely fear for
our lives because of sharing the gospel, but in many parts of the rest of the
world it is a daily reality for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Read the
following news excerpt:
ISTANBUL, July 6 (Compass Direct News) –
Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court this week quashed a previous ruling
that had denied Coptic citizens the right to regain their legal Christian
identity, ordering a retrial on the hotly contested case.
The 45 Coptic plaintiffs and their
supporters greeted the ruling with cheers and ululating trills echoing
through the courtroom, declaring it a victory for “citizenship rights,”
sources at the national weekly Watani told Compass.
The court stated that it had based its
ruling on the legal opinion of the State Commissioners Authority, which
noted that Egypt’s civil law contained no reference to ridda [abandoning
Islam], which is punishable by death under Islamic law.
Held under tight security on Monday (July
2), the final appeal hearing was punctuated by heated arguments between
lawyers, angry chants from Islamists crowding the courtroom and near fist
fights at one point.
When defense lawyer Naguib Gabriel declared
that Egypt should be a civil state, not an Islamic state, courtroom
observers began to chant, “Islamic! Islamic! Egypt is an Islamic state!”
The evening before the awaited verdict,
Gabriel appeared on the “Al-Ashira Misa’an” (“Ten O’Clock P.M.”) talk show
on the satellite TV Dream channel. Quoting Article 2 of the Egyptian
Constitution, which declares Islam the state religion and Islamic law the
main source of legislation, Gabriel said this clause would always be “a
sword aimed at the neck of Christians.”
The plaintiffs’ defense team of well-known
Coptic lawyers included Mamdouh Ramzi, Ramses el-Nagar and Mamdouh Nakhla.
When government lawyer Mansour Abdel-Ghaffar
declared to the court that the converts to Islam who then wanted to return
to Christianity were “manipulators of religion,” defense attorney Ramzi
reminded the court of the Quranic verse declaring, “There is no compulsion
in Islam.”
Both Ramzi and Nakhla emphasized “glaring
discrimination” against Christians in regard to religious conversion.
Although a Copt can be legally declared a Muslim in a matter of 24 hours,
they said, a Muslim’s conversion to Christianity remains “next to
impossible.”
According to El-Nagar, this week’s ruling
has established that the same legal principles apply to Muslim and Christian
citizens alike. Because it applies “indiscriminately” to all conversion
cases, the lawyer concluded, it thus obligates the Interior Ministry to
change religious identities without the applicants having to take their
cases to court.
During the initial appeal hearing on June
18, defense attorney Ramzi asked government lawyer Mazhar Farghali what he
would do if a Muslim wished to convert to Christianity.
Have you ever interacted with a
person who was opposed to the gospel? How were you able to show him/her
God’s love?
Acts 14:21-23
Read Acts
14:21-23.
Say:
When we are leading others to Christ, we need to remember that following Him is
a lifelong commitment and process. Leaving a new believer to figure things out
by him/herself is like leaving a newborn baby outside in the rain. We must be
vigilant to walk alongside new believers, teaching them, encouraging them, and
reminding them that we all will go through tough times as we follow Jesus. While
a right relationship with God certainly does bring peace, joy, a new way of
living, and a multitude of other overwhelmingly enjoyable things, we need to
remember that along with these we are promised to experience the purifying
elements of hardship, persecution, and troubles.
Ask:
When sharing the gospel, is it
ever tempting to paint the Christian life as easy and without conflict?
Why do you think it is “necessary to pass through many troubles” as we
journey with Christ?
What are some ways to encourage each other and new believers when we
face difficulties?
Consider breaking
your group into smaller groups of three or four to discuss. Also encourage
groups to share the names or initials of people they are hoping will commit to
following Christ in the near future. Give each group some sheets of paper and
pens or markers in case they would like to write down some reminders to pray for
each other this week.
Read the following
quotes as a closing thought:
"Thou hast shown
thy people hard things" (Ps. 60:3, KJV).
"I have always been glad
that the Psalmist said to God that some things were hard. There is no
mistake about it; there are hard things in life. Some beautiful pink
flowers were given me this summer, and as I took them I said, "What are
they?" And the answer came, "They are rock flowers; they grow and bloom only
on rocks where you can see no soil." Then I thought of God's flowers growing
in hard places; and I feel, somehow, that He may have a peculiar tenderness
for His "rock flowers" that He may not have for His lilies and roses"
(Margaret Bottome).
"The tests of life are to
make, not break us. Trouble may demolish a man's business but build up his
character. The blow at the outward man may be the greatest blessing to the
inner man. If God, then, puts or permits anything hard in our lives, be sure
that the real peril, the real trouble, is what we shall lose if we flinch or
rebel" (Maltbie D. Babcock).
"Heroes are forged on
anvils hot with pain, And splendid courage comes but with the test. Some
natures ripen and some natures bloom Only on blood-wet soil, some souls
prove great Only in moments dark with death or doom."
Taken from ‘Streams in
the Desert’ by L. B. Cowman. Available at your LifeWay store or at
www.lifewaystores.com.
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.
