7/8/2007

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EXTRA!
Weekly Supplemental Teaching Plans

 

Adult

Explore the Bible
ETB Adult EXTRA

July 8, 2007

Commitment
Carole Waina

Haggai 1:7-9,12-15; 2:15-19
 

Evaluate Your Priorities (Hag. 1:7-9)

 

As an introductory activity, ask adults to think about what they are committed to.

  • Are you committed to your family, job, . . . golf game?
  • How can you tell when someone is committed to something?
  • How do commitments change through life?
  • Are you as committed (or more or less) to God as when you first became a Christian? Why would you say so?
     

Say: In coping with ongoing responsibilities of career, family, health, we can place our own interests ahead of God and lose focus on God’s purposes for us. Let’s investigate what minor prophet Haggai said about maintaining our commitment to God.

Mention the setting is when the Jews returned from the Babylonian Exile (6th century B.C.) The tasks of rebuilding their lives, as well as the temple and the city lay before them. While they immediately started on the temple foundations, they did not follow through.

Enlist a volunteer to read Haggai 1:7-9.

Ask:

  • What was the state of God’s house?
  • What had the people apparently been busy doing? (After 18 years of starts and stops since returning from the Exile, the temple was still in ruins.)
  • Besides busyness as an excuse, what were other excuses for not rebuilding the temple? (Opposition from enemies and materials not plentiful)
  • Why did Haggai tell the people to think carefully?
  • How had God forced them to consider Haggai’s words?
  • Is it true or false that when people neglect the material symbols of their faith and the rituals associated with them, they tend to neglect the spiritual realities that underlie them? Why? (This could be a debate between two teams.)
     

Read the following article:

Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2007

The latest values survey finds a reversal of increased religiosity observed in the mid-1990’s. While most Americans remain religious in both belief and practice, the percentage has edged down since the 1990s. The proportion of Americans expressing strong personal religious commitment has declined. In 1999, 55% Americans said “Prayer is an important part of my daily life.” This year it dropped to 45%. Also in 1999, 69% said “I never doubt the existence of God” while that number dropped to 61% this year. Numbers of persons who identify themselves as secular have increased. This change appears to be generational with each new generation displaying lower levels of religious commitment than the preceding one.

Source: “Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2007,” Pew Research Center Publications, Mar.22, 2007, http://pewresearch.org/pubs/434/trends-in-political-values-and-core-attitudes-1987-2007 Accessed 6/19/07.

Ask: What excuses might people give for lack of commitment to God and His work?

Say: Decreased religious commitment may or may not characterize you, but, as Haggai said, “Think carefully about your ways.”

Lead adults to reflect on their own priorities by distributing index cards and directing them to write what they spend their time, thought, energy, and money on.

Ask:

  • Are these the priorities you want to have? Do they need some adjusting?
  • How can you view your relationship to God as the center around which your life revolves instead of God just as part of a well-rounded life?
  • Do you think neglecting things of God puts you outside His blessings?
     

Point out that God’s judgment on His people is not just punitive, but He may withhold blessings to discipline or restore, that is, to bring them back to Him.

 

 

Follow Godly Leaders (Hag. 1:2-15)

 

Enlist another volunteer to read Haggai 1:12-15 as learners look for how Haggai’s words impacted the leaders and the people.

Ask:

  • How did Zerubbabel (the governor of Judah), Joshua (the high priest), and the people respond to Haggai’s words?
  • You may expect your pastor and other believers to submit to God, but do you expect political leaders to also?
  • What does “feared the Lord” mean? (Point out it is not a negative emotion, but reverence and awe of God.)
  • How would you feel if God spoke “I am with you” to you? (Note that God always enables believers to do what He calls them to do.)
  • Why did God stir up the spirit of those who would do His work?
     

Say: Listen to the story of Bob Butler and determine how he compares with the leaders in the verses just read.

Read the following article:

Bivocational’s batteries recharged at SBC

Bob Butler worked for an insurance company in Tampa, Florida, while serving in his local church. Influenced by the ministry of local pastors, Butler felt God calling him to the ministry. When he heard of the need for pastors in New England, he and his family moved to Plainfield, Vermont, and Macedonia Baptist, a church that needed sacrificial love and strong commitment. The first day he visited, there were 11 present. Butler took stock of the church’s spiritual condition. Would it be possible to build Macedonia into a vibrant church? After talking with Jim Wideman, then-director of missions for Vermont’s Green Mountain Baptist Association, Butler began serving as bivocational pastor of the church.

At Macedonia Baptist, tight finances have been an obstacle since the beginning. “There was drastic change in our family finances when we moved from Tampa to New England. The price of land is ridiculously expensive in Vermont.” … the primary means of supporting his family came by working at Wal-Mart where he served as manager of six different departments. Butler was given the freedom to counsel and even pray with people who had problems there. “It is kind of like being a Wal-Mart chaplain.”

Back at church, Butler has found evangelistic success by implementing some new ideas. For the past five years, the church has served a free community spaghetti dinner each week, drawing 200+ people. For many, it has been the only hot meal they would eat that week. Because of this ministry, 50 people would stick around for the church’s mid-week service and 25 people eventually came to faith in Christ.

Butler knows that bivocational ministry simply means that a pastor must be willing to put in long hours doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Janitorial services, bulletin-folding, music, preaching, counseling are all parts of the job, alongside his duties for Wal-Mart. While the community of Plainfield only has 1200 people, Macedonia has grown from 11 members to 95. Since coming to Vermont, Butler has seen 62 people come to Christ and follow in believer’s baptism. In 2006, LifeWay Christian Resources named him as the “outstanding smaller church pastor of the year” for states east of the Mississippi.

Source: “Bivocational’s batteries recharged at SBC,” Baptist Press, Jun 18, 2007. www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=25909  Accessed Jun 21, 2007.

Ask:

  • What shows Butler related well to godly leaders?
  • Did his congregation relate well to his leadership? What if they had resisted his idea of a free weekly spaghetti dinner?
  • How can you follow your pastor better? Even if he does not live up to your idea of godly (No one is without sin), should you still follow him?
     

Read this quote and call for reactions (but don’t get side-tracked with church politics): “Too many congregations are off-course, divided, and spiritually powerless because of members whose priority is to criticize or control (or fire) their ministers rather than to hear and heed what the Lord is telling them through their God-called leaders.” (Learner Guide, p.55) Guide adults to turn to Hebrews 13:17 and read it together. 

 

 

Experience Life's Fullness (Hag. 2:15-19)

 

Enlist someone to read the last Scripture passage, Haggai 2:15-19, as learners look for why God wanted Haggai to recap the past.

Say: The message of these verses was probably prompted by the people’s complaint that God hadn’t improved their circumstances even though they had been obedient.

Ask:

  • What effect did the people’s previous days of disobedience have? (Blessings were delayed because the people’s selfish pursuits had defiled them.)
  • How is it helpful to understand the past from God’s perspective? How often do you reflect backward?
     

Conclude with this story:

Success doesn’t change Popovich 

Throughout the NBA Finals, which the Spurs can close out tonight with a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers (They did!), Coach Gregg Popovich has artfully and predictably dodged any credit. He’s also downplayed all comparisons to Red Auerbach and Phil Jackson (nine rings each) and Par Riley and John Kundla (five each), the only coaches with more championship rings than Popovich. ABC analyst and former coaching rival Jeff Van Gundy says, “He is one of the all-time greats. Without question, a Hall of Fame coach.”

But Popovich doesn’t care about the fame. This is the essence of who the Air Force Academy-trained coach is. “His family is important. His job is important. That’s it, not the rest of it,” says Cavs assistant Hank Egan. Popovich has spent a career deflecting credit to his players. The game is about them, he says, not the coaches. Popovich has won his players’ loyalty by getting to know them off the court. His people skills are great; he really connects with the players. “He’s completely in control of this franchise,” assistant P.J. Carlesimo says. “The players’ belief in him is unwavering…He’s just amazing,” point guard Tony Parker says. “The way he keeps us focused, the way he handles the organization.”

Source: “Success doesn’t change Popovich,” USA Today, June 14, 2007, p.10C.

Ask:

  • What is Popovich committed to? How has that attitude been instrumental in his wins?
  • What attitude from last week’s study does he exhibit? (Humility)
     

Lead adults to determine their Commitment Quotient (CQ) by jotting down a number, 1 to 5, on a piece of paper in response to the four statements below (from Alternate Step 4 in the Leader Guide, p.71). Indicate that 5 represents the highest commitment while 1 represents the least.

  1. I support the work of our church with my money.
  2. I support the ministry of our church with my time and talents.
  3. I support the fellowship of our church with regular attendance.
  4. I am experiencing the joy of helping to carry out God’s work in the world.

Adults may add their numbers to get their CQ score:

20 to 17  You know joy in your commitment!

16 to 12  You are close to making God the center of your universe!

11 to 8    Other things are claiming your commitment!

7 to 4      You need to major on what matters! 

Encourage them not to compare CQ’s with each other but with themselves in the past.

Pray that adults’ commitment to God, as evidenced by giving priority to His work, will lead to their experiencing life’s fullness.

 

 

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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

July 8, 2007

Finding Our Place of Service
Ashley Linne

Acts 6:1-7; 9:36-40; 11:29-30
 

Before the Session

 

Talk with ministers and leaders in your church before your session to see if there are any areas of the church ministry that need help.  Make a list of these needs to share with your group.  Also consider researching a cause in another part of the world that your group can give to or work with (see links in section 3). 

Download the Place of Service handout and make enough copies for each group member.

 

 

Acts 6:1-7

 

Read Acts 6:1-7.

Say: As we all know, the church is a living organism made up of people.  We are all part of one body.  Just as our physical bodies work best when each organ is doing its part, the church will flourish when each “organ” or member is doing its part. These early Christians saw the great benefit of utilizing people and their gifts. God has wired each of us with different sets of skills, passions, and talents.  While we are each different, we each have the same Spirit within us.  As the Holy Spirit works within us, the fruits of His work will be evident in our lives. We will be prepared for any ministry opportunity that comes our way. It can be easy to go to extremes with serving—either volunteering to do too much, or refusing to do anything that doesn’t fit our idea of our calling. We would do well to seek the characteristics these men had, and be willing to follow the Spirit’s leading.

Ask:

  • What is the harm in filling every need that comes your way? Is it okay to say "no"?
  • Recall a time when you were working together with others on a project of some sort, and each person did their part. What were some of the results?

 

 

Acts 9:36-40

 

Read the following news article excerpt:

SOMERSWORTH, New Hampshire — Tri-City Christian Academy said goodbye Friday night to a small but mighty senior class that practiced service above self.

"If I had to come up with one word for this class, it would be service," said Senior Advisor Janet Lagueux, addressing the school's 14 graduates and roughly 200 family and friends who attended Friday night's commencement ceremony.

Lagueux awarded the graduates small plaques for their dedicated service and respect for teachers and classmates during their four years of high school at the small Christian school on West High Street.

Valedictorian Joanna Plante urged graduates to "Serve others with a servant's heart." And no matter what career path you take, she said, do everything with strong faith.

"No matter what you're doing . . . you're only able to do any of those things, all of those things, by the glory of God," Plante said. "So you should do all these, even the minutest of these things to the glory of God."

Taken from “Tri-City Christian Academy graduates stand out for sense of service,” by Thomas R. Kressler, June 23, 2007.  Full article available at www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070623/FOSTERS01/106230366/-1/NEWS04.

Read Acts 9:36-40.

Say: Dorcas probably never expected her talent of sewing to become such an enormous blessing to others. She saw a need she could meet, and she worked diligently. God can use any skill when it is directed toward meeting the needs of others. God can even use our weaknesses and turn them into opportunities for building relationships with others and bringing glory to Himself.

Distribute the “Place of Service” handout and allow group members time to complete it.

Ask:

  • What are some things you enjoy doing that you might be able to turn into acts of service?
  • Talk about the opportunities for service within your church right now. Challenge group members to pray and consider if they are being called to fill one of the needs.

 

 

Acts 11:29-30

 

Read Acts 11:29-30.

Say: In recent years there have been many tragedies in the United States that have given others an opportunity to do relief work. Perhaps your church sent workers to the southern states to help with efforts after Hurricane Katrina or other storms. Perhaps your church was one of those churches who called for help after the storm. As members of the body of Christ, we must be ready to rise to the occasion when tragedy strikes. And as we all know, the U.S. is not the only country who has suffered in recent years. There have been numerous fatal earthquakes, tsunamis, wars, and famines worldwide.  These are situations that may not require certain talents or gifts, but instead a willing heart and a generous spirit. 

Ask:

  • How can we balance a passion for helping our neighbor on the other side of the street and our neighbor on the other side of the world?

Read the following news interview excerpt:

Next week, First Lady Laura Bush travels to Africa, where she will assess the progress of President George W. Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, also known as PEPFAR.

The plan was created in 2003, when the president pledged $15 billion over five years for AIDS relief; most of the money was earmarked for Africa. Now, President Bush is asking Congress for $30 billion more through 2013.

This is by far the largest amount any country has spent fighting a disease outside its borders. In an interview at the White House's China Room, Laura Bush speaks with Michele Norris about the huge problems facing Africa, and the challenge of fighting AIDS in a place where infections are outpacing treatment.

Every year, 3 million Africans contract HIV. Still, Mrs. Bush remains optimistic.

FIRST LADY LAURA BUSH: I think we do actually see really good numbers. We know what it takes in the United States. We've worked on this issue ourselves for years. We know it's a combination of education, prevention, treatment — which is very important — and in a country like many of the countries that are targeted in Africa, where there is not great infrastructure, it's difficult to get treatment out into the bush to all the people that need it.

But on the other hand, I think we're obligated to do as much as we can do to reach as many people as we can, and to use every one of the strategies that we know work: education, reaching treatment, the prophylactics, antiretroviral prophylactics for pregnant mothers. I've seen some terrific programs in Africa that counsel mothers, and so that's part of the goal of it.

In countries where there are gender issues and where girls feel like they have to comply with the wishes of men, I think abstinence [and abstinence education] become even more important. We need to get the message to girls everywhere, not just in Africa, that they have a choice, that they can be abstinent and make choices for themselves that keep themselves safe.

Taken from “All Things Considered” from NPR, June 22, 2007.  Full interview transcript available at www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11291671.

Share a few opportunities for giving/relief efforts with your class.  See if you can decide together on one charity to invest time or resources in as a group. Here are a few organizations you might consider:

(RED) www.joinred.com Help women and children with HIV/AIDS
American Red Cross www.redcross.org
America’s Second Harvest www.secondharvest.org Fight to end hunger in America
Bibles Unbound www.biblesunbound.com Send Bibles to restricted nations
World Vision www.worldvision.com Sponsor a child in another nation
International Justice Mission www.ijm.org Help abolish slavery and human trafficking
 

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

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.