Lesson 1 ~ December 1-- A Special Gift
Scripture: Luke 26-38
Key Verses: The angel said to [Mary,] "... you have found favor with God. You will... give birth to a son, ... the Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:30-31, 32a, NIV).
Scripture Review
- God chooses a poor young woman to perfom one of the most important acts of obedience known throughout history.
- God sent Jesus to fulfill God's promise to King David -- to establish a kingdom that will never end.
- Jesus was both human and divine.
Scripture: Luke 1:39-50, 54-56
Key Verses: Mary [sang,] "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, ... for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name" (Luke 1:46-47, 49, NIV).
Scripture Review
- Mary hastened to visit her elderly cousin, Elizabeth.
- God's Spirit revealed to Elizabeth that Mary had conceived the Messiah--for Elizabetg greeted Mary as "the mother of my Lord."
- Mary glorified God in song for what God was going to do through her for the world.
Scripture: Luke 1:67-79
Key Verse: [Zechariah said to John,] "You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most high; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him" (Luke 1:76, NIV).
Scripture Review
- In a song often called the "The Benedictus," Zechariah foretold of the coming of a Savior who would redeem God's people.
- Zechariah's song of prophecy further predicted that his son John would prepare the way for the Messiah.
- Zechariah praised God for keeping promises to have mercy on the faithful by delivering them from their enemies and guiding them in paths of peace.
Scripture: Luke 2:1-17
Key Verse: [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:7, NIV).
Scripture Review
- The Roman emperor's decree was made in order to facilitate the taxation of all people. The decree coincided with God's perfect timing to bring His Son into the world in the town of Bethlehem.
- God reveaked the news of the birth of His Son to the least and those who were regarded as the lowliest of people--shepherds in the field.
- After the shepherds visited Mary, Joseph, and the newborn baby, they told the Good News they had heard and seen as they glorified and praised God.
Scripture: Luke 2:25-38
Key Verse: Joseph and Mary took [Jesus] to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (Luke 2:22b, NIV).
Scripture Review
- God revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he had seen the Messiah
- Simeon's words of prophecy amazed Mary and Joseph, because Simeon recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, and proclaimed Jesus as the Light to the entire world.
- Simeon prophesized that, because of Jesus, Mary would be greatly grieved because of the wodespread rejection of her Son.
- Anna, a devout prophetess, proclaimed God's truth about the Christ child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
Lesson 6~ January 5-- Doing Good
Scripture: Luke 6:1-11
Key Verse: Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?" (Luke 6:9, NIV)
Scripture Review
- The disciples took the "heads of grain" (verse 1) to eat for themselves on the Sabbath, and Jesus defended their actions.
- Jesus heaked a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath.
- Jesus challenged the scribes and Pharisees about whether it was right to do good on the Sabbath.
Scripture: Luke 6:17-19, 27-36
Key Verses: [Jesus said,] "Love your enemies, do good to them,... Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:35a, 36, NIV).
Scripture Review
- Jesus preached, and many people were healed of diseases and unclean spirits.
- Jesus taight His disciples to love their enemies.
- Jesus taught His followers to treat others as they would like to be treated.
- Jesus promised that the reward would be great for doing good to others.
Scripture: Luke 14:15-24
Key Verses: [Jesus said,] "When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed" (Luke 14:13-14a, NIV).
Scripture Review
- Jesus taught he Pharisees to be humble and hospitable.
- Jesus challenged he Pharisees to do for others without looking for anything in retirn.
- Jesus challenged the Pharisees to interact with everyone--not just people like themsleves.
- Some people make excuses when they are given an invitation to come to Christ, but the invitation goes out to all people.
Scripture: Luke 16: 19-31
Key Verse: [Jesus said,] "No servant cab serve two masters. ... You cannot serve both God and money" (Luke 16:13, NIV).
Scripture Review
- Jesus told a story to teach the Pharisees about caring for others.
- Jesus told the Pharisees that people could not serve two masters--both God and wealth.
- The Pharisees cared more for material possessions than for people's well-being.
- Jesus taught about the importance of treating the rich and the poos the same.
UNIT III: LIVING UNDER GOD'S RULES
Lesson 10:~ February 2-- Obeying Rules
Scripture: James 1:19-27
Key Verses: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22, NIV)
Scripture Review
- Anger does not lead to righteousness.
- The Word of God is an appeal to action, so hearing God's Word must lead to doing God's Word.
- The Word of God is like a mirror that reflects who one is.
- Caring for those who are in need puts God's Word into practice.
- One's speech demonstrates his/her character as a Christian.
Scripture: James 2:1-13
Key Verse: If you really keep the moral law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right (James 2:8, NIV)
Scripture Review
- Believers demonstrate a lack of faith when they show favoritism.
- The rich of the worls may take advantage of the poor of the world.
- The royal law, "Love your neighbor," should cancel out the practice of favoritism.
Scripture: james 2:14-26
Key Verse: Show me your faith without deed, and I will show you my faith by what I do (James 2:18b, NIV).
Scripture Review
- A person demonstrates hi or her faith by what he or she does.
- God tested Abraham so that others could see Abraham's faith.
- The story of Rahab shows that God accepts anyone who comjes to Him by faith
- What one believes determines how he/she behaves.
Scripture: James 3:1-2
Key Verse: Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be (James 3:10, NIV)
Scripture Review
- Teachers have great influence on and a responsibility to their students.
- The tongue is responsible for many mistakes and imperfections.
- James commanded the followers of Jesus to be swift to hear and slow to speak.
- Words can be as devastating and destructive as fire
