Key Thought : Christian growth is the natural consequence of a healthy relationship with God and church family.

[Lesson Plan for Growing in Christ August 4, 2014]

1. Have a volunteer read John 3:1-3.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. What does it mean to be born again? c. Personal Application: How did you experience the new birth in your life? Share your thoughts. d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “I was baptized as a little girl. My interest in religion has been non-existent as an adult. But since I was baptized, I feel secure in Christ.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read John 15:4-10.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage. b. How does our personal freedom interfere with our keeping connected with Christ? c. Personal Application: What does it mean to you to abide in Christ? What’s the difference in connecting with Christ and not connecting with Him? Share your thoughts. d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I want to abide in Christ. I do a lot of church activities. What am I supposed to do to abide in Christ?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

3. Have a volunteer read Luke 9:23,24.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is. b. If spiritual growth is your focus, how would your daily schedule change? c. Personal Application: When was the last time you died to self? How does one die to self on a daily basis? Share your thoughts. d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What does this mean? Aren’t we supposed to preserve our lives? Do we have to be martyrs in order to be saved? There is no persecution today. So what does this mean?” How would you respond to your friend?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 6:9-13.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is. b. Can the Lord’s Prayer become a rote, repetitious prayer that has little meaning to the suppliant? c. Personal Application: Have you ever prayed for someone or something and it wasn’t answered as you asked? How do you keep your faith in the face of unanswered prayer? Share your thoughts. d. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note : “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149.

Print/PDF/Email