Key Thought : The lasting power of Jesus’ ministry is evident in the changed lives of His followers to day..

[Teaching Plan for Disciples and Scripture December 30, 2013]

1. Have a volunteer read Luke 4:1-4.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. Why does Jesus compare living by the Word to living by bread? Can a person live by the Word if he doesn’t believe it’s true or accurate?
c. Personal Application: How does Satan tempt people today? Is it by Scripture, or leading people not to believe in Scripture? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Why are there so many people who seem to know and quote Scripture, but don’t believe it or live it in their lives?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read John 13:19.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How does telling what is going to happen beforehand help the Christian believe that the Bible can be trusted?
c. Personal Application: How important are the prophecies in the Bible to you and your faith system? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why do you people always start your Bible studies and evangelistic series with the prophecy in Daniel Chapter 2? What is the purpose of doing that?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Matthew 5:17-20.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What does it mean to be called least in the kingdom of heaven? Does that mean they will be in heaven?
(Note: There are three heavens in Scripture. God’s dwelling place – the third heaven. The sun, moon, and stars – the second heaven. Where the birds fly – the earth’s atmosphere – the first heaven. Those who break God’s commandments and teach others to break them will be considered least of all people on the earth.)
c. Personal Application: In what ways do people change the crossing of a t or the dotting of an I in the law today? Do we try to reason out our obedience or lack of it with “gray” areas? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “If our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, how can anyone be saved? Didn’t they keep the law and follow it to the letter?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
(Note: What kind of righteousness did the Scribes and Pharisees have? Why wasn’t it adequate and how does it contrast with the rest of Matthew 5 in describing the spiritual nature of the law?)

4. Have a volunteer read Mark 1:1-5.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How can we help prepare the way for Jesus’ second coming and share the good news with others?
b. Personal Application: What are some practical ways you can incorporate Scripture in your daily activities? What are some ways you have or can use the Bible in personal witnessing? Share your thoughts.
c. 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.

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