08: The Church: In Service to Humanity – Teaching Plan
Key Thought : The church is not a human invention; it was created by God for the purpose of bringing sinners into a saving relationship with Him.
[Teaching plan for The Church: In Service to Humanity November 26, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read I Timothy 3:14,15.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is the church called the pillar and ground of the truth? If a church claims to be God’s, but only teaches partial truth; is it God’s church? Share your thoughts.
C. Personal Application: What has been your biggest challenge in other’s behavior during church service or in the sanctuary? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What is the house of God? If it is the pillar and ground of the truth, it must not be just a building or meeting place. But our behavior is examined when we enter a certain place or building.” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read I Peter 2:9.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How are we God’s royal priesthood? What are our responsibilities as His priesthood?
C. Personal Application: How involved are you in the mission of the church? In what way could you do more than you are doing? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “I know as Christians we are to share our faith and be Christ’s missionaries and ambassadors. But how can we represent Christ if others think we are peculiar? In what ways are we to be a peculiar people and still reach out to others?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Matthew 28:19,20.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why are we counseled to teach, baptize, and continue to teach? Do we follow up with our newly baptized members to help them grow in doctrine and service to God?
C. Personal Application: How willing are you to serve others? Does God promise to be with us as we serve and go, or with us even if we don’t go and teach? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “There’s too much greed, power, and corruption in the church leaders. That’s why I have decided to stop attending church services. I’ll just worship God at home or watch 3ABN. I don’t need to attend the church services to be saved and a part of God’s people.” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read John 17:21,22.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is unity with one another so important for His church to promote and experience?
C. Personal Application: In what ways do you see disunity in the church that needs to be fixed? Do you see the church unified in doctrine? Share.
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)
