Key Thought: God is faithful to keep His promises. We should trust and cling to His promises.

November 23, 2019

1 Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 10:1, 28-29.

1. Ask the class what the main point of this passage is. 
2. Why did they have to separate themselves from the people of the land in order to obey God’s law?
3. Personal Application: What were the vows you agreed to when you were baptized? Did you go over them with the congregation before you were baptized? What was the purpose of those vows? Have you kept your vows? If not, what does this passage encourage you to do? 
4. Case Study: A class member reminds us that we can’t keep the law on our own. Israel fell into bondage at Sinai because they were making their own promises instead of trusting God’s promises. The member says we should trust God’s promises (2 Peter 1:4) instead of making our own. He points out that in Psalm 51 David asked for God to cure his sin problems instead of promising to do better himself. But in Psalm 119:106 David clearly promises to obey. Is there a balance between trusting God’s promises and making our own? 

2. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 13:20-21.

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1. Ask the class what is the key thought of this passage.
2. What is meant by “everlasting” covenant?
3. Personal Application: According to verse 21 besides forgiveness what is the goal of the covenant? Whose work makes it a reality? See also Philippians 1:6 and Galatians 2:20. 
4. Case Study: Your grandmother says in her personal Bible study she has come to realize that the Old Covenant never saved anyone. Even people in the Old Testament times were saved by the blood of the New Covenant. What is grandma thinking? Maybe this? 

3. Have a Volunteer read Joshua 24:14-25. 

1. Ask the class what is the main idea of this passage. 
2. What did Joshua mean in verse 19, by “you cannot serve the Lord?” Hint: Matthew 19:25-26 and John 14:10-12. 
3. Personal Application: Who do you choose to serve and why? 
4. Case Study: Your aunt says she thinks she remembers reading somewhere that many want to be Christians but they never choose to be Christians. She asks you, what is the difference between wanting to follow Christ and choosing to follow Christ? 

4. Have a volunteer read Hebrews 8:1-10. 

1. Ask the class what is the main thought of this passage. 
2. What is written on our hearts under the New Covenant? 
3. Personal Application: Are you currently living under the old covenant by trusting your own promises and strength or are you currently living under the new covenant and trusting God’s better promises? See 2 Peter 1:4 and Hebrews 8:6. 
4. Case Study: Your protestant friend says his pastor says the Old Testament law was done away with because it was impossible to keep and had too many faults. How does Hebrews 8:8 help you answer your friend? See also Psalm 19:7 

Conclusion: Encourage your class to share this message with someone this week. Remember, “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.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148

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