01: Our Loving Heavenly Father – Lesson Plan
Key Thought : God has expressed His love for us at the cross of Calvary. The Father loves us, He is compassionate and merciful.
[Lesson Plan for Our Loving Heavenly Father June 30, 2014]
1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 7:9-11.
a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. How is a human father similar to our Father in heaven? How does this imply they are different?
c. Personal Application: When you address God as your heavenly Father, what does it mean to you personally? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Don’t tell me God is like my father. My father was a drunkard, loud, noisy, bossy, abusive, and didn’t care about us kids.” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Luke 15:20-24.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What evidences do we see here that the son had his father’s love?
c. Personal Application: How have you been the prodigal son to your heavenly father? Have you been a prodigal son to your earthly father? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “If I left home, I’d never go back, no matter how bad things got. I would never go back and tell my parents I was sorry or wrong.” How would you respond to your neighbor?
3. Have a volunteer read Matthew 6:31-34.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How can we better learn to trust in God in our daily lives and experiences?
c. Personal Application: Have you ever had a time of crisis where you were able to see the reality of God’s love for you? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “If God can take care of all our needs, why are there so many people hungry and starving in the world? How does His promise fit their situation?” How would you respond to your friend?
4. Have a volunteer read John 14:16,17.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How does this text show the harmony and compassion of the Trinity in caring for human need?
c. Personal Application: What is the greatest need you have seen someone have that through prayer has been met by God? 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.
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