How Shall We Wait – Teaching Plan
Key Thought: The gospel calls us to demonstrate God’s love for the world in practical ways.
Lesson 13 – September 24, 2016
1. Have a volunteer read James 2:14-17.
People Waiting
a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. In what ways are faith and works closely linked?
c. Personal Application : In what ways have you seen how works have increased your faith? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your elderly female relatives states: “Why are you bringing up works? We are saved by grace through faith and not by works. It is not faith and works: it’s just faith.” How would you respond to your relative? (Note: Please read Ephesians 2:8,9, and verse 10.)
2. Have a volunteer read John 4:35-37.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. How well do we do working together in outreach for others? Are we more individually motivated, or would we gain more success in coordination with others?
c. Personal Application : How can we learn to be thankful and humbled by whatever role God has given us in the process of ministering to others? Why is it a priviledge? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “Aren’t there a lot of differences between those who live in the center of wordliness, and those who live in an area of Christian influence? What are some of the differences?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 3:6-9.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How do we occupy until Christ comes without becoming complacent and unmoved by current events?
c. Personal Application: How can we keep the urgency and importance of Christ’s return in our hearts when it feels as if He is delaying His coming? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “I’ve been working for the Lord; sharing my faith, praying for people, passing out literature, giving Bible studies for years, and I don’t see any fruit from my labor.” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Romans 12:11-13.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What does it mean to be patient in tribulation? How patient are you when things don’t go as planned, or someone offends you?
c. Personal Application : What kind of Christians could be unproductive and inefficient in their waiting for Christ’s return? 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.
(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).
