Monday, December 29, 2014

On 1-4-15, Jesus’ Model for Prayer will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Jesus’ Model for Prayer


Jesus' Model for Prayer
Luke 11:1-13
International Sunday School Lesson
January 4, 2015
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

“Lord, teach us to pray.”  If you concentrate on nothing else this week make it that sentence.  These disciples had been through much with Jesus already.  You know that they had prayed their whole lives or at the very least must have been prayerful as a result of their being with Jesus.

We know from the scriptures in Luke alone that Jesus prayed after monumental events (Luke 3:21). That he withdrew from others so that He could pray in solitude (Luke 5:16).  That He sometimes prayed for hours at a time (Luke 6:12).  Jesus showed them that even those who mistreated them were to be prayed for (Luke 6:28).  He showed them that they should always pray and never give up and yet lengthy prayers for show were not desirable (Luke 18 and 20).

Clearly these are just a few of the examples via demonstration that Jesus gave and yet the disciple who spoke asked for more.  Should we ask for more?  Do we think that something so basic we grow up with is like riding a bike once you’ve learned it you’ve got it for life?

Like the disciple, we have our examples from Jesus too and yet we neglect prayer, we make a show of prayer or we fail to pray for what we should.

Praying correctly despite being disciples of Christ is important enough for the experienced to remind themselves regularly.  Perhaps they pray the same prayer so often it is just a repeating of words.  Maybe they don’t pray to the Father but to Christ who in fact intercedes for us with the Father (Hebrews 7:25).  Do you ever get in a habit of praying just for you and yours instead of what is God’s?  Are we afraid to pray for God’s will?

We all are creatures of habit in some fashion.  It might be how we bathe, it might be what we eat and it most likely is often in how we pray.  But just because we do something repeatedly doesn’t mean we don’t develop bad habits or start to get off track.  Even the great golfer Tiger Woods has a coach to help him with his swing and I’d say this disciple was pretty smart to ask the question.


For Discussion:

1.      Find and discuss examples of those who prayed in the Bible that you feel are good models.
2.      Discuss the great significance of verse 13.
3.      I grew up reciting the Lord’s Prayer in church but where I worship now does not.  I never grew tired of it and I miss it.  Discuss the congregational aspects of saying the Lord’s prayer.
4.      Discuss the importance in what Jesus is saying to pray, “Father, hallowed be they name.”
5.      And, “your kingdom come.”
6.      And so on with verse 4.
7.      Discuss the meaning of “and lead us not into temptation” when we know from scripture that God does not tempt anyone (James 1:13).

Upcoming Lessons      
      
1-11-15     Jesus’ Prayer for His Disciples     John 17:6-21 or 17:1-26
1-18-15     Jesus’ Intercession for Us     Hebrews 4:14-5:10
1-25-15     Powerful Prayer or We Prayer for One Another     James 5:13-18 or James 5    


Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved


Sunday, December 21, 2014

On 12-28-14, Matthew 14:22-36 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Worship God’s Son or In Awe of Christ’s Power

Worship God's Son
Or
In Awe of Christ’s Power
Matthew 14:22-36
International Sunday School Lesson
December 28, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

You of little faith why did you doubt?”
Faith, that is really what this scripture for today’s lesson is about for me today.  We can’t doubt Peter had it, he said, “tell me to come to you on the water.”  What’s more he meant it.  We don’t read of hesitation at this point just that he got down out of the boat and walked on the water!
Being His first water walking experience with waves that could toss a boat it must have been an experience to say the least.  I won’t criticize him for his panic.  I’m not sure Jesus does either but just says, “you of little faith why did you doubt?”  Another word I’d like to insert in there is the one found in some translations, instead of doubt put waver.  When I read, “why did you waver?”  I can see things from Peter’s view point a bit more.
I’m afraid I’m all too familiar with the waver part.  My problem is I don’t like doing more than one thing at a time.  Walking on water is one thing but throwing some tossing waves in their can mess me up in my faith walk.
I’m cruising along and I’m doing really well concentrating on Him and His face and then other distractions like work, family or health draw my attention and though I still have faith I’ve lost my concentration on it.
I know many of you know how to balance your faith with these things and you really need to realize that a lot of your brothers and sisters don’t have that gift.  Have you ever considered how much help you could be to them?
Well the people at the end of today’s scripture didn’t have any trouble mustering and keeping the faith they had.  They were dying or hurting so bad.  They wanted relief.  They had all heard the stories, so many they developed a faith so sure they felt that just touching his clothes would be enough to heal them. 
They were right and they were rewarded for their faith.  Imagine if we could concentrate like that all the time even through distractions in our walk of faith.  Pray about it!
For Discussion:
1.      If you waver, discuss it.
2.      If you used to waver but things are better now, discuss that.
3.      If you have managed to not be distracted discuss your ability.
4.      Discuss what Peter went through.
5.      If you are hurting, discuss what you would do to just touch the edge of Jesus’ cloak.
6.      Do you have a time of day when your faith wavers most?  For me it happens the worst in the middle of the night rather like the boat the disciples were in at night.
7.      Discuss if you fear what might happen if you asked Jesus to call you out into the “water”.

Upcoming Lessons            
1-4-15        Jesus’ Model for Prayer, Luke 11:1-13
                                                                                                              
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved



Sunday, December 14, 2014

On 12-21-14, Luke 2:8-20 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Give Glory to God or Glory to God in the Highest

Give Glory to God
Or
Glory to God in the Highest
Luke 2:8-20
International Sunday School Lesson
December 21, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

I hope that you were here last week and read #21 where I encouraged you to discuss inviting new people into your class.  Of course it is a good thing to do any time but this Sunday being right before Christmas regular church attendance should be at a peak and Christmas celebrations that these people might be having won’t “get in the way”.  This can also help to get them back to church on the 28th if they are not regular in their attendance.
No offense to those that preach but these class rooms are just a better place to learn about God and to truly see like the shepherds from today’s scripture did that the story of Jesus was “just as they had been told.
Once that is accomplished my hope and prayer is that they, again like the shepherds will return to where they come from “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen.”
The shepherds could not help to share the good news so how about you?  If you procrastinated or if this is even the Saturday before there must be someone you can visit with in person, phone, Facebook or whatever.  This maybe the best attended Sunday of the year, please do your part to help others find the peace of God the angels mentioned.
For Discussion:
1.      Consider how hard it is for most people to walk into a class on their own for the first time.
2.      Discuss what the angels must have felt
3.      Discuss what the shepherds must have felt
4.      Discuss what it must have been like to see what those shepherds saw and heard.
5.      Discuss what Mary must have been feeling.
6.      Discuss that this was announced to shepherds tending their flocks.
7.      Discuss the words found in verse 11, “a savior has been born to you”.
8.      Discuss how and the ways that people today use and can’t help but share good news in their life.
9.      Merry Christmas, Jed.
Upcoming Lessons            
12-21-14   Give Glory to God or Glory to God in the Highest, Luke 2:8-20
12-28-14   Worship God’s Son or In Awe of Christ’s Power, Matthew 14:22-36
1-4-15        Jesus’ Model for Prayer, Luke 11:1-13
                                                                                                              
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved


Monday, December 8, 2014

On 12-14-14, Psalm 95:1-7a will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Make a Joyful Noise.

                  Make a Joyful Noise                      
Psalm 95:1-7a
International Sunday School Lesson
December 14, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

Sure we can wax poetic about certain scriptures and especially those we read in the Psalms.  This week rather than give mini sermons for our classes let’s ramp up the discussion of all involved.  Let’s engage people by coming up with as many ideas of things that we can discuss.  My hope is that we can find something for every student to find a subject that they can contribute on or that will strike a chord inside of them.
I hope that some of those below will help you do that.
1.      Such a short Psalm anyway how can we possibly leave out verses 8-11?
2.      Why it was important for verse 8-11 to be included when the people of Israel would have heard this Psalm?
3.      Discuss the Lord as the Rock of our salvation and the use elsewhere in the Bible of a rock.
4.      With regard to verse 1, sing sure, but discuss “let us shout aloud”.
5.      Discuss the opposite of verse 2.
6.      Discuss how verse 3 might have been used in the past or perhaps even today with non-believers/knowers of Him.
7.      Discuss why the psalmist uses depths, peaks, sea and land in verses 4-5.
8.      If you don’t bow down or kneel where you worship discuss that and discuss doing it in private.
9.      Discuss what it literally means to bow or kneel down.
10.  Find and discuss scripture in the Bible dealing with shepherd and flock.
11.  There is an interesting scripture dealing with what I believe refers to the antichrist; find and discuss as it sharply defers from Christ our shepherd.
12.  Discuss why praise is such an important part of worship gatherings.
13.  Is there a reason that the praise part of our worship be done very well?
14.  Discuss why the frequency of praise is important.
15.  How can you include praise as a part of your class?
16.  Find and read aloud other psalms or songs in full or in part that you particularly find praise God.
17.  Are there ways that praise attempts fail?  Discuss.
18.  Have you found places of worship that serve as great examples?
19.  Discuss examples where too informal or too rigid of praise fail.
20.  How can we know if we have some shortcomings with regard to our praise if we ourselves are satisfied?  Discuss.
21.  Discuss inviting people to Sunday School next week.  It would be a great time to get them started and a great way to end the year.
Upcoming Lessons            
12-21-14   Give Glory to God or Glory to God in the Highest, Luke 2:8-20
12-28-14   Worship God’s Son or In Awe of Christ’s Power, Matthew 14:22-36
1-4-15        Jesus’ Model for Prayer, Luke 11:1-13
                                                                                                              
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved





Sunday, November 30, 2014

On 12-7-14, Hebrews 1:1-9 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Worship Christ’s Majesty

Worship Christ’s Majesty             
Hebrews 1:1-9
International Sunday School Lesson
December 7, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough




It is hard to believe at first when you see how much time Paul had to spend in defending the superiority of Christ not just in today’s scripture but in a great deal of the book of Hebrews.  But is it really?

How much does Christ need defending in the church today?  It might not be overt but if what you are hearing more of in the church is a social gospel that might just be the case.

If, as we know that Christ is superior to the angels, how much more is He superior to preaching about financial advice or addiction?

Elsewhere in Hebrews 3 Paul talks of Jesus’ superiority to Moses.  Of course we should know this but if we hear more about how to be a real man or how to be a family we may not come to know Jesus.

My firm belief is that we do indeed have to be concerned about defending Christ, teaching Christ, concentrating on the true gospel message.  Don’t you think if Paul concentrated most of his efforts here than we should as well?

Paul had many different places to be in the building process that was the growing early church with fires to put out here and there thus the book of Hebrews was written.  We however have but one church and I am confident that if we put our emphasis where it belongs then those worthy issues such as addiction, life roles, finances or all parts of a Christian’s life will mature as sanctification takes place.

I fear for many we assume have found Jesus but who have instead found a helpful space.

For Discussion:

1.      After reading the first two verses of Hebrews read the first two verses of John.  I can’t tell you how stirring and beautiful I think these words are.  Discuss if you agree.
2.      More incredible words to discuss, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.”
3.      In reference to verse 1, discuss what the Old Testament was “missing”.
4.      Discuss what is said about angels in the first chapter of Hebrews.
5.      What do people do that they should not with regard to angels?  Discuss.
6.      Discuss in what ways Jews exalted angels.



Upcoming Lessons            
12-14-14   Make a Joyful Noise, Psalm 95:1-7a
12-21-14   Give Glory to God or Glory to God in the Highest, Luke 2:8-20
12-28-14   Worship God’s Son or In Awe of Christ’s Power, Matthew 14:22-36
1-4-15        Jesus’ Model for Prayer, Luke 11:1-13
                                                                                                              
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved


Monday, November 24, 2014

On 11-30-14, Isaiah 52:1-2, 7-12 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Let Zion Rejoice or Good News Brings Rejoicing

                            Let Zion Rejoice                              
Or
Good News Brings Rejoicing
Isaiah 52:1-2, 7-12
International Sunday School Lesson
November 30, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

Jumping through time as we do week after week it can be really difficult to switch gears or at least it is for me.  Context is everything when we do this having been in Ezekiel for a month and now making our jump over to the latter fourth part of Isaiah.
So if you have the same feeling of a scriptural jetlag maybe it will help you to read from the beginning of Isaiah.  I did this and it helped me a lot to better understand the joy and confidence that was being expressed reading today’s scripture.
In Isaiah 1 I read about rebellious children (Israel), a sinful nation (Israel), guilty, evildoers, corrupt (yes, all Israel).  A desolate, burning, beaten country that only had survivors because the Lord allowed and wanted a remnant.
Destroyed and crushed by Assyrians and Babylonians alike eventually taken off to exile in Babylon, Isaiah would foresee it all.  As if the defeat of war wasn’t enough the people would have to endure being taken away.  70 years was necessary so that the land and Jerusalem and the people Israel could in a sense be purified.
So Isaiah got to see so much pain and sadness so to see that God would raise up Cyrus the Persian who would defeat the Babylonians and then let Israel freely return home this was a gloriously joyous thing to see.
Anyone knows the feeling of relief and sometimes joy at coming home after being away for a time.  Imagine a 70 year trip.
But you have to wonder about that.  Isaiah got to foresee pain and he got to foresee the joy in today’s scripture.  I think it would have been much more real for him then those returning from exile after all the percentage that would have still been alive from 70 years before and could remember things well must have been fairly small.  But I can see how this would have been a good way to begin again considering what we read of the people in the beginning of Isaiah.
Hey, guess what, we are jumping all the way to Hebrews next week but at that time we will start with the very first verse!
For Discussion:
1.      Discuss how these people who returned to their country were rather like the chance given to new Christians to start anew.
2.      Discuss the different ways that Isaiah uses to describe Jerusalem.
3.      Discuss that part of verse 3 that reads, “You were sold for nothing and without money you will be redeemed.
4.      See where else verse 7 has been used and discuss.
5.      Discuss the manner in which this all occurred including Cyrus.

Upcoming Lessons
12-7-14     Worship Christ’s Majesty, Hebrews 1:1-9                             
12-14-14   Make a Joyful Noise, Psalm 95:1-7a
12-21-14   Give Glory to God or Glory to God in the Highest, Luke 2:8-20
12-28-14   Worship God’s Son or In Awe of Christ’s Power, Matthew 14:22-36
                                                                                                              
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved


Sunday, November 16, 2014

On 11-23-14, Ezekiel 47:13-23 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as A Transformation Continued or Inheritance Marks a New Beginning

A Transformation Continued     
Or
Inheritance Marks a New Beginning
Ezekiel 47:13-23
International Sunday School Lesson
November 23, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough



Hey, let’s cut to the chase!  I freely admit that no other book of the Bible challenges me as much as the book of Ezekiel. 
My best belief is that as I have been saying, I believe these latter chapters deal with Israel having to hold up their end of the bargain after they came out of exile and they did not.  They never built the temple described in the book of Ezekiel.
In order for the temple to be rebuilt and sacrifices to resume God would have to think about people in two different ways and that would have to include His son, don’t you think?
Yes, God does think of Israel “differently” than the rest of us in a way.  Yes, God does keep His promises we cannot forget this but this is keeping with His character is it not?  Paul affirms this for us in Romans and so we must never forget any of that.  But you have to assess the totality of Ezekiel and the totality of Ezekiel and watch speaking in absolutes.  And the latter is something I am not prepared to do.
Have you ever gone through scripture that deals with prophecy and visions and jumped around in both “space and time”?  You know you have and as student of these letters it has been just recently as we have been in Jeremiah and Ezekiel.  Please, keep that in mind but know that despite literal or figurative scripture God is always the same, He does not change like the wind. 
Interpret scripture with that in mind.  God will not forget Israel, He promised He would not.  At some point the division of land must occur in this location.

For Discussion:
1.      Discuss how difficult this type of scripture can be?
2.      Discuss how we need to agree to pleasantly disagree.
3.      Discuss the tribes in brief histories.
4.      Discuss the problem between Judah and Israel.
5.      Discuss verses 22-23.
6.      Find and show an illustration showing where each tribes’ land would be located.
7.      Discuss when you think this might occur in the future.


Upcoming Lessons
11-30-14   Let Zion Rejoice or Good News Brings Rejoicing, Isaiah 52:1-2, 7-12
12-7-14     Worship Christ’s Majesty, Hebrews 1:1-9                             
12-14-14   Make a Joyful Noise, Psalm 95:1-7a
12-21-14   Give Glory to God or Glory to God in the Highest, Luke 2:8-20
12-28-14   Worship God’s Son or In Awe of Christ’s Power, Matthew 14:22-36
                                                                                                              
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

Monday, November 10, 2014

On 11-16-14, Ezekiel 47:1-12 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as A Transforming Stream or Water from the Sanctuary Gives Life

                                          A Transforming Stream                
Or
Water from the Sanctuary Gives Life
Ezekiel 47:1-12
International Sunday School Lesson
November 16, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

You may have had some spirited sessions while studying this book of Ezekiel lately.  You may have differed with me and what I have had to say.  Hopefully this week can bring some clarity at least as to why we have to be careful with this type of scripture and hopefully my example for today will help with that.
Eden, the idea of it is so much in the forefront when I think about the scripture for today.  In Genesis 2:8-10a we read, “Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed.  And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.  In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  A river watering the garden flowed from Eden…
Of course we must also think of Revelation 22:1-2, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.  On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.  And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
This river mentioned in Revelation flows from the throne of God not from a temple as we read in Ezekiel.  We know there is no temple because it tells us in Revelation 21:22, “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord god Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Let’s look at some more but unrelated scripture which I hope will prove my point.  One time King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream we can read about it in Daniel 4.  The king told Daniel, “before me stood a tree in the middle of the land.  Its height was enormous.  The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.  Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all.  Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.
Well the discussion of the king’s vision went on but the gist is this on that part where Daniel (Belteshazzar) said, “The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the beasts of the field, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds of the air—you, O king, are that tree!
Remember that the next time you read Ezekiel and someone wants to share with you (or debate with you) the certainty of their understanding and then therefore their teaching on this and other prophecy!

For Discussion:
1.      Discuss how Daniel could interpret dreams but NOT those given him concerning the end times!
2.      Discuss verse 11.
3.      Discuss teaching on prophecies/visions.
4.      Discuss what if anything this scripture has to do with how we consider the previous two weeks scripture in Ezekiel.
Upcoming Lessons
11-23-14   A Transformation Continued or Inheritance Marks a New Beginning, Ezekiel 47:13-23
11-30-14   Let Zion Rejoice or Good News Brings Rejoicing, Isaiah 52:1-2, 7-12
12-7-14     Worship Christ’s Majesty, Hebrews 1:1-9
12-14-14   Make a Joyful Noise, Psalm 95:1-7a

                                                                                                              
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved