Sunday, August 31, 2014

On 9-7-14, Jeremiah 30:1-3, 18-22 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as A Vision of the Future

A Vision of the Future
 Jeremiah 30:1-3, 18-22
International Sunday School Lesson
September 7, 2014
                                                                                 
                                                                     

Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

It is important to have a bright spot in your future for without it many would not go on.  The alternative to not going on at all is to operate as an automaton.  This is to say someone is acting more like a lifeless and soulless machine.
Anyone who has experienced or witnessed severe depression might find that a good example.  To borrow from WebMD these people have, “A constant sense of hopelessness and despair.”  They find it, “difficult to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy friends and activities.”  Without hope and with constant despair come the resulting actions and inactions and God knew as this time of exile came to an end the people of Israel needed to start looking up and looking ahead.
Once again they would be restored to their land (verse 3).  Yes, the cities and mainly Jerusalem would be rebuilt (verse 18).  Yes, there will be joy and bounty (verse 19).  Yes, their number will grow once more because children will once again be something you’d want to bring into the world again (verses 19-20).  One must never deny the importance of being able to feel honorable and that will return (verse 20) and they will be led not by a foreigner but their own (verse 21).  But most important, “So you will be my people, and I will be your God.” (verse 22).
The people of Israel in their guilt knew that their exile was a result of their action and that God had let them suffer by turning away.  That final verse 22 show this time was coming to an end and they indeed had a bright future to anticipate.

For Discussion:
1.      Yes, this can be applied to Christ and a time that is coming yet as well!
2.      Discuss how God’s absence or presence in our life affects us.
3.      Discuss the scripture of the Bible that we can look forward to that can help us anticipate a bright future.
4.      Discuss why these particular promises would be so important to the people of Israel.
5.      What happens to people and their relationship with God when they are suffering or have no hope?
6.      Discuss the prophet Jeremiah.

Upcoming Lessons
9-14-14    Hope for the Future or Restoration, Jeremiah 31:31-37
9-21-14    Anticipation of a New Future or A New Future, Jeremiah 32:1-9, 14, 15
9-28-14    Future Peace and Joy or Improbable Possibilities, Jeremiah 33:1-11

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

Sunday, August 24, 2014

On 8-31-14, 2 Corinthians 8:1-14 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as A Community Shares Its Resources or Generosity in the Midst of Poverty

A Community Shares Its Resources
Or
Generosity in the Midst of Poverty
 2 Corinthians 8:1-14
International Sunday School Lesson
August 31, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

I think if we are willing to admit it we all know how we should give.  I don’t mean this disrespectfully, but what Jesus said about the matter means more to me than what Paul had to say on the issue. 
We see Jesus talk on the matter in Mark 12:41-44, “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.  Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.  Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of her wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.””
In Luke 6:30a He said, “Give to everyone who asks you…”
And if we were to think about how Jesus gave we know that, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8b.
So we have our examples and we know how He wants us to give but it is always necessary for our leaders to tell us as a whole to do it and to do it generously.  But today in this scripture and in sermons past to which I’ve listened I have been rubbed the wrong way!
Now sometimes it might be out of guilt and that is great that I hear the message but other times there is something about it that galls me and that bothers me about myself.  I am just putting that out there, I don’t have an answer for it, I am just being honest with an observation.
Being a fan of Paul’s I am keenly aware of the Paul bashers out there and we in fact know that denominations have sprung up like weeds to teach what they want as opposed to what Paul instructed.  So I am really leery of fueling anyone’s animosity towards him or the Bible but when I read these words he wrote they aren’t to me the same Paul and I think in that I find a clue as to why He sounds a bit off to me.
When your Pastor has to give service to this subject I would think in most cases it is not what they want to being doing on any given worship day but it is a necessary chore unfortunately.  Let’s not hold it against them or Paul because if we gave as Christ gave they wouldn’t have to bring it up so often.
For Discussion:
1.      Give examples of God giving.
2.      Give other examples of giving in the bible.
3.      Give examples from your life.
4.      How much should a church give rather than spend on itself.
5.      Discuss the balance of a church spending on itself rather than giving of its wealth.
6.      Discuss a church with much abundance and its giving when there are churches that struggle for reasons that are not their fault.
7.      What does your church have in place to give to those who need?
8.      What do you have in place to give to those in need?
9.      Discuss to whom you should be giving?
10.  Discuss when you should not give or not give further?
                                                                                                               
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved



Sunday, August 17, 2014

On 8-24-14, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, 7:1-4 or 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, 7:2-4 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as An Appeal for Reconciliation

An Appeal for Reconcilliation
 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, 7:1-4 or 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, 7:2-4
International Sunday School Lesson
August 24, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough


In last week’s commentary I touched on our appreciation or lack of it for what Paul endured for the sake of the gospel and for our sake.  I mentioned how often times in scripture we pick out what speaks to us at that moment.  If that is all we did last week we might have passed over some of what Paul endured.
If that is what we did we get another chance for appreciation and enlightenment as again we see mention in general terms the hardships that Paul endured or as Paul put it, he endured “in great endurance.”
As this leader of early Christians this shepherd and teacher distinguished one suffering from another by separating them into: troubles, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, riots aimed at him, hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger.  It is a litany again that we should remember.
What I think too though that it should show is where and how he placed himself despite his station as an apostle.  It should show the role that the leaders, and shepherds and teachers of our church today should pursue.  They may not yet in this day have to endure these things but they should prepare for that day because it could come soon!  It will be too late to practice when that time arrives.
The rest of us should appreciate these positions for what they go through for our sakes.  We must make room for them in our hearts as Paul says in chapter 7 verse 2.  I know that is difficult from my own life but Paul tells how it’s done in the preceding verse, “…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
We have to make a conscious choice to pursue holiness and we owe it to God to do so as again Paul said in 6:1, “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.  For He says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.”
Again, I know from experience it isn’t easy but only when we are truly holy will we truly act like Paul or love as he entreated.

For Discussion:
1.      Discuss receiving God’s gift of grace in vain.
2.      How might our teachers, leaders, shepherds etc. put stumbling blocks in someone’s path?  This is a sensitive but vital matter to discuss in an intelligent but sensitive way.
3.      Discuss Christians today who might be enduring some of the things that Paul experienced.
4.      Discuss being prepared to endure ourselves.
5.      Discuss speaking freely to each other as Paul mentions in 6:11.
6.      Discuss pursuing holiness for God’s sake if not our own.


Upcoming Lessons:
8-31-14  2 Corinthians 8:1-14 A Community Shares Its Resources or Generosity in the Midst of Poverty
 

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





Monday, August 11, 2014

On 8-17-14, 2 Corinthians 4:1-15 or 4:1-18 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Treasure in Earthen Vessels or Treasure in Clay Pots

Treasure in Earthen Vessels
Or
Treasure in Clay Pots
 2 Corinthians 4:1-15 or 4:1-18
International Sunday School Lesson
August 17, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough




The elegance and eloquence of Paul’s words in chapters such as today’s 2 Corinthians 4 prove to me that without a doubt these are God’s words.  Somewhere in this one chapter God can be speaking to each one of us as individuals even though we are in a sense studying them together all over the world.
For me, for now, it might be in verses 1, 16-18 more than the rest of the chapter.  For you, if you are a teacher it might be the reminder in verse 2 to not distort His word because you think you need to keep things interesting.  For another it might be verses 3-4 as to why some can hear or read the same words and just not get it.
For some these words are troubling and God knowing that has Paul explain to believers a reminder in verses 5-6 that they are not rejecting mere words or the servants delivering them but rejecting Christ!
If Paul, referring to himself really in verse 7, was a jar of clay containing this great treasure of the gospel message, how much more are we?
The verses that follow through to the end of the chapter really explain a lot without going into details what Paul endured.  Do we appreciate what he gave and is giving to us yet?  I think more often than not we read the eloquence of the words and pick out what speaks to us and move on.  As we know that is part of what Paul and God wanted and why they were written (it says so in verse 15) but now would be a good time to thank God for what Paul endured for the sake of the gospel.
Paul is gone but his example remains as to the effort that the gospel deserves.

For Discussion:
1.      Discuss what verses most speak to you today from our chapter.
2.      Discuss the example Paul gave.
3.      Discuss the encouragement to be received from these verses.
4.      Discuss distorting God’s word.
5.      Discuss verses 3-4.
6.      Discuss what it means to “preach ourselves” as referenced in verse 5.
7.      Read this chapter again, slowly, with emphasis, out loud.

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


Monday, August 4, 2014

On 8-10-14, 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as A Community Forgives or Forgiveness and Restoration

A Community Forgives or Forgiveness and Restoration
 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11
International Sunday School Lesson
August 10, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough


How much do you consider your brothers and sisters?  Do you literally agonize over them?  Do you have a servant’s heart with regard to them?
If you read the not included verses found in this chapter of 3-7 you will see how interconnected we are.  In the verses that are included you can see the anguish that Paul was experiencing for the Corinthians and how even for the eloquent Paul, difficult to express.  And once more the interconnected nature we have as brothers and sisters.
He considers how to balance pain, grief, joy, sorrow, guilt, correction, forgiveness, comfort, timing, love, forgiveness again and whew, the evil one’s ploys!
Our actions, thoughts and prayers should not be self-centered and Paul shows how we must weigh decisions because they affect not just ourselves.
Having said that, I must share with you that I am considering discontinuing these commentaries as I near the 4 year mark.  It has been increasingly difficult to find time to write and post weekly.  I have been unable to find both scope and sequences telling me the scriptures for each week that most will follow after August 31.  Failing to include one would leave some out.
How much do I do this for myself to serve and how much do I do it for you?  How much difference does it make and how much more a difference could I make in other areas if so applied?
I understand the anguish in Paul’s words, do you?

For Discussion:
1.      Discuss if people are becoming more self-centered including Christians.
2.      Who else should we consider besides our brothers and sisters?
3.      Discuss what you learned about Paul.
4.      Discuss what you learned about discipline in the church.
5.      Discuss what you learned about forgiveness in the church.
6.      Discuss what you learned about leadership.
7.      Even though you will cover the first 4 verses on August 24 please include 2 Corinthians 7 in your preparation for today’s lesson.
8.      Blessings, Jed


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