On 1-31-16, John 11:38-44 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as The Death of a Friend

The Death of a Friend

John 11:38-44

January 31, 2016

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

Sickness, accidents, murder and old age.  These are just some of the ways that death strikes us.  The grief that is usually then expressed ranges from stunned silence to the tearing and clutching of hair and clothes.

I am sure you have seen in person, in print or in some media and perhaps even in yourself where in grief an individual either feels abandoned by God or knows the comfort of God.  The latter more often an eventual comfort than immediate.  

Mary and Martha didn’t feel immediate comfort because they felt the pain of their brother’s absence but they knew and believed in the resurrection so the point should be learned—grief is okay even if you believe.

Knowing that you will no longer have that person to talk to, laugh with, help or be helped by is painful.

Jesus knew how this would all turn out when He said in verse 4, “This sickness will not end in death.”  But yet He grieved with and for Lazarus’ family and friends.  

It seems almost astounding knowing as He did what He was about to do and the joy that would soon come their way!  Isn’t it comforting to know that this is the one who sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for us?  (Romans 8).  

This is especially true when we know that those who have died are His but it is the complete opposite when we know that they are not.  Then how do you comfort the grief?  For this I have no answer save to say what will you do to prevent it for others in the future?

Sharing the gospel message should not be something you are afraid to do if you love someone.  And to whom will you limit your love?

For Discussion:

1. Please read my blog entry from 5-20-12 where the subject of Lazarus was covered previously.
2. Talk about your own experiences of grief and comfort at the death of a loved one.
3. Discuss dealing with those who grieve at the loss of a loved one who was not saved.
4. Discuss what Mary, Martha, their friends and Lazarus must have felt after this miracle.
5. Discuss those who still held Jesus a grudge.
6. Discuss what Jesus went through during this.

Upcoming Lessons

2-7-16     Passover     Exodus 12:1-14

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

On 1-24-16, John 2:1-12 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as A Wedding in Cana

A Wedding in Cana

John 2:1-12

January 24, 2016

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

I’m sure you have seen one of those sitcoms where someone either went up to a professional in a social situation or was afraid to bother them to ask them a question.  The Doctor or Lawyer or whatever the character was sometimes felt put upon for doing something for which they normally get paid.  They might say why don’t you call my office and make an appointment.

Jesus, no mere doctor, was in a social situation and when asked to get involved with His “talents” asked His mother in verse 4 why she involved Him.  But He didn’t ignore the situation because He wasn’t on the clock, so to speak, but took care of the situation.

It makes me wonder about people who have been given God given talents, some of which, yes, are gifts of the Spirit and who when asked decline.  Is that you?

Oh, I know sometimes we are tired or we are really otherwise engaged for the time we are being asked.  But other times we let our fatigue or our business or even our fears do the replying with our NO.

If one is a teacher and good at it and someone asks you to teach Sunday School the fact that you are already doing it 5 days a week and perhaps working on it 6 causes you to say no to that Kingdom work.

Maybe you are just busy and Wednesday nights are a time you want to decompress and someone wants you to visit an elderly relative of theirs in the hospital or at their home because they respect your Christian walk.

Probably the most common is that someone recognizes your ability and they want you to do something that you fear.  You may even want badly to do what they ask but you are afraid to do that very thing.

We do not compare to Jesus but He was still a man in a social situation just trying to be one of the guests.  I am certain He was relishing the day knowing what soon lay before Him.  He just wanted to be.  

But Jesus didn’t let His personal moment, His knowledge of what He was to soon endure get in the way of doing something which might seem inconsequential that He could do.  Yes, they probably could have gone somewhere and acquired more wine with only a little delay but He was asked, He had the ability and He gave.

It might seem inconsequential but it was a true example of His servant heart and one we should strive to emulate.

For Discussion:

1. Please read what I had to say about this scripture on another occasion in this blog on 3-18-12 found over on the right side of this page.
2. I love how good the wine was!  Discuss that!
3. Discuss Jesus’ statement to His mother.
4. Discuss what Mary said.
5. Discuss wine that is created from something rather than just appearing.
6. Discuss why Jesus mother was involved.
7. Discuss the apparent absence of Joseph.
8. Discuss all the roles of Jesus that day.

Upcoming Lessons

1-31-16    The Death of a Friend John 11:38-44

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

On 1-17-16, Hosea 1 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as An Unfaithful Bride

An Unfaithful bride

Hosea 1

January 17, 2016

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

Yes, I will agree with most who view the relationship between Hosea and Gomer as reflective of the relationship between God and Israel.  If that is what you are pursuing though for your lesson preparation you will have to go check out the wealth of resources that exist that delve into that as I will not be.

What moves me rather is what Hosea had to endure and it raises a question.  How much time have you ever spent appreciating those who work for God and in effect work or have worked for you?  They might have been Hosea way back then or it might be a teacher, preacher or missionary.  Think about the things that God has asked them to do or go through so that you might learn.

In today’s scripture God wants Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman.  Surely this will motivate you to read all of the book of Hosea which should lead you to appreciate Hosea.  It is a tough lesson to see what God does through His servants to get His point across.

This makes me think about what our pastors, missionaries and individuals are asked to go through in their kingdom work.  Does it make you pray for them or support them in other ways?

Sometimes they suffer at mortal man’s hands.  Sometimes they are sharpened by God.  Who benefits? We do!

I think this lesson and the month of January are fitting months to begin a new year appreciating and showing that appreciation through prayer and support for those who do work from which we benefit.

For Discussion:

1. Discuss what God was asking of Hosea.
2. Discuss examples of what others have had to endure for the kingdom.
3. Discussing prayer for those who work for the kingdom.
4. Do you thank God for those who went before like Hosea?
5. Was Hosea the father of all the children mentioned?
6. Discuss verse 4 and 11 together.

Upcoming Lessons

1-24-16     A Wedding in Cana John 2:1-12

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

On 1-10-16, Song of Songs 6:4-12 or Song of Solomon 6:4-12 will be our Adult Sunday School/ Uniform Series/ International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as The Most Beautiful Bride

The Most Beautiful Bride

Song of Songs 6:4-12

or

Song of Solomon 6:4-12

January 10, 2016

Commentary 

by

Jed Greenough

Her lover browses among the lilies.  He says she is beautiful like a city or troops with banners and she has hair like goats and teeth like sheep!

Despite what some might say we cannot entirely know what is being said here in today’s scripture because it came from within.  Different things have different worths and meanings to people depending on what they hold in high regard and certainly the time and culture from where they came.  But it is enough to know that they are in their love attempting in words to convey the depths of their feelings.

I might use a sunrise or sunset, the sounds of a distant river or the mists along the trees in the morning.  You would use the words that are a part of who you are because like me they stir in you a depth of emotion and that again is what you want to convey.

What does this have to do with us, why should we study it?  I think the answer is as varied as the poetry we would write but for me it is clear.  I believe that love, being as much a part of our lives as birth and death, should have its place in the Bible.

You can read about the struggles of sin, greed, hunger, murder within those pages so I am very happy to read about the feelings of intimacy we see in this scripture and throughout Song of Songs.

It might be true that there is some deep other meaning that this whole book is alluding to but I for the umpteenth week in a row think again that this is another over complication of God’s word.  

If you think that this all an allegory for something else, it might be.  I’m confident that God’s word is rich enough for that to be true too.  I just hope that if you use this as a source of inspiration for writing of your loved one you can come up with some better comparisons for them besides comparing them to dozens of other women, some fruit or livestock!  Have fun with that!

For Discussion:

1. Does a discussion of God’s word always have to be serious?
2. Discuss the way these natural things are discussed in polite or veiled ways.
3. Discuss your favorite verse found within today’s scripture or all of Song of Songs.
4. Discuss why her hair would be like a flock of goats.
5. Discuss why her teeth are like a flock of sheep…
6. Discuss how he is trying to show that she is alone in her uniqueness.  
7. Discuss how a book like this helps you as a Christian.

Upcoming Lessons

1-17-16     An Unfaithful Bride     Hosea 1

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