The Adult Sunday School

Sunday, December 11, 2011

On 12-18-11 Genesis 22:1-2, 6-14 or 22:1-14 will be our Adult Sunday School/International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as The Lord Provides aka The Challenge to Commitment.

The Lord Provides

The Challenge to Commitment

Genesis 22:1-2, 6-14

Genesis 22:1-14

International Sunday School Lesson

December 18, 2011

Commentary

Jed Greenough

It is my opinion that today’s scripture more than anywhere else best paints the picture of Abraham, God’s servant. We have read how when told to go Abraham obediently left behind almost everything he had known, departing for an unknown destination. Though it wasn’t a part of our recent studies we can read of a concerned Abraham sending his son Ishmael away. Not because of what Sarah said but rather because God instructed him. And now even though he waited 100 years for the promised son, and that there were already years of loving enjoyment of that son, and three days of bone weary travel, there was nothing that shook the obedience of Abraham. And this time it isn’t to leave everything and go to a new land but rather to sacrifice his long awaited heir. This as I said paints the picture of God’s obedient and faithful servant.

So what are you going to do with this image of this obedient servant? Do you learn from it, do you shake your head, doubt it, and maybe even get angry? It is my belief that God does not speak to hear Himself talk. Therefore all the scripture that we have has a purpose and we just have to search out its application.

For example in 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” We know that if we were to follow Paul’s example we would zealously, fearlessly and with intelligence be about the work of the gospel.

If we were to use the early church as an example of instruction of our worship practices we should start by basing those around devoting ourselves “to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42

Recently we looked at Matthew 6 as Jesus instructed us how to pray, how to reconcile in Matthew 5, and a while before that the superiority of wisdom in Ecclesiastes 9.

So what is today instructing us in? If you listen to some in academia they would tell you that an author of anything including the Bible only has one meaning and that is what you must discover. And some would say that we must not forget that there is also implied meaning. The best example I always recall is found in Ephesians 5:18. In that we are told, “Do not get drunk on wine, which lead to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” In that verse the meaning or intent of the author Paul is crystal clear but we can also take away implied meanings such as he would also include any type of drug or alcohol that would produce the same effect.

What I think that too many fail to take into account is the true author of the Bible. Yes we should search out the matter and it usually has one meaning but with the complexity of God’s ways there are layers like an onion for each of us to peel away when we look at His word. And when we consider what God’s word is saying we must never forget to apply Isaiah 55:11:

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

In today’s case was the purpose to show the following?

1. To show that God chose the most obedient person in the world to be the father of us all.

2. To show that God provides.

3. To show that God does in fact test us.

4. To show that if God can ask this of Abraham we should not consider what God asks of us too great a thing.

5. To show that if Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son we should be willing to leave anything and everything to follow God.

The answer to all of these is, yes. And this complexity, this ability for God’s word to accomplish in us, in different moments and in different situations what He desires, shows us with confidence that these are not just words written by men but that this truly is the word of God. Therefore to borrow from one of today’s titles, God does indeed provide. He provides exactly what purpose He desires today, tomorrow, and yesterday or as in this case, 4000 years ago. Will you search out that purpose?

For Discussion:

1. Discuss what would have occurred to Abraham’s faith had he disobeyed God.

2. Discuss what would have been the result for us if Abraham had disobeyed God.

3. I have listed 5 purposes that God had in today’s passage. Discuss others that might be found in this passage.

4. Discuss Abraham sacrificing his only son and Christ being God’s only son. Is there a parallel?

5. Ask people to share ways that they have been tested by God.

6. Ask people to share examples of God providing on a personal level.

7. Ask people to share examples of their not being willing to sacrifice something that they should have to God and instances where they were obedient.

8. Read James 2:14-26.

9. Think you know Abraham pretty well right? You might not if you have only read the assigned texts each week. Did you know that Abraham and Sarah were related before marrying? Read all of Genesis 20:1-12.

12-25-11: According to the Promise (Mary’s Song of Praise), Luke 1:46-55 or 1:46-66; 2:1-7

1-1-12: God Watches over Joseph (Guided by a Loving Lord) Genesis 39:7-21a

1-8-12: Joseph Finds Favor (A Discerning and Wise Leader) Genesis 41:37-45, 50-52 or

41:37-46, 50-52

1-15-12: God Preserves a Remnant (A Brother Revealed) Genesis 45:3-15

Sunday, December 4, 2011

On 12-11-11 Genesis 15:1-6, 12-18 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson, herein is my commentary. This Lesson is known by as A Promise to Abraham aka A Covenant with God.

A Promise to Abraham

A Covenant with God

Genesis 15:1-6, 12-18

International Sunday School Lesson

December 11, 2011

Commentary

Jed Greenough

There is a proverb that has never been truer than when applied to Abraham or Abram as he is still known in today’s scripture. The proverb is 12:28 and it reads, “In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.”

Abram is known by us all because as we read in verse 6 today he believed what the Lord told him and it was credited to him as righteousness. This is how we remember Abram, as this man of great faith but I think we almost forget the man part. We have raised him to a place where he seems more immortal than man. But let’s look at him in a way that reminds us more of ourselves, people who likewise have received promises and blessings but who need reassurances.

On a personal level, if you are still working has it been awhile since you heard the reassuring words of, “well done”? Or if you are a teacher of the scriptures who despite successful efforts in the past, has it been awhile since you felt encouraged? This is how I look at Abram. We know from the end of chapter 11 to today’s scripture that God had spoken to, visited with and appeared to Abram on several occasions. We know that in the time in between that these chapters mentioned Abram became very wealthy and successful. Despite all this, time was elapsing. We can see that even Abram, this man known as God’s friend, this man known for his faith, needed encouraging.

God had said in the very first verse for today that He was Abrams very great reward but Abram amazingly says, “What can you give me…? Can you imagine saying that to God, “What can you give me”? Despite the promises, the blessings and the appearances, this aging mortal man needed encouragement.

Fact is, we should be encouraged both by Abram’s humanity and God’s patience because we can apply it to ourselves. We may not have those supernatural encounters to fall back on during our weaker moments in working for the Kingdom but we do have a Bible full of promises that Abram didn’t have.

God’s words are his voice and by studying His word we have the benefit to draw encouragement from the examples of those who by their experience show that God both promises and fulfills. The man of righteousness, Abram, is again the recipient today of God’s promise that from him would arise offspring as numerous as the stars.

Eventually at the age of 100, 25 years after he set out from Haran his wife Sarai will give birth to Isaac but the rest of the promise did not happen in his lifetime but encouraged anew he believed it would occur.

Paul does a good job in Hebrews 11 of reminding us of not only Abraham’s faith but other greats of the Bible as well. He tells us that “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

Abram wasn’t perfect yet either as we see in today’s scripture and neither are we. Despite the promises and the voice of God, we too like Abram need encouragement from time to time, and not just us but our brothers and sisters in Christ as well. But even if the encouragement for our work in the Lord doesn’t come as often as we need and we are forgetting some of the blessings that have happened, we must try to remember these words from Ephesians 6:7, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.”

We are a part of the promise we read about today. We are each one of those stars. Unlike Abram we get to see that promise fulfilled. Take great encouragement from that loved ones and wait patiently for the great promise yet to be fulfilled. Share the promise with as many as you can until the stars of Abraham have reached their fullness and together we are made perfect.

For Discussion:

1. Read Romans 4:23-24

2. Read Galatians 3:6-9

3. Discuss how important everyone thinks faith is to God.

4. Share what faith means to those in your group.

5. Discuss the meaning of righteousness.

6. Did you sing these words when you were young, “Father Abraham had many sons. Many Sons had Father Abraham. I am one of them and so are you. So let’s all praise the Lord. Right arm!...”? It would be great to have playing as people come to class.

7. Research and discuss covenants.

8. Discuss our need for encouragement. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 3:13 and 10:25.

12-18-11: The Lord Provides (The Challenge to Commitment), Genesis 22:1-2, 6-14 or 22:1-14