The Adult Sunday School

Monday, May 13, 2013

On 5-19-13, 1 Peter 4:1-11 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Active Hope aka Hope through Stewardship

Active Hope aka Hope through Stewardship

1 Peter 4:1-11

International Sunday School Lesson

May 19, 2013

Commentary

Jed Greenough

How do you feel when you read today’s scripture? Is their appreciation for the instruction you find? Perhaps there is guilt. When I read it, to be frank, I feel both. Anything that can tell us what not to do and what to do and how to be, deserves a verse by verse inspection.

Verse 1. Many Christians faced persecution in Peter’s day and of course some today suffer for Christ. We must ask ourselves if we are prepared to endure for Christ. If you have not literally pondered this than you must.

Verse 2. If we have answered in the affirmative to this than we have changed. If we have changed in this manner Peter says we should change in other ways.

Verse 3. A rather shocking list is given by Peter of the ways he feels the world indulges in and that we should not.

Verse 4. The world doesn’t understand why we wouldn’t want to join in with them in these activities and like the classic bully they react with abuse as evil cannot just observe this but act out their hate.

Verse 5. God will repay them for what they have done, just as He will us.

Verse 6. This verse has many interpretations but we would not be in error to say that we again will be judged by how we live. As Christians that should be a spiritual life.

Verse 7. This world is ending. Much sooner now than it was then but Peter didn’t know that and he, under God’s leading, instructed his readers to live like it was. How do you live like the end is near? By being clear minded and self-controlled so that your prayers are not hindered.

Verse 8. End time behavior is to include most importantly love for each other.

Verse 9. End time behavior does not include holing up and withdrawing from everyone but rather we are to be hospitable to others.

Verse 10. Each of us have been endowed by gifts from God when we became Christians. If you haven’t figured yours out on your own ask those who know you best. If you do know what your gift is, are you utilizing it as you should? See Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 for help.

Verse 11. When you do figure out and do utilize your gifts do it with a zeal that brings glory to God.

Thanks for visiting and have a great class!

For Discussion:

1. Discuss being able to suffer for Christ

2. Discuss the list from verse 3

3. Discuss the world knowing or not knowing a Christian is different from them

4. Discuss understand verse 6

5. Discuss how we are to live

6. Discuss the gifts of individuals within your group

Upcoming Lessons

5-26-13: Patient Hope aka Hope in the Day of the Lord 2 Peter 3:3-15a, 18 or 3:1-15a

6-2-13: Worship and Respond aka Holy, Holy, Holy Isaiah 6:1-8

6-9-13: Worship with Thanksgiving aka Give Thanks Isaiah 12

6-16-13: Worship with Meaning aka Meaningless Worship Isaiah 29:9-16

Sunday, May 5, 2013

On 5-12-13, 2 Peter 1:2-15, 20, 21 or 1:4-14 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Sure Hope or Equipped with Hope

Sure Hope

Aka

Equipped with Hope

2 Peter 1:2-15, 20, 21 or 1:4-14

International Sunday School Lesson

May 12, 2013

Commentary

Jed Greenough

When I used to read the verses found in today’s scripture I used to think things, that though appreciative of what it was saying, it didn’t dawn on me how vital they are to the Christian as well as the yet to be saved.

If you study verse 2 just a little you see that grace and peace will not abound if yours is just a surface awareness of “God and Jesus our Lord.” With knowledge comes protection from false teaching, more good works and charity and ultimately more glory to God.

Though we are still in the world we are told in verse 4 we can participate in the divine before we are in the “eternal kingdom”.

In order to do that I believe the words of verse 7-8 are a literal step 1, 2, 3 and so on in consecutive order process we should attempt to follow to end up at the final one.

I believe that the final one of love is the hardest for us to accomplish because of our selfish natures. We are told by Jesus the following in Matthew 22:

“…the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

And the following about the signs of the end in Matthew 24:12a:

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold…”

We have already seen in the scripture from recent classes where this lack of love and the lack of wanting and actually not truly following God’s word are the sign of the falling away, the rebellion or apostasy. That as we see is the main sign of the end of the age and precedes the appearance of the antichrist.

We have to work on the scripture as given for today not just for God, not just for making our “calling and election sure”, but for our neighbor who we need to love enough to share the gospel.

Steps 1, 2, 3 and so on don’t seem to happen overnight and we must have a sense of urgency as it seems the rebellion is picking up steam. We must want for them to participate in the divine nature and bring all the more glory to God.

Like last week Peter is reminding us, in fact he told the recipients in verse 12 that he would always remind them of these things and in verse 15 that even after he was gone that it would be remembered. He did a pretty good job and it worked for a long time but it will cease one day when sound doctrine finally ceases to matter to enough within the church. But I know “you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

For Discussion:

1. Discuss knowledge of God

2. Discuss the word everything found in verse 3

3. Discuss that the answers to the most trying issues of today of any day can be found in God’s word just as they always have

4. If you believe that each of these steps leads to the other discuss why

5. Discuss why without these you will be ineffective and unproductive

6. Discuss verse 9 in depth

7. Discuss verse 10 in depth

8. Some will have verses 20 and 21 also. Please include in your discussion. These were not Peter’s words but God’s. The cool thing is, if you likewise remind others of this it is likewise not your words but God’s

5-19-13: Active Hope aka Hope through Stewardship 1 Peter 4:1-11