The Adult Sunday School

Sunday, August 11, 2013

On 8-18-13, Nehemiah 12:27-38, 43 or 12:27-36, 38, 43 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Dedication of the Wall

Dedication of the Wall

Nehemiah 12:27-38, 43 or 12:27-36, 38, 43

International Sunday School Lesson

August 18, 2013

Commentary

Jed Greenough

Some scripture when you read it brings to mind startling imagery in the mind’s eye. For me at least today’s scripture does just that. When I read it my mouth may have literally opened in astonishment! I didn’t have any trouble visualizing these men high atop the giant temple wall. I didn’t have any trouble imagining the joyous celebration as I could almost hear the instruments and voices.

I thought though, why atop the wall? For affect? I didn’t think so. For everything we read all involved were not thinking about themselves but making it about God.

When I considered that, I was reminded of how last week we had them as an example and probably as was meant to be their example still continues. And again it got me to thinking about what we do today.

When we read today’s scripture we see that they mention prescribed instruments. Does that mean that we shouldn’t use other instrument? I don’t believe so. Nor do I belive that we must march atop a wall literally because they did.

What I do think though is in our church celebrations we need to stop! Stop and evaluate. If under examination we can honestly say in the affirmative that all involved are not atop figurative walls for reasons of grandstanding, for reasons of selfishness and pride. Just like the fact that not all should be leading us through preaching and teaching not all can or should be leading or participating in musical worship.

Some may say, “Oh, come on, he’s taking this too far!” I would say God is consistent in being a God of order and the Bible is consistent in showing that everything is to bring glory to God and not to ourselves.

Therefore, all of our celebrations must be examined to make sure that what is really involved is 100 percent bringing glory to God. Not to the players and not to recipients. If it isn’t you know what needs to happen.

For Discussion:

1. Let’s be honest. In church in Christian concert there are those involved who have become prideful who are making it about themselves even if it’s just a little—even listeners. Discuss

2. If you agree or not, discuss why even those who are involved in celebrations must be chosen.

3. If you agree and feel that some who participate and receive have let pride or not making it all about bringing glory to God than discuss it.

4. Discuss what can be done to change the situation.

5. Discuss not just church but other Christian celebrations.

6. Wouldn’t it be great to find an image or images of today’s scripture.

Upcoming Lessons:

8-18-13: Dedication of the Wall Nehemiah 12:27-38, 43 or 12:27-36, 38, 43

8-25-13: Sabbath Reforms Nehemiah 13:10-12, 15-22

Sunday, August 4, 2013

On 8-11-13, Nehemiah 9:2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 30-36 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Community of Confession

Community of Confession

Nehemiah 9:2, 6, 7, 9, 10, 30-36

International Sunday School Lesson

August 11, 2013

Commentary

Jed Greenough

How often do you think about those who have gone before you? I think we obviously consider a great deal concerning those in the Bible who preceded us just as we are doing today in Nehemiah. They are after all serving as examples for us as we are told in 1 Corinthians 10. The other kind of example we are instructed in is to be like Paul as he followed the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). So we are instructed how to be, what to do and what not to do. It is a pretty good system if we care to follow what we are told.

This week we can use Israel’s example by considering our own people’s history whoever that might be. Though the vast majority who visit this blog are American’s there are many other countries represented in our number who are studying the very same thing week after week. Therefore, rather than separate by nationality let us consider ourselves as one as we consider those who preceded us in the church.

We have the distant past and we have the recent past along with our present. As we consider all these points in the church history where do you consider us to be if we compare ourselves to Israel of the Bible? Put us in their timeline.

Our current position is not one of being in the beginning because ours is 2000 years old. Since that time we have seen the church grow in numbers and spread even as it is doing now in parts of the world. But in other parts of the world where the church was strongest it has become weak and fallen away. At some point like Israel, parts of the church became like the people of Israel, as we can read in non-included verses of Nehemiah 9, becoming arrogant and stiff necked.

Unlike our examples, we were also given Christ and we see the ultimate fulfillment in Him but we know that first that unlike Israel in today’s example there will come a time when those who are arrogant will stay arrogant (Revelation 16 and of course several others).

In my opinion it would seem for us, the church, there needs to be a repenting for our arrogance. Sure we need to be like Israel and consider past history because we know the error of those who don’t remember the failures of the past are destined to repeat them. But… we need to remember the success of the past and live it and consider what we know of the future so that we do not live that!

For Discussion:

1. Discuss how we can use Israel as an example

2. Discuss the process Israel went through in their confession of sin from the scripture found in Nehemiah 8-10

3. Read Daniel 9

4. Discuss the numbers of those you think are involved in this act of repentance and compare it to what you feel would be required of the church today

5. Discuss those who preceded you in your church

6. Discuss those who preceded you in your faith