The Adult Sunday School

Sunday, January 26, 2014

On 2-2-14, James 1:19-27 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Hear and Do the Word

Hear and Do the Word

James 1:19-27

International Sunday School Lesson

February 2, 2014

Commentary

Jed Greenough

The word of God is living and breathing and active! You know what? So is faith and so is hearing! Hear and do the word of God is the title for today’s lesson and they got it right!

“The word planted in you”. God’s word is just like the Holy Spirit in you. If you work with it, accept it, than just as with the Holy Spirit you will be transformed.

Verse 19: “Take note” that is pretty hard to miss isn’t it? Take special care to notice what he is saying here. Take it from me; I know from experience that for those exuberant about the word of God we sometimes find ourselves in hindsight having done a majority of the talking. I will admit for me it is embarrassing to think back on. I know now that it is better that people look forward to what you have to share because when you do it will no doubt be meaningful. How much better is that then that they groan inside because here comes another diatribe and they never really hear what you have to say.

This usually comes with age, I think, as does the ability to perhaps not become angry quickly. It is easier to be patient in these things as we age but if we are made aware of them such as now when we read verse 19 we can choose to do something about it now whether 9 or 90.

Verse 20: Human anger doesn’t produce righteousness. I believe what is most in sight here is the words we say once we are angry do not produce anything good.

I know it happens at times among our church families but I have to think that it occurs more in the situations where we tend to have less of our social guards up. By that I mean work and definitely in our homes where we perhaps have the greater chance to produce that righteousness mentioned.

Verse 21: Getting rid of moral filth and evil is not complicated. If you imagine a scenario where you live in two ways for 6 months at a time I think the results would be readily apparent.

The first scenario finds you listening to music filled with cursing, reading nothing but self-centered subjects and watching media that features unbiblical activity and hanging with non- Christians.

The second scenario of six months of course is filled with music that has songs of praise, much time spent in reading the word, careful consumption of wholesome media and associating with good people.

The results would again be apparent and it is rather like, “we are what we eat”. The more we take care the better we will be.

Verse 22: The word tells us we shouldn’t do the first scenario and should do the second.

Verse 23-24: We can’t just show up for church or just read the words of the scripture and get the results. We have to be active in our faith and live out what we read and hear.

Verse 25: Doing that comes with a result—we are blessed! God doesn’t lie and neither does His word so take that as a promise!

Verse 26: Here is another mention in short order of the need to watch what and how much we say accompanied by a pretty important statement that those who don’t have a worthless religion! I think that he is referring to the tongue being nasty but he doesn’t clarify that does he? Probably better in any case to keep a rein in all ways of what we have to say.

Verse 27: Much can be said when we choose to speak. Some might be right, much might be in error. Even if we mean well it doesn’t correct the damage.

This can leave someone feeling a bit frustrated with how they are to be if they have to worry about everything they say but this is about how we are to live and that is to be merciful and pure.

Rather like the 2 scenarios above eventually the way we live will result in righteousness even when we speak.

For Discussion:

1. For those who teach consider if you speak too much.

2. For those who are students consider if you speak too much.

3. For those who have gone through this discuss how you changed.

4. Discuss how we can be in positions of authority at church, work and home and say too much.

5. Discuss the things we might have in our lives that are a negative influence.

6. Discuss how and why we might be reluctant to remove them.

7. Name things that might be a negative influence that people may have not considered.

8. Are you sure that those who are distressed are being taken care of by your class, church and you? Start examining those closest and work your way out from there.

Upcoming Lessons

2-9-14 Treat Everyone Equally, James 2:1-13

2-16-14 Show Your Faith by Your Works, James 2:14-26

2-23-14 Control Your Speech, James 3:1-12

3-2-14 An Eternal Kingdom, 2 Samuel 7:4-16

Sunday, January 19, 2014

On 1-26-14, Luke 16:19-31 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Showing Compassion for the Poor or Jesus Teaches Compassion for the Poor

Showing Compassion for the Poor or Jesus Teaches Compassion for the Poor

Luke 16:19-31

International Sunday School Lesson

January 26, 2014

Commentary

Jed Greenough

Again with the title this week, oy veh!

I hate to pick on those who choose what to call our lessons but really, is the main thrust of all this compassion? It can be a motivating thing for us to read about Lazarus and the rich man and be reminded to take care of the poor around us but is compassion going to bring us salvation? You know that it is not! Rather it is but one of the works of our faith and we’ll be getting to that in a couple weeks.

Rather isn’t it the last thing father Abraham says which is the point of this scripture? Lazarus, though it was requested he go talk to the brothers, he would have been going as the rich man said as, “someone from the dead.” Abraham was talking about someone “who rises from the dead”. And who is that? Jesus.

Even though Jesus rose from the dead, people then and ever since will not “believe”. They still end up like this rich man. Despite “Moses and the Prophets”, despite the Bible we have, despite missionaries, your witness or mine, “they will not be convinced”.

We know that God wants all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9) but we know not all are. How does that make you feel and I don’t mean so much about their perishing but your role in it?

When we read that God wants all to be saved in those two places listed above, they are in scripture that is giving us as Christians instructions not non-Christians.

As it says in Romans 10:14, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

If this lesson were about having compassion for the poor I would have a simple answer for you to resolve the problem, “Give to everyone who asks you.” (Luke 6:30) But I contend this is a gospel message but no less simple, give the message to everyone.

The way in which we do that isn’t as important as doing it. Supporting missionaries, becoming missionaries, preaching, encouraging, witnessing, you know the routine. Do not ignore your calling start there. Do anything long enough and it will become a habit.

Lazarus and the rich man didn’t end up where they were solely based on their station in life. There will be plenty of poor in hell and yes, there will be the former rich in heaven also. But we cannot be a respecter of persons when talking of He who rose from the dead but we must talk about Him so they can choose.

For Discussion:

1. Getting back to the poor…do whatever you can be it quarters or dollars or whatever you can to start giving to all who ask. Make it a habit to always be able to give. Let God “sort out” those who are not truly in need rather like sharing the Gospel.

2. Discuss why the rich man ended up where he did and Lazarus likewise. Do you have enough information? Do we ever? Just like the poor and just like those who will or won’t come to faith.

3. Discuss a class project to feed the poor.

4. Discuss a class project to share the gospel.

5. Does your class support a missionary?

6. We each as you know have been gifted in different ways by the Holy Spirit. Knowing for certain how you are gifted will embolden you to utilize that gift for the gospel message. Do you know your gift? Discuss. Does your class mate? Help and discuss.

Upcoming Lessons

1-26-14 Showing Compassion for the Poor or Jesus Teaches Compassion for the Poor, Luke 16:19-31

2-2-14 Hear and Do the Word, James 1:19-27