The Adult Sunday School

Sunday, November 30, 2014

On 12-7-14, Hebrews 1:1-9 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Worship Christ’s Majesty

Worship Christ’s Majesty

Hebrews 1:1-9

International Sunday School Lesson

December 7, 2014

Commentary

Jed Greenough

It is hard to believe at first when you see how much time Paul had to spend in defending the superiority of Christ not just in today’s scripture but in a great deal of the book of Hebrews. But is it really?

How much does Christ need defending in the church today? It might not be overt but if what you are hearing more of in the church is a social gospel that might just be the case.

If, as we know that Christ is superior to the angels, how much more is He superior to preaching about financial advice or addiction?

Elsewhere in Hebrews 3 Paul talks of Jesus’ superiority to Moses. Of course we should know this but if we hear more about how to be a real man or how to be a family we may not come to know Jesus.

My firm belief is that we do indeed have to be concerned about defending Christ, teaching Christ, concentrating on the true gospel message. Don’t you think if Paul concentrated most of his efforts here than we should as well?

Paul had many different places to be in the building process that was the growing early church with fires to put out here and there thus the book of Hebrews was written. We however have but one church and I am confident that if we put our emphasis where it belongs then those worthy issues such as addiction, life roles, finances or all parts of a Christian’s life will mature as sanctification takes place.

I fear for many we assume have found Jesus but who have instead found a helpful space.

For Discussion:

1. After reading the first two verses of Hebrews read the first two verses of John. I can’t tell you how stirring and beautiful I think these words are. Discuss if you agree.

2. More incredible words to discuss, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.”

3. In reference to verse 1, discuss what the Old Testament was “missing”.

4. Discuss what is said about angels in the first chapter of Hebrews.

5. What do people do that they should not with regard to angels? Discuss.

6. Discuss in what ways Jews exalted angels.

Upcoming Lessons

12-14-14 Make a Joyful Noise, Psalm 95:1-7a

12-21-14 Give Glory to God or Glory to God in the Highest, Luke 2:8-20

12-28-14 Worship God’s Son or In Awe of Christ’s Power, Matthew 14:22-36

1-4-15 Jesus’ Model for Prayer, Luke 11:1-13

Monday, November 24, 2014

On 11-30-14, Isaiah 52:1-2, 7-12 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Let Zion Rejoice or Good News Brings Rejoicing

Let Zion Rejoice

Good News Brings Rejoicing

Isaiah 52:1-2, 7-12

International Sunday School Lesson

November 30, 2014

Commentary

Jed Greenough

Jumping through time as we do week after week it can be really difficult to switch gears or at least it is for me. Context is everything when we do this having been in Ezekiel for a month and now making our jump over to the latter fourth part of Isaiah.

So if you have the same feeling of a scriptural jetlag maybe it will help you to read from the beginning of Isaiah. I did this and it helped me a lot to better understand the joy and confidence that was being expressed reading today’s scripture.

In Isaiah 1 I read about rebellious children (Israel), a sinful nation (Israel), guilty, evildoers, corrupt (yes, all Israel). A desolate, burning, beaten country that only had survivors because the Lord allowed and wanted a remnant.

Destroyed and crushed by Assyrians and Babylonians alike eventually taken off to exile in Babylon, Isaiah would foresee it all. As if the defeat of war wasn’t enough the people would have to endure being taken away. 70 years was necessary so that the land and Jerusalem and the people Israel could in a sense be purified.

So Isaiah got to see so much pain and sadness so to see that God would raise up Cyrus the Persian who would defeat the Babylonians and then let Israel freely return home this was a gloriously joyous thing to see.

Anyone knows the feeling of relief and sometimes joy at coming home after being away for a time. Imagine a 70 year trip.

But you have to wonder about that. Isaiah got to foresee pain and he got to foresee the joy in today’s scripture. I think it would have been much more real for him then those returning from exile after all the percentage that would have still been alive from 70 years before and could remember things well must have been fairly small. But I can see how this would have been a good way to begin again considering what we read of the people in the beginning of Isaiah.

Hey, guess what, we are jumping all the way to Hebrews next week but at that time we will start with the very first verse!

For Discussion:

1. Discuss how these people who returned to their country were rather like the chance given to new Christians to start anew.

2. Discuss the different ways that Isaiah uses to describe Jerusalem.

3. Discuss that part of verse 3 that reads, “You were sold for nothing and without money you will be redeemed.”

4. See where else verse 7 has been used and discuss.

5. Discuss the manner in which this all occurred including Cyrus.