Sunday School Lessons on Salvation Topic Discussion

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Sunday School Lessons on Salvation Topic Discussion

1.How can the example of Jesus help Chris-tians deal with the temptations that accompanypopularity and power?

Popularity and power are things that many ofus won't have to worry about personally! Evenso, we all are painfully aware of "high visibility"Christian leaders who have fallen with a loudcrash. Popularity and power can be useful in ad-vancing the kingdom, yet each has the potentialto produce harmful effects. Jesus' example re-minds as that the eternal, spiritual reality takesprecedence over the temporary, physical reality.Despite Jesus' popularity, He made sure thateverything in His life was aligned with God'sagenda.

Jesus' example also reminds as of the need forregular reflection. Between John 6:14 and 6:16Jesus separated himself from the clamoringcrowds (compare also Luke 5:16). Given our ten-dency to misuse both popularity and power,meditation on the example of Jesus is vital.

2.The phrase/will in no wise cast out pro-vides great comfort! But what are potential dan-gers to this assurance? Explain.

When we experience difficulties, especiallypersecution for our faith, it is tempting to ques-tion either God's goodness or the reality of oursalvation. In effect we begin to ask, "If thatpromise is really true, then why did such andsuch happen to me?" We also should be warythat the phrase / will in no wise cast out may be-come an excuse for disobedience (see Romans 6).

3. What are some ways that the example andteaching of Christ can help you assess the will ofGod for your life?

There are clear differences between the will ofGod for Jesus' earthly life and His will for ours.Jesus' life is a reminder, however, that God's willfor all people is a right relationship with Him.In wrestling with the details of God's will forour lives, we remember that God has revealed inScripture that which is central regarding his inten-tions for all Christians: the Great Commission ofMatthew 28:19, 20. God wants us to be involvedin helping reconcile people to Him. He wants us tohelp others learn to love and serve Him.

God also wants to to reflect His character inour lives. Personal holiness is a must (1 Peter1:15, 16). While Christians sometimes disagreeon the extent to which God has a specific will foreach person's life, Scripture makes these primaryconcerns most clear.

4. In what ways have you found the Holy Spirit's in dwelling presence to be an encourage-ment in living the Christian life?

The Holy Spirit is God's presence with andwithin us. Knowing of His presence is (orshould be) a great source of strength, especiallyin places or life situations in which we are notsurrounded by strong Christians.

The Spirit's ministry as described by Jesusalso reminds as that the Christian life is not amatter of "trying harder" to employ our ownmeager resources. God's power is at work totransform our lives and fuel our service. Sincethe Holy Spirit indwells all believers, He alsoworks through the community of faith. He en-courages us through the Word and through thetimely insights and input of others. This pro-vides spiritual comfort or challenge according to our needs.

5.How do you intend to use the images of hunger and thirst to communicate the gospel inthe twenty-first century?

The creative teaching style that Jesus demon-strates is still worth emulating. First, the imagesof hunger and thirst are relevant to all people ofall times. Second, the images involve the wholeperson—thus they are memorable and powerful.Third, nothing is suture fundamental than hungerand thirst (except perhaps the need for air).Fourth, these images are grounded in therhythms of everyday life.

A big hurdle that we face is in transferring im-ages of physical hunger and thirst into the spiri-tual realm. Spiritual hunger and thirst cannot befelt in quite the same way that physical hungerand thirst are sensed. Many people have sup-pressed their spiritual needs for so long that theybarely are aware of them. In those cases the HolySpirit can create the feelings of spiritual longingsthat we can then address.

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