Sunday School Lesson on Disadvantages of Disobedience Topic Discussion

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Sunday School Lesson on Disadvantages of Disobedience Topic Discussion

1.The book of Judges shows all too clearly the cycle of apostasy, crisis, repentance, deliver-ance, and apostasy. Where do you think we areright now in this cycle? Or is it even appropriateto draw a parallel between then and now?

Obviously, there are no simple answers tothese questions. For one thing Old Testament Israel was unique in being chosen by God for aspecific task: to usher in the Messiah. No modernnation has been chosen by God in this way. Thuswe should be careful in drawing parallels.

Second, a nation is a complexity of interre-lated parts. There are as many different ideas, in-dividuals, and structures to be considered! Thinkof all the national and local governmental pow-ers, educational institutions, religious groups,businesses, charities, etc. It may be fair to saythat we are experiencing each part of the cycle tosome extent. Nonetheless, all cultures and gener-ations have cycles that can be identified broadly.You may find it useful to bring up the latest hottopic on the national scene and which part of thecycle it speaks to.

2.What false gods do you find today's genera-tion chasing after that make God angry? Is it fairto say that we are all idolaters at some level?Explain.

Certainly, contemporary culture has its fairshare of seductive temptations: power, fame, sen-suality, and entertainment are obvious candi-dates. But two other major culprits appear to beindividualism and money. Rampant individual-ism has led us down a deceptive path to put faithin ourselves rather than in God. That attitude isdangerously close to the temptation presented toAdam and Eve in Genesis 3:5.
A lust for money and things (covetousness) iscalled idolatry by Paul (Colossians 3:5). Thisseems to have been the problem of the church ofLaodicea (Revelation 3:14-22)—the only one ofthe seven churches in Revelation about whichJesus had nothing good to say. Bottom line: any-thing we place on the throne of our heart insteadof God is an idol.

3. Repentance from sin begins with a changein heart and attitude. Following that, what spe-
cific steps of repentance can individuals,churches, or even nations take to beseech God'smercy? How do these steps change from genera-tion to generation—or do they change?

In prayer we can confess to God our sins andpledge to abandon our idols. Yet there must bemore than penitent prayers. We must also con-fess our sins to one another (fames 5:16). This iscertainly required of individuals, but it can alsobe beneficial of groups.

We must also demolish our idols and thingsthat lead us into sin. How we go about doing thatin practical terms can make for interesting dis-cussion! (Compare Acts 19:19.) Further, repen-tance can involve restitution where appropriate(Luke 19:8). Finally, we realize that methods ofrepentance may change from culture to culture.Daniel repented in sackcloth and ashes for thesins of his people (Daniel 9:3), a method that wedo not use today.

4.In what ways can we help the next genera-tion avoid the cycle of apostasy and repen-tance? What could happen to our church andnation if we neglect our duty in this regard?

Try to explore practical methods that could include immediate application. This can includeparents praying with their children or encourag-ing them to memorize important Scriptures,grandparents sharing their testimony with thefamily on formal occasions, etc. Probe hard here.Push your students to see the seriousness of theconsequences if they fail in this. The secondquestion will help your students see how impor-tant their legacy is.

5.Share a time in your life when you wentthrough this cycle of apostasy and repentance.What caused your downward spiral, and whator whom did God use to pull you out of it?

This is very personal, and not everyone will becomfortable with this question. But if two orthree students could give a brief testimony (per-haps you could arrange this beforehand), itwould make this lesson ver3, real. By especiallyidentifying who helped them out of the spiraland how they did so, you can give participantsconcrete ideas for application in their own lives.

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