a CONNECT lesson

Focal Passage Outline and Scripture Passages:
The Presence (John 14:15-18)
The Peace (John 14:27-31a)
The Purpose (John 15:11-16)

Background Passages:
John 14:15-31; 15:9-17

Focal Passages:
John 14:15-18, 27-31a; 15:11-16

What This Lesson Is About:
Life is better when lived in relationship with Jesus because He gives us His presence, peace, and purpose.

How This Lesson Can Impact Your Life:
This lesson will help you make the case that the Christian life is a better way of life.

Isaiah 2:4. He shall judge between the nations, and shall rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into

plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they

learn war anymore.
–NKJ

Here’s a well known verse that speaks to a future time when a worldwide peace will occur. Swords and lances being remanufactured and beaten into garden implements. Nations will no longer rise up against each other. and even the skills of the battlefield won’t be taught because that peace will be so secure.

What will it take to have all the diverse types of humans and nations to come together? What common ground will be needed for people to put away their differences? It will have to be a time when they all find a common ground. Not just any common ground, but one so powerful that all people of all nations will feel secure enough in it to lay down the tools of war, make them into tools of peace, and feel comfortable enough to not even teach about war. You know… just in case.

Read More…

Isaiah 9:6-7

9:6. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
9:7. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
–NKJ

Isaiah talks about a king who will come in the future. One that we know as the person of Jesus Christ. He will arrive as a child who is born in the usual way. A gift of joy and pleasure to his parents. He will be a son who is to carry the weight and burden of governmental authority.

He will be the kind of person deserving of the names listed here. I looked up the original words and the list reads like this:

Miraculous, Counselor, Strong, Warrior, Father being Forever, Prince of Peace.

The comma’s (,) separate the individual words of his name.

Read More…

Song of Solomon 2:10
My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

–NKJ

What do you imagine when you hear the words, “God speaks?” What would God’s voice soung like? Often in scriptures it is described as a huge, rushing sound like wind. Big Booming and impressive. Think about our verse today. It’s found in the Song of Solomon. A book that is poetic and symbolic of God and his chosen people. It describes God being like the beloved, and the people being as the bride.

When two young lovers speak to each other, they don’t suddenly talk in loud, booming voices, making official proclaimations at each other. They speak softly, tenderly. They talk with joy and excitement to see each other. They say  words that build each other up,or just meant to be something silly to put a smile on the others face.

Another thing about young couples in love is that they like to find a place where they can be alone. There is nothing more important, or valuable at that moment than just being with that other person. They have something special and don’t want to share, or be shared with anybody else in the world. They find their own things to do, or place to go to, or say.

The beloved in this verse is glad to see his bride and calls to come away. God calls to his people to come away. Come to a quiet place where he can be together with you. Just to be together, God enjoys your company, he wants to share ideas, and do little things to make you smile.

Background Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
Lesson Passage: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

BIBLICAL TRUTH
Believers have reason for calmness in the face of diverse or erroneous teachings about Jesus’ return.

LIFE IMPACT
To help adults remain calm when they encounter unbiblical or diverse teachings about Jesus’ return