a CONNECT lesson

Focal Passage Outline and Scripture Passages:
The Problem with Criticism (Jas. 4:11-12)
The Need for Acceptance (Rom. 14:1-4)
The Goal of Edification (Rom. 14:5-12,19)

Background Passages:
Romans 14:1-23; James 4:1-12

Focal Passages:
Romans 14:1-12,19; James 4:11-12

What This Lesson Is About:
This lesson is about the need for believers to refrain from judgmental criticism of one another and, instead, to seek ways to build one another up and to promote harmony in the church.

How This Lesson Can Impact Your Life:
This lesson can help you evaluate your attitudes and speech about other people and to relate to them in ways that are constructive rather than destructive.

a CONNECT lesson

Focal Passage Outline and Scripture Passages:
Christ Is the Example (Col. 3:12-13)
Love Is the Motive (Philem. 8-16)
Restoration Is the Goal (Philem. 17-22)

Background Passages:
Colossians 3:12-13; Philemon 1-25

Focal Passages:
Colossians 3:12-13; Philemon 8-22

What This Lesson Is About:
This lesson is about extending forgiveness to one another.

How This Lesson Can Impact Your Life:
This lesson will give you hope that a broken relationship can be restored.

a CONNECT lesson

[Evangelism Lesson]

Focal Passage Outline and Scripture Passages:
Freedom Gained (Gal. 4:1-7)
Forgiveness Received (1 John 1:5-9)
Love Embraced (1 John 3:1-3)

Background Passages:
Galatians 4:1-7; 1 John 1:5-10; 3:1-3

Focal Passages:
Galatians 4:1-7; 1 John 1:5-9; 3:1-3

What This Lesson Is About:
This lesson is about how to experience the freedom that God provides and be adopted into His family.

How This Lesson Can Impact Your Life:
This lesson can help you become a member of God’s family by placing your faith in Jesus Christ.

a CONNECT lesson

Focal Passage Outline and Scripture Passages:
Your Conduct Among Unbelievers (1 Pet. 2:11-12)
Your Conduct at Home (1 Pet. 3:1-7)
Your Conduct Among Believers (1 Pet. 3:8-12)

Background Passage:
1 Peter 2:11–3:12

Focal Passages:
1 Peter 2:11-12; 3:1-12

What This Lesson Is About:
This lesson presents biblical instructions for maintaining right relationships during times of difficulty and stress.

How This Lesson Can Impact Your Life:
This lesson can help strengthen your relationships even during times of stress.

Key Scripture:

John 15:7. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

Key Idea:

Here is the difference between the branch of the natural and the branch of the spiritual Vine. The former abides by force of nature: the latter abides, not by force of will, but by a divine power given to the consent of the will. Such is the wonderful provision God has made that, what the power of nature does in the one case, the power of grace will do in the other. The branch can abide in the Vine. If ye abide in me…ask whatsoeve r…
– Murray

Pray for revelation:

Yes, Lord, the power to pray and the power to prevail must depend on this abiding in Thee. As Thou art the Vine, Thou art the divine Intercessor, who breathest Thy spirit in us. Oh, for grace to abide simply and wholly in Thee, and ask great things!
– Murray

Key words:
Abide,
Ask.

In this verse is the whole message of abiding. It is a two way street. As we commit to abide in Jesus, he also will abide in us. Abiding is not a demanding relationship, but one of mutual give and take.

As humans though, we are not plants, or branches. In nature, branches have no choice but to be what they are and they just grow, and produce, unless some outside force causes them to not remain with their vine.

We humans are animated. We have Read More…

Key Scripture:

John 15:5c. … for without Me you can do nothing.

Key Idea:

The one lesson of the parable is–as surely, as naturally as the branch abides in the vine, You can abide in Christ. For this He is the true Vine; for this God is the Husbandman; for this you are a branch. Shall we not cry to God to deliver us forever from the “apart
– Murray

Pray for revelation:

Lord, I gladly accept the arrangement: I nothing–Thou all. My nothingness is my highest blessing, because Thou art the Vine, that givest and workest all. So be it, Lord! I, nothing, ever waiting on Thy fullness. Lord, reveal to me the glory of this blessed life.
– Murray

Key words:
Do Nothing.

What a concept. To be abundant in God, all you do is nothing.

Abundant life just happens when you accept your part in God’s plan.

It’s time to lay aside those old style, worldly habits. Sinful activities, and things that are not pleasing to
God. Stop doing them. Even when it comes to religious things, do only what you need to do to stay attached. Don’t over do the activities if it begins to get in the way of spending time attaching yourself to the true vine, Jesus.

Being nothing is also the result of cutting off our bond to the vine. We become nothing. Any life that is left in us is soon gone as we lay, cut off from the vine. Our busy activity has broken off from him.

Hardships come and go. Storms blow and rage. It still affects the vine, and its branches just the same as anything else in the environment. Doing nothing but staying attached, abiding, we have assurance of our place. The dead, withered branches are the ones to blow away. But more on that tomorrow.

Just what is a branch? As a unit, connected to the vine, it is a living part of the whole. By itself, it is nothing and soon dies. It can’t shoot down its own roots into the soil and be its own plant. Some plants are known to have that ability, but we’re not talking about those. Vine branches wither away when detached.

Where does the fruit come from? If we were to disect a branch to cut it apart to see what surprises are inside, all we would get is wood. There isn’t any baby fruits in there, just waiting to pop out. There is sap that flows, but the sap itself isn’t the fruit. How does it happen then? When the parts are not apart, when they are united, work can be done that is far greater than any single part.

No matter how small we feel that we are, we can be used to purposes far beyond our imagined ability. Keep on abiding.

Key Scripture:

John 15:5a. “I am the vine, you are the branches. …
–NKJ

Key Idea:

Let us present ourselves before our Lord, until He speak to each of us in power, and our whole soul feels it: “I am the Vine; you are the branch.”
– Murray

Pray for revelation:

Ye are the branches. This word, too Lord! O speak it in power unto my soul. Let not the branch of the earthly vine put me to shame, but as it only lives to bear the fruit of the vine, may my life on earth have no wish or aim, but to let Thee bring forth fruit through me.
– Murray

Key words:
Vine,
Branches.

Really this is about the relationship of the vine to the branches. Who the vine is, and the role it plays. Who the branches are, and the role they have.

It is about dependencies. The vine, can survive without any branch. Even if many were to leave, the vine would survive and sprout more. The vine, Jesus, is the source of life to a branch, and it’s strength.

Branches, all humans, can’t attach to another branch. Not in the context of a grapevine. Each branch needs to be attached directly to the vine. Branches, we humans, depend on what the vine gives.

So, think the concept of relationships, strength, and dependancy over. To think there is no God, or Jesus, is to be a branch that has ben cut off and to lay, dieing on the ground. Or to be some foreign plant, like weeds or thorns, that have no place in a vineyard and certainly dug out, for the vine to have the soil to itself.

Once you understand your place in God’s big picture, be the best that you can be in that position. You are a branch, so be the best one you can be.

Background Passage: Ephesians 5:22-33
Lesson Passage: Ephesians 5:22-33

LESSON PASSAGE OUTLINE
1. Wives: Submit as Service (Eph. 5:22-24)
2. Husbands: Love as Christ Does (Eph. 5:25-30)
3. Both: Express a Complete Unity (Eph. 5:31-33)

BIBLICAL TRUTH
Christians are to relate to their spouses on the basis of their own relationship with Jesus Christ.

LIFE GOAL
To help adults promote biblical ideals of being married

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.

Background Passage: Ephesians 2:11-22
Lesson Passage: Ephesians 2:11-22

LESSON PASSAGE OUTLINE
1. Brought Together (Eph. 2:11-13)
2. Joined Together (Eph. 2:14-18)
3. Built Together (Eph. 2:19-22)

BIBLICAL TRUTH
When we are saved, we become part of God’s new people and are united with them in a new relationship.

LIFE GOAL
To help adults relate to other believers in ways that express their unity

Background Passage: 2 Corinthians 7:5–9:15
Lesson Passages: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9; 9:1-2,7-8,12-15

LESSON PASSAGES OUTLINE
1. Look at Others’ Example: Be Generous (2 Cor. 8:1-7)
2. Consider Jesus’ Example: Be Loving (2 Cor. 8:8-9)
3. Establish Your Example: Be Eager (2 Cor. 9:1-2,7-8)
4. Think About Results: Be Optimistic (2 Cor. 9:12-15)

BIBLICAL TRUTH
Christians can minister to others even in distant, uneasy situations.

LIFE GOAL
To help adults minister to others in long-distance relationships

Background Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:11–7:4
Lesson Passages: 2 Corinthians 5:11–6:1; 7:2-4

LESSON PASSAGES OUTLINE
1. Reach Out in Openness (2 Cor. 5:11-13)
2. Respond to Christ’s Love (2 Cor. 5:14-16)
3. Remember God’s Work in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-21)
4. Reassure Others of Your Desires (2 Cor. 6:1; 7:2-4)

BIBLICAL TRUTH
When our relationship with another Christian is fractured, we are to seek reconciliation.

LIFE GOAL
To help adults seek and receive reconciliation with grace.

Background Passage:2 Corinthians 3:1–5:10
Lesson Passages: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6; 4:1-5,15-18; 5:9-10

LESSON PASSAGES OUTLINE
1. Rely on God (2 Cor. 3:1-6)
2. Stand by the Gospel (2 Cor. 4:1-5)
3. Concentrate on the Eternal (2 Cor. 4:15-18)
4. Anticipate the Future (2 Cor. 5:9-10)

BIBLICAL TRUTH
Christians can serve God faithfully amid Christian relationships that seem to be going nowhere.

LIFE GOAL
To help adults persevere in faithful service to God

Background Passage: 2 Corinthians 1:1–2:17
Lesson Passages: 2 Corinthians 1:3-12; 2:14-17

LESSON PASSAGES OUTLINE
1. Live for Others (2 Cor. 1:3-7)
2. Live in God’s Strength (2 Cor. 1:8-11)
3. Live So God Approves (2 Cor. 1:12; 2:14-17)

BIBLICAL TRUTH
Christians can exhibit integrity amid imperfect relationships.

LIFE GOAL
To help adults live with integrity

Background Passage: 1 Corinthians 7:1-40
Lesson Passages: 1 Corinthians 7:10-16,32-39

LESSON PASSAGES OUTLINE
1. Where to Begin (1 Cor. 7:10-11)
2. When to Stay Married (1 Cor. 7:12-16)
3. When Not to Marry (1 Cor. 7:32-35)
4. When to Marry (1 Cor. 7:36-39)

BIBLICAL TRUTH
Most people should get married, and ideally people who are married should not divorce.

LIFE GOAL
To help adults follow God’s plan for their lives with regard to marriage

Statistically, most people will become married in their lifetime. Being married is how we pass on the family name and traditions, and leave a legacy behind us. Before a person gets married though, it takes getting to know that special person to share in your lifestyle. Maybe you are reading this and in a relationship, that’s a place to start.

The main purpose behind this writing today is for those who are not in a relationship, not dating anybody, and maybe have no clue about whether there is even anybody out there for you. No prospects at all, or know how to even get started in that direction.

You know who you are. You’re not married? Not even dating, or in a relationship? But you want to be? No garantees but here’s some tips and questions to ask yourself to help you focus.

Read More…

Ephesians 5:33. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
–NKJ

To be in a marriage is a matter of mutual love and respect. All through the preceding passage, from verse 21 through33, it talks to the husband more than the wife. Both are told to basically love and respect each other. It is one thing to have an attraction, or a passionate emotional love for another person. That love soon fades, and real love has to be worked toward.

For people who have ever had a broken marriage, you know that the initial romance fades. For people who are currently in a marriage that has lasted for a long time, you know that as well, and that it does take work to continuously grow together in love. For married people who are in the first years, or months, growing love takes a lot of forgiveness, respect, and submitting to the other. Try to see things from the other person’s side as well. Say and do things just for them, even the things that you may not like. Submitting is one place for that true love to grow.

Take time to notice and acknowledge when your mate does things as they submit. It shows respect. Seek out ways to respect your mate. Can’t think of any? I’ll bet your significant other can. Without bringing in complaints of the things that you think should be done that aren’t, sit down and make lists together of the things that you perceive as your way of doing a submissive act. Count them as blessings and use them to be a demonstration of respect for the other. Use it as an excersize to think of more ways to be submissive.

With those little steps of forgiving, over looking the faults, or the perceived faults of the other goes a long way. Being submissive to each others needs makes it more than a one way relationship and starts a trend for a perpetual motion of giving to each other. That perpetual motion of giving and receiving is completed when we acknowledge it by showing respect towards the other.

For people who are not married, or in a relationship with another, one question that God put before me years ago was, “What would you do with a girlfriend if you had one?” When your life is absent of a significant other, you may spend time in those romantic thoughts and day dreams of having someone to walk hand in hand with, or to be with at social events, or to just spend time talking to and getting to know. All are things that should never be neglected at any point in a relationship. The long a relationship lasts, with inhabiting together with close contact, the new wears off, then how will you deal with this person?

Before any lines are crossed into marriage, which should always be considered a permanent thing and the only place for any sexual relationship, Understand that love is more than a happy feeling. Get used to practicing foregivness, submission, and respect. The love will grow from there.

Ephesians 5:31. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
5:32. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
–NKJ

It’s a mystery, but it happens every day. It’s so natural, yet so strange. Some where today, right now, a man and a woman are meeting, becoming attracted to each other, leaving the security of their families and coming together to be on their own. It’s the natural order, and design by God.

For this reason. Read the preceding verses to see how this natural act fits in with the model asChrist with his church, the head with the body, and a husband and a wife. Verse 32 sums up the whole concept there in that one short phrase. It takes two distinctly different items, with distinctly different functions to make up this unit. Each part doing their job that they were designed for.

One natural feature of living, growing cells, is that they reproduce, knit together, and produce more. The smallest living unit that reproduces more humans is a unit of one man and one woman. It’s simple, natural, and Gods design. Through various situations, people have modified that arrangement. The Bible records families that had more than one wife. I’m not sure it ever describes situations of a wife with more than one husband. People are recorded as being divorced. Today those arrangements still exist, along with the issue of homosexual marriages. A true marriage can honestly only be defined in its most basic terms as a single unit of a man and a woman. It’s the only way to naturally reproduce more humans.

I know that my statement that limits a marriage to man and a woman is unpopular to certain groups in our world today, but to have it any other way is simply not the natural order. I know, with modern technology, a woman doesn’t need a husband to reproduce. Just have a medical professional artificially insemenate her. It still requires a man in the process, whether he is ever seen by her or not. A homosexual couple might adopt, or in some way hire a serogate to give birth. It still involves the interaction of a man and woman, outside their desired relationship to give the impression of being a family.

A living arrangement between two people of the same sex can indeed carry a strong bond, and emotional connection. The Bible records the close relationship between Ruth and Naomi, between David and Jonathan, but even in those they were never married to each other in any sense of what that intimate relationship entails.

A marriage relationship is a complex thing, but its beginnings are the simple matter of attraction to a member of the opposite sex, and the desire to be a function unit. In doing so, we can strike out on our own, leave behind old support systems of family, and make our own, new family.

Ephesians 5:27.  that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.
 5:28.  So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

The recurring theme of the passage from Ephesians 5:21-33 is that we need to model the marriage relationship after Christ.  There is a direct comparason with Jesus as the head, and the body of Christians as his body. The husband is the head, with the wife as the body. Jesus holds the position of respect and honor while the body submits to doing as the head orders. The wife is the body that responds as the husband orders. Jesus loves the body, cares for it, cleans it, and provides to keep it healthy. The husband also needs to tend to the needs of his wife to keep her cared for, cleansed and healthy.

Now for the big question. Why?

It’s simple, to show off and be proud of it. Jesus wants his church, or body of believers, to be a thing that makes him proud to present. Literally ‘present’ means to ‘stand next to’. Jesus wants his body to be stain free, wrinkle free, freshly washed, fluffed and buffed. A finely tuned instrument that is well maintained and taken care of.

Husbands, can you say that about your own wife? Why not? Guess whose fault that is. Here’s a hint, look in the mirror. Your body is busy each day being the life support system for you, the head. When was the last time you took care of your body, that means your wife. If you love yourself, start by taking care of her first. Throttle back, pull off at the next off ramp of life, and do whatever it takes to tune up, maintain and restore your wife.

It’s time to show your wife the same attention that Jesus gives to his body, the church. He wants to be proud to stand by his church. Make that the exact same goal that you have for your wife.