11/8/09: How To Read and Understand REVELATION (2)

We took the first 15 minutes of Sunday’s class to promote our upcoming shoebox collection for “Operation Christmas Child.” Since we are averaging over 160 students each week in 12:13, I have urged the class to shoot for 90 Boxes or Bust! Most of our class time on Sunday, November 15, will be devoted to packaging and praying over these shoebox gifts for needy children around the world. Thanks so much for helping your sons and daughters share God’s heart for the poor!

As we study the book of Revelation this month, we are also learning general rules for biblical interpretation. This week we used a futuristic illustration about the “Technoboppers” (who will occupy North America 2,000 years from now!) to learn the Golden Rule of Biblical Interpretation: Skillfully use the rules of hermeneutics to understand what the biblical text meant to the original author. A text can mean many different things to many different people — that’s why it is essential for us to try and understand what it meant to the one who wrote it in the first place.

So what did the book of Revelation mean to John as he was writing it near the end of the 1st Century AD? What was he trying to communicate to the Christians of his day…and how does that relate to us here and now?

I’m indebted to Dennis Johnson’s Triumph Of The Lamb for sharing the following general principles about this final book of the Bible:

• Revelation is given to reveal (not confuse). As strange as the symbolic imagery may seem to modern readers, John expected his readers to understand and apply the message of the book.
• Revelation is a book to be seen. John employed numerous symbols to communicate God’s message; to understand this book accurately, we need to appreciate its symbolic nature.
• Revelation makes sense only in light of the Old Testament. Many of the images in Revelation are seen in Daniel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. A clear knowledge of these books as well as the general background of the Old Testament greatly aids understanding of this New Testament book.
• Numbers count in Revelation. John uses numbers in a symbolic more than a literal way. For example, when he speaks of the Lamb having seven horns and seven eyes, these are symbolic allusions to the Lamb’s absolute power and perfect knowledge.
• Revelation is for a church under attack. Not only were John’s readers facing the physical threat of violent persecution for their faith, but they were bombarded by the spiritual threat of false teaching and the materialistic threat of worldly enticements.
• The victory belongs to God and to his Christ. Amidst all the details and symbols, Revelation shows a distinct movement from conflict to triumph. As intimidating as the beast and dragon may appear for a season, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will exert his absolute dominion in the end!

In last week’s class I mentioned that four pictures summed up the message of Revelation — a throne, a Lamb, a storm, and a city. We wrapped up this class by looking at the Lamb in Revelation 5. This slain Lamb — despised by the world for his apparent weakness — is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He and He alone is worthy to take the scroll and open its seals (Revelation 5:3-5). It is fitting that the 24 elders, the myriads of angels, and every living creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea break forth in worship before this Lion-Lamb. Unbelievers should tremble in fear before this all-powerful King. But because of his finished work on the cross, believers in every generation join in the chorus that resounds around the Throne: “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation…” (Revelation 5:9)

Teaching Notes 11-8-09

Revelation Part 2 11-8-09

Student Handout 11-8-09

Revelation Part 2 Audio 11-8-09

FOR PARENT FOLLOW-UP:

• How does the world think of a slain Lamb?
• How is the Lamb also a conquering Lion?
• Have you placed your trust in this mighty Lamb?

11/1/09: How To Read And Understand REVELATION (1)

At three different points this year, the 12:13 class will set aside an entire month to study a specific type of biblical literature through the lens of one representative book. During November we will study the Book of Revelation, a fascinating combination of literary types — apocalypse, prophecy, and epistle. It’s probably safe to say that no single book of the Bible has generated more controversy and confusion in the church over the centuries. But with the Spirit’s help and the reliable tools of biblical hermeneutics, I’m convinced we are going to emerge from this month of study with a clear sense of the “big picture” of Revelation.

We began Sunday’s class by reviewing ten types of biblical literature and introducing two important terms: hermeneutics (the science and art of biblical interpretation) and exegesis (the use of hermeneutics to reach a correct understanding of Scripture).

Our next task was to identify some of the unique characteristics of Revelation. First, as mentioned above, it is a fusion of three literary genres: apocalyptic literature (which reveals God’s plans for ending the world and punishing his enemies), prophecy (a message from God to his people), and epistle (a letter written for a specific occasion). It’s important to realize that apocalyptic literature incorporates symbols and fantastic images that are not meant to be taken literally. For example, when John sees in Revelation 13:1 a vision of a beast with seven heads and ten horns rising out of the sea, he is not saying that Christians should scan the Atlantic and Pacific shoreline for a future glimpse of this beast. It’s symbolic of spiritual realities. In the same way, the reader is expected to view the beast’s number, which is 666 (Revelation 13:18), as having symbolic significance.

Once we understand how symbols function in the book of Revelation, we can avoid some of the common “rabbit trails” of interpretation and focus on the central message.

God is the author of Revelation (Revelation 1:1) via his human messenger, John. This collection of visions was written to seven churches in Asia Minor while John was exiled on the island of Patmos. He wrote these in about 95 or 96 AD at a time when Christians were experiencing significant persecution under the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian.This historical backdrop is crucial for understanding the book’s focus on Jesus, the triumphant Lamb and conquering King.

Though our study of Revelation this month will be far from exhaustive, we will focus on four pictures that appear in this book to help us understand the central message: A throne (Revelation 4), a Lamb (Revelation 5, 7), a Storm (Revelation 6-20), and a City (Revelation 21). I am indebted to pastor and author Mark Dever whose excellent volume, The Message of the New Testament, provided this organizational structure.

We closed Sunday’s lesson with a brief look at the first picture — the glorious throne (and the One seated on it) which appears so prominently in Revelation 4. Without trying to understand the symbolic significance of all the imagery, we agreed that one truth is obvious: The One seated on the throne is absolutely in control of the universe and holds all of human history in his hand. Though Emperor Domitian might boast of divinity and threaten believers with death if they refuse to hail him as “Lord and God,” his pathetic displays of power are meaningless in light of this heavenly throne and the King sitting on it. God is at the center of everything and we can trust in his perfect rule!

One more highlight from Sunday’s class: Karen and Caroline Sawyer shared about their experience as volunteers for “Operation Christmas Child” and inspired us to see how valuable this outreach is. They also gave very practical suggestions for what items to include (and not include) in the shoeboxes we pack. You can see their suggestions on the 12:13 blog entry, “Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Collection.”

90 Boxes or Bust!

Teaching Notes 11-1-09

Revelation Part 1 11-1-09

Student Handout 11-1-09

FOR PARENT FOLLOW-UP:

• In what areas of life does it bring you peace and hope to know that God is in control of your world?

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Collection — November 15!

On Sunday, November 15, we will devote most of our class time to assembling Christmas shoeboxes for needy children around the world. This is our third year of participating as a class in this annual Samaritan’s Purse outreach and we hope to collect shoebox gifts for 90 children!

I am encouraging each 12:13 student to get involved in this wonderful outreach by doing one or more of the following:

• Pray for the needy children who will receive our gifts
• Bring $7 (cash or check made payable to “Samaritan’s Purse” with OCC in the subject line) to pay for shipping
• Buy items for a boy or girl in one of the following age ranges: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14
• Bring a shoebox on November 15
• Note: Students are encouraged to team up with someone else — a sibling, classmate, or friend — in purchasing items for the shoebox

Each family with a student registered in the 12:13 class should be receiving an e-mail with a link to our online “Operation Christmas Child” registration site. Please fill this out in advance so we can keep track of which students are participating!

On the right of this page, you will see a link to the “Operation Christmas Child” website — a full description of appropriate shoebox items is listed there. Karen and Caroline Sawyer, who volunteered at one of the Operation Christmas Child processing centers last year, have offered these helpful suggestions.

• Practical gifts are so important.  These children are thrilled to receive hygiene items like toothbrushes, combs, and brushes.  Some may have never had their own before.
  
• Simple items of clothing like t-shirts, socks, or a hat are wonderful because some of the children may only own one shirt.
  
• School supplies like pencils, small tablets of paper, crayons, etc. are great as sometimes children aren’t allowed to attend school unless they can provide their own supplies.
  
• Toys are great (and the children love them, too), but they shouldn’t be the biggest emphasis of the box.
  
• Only hard candy is allowed in the boxes.  No chocolate or other food can be shipped overseas.  Again, a few pieces of candy is fine, but the children really need practical gifts.

If you have any remaining questions, please e-mail Brittany Kauflin at bhkauflin@covlife.org. Thanks for your enthusiastic support!

10/25/09: Footholds For My Faith — Core Convictions About GOD (4)

In our fourth and final lesson on the character of God, we explored the implications of another “foothold” pertaining to the person of Christ: God is infinitely divine and incredibly human.

Big Idea: Without giving up his deity, Jesus took on our humanity to be the mediator between God and man.

Biblical Truth:

“‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:23)

Important Terms:

• Virgin Birth: Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit without a human father.
• Incarnation. The act of God the Son in which he took to himself a human nature.

Big Ideas:

• Jesus is fully God. In numerous places the New Testament refers to Jesus as “Lord” or “God.” In John 8:58-59, we read how the religious leaders sought to stone Jesus for implying that he was God. Throughout his earthly ministry he performed supernatural signs and wonders such as calming a storm, multiplying bread and fish, and knowing the thoughts of those who opposed him. Why is it so important that Jesus was fully God? Because only an infinite God could fully satisfy God’s perfect standards and pay for all the sins of humanity. Only God can save. Only God could take the initiative to bridge the gap between God and man.
• Jesus is fully man. God didn’t merely put on a human mask while on the earth — he took on human flesh and became one of us. He had a human body (Luke 24:39), a human mind (Luke 2:52), human emotions (Matthew 26:38), and a human reputation (Matthew 13:53-58). Though he distinguished himself from all other men by never sinning, Jesus took to himself a human nature so that he could identify with our weaknesses, die as a substitutionary sacrifice in our place, and represent us before the Father. Dr. Wayne Grudem says the incarnation “will remain for eternity the most profound miracle and the most profound mystery in all the universe” (Systematic Theology, p. 563).

Bottom Line:

• Jesus is Immanuel — “God with us.”
  
• Because Jesus is fully God, he can pay our full debt and save us from sin.
• Because Jesus is fully man, he can identify with our weakness and die as our substitute.

Though we were created for God, our sin had separated us from God. We could never have crossed that great divide which lay between us and a holy and majestic God. But Jesus bridged the gap! “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5). Because he became one of us, we can know and be reconciled to God. How amazing it is to have a God who is both infinitely divine and incredibly human!

Teaching Notes 10-25-09

Footholds Series Visuals 10-25-09

Student Handout 10-25-09

Footholds Series Audio 10-25-09

FOR PARENT FOLLOW-UP:

• What hope would we have without a Mediator?

10/18/09: Footholds For My Faith — Core Convictions About GOD (3)

As the 12:13 class develops vital convictions about God this month, we are learning that God’s character encompasses qualities which can seem widely divergent. He is infinitely high but incredibly near…he is infinitely powerful but incredibly gentle…and as this Sunday’s “foothold” makes clear, God is infinitely righteous and incredibly gracious. Perfect justice and perfect mercy converge in the character of God.

Big Idea: The One who should judge me will justify me!

Biblical Truth:

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-26)

Basic Points:

• God is a righteous Judge. He always does what is right and is himself the final standard of what is right. “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he” (Deuteronomy 32:4). Because of his perfect righteousness, he demands perfection (James 2:10) — he would be unjust to require anything less. We fall short of his standards (Romans 3:23), however, and deserve death as a consequence for our sin (Romans 6:23).
• God is a gracious Savior. Without compromising his absolute demand for perfect righteousness, God is good toward those who deserve only punishment. Grace is God’s nature, as the psalmist says — “Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name” (Psalm 119:132). He loves sinners. He pays the penalty for our sins. He freely grants us his forgiveness. By sending his perfect Son as our righteous Substitute, God can simultaneously be “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).

Bottom Line:

• While a righteous Judge should punish my sin, the cross testifies that a gracious Savior will forgive my sin.

Jesus has achieved the perfect righteousness that was infinitely beyond our reach and has credited it to our account! What a Savior!

Teaching Notes 10-18-09

Footholds Series Visuals 10-18-09

Student Handout 10-18-09

Footholds Audio 10-18-09

FOR PARENT FOLLOW-UP:

• What do we deserve from a righteous Judge?
• What have we been offered instead?
• How can God both be just and justify sinners?

10/11/09: Footholds For My Faith — Core Convictions About GOD (2)

Last week we were transported to the far edge of the universe and to the nucleus of a single atom by the realization that God is infinitely high and incredibly near. This week we found another foothold in the infinite character of God: God is infinitely powerful and incredibly gentle.

Big Idea: God is both mighty and meek.

Biblical Truth:

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God…From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron…On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:11-16)

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

Basic Points:

• God is mighty. All power in heaven and earth belongs to our omnipotent God! As the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed, “Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17). The God who delivered Israel from Egypt through ten mighty plagues and a miraculous crossing of the Red Sea is strong enough to deliver us from our troubles, too.
• God is meek. Two centuries ago Daniel Webster defined “meek” as “humble; submissive to the divine will; given to forbearance under injuries.” Many centuries before that Isaiah described the Messiah in similar terms: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). The One who has all power — who could have called down twelve legions of angels to rescue him from danger — silently bore our sins at Golgotha. In his tender mercies toward us, he restrained his power and submitted to his Father’s plan.

Bottom Line:

• An infinitely powerful God can pulverize or protect me.
• An incredibly gentle God will strengthen and sustain me.

Though any comparisons to God fall infinitely short of the mark, I told the class about the Washington Redskins linebacker who demolishes opponents on the other side of the line of scrimmage but tenderly bottle feeds his infant son. How much more amazing is our conquering King, the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the sacrificial Lamb of God?! Infinitely powerful and incredibly gentle, he alone deserves the praise that will resound throughout eternity: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)

Teaching Notes 10-11-09

Footholds Series Visuals 10-11-09

Student Handout 10-11-09

Footholds Audio 10-11-09

FOR PARENT FOLLOW-UP:

• How should God’s children feel about his mighty power? How should his enemies feel?
• Is there anything in your life that seems too big for God to do? Read Jeremiah 32:17…and believe it!
• As the lion of Judah, Jesus should devour sinners. But what does he do for us as the Lamb of God?

10/4/09: Footholds For My Faith: Core Convictions About GOD (1)

I must admit, I was expecting the worst…after a late night and lots of s’mores at the bonfire, I thought there might be some grumpy looks and bad attitudes walking into the 12:13 class Sunday morning. Wrong! The students were wide awake and eager to learn. One dad even commented that he could see a “palpable” difference in their comfort level with each other — nothing like goofy songs around the campfire to loosen up relationships!

One key announcement that I stressed at the beginning of class: We are still looking for six more families who can host children from the Daraja Children’s Choir of Africa for two nights (Monday and Tuesday) next week. What a great opportunity to help your son or daughter grow in expressing God’s heart for a needy world! (For more details about the choir, click the link on the right side of this page.)

After spending September cultivating important convictions about ME, we will spend October gaping over the greatness of God. Here’s the “foothold” we covered in this first lesson: God is infinitely great and incredibly near.

Big Idea: God is both infinite and personal.

Biblical Truth: “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit…’” (Isaiah 57:15)

Basic Points:

• God is infinite. Our God is transcendent — far above and absolutely unlike anything in creation. As big as the universe is, God is bigger and greater. His ways are infinitely higher than our ways, his thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 57:15). May he give us eyes to see him “high and lifted up” as the prophet did (Isaiah 6).
• God is personal. Though infinitely he, he is also immanent — actively and constantly involved in every detail of creation. The King of the universe freely stoops down to the lowest of the low, like Hannah, whose beautiful prayer honors the God who “lifts the needy from the ash heap” (1 Samuel 2:8). God knows how many hairs are on each head; he knows when the tiniest sparrow in the most remote forest falls from its nest (Matthew 10:29-30).

Bottom Line:

• An infinitely high God deserves my obedience and worship. Everyone of us should respond the way Isaiah did when he saw his vision of God — “Here am I! Send me.”
• An incredibly near God deserves my love and trust. As Beulah discovered in our “campfire story,” the same God who flung the stars across the heavens knew her by name and delighted in her.

What an honor it is to study and teach on these amazing truths about our amazing God! I was so grateful to hear one girl tell me on the way out of class, “That was a very thought-provoking lesson.” Please continue to pray that God will open the eyes and heart of each student to see him for all that he is!

Teaching Notes 10-4-09

Footholds Series Visuals 10-4-09

Student Handout 10-4-09

Footholds Audio 10-4-09

For Parent Follow-Up:

• How does it affect you to know that God’s ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours? (Is. 57:9)
• The God who governs the universe also cares for each sparrow (Matt. 10:29). Does that amaze you?
• How should we respond to this kind of God?

What A Bonfire!!!

We had our first 12:13 quarterly activity last Saturday night…and what a wonderful time we had!

Over 200 Middle School kids and parents showed up at Butler’s Orchard for outdoor games, hay rides, bonfires, s’mores, and campfire songs. Earlier in the week weathermen were predicting 60% chance of rain, but God blessed us with clear skies and an incredible full moon. I don’t think it could have been any better!

I’m hoping that some of the girls who brought their cameras will send me some of their best pics to add to this blog…and here’s a great chance for lots of you to post your own comments about the bonfire and tell me what YOU thought!

I’m already getting excited about our next activity: Christmas caroling and hot chocolate in December. Details to come!

9/27/09: Footholds For My Faith: Core Convictions About ME (4)

Two time-sensitive announcements before reviewing this week’s class:

1. Our first quarterly Middle School activity takes place this Saturday, October 3, from 5-9:00! We’ll be having games, a hay ride, s’mores, and a bonfire at Butler’s Orchard (click for directions). Parents and students in Grades 6-8 are invited. Cost is $10 per participant. All families with registered 12:13 students should have received an e-mail with a link to the online registration site. If you didn’t receive this, please contact Brittany Kauflin at bhkauflin@covlife.org — she will send you the link. Feel free to invite and register a Middle School friend or neighbor who is not part of the church. We look forward to a great time together! (In case of questionable weather, we will post an announcement by 3:00 pm here on the blog.)

2. Nine families in 12:13 will have the opportunity to host members of the Daraja Children’s Choir of Africa in October! Several families have already signed up, but we have a few slots left. If you can host three choir members and an adult chaperone on the nights of October 12-13, please contact Brittany at the church office.

Now for the lesson recap…

If you were sitting on the right side of the room (where the girls sit), Sunday’s “foothold” was distinctly feminine: I am a woman!

If you were sitting on the left side of the room — the boys’ side — you would have left Sunday’s class knowing, I am a man!

Big Idea: Men and women have equal value but different roles.

Biblical Truth: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female
he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

Basic Points: John Piper has supplied outstanding definitions of mature manhood and mature womanhood that formed the meat of our instruction. We unpacked each definition by talking about the implications of each of the words bolded below:

• “At the heart of mature manhood is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for, and protect women in ways appropriate to a man’s differing relationships.”
• “At the heart of mature womanhood is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive, ad nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a woman’s differing relationships.”

As a way of demonstrating mature manhood and womanhood in action, we talked about the heroic men on “The Titanic” who sacrificed their own lives for the principle, “Women and children first.” We also honored Sarah Edwards, the well-educated and well-bred wife of Jonathan Edwards, who counted it “her greatest glory” to shoulder the responsibilities of child care and home management so that her husband could fulfill his ministry.

Bottom Line for Boys: Because God has made me a man, I get to lead and sacrifice for women.

Bottom Line for Girls: Because God has made me a woman, I get to follow and support worthy men.

We ended the class by exhorting boys and girls to imitate the example of Christ, “who did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant…” (Philippians 2:6-7).  As we strive to be like the Servant of all, we can embrace and enjoy the distinct roles God has created for us as young men and women.

Teaching Notes 9-27-09

Footholds Series Visuals 9-27-09

Student Handout 9-27-09

Footholds Audio 9-27-09

For Parent Follow-Up:

• How are men and women the same? Different?
• What happens if we neglect our God-given roles?
• How can you grow in fulfilling your unique roles?

P.S. Ask your student what happened when Buzz McPherson had to face “Gretchen the Giant”…

9/20/09: Footholds For My Faith: Core Convictions About ME (3)

The Middle School years are a tumultuous time of trying to figure out, “Who am I?” That’s why we are devoting the first four classes of this year’s 12:13 class  to convictions about me. This Sunday’s “foothold” was the simplest yet — at least to understand — but perhaps the most challenging to apply: I belong to God.

Big Idea: Because I belong to God, I live to serve and please him.

Biblical Truth: “You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Basic Points:

• A caring Creator has the right to control. He made us (Isaiah 43:1), he molds us (Romans 9:20), and he has work for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). It’s ridiculous for the clay pot to shake its fist at the potter and say, “I don’t like the way you’re controlling my life — I want to do things my way!” Sadly, that’s exactly what we tend to do. At this formative stage of life, how vital it is to realize that God, my Creator, has full control to shape and steer my life as he sees fit.
• A freed slave has the desire to serve. Those who have trusted in Jesus have even more reason to please God. He has pulled us from the pit of our sin and set us free! Like “Baby Jessica,” the 18-month-old toddler who fell 22 feet down an abandoned well and was finally rescued after 58 hours, we should live with a sense of indebtedness to our heavenly Rescuer. “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock…I desire to do your will, O my God” (Psalm 40:2,8).

Bottom Line: Because we belong to God, we should have the same view of our lives and circumstances that Jesus expressed in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before he died: Thy will — not my will — be done. Our time is not our own. Our TV viewing, our taste in fashion, our video gaming habits, our conversations with friends — all should reflect our commitment to know and obey God’s will (Ephesians 5:17).

We took a few minutes on Sunday to share one specific opportunity the 12:13 class will have to serve the Lord and his people. Next month, the Daraja Children’s Choir of Africa will be passing through Washington, D.C. — and we get to host them! These 24 orphaned and vulnerable children (ranging from ages 9-13) are touring the United State with a vibrant, joyful message about their great Savior. Though they will not be performing at our church, we have promised to provide nine host families who can house them and their adult chaperones for two nights in October. They will arrive at our church at 8:30 pm on Monday, October 12 and depart from the church at 8:00 am on Wednesday, October 14. For more information about this special choir and for pictures of each of the kids, click the link above!

We ended our lesson by looking at what controlled the apostle Paul: “For the love of Christ controls us…he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). We have been bought with a price — the precious blood of Christ. We belong to God. He died to deliver us from the pit…let’s live in a way that exalts his amazing grace!

Teaching Notes 9-20-09

Footholds Series Visuals 9-20-09

Student Handout 9-20-09

Footholds Audio 9-20-09

For Parent Follow-Up:

• Why does God have the right to control our lives?
• Do you see any areas of life where you are living for “my will” instead of “Thy will”?
• What made Paul want to live for Christ (2Co. 5:14-15)? Do you feel the same way?