September 5, 2010: God Creates the World
The text for this lesson is Genesis 1:1-2:3
Key Points
- God made the world in six days by the power of His Word. All of creation is God’s blessing to us.
- Law: Do not worry about anything. Trust the Lord for all things.
- Gospel: God richly and daily provides me with all things for this body and life, including the gift of His Son, who died for all my sins.
- Law: God requires that I believe that He is the only true God, the Creator and Sustainer of the world.
- Gospel: God in Christ gives me faith to believe that He created the earth and heavens and sustains them by His wisdom and power.
Discussion Points
- What is a “genesis”? Why is important for us to study Genesis 1–3 carefully?
- “I just can’t believe that God could create the world in six twenty-four-hour days! How could that be possible? The Genesis story simply couldn’t be true.” How would you respond to a friend who said that?
- Compare Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1–4. Was “the Word” in existence at the time of creation? Who is “the Word” that John refers to (see John 1:14)? In Genesis 1:3, we learn that God said, “Let there be light,” and there was. Who spoke those words? Read John 8:12. What kind of light was given through Him (see John 1:4)?
- In Genesis 2:2, we learn that God rested from His work, setting apart the seventh day of the week as a Sabbath, a day of rest. Does this mean that God’s participation in the goings-on of creation ceased (see Genesis 2:3)? Read John 5:17–18. In what ways does God continue to work in the creation to this very day? How could Jesus violate the Sabbath requirements without breaking God’s Law?
- In Genesis 1:29–30, God gives seed-bearing plants and fruit to humans to eat, and He gives every green plant to the animals to eat. What clearly was not to be eaten? Why not? When did God give permission for humankind to change their diet? See Genesis 9:3.
- Moses tells us five times that what God made was “good.” In Genesis 1:31, the whole creation is described as “very good.” What does “very good” mean? What must life in the unspoiled creation have been like? Read Revelation 21:1–5. When will Christians be restored to the “very good” life?
- When we say that someone is “creative,” what do we usually mean? Is creativity necessarily a good thing? Think about how you use the creativity God has given you. Do you always use it in a God-pleasing way?
- The Hebrew word used in Genesis for “create” is used only when referring to God. It means “to make out of nothing.” What is the difference between humankind’s creativity and God’s? Read Romans 4:17. How does God express His creativity to us?
- Luther says in the Small Catechism that God “richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.” How, then, do we account for the times in our lives when it doesn’t feel like we have everything that we need? Read Matthew 6:8.
- The doctrine of vocation teaches us that God provides for us through various callings, or work, of our neighbors, both those known and unknown by us. How does God work through your vocation (work) to provide for your neighbor’s needs?
August 29, 2010: God Preserves in a Storm
The text for this lesson is Acts 27:13-44
Key Points
- God was with Paul and the others in the ship through the terrible storm and brought them safely to land. God is with us through all the storms of life, and in His boat, the Church, He brings us safely to eternity in heaven.
- Law: In a world ruined by sin, I will have storms in my life.
- Gospel: God is with me and preserves me through the storms of life, and in His boat, the Church, He brings me safely to heaven.
Discussion Points
- How do we know God was with Paul and was preserving him on this voyage?
- What are storms in your life?
- How was Paul able to face all his troubles with confidence and keep telling others about Jesus?
- Our hope, too, is in God. Why can we say this?
- Name the ways God protected Paul’s life during his voyage.
- What did Paul tell the sailors when they had given up hope of survival?
- For what reason did Paul go to Rome?
- What did Paul do in Rome and aboard ship?
August 22, 2010: God Rescues through an Earthquake
The text for this lesson is Acts 16:20-34
Key Points
- With the quaking of the earth, God freed Paul and Silas from prison, pointing the jailer to salvation in Christ Jesus. With His Word and Sacraments, God frees us from our prison of sin and death, pointing us to salvation in Christ Jesus.
- Law: Evil and suffering are in the world because of sin.
- Gospel: But in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God demonstrated His power over sin and death, and through His almighty power and love, He causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him.
Discussion Points
- Why were Paul and Silas in prison?
- How were they rescued?
- Why was God’s use of an earthquake to free Paul and Silas a good thing?
- How were the jailer and his family rescued?
- What do you think Paul and Silas told the jailer and his family?
- What could you tell someone who doesn’t know about Jesus?
- How are we like Paul and Silas and the jailer?
- How does God free us from our prison of sin and death?
- What actions or things keep you away from God?
- From what have we been saved?
- How are we saved? Who saved us?
August 15, 2010: God Opens the Earth
The text for this lesson is Matthew 27:45-56, 62-66; 28:1-15
Key Points
- The earth quaked at Jesus’ death and resurrection, proclaiming that He truly is the Son of God. God’s Word clearly proclaims this same wonderful reality to us.
- Law: Because of my sin, I deserve to suffer and die eternally.
- Gospel: God sent His Son, Jesus, to pray for me so that I will live forever with Him.
Discussion Points
- What natural element did God control at Jesus’ death? See Luke 23:44-45.
- What is the significance of the darkness that lasted three hours?
- What unusual events took place at the time of Jesus’ death?
- What did the Roman centurion say when God opened the earth?
- To what did all of these supernatural signs point?
- Jesus was hastily buried inside the earth. A great stone was rolled to the entrance. What did the Pharisees and chief priests want Pilate to do? Why?
- What happened on Sunday morning?
- What did the angel say to the women?
- What happened as they were leaving the empty tomb?
- What was their response?
- What did the guards report to the chief priests?
- Why did God show His almighty power to control the sun and the earth during these events?
- How did Jesus humble himself at birth?
- Why did Jesus suffer and die?
- Why was Jesus’ descent into hell a step in his exaltation?
August 8, 2010: Jesus Heals with Mud
The text for this lesson is John 9
Key Points
- Jesus healed the blind man with mud and spit to show the work of God. Jesus shows the work of God in us as He heals us of sin with water and His Word.
- Law: All sickness is a result of sin in the world.
- Gospel: Jesus has power to heal all sickness. He opens my eyes to see who He really is and heals me of my sin with water and His Word.
Discussion Points
- Who were upset that Jesus healed the man born blind on the Sabbath? Why?
- What healed the man’s blindness? Why did Jesus tell him to go wash in the pool of Siloam?
- What are the similarities between what Jesus did for the blind man and what God does for us in our Baptism?
- How do you think the man changed after Jesus gave him sight?
- How did the man’s physical blindness help him understand his spiritual blindness?
- How did he come to see God at work in his life? What has Jesus done to bring us all into the light of God’s love?
- How did Jesus’ use of dirt and saliva show who He was and work His plan of salvation?
- How is Jesus the light of the world?
August 1, 2010: Jesus Calms a Storm
The text for this lesson is Luke 8:22-25
Key Points
- Jesus calmed the wind and waves to assure the disciples that He is the Savior and to strengthen their faith in Him. Jesus is with us in His Word, Baptism, and Holy Communion, assuring us that He is our Savior and strengthening our faith in Him through all the storms of life.
- Law: Like the disciples, I am afraid when the storms of life beset me; I sometimes doubt that God is with me and will save me.
- Gospel: Jesus gives me His Word, Holy Baptism, and His real presence in Holy Communion to assure me that He is my Savior and to strengthen my faith.
Discussion Points
- How does the calming of the sea show Jesus’ power over sin? How does this miracle show God’s love?
- In what ways does Jesus demonstrate His divine and human natures in this text?
- Why should we remember Jesus’ power over the wind and waves?
- What are some spiritual dangers?
- When we encounter storms in our daily lives, where can we turn to or look for help?
- How do you know God is with you and will save you?
- How does knowing God is always with you help when you feel afraid?
- God did not want humans, His creation, to perish or be destroyed eternally, so He sent His Son, Jesus to perish for us. How did Jesus perish for us?
- Why did Jesus perish on our behalf?
- What does this mean for us?
July 25, 2010: God Reverses the Sun’s Shadow
The text for this lesson is 2 Kings 20:1-11; Isaiah 38:1-8
Key Points
- God caused the sun’s shadow to reverse as a sign to Hezekiah that He had heard his prayer and would keep His promise to extend Hezekiah’s life and deliver the Israelites. God gives us His Word and Sacraments, which bestow what He has promised us in Christ Jesus, and promises to hear and answer our prayers for Jesus’ sake.
- Law: In my sinfulness, I am like Hezekiah and the children of Israel, needing a sign or wonder to assure me that God will do as He promised.
- Gospel: God hears and answers my prayers and gives me His Word and Sacraments, which bestow all that He has promised me in Christ Jesus.
Discussion Points
- Hezekiah was about 39 years old and had reigned about fourteen years. What did Isaiah’s message mean?
- What would you do if you were told you would soon die from a sickness?
- What did Hezekiah do when he learned that he would die?
- Why did he weep bitterly?
- Did God hear Hezekiah’s prayer?
- How was Hezekiah to be healed?
- What else did Hezekiah want?
- What sign did the Lord give?
- How did God use His creation the sun to assure Hezekiah that He would do as He had promised?
- How are we like Hezekiah?
- What are God’s promises for us?
- What is the greatest deliverance or rescue that God does for people who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior from sin?
- When can we call upon God or pray to Him?
- Why should we pray?
- For whom should we pray?
- Where can we pray?
July 18, 2010: God Heals in the Jordan’s Waters
The text for this lesson is 2 Kings 5:1-14
Key Points
- God poured His grace on Naaman, telling him to wash in the Jordan so that he would be cleansed of his disease. He pours His grace on us through water and His Word in Holy Baptism and cleanses us from our greatest sickness—sin. God cares for us and has power to heal our diseases according to His will.
- Law: As Naaman was sick with leprosy, so I am sick with sin.
- Gospel: Because of Jesus, God cares for me and has power to heal my sicknesses according to His will. He pours His grace on me through water and His Word in Holy Baptism and heals my sin-sickness.
Discussion Points
- Why was an Israelite girl living in Naaman’s house in Syria?
- Did the dirty Jordan River water wash away Naaman’s sickness? Who healed Naaman? Who heals us?
- What sickness do all people suffer from?
- How are we cleansed from sin and given saving faith?
- How did God use the natural element water to bring about His plan of salvation for Naaman?
- Did the river water cleanse or heal Naaman of his sickness? Was it the power of Elisha?
- How does baptismal water work forgiveness of sins, rescue from death and the devil, and give eternal salvation?
- How did Jesus’ blood cleanse us?
July 11, 2010: God Carries Elijah to Heaven in a Whirlwind
The text for this lesson is 2 Kings 2:1-14
Key Points
- God worked through the horses, the chariots of fire, and the whirlwind that carried Elijah to heaven to reassure and bless Elisha so he could boldly serve as God’s prophet. God works through the Means of Grace—Word and Sacrament—to strengthen our faith and bless us in our service to Him as we serve our neighbor.
- Law: Like Elisha, I am sinful and doubt my abilities to serve where God calls me.
- Gospel: God works through the Means of Grace—Word and Sacrament—to forgive my doubt and reveal that He is with me and to grant me the ability to serve wherever He calls me.
Discussion Points
- What do we call a man today with a special calling to preach God’s Word and administer Sacraments?
- Why was God about to take Elijah up to heaven?
- Why did Elisha not want to leave Elijah?
- Of what does the parting of the water in 2 Kings 2:8 remind you?
- What did Elisha want from Elijah?
- Why did Elisha tear his clothes?
- Was Elisha’s prayer answered?
- How did God use the whirlwind (the natural element) to help Elisha know God’s plan of salvation?
- Of whom does Elijah’s ascent into heaven remind you?
- What does that mean for us?
- Why is this story of Elijah’s miraculous departure from earth in the Bible for us to read today?
July 4, 2010: God Rains Fire
The text for this lesson is 1 Kings 18
Discussion Points
- God had hidden Elijah for three years, but now God commanded him to appear before Ahab. Why?
- Why was Obadiah afraid to take Elijah to Ahab?
- What did Ahab call Elijah? Why?
- What did Elijah tell Ahab to do?
- Were the prophets of Baal up to the challenge?
- What was Elijah’s prayer?
- Did he pray for fire?
- Which commandment did God’s people break in the story?
- Who or what might be a Baal for people today?
- What is idolatry?
- When do we commit idolatry?
- What does it mean to fear, love, and trust God?
