Archive for August, 2010
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?
