LESSON
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Link to Last Week Allow some time for students to share about how they were able to give their thoughts of despair to Jesus this past week.
Continual Proclamation Lesson Overview Week of July 14 Suggested Material for As Your Students Arrive: ◾ Pictures of younger people Life Need: Discuss how all generations need to hear the Gospel.
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Bible Learning: Study the hopeful message in Psalm 71.
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Suggested Material: ◾ Adult Teacher’s Resource Kit: Poster and reproducible handout—Heartfelt Hope Bible Learning: Explore how to share Jesus with other generations.
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Suggested Material: ◾ Adult Teacher’s Resource Kit: Reproducible handout—My Psalm Life Response:
4Tell other generations about Christ.
Church/Home Theme: We Are the Body of Christ Lesson Focus: Proclaim God’s love and hope to the next generations. Lesson Scripture: Psalm 71:12-21
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avid’s Song—Most scholars acknowledge David as the writer of Psalm 71. Even into his later years, David found himself in the thick of various battles—personal, family, and political. He learned at an early age how to call on God for help. In this song, David painted a picture of the Father filled with affection and hope for upcoming generations. David realized old age does not make troubles and problems get smaller. Instead, fresh concerns and challenges are presented as one goes along. Therefore, David wrote a kind of a prayer he wanted to leave on the lips of the upcoming generation. sson 8 • March 3 • Page PB David’s Praise—InL ethis psalm, David, for a moment, places the difficulties of the day aside. He said to take some time to sing about the hope and love of God. We should create a hopeful song for the next generation to sing instead of complaining about old-age aches and pains. We want our grandchildren and their children to know how to be right with God. David spoke of his “enemy problem,” but at the same time praised God. He wanted to speak out about the cloak of righteousness he’d received from the Father. This garment gave him the right to stand in the presence of a holy, almighty God, even though he’s a sinful human being. David pointed to God as his teacher throughout his days, and he never stopped sitting at the desk, learning significant lessons from the divine schoolmaster. As another psalmist writes, “Who is like the Lord?” (89:6). No man can stand toe to toe with Him and say, “I’m perfect; I’m powerful, and I know just as much as the Lord.” The Lord, David declared, poured His strength in and over him. The Older Teach the Younger—Seeing adults in their later years teaching, modeling, and concerned about young people coming to know Christ is a precious sight. The wisdom of a long walk with the Lord is a much-needed gift to pass on to those who come after us.
As Your Students Arrive Ask students to share any pictures they brought of their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or other young people they know. Introduce the lesson by letting the class know that this week’s lesson focuses on how these pictures represent the next generation and why we need to share the Gospel with every younger person we know.
1 Life Need Comprehensive Bible Study Student Book Reduction Lesson 7 • July 14 • Page 47
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Continual Proclamation
isten to me, talking your head off,” said Angelique, pushing her dessert plate aside. The 53-year-old had come to see her former coworker, Mrs. Mitchell. Mrs. Mitchell had lost her husband about two years ago. She had recently been released from the hospital following a fall. She had early signs of Parkinson’s. Her two sons lived out of town, but she had one granddaughter who lived in a neighboring state and regularly checked on her. Still, when Angelique heard about Mrs. Mitchell being hospitalized, she decided it was time for another visit. Mrs. Mitchell had given Angelique wise counsel many times when they worked together. Among other things, the older woman helped Angelique navigate the politics of their school system. Angelique wanted to be of help to her friend now, and here she was going on and on about the trials and tribulations of her adult children. “How are you doing, really?” asked Angelique. “My God continues to bless me and keep me,” said the 81-year-old. “He woke me up this morning, in my right mind. I can’t thank Him enough.” Angelique smiled. Mrs. Mitchell was still loving God. She thought her love may have waned and said so. “Oh goodness no, child!” declared Mrs. Mitchell. “I know him as a Savior and a keeper. He is the only one you can put your hope in. You need to call on God for yourself and your children.” 1. Why does God want us to teach generations other than our own about the good news that is in Christ Jesus? 2. In what ways does your church fulfill this calling from God? 3. Do you participate in teaching or outreach ministries? If not, why not? LESSON FOCUS: Proclaim God’s love and hope to the next generations.
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Photo: © Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images
LESSON FOCUS: Proclaim God’s love and hope to the next generations.
Discuss how all generations need to hear the Gospel.
Form small groups to discuss Questions 1, 2, and 3. For Question 1, students might say that their knowledge of how blessed they are as Christians compels them to teach their children about Jesus, or it is a life ministry to which God has called them, or that telling young people about the Lord strengthens their own faith. Answers to Question 2 will perhaps include hiring a dynamic youth minister to guide a vibrant youth group, providing faithful and enthusiastic Sunday school teachers for children of different ages, and offering opportunities for young people to participate in short-term ministries, such as repairing homes or forming a youth choir to visit nursing homes or prisons. These examples show the next generation some of what it means to be a Christian. Question 3 invites students to reflect on how they have been or are now being active in spiritually influencing young people. It could be as simple as raising their children in the ways of God or as deeply committed as a teacher of youth in a vital operation of the church. This question should help students see that God always provides opportunities in one’s family and the church to be an example and a teacher of how to be a faithful disciple of Christ. Lesson 7 59