lesson loop 2.12.15

Middle School - "More than Conquerors"
We finished our series on suffering by looking at Romans 8 and considering different ways we are more than conquerors in Christ!

Big Idea: No matter how bad it may seem, we are more than conquerors in Christ.

6 Ways We are More Than Conquerors (as co-heirs with Christ):

1. Future Glory (vs. 16-21)
   Share in His glory!
2. Future Adoption (vs. 22-25)

3. Future Body (vs. 22-25)

4. Spirit’s Help (vs. 26-27)

5. God’s Plan (vs. 28-30) - " golden chain "
1. “foreknew” - God knows us so well
2. “predestined” - God decided to set His affection on us.
3. “called” - God brought us to Himself.
4. “justified” - God declared us pure and holy.
5. “glorified” - God will perfect us!! (Points #1-3)

6. God’s Love (vs. 31-39)

We finished up with a couple other passages...

Suffering → Endurance → Character → Hope! : Romans 5:1-5

Count it joy: James 1:2-3

Faith comes forth as gold: 1 Peter 1:3-7

Share in Christ’s sufferings: 1 Peter 4:12-14,19


High School - "Proverbs - Biblical Manhood"

Big Idea: Skillful, Christ-like living requires understanding Biblical manhood

Even though this lesson was geared towards the guys (and next week will be on womanhood), I tried to address the young ladies throughout the lesson as well, because it is essential that they begin even now to formulate a list of a godly man so they know what to look for when the time is right. Our culture has completely twisted what it means to be a man, and so God's Word is a necessary guide for our girls and guys as they attempt to follow God's will when it comes to dating and eventually marriage.

We began by discussing who we thought were the manliest men out there - and why we think they are manly. This usually comes down to physique and a cavalier attitude. When we look at the book of Proverbs, that is not really the essence of a man.

We considered 7 attributes of Godly Manhood:

1. Hard Work (12:11-12,14)
2. Contentment (15:16-17,27)
3. Purity (6:23-29)
4. Accountability (27:17)
5. Provision (27:23-27)
6. Initiative (18:22; 31:10)
7. Discipline (13:24)

We finished by talking about how Jesus is the perfect man. And He is so much more than merely an example for us as men. If we are to be the man that God wants us to be, we need Jesus Christ to shine through us! We need His righteousness, and we need to walk closely with Him!