lesson loop 7.24.13

Middle School
We started a brand new series last night which we are calling "The Passing of This World". We will look at the end times, and how we should live considering that the return of Jesus may be sooner rather than later. Last night our specific theme was - Jesus is King From Beginning to End. 
When you consider all the predictions that people have made about the end of the world, it can be a scary thing. In fact, when you open the pages of Scripture and consider Jesus' predictions in Matthew 24, it is scary indeed. However, if we are God's child, we should not remain in fear. Rather, we must realize that Jesus is King. Always has been, always will. While He has not set up His earthly kingdom yet, He is still in control and His promises will always remain true.
We can trust Him, and indeed we must - for the passage tells us that those who endure to the end will be saved. The only thing we must do to survive the end of the world is have faith in Jesus Christ - He will take care of us, no matter what comes or when it happens.
We looked at the following passages:

• Matthew 24:32-35
• Revelation 19:11-16; 22:13

Our desire during this study will be to shift focus from when the end of the world will come and instead talk about what - what it means for those who trust in Jesus Christ.


High School
As we continue in our Judges study, we looked last night at Abimelech, who God raised up despite his incredible sinfulness. Our focus was "Just Deliverance" - how God does things justly, and His character is perfect. Even though one of the constant themes throughout the book of Judges has been God's graciousness to undeserving sinners, we must not think that God is injust. He is fair, and we will reap what we sow. We saw this very clearly as Abimelech and the men of Shechem ended up destroying eachother, and as God said in Judges 9:56-57, their "evil was returned on their heads". Justice was served, and somehow in the midst of all that God showed His grace by delivering Israel from their oppressors. God's ways are not our ways, and His sovereign wisdom is amazing.
Here are some application points we drew from Judges 8:24-9:57 -

• We Reap What We Sow
• God Will Not Be Mocked
• God's Justice and Mercy Work Together (this is possible because of the Cross!!)

We finished by praising God that His character is perfect, and He can both justify us by His grace, and remain just at the same time (Romans 3:24-26)