you: connect. grow. serve. go! leader/learner guide | fall...

FALL 2013www.lifeway.com/you

STAYING THE COURSE

Stay focused to finish strong.

Leader Guide Included

FALL 2013

FALL 2013YOU - CONNECT. GROW

. SERVE. GO!

A NEW WAY OF LIFE

Opt into a Christian community.

NAAF SCHOLARSHIP

National African-American Fellowship (NAAF) Scholarships are awarded to one African American male and one African American female student annually based on church and community involvement, leadership potential, academic achievement, and potential for continuing academic success. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors who demonstrate a commitment to Christ, community, and personal excellence through their contributions to the world around them.

Please visit the NAAF website at www.naafsbc.org for scholarship details and application. Notification of scholarship awards will be made annually by the NAAF Scholarship Board.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when

you lie down, and when you rise up.Deuteronomy 6:7

LIVING ABOVE LOSS

There is hope in the midst of pain.

Living

Above

Loss

WITH AN OPEN HEARTMARK 12:29-31

WITH WILLING HANDS1 PETER 4:10-11

WITH READY FEET MATTHEW 28:19-20

IN BODY, MIND, & SPIRITROMANS 12:2

Staying Fit … SpirituallyWe talk a lot about the importance of staying physically fit, but what about the health of your spirit? Connect, Grow, Serve, Go is a call to evaluate your present spiritual condition and discover ways to im-prove your spiritual health. Packed into each biblical concept—Connect, Grow, Serve, Go—is a simple way you can move forward, not remain stagnant. Best of all, these tools will stand the test of time—no “fad” diets here. They will help you become spiritually healthy, and stay that way.

Connect urges you to worship, pray, fellowship, and relate to others in positive relationships at work, at home, and in other settings. Spiritual fitness results when you connect with God, with others, and with your church family.

Grow refers to learning and understanding more about God and His expectations of His people, which comes through Bible study. You grow by applying that knowledge to your everyday living.

Serve describes the work you do inside your church. Your church is full of ministry and service opportunities. You serve by using your spiritual gifts, skills, and passions to glorify God. All of us must work together for the church to function as God intended.

Go moves you outside the church and into the community and the world. Evangelism and missions are ways to go into your community and the world in the name of Jesus Christ. It might be uncomfortable at first, but you will experience first-hand the difference Christ can make through you.

Connect, Grow, Serve, Go must impact YOU, the individual, before it can permeate your circle of friends, your Bible study group, and then the church as a whole. But balance is the key! We must be actively participating in all four areas if we want to be spiritually healthy. All Go and no Connect with God or other believers results in powerless activity and wears you out. A steady diet of Grow without the action of Serve or Go leads to unhealthy spiritual obesity and laziness. We need a balanced spiritual diet to remain fit and able to serve God in the ways He has gifted us. The YOU lessons will help you Connect , Grow , Serve , and Go . Look for these icons throughout this issue. They will help you check and maintain your spiritual health.

Visit www.lifeway.com/adultstrategy for more about Connect, Grow, Serve, Go.

YOU 3

CONTENTS

FEATURES

IN EVERY ISSUE

UNIT 3

UNIT 2

UNIT 1

DAILY READINGS are included after each lesson.

Fall 2013

29

57

85

140

158

PASTOR’S HEART OPENS TO THE WORLDby Susie Rain

SEVEN PILLARS OF KINGDOM FAMILIESby Tom Elliff

FEAR CLOSE UPby Kim Thomas

SETTING BOUNDARIES FOR ONLINE SHARINGby Ryan Mason

BENCHMARKS FOR A DISCIPLING CULTUREby Travis Kolder

EIGHT WAYS TO SHOW HURTING PEOPLE YOU CAREby Gary Hardin

VOLUME 6, NUMBER 1 11

17

23

31

45

51

59

65

73

79

87

93

LIVING ABOVE LOSS

STAYING THE COURSE

A NEW WAY OF LIFE

A Great Ending1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Leader Pages (pp. 154-157)

Pain, but HopeLamentations 3:17-18,20-25


Strengthened Through HeartachePsalm 30:4-7,10-12


FallenGenesis 2:16-17; 3:6,8-10,15


Armor UpEphesians 6:10-18


About Face!2 Chronicles 33:1-2,10-17


Even When ...2 Corinthians 1:3-11


Go Tell It!Mark 5:1-4,6-8,18-20


Opt InPhilippians 2:19-30


Maturing in My Walk2 Timothy 3:1-5,10-12,16-17


Securely ConnectedJohn 15:1-4,7-10


The ChurchActs 2:41-47


2 How to Become a Christian 3 Staying Fit Spiritually 6 A Word From the Editor 7 Suggested Resources

8 YOU Church Success Stories99 Scripture Memory Cards101 How to Use Leader Pages

160 Glossary of Key Words162 Meet the Writers/Coming

Next Quarter

37

Always FaithfulPsalm 89:1-4,13-15


122

Beverly

A WORDFROM THE EDITOR...

FALL 2013 | Vol. 6 No. 1

SUGGESTED DISCIPLE-MAKING RESOURCESHere’s a list of resources you can use to deepen your understanding of the units of study this quar-ter. These resources complement the lessons for this quarter and can be used for small-group study, midweek study, or personal Bible study.

Visit www.lifeway.com or call 1-800-458-2772 for more information or to purchase any of these products.

YOU 7

My pastor recently preached a powerful sermon entitled “Growing in the Wrong Direction.” It was about Jonah’s story and focused on the sover-eignty of God, how God can and will do whatever God chooses to do in our lives (which is often in opposition to our plans) simply because He is God.

Pastor really got my full attention when he got to the “it” part of the sermon. He described it as being anything or anyone in your life that holds you back, holds you down, robs you of your joy, peace, health and well being, or even your promised future.

I think a lot about my current “it” and how God is using it to stretch and strengthen me, to build resilience into me. But, as my pastor said, “You can’t just sit or think on it—you’ve got to get up and do something about it.”

It is my heartfelt prayer that you too will be stretched and strengthened to “action” by these lessons on spiritual maturity, faithfulness, and heart-ache. Remember, there is everlasting joy and peace in knowing that God is still sovereign, still at work, still in control.

Because of His Love,

PRODUCTION AND MINISTRY TEAM

BEVERLY SONNIER Content Editor

NICOLE CHILDRESS

Graphic Designer

LYNN PRYOR Editorial Team Leader

DAVID APPLE,ALAN RAUGHTON

Adult Ministry Specialists

Special Thanks toCHANDRA BENNETT

Special Thanks toJUDI HAYESContract Production Editor

Special Thanks toLARRY DRYContract Production Editor

MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL

ERIC GEIGERVice President, Church Resources

FAITH WHATLEY Director, Adult Ministry

PHILIP NATION Director, Adult Ministry Publishing

KEN BRADDY, DEBBIE JOHNSON, AMY LOWE Managers, Adult Ministry Publishing

DAVID FRANCIS Director, Sunday School

Send questions/comments to:Editor, YOUOne LifeWay PlazaNashville, TN 37234-0175Or make comments on the Web at: www.lifeway.com/YOU or [email protected] in the United States of America

SAMSON: A LIFE WELL WASTED (FOR UNIT 1)

Samson: A Life Well Wasted is a six-session Bible study for young adults by Chip Henderson that explores the life of Samson in Judges 13-16 and offers six ways we can waste our lives if we’re not focused on our God-given purpose. Hot-button cultural issues from dishonesty and anger to daddy-issues and sex are discussed.

WONDERSTRUCK: AWAKEN TO THE NEARNESS OF GOD (FOR UNIT 2)

Do you ever feel like you’re going through the motions of faith? Sometimes we do and say the right things, but our hearts are far from God. We lose our sense of holy awe. In Wonderstruck, Margaret Feinberg invites you to experience the fullness of life God intended. In this seven-session Bible study, you will be reminded what it means to awaken to wonder every day by learning to: develop a renewed passion for God, identify what’s holding you back in prayer, find extraordinary moments on ordinary days, discover peace in knowing you’re wildly loved, and recognize the presence of God in the midst of your daily routine.

ALWAYS TRUE: GOD’S PROMISES WHEN LIFE IS HARD, MEMBER BOOK (FOR UNIT 3)

Always True: God’s Promises When Life is Hard by James MacDonald is a six-session Bible study that leads individuals and churches to understand the nature of God’s promises, which are always true whether in good times or trials in the believer’s life. During an extended season of personal crises in his life, James discovered that God’s promises are always true and that we can trust God to be faithful to His word no matter what we face. These universal promises are based on biblical truths and principles that will provide hope to all believers who face hardship.

YOU (ISSN 1943-6230) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234,

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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible® Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002,

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8 YOU8 YOU

Zion Baptist ChurchMarietta, Georgia

Faith is the first

factor in a life

devoted to service.

Without it, nothing

is possible. With it,

nothing is impossible.

—MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE

Deacon Kelton Shaw, Sunday School SuperintendantSims Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Garland, Texas Making the change to YOU for our Adult Sunday School classes has been a good and positive change. The content is very thought provoking, and the lesson presentation and format promote lively discussion. The questions are relevant and bring home the point of emphasis in each lesson. Overall we like the curriculum and think it is very beneficial for our learners and teachers. Thank you for all of the time spent in preparation and writing of each lesson. They are pertinent to our present-day living.

Sister Michelle Orr and Reverend Arlen Griffin, Team Teachers“The Seekers” Sunday School Class, Zion Baptist Church, Marietta, GeorgiaOur class has some awesome feedback on YOU. Some of the thoughts are: “I enjoy the details provided in the many sections per unit.” “The lessons encourage interest in studying weekly.” “I really like the Diggin’ Deeper section.” “The lessons spark active discussions within the group.” “The lessons are easy to apply to real life, and the quality of teacher information for class planning is exceptional! And the wealth of undated material provided allows us to move through the lessons at our own pace.”

We’d love to hear how your church or small group navigated the challenges of switching to YOU, the blessings and benefits your church or small group experienced since switching to YOU, and why you would encourage other churches or small groups to give YOU a try. Please limit your response to 100 words or less. Feel free to provide a photo (jpeg) of a class or group using YOU.Send responses to: [email protected].

CHURCH SUCCESS STORIES

YOU 9

The leader pages for this lesson are found on pages 102-105.

ACTS 2:41-47

41 So those who accepted ✱ his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the a breaking of bread, and to the prayers. 43 Then b fear came over everyone, and many ✱ wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles. 44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. 45 c They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. 46 Every day they devoted themselves to meet-ing together in the d temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.

LESSON PASSAGE

UNIT 1, LESSON 1

The Question: What’s the point of the church?The Point: Believers worship, work, and witness for God.

The ChurchBackground Passage: Acts 2:14-47

Lesson Passage: Acts 2:41-47

MEMORY VERSEEphesians 3:10

This is so God’s multi-faceted wisdom

may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in

the heavens.

a Breaking of bread: Probably included fellowship meals and participation in the Lord’s Sup-per (see 1 Cor. 11:17-34).

b Fear came over everyone: “Everyone around was in awe” (Message). “Everyone was amazed” (CEV).

c They sold their possessions and property and distrib-uted: For a short time the early church practiced a community of goods, distributing them ac-cording to individual need. The practice did not last long (see Acts 4–6).

d Temple complex: In the Jerusalem temple the complex included the sanctuary, at least four courtyards, numer-ous gates, and several covered walkways.

Spiritual maturity is not something that hap-pens overnight. It is a process, not an end. When we say that following Jesus brings about a new way of life, we must understand that that new way of life becomes clearer to us each and every day that we live. It involves a fresh relationship with God, authentic con-nection with other believers, serving in the church, time and effort, and telling other people about Jesus.

This five-week unit of study uses various New Testament passages to challenge believers in these areas.

It will answer questions like:

• What’s the point of church? • What are the benefits of being con-

nected to God? • How do I acquire spiritual maturity? • Why should I choose to be more than

just a name on the church roll? • Why must I tell others about Jesus?

It’s not enough to sit in a pew week after week. God wants us to grow in our faith.

Unit 1 A New Way of Life

A Bible Study on Spiritual Maturity

YOU 11

KEY WORDS

For more information about key words (✱), visit the glossary on pages 160-161.

10 YOU

Diggin’ Deeper

NEED RECOGNIZED, MESSAGE OBEYED(Acts 2:41)

RESPONSIBILITIES ACCEPTED(Acts 2:42-46)

THE CHURCH ENLARGED(Acts 2:47)

UNIT 1LESSON 1

What’s the point of the church?

Focal Passage Outline

Devoted

Part of the trouble with spiritual maturity in the church today is that we tend to skip over that word “devoted.” While it’s true that we are saved by grace alone, it’s also true that when we are saved, we become de-voted Christ followers. Merri-am-Webster defines devoted this way: “characterized by loyalty and devotion, religious fervor.”

Read the following verses to find out more about what it means to be devoted to God.

• 1 Kings 11:4. What happens when we’re not completely devoted to God?

• Psalm 91:14. What is promised to those who are devoted to God?

• Matthew 6:24. What is it impossible to do?

NEED RECOGNIZED, MESSAGE OBEYEDACTS 2:41

Peter was one of those guys we’d put in the same category with Martin Luther King Jr., Billy Graham, and Mother Theresa. He had a dream, too. And God used him to affect the entire world he lived in and every generation that followed. Acts 2 begins with the account of Pentecost, when Jews from all over the Roman Empire gathered in Jerusalem. Peter and the other 119 believers were gathered to-gether when God made His presence known. A loud sound rushing from heaven filled their ears and the house where they were stay-ing. Then they saw tongues, like flames of fire, resting on each of them as they began to speak in the many different languages of all nations proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ. Then Peter stepped up and preached (vv. 14-36) the most compelling mes-sage known to man.

Imagine that texting had been around back then. What do you think people would have been texting during Peter’s gospel presentation?

When you think of spiritual maturity, whom do you picture? Martin Luther King Jr.? Mother Theresa? Billy Graham? It seems a title reserved for only a select few. But that’s man’s pitiful version of truth, not God’s. Every single person who places his or her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is called, even destined and purposed, for spiritual maturity. Following Christ elicits a new way of life, one irreversibly con-nected to His body, the church, and growing daily. So where does that start?

Some surely would have focused on the courage and excellence of ✱ his message. Others probably were likely moved by the emotion of it, while still others lingered to see what might entertain them next. Sound familiar? But verse 41 challenges both individuals and the church as a whole on numerous levels. It wasn’t really about Peter; the point was about Jesus. The people needed to recognize their need for Him and obey the message. And that’s exactly what a lot of them did. Three thousand people joined the 120 as disciples of Jesus Christ. They were baptized; they became part of the church.

Is church membership really all that important? Explain.

It wouldn’t have been enough for those three thousand people just to walk the aisle, shake Peter’s hand, and sign a card. It’s not enough for us, either. Spiritual maturity doesn’t happen because we show up most of the time and sit in a chair or pew for an hour or two. It doesn’t happen because we serve on a committee or help out in Vacation Bible School. It begins when people, who are unified for common purpose, accept responsibility for one another. If we love God, we must also love His church. We are connected to God, so we are connected to one another. We are family, and we should be closely connected to one another.

When have you been most connected to the church? Least? How did each situation affect your walk with the Lord?

RESPONSIBILITIES ACCEPTEDACTS 2:42-46

Francis Chan wrote, “We have to believe it enough that it changes how we live” (Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, p. 49). That’s exactly what happened after Peter’s message in Acts 2. It wasn’t a connection of convenience; it altered their very way of life. Because the people recognized their need and obeyed the message, the three thousand plus members of the church chose to devote themselves to God and to one another. Their lives were changed.

What, specifically, about their lives changed?

12 YOU YOU 13

The Church Acts 2:41-47


Did you know?

SO WHAT? How does this apply to me?

The three thousand converts on the day of Pentecost would’ve made headlines in any time and culture. We like the big event, the stadium full of believers. We’d buy the ticket and wear the “Pentecost 3,000” T-shirt proud-ly. But did you know that after the big event, life got tough for those three thousand Christ fol-lowers? The Book of Acts lets us know that those who remained devoted to Christ were often imprisoned, beaten, and the ob-jects of murderous riots.

• Spiritual maturity doesn’t often come when life is easy. How have you seen this to be true in your own life?

• How does this understand-ing impact a person’s view of church?

Live It!What’s the point of the church? Church culture to-day doesn’t give a very clear picture, but the early church does. Because we are con-nected to God, He expects us to connect to others in au-thentic Christian community. We do this when we recognize our need, obey the message, and accept our responsibili-ties. When we do, God grows us as individuals in spiritual maturity and as a body of be-lievers.

Have you joined a local body of believers, beginning with a public expression of your com-mitment through baptism? That’s the place to start. Once you do that, refuse to accept a “guest” mentality. Instead, you play host.

Yes, it was fresh and new for them. Yes, they were part of a movement. Yes, Jesus had just walked on the earth; and, yes, they thought His return was imminent. Their culture was different from ours, and they had less “stuff” to distract them. All that is true, but so is this—we, too, are called to grow in spiritual matu-rity and to act like we belong to the family of God. The priority of community among believers as revealed in the Bible is as important today as it was two thousand years ago when the church first began. The following questions will help you apply this truth to your own life.

• Before this lesson, how would you have answered the question, “What’s the point of the church?”

• How would you answer it now?

• What makes the church different from any other club or organization that offers membership?

• In what ways can you better connect to the body of Christ?

Immediately, the believers were united in their devotion to study, fellowship, breaking bread together, and prayer. No e-mail remind-ers, no website or Facebook page set up, no phone calls to say, “Hey, I saw you joined a few weeks ago, but I’ve missed seeing you since then.” Through study, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, they accepted their responsibility to spiritual growth and to one another.

Which responsibility listed in Acts 2:42-46 (study, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer) have you em-braced the most? The least? Explain.

Unity and fellowship are far more than a church party. They reflect an attitude where we share all things in common. We share fellow-ship because we are together in our pursuit of holiness through the study of God’s Word, praying for the same things, and sharing a meal together. Added to that is the element of laughing togeth-er, crying together, and caring for one another. There is a concern for others’ well-being that exists simply because we are family.

Because we often view spiritual maturity as something reserved for a select few, we have begun to focus more on what being a part of God’s family does for us than on what our being a part of God’s fam-ily means to the church. There’s a huge difference. Hordes of believ-ers in churches everywhere have a “guest” mentality every time they enter the building, when our call is for each of us to be hosts. To be a part of God’s family means we own our responsibilities.

What, specifically, about your life has changed since turning to Christ? What, from this passage, needs to change?

THE CHURCH ENLARGEDACTS 2:47

Peter didn’t need to babysit everyone’s faith, and there didn’t need to be another Pentecost. When God’s people live by His power, lov-ing Him and loving others, He is glorified in ways that even Billy Graham or a one-time miraculous event can’t achieve. People can choose to forget, or reason away, the fantastic; but they cannot ar-gue the daily revelation of grace and truth through the lives of those who devote themselves to following Jesus.

What was the result of the believers’ changed lives?

Simply put, the people in Acts 2:41-47 were the church just being the church. They didn’t need programs or giveaways or T-shirts or a cool coffee shop to draw people in. They just did life together, and God moved among them. Their joy and love for one another were contagious. One translation puts it this way, “Everyone liked them” (v. 47, CEV). How about that! Their devotion to God and to one an-other was so evident that they were likable people! Their lives made people want to join Jesus.

What about your church draws people to Christ?

The early church was a growing church. By the way it was function-ing, they were a demonstration of God’s presence, and every day God added to them more people who were being saved. There was no elaborate church growth paradigm or best-selling book to fol-low. They simply honored the Lord. They believed it enough that it changed the way they lived. No one counted on someone else to be the mature one. They each took on that role themselves.



14 YOU YOU 15

LESSON PASSAGE

UNIT 1, LESSON 2

The Question: What are the benefits of being connected to God?The Point: A healthy relationship with God generates a productive life.

Securely ConnectedBackground Passage: John 15:1-10Lesson Passage: John 15:1-4,7-10

MEMORY VERSEJohn 15:9

As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you.

Remain in My love.

a I am: Begins the last of Jesus’ seven “I am” sayings in John’s Gospel.

b �Fruit: Spiritual qualities manifested in our lives, only through an abiding relation-ship with Jesus Christ.

c Removes: See Matthew 3:10; 7:19; 15:13; Luke 13:6-9.

d Clean: When something is clean, it is holy or acceptable to God. When it is unclean, it is unholy.

e If you keep My commands: See 1 John 2:4-6; 3:10; 5:2.

The leader pages for this lesson are found on pages 106-109.

DAILY READINGS3. REMAIN

John 15:5

Here’s what Jesus taught about fruit—God defines and determines it; people don’t. We set goals and are told to make them measurable. But in our spiritual lives we can’t do that. You can’t measure your

fruitfulness, or anyone else’s, because God defines what is fruit, not us. Whether or

not you think you’re making an impact on the world around you doesn’t affect His

ability to use you without your knowledge. Whether or not people recognize the fruit

of God in your life doesn’t make it any less sweet to Him. Whatever you’re doing

today, remain in Him. And let Him take care of the rest.

Forgive me, Lord, for confusing the fruit

with the Root. Help me remain in You.

4. ANSWERSJohn 15:7

When we stay connected to Jesus, we let His teaching become a part of us. Not just another folder of knowledge we keep in

our brains but a part of who we are. When His Word becomes a part of who we are,

then we know how to pray. When we know how to pray, we ask for the right things.

When we ask for the right things, He gives us what we want because what we want

matches what He wants to give.

Lord, let Your teachings become

a part of me so that my desires

line up with Yours.

2. LESS INVOLVED, MORE CONNECTED

Acts 2:44-45

A common statement you hear about church is this: “I want to get involved.” That usually means someone wants to

find one thing to do, a way to serve. And while that’s done out of good motives,

the truth is, we need to be less involved in activity and more connected to one

another. Church membership isn’t about choosing a committee as much as it is

about choosing a group of people. When we love one another, then we’re able to take care of our responsibilities with joy.

Thank You, Father, for my church.

Help me learn to love them like family.

1. AWESOMEActs 2:43

When church seems boring to people, something is wrong. Not that we should be entertained, but among God’s people

who are worshiping, working, and witnessing for God, a natural excitement

should ensue. That sense of awe characterized the early church. The CEV

puts it this way: “Everyone was amazed.” We need to stop waiting for the people on stage to amaze us and start looking for the amazement of God in everyday life. When that happens, church can never be boring.

God, You are awesome. Forgive

us for making Your church look

like anything less.

JOHN 15:1-4,7-10

1 “a I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. 2 Every branch in Me that does not produce b fruit He c removes, and He prunes every branch that produc-es fruit so that it will produce more fruit. 3 You are already d clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Re-main in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.

............

7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 ✱ My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in My love. 10 e If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love.

YOU 17

KEY WORDS

For more information about key words (✱), visit the glossary on pages 160-161.

16 YOU

LEADER PAGES | YOU 103102 YOU | LEADER PAGES

YOU OBJECT LESSON

PERUSE THE ENTIRE UNIT.Take some time to glance through each session in the upcoming unit so you know what to expect in the weeks ahead. Note that the focus of spiritual maturity in this unit relates primarily to the church community and believers’ role in that community. The topics are important for all believers in order to grow and serve in the ways Christ intends.

CALL VISITORS AND MEMBERS.Members may have been sporadic in their attendance over the summer months, but the beginning of fall is generally a time when people make church more of a priority. Visitors who have moved to town for the start of school may be coming to your class. Call all who have attended your class in recent weeks, and invite them to return.

GET A HEAD START ON THIS WEEK’S LESSON PREP.Acts 2 may be a familiar passage, but God wants to use this study to bring a fresh perspective to you and your class. Read through the teaching materials early, making notes and writing questions that come to mind. Highlight the things you want to remember from the commentary and learner guide. Continually invite God to show you how this text relates to your church right now.

PRAY.Some attendees may have unresolved issues regarding church. Be aware that some may have gone through a painful church experience. Pray for the Holy Spirit to prepare hearts in advance for the hearing of His Word. Pray that He will use this discussion to bring good from any bad experiences members may have had.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

THE CHURCH (TEACHING PLAN)FOR UNIT 1, LESSON 1 (pp. 11-15)

INTRODUCTION

Direct adults to work in small groups to make top 10 lists of the most spiritually mature people, fiction or nonfic-tion, in the world. Encourage groups to have fun with the activity. Invite groups to share their lists. Allow time for members to respond to the lists and discuss their reasons for including those people or characters.

Ask: Is spiritual maturity something anyone can attain, or is it something that is reserved for a select few—like the Billy Grahams of the world? Explain. Point out that today begins a Bible study on spiritual maturity called “A New Way of Life.” Say: Every single person who places his or her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is called, even destined and purposed, for spiritual maturity. Today we will see where that process begins.

Option: Do some research prior to class, noting some of the most followed Christian leaders on Twitter, such as Joyce Meyer, Bishop T. D. Jakes, Priscilla Shirer, and Max Lucado. Read a few of their recent tweets. Ask: What purpose do these people have in social media? Are they the ones who have the responsibility to do the work of the church? Explain. Point out that all of us are called to be a part of the church as we worship, work, and witness for God.

• Summarize the events in Acts 2:1-47. Invite adults to describe the most amazing worship service or Christian event they can recall. Call attention to the first question in the section “Need Recognized, Message Obeyed” on page 12 that asks, “Imagine that texting had been around back then. What do you think people would have been texting during Peter’s gospel presentation?” Invite volunteers to respond. Read Acts 2:41.

• Use information from the commentary and learner pages to emphasize the importance of joining the

church. Note that these three thousand converts did not get lost on a roll sheet somewhere but became vital and active members of the body of Christ.

• Invite members to share the reasons they joined your church. Ask: What are some hang-ups, or reasons, some people who believe in Christ do not want to be baptized? Why do some not want to join a church? What are some reasons some church members are members in name and attendance only?

NEED RECOGNIZED, MESSAGE OBEYEDACTS 2:41

• Read Acts 2:42-46. Explain that the verses following verse 41 elaborate on how the new converts connected to the body of Christ. Direct adults to name the behaviors and attitudes of these early Christians. Write answers on the board or on a large sheet of paper as they are named. Use information from the commentary on page 105 to help explain each, especially the meanings of “fellowship,” “breaking

of bread,” and “sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds.”

• Ask: Would you want to be a part of that kind of church? What would be great about that? What would be different and maybe a little bit out of your comfort zone? Point out that our individual devotion to study, fellowship, breaking bread together, and prayer is the

RESPONSIBILITIES ACCEPTEDACTS 2:42-46

BEFORE YOU TEACHFOR UNIT 1, LESSON 1 (pp. 11-15)

Welcome learners, and then set the context for today’s session by reviewing last week’s discus-sion. Remind them of the question,” “What does it mean to trust Jesus as Savior and Lord?”

and the point, “You can trust Jesus with your past, present, and future.” Refer to Live It! (p. 97) and invite volunteers to share ways they put the challenge into practice. Transition into this new unit of study by saying,

When we trust Jesus as Savior, we begin a new way of life.

PICTORIAL DIRECTORYBring a copy of a church pictorial directory and play a game of “Name That Family.” Allow the class to form two teams and give them the opportunity to identify the families you select.Try to intentionally select a mixture of long-time and newer church families. Award a point for each correct answer. Ask: How well would you say we are connected as a church body? How is this different from a company directory or high school yearbook? Allow time for the group to respond. Encourage learners to make a greater effort to connect with church family..

LEADER PAGES | YOU 103

BACK

DIG INTO THE TEXT

104 YOU | LEADER PAGES LEADER PAGES | YOU 105

SO WHAT? HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?

CLOSE THE SESSION

Need more commentary/articles to increase your understanding?Visit www.LifeWay.com/YOU.

The Church Lesson Passages: Acts 2:41-47

The Question: What’s the point of the church?The Point: Believers worship, work, and witness for God.

• Note that oftentimes we fall into the trap of thinking we just need this or that to grow our churches. Maybe another church down the street makes better use of technology, or another congregation has great summer activities for children. Acts 2 reminds us that we don’t need stuff to impact the world for Christ; we just need to be the church. Read Acts 2:47. Point out that the explosion in Christianity wasn’t just a

passing fancy. The church kept on growing.

• Note that the result of the church doing what they did in Acts 2:42-46 is that they impacted the world. When we unite in fellowship, people outside the church are drawn to God. Discuss the two questions under the heading “The Church Enlarged” on page 15 to further apply the passage.

THE CHURCH ENLARGEDACTS 2:47

key. We must own our responsibilities. Invite adults to privately evaluate themselves according to each responsibility in the passage. Use questions on page

14, which ask, “Which responsibility listed in Acts 2:42-46 (study, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer) have you embraced the most? The least?”

LEADER COMMENTARYUNIT1, LESSON 1 (pp. 11-15)

This commentary is designed to help you think about the question, “What’s the point of church?” and drive home this one truth: Believers worship, work, and witness for God.

FOCUS ON THESE POINTS

Need Recognized, Message Obeyed (Acts 2:41)When doing a study on the importance of church,

perhaps the best place to start is at the beginning of its inception. The Book of Acts tells the story of the early church. Here we find both how and why it began. Both of these issues will be helpful as we make a case to “act like you belong to the family.”

We immediately find that Peter’s proclamation of the gospel had a great impact on the people, as about three thousand people were added to them.

Further, this number wasn’t just people who “walked an aisle” and never again stepped foot inside the doors of the church. These were people who not only received the gospel message as true but also lived it out in their lives.

Those who accepted Peter’s message were baptized. This baptism is not what saved these individuals, but it was a sign of obedience and commitment to Christ. Likewise, when we lead others to Christ, we ought to demonstrate the importance of baptism. This was the first thing these early believers did, and we ought to follow that model.

One cannot join God’s church without joining God’s family through faith in His Son. After receiving Christ as Savior, we must join a local church, as these new converts did.

Responsibilities Accepted (Acts 2:42-46)The new members of the early church were devoted

to the apostles’ teaching. The greatest command-ment teaches us to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). For us to love God with our whole being, we must sit under godly teach-ers of His Word, the Bible. Finding a good church with

strong teaching serves as an incredible catalyst for loving God.

Second, devotion to fellowship remained important. In this context “fellowship” means close and intimate relationships. These people knew one another very well. True, biblical fellowship can only happen within the context of the church.

Third, the devotion of these believers led to the breaking of bread. This phrase can be interpreted in two ways. The first explains the breaking of bread as merely eating together. The other explains it as tak-ing the Lord’s Supper. Partaking in the Lord’s Supper serves as a great reminder to the incredible suffering Jesus did on our behalf. It reminds us why our salva-tion is even possible. To partake testifies to one’s con-nection with a church.

Finally, the new converts were devoted to prayers. Being committed to a local church body allows us to pray for others and be prayed for by others. A good church helps improve and encourage our prayer life, which in turn helps strengthen our relationship with Christ.

The Church Enlarged (Acts 2:47)By the way the church was functioning, they were

witnessing to God’s presence, and every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved. The early church was a growing church. It did not have some elaborate church growth paradigm or book to follow. Rather, it simply sought to honor the Lord.

The result of the church’s doing what they did in Acts 2:42-46 is that they impacted the world. When believ-ers unite in fellowship, people outside the church are drawn to God. Then the family grows.

Though people in society today are becoming more and more isolated, God’s plan is still for community to flourish. Even in the church there is a lack of under-standing and commitment to authentic community. We need to rediscover the model for biblical community, as presented in Acts 2, and make it our priority.

This lesson encourages us to connect to others in authentic Christian community. There is a difference be-tween a big-church-event mentality and a day-to-day connection to the body of Christ. Lead learners in memorizing the memory verse for this lesson, Ephesians 3:10. (A memory card can be cut out on page 99.) Challenge learners to complete the Live It! challenge on page 15 in the coming days. Pray, asking God to draw each of us into closer connection with Him and with one another as a result of today’s lesson.

THE CHURCH (TEACHING PLAN)FOR UNIT 1, LESSON 1 (pp. 11-15)

Yes, it was fresh and new for them. Yes, they were part of a movement. Yes, Jesus had just walked on the earth; and, yes, they thought His return was imminent. Their culture was different from ours, and they had less “stuff” to distract them. All that is true, but so is this—we, too, are called to grow in spiritual maturity and to act like we belong to the family of God.

The priority of community among believers as revealed in the Bible is as important today as it was two thou-sand years ago when the church first began. The fol-lowing questions will help you apply this truth to your own life.

• What responsibility as a member of the body of Christ have you been avoiding?

• What would people in your community say is the point of your church?

• What expectations should you have in regards to your church?

• How will you live differently as a result of today’s lesson?

RESPONSIBILITIES ACCEPTED (CONT.)

you: connect. grow. serve. go! leader/learner guide | fall...

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