The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: friend

  • Barnabas, a Friend

    “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
    2 Timothy 2:15

    The Gospel message began to spread out of Jerusalem after Stephen’s death. This event let to the church being persecuted. One of the great persecutors of the church, Saul, met Jesus and was saved on the road to Damascus. There was a drastic change in Saul when he met Jesus – for even his name was later changed to Paul. However, it took time for the Believers in the church to recognize and understand this fact.

    God gave a couple of men that helped during that time. One was Ananias, whom God sent to speak with Saul first. This was important. Remember that Ananias had a message from God that Saul was chosen by God to “bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). Keep in mind that Saul had been one of the religious leaders, a Pharisee, having been trained and taught in the Old Testament Scriptures. Saul later declared before the council, “… Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee …” (Acts 23:6). He was a Pharisee, taught in the ways of the Pharisees in the “Jews’ religion.” Although he knew the Old Testament Scriptures, he needed to understand them anew after having believed Jesus was a fulfillment of those Scriptures. It would take time and much study to prepare for the task Jesus had for Paul’s life – to be the Apostle sent to the Gentile people. As we can read in Galatians, when he left Damascus, there was a three-year period that Saul was taught by Jesus, enabling him to preach the Gospel (see Galatians 1:10-19). Those three years were very important. He had to know and understand the Gospel message before he would be able to share it with others.

    After those three years of learning from Jesus, Saul returned to Jerusalem. “And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple” (Acts 9:26). Saul was an unusual case – for he had been a viable threat to Believers, also called disciples of Jesus. Remember: he had been on a mission to arrest and kill them. Because of this, most Believers were afraid of Saul. Understand that they did not believe that he had become a disciple. “But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27). Nevertheless, see that God gave Saul an ally, a friend, in Barnabas. Do you remember Barnabas? He was one of the many Believers who sold their possessions, lands and houses and brought the money to the apostles (see Acts 4:36-37). The early Believers helped one another. This is yet another opportunity that Jesus was able to use Barnabas: he was a vocal friend of Saul’s.

    Although the new Believers were going out from Jerusalem into the surrounding areas, they still only told Jewish people about Jesus. There was a report that was sent back from Antioch to Jerusalem declaring many believed and turned to the Lord. When the report was received, they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch. Recognize how Barnabas is described here: “23. Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23-24). He faithfully taught the people, and many more believed in Jesus.

    Read what happened next: “25. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26. And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:25-26). Barnabas went and found Saul. They worked together, teaching the people about Jesus. It was at this time in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

    Shortly thereafter, we understand that God had a special job for Barnabas and Saul. “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). And the people sent them – just as God wanted. When Saul begins his ministry to the Gentiles, he is no longer known as Saul, but Paul. “Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost …” (Acts 13:9). This began the First Missionary Journey of Paul and Barnabas.

    It is very important for each person who becomes a Christian, to learn the truths found in God’s Word – so they will be able to share those truths with others (“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2:15). This takes time, and much reading of the Bible. A good Christian friend helps tremendously! Just as Barnabas helped Saul (Paul).

    Are you one who has shown yourself approved unto God, a workman, and even a friend, who will share the Gospel of Jesus?

  • Lesson 13 (Lesson 52): Jesus in the Old Testament: Jesus our Friend

    Key Verse

    “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if any of them have friends.  What characteristics make someone your friend? (i.e.: dependable, good listener, kind, always there, etc.)  Read today’s memory verse to your class.  Ask if any of them have a friend like that.  Would they, themselves, be the kind of friend that would lay down their life for another person?  The best friend in the world we could ever have is Jesus.  Today we will look at Jesus’ prayer in the garden on the night he was arrested.  Have them pay attention to what was on Jesus’ heart and mind as we read His prayer in the garden the night before He died on the cross.

    Summary:  We have been studying the five Personal Books of the Old Testament.  As we have learned, these books dealt with individuals’ very personal experiences with God.  We have been able to see some serious heart issues as these individuals sought to know and understand God better.  In studying them, we should now understand how very personal of a God we serve.  When these men cried out for answers, God answered.

    If you remember last week, we learned of a perfect love and compared it to a Christian’s love with God.  Just as God loved us and sent His Son, Jesus, we are to love Him with all of our hearts.  If our students can learn to love Jesus with all of their hearts, then their hearts will be prepared to one day love a man or a woman.  Remember, Christians are the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25:  “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”.  Compare this thought to today’s memory verse.)

    Today we will see the heart of Jesus revealed as He prayed in the garden on the eve of his arrest and crucifixion.  Just as the men who wrote the Personal Books laid their hearts open and bare for us to read about, Jesus’ prayer revealed the deepest and innermost thoughts of His heart.  Notice how He first dealt with himself, then his disciples He would be leaving behind, and finally with those who hadn’t believed upon Him yet – many of which hadn’t even been born yet (that is you and me.)  After this great prayer, we then look back at Psalm 22 which foretold of Jesus’ suffering death upon the cross, realizing Jesus knew He was about to lay down His life for His friends.  This is the greatest picture of a friend (see today’s key verse).  Jesus is the greatest friend because He gave up His life for me (and anyone who would believe).

    Just as we have been learning how to relate to God as the men who recorded the Personal Books, Jesus is our ultimate example of one who was not afraid to make His petitions known to God – knowing He would answer.  He is also a perfect example of the kind of friend we are to be to others.  Remember, the people He prayed for were the same people He gave His life for – His friends.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  Jesus is our ultimate example of the kind of friend we are to be – willing to give all.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 52 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 52 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  For today’s lesson give your students a blank piece of paper.  Have them write down some of their friend’s names.  Once they have finished this, have them think of something specific that they can pray about for each friend. (Examples:  maybe their friend is sick, or maybe they are on vacation, or maybe they are not very truthful and need prayer, maybe they have a friend who is especially mean to others and need prayer to help them be kinder, etc.)  Over all, encourage them to see needs in their own hearts and lives and the lives of others for which they can pray  Children, too, need to learn the importance of prayer.  And they will be encouraged and blessed as they see a prayer that they have written down answered!

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.

  • Why This Study?

    From a friend and Sunday School teacher about The Biblical Path of Life:

    I was searching for a church home. Day 1 at Rehoboth Baptist Church the Sunday School teacher was teaching Isaiah, overview style. I fell in love with the Sunday school Bible study (The Biblical Path of Life). For the first time in my entire life I was looking at the Bible as a whole and learning how it all fit together. So simple, so incredible to realize these prophets were speaking to the Kings of their day, some prophecies would come to pass before their eyes and others would come to pass hundreds of years later. All of God’s Word through the prophets would come to pass and we could study the history in the Bible and see fulfillment!

    I love learning the books of Moses in Sunday School.  The Sunday School curriculum mentions over and over “These are familiar stories so let your class tell you what they remember”. Sometimes the children don’t remember near as much as I thought they would, and it’s a wonderful springboard to delve into what the Bible says and meet them exactly where they are. Other times, I’m exhilarated with details they remember so clearly and can explain correctly. It lets us spend more time on a “deeper path”. I love the “Deeper Path”, there are always connections with the OT to NT and vice versa. We see the Lord Jesus everywhere in the Bible!

    Just last week studying II Kings, I was delighted to realize that Elisha cried out “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof” when Elijah was carried up to heaven;  King Joash of Israel cried the same thing when Elisha was dying. The Sunday School lesson brought that out so clearly because it always makes it easy to see the big picture. And yep, I’m sorry to say it wasn’t on my mind at all when I read it in the Bible. And when I saw it in the Sunday School lesson I was so taken by it. It made a huge impact on me, my study, and teaching the lesson.

    After worshiping on Sunday morning, my family talks about the Sunday School lesson. Each of us have had an encounter with the Lord in His Word. The classes teach the same chapters of the Bible and yet each class has a take-home message individually tailored to their level of understanding. Only the Lord could give us written communication easy enough for a child to understand, hard enough to challenge an educated adult all the days of their lives, and impossible for the unbelieving. This 3 year Bible Study for children and adults has blessed my family! We all grasp the difference between OT and NT. Young and adult all have been taught and understand how the Bible fits together.

    I love the easy-to-read formatting in the Sunday School guide. It’s clear and concise… Each lesson is organized into a few main points with key verses explained. These lessons are Holy Spirit led. There is just no other way a book of the Bible could be summarized so simply and yet so completely… The memory verse each week really summarizes the heart lesson of the Bible study.

    This 3-Year Bible Study program (The Biblical Path of Life) is a breath of fresh air amidst the typical swirl of bible stories lacking connection to God’s word as a whole. My own daughters ages 14 and 12 have gone through the Bible from cover to cover three times. It has helped them to be discerning when they hear someone talk “Bible” out of context. They get a very fast sense that something is not right – because they’ve been studying the Bible and receiving sound teaching. Movies are the worst! There is always some character misrepresenting God with their words – a person who has studied the Bible can spot it.

    I love the question books that accompany the children’s Sunday School. The questions are easy to answer because the verses to read for the answer are printed with the question; but the questions help them to go back to the Bible and meditate on these verses. It prepares them for Sunday School class. Every class member has had a full week to be just as prepared as the teacher – that makes for a wonderful Bible study and fellowship!

    … I love having the Dispensational chart on wall while going through our Bible study. It makes it so easy for everyone to see God’s timeline; to see man’s constant failures to live up to God’s standard. It’s almost jovial to consider that mankind is still trying to prove they can get better and better … and we just fail over and over anytime we try to do it apart from Jesus Christ. The red line showing the human family tree up to Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, takes preeminence on the chart. That’s a theme taught by the Bible lessons all the way through. The Dispensational chart is just a fantastic visual aid. I especially love to see how the Day of the Lord does begin in darkness but there’s joy seeing the saints being drawn up in the clouds to be with our Lord. I use the chart every single week while studying Genesis. Children find the pictures helpful. I’m a forty-something and I find the pictures immensely helpful! The overview in the lessons of Dispensational Truth sets the stage for “getting it” – how the Bible fits together and what the Lord is doing.

    …  I never spent the hard study time on law and prophets until this SS program. Going through the entire Bible has helped me get out of reading my favorite passages over and over. And now I understand my favorite passages so much better because I understand more how it all connects. By the way, now, my favorite passages are whatever I’m studying at present. Every passage is always alive and I’m learning and he deals with me so I’m not stuck in my sin.  Going through the Bible never gets old! Before this program I thought I knew the Bible. I’m delighted to say my weak points were exposed when I was encouraged to study all the way through instead of just reading. What a mighty God we serve!

    ~Jody