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A Synopsis of
the Spring
Quarter (March-May) Sunday School Lessons for 2008.
Take a peek below at what's coming up!
Spring
Quarter
Who Will Be Faithful?
by Joe M. Sprinkle
God
was faithful to His covenant people Israel during the monarchy,
during the exile, and after the exile. David, Solomon, Josiah,
Daniel and his friends, Haggai, Nehemiah, and Ezra each played a
role in helping Israel be faithful to God’s covenant. They helped
maintain symbols of God’s covenant relationship, they set faithful
examples, and they exhorted others to obey God’s covenant. They were
exemplary (despite stumbles by some) in living out God’s covenant
relationship.
The
new covenant has given the church a wonderful and special
relationship with God through Jesus Christ. May the actions and
words of these Old Testament characters in this quarter’s lessons
continue to inspire God’s people to maintain, deepen, and restore
their new-covenant relationships with their Lord.
Unit
1: March
Signs of God’s Covenant
These
lessons focus on three kings (among many) during the time of the
monarchy: David, Solomon, and Josiah.
Lesson
1:
(March 2 The
Ark Comes to Jerusalem 1 Chronicles 15:1–3,
14–16, 25–28).
The ark of the covenant was a symbol of God’s presence among His people.
David brought the ark to Jerusalem with great pomp, ceremony, and loud
music to restore this symbol to its proper place of prominence in
Israel’s worship. In our worship under the new covenant, the Lord’s
Supper is the greatest symbol of God’s presence among His people.
Lesson
2:
(March 9
God Makes a Covenant with David 1
Chronicles 17:1–4, 6–15).
One of the most important covenants in the Bible is God’s covenant with
David. In this covenant God promised to make David’s name great and to
establish his throne forever. Despite the lack of faithfulness to God’s
covenant on the part of David’s descendants, God kept His covenant
promises by raising up Jesus Christ. Upon His death, resurrection, and
ascension, Jesus fulfilled the promise to David by assuming David’s
throne.
Lesson 3:
(March 16
God Calls Solomon to Build the Temple
1 Chronicles 28:5–10, 20, 21).
Part of the Davidic covenant involved David’s son building God’s house
(1 Chronicles 17:12). Solomon was called by God to fulfill this
prediction. We too must seek to find the work to which God has gifted
and called us to further His kingdom.
Lesson
4:
(March 23
God Fulfills His Promises
2 Chronicles 6:12–17; Luke 24:44–49).
Solomon went on to build and dedicate the temple. This is an example of
how God keeps His covenant promises. In the New Testament Jesus
identifies himself as the replacement for the earthly temple. God and
the Lamb will be our temple in the heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation
21:22).
Lesson
5:
(March 30
Josiah Renews the Covenant
2 Chronicles 34:15, 18, 19, 25–27, 29, 31–33).
Sometimes covenants are broken and relationships need to be restored.
This was the case with ancient Judah when God’s Word was ignored and
forgotten. When the book of the law was rediscovered in the days of
Josiah, that king repented and sought to have the Jewish people recommit
themselves to learning God’s Word and following God’s covenant.
Similarly, God’s Word can come to be neglected and forgotten today. With
biblical illiteracy growing in the church, we too need to rededicate
ourselves to mature Bible study.
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Unit 2. April
The Covenant in Exile
These lessons focus on heroes of faith
during the Babylonian exile: Daniel and his three friends
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Lesson 6:
(April
6 Holding to Convictions
Daniel 1:8–20).
Daniel and his friends remained faithful to the covenant
while in exile by maintaining a distinctive diet in
conformity with their Jewish convictions. To maintain their
identity as God’s people, they had to be visibly distinct
from the Babylonians among whom they lived and by whom they
were being educated. Today also Christians must maintain a
visibly distinct way of life in order to be witnesses to the
world.
Lesson 7:
(April
13
Taking a Stand
Daniel 3:10–13, 16–18, 21, 24–26).
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were given a choice: violate
Israel’s covenant with God by worshiping Nebuchadnezzar’s
statue or be burned to death in a furnace. They said no to
idolatry and were willing to die for their convictions,
though God honored their faithfulness by saving them.
Likewise we should take a stand and say no to things
contrary to our Christian convictions even when it hurts—or
kills.
Lesson 8:
(April
20
Refusing to Compromise
Daniel 6:4–7, 10, 16, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26).
Conspirators tricked King Darius into passing a decree
condemning to death anyone who prayed to a god or man except
Darius for a period of 30 days. The idea was to entrap
Daniel, whom they knew prayed to God daily.
Upon hearing this decree, Daniel refused
to compromise. He was condemned to be eaten by lions as a
result, though God saved him. Christians today may have to
choose between their faith and their jobs, family, or social
standing.
Lesson 9:
(April
27
Praying for the
9:1–7, 17–19).
Prayer is an essential element for remaining in a covenant
relationship with God. Daniel’s prayer for his people is
still a great example of how to pray.
Unit 3. May
Restoration and Covenant Renewal
The lessons for May focus on three key
figures after the exile who inspired renewed obedience to
God’s covenant: the prophet Haggai, the governor Nehemiah,
and Ezra the priest.
Lesson 10:
(May
4
Setting Priorities
Haggai 1:1–10, 12–15).
Haggai shamed his fellow Jews who had returned from
Babylonian exile for making personal comfort and luxury
their priority rather than rebuilding the temple. Just as
the covenant had warned in Deuteronomy 28, disobedience
meant forfeited blessings. But with the help of good
leaders, God’s people can put aside selfishness. When we do,
we make God’s priorities our priorities.
Lesson 11:
(May
11
Following a Visionary Leader
Nehemiah 2:1–8, 11, 17, 18).
Nehemiah was a courageous and godly leader. Out of concern
for God’s people and zeal for God’s covenant, Nehemiah took
risks. He stepped out on faith in order to restore God’s
work among his people. Who will be a Nehemiah for the year
2008?
Lesson 12:
(May
18
Finishing the Task
Nehemiah 4:1–3, 6–9, 13–15; 6:15).
Nehemiah’s most visible act of restoring God’s work in Judah
was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the city of God. But
this work provoked the opposition of regional governors
Sanballat and Tobiah. They threatened Nehemiah with an
invasion if he continued building. Through prayer and
steadfast resolve, Nehemiah overcame his opponents and
completed the walls. The church is still able to overcome
opposition and do great things for God.
Lesson 13:
(May
25
Renewing the Covenant
Nehemiah 8:1–3, 5, 6, 13, 14, 17, 18).
Ezra the priest assisted Nehemiah the governor in furthering
God’s work by reading and explaining God’s Word (the law) to
the people. The people responded with worship and a renewed
commitment to obey God’s covenant, as evidenced by their
reinstitution of the Feast of Tabernacles. God’s Word is
still essential for bringing about revival.
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Summary and commentary derived from
Standard Lesson Commentary
Copyright© 2008 by permission of
Standard Publishing. |
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