In lesson 1 (June 6 Be Examples to Others   1 Thessalonians 1:10) we see that the committed Christian is an example to others by behaving appropriately for one professing to belong to Christ. Lesson 2 (June 13 Pleasing God with Our Lives   1 Thessalonians 2:1–12) shows that his goal in life is to please his heavenly Father rather than to primarily please people.

    Lesson 3 (June 20 Encouraging One Another   1Thessalonians 3:1-13) teaches that a committed believer seeks to encourage those who are in need of encouragement or comfort. In lesson 4 (June 27 Working Together   1Thessalonians 4:1–12) we see that he is a doer who, alongside other believers, holds fast to the gospel and seeks to help advance what God wants done.

    The four lessons that follow focus on our heavenly Father Himself and His wonderful planning and action on humanity's behalf.

    Lesson 5 (July 4 God’s Plan for Salvation   1 Thessalonians 5:1–11) highlights His gracious and merciful plan of salvation. He is a kind and merciful God and has no desire that any should perish. As someone has aptly put it, "If you say no to God's provision and find yourself turned away from heaven, you will not find Him applauding."

    Lesson 6 (July 11 God’s Plan for the Church   2 Thessalonians 1:3–12) moves into 2 Thessalonians. This lesson teaches not only that God has glorious things in mind for His people in ages to come but also what kind of lives He expects to see them living today.

    Teaching lesson 7 (July 18 God Calls Us   2 Thessalonians 2:13–17) should result in awakened gratitude, for the children will learn that if they belong to Jesus, they have been especially blessed. God knew them before they were born. He loved them and chose them, and it was God Himself who called them so that they might become His.

    Lesson 8 (July 25 God Is Faithful to Us   2 Thessalonians 3:1–15) calls attention to the kind of person the God of the Bible is. Since He is strong and dependable as well as loving, believers can count on Him to provide all the protection they may need.

    The final unit concludes the quarter with one lesson from each chapter in Philippians and one from the book of Acts.

    In lesson 9, (August 1 Stand Firm in Trouble   Philippians 1:18–29) for example, the students will hear that checking their actions against the following question will help keep them on the right track: Does this thing I am about to do fit with belonging to the Lord Jesus?

    Lesson 10 (August 8 Serving Others  Philippians 2:1–13) says "Love one another" without using those words. The lesson means exactly that, though, when it urges the students to "look . . . on the things of others" (Phil. 2:4). This week they will learn that pursuing the betterment of others is what Jesus meant when He said, "Love one another."

    Lesson 11 (August 15 Look Ahead   Philippians 3:7-16) encourages students to strive as earnestly to please Jesus as a runner racing to reach the tape. We want Him to be able to say to us someday, "You ran well. That was good."

    Lesson 12 (August 22 Pray About Everything  Philippians 4:2–14) teaches "Do not worry. Pray about everything." Everyone has problems. A committed Christian knows where to go with his. Our Father in heaven invites us to cast all our care on Him (1 Pet. 5:7).

    Lesson 13 (August 29 Keep On In Faith  Acts 28:16–25a, 28–31) concludes the quarter with vigorous encouragement to stay the course. Until the very end of his life, Paul was engaged in building up the church and furthering the gospel.

Let us be so engaged also.