RESTORATION

AIM FOR CHANGE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

KNOW God's new covenant to reveal Himself to all the people, forgive their sins, and hold them accountable; SENSE the relief and joy that come from starting over in agreement with someone, and MAKE plans for renewing our personal covenant with God. 

FOCAL VERSES Jeremiah 31:31

KEEP IN MIND 

"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant wit the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah" (Jeremiah 31:31).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. God Offers a New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-32)

2. A Covenant of Love (vv. 33-34)

3. A Covenant of Everlasting Intimacy (vv. 35-37)

IN FOCUS STORY

Lauren and Bill were standing at the altar. Seated in the pews behind were their grown children and grandchildren. Although they had been married for years, they had decided to renew their marriage vows. As he stood at the altar and looked at his bride, Bill also remembered how the first twenty years of the their marriage had been a nightmare for his wife and children. Bill had struggled with his alcoholism, insisting that he "didn't have a problem" even though he had been fired from several jobs. Lauren had worked a full-time and part-time job to pay the rent and other bills. She had to take care of the children alone. Five years ago, Lauren had finally insisted that Bill join a substance abuse program. Lauren had also talked Bill into attending church with her. A year later, Bill accepted Christ as his personal Savior. As he stood at the altar, he thanked God for giving him Lauren and for giving him an opportunity to renew his covenant of marriage wiht such a wonderful woman. God's love is forever. Even when we sin and turn away from God, He wants us to return to Him and His care and protection. 

In this lesson, we will see that even though Israel had repeatedly sinned against Him, God wanted to renew His covenant with them. 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Covenant. A covenant is not simply an agreement between two parties. Covenant are not arbitrary; they are binding. Covenants are special relationships by which the parties enter into a binding commitment with one another. This committed relationship makes a demand on each party. In the Bible, we see all types of covenants. There are the covenants that are made between groups and nations, as is the case in Joshua 9 when the people of Gibeon covenant with the Children of Israel (Joshua 9:6, 15). Still another type of covenant is demonstrated in the relationship between David and Saul's son Jonathan. This relationship is not a trivial friendship. The Scriptures tell us "that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul" (1 Samuel 18:1). Throughout the Old Testament, the covenant between God and the Children of Israel provides that God offers His love and protection, and in return His people pledge to worship and serve Him alone. 

Babylonian Captivity. This is the period in biblical history when the people of Judah were defeated and taken away by the powerful nation of Babylonian. Following a year-long siege, the capital city of Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed in 587 B.C. Deportation or removal of defeated foes was a common military practice of the Babylonians and other nations. The actual deportation of the people of Judah took place in three waves. The first was in 606 B.C. when Daniel and his friends were taken along with other prospects to work in the Babylonian government. The second happened in 588 B.C., when King Zedekiah and more leaders were removed from Judah. The third occurred in 582 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar took 4,600 heads of families along with their wives and children. The Babylonians probably only took the people who would be useful to them in Babylon. This would include the priests, craftsmen, business owners, and the wealthy. The Bible implies that the captives were resettled in a single area which allowed them to continue to practice their religion and culture. Theoretically, the nation of Judah ceased to exist after 587 B.C., and the former inhabitants of Judah no longer had a homeland. The people who were left behind in Judah, the "Am Ha'aretz," or people of the land, primarily the poor and elderly, are described as suffering form widespread famine in the book of Lamentations. 

BACKGROUND

Jeremiah, the final prophet to the Southern Kingdom of Judah, was from Anathoth, a priestly community belonging to the tribe of Benjamin. Under the instruction of the Lord, Jeremiah wrote to people of Judah who had been captured and taken into captivity by the powerful nation of Babylonia. Despite admonitions and warnings delivered by the godly prophets like Jeremiah, the people of Judah had shown themselves unwilling to change and unrepentant. Here we see that Judah knowingly and willfully breached their covenant with God. Although the continued to go through the motions of worship, it was only a ritualized affair that greatly displeased God. Their religious pomp was not backed by faithfulness of God. Adding to this were religious leaders who preached superstition and predicted that the temple in Jerusalem could never fall into the hands of the Babylonians. 

Jeremiah continued to prophesy to the people of Judah. He let them know that God would restore their relationship with Him through a new covenant. This new covenant would bind them to the Lord in a unique and different way. It would also give them the ability to obey the stipulations of the covenant and to experience the Lord in their midst. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. With whom is God making the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31)?

2. Rather than a law on tablets, where will the new covenant be written (v. 33)?

3. What assurances does God offer the people about their former transgressions and sins (v. 34)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. This portion of Scripture is widely believed to have been written while the people were still in captivity. Why do you think God wanted them to hear this before they were released?

2. When we accept Christ, He responds, "Henceforth, I call you not servants... I have called you friends" (from John 15:15). What should be our response to Christ as believers? Does your relationship with Christ reveal that He is your friend?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

In today's world, agreements are constantly made and broken. It seems that no one's word can be trusted. Corporations make agreements with their customers that they readily break. Governments make agreements with their citizens and with other nations, only to break those as well. God gives us more than just flimsy human agreement. His new covenant is backed by Jesus' death on the Cross. This was His demonstration and pledge of His love for us. Our response ought to be one of gratitude and sharing this love with others. 

MAKE IT HAPPEN

The Lord told His people that "I will remember [your] sin no more" (from Jeremiah 31:34). Again and again we see that God continues to forgive and love his people despite their sins. As recipients of this amazing love, we do not want to take it for granted. We need to pray and examine our lives. If there is any old anger, hurt, betrayal, or heartbreak, it only means that God is presenting us with an opportunity to forgive and be forgiven. Only then can we renew our relationship with Him. 

(Except from The Apostolic Way Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc.)

A VISION OF THE FUTURE

AIM FOR CHANGE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

REVIEW God's written promise to restore the people and the land of Israel and Judah as of old; IMAGINE and EXPRESS  the feelings of safety in the community that has great promise for that future; and PLAN a way to invite people who are not part of the covenant community to become members of the church and Sunday School. 

FOCAL VERSES JEREMIAH 30:1-3; 18-22

KEEP IN MIND

"For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they are shall posses it" (Jeremiah 30:3). 

AT-A-GLANCE

1. The Prophet Called to Write the Vision (Jeremiah 30:1-2)

2. A Future of Restoration (v. 3)

3. A Future with a Kingdom (v. 18)

4. A Future with Joy and Renewed Covenant (vv. 19-22)

IN FOCUS STORY

Shirley cried softly as she packed the last of the kitchen items. Four months ago Fred, her husband of three years, had told her that he had fallen in love with one of his co-workers and wanted a divorce. After Fred moved out, Shirley had struggled emotionally and financially. Now, she could not afford to pay the rent with her part-time salary. Shirley had repeatedly called Fred and tried to get him to go to marriage counseling, but he refused. He told her, "It's over. You need to accept that and move on with your life."  When she and Fred had married, he had accepted a position with a firm that required them to move more than six hundred miles from her friends and family. She was too embarrassed to call her sister and tell her that Fred had left her. As she closed the last box of dishes, she wondered what was going to happen to her and how she would manage without her husband. In the midst of her sufferings Shirley realized she was not alone. God has present and had a plan for her life. 

Jesus Christ has promised never to leave us alone. In spite of the darkness around, He is ever present. In today's lesson, we will see that although Israel and Judah had been punished for their sins, God had every intention of redeeming and restoring them. 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

 Judah.  Located between the Mediterranean Sea and Dead Sea, Judah lies in southern Palestine. Following the death of King Solomon, the united kingdom of Israel split into two. Two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, remained loyal to King Rehoboam and became the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The other ten tribes followed King Jeroboam and are generally referred to as the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Judah's capital city and central place of worship was the city Jerusalem. Prior to its destruction by the Babylonians in 587 B.C., Judah was ruled by a succession of nineteen kings, all from the line David.

Jeremiah. Jeremiah is know as the weeping prophet, so much so that there is a entire book of the Bible dedicated to his sorrow: the book of Lamentations. Most of the anguish the experienced was due to the sinful nature of the Israelites and their rejection of God. Subsequently, this also led to their captivity. But, Jeremiah also experienced grief because both he and his message were rejected by the people. 

Jeremiah's ministry stretched from 626 B.C. to some time after the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C., which places him after Zephaniah and a contemporary with Ezekiel, and Habakkuk in history. A very popular and often quoted Scripture is derived from God calling Jeremiah to be God's prophet: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (from Jeremiah 1:5, NIV). 

BACKGROUND

In the book that bears his name, Jeremiah was clearly operating as a prophet. Throughout the book, Jeremiah declared the sins of the people (including idolatry) and God''s judgement against them. On cannot fail to see the prophet's sadness and sympathy as he denounced Judah's ungodly behavior and the impending doom it would bring about. Present-day Christians should be just as sad when we see unchecked sin abound. While Jeremiah frequently issued harsh denunciations, the prophet's love for the  people was evident. His prophecies, however, fell on deaf ears. The people of Judah were using the temple as a good luck charm. They mistakenly believed that no real harm could befall the city that housed the magnificent temple of Jerusalem. They ignored the fact that Shiloh, which was Israel's central place had fallen to the Philistines as punishment for the wickedness of Israel. This was proof that God recognized the difference between hypocritical ritual and true religion. The nation of Judah failed to heed the words of Jeremiah and would not repent or turn away from its wickedness. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. How did God instruct Jeremiah to communicate with the people (Jeremiah 30:2)?

2. Where did God tell Jeremiah the city of Jerusalem would be rebuilt (v. 18)?

3. What were some of the signs of restoration that would accompany God's people (vv. 18-20). 

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. What we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, what are some of the promises God has given us about our future?

2. How do you imagine the captives reading these promises felt about their future? How much do you think it prompted them to reflect on their past sins?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

We need only walk down the street of any major urban city to see ruin and decay. Once-prosperous cities and towns are full of abandoned and boarded-up buildings. There are no signs of thriving business, and entire neighborhoods are blighted and empty. The people who remain in these areas sometimes look as forlorn as the property surrounding them. These are all signs of hopelessness. Through Jesus Christ, there is hope for the restoration and renewal of the communities and the people who live in them. We must be as diligent as Jeremiah in sharing the Word that God not only loves but also cares for His people and that He has a plan for their future. 

MAKE IT HAPPEN

Consider ministries that are helping to rebuild and restore communities that have been devastated by crime, poverty, or natural disaster. Pray and ask God to show you where there is time in your busy schedule to demonstrate His love through you. Next, ask Him to give you a tender and understanding heart. 

(Except from the The Apostolic Light Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc.)

GLORIFY GOD WITH YOUR BODY

AIM FOR CHANGE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

RECALL the Apostle Paul's comparison of the body to a temple; RECOGNIZE how saints of God are called to keep our bodies pure; and RESOLVE to promote and practice personal, moral, and physical purity as part of the body of Christ. 

FOCAL VERSES 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

KEEP IN MIND

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Acknowledging the Temple (1 Corinthians 6:12-14)

2. Consecrating the Temple (vv. 15-17)

3. Glorifying the Temple (vv. 18-20)

IN FOCUS STORY

Joy sat in shock and disbelief as she received the news. No one could imagine the despair she felt. She asked herself, "How could I have let this happen? How will I tell my parents?"

Joy's father was a minister and her mother was the choir director at the church. They raised her in a loving Apostolic home and were making a tremendous financial sacrifice so she could attend a good college. 

But while she was away at school, she began seeing a young man. Joy discovered that this young man was dating another girl and she ended their relationship. Now, Joy was sitting in the nurse's office, shocked by the news that she was pregnant by a man that she didn't know as well as she thought she did. All at once she realized how many people would be affected by the choice she had made. As she thought about her parents, her church, and her future, she was overwhelmed and speechless. 

In today's lesson, we'll discuss the importance of understanding that our bodies are a wonderful creation and gift and that we should threat them in a way that brings glory to God. 

 THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

The Temple. King Herod built the temple that existed during Paul's time. Construction began around 20 B.C. and took approximately ten years. However, adornment was lavished on the temple until 63 A.D. It was one of the most beautiful buildings in the Roman Empire. Herod's temple was modeled after Solomon's famous temple, as described in 2 Chronicles. 

BACKGROUND

It is important to point out the Greco-Roman culture prevalent during Paul's time. One of the most popular tourist attractions in Corinth was the temple of Aphrodite. Travelers from near and far indulged in the services of her many temple prostitutes. Pleasure was of great value and many sought after it. They considered there bodies simply a vehicle that could be used to obtain it. The body itself was of little significance; it was considered a simple container for the soul. One could do with it what once wished and their actions had no impact on their moral integrity.

The point Paul was trying to make in this letter is that the body does indeed matter. He countered the casual attitude that society had with the theological understanding of the body as a beautiful creation designed by God to bring glory to Him. He wanted the Corinthians to see their bodies as a wonderful gift and understand that their choices have eternal impact. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. What is the danger of rationalizing our actions regarding our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:12)?

2. Why is it important to flee fornication (vv. 13, 15, 18)?

3. Why does what we choose to do with our bodies matter (vv. 19-20)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 in several translations. Note that these verses present arguments people make to justify engaging in activities that ignore mandates to remain pure in our thoughts and actions. What are some of the modern arguments people make to rationalize sin? How would you respond to those excuses?

2. What arguments does Paul make to convince saints to honor God with our bodies? 

3. How does practicing spiritual disciplines such as fasting help us understand the priority of our spiritual needs?

4. In the In Focus story, Joy is facing the practical consequences of her sexual immorality. What spiritual consequences will she face? What advice would you give to her and her parents in order to bring her into the Household of Faith?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

There are many similarities between the casual attitude towards sex that was prevalent during Paul's time and that of our own time. We daily inundated with images that attempt to make us believe that sex in meaningless outside of its ability to give us pleasure. Our bodies are treated like disposable trinkets instead of being honored as priceless treasures. We see the impact of this thinking through our society. Unfortunately, we too often see it in the church as well. What should parents and churches do to combat this thinking?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

It is time for us to take seriously what we do with our bodies. In our lesson, Paul highlights the problems with fornication, which he describes as a sin against our bodies (v. 18). Times have hardly change since the Apostle Paul wrote this letter. Humanity has come up with a number of ways to sin against our bodies with alcohol, drug use, poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, etc. While the primary topic of the lesson is fornication, it also speaks to the overall respect we should have for our physical bodies. Take the time to this week to determine what you can do to take better care of the temple that is your body. Then make a commitment to do so. 

(Except from the The Apostolic Way Pentecostal Assemblies of the World)

A CALL TO UNITY

AIM FOR CHANGE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

INVESTIGATE the divisions within the Corinthian community; IDENTIFY hurts that can be caused by divisions within a faith community; and EXPLORE methods of achieving unity within the body of Christ. 

FOCAL VERSES: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-17

KEEP IN MIND 

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10).

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Unity is Essential (1 Corinthians 1:10-11)

2. Let Jesus be the Focus (vv. 12-17)

IN FOCUS STORY

Tina dreaded going to the next meeting of the planning committee for the church's anniversary celebration. This was their first anniversary since the founding pastor retired and their new pastor was installed. At first it was fun, but slowly the meetings became more and more uncomfortable. The members were divided. Some of them wanted to maintain the anniversary traditions that the founding pastor started. Other believed that the installation of the new pastor created an opportunity for new traditions to be established. 

Planning began to take a back seat to arguing, and the meetings became more and more stressful. Hard feelings and frustration started to create tension that could be felt during worship services and Bible study. Tina wondered how anyone could see God's glory in all of this chaos. 

It is important that we encourage one another, not allowing disagreements to hinder our fellowship or to distract us from the work that we are called to do for Jesus. This lesson discusses the importance of unity in the body of Christ. 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Apostle Paul. A well-educated Jewish scholar and Roman citizen, as well as a skilled tent maker. This extensive knowledge allowed him to be able to identify with and talk to a wide range of people. Paul was a devout Jew who passionately sought to stop this new Jesus movement until he was converted on the road to Damascus. After that, Paul began to spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire. He developed small, close-knit Christians groups in different cities. These small groups were linked together to form a large movement. 

Corinth. Known for its beauty, diversity, and culture, Corinth was a favored port city during Paul's time. Located on the narrow isthmus that connected the Peloponnese to mainland Greece, it was a center for trade and an administration site for the Roman Empire. Corinth was also know for its relaxed morals and numerous pagan temples. Paul ministered in Corinth for eighteen months during his second missionary journey. During that time, he preached the Gospel and organized new coverts into small congregations that usually met in households. 

BACKGROUND

Our Keep in Mind verse, 1 Corinthians 1:10, plays a key role in Paul's letter to the Corinthians church. In order to really appreciate how important this verse is, we need to take a closer look at the structure of the letter. In ancient times, letters were the primary means of communication between people who were far away form each other. Like modern letters, ancient letters were usually addressed to a person, family, or small group and were intended to be read privately. 

Paul's letter, however, was written to a large group and intended to be read out loud. With that said, his letter needed to follow the same rhetorical guidelines that were used for public speeches. Speeches and letters are used to persuade and audiences on a particular point of view. In modern times, this style of persuasion is most often seen in courts and used by lawyers. 

One fundamental element in this style of writing is know in Latin as the propositio. The propositio serves as the foundation or thesis for Paul's entire letter. Every theme that Paul discusses in 1 Corthinians points back to this verse. Paul passionately appealed to the church to understand that power, prestige, and even spiritual gifts should never take precedence over unity. With this statement, Paul reminded that Corinthians that most valuable gifts they had were one another and the love that united them as one body in Jesus Christ. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. What are some of the others places in the book of 1 Corinthians where Paul discusses unity?

2. Who notified Paul that there was bickering going on in the church (1 Corinthians 1:11)?

3. Why does Paul say that contentions should not exist in the church (v. 13)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. Why is unity in the church important? How far should we go to maintain it?

2. How do unity and love work together?

3. What advice can you give to Tina and the committee in the In Focus story? Support your response with Bible references. 

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY 

In our society, we are inundated with messages that encourage prideful behavior. We are told that the only things that are important are what we think, what we want, and how we feel. Society would have us to believe that the relentless pursuit of these things will lead to happiness and fulfillment. But God instructs believers to choose a different path. What can you do as an Apostolic believer to set a different example for those you encounter in the workplace or community? How are your actions setting an example for unity and peace?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

Have you ever had a disagreement with another person that has gone unresolved? A simple difference of opinion can damage a relationship to a point that seems irreparable. Jesus gave us two essential commandments: love God completely and love each other (Matthew 22:37-39). Apply strategies from today's class to repair the breach you face. Let them prompt you to find new ways to overlook differences, work together, and appreciate, accept, and love others. 

(Except from Apostolic Light Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc.)

HOPE FOR A NEW DAY

AIM FOR CHANGE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

ACKNOWLEDGE the connection between God's promises to Israel fro rebuilding the Temple and the Israelites' obedience to Him; APPRECIATE the community's restoration of the Temple and God's restoration of the people; and ARTICULATE ways we can find strength to move forward in challenging times or with difficult tasks. 

FOCAL VERSES Haggai 2:23, Zechariah 4:1-3, 6-14.

KEEP IN MIND

"Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). 

AT-A-GLANCE

1. God's Promise (Haggai 2:23)

2. God's Assurance (Zechariah 4:1-3, 6-7)

3. God's Sovereignty (vv. 8-14)

IN FOCUS STORY

Myla had just move to a new town. She had a great job and loved her new church, First Apostolic. Still, she was new to the church and hadn't made and friends yet. Every day as she drove to work, she passed the county jail. After a few weeks, she knew God wanted her to go to the jail to visit the inmates. This was way out of her comfort zone, but she wanted to obey God. Finally, she got up the courage to talk to the pastor. He directed her to the director of the church's prison ministry, who had her fill out the application to volunteer. 

The next week, she nervously arrived at the jail. In the car, she prayed for courage for her first visit with the female inmates. Bible in hand, she entered the building. She didn't really know the women who ministered there, so she introduced herself. The sister welcomed her and she soon found that they had been coming to the jail for months to conduct Bible study. As they ministered  together over the next couple of weeks, Myla not only made new friends, she discovered and unexpected joy in serving others. 

When we obey God, His Spirit strengthens us to do what He called us to do- even when the task seems overwhelming. In today's lesson, we will learn how God enables us and works on our behalf to help us accomplish what He wants us to do. 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Zechariah. A prophet (Zechariah 1:1) and a priest (Nehemiah 12:10-16) who was a contemporary of the prophet Haggai. Zechariah was born in Babylonian during the exilic period and was one of the estimated fifty thousand exiles who returned to Judah under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua in 538 B.C. During the long span of his ministry to God's people, Zechariah's main purpose was to encourage the people in their work to rebuild the temple and continually remind them of God's promise that He would take care of them and bless them if the would return to Him. 

BACKGROUND

Apparently, some of the Israelites chose not to leave Babylon at the end of the seventy-year exile. But "everyone whose heart God had moved-prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem" (from Ezra 1:5, NIV). They returned with joy and purpose, bringing with them gifts of livestock, gold, and silver bestowed upon them by the people of Babylon. 

After settling themselves in their towns, the people came together to begin the joyful but daunting project of rebuilding the Temple that had been destroyed seventy years earlier. Their first step was to rebuild the altar so they could reestablish the offering of sacrifices as required of God's people (3:1-6). The people then began to give offering to pay for the materials and labor needed to build the Temple's foundation. 

Approximately two years after arriving back to Judah, God's people finally finished building the foundation of the Temple. The people sang and praised God, accompanied by the priest and Levites. They shouted and wept with joy, and the celebration was so loud it could be heard from far away (vv. 10-13). 

Unfortunately, Zerubbabel and his builders soon faced opposition from their enemies, mostly inhabitants of nearby Samaria. These enemies purposely set out to discourage God's people from rebuilding the Temple, even going so far as to hire people to work against them (4:4-5). Sadly, the rebuilding of the Temple was halted for seventeen years. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. The term "hosts" means "Heaven's armies." Why is it significant that God called Himself the "LORD of hosts" when speaking to both Haggai and Zechariah (Haggai 2:23; Zechariah 4:6, 9)? 

2. What did God promise to make of Zerubbabel (Haggai 2:23)?

3. What do the seven gold lamps represent? Why would this be important for Zechariah to know (Zechariah 4:2, 10)?

4. What did God declare will assure that Zerubbabel finishes the Temple (v. 6)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. How was the Israelites' obedience to build the Temple tied to their restoration to God?

2. Why does God mention the "small things"? What is the future of the "small things"?

3. What fears might Myla (In Focus Story) have had regarding going into prison? If God told her to go, then why did she doubt? How are we like Myla?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

In the nine years since Hurricane Katrina, many houses still have not been restored. in the four years since Haiti's devastation, shanties are still the only shelter some people have. Devastation hits our would each day and the only help will come from people helping. If God has laid it on your heart to help a nation or a family in need, have you followed through? Support can range from prayer, to funds, to helping hands. Yet we hold back. As an Apostolic people, we cannot afford to be reluctant in moving forward in Jesus' Name. Even if someone else steps up, the Apostolic family will have lost the opportunity to show God's might at work. What might hold us back - individually and as congregations? What Scriptures in this lesson should encourage us to move forward?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

God promised the people of Israel that he would restore them to their land, but He also instructed them to rebuild His Temple. He did not leave them to their own devices; He provided favor, materials, and His presence to enable them to obey what He asked. Yet they were lax in building the Temple. In what ways do we also shrink from fully obeying God? What promises in this text can you depend on for strength?

(Except from Apostolic Light Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc.)