A LIVING HOPE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

KNOW how we can find meaning in life's challenges; FEEL the hope of Jesus Christ and be able to share that hope with others; and ACTIVELY turn to Jesus for hope and guidance. 

FOCAL VERSES: 1 Peter 1:1-12

KEEP IN MIND: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).

AT-A-GLANCE 

1. Hope through Salvation (1 Peter 1:3-6)

2. Triumphant Victory (vv. 7-12)

IN FOCUS:

Rodney had heard about rampant layoffs, plant downsizing and closings, expansion overseas, and many other reasons millions of Americans have been displaced from their workplaces. But until it happened to him, he didn't know what it felt like to be without health insurance and other benefits. What was he to do?

Often, Rodney would express that God, not his job, was his source. Now it was time to really trust the Lord. Especially now that his unemployment compensation had been exhausted. Rodney knew that his only hope was in Christ Jesus. He began to stand on the Scripture, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). 

In order to make it through, Rodney knew he would need to take one day at a time. After all, he knew the Lord knows his end from the beginning. There is reason to hope. 

The daily struggles of life can cause us to experience hopelessness. How can we become confident and find hope for a better tomorrow? Peter writes that a new birth into a living hope can be found in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

BACKGROUND:

Although Peter wrote to Jewish Christians driven out of Jerusalem and scattered throughout Asia Minor, there is much that we can learn from his letter. 

He wrote to encourage Christians who were under persecution. Peter himself had been beaten, jailed and threatened often as he brought God's message to the people. He had also witnessed firsthand not only fellow Christians dying for the faith but many being scattered as the sought refuge. In the midst of his awareness of ongoing persecution and suffering, the Apostle Peter sought to bring comfort and hope to Christians under duress. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES:

1. What type of inheritance do we have as saints (1 Peter 1:4)?

2. In whom does our hope lie (Lamentations 3:24)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING:

1. With so many catastrophes occurring in the world around us, let alone the strife among nations and individuals, from where do we draw our strength to face a world in turmoil?

2. Using Scriptures from today's text, what encouragement can you give to Rodney (In Focus)? To yourself?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY:

The foundation of our society have been shaken. Everywhere a person turns there is strife, fear, and upheaval. Systems and programs that have been in place for decades such as Social Security, Medicare, college education grants and loans, and other assistance programs are in jeopardy of failing. What are some ways that the church can minister hope to the society in which we live?

MAKE IT HAPPEN:

The church of Jesus Christ is called to be a beacon of light to a dark world. The New Testament saints lived in communities that supported one another. While the spirit may be strong, our physical bodies need support when jobs, housing, etc. fail. What is your church (G.O.A.C) doing to help those in need? How are you playing a role?

(EXCEPT THE APOSTOLIC LIGHT)

Do You Need More Word?

PLEASE REGISTER FOR "A LIVING HOPE"

ON-LINE LESSON BROUGHT TO YOU By: GoToTraining

FROM ACORNS TO OAK TRESS: Something for the Youth!!!!

LESSON AIM: 

1. Describe how we can find meaning in life's trials. 

2. Share the hope of Christ with one another. 

3. Turn to Christ for hope and guidance. 

FROM THE STUDENT MAGAZINE:

HOPEFULLY HOPEFUL

Jasmine was sitting in her Sunday School class with her head on her desk. Her teacher, Sister Cynthia, saw her but waited until after class to talk to her. "Jasmine, is everything okay?" "No. I have final exams at the end of the week," she said. "I've studied, but I'm still worried." "It's good that you've studied, but have you prayed about it?" "No, I didn't think about that. Maybe I should."

"There's a hymn I used to sing when I was a little girl," Sister Cynthia said as she smiled, remembering. "It's called 'The Solid Rock.' It goes, 'My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness."

Those first two lines made Jasmine feel better. She knew that what she needed was hope. She thanked Sister Cynthia and walked out. When Jasmine got home, she began to sing the hymn to herself. She told herself she would sing it every day until her final exams. And that's what she did. 

Every day, after she was done studying, she would find a quiet place and sing the hymn to herself. Singing it gave Jasmine hope, and she felt like she could do anything with God on her side. 

When the day of the test came, she walked into the classroom and went straight to her desk. She sat and said a prayer to herself. After the prayer, she sang the hymn.

Once the test was distributed, she became full of hope. She knew everything was going to be all right. Once the test was over, she left the classroom with a smile on her face. She knew she had done well. 

PRESENT THE SCRIPTURES

God's grace helps us become better Christians and with God's grace comes hope. Hope is one of the main things that helps us believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are still here because of the living hope. The living hope is alive in every single person. This is very important because it can potentially get us into the kingdom of heaven. 

SCRIPTURE DISCUSSION:

Today's Scripture lesson teaches us that our hope and our faith must be strong in the Lord. You can experience a new birth and hope through the Resurrection power of Jesus Christ. Your life should be full of hope and faith. You can depend on your faith to sustain you in times of trail. In fact, hope and faith are necessary to believe that our Lord and Savior Jesus is real. In life, you will encounter tests and trails that will challenge you, but that's when your hope and faith must be at its highest. Don't lose heart; you will be rewarded for your endurance. This is what happened to Jasmine in the Life Application story. She had to keep her hope in God, and she was rewarded for that. That's what can happen to all of us. Keep your hope in Jesus Christ and nothing less!

(EXCEPT THE APOSTOLIC LIGHT)