Growing in the Spirit and in Community
Theme: The Holy Spirit
Theme Verse: "'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', says the LORD of Hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Readings: Ephesians 4:1 - 5:2; 1Corinthians12:12-27; Acts 2:42
Optional: 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:3; 1 Peter 2:11-12
Memory Verse: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. " Ephesians 4:32 (Pre-K to grade 3)
GOD'S CALL "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called." ( Ephesians 4:1) Word received: Remember when you heard My call--some heard it clearly, some not distinctly. In each case I called you.
" with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love." (vs.2) Word received: The call cannot be answered in pride, it must be answered in humility. You cannot answer the call in your own strength, you can only answer it with the power of My Holy Spirit.
"endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (vs.3) Word received: In almost every case, the call will involve others in My Body. Seek the unity of My Body through the Holy Spirit.
"There is one Body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling." (vs.4) Word received: There are many denominations, but only one Body. There are many callings, but there is only one Spirit who calls. Live into the hope of your calling by praying for the restoration and unity of My Body. Prayer: Lord, help us live into your calling for us.
"One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and in you all. (vs.5-6) Word received: I want to lead you into a life lived in My Father. Just as I AM in the Father and He is in Me, I want you to be in Me and I in you--so that you will know (underline) My Father.
HOW TO LIVE IN THE BODY Jesus' new commandment to his disciples the night before he died was "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you." "By this shall all man know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another." (John 13:34-35) Jesus uses the word agape for love, the kind of love God has. Do outsiders see this in us, that they may be drawn to Jesus?
In his chapter of Ephesians, Paul picks up on this theme as he is telling them how to live the Christian life. "Be imitators of God as beloved children and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us." To do this we have to "Put off your old (sinful) nature" (vs22) and "put on( clothe yourself) the new nature created after the likeness of Christ". (vs.24)
As Christians, we now belong to one Body, Christ's Body and so we are members one of another. For the sake of his Body, Christ gave gifts to each person. Paul lists some of the ongoing gifts of service/ministry Christ has placed in his Body. (see vs.11) The word translated "ministry" or "service" is the same word as the word for deacon (diakonia). In Acts 6 where the church chose "deacons" to serve table and care for widows, the same word is used to describe the diakonia/serving prayer and the diakonia/serving of the Word.
God's gifts are for the "works of service" and the building up of the Body of Christ (as well as service outside the Body). The finial purpose is that the Body/the Church reach/attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God. The further goal is that all members of Christ's Body reach spiritual maturity, grow up! to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (vs.13) This will draw people to Jesus. Then we will not be "tossed about" by every fad of teaching either in the church or the world.
God has arranged gifts and services in His Body the way HE wants them. We can help each other discover what God has prepared for us to do. Review the analogy of the human body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Word received: Do not ignore each other in My Body. Pay attention to each other. You each have a very important part to play in My Community. Only when you acknowledge each person and their gift and work together, can you function as a Christian community. Each part is important.
Look at the description of the infant church in Acts 2:42 "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Word received: Just as the first Christians devoted themselves to Me and to the Christian community, so I want you to do the same. This is a model to show you what to do to live in a Christian community. Look at what their priorities were as seen in their actions.
Now look at all the practical advice Paul gives. In verse 24, he tells them to watch how you talk. Say only what will help the hearer and suit the occasion. Cut out all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander and malice.(vs.31) Instead do what the Memory Verse says. Reread it aloud.
We, as Christians, are to stop every lie and speak the truth (in love) to our neighbor because we belong to each other. The person who was a thief is to work so he can give to others. Peter in his letter tells us we are to cut out "passions of the flesh" (sinful nature) that are the enemies of our souls. We are to watch our behavior in front of unbelievers (Gentiles) so they can see your good deeds and glorify God. How do you feel this applies to us, as individuals and as a Body?
[Of course, we are to minister outside the church and witness and serve Christ there but that is another lesson.]
Paul sums it up in 1 Corinthians10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
Jesus' heart's desire is for us to love His Body, the Church. (What are some of the practical ways we can do this?)
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 29
Please read the Study Guide first (after you have read the Scriptures). Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year. Read the lesson aloud from the Bible in class.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1. Jesus is calling you to follow him, to be a part of His Body (the Church).
2. Jesus wants His Father to become your Father too.
3. Jesus wants his followers (us) to live and work together in unity and love (love like his).
4. When we live together this way and share Jesus' love with others, then other people will want to know about Jesus too.
5. In the Body of Christ (the Church) each person has a special job that God has given each one the ability to do. Each job is equally important. Remember it is like your body--each part has a different job to do and all are needed for things to work properly.
6. When all of us live together this way, then we can all "grow up" to be more and more like Jesus.
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