SUNDAY JULY 01, 2012

THEME:                JUSTICE ENACTED

TOPIC:                 SAMUEL ADMINISTERS JUSTICE

TEXT:                   1 SAMUEL 7:3-17

MEMORY VERSE: “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” — 1 Samuel 7:3 (NIV)

LESSON AIMS: After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to:

1.    Tell how repentance and renewed devotion to the Lord brought security to the Israelites.

2.    Tell why personal spiritual renewal is necessary before the church can be effective in addressing the needs in its surroundings.

3.    Organize or participate in a special time of rededication to the Lord individually, in his or her family, in class, or as a church.

INTRODUCTION

The three words found in the heading above can be some of the most annoying there are, whether posted on a vending machine, an ATM, or a gasoline pump. In those cases, the hungry person, the individual needing cash quickly, and the driver running on empty all feel out of order themselves because they can’t get what they need.

Out of order describes the entire world under the impact of sin. What God had declared “very good” (Genesis 1:31) became a place of disruption and disorder when those made in the Creator’s image turned from him and listened to the appeal of the master of disorder, Satan. A sense of order can come only when we return to the God who is “not a God of disorder, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

[Please note that you are free to reproduce this lesson for your Sunday school classes. The talk points (in red prints) are to help your discussions.]

A.    PROBLEMS FROM WITHIN – 1 Samuel 7:3-6

1.    At what point does something or someone we value become an idol or object of worship? How do we keep this from happening? (Celebrities; Possessions; Vocations; Relationships.)

2.    How do our actions verify genuine repentance? Can repentance be real without a change in behaviour? Explain. (Matthew 3:8; Acts 19:18-19; Acts 26:20; James 4:17.)

B.    PROBLEMS FROM WITHOUT – 1 Samuel 7:7-12

1.    What was a time you saw God act in an unexpected way? How did this surprise change the way you pray? (Issues of God’s timing; Issues regarding the nature of your requests.)

2.    What “monuments” can we create to remember God’s work in our lives? (For life’s turning points; For faith milestones; Methods of “spiritual scrapbooking.”) 

C.    PEACE PREVAILS – 1 Samuel 7:13-17

1.    What are some creative ways you can serve God beyond where you live? (While on vacation; While travelling on business; While on a short-term mission trip.)

2.    What allows you to “know” Jesus most meaningfully? How do your experiences in this regard compare and contrast with others in the class? (Scripture reading; Fellowship with other Christians; Kingdom service; Prayer; Sermons and lessons)

CONCLUSION

Like God’s people of old, we who are God’s people today must acknowledge our own idolatry and do away with anything that has come between us and God. We must repent of sins that are keeping us from effective service in God’s kingdom and that interfere with his Spirit’s work in us. We cannot look at the world the way God wants us to until we see ourselves the way he sees us. We cannot confront a sin-stained world until we have properly addressed the sin in our own lives.

We have observed how the Israelites poured out water before the Lord and fasted (1 Samuel 7:6). The lesson comments suggest that the pouring out of water represented the people’s pouring themselves out to God as they pledged themselves to be loyal to him alone. Are there similar actions that can serve a purpose like that for us today?

Once the Israelites under Samuel’s direction dealt with their sin, the Lord provided an amazing act of deliverance. Who knows what great things we will witness when we present ourselves to God—with no strings attached!

PRAYER

Father, help us to take a good, honest look at ourselves in light of your Word and your holiness. Forgive us when we fail to take seriously the power and influence of sin. Remind us that we cannot influence the world around us until we ourselves have been surrendered to you—and that must happen each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER

We must order our own lives before we can bring God’s order to a chaotic world.

NEXT WEEK: NEXT WEEK: JULY 8, 2012: DAVID EMBODIES GOD’S JUSTICE – 2 Samuel 22:1-23:7; 1 Chronicles 18:14