January 4: Pathway to Restoration (Ezra, Esther, Nehemiah)

Isn't it interesting that television series about home, furniture, or car restoration  always seem to contain the same plot. Someone desires to restore something to its original or better condition; they encounter challenges; emotions run high; the project takes longer than they planned;  then comes the moment when everything miraculously comes together.  We can learn a lot about God's work of restoration from these shows and our own personal restoration projects. God's work of restoration is a process. There is a pathway to restoration. This is the focus of our study this week as we look at an overview of Ezra, Esther, and Nehemiah.

The teaching plan this week provides specific helps for combining the two studies from Ezra that were to be studied on December 28 and this Sunday, January 4. Instead of trying to focus on all the biblical content, I have provided a historical picture of the events of the three books, Ezra, Esther, and Nehemiah. This can serve as a prelude to the deeper study of Nehemiah while providing a historical context for Ezra, Esther, and Nehemiah.

Warning: There is much more in the book of Ezra than could possibly be covered in this session. If you try to explain every detail of Ezra, especially the meaning of all the offerings, celebrations, and festivals you will probably grow very frustrated. I suggest you focus on helping the group see how God orchestrated history to begin the restoration of His people. We will dive deeper into Nehemiah next week.

Resources provided to help you teach this study:

• Money Pit Video Clip: http://movieclips.com/3JQj-the-money-pit-movie-trailer-1/6.02/76.73
• Handout: Pathway to Restoration: Click Here to Download. (See example below)

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December 21: God Provides a Savior

The study this week is simple and straight-forward yet very powerful. The good news that God provides a Savior should always cause us to respond as the shepherds did-- with awe, wonder, passion, sacrifice, and obedience. In a very real way, they gave us an example of what it means to live out The Great Commission.

This is the direction I have taken with the study. My TARGET for the study focuses on the following:

The shepherds' response to the good news of Jesus Christ reminds and teaches us of how we should respond daily to the glory of God and the gift of His salvation.

 There are a couple of video links that are suggested but certainly aren't required in order to teach the study. Here is one example I feel you might enjoy using as you open your group discussion:

You can check out the other video when you download the teaching helps.

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December 14: God Provides Deliverance

Has God placed you in your current circumstances so you can join Him in helping someone else? What risks are you willing to take in order to save someone else? As we look at this week's study, God Provides Deliverance, these are a few of the questions we need to ask ourselves and discuss as a group.

I have provided the following ideas as a part of the teaching helps. Feel free to use or modify as you feel is best for your group.

• Handout: For Such a Time as This. I provided copies for you. They will be in the workroom for you to pick up and place in chairs prior to the session or give to adults as they enter. The handout is located on the last page of the teaching plan.
• Learn how to pronounce: Hathach (click to listen)
• The Story of Sir Nicholas Winton: I have provided multiple video links describing the story of Sir Nicholas Winton. Nicholas saved 669 Czech children, most of them Jewish, from the Nazis on the eve of WWII. This is one video example that gives you a moving example of how one man's decision to take a risk saved the lives of so many.

• LOOK OUT Video Option: I have also provided another video option for concluding the session. It is a visual demonstration of the song, For Such a Time as This, by Wayne Watson: Click to preview this video.

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December 7 Teaching Helps

The Explore the Bible: Deliverance is Needed study begins our focus on the book of Esther. As we embark on this study you will see how God used Mordecai and Esther to help further His plan of deliverance for His people. While they were on this journey, they had to learn, as we have to learn, how to remain faithful to God while navigating an increasingly foreign and hostile culture.

The following video gives you an overview of all three books we will be studying this quarter. You might want to consider using Tony's introduction to Esther as a part of your group plan.

Other Ways to Prepare:

• Read Esther 1-2 and highlight major events, people, and actions leading up to the unfolding events of chapter 3.
• Consider if you might use the illustration provided in this week's ETB EXTRA!
• Learn word pronunciations: (Click to Listen)

Ahasuerus

Haman

Hammedatha

Agagite

Be Careful . . .

These passages describe a culture that was ready to embrace genocide. This picture has been repeated throughout history, especially against the Jews. We understand by the progression laid out in these passages, what can take place in a society or country that is manipulated by individuals to blame, hate, and eventually destroy a group.

There are many social, moral, and legal injustices taking place today that could cause us to use these passages to discuss personal prejudices and political opinions. While these should not be ignored and are certainly examples of what we see taking place in the culture in which Haman and Esther lived, we must focus on the work God was doing through these two individuals. While we should certainly learn from this study how NOT to become contributors to hate for any racial, ethnic, religious, or national group, we must remain focused on the TARGET of the study:

 God used Mordecai and Esther to help further His plan of deliverance for His people. While they were on this journey, they had to learn, as we have to learn, how to remain faithful while navigating an increasingly foreign and hostile culture.

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November 30 Teaching Helps

Living by higher standards is the focus of the LifeWay Explore the Bible Study: Live out Your Faith. You might want to consider beginning the study by focusing on a discussion of how standards are being lowered in various professions and the effects this has on others. The helps for teaching provide ideas on how to do this.

There is a lot of information for this week's study. The text is very rich with practical helps that deserve discussion.  I highly suggest you take the suggested teaching helps and the materials provided by LifeWay, and summarize even further. Just remember, you probably will run out of time before you run out of content. Be sure to point to and end with the TARGET - Believers are to live to a higher standard.

Additional Things to Consider:

• I believe Hebrews 13:9-14, to some extent, serves as a review and reminder of what the writer has continually emphasized throughout Hebrews. I suggest you remind your group of this, but move to Hebrews 13:15-19 in your closing to emphasize attitudes and actions that can help strengthen us as we strive to live by the godly standards studied: (1) Continually live a life of praise; (2) Do good and share; (3) Obey and pray for Christian leaders.
• The teaching plan closes with Hebrews 13:20-21 and offers encouragement to the group to strive to live a life that honors all Christ has done for them.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great time in this final chapter of Hebrews!

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November 23 Teaching Helps

God’s holiness is what sets Him apart from humanity. He is without sin, and all humans have sinned (Rom. 3:23). Responding properly to the Holiness of God is what we as believers need to learn and understand. Under the old covenant the people of God approached God cautiously because of fear, but under the new covenant we can approach God confidently because of what Christ has done and is doing for us.

I have modified the direction and teaching plan from LifeWay quite extensively in order to focus more on the overall context of the passages. I felt that the emphasis on community was not the best approach. Please understand that my opinion is only one person's view and is most likely being shaped by my personal study of the passage. Remember, my plans are only suggestions to be used as a supplemental resource.

The title, target, and text I am focusing on are:

• TITLE:  Responding Properly to the Holiness of God
• TEXT:  Hebrews 12:14-29 (Key verses: Hebrews 12:18-24; 28-29)
• TARGET: Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His promise of eternal fellowship with Him now and in Heaven, our fear of God’s Holiness should be replaced with grateful hearts and confident service.

Here are some resources that you might want to consider using:

• LifeWay Explore the Bible EXTRA! (Click to Review).  Use for the LOOK UP and LOOK OUT portion of your study.
• For the LOOK UP portion of your study consider introducing what people fear by using the following video from the movie, Monsters Inc.

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November 16: The Discipline of Suffering

"Jesus is Superior. . . By Faith Others . . . Therefore Let us . . ." 

This is the constant progression in the book of Hebrews. The "Let us" of chapter 12 will be the focus of this week's study. 

While Hebrews provides us with the rich theology about the doctrine of Christ and the grand testimonies of past faithful followers, we must not ignore the "Therefore Let Us" emphasis in this book. Everything we have learned requires a response. This is why "Let Us" is repeated 12 times in the book of Hebrews! It is about how we should respond to what we have come to understand and hopefully believe.

So how do we respond based on Hebrews 12? We respond like a runner who has to endure hardship in order to complete the race. This is how the writer of Hebrews introduces the message of the final chapters of Hebrews. We are now taken to how we must respond to what we have come to believe. The author lovingly teaches us about all that is involved in faithfully enduring the race of life that is set before us as we move toward the finish line of our faith and we enter Heaven to see the Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith face-to-face!

I introduce the study using the marathon and half-marathon symbols. I conclude with two other numbers significant to how long adults are expected to live. I have also included an illustration from an Australian endurance race about a man named Cliff Young:

Cliff Young was an unknown 61-year-old farmer who shuffled off his farmland and destroyed 10 professional runners in a 544-mile race. The ordinary gave birth to the extraordinary as Young beat the field by 10 hours.  

STORY OF CLIFF YOUNG (click for full story)

As I think about all we are trying to teach I wanted to share with you a verse that helps us understand the message of hope, faith, and endurance we are focusing on. I hope it will encourage you as much as it encourages me. Share with your group as well!

You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. -- 1 Peter 1:8-9 HCSB

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November 9: Faith Defined

Faith, more than anything, is what God is looking for to characterize the lives of His people. This is the TARGET of the week's study of Hebrews 11.

“Now Faith” is how the writer of Hebrews began chapter 11. He started out with a definition of faith before giving examples of faith. It is as if everything said in chapters 1-10 has built up to this point. The readers’ faith had been challenged by circumstances, persecution, and alternate beliefs. After explaining the superiority of Christ over everything, it is as if he is saying to them:

“Now let me help you understand how vital it is for you to live your faith. 

Here is why faith is so important.”

I am using a simple index card as a tool to help adults reflect and define faith. Be sure to check this out in the teaching plan. I have also created what I believe to be some very challenging questions related to the biblical text.

Here are some additional learning tools I am using to help illustrate faith and to generate discussion:

• Story of Nik Wallenda's recent high wire world record. Click to read story.
• Faith Summary Video.

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November 6: The Perfect Offering

Because of Christ’s offering, we can offer our lives to Him by loving the lost, encouraging believers, and enduring hardships. We can serve Him with pure hearts and with clear consciences because He is our Mediator. This is the TARGET of this week's study.

To avoid repetition from last week's study and to provide a transition toward the study next week on faith, I have tweaked the original teaching plans and Scripture focus. This is one of those plans that probably provides more than what you could possibly teach during a single session. While I have tried to summarize the teaching plan as much as possible, there is still a lot to discuss. Please prayerfully consider how you will communicate truth so that everyone can be involved in the learning process.

Here are some thoughts to help you as you prepare to teach:

• In addition to Hebrews 9:11-15 the teaching plan references the following verses: Hebrews 10:1-4; Hebrews 10:19-25; Hebrews 10:32-35 and Hebrews 10:39.
• There is a series of PowerPoint slides you can print to display or show. If you prefer, you can simply write the words on a markerboard. The teaching plan keys off of the words on each slide. Click here to download the PowerPoint.
• There is a video that focuses on the LOOK OUT portion of the study. The video presents the Hebrews 10:19-25 passages. Click here to preview the video.
• The teaching plan provides a couple of historical reviews from the Old Testament. Please avoid making the study a history lesson. The reviews are intended to set the context and to drive home an understanding of all Christ did and is doing for us. I would summarize the historical context in this way:

The Old Testament points us to God’s grace, justice, love, mercy, and holiness. 

 Jesus not only changed the history of the world by His work on the cross, He not only did away with the need of the sacrificial system and the earthly tabernacle, but He has changed the way we can relate to Him. He also changes the destiny of believers’ lives.

(ETB Leader Commentary)

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October 26: Only Jesus Transforms

New and improved is a message we hear continuously in our culture. Smart phones, computers, food products, services, televisions are just of few of the plethora of items touted daily as "new and improved." Our experiences with these "new and improved" products and services are sometimes not so positive. But, when it comes to the new covenant we have in Christ, this is not the case. The writer of Hebrews wanted his readers and us to know that only Jesus transforms the heart and that transformation is only possibly because of the new covenant.

This week's teaching helps focus on helping you teach the importance of this new covenant and the transformation it provides -- from the inside out! The following video links could be used to begin the discussion of "New and Improved." Feel free to use any or all as a part of the LOOK UP portion of your study.

• New iphone
• Pocket Hose New & Improved
• Windex Commercial
• iPad2 
• New Buick

The teaching plans focus on weaving the story of all we have learned so far about what the readers were dealing with in their quest to understand the superiority of what Jesus offers over the Old Testament high priesthood, the tabernacle, and now, the covenant.

There are a variety of illustrations and discussion questions that will help guide the discussion.

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October 19: Only Jesus Saves - Always and Forever!

Only Jesus Saves - Always and Forever! This is a wonderful focus for this weeks study. 

Realizing that we have discussed the role of the Old Testament high priest in previous sessions and established the fact that Jesus is our Great High Priest, I have tweaked the teaching plan (which I originally wrote for LifeWay) to avoid redundancy. I have provided a review to help you move toward a theme that I believe will help your group understand more fully the importance of Jesus as our Great High Priest. That theme focuses on the significance of ALWAYS and FOREVER.

I have, however, provided more information for you to consider sharing about the references to Melchizadek.

I suggest you use one of the following videos as a part of your 
conclusion to emphasize this theme.

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October 12: Don't Walk Away

What would you say is a sign of maturity in a believer's life? I think it is endurance. I have watched so many professing believers during my years in ministry walk away from what once was a vibrant faith. External pressures and internal battles are always present. There won't be a time on this side of Heaven where we will not encounter them. Endurance is the key. That is the focus of this week's study, Don't Walk Away.

• I have provided a Powerpoint slide of the photo in this blog post. Feel free to use it to introduce the study, if appropriate. Click here to download.
• The subject of hope is discussed in the ETB material. I did not deal with this subject. While hope helps us endure, I felt that the subject of endurance and maturity should be the primary focus. 
• Be prepared to discuss extensively the spiritual condition of people who seemingly walk away from their faith. I have included notes and activities to help with the discussion.

Keep in mind this summary from the ETB Leader Commentary as you study these passages:

Hebrews 6:1-8 presents a real warning for believers. Yet it should not be interpreted to mean that genuine Christians can lose their salvation. Keep in mind that Hebrews was addressed originally to a specific congregation in the first-century. It was written to exhort, encourage, and warn the members of the church to endure in the “race” of following Christ as Savior and Lord. At least some of the members gave evidence of wanting to drift back into their former beliefs and practices—that is, into Judaism. They seemed ready to abandon their confession of Christ, because that confession had led to their becoming targets of hostility and hardship. 

Salvation in Christ is a transformation from death to life, a transformation that the Spirit of God brings about in believers when they put their faith in Christ. The progress of new life is to grow in faith, producing the fruit of the Spirit and holding to one’s devotion to Jesus whatever comes. 

- ETB Leader Commentary

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October 5 Teaching Helps

How confident are people today in believing that Jesus truly makes a difference? Do believers feel as if they can approach God with confidence? If not, why? What should that confidence be based upon and what should it look like? These are just a few of the questions the Explore the Bible: Secured with Confidence study will focus upon as we learn together what it means that Jesus Christ is The High Priest.

Keep your study focused on the main goal as you discuss the following:

• The role of the Old Testament high priest. Avoid making your study a history lesson about the role of the high priest. Use the information to help contrast Jesus as The High Priest. You could eat up a lot of time on the history and miss the point of the study.
• The mysterious Old Testament priest, Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6): Genesis 14:18-20 describes Melchizedek as both a priest of the Most High God and the king of Salem. He was both a priest and a king. Psalm 110:4 is quoted in part in Hebrews 5:6, which leads us to conclude that it pointed to the coming eternal High Priest and King -- Jesus Christ. More about Melchizedek will be explored in later sessions, so avoid spending too much time trying to clear up what theologians have sought to understand for centuries!

The statement that best sums up what you will want to help adults learn is found in either the Explore the Bible Adult Personal Study Guide on page 60 or the Young Adult Personal Study Guide, page 59:

Christ makes it possible for humans to approach the Father with confidence. He knows our limits and deepest needs, and is ready to give us His grace and strength. By showing God’s grace and mercy to others, we demonstrate [our confidence in] Christ to a watching world.

Here are a few videos you might want to consider using:

Use to focus attention (LOOK UP).

Consider using to close out the study.

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September 28: Watch Out!

Why would anyone want to walk away from a relationship with a God who has provided so much for us? Sadly, this happens all too often. The writer of Hebrews knew and observed this taking place among his readers so he offers a warning and solutions for those who might be faltering in their faith. This is the focus of this weeks study, Watch Out! 

The overarching theme of this weeks study is found in Hebrews 3:12 when the writer of Hebrews specifically warns his readers to "Watch Out!" This warning is a challenge not to just watch out but to look into, or examine the heart. Here are some points to ponder as you prepare:

• Any believer can stumble into sin. 
• God’s grace is sufficient to forgive us of our sins as we confess them (1 John 1:9). 
• However any professing Christians who develop a pattern of disobedience and retreat from their confession of Christ as Savior and Lord are warned to make sure, to watch out, to see to it that their faith in Christ is genuine.
• On our own, we can be deceived by sin. On our own we can grow spiritually weak, dull, or even hardhearted. But when we walk together as God’s people, we can exhort, challenge, and encourage one another to faithfulness and obedience. We can cheer one another on to endurance. 

I have provided a variety of warning signs you can use to introduce the study. Feel free to choose those that are appropriate for your group:

• Download the Warning Signs PowerPoint version
• Download the Warning Signs PDF version

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September 21 Teaching Helps: Why One of Us?

God’s Son took on human nature to free us from sin and death. What difference should that make in the way that I live? This is the focus of our study. This weeks study also provides an incredible opportunity for the gospel to be presented. I can't wait to see how God uses this study to lead adults to consider all Jesus did for them so that they might be freed from the curse of sin and the fear of death.

TIME HOGS: As you teach, be aware of two areas that could cause you to run out of time and miss out on helping people focus on Jesus' humanity and in sharing the gospel.

1. Discussion of angels in Hebrews 2:16. I have tried to provide a concise, yet clear discussion of this in the outline.
2. Discussion of Jesus as High Priest Hebrews 2:17. While we could park on this and explain all the background of the Old Testament priesthood and how it relates to Jesus as High Priest, we need to be aware that future sessions will go into more detail about this subject. I have tried to provide a simple introductory explanation in the teaching helps that can be built upon in future sessions.

Here are two videos you might want to consider using:

10 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT THE HUMAN BODY

Use as a part of your introduction of the study.

The music is annoying. I would recommend muting your volume.

SCOTTISH HYMN: HOW CAN IT BE
Use as a part of the conclusion.

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September 14 Teaching Helps: Pay Attention

As believers, our faith is firmly anchored in Christ, but this doesn’t mean we do not have a tendency to drift, dragging our anchor with us.  David Jeremiah stated in this week's Explore the Bible Study: Pay Attention, that:

When we become preoccupied with life to the extent that we have little time to develop our spiritual core, then drifting is inevitable - David Jeremiah

While we might be able to pinpoint certain circumstances that cause someone to drift, most of the time we drift simply because we quit paying attention to our Christian walk with the Lord. Sadly many wake up realizing they have drifted away, lost sight of shore, and don’t really know how to find their way back.

This week's study gives you an opportunity to help group members examine their faith, determine whether they have or are drifting, and to use the words of the writer of Hebrews to challenge them to bring focus back to the great salvation God has given!

• Encourage your group to memorize Hebrews 2:1
• Check out the questions in the downloadable teaching plan.
• Use the anchor image to capture your group members' attention.
• Use the video by Lee Strobel to generate discussion when looking at the phrase, "What we have heard" in Hebrews 2:1.

 Ultimately, we must examine, give attention to, cherish and treasure our salvation and not neglect it.

Salvation in Jesus should be treasured, not neglected! 

(ETB Adult Personal Study Guide, p.27)

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September 7 Teaching Helps: Hebrews 1

When was the last time someone sat down with you, encouraging you to keep living your faith and explaining why you should remain steadfast in your faith? You have a chance as you teach the book of Hebrews to do just what the writer of Hebrews intended to do. You can offer encouragement to your group while explaining why you should not give up, give in, or look elsewhere for fulfillment that can only be found in Christ. The LifeWay Explore the Bible: Who is Jesus? study helps us begin this journey of encouragement as we focus on Hebrews 1.

We live in an "if this, then this" world. If we make money, then we will be happy. If we get that promotion, then we will be respected. If we move to a certain size home, then we will have all the room we need. If we buy a certain car, everyone will know we have arrived. The list can go on and on.

Sadly, many have applied this formulaic approach to following Christ as well. If I just follow Christ, then (you fill in the blank). While we do have the promise of abundant life in Christ now and the promise of eternal life with Christ in the future, we can get disillusioned and disheartened.  Sadly, some, yes many, walk away from their supposed faith because life with Christ didn't give them what they thought they deserved.

The original readers of the Book of Hebrews were at the point of going back to old practices and even turning to new religious practices, thinking that "if we do this, then this will happen." Then God led a man with a pastoral heart to write a letter of encouragement, reminding them of who Jesus was and is.

As you prepare to teach each study of the Book of Hebrews ask God to give you the heart of a pastor for his people. I pray God will use you and this series of studies to restore the joy that some might have lost or discover the joy that comes in fully surrendering to Christ!

Below are some study helps for you as you prepare and some videos you might consider using during the teaching time. You can download the entire teaching plan as well. I have also provided links to training helps from LifeWay.

STUDY HELPS FOR THE TEACHER

Introduction to Hebrews 

(Sermon by Dr. Argile Smith at Northside Baptist Church)

VIDEOS TO SUPPLEMENT THE STUDY

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August 31 Teaching Helps

“I heard but did not understand," uttered Daniel in Daniel 12:8. If Daniel heard the prophesies and still did not understand, it behooves us to not think that we can understand everything about the end times today. Yet, as the clock ticks closer to the time of our Lord's second return, we know we have to continue to pray, learn more about God's victorious plan, and live our faith persistently, even when we face persecutions and tribulations. That is the message of the LifeWay Explore the Bible: Be Ready for Tribulation study this week.

• If you want a video commentary review of the passages click here.
• Click here to view current Christian persecution stories.

As you study please be aware that, no theological subject generates more discussion and disagreement than eschatology—the study of the end time.

Most Christian adults understand—at least intellectually—that the threat of tribulation for their faith is as real in today’s world as it ever was. However, many may not want to imagine that tribulation for Christians will worsen. They may have heard about the end-time “great tribulation” described in the Bible; yet, they may also have encountered different interpretations about it. Their uncertainty about end-time questions may contribute to their being unprepared for any tribulation they may face. God wants His people to trust in Him and His sovereignty over evil and to know that He will use any tribulation they face to help them grow in faith. (ETB Leader Commentary)

Survival Kit Display Ideas for LOOK UP

SURVIVAL KIT ILLUSTRATION AND APPROACH

I have included activity and video options you may want to consider using. I have designed the study around the concept of putting together a "spiritual survival kit" and what we need to include in that kit in order to persevere to the end. I begin by discussing what we might want to include in a survival kit when preparing for a catastrophic event or disaster.

Video Options:

• Video One:Disaster Preparedness from Ready.Gov 
• Video Two: Emergency Supply Kit - American Red Cross

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August 23 Teaching Helps

How will the assurance of God’s plans outlined in Daniel enable you to live more confidently? How certain are you that you know Christ as Savior? Is your certainty reflected in your confidence in God as we move toward the end times? How does the evil of this present age affect your confidence in Christ? These are just a few of the questions posed in the teaching helps for this week's Explore the Bible: Live to Win in the End study of Daniel 7.

PAY ATTENTION TO WORLD EVENTS: As you finalize your study take note of current world and domestic events that will most likely become a part of your group's conversations during the study. From the crisis in the Middle East, increased persecution of Christians, the antisemitic attitudes in Europe, as well as recent domestic conflicts, there is a lot taking place around us that reinforces all that God was showing Daniel in chapter 7.

CAUTION: If you search the internet for information using the key words Daniel 7 or End Times you will discover a plethora of information (or misinformation), speculative videos, and sermons seeking to explain and outline specific end time events. Though we are to be alert as to how prophecy is being fulfilled today, we must be cautious in interpreting and promoting specific current events as being what Daniel foresaw centuries ago. While it might be true, we can lose focus quickly on the message for the here and now. Sadly, many get caught up in trying to figure out the future and quit living a confident, Christ-centered life in the present.

• We are called to be salt and light to this world until He does return. 
• We are called to live confidently and to share our faith with others, compelling them to believe in Christ.

Keep you focus on the TARGET:

Lead adults to identify how God’s ultimate victory over evil should impact the way they live.

Video to Help You With the Context of Daniel 7

Consider Using the Following Chart 

While Explaining the Four Beasts in Daniel 7. 

Click Here to Download the Chart

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August 17 Teaching Helps

Format Change
I am changing our format slightly. I will send out announcements via email. This page will provide you with video and other resource ideas. You can link directly to this page to show your videos. You will still be able to download the complete teaching plan if you want to use it to supplement your plan. Hope this helps cut down on the amount of information you have to read.

Teaching Plan Adjustment Suggestions
Passages: Daniel 6:1-28
TARGET: To help adults understand the importance of a consistent, disciplined prayer life.
Outline:

• Daniel 6:1-5. A consistent, disciplined prayer life helps us retain our integrity when we are faced with challenges to our faith.
• Daniel 6:6-10. A consistent, disciplined prayer life enables us to not give in when faith and culture are indirect conflict with one another.
• Daniel 6:11-18. A consistent, discipline prayer life enable us not to give up during dangerous and life-threatening circumstances.
• Daniel 6:19-28. When we don't give up on a consistent, disciplined prayer life, God will be glorified.

Video Suggestions

Consider using as a LOOK UP activity.

Consider using with Daniel 6:6-10

Consider using this video as a follow-up discussion with the previous video.

Click to View:  Don't Cave In.

Research: Statistics on Prayer in the U.S.

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August 10 - Special Church and Home Lesson

Building a Legacy: It Takes A Church and A Family!
As I prepared this special study, I quickly realized how we truly do live in an era in which the church and the home need to make sure they are working in concert with one another so that we can help our children face the future with a solid faith in Christ. You will play a very important part in this task as you teach this study this week!

The TARGET of the study focuses on answering the question, "What more can I do as a believer to ensure that a strong spiritual legacy continues through the children I interact with?"

I have tried to make the study very applicable to all age adults as we seek to look at the legacy examples, both good and bad, that are included in the Scriptures. I will be focusing on the following passages:

• Deuteronomy 6:4-9 - "Listen Israel" is a mandate to the faith community, not just to parents.
• Judges 17: 1-6 - A Broken Legacy: Micah - A Son.
• Judges 7-13, 18: 27-31 - A Broken Legacy: The Levite - A Grandson
• 2 Timothy 3:10-15 - A Powerful Legacy: Timothy - A Faithful Disciple

A HANDOUT IS TO BE USED WITH THIS STUDY. I WILL HAVE COPIES IN EACH CONNECT GROUP BOX THIS SUNDAY MORNING. THE HANDOUT IS ALSO PART OF YOUR TEACHING PLAN.

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August 3 Teaching Helps

Last week, Becky and I attended a shrimp festival at a state park in Alabama. We were fortunate to get tickets because, though we and others did not know it at the time, tickets were selling out. I estimate that there were about 2000-3000 individuals attending the festival. While I enjoyed the gulf shrimp, Alabama BBQ, and all the other food and festivities, what impressed me most was something the park director did. Before the vendors began serving the food, he stopped the entire festival and gave thanks to our Lord for the food. Sadly, in our country today, this man took a risk because of his faith. I was proud to be at the festival that day and to see someone willingly risking his job to honor God. Explore the Bible: Risk Everything for God, focuses on this very topic today.

I have provided some very relevant world events to help you with the study this week. Please review the handout accompanying the teaching plan and the videos. I think you will see that the videos, the teaching plan, and the handouts will provide you with a very eyeopening approach to teaching the Daniel 3:1-28 passages. Lead your group to answer the question, "How much would I risk to remain faithful to God?"

Here is a preview of the videos I suggest using:

• Shocking Details on Extent of Christian Persecution in Iraq (CAUTION: In order to avoid politicizing the conversation, only show the first two minutes of the video.)
• ISIS Making Good on Promise to Kill Christians

Stay Focused when dealing with the golden statue. While the gold statue clearly represents Nebuchadnezzar and the dynasties that would follow him, don't get caught up trying to identify all these kingdoms; keep the focus on the TARGET of the study.

I pray God will use this study to help all of us to resolve to stand boldly and steadfastly for our faith while we still have the freedom to do so in our country!

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July 27 Teaching Helps and Announcements

Radical Faith: "Draw the Line" is the focus this week as we begin our study of the book of Daniel. There is tremendous pressure put on followers of Christ to go along with something which we know to be wrong. Sadly, many believers seek to justify compromise in order to be better accepted. This was not the case with Daniel. He and his friends were able to boldly stand for their faith in a way that enabled them to be a witness to a pagan culture. As I studied for this session I ran across the following story that helps illustrate the challenges we face as we strive not to compromise our faith:

In the 1950s, a professor named Solomon Asch conducted a series of experiments to measure the influence of peer pressure on an individual. In the experiments a group of college students was brought in and told that they were undergoing a perception exercise. After being shown a line, the students were asked to correctly match it to another line of the same length. All of the students except for one in each group had already been told what answer to give. 

The test was designed so that the correct answer would be obvious. The true subject of the experiment would be seated last in the group so that everyone else would answer first. After a few trial runs during which everyone gave the correct answer, the real experiment would begin. On some questions, all of the other students would deliberately give the same wrong answer. In many cases, the test subject would go along with the group—in fact 75% of the subjects gave at least one wrong answer during the tests. -- Paul Chappell, Daily in the Word Devotional

Helps for this Session:

• I have provided PowerPoint slides that recreate the experiment previously described. There are instructions on how to use this in the LOOK UP portion of your study. In addition, the PowerPoint provides a set of discussion questions to be used with Daniel 1:8-10. You may print and use the slides as a handout if PowerPoint is not available.
• I have provided you with several resources to help you with word pronunciations and  background of the book of Daniel.
• Use caution as you discuss “visions and dreams” (1:17). Do not turn this lesson into a debate of whether dreams and visions can be interpreted today, but focus on the abilities that God gave Daniel at that time and the reason he gave Daniel those abilities—to gain favor in the eyes of the king. This ability certainly set Daniel apart from the other captives, contributing to the fact that the king thought that Daniel and his friends had no equal in the kingdom.

Outline Progression: I have basically revised the entire plan in order to better connect the outline points to the question: "How can I stay faithful to God when I’m influenced to compromise my devotion?"

• First: We Should Protect our Faith from Compromise due to Circumstances or the Demands of Others. (Daniel 1:1-7)
• Second: We Should Determine to Act Boldly. (Daniel 1:8-10)
• Third: We Should Have a “Plan B.” (Daniel 1:12-15)
• Four: God Will Enable Us to Witness in More Challenging Situations if we Don’t Compromise our Faith. (Daniel 1:17-19)

I pray this study will challenge you and your group to remain faithful to Christ in our fallen world.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• SUMMER GAMES/BROWN BAG PICNIC, July 30, 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Be sure to announce this to your group Sunday. This is a great opportunity for your group to fellowship with other groups as we challenge each other to volleyball and/or corn hole tournaments. You also have a chance to DUNK A PASTOR! You don't want to miss that. Even if your group doesn't sign up for a tournament, come and enjoy the fellowship and the fun!

• 200 BACKPACKS IN 2 WEEKS

This is a great opportunity for your group to participate in a mission project that will impact the children in our community. Encourage your group to fill a backpack with school supplies that we will be delivering to children who will be starting school without adequate supplies or a backpack.

• EQUIPPING U FOR CONNECT GROUP MINISTRY, AUGUST 21

Keep this on your calendar. Sign up will begin next week! 

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