MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 13AUGUST 30, 2020

QUARTER REVIEW

BIBLICAL POINTIn order to truly forgive and reach others, we must first find ourselves and

accept the forgiveness, mercy, and grace that God has set aside for us. Only

then can we use the tools we have been given to effectively evangelize,

reach, and love the lost the way that God intended.

SCRIPTURES:

Romans 8:1; Romans 1:16; II Timothy 2:15; Jonah 1:1-3

The Importance of Giving & ReceivingForgiveness

READ: Luke 18:1-7 and Luke 23:34

Many things about living for Jesus are simply not natural. In fact, our human nature is often our greatest obstacle when it comes to moving forward in our Christian walk.

Forgiveness is difficult because it digs up buried emotions and pulls out pain that we have pushed away to the back of the closet.

• Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself.

• We can forgive others by extending Jesus’ grace to them, even if we feel they don’t deserve it.

• We must let go of any offenses we may hold toward God and trust Him to be sovereign in our lives.

Into the Depths of God’s Love, Mercy, and Grace

Read Jonah 1:1-17; 2

The author linked Tarshish with getting as far away from the presence of the Lord as possible, indicating Jonah was trying to escape.

The places we think God is least likely to be, Bod is OK there and He wants to be with us when we go there. God is not surprised, offended, or afraid of any these places. God is moving us to the realization that the peace, presence, and joy of Go are not based on circumstances.. Joy is not found in a placed, but in His presence and He is everywhere.

In the Book of Jonah, we do not find a restless, nervous, fretting God. We find a God who is present in the storm, and when that presence is acknowledged, there is a peace that surpasses the storm.

Sometimes we are more worried about our standard of living in this world than we are about living by the forgiving, loving standards of God’s world.

The Power of Social MediaRead: Romans 1:16

Although we have all experienced the negative effects of social media, it can also be a great resource to us as well.

We share all kinds of things on social media. Of all the things we share, the most important thing—whether online or in person—is to get social about the gospel. The Gospel is more than a neat story; it is the good news of Jesus dying on the cross, being buried, and rising again to set us free.

We must always be prepared to declare the Word of God. We must pray, study, and prepare. Every single one of us has a story. We must recognize it is worthwhile to overcome the discomfort of sharing our faith because of its power to change the lives of people we love.

No matter how you feel your story compares to others, there is power in it, because it set you free. And if it set you free, it can help set others free too. There is power in your experience.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER

• Before we can ever move out into the world and share the message of love and forgiveness that Jesus

brought the world, we must first find meaning for that story for ourselves. We are helpless to help others

until we have helped ourselves. When we embrace our testimony, we are given power over sin.

• It is important that we use every tool at our disposal to help others; to share the gospel with others.

• We should see that the gospel is for everyone, even the people you can’t imagine reaching for.

• We can’t let our feelings ever get in the way, because when we didn’t deserve Jesus. He still

reached for us.

EXPAND

Technology has opened countless doors through which we can share our faith and devotion to God.

It has also opened ways for us to share the gospel with others that we may never meet or interact

with normally. There is a great power in these platforms, but as with all platforms, we must be

incredibly careful in our use and access. There are temptations we are opened up to the moment

we use any of these online platforms, and only through discipline and accountability can we keep

ourselves and our families safe from the sin around every digital corner.

Post that selfie, record your next YouTube video or podcast, and connect to your friends on Xbox

live and messenger apps, but remember that we have been given these things for a bigger purpose. If

we just meant to live our lives like everyone else in this world, that would be one thing, but we are

chosen and special. We should take every opportunity to show the world just how special God has

made us and that He can do the same for anyone else, no matter their past.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE

Our biggest takeaway from the stories we have discussed this

quarter is the importance of seeing people the way that God sees

them. Even when they have hard exteriors or look different than we

do, God sees men and women who are hungry for Him and hungry

for a life that is fulfilling and unified with other believers. If we can

begin to see our world this way, we can bridge the gaps and make

the difference that will win souls and bring them to altars around the

world.

If we can look inside ourselves and learn to accept who God made

us to be, seeing the blessings we have been given, it will help us reach

people and not write them off like others might. They are looking

for hope and purpose, and we just so happen to understand what

that is all about. Use the love and compassion God has given

you; use your testimony to reach the world.