SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON GUIDE: SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON GUIDE: APOSTOLIC WAY/LIGHT 2020

Lesson 3: September 20, 2020 Love versus Guilt Genesis 42:6-25

Some people allow the guilt of the past to poison their present. Is it ever possible to be free from condemnation for past actions? When Joseph saw and remembered his brothers who sold him into Egyptian slavery, he showed compassion while motivating them to recall and take responsibility for their earlier actions.

 Lesson 4: September 27, 2020 God’s Plan Revealed Genesis 45:1-15

 Sometimes one is overwhelmed by tragic events in his or her life. What can keep hope alive after the struggle ends? Joseph tells his brothers what they meant as harm was God’s plan for saving them, a remnant of God’s people

Lesson 5: October 4, 2020 Love and Devotion to Others 1 Samuel 19:1-7

 Although families are important, family dysfunction can skew our priorities and lead us to ruin. Is there a greater priority than family? Jonathan opposed the unjust intentions of his father, King Saul, in order to offer support and protection to David.

Lesson 6: October 11, 2020 Love Your Enemies Luke 6:27-36

 We often wonder how we should treat our enemies. How should we respond to them? Jesus taught his disciples to love their enemies by forgiving them, responding to their needs, and by being nonjudgmental.

 Lesson 7: October 18, 2020 Loving Your Neighbor Luke 10:25-37

Selfish desires, self-gratification, and self-interests are highly valued in our time. How can we become better neighbors to one another? Jesus challenges us to address the needs and welfare of everyone, including perceived enemies.

Isaiah 61 & 62: The Lord Loves Justice

Isaiah! Appointed by God to deliver words of confrontation and confirmation to a (seemingly) disparaged nation. They say you cannot separate a man from his message…Isaiah’s name truly sums up his message. His name means “The Lord is Salvation.” He was one of the most quoted prophets in the Bible (65 times in the New Testament). He was born to a well-off family (Isa. 7:3;8:2), married, and had two sons. He grew up in Jerusalem and responded to the call of God to ministry “in the year king Uzziah died” (Isa. 6:1; ca. 739 BC).

It is important to note the times in which Isaiah delivered his messages in the texts of our concern (chaps. 61-62). These two chapters declare (1) the good news of salvation – messianic allusions, and (2) salvation and justice/judgment for God’s people and nation. It was during the time of the divided kingdom (Judah to the south and Israel to the north). There were rampant idolatry and ritualism. Judah had not yet fallen in captivity to the Babylonians as King Hezekiah still had control and a prosperous reign (715-686 BC). Recall Hezekiah appealing to God for his life because of an illness (2 Kn. 20; Isa. 38)? Eventually, the nation would fall into captivity, with Isaiah as God’s voice (one of) to proclaim messages of judgment upon their captors, comfort to a people now Babylonian exiles, and declarations of future glory. Keep in mind, these were difficult times. 

Sunday School Materials Order Guide - BTCC/P.A. of W. 2020-2021

Leaders!!!! The time is now. Given current uncertainties and the anticipated rush to purchase Sunday School materials, we encourage you to place your orders ASAP.  We have provided a convenient alternative to getting your material.

Here's how:

1. Look at the list below (notice the price)
2. Determine how many of each item you'll need based on your congregation
3. Calculate the cost (that's your budget)
4.  Touch bases with the national superintendent


This is Apostolic Way material broken down into an age-appropriate level to facilitate a more relevant and student-centered experience.  
Pricing:

Teacher's Manual and Student's Manual  @ $5

Preschool 2 - 5

Primary  6 - 8

Juniors  9-11

Jesus' Last Week: Saturday! Is it all over? Has the Devil won the fight?

It’s Saturday! It’s the Sabbath. This will be a day of rest for the Jewish people. What was God’s command to His people about the Sabbath?

                Exod. 20: 8 “Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. 9 You have six days in which to do your work, 10 but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to me. On that day no one is to work—neither you, your children, your slaves, your animals, nor the foreigners who live in your country. 11 In six days I, the LORD, made the earth, the sky, the seas, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That is why I, the LORD, blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.

And, so Jesus rested on the Sabbath anticipating the next move. A move He alluded to in His exchanges:

Jesus' Last Week: Friday

It’s Friday!  

So much has happened since Thursday evening. Jesus was betrayed and taken into custody. He endured a series of 6 trials! The first trial was before the High priest Annas (seeking a reason to accuse Him). The second was before the Sanhedrin, where He was condemned. The third trial was at dawn, where Peter denied him the third time. From there He was taken to the Romans. 

His fourth trial was before Pilate. His fifth trial was before Herod the king. He was once again taken to Pilate.

At this 6^th trial, Jesus was scourged, mocked, beaten, and turned over to be crucified.  In other words, Jesus was sentenced to capital punishment – death on a cross. They spit on Him, torment Him, insult Him, place a crown of thorns upon His head and lead Him out toward Golgotha.

Judas hangs himself early this morning

All of this before 9:00 am.

Jesus' Final Week: Thursday

It’s Thursday. Tomorrow, they will kill Jesus. How does Jesus and His followers spend the day?

Well, it was a long day, to say the least. Peter and John are tasked with getting ready for the Passover meal (Mk. 14:13). Would you have liked that job?

Just imagine the pressure of knowing the show is about to start, last-minute details...this is it! Three years of toil. It comes down to this last night before the curtains open. They are gathered for their last meal. Jesus sets the model for servant leadership at the gathering. Remember? 

Jesus' last Week (Day 4 Wednesday)

WEDNESDAY is said to have been a quiet day (in terms of Jesus’ activities). But behind the scenes, the enemy was busy working to defeat Jesus. Judas is making final preparations to betray his master. Jesus and His disciples are keeping low in Bethany.

Bethany: You don’t hear too much about Bethany, but this town holds major biblical significance. It is located two miles east of Jerusalem (Jn. 11:18). How long does it take you to walk two miles?

Bethany was the hometown on Jesus’ friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. It is where they prepared for Palm Sunday activities, and the site of the cursed fig tree (Mk. 11:11-13). Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with oil here (Mat. 26:6-13). It is the site of Jesus’ ascension (the Mount of Olives, cf. Lk. 24:50), and the designated point of Jesus’ next return (Zech. 14:4; Rev. 19:11-16).

Jesus' Last Week: Day 3 (Tuesday)

How much do you know about Jesus' last days? Here's a summary of day 3 (Tuesday):

• Matthew 21: 23-65
• Mark 11:27 - 14:2
• Luke 20:1 - 22:2
• John 12:37-50

He and His disciples pass the fig tree that was cursed the day before and discuss the issue of faith (Mat. 21:19-21).

Jesus returns to Jerusalem and spends time in the temple teaching and pronouncing judgment upon His enemies. Yesterday, he "cleansed the temple." Today the religious leaders are organizing an ambush for his arrest. This would be a day of confrontation. 

Easter 2020 Outline Sunday School

Easter Presentation 2020

Teachers & Students ...Please select from any number of the following Bible Texts and creatively submit them in an audio or video format by Friday.

His birth and ministry was predicted

·         Isa. 9:6-7

https://youtu.be/MS3vpAWW2Zc      Handel’s Messiah

Then, a prophesied in the City of David, the God-child was born:

·         Luke 2:7  She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger—there was no room for them to stay in the inn.

Great Expectations song

The King is Come (Messiah)

Join Us For Sunday School Online - Beginning Easter 2020 (April 12).

Sunday School Sign-Up Drive

Welcome!!! We believe this is an innovative way to participate in Sunday School from the comfort of your home computer or cellphone.

Quizzes, Bible Studies, Surprises.
There is a class for all age-groups.

What teachers and students should do:

Choose your class, join us online using the link and code provided above.

Teachers, please reach out to your present and prospective students and invite them               

 to join us for Sunday School

Micah: Corrupt Leaders

God expects more from his religious leaders and by extension, those who follow them. He is more concerned about a relationship than rituals. A nation is doomed to fail when it is spiritually blind. The same must be said of individuals and churches. The Book of Micah depicts a very sad time in the life of God’s people – Israel’s leaders were compromised, leaving God no choice but to call them into account. We must ask ourselves the question…”How am I doing in my spiritual walk?” For the right price, the sages (ruling class), the priests (with the law) and the prophets (with messages from God) were compromised because of a love for money and power. For the right price, they could be bought. What of the contemporary church? Is it caught up in a culture of money-loving, titles, positions, fancy churches and houses, feel-good theology, false doctrine of no pain and suffering? This kind of culture is antithetical to the picture of God’s people painted by the prophet Micah. They conveniently forgot that God’s presence was contingent upon ethical behavior (Exod. 33:3,5; Num.14:14).[1] The reader should take note that these past few weeks of lessons are pointing to both personal and corporate purging that God is asking of us (read Matthew 21).

March 8th Lesson Supplement: Called To Accountability (Amos 5)

Do justice and love kindness...do justice and love kindness...do justice and love kindness!

This, my friends, expresses God’s heart – that we do justice and be kind to each other (Mic.6:8). Imagine a home, a school, a church, a government, a community, a nation where we all lived out that divine command – love, show mercy, be kind. Do you know anyone that professes to be Christian, very religious, yet when dealing with people tend to be mean, unkind, unfair and judgmental? Heavy on the ritual but falling short on practical Christianity. Such were the challenges of the people of 8^th century Israel and surrounding communities, the context for this week’s lesson.

March Council Sunday School/ Christian Ed. Workshop

Can you feel the excitement? We'll all be together for the March Council. 

We will be having, at minimum, 8 Classes

A Breakdown of the morning:

Sunday

Breakfast:            8:00am - 8:50am

Teachers' Prayer: 8:50am - 9:00am

Sunday School:   9:00am - 10:00am

Executive Session: 10:00am - 10:30am

Morning Worship:  11:00am

TEXT: AMOS 5:18-24  "Called to Accountability"

Sunday School Lesson Supplement: Piety That Honors God/ Religion without Relationship (Mat.6)

Sunday School Lesson       The   Apostolic  Way

Theme:   Piety That Honors God            Matthew 6:1-8

Unifying Principle: The Pitfalls of Showing Off

Landing point:………………………Religion without relationship is not God-honoring ( repeat this over and over during your lesson)

Context: It was the onset of Jesus’ ministry. Having established his authority through a series of tests (temptation in the wilderness; cf.Mat.4), Jesus began to teach about His Kingdom. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat.4:17). That message has not changed – Kingdom people, members of Christ’s kingdom are subject to a different order than non-members (followers of this world order whose ruler is the devil). Followers of this world are primarily self-centered. Members of God’s Kingdom are Christ-centered (“we turn our lives over to Christ’s direction and control”).[1] Matthew chapter six is part of Jesus’ teaching on Kingdom living (cf. Mat.4:23-25; Lk.4:42-44; Mk.1:35-39). This account of Christ’s teaching is topical, not chronological. Having introduced His kingdom agenda in the Sermon on the Mount over a series of days, Jesus addressed the Kingdom position on the Law, being salt and light, anger, lust, divorce, and retaliation. The focus of our text (6:1-8) is on generosity and prayer (a three-part sermon if you will, which includes fasting).

Our Role As Christian Leaders

The goal of the spiritual leader is to “move people on to God’s agenda.[1] More than just doing ministry, God uses the spiritual leader to accomplish his will; and this he or she will do through the effort of others. It is not about using people to achieve an organizational goal; rather, the goal should be working together for the glory of God.

Sunday School - March 8th Council

It's that time again!! The March Council Sunday School Gathering
Date: Sunday, March 8th
Venue: Transformation Ministries (Dignity Gardens)
Time: 9:00am.   

This year, we will have the privilege of fellowshipping with the International Sunday School Team (ICEA - International Christian Education of the P.A.W.).

Passing The Tests - The Temptation of Jesus

Sunday School Lesson:                        The   Apostolic  Way

Theme:   Singe – Minded Obedience                          Matthew 4: 1- 11

Unifying Principle : Passing the Tests / Purpose through total obedience

Landing point: Jesus provides us a practical path to triumph over sin/temptation ( repeat this over and over during your lesson)

Context:  The battle over “who is the boss” has been raging since the beginning of time (Gen.3). After failing to usurp authority over God, the deceiver has masterfully sought to enlarge his border and influence (authority) over God’s creation in the earth. His strategy has not changed since his defeat of Adam and Eve. Only, this time he hoped to pull off the ultimate defeat to a God-man who was seemingly at a low point – he was hungry and tired, having fasted for forty days, in a hot, dry desert (Mat.4:1-2). When is the best time to gain one on your enemy? When they are down/weak/exposed.