God's Promises: King David and Overcoming Adversity (Chris)

The reign of King David ended in success for Israel.  Yet David and the nation endured many challenges and difficulties.  David himself was beset by serious adversity over and over.  Some of the difficulties were caused by others and some by David.  Some of the challenges he handled with faith and honor and some he did not.  Exploring David's life and comparing it to Jesus helps us to find ways in which we can manage hardships ourselves.  In the end, David was anointed by God and given blessings, honor, and glory in spite of himself.  In the same way, we are anointed by association with our Savior Jesus Christ and given blessings, honor, and glory in spite of ourselves and our circumstances.  We can face adversity in this life because Christ conquered the world on our behalf!

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Lesson Plan

God's Promises: Saul and the Art of Self Deception (Bryant Cornett)

Bryant Cornett explores the story of how Israel ended up with its first King, Saul, and how it may not have turned out exactly how they wanted.  We must be careful what we wish for!  Bryant is a frequent attendee and guest speaker of our class.

Listen to God's Promises: Saul and the Art of Self Deception
Handout

You can also find the lesson on Bryant's site here:

Saul & the Art of Self Deception

http://ontheporch.libsyn.com/sauls-self-deception

God's Promises: Gideon and the Leverage of Active Faith (Chris)

In the Book of Judges chapters 6-8, God used Gideon as a means to show tremendous power in the world and to deliver Israel from its enemies.  Jesus taught similarly that aligning ourselves with God’s purpose can produce miracles.  How should we use this power as Disciples of Christ?

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Lesson Plan
Handout

God's Promises: Possessing the Promised Land (Randy)

After 40 years in the desert, Joshua finally led the Israelites into the promised land.  The Lord paved the way by enabling them to cross the Jordan River, and they succeeded as long as they remained obedient. In the same way, through our baptism and acceptance of Jesus, we cross from death to life, and that life is abundant as long as we remain obedient.

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Lesson Plan

God's Promises: Promised Land (Chris)

This class explores the concept of “Promised Land” in relation to ancient Israel, to the teachings of Christ, and to a modern example referencing both of the others – the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.  We ask four questions about each period: what is the Promised Land, where is the Promised Land, how do we get to the Promised Land, and when do we go to the Promised Land?  One conclusion is that Christian disciples see the fulfillment of God’s promises not only in a heavenly future but in a more Godly world here and now.

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Lesson Plan
Handout

God's Promises: Wilderness (Margaret Odom-Tomchin and Erica Joy Bitting)

This week’s lesson focuses on the 40 years Israel spent wandering in the Wilderness between being freed from slavery in Egypt and reaching the Promised Land.  Why did God need them to struggle and prepare before fulfilling their aspirations?  What can we learn about from Israel about our own life detours and challenges?  Our class leaders are Margaret Odom-Tomchin and Erica Joy Bitting, PRUMC’s current Candler School of Theology students in residence.

Lesson Plan

God's Promises: Salvation (Chris)

Salvation.  We were saved by Christ on the cross just as Israel was saved when it was released from slavery by Pharaoh. In both cases, however, that is just the beginning of the story.  If salvation is a process of being saved and then living a Godly life day-by-day, what can ancient Israel's escape from Egypt teach us about Christian discipleship?

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Lesson Plan
Handout