To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Explain that when traveling in a foreign land, a guidebook comes in handy. Help your group create a traveler’s guidebook for Christ’s church as we travel through life. Divide your class into four groups. Give groups pen and paper and Bibles. They should use the cited Scripture passages to summarize their chapters in the traveler’s guide.
Chapter 1: Take the Freeway (2 Thessalonians 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Chapter 2: Help Rescue Vehicles (2 Thessalonians 3:2; Ephesians 6:18-20)
Chapter 3: Stay in Your Lane (2 John 10; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13)
Chapter 4: Join the Caravan (2 John 4; 1 John 1:3-5, 7)
Give groups about 15 minutes to work, helping them understand their texts as needed. Our sample traveler’s guide follows:
Take the Freeway (2 Thessalonians 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-3)—As we and others travel this earth that is not our home, we appreciate freeways. We pray that the pathways that allow us to share the gospel freely are never blocked by restrictive laws or persecution.
Help Rescue Vehicles (2 Thessalonians 3:2; Ephesians 6:18-20)—We want rescuers to come to the aid of those imperiled as quickly as possible. We may enjoy freedom to share the Word of God, but in many parts of the world this is not so. It is the responsibility of those of us enjoying such freedom to support organizations that seek to help persecuted believers.
Stay in Your Lane (2 John 10; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13)—Helping a reckless driver go forward unhindered can make us an unwitting accessory his recklessness. Likewise, there will be those who want believers to move aside so they can teach things extremely foreign to the Word of God. We must confront false teachers among us and not simply let them pass.
Join the Caravan (2 John 4; 1 John 1:3-5, 7)—When passing through hostile territory, it is advisable to journey with fellow-pilgrims for safety. Others are making the same journey to our shared heavenly home. When we travel together, we increase our knowledge and commitment to truth and avoid the dangers that falsehood brings.
To encourage personal application:
Download the Church SWOT Analysis here. Make copies for every three to five students. Allow class members to work in groups to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats your congregation faces as you seek to spread the gospel, support fellow believers, and confront false teaching.
© 2021 David C Cook. All rights reserved. |