17 min
EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – Why Do I Need the Church? – Session 4 Bible Studies for Life | Adults Leader Training
-
- Christianity
Looking for digital teaching plans and helps? Check out Lifeway’s Church Assistance Package.
NEW: Online Group Plan for Session 4
Date: August 16, 2020
We Encourage One Another
The Point: We need the encouragement of others—and they need ours.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
Saul Scruggs and Keon Richardson work picking up trash in a Miami Beach community. Jennifer Elegant lives in the community where they collect the trash, and she calls these two men “extraordinary.” Jennifer said, “They bring an incredible, positive energy to the entire neighborhood. Simply put, they spread joy.” So to celebrate these two men and their work, Jennifer organized a socially distanced community gathering.
“They continue to maintain their upbeat demeanor even during this stressful COVID-19 pandemic, sacrificing their own safety in order to keep our city clean and beautiful,” she said. Saul helped a neighbor dig through her trash for 45 minutes, looking for a lost wedding ring. Another time, he stayed with a neighbor for more than an hour because the neighbor was sick and an ambulance was needed.
“Every day we are surrounded by heroes who bring us inspiration and joy but too often we are unable to recognize these special individuals for the impact they make on others. I wanted Saul and Keon to know that we are thankful from the bottom of our hearts.” At the community celebration, neighbors showered Saul and Keon with gift bags, cards, and presents.
Say: An entire Miami Beach neighborhood is encouraged because of the hard work and upbeat attitude of these two men. Then call attention to Question #1 (When have you benefited from a little encouragement?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/garbage-men-surprised-with-thank-you-party-in-miami-beach/
Get Into the Study [Additional Option for Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video clip of an encouraging moment. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to supplement Question #2.
John Colletti has been arrested for a very elaborate scheme he hatched to steal over $100,000 from patrons at casinos in Michigan and Kansas. Colletti used counterfeit driver’s licenses and even wore a prosthetic mask that made him look like a man decades older than his actual age. Armed with his disguise and fake IDs, he managed to withdraw money from casino patrons’ personal bank accounts. About a year had passed when casino security personnel began to suspect his illegal activity. They caught him when he tried to ditch his disguise in the casino restroom and flee the building. Colletti is charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He is currently in the custody of the US Marshalls in Kansas.
Say: For John Colletti, attempts to get rid of his old man disguise failed when law enforcement officers caught up with him. For the believer, that old self does not include masks and fake IDs. But it can include former attitudes, habits, and behaviors. Then call attention to Question #2. (What makes taking off the old self so difficult?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.cnn.
Looking for digital teaching plans and helps? Check out Lifeway’s Church Assistance Package.
NEW: Online Group Plan for Session 4
Date: August 16, 2020
We Encourage One Another
The Point: We need the encouragement of others—and they need ours.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
Saul Scruggs and Keon Richardson work picking up trash in a Miami Beach community. Jennifer Elegant lives in the community where they collect the trash, and she calls these two men “extraordinary.” Jennifer said, “They bring an incredible, positive energy to the entire neighborhood. Simply put, they spread joy.” So to celebrate these two men and their work, Jennifer organized a socially distanced community gathering.
“They continue to maintain their upbeat demeanor even during this stressful COVID-19 pandemic, sacrificing their own safety in order to keep our city clean and beautiful,” she said. Saul helped a neighbor dig through her trash for 45 minutes, looking for a lost wedding ring. Another time, he stayed with a neighbor for more than an hour because the neighbor was sick and an ambulance was needed.
“Every day we are surrounded by heroes who bring us inspiration and joy but too often we are unable to recognize these special individuals for the impact they make on others. I wanted Saul and Keon to know that we are thankful from the bottom of our hearts.” At the community celebration, neighbors showered Saul and Keon with gift bags, cards, and presents.
Say: An entire Miami Beach neighborhood is encouraged because of the hard work and upbeat attitude of these two men. Then call attention to Question #1 (When have you benefited from a little encouragement?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/garbage-men-surprised-with-thank-you-party-in-miami-beach/
Get Into the Study [Additional Option for Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video clip of an encouraging moment. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to supplement Question #2.
John Colletti has been arrested for a very elaborate scheme he hatched to steal over $100,000 from patrons at casinos in Michigan and Kansas. Colletti used counterfeit driver’s licenses and even wore a prosthetic mask that made him look like a man decades older than his actual age. Armed with his disguise and fake IDs, he managed to withdraw money from casino patrons’ personal bank accounts. About a year had passed when casino security personnel began to suspect his illegal activity. They caught him when he tried to ditch his disguise in the casino restroom and flee the building. Colletti is charged with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. He is currently in the custody of the US Marshalls in Kansas.
Say: For John Colletti, attempts to get rid of his old man disguise failed when law enforcement officers caught up with him. For the believer, that old self does not include masks and fake IDs. But it can include former attitudes, habits, and behaviors. Then call attention to Question #2. (What makes taking off the old self so difficult?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.cnn.
17 min