Sunday School Lesson Outline

August 17

Lesson 12

TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS

DEVOTIONAL READING: Jude 17–25

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 4:1–15

2 CORINTHIANS 4:1–15

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

KEY VERSES
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.—2 Corinthians 4:8, 9

THE PEOPLE OF GOD SET PRIORITIES

Unit 3: Bearing One Another’s Burdens

LESSONS 10–14

LESSON AIMS

After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to:
1. Identify the character traits that accompany the genuine proclamation of the gospel.
2. Explain how those character traits arise from faith in the gospel.
3. Identify one character trait to improve to reflect the gospel and make a plan for doing so.

LESSON OUTLINE

Introduction
      A.      Knockoff Religion
      B.      Lesson Background
          I.      Glory of the Gospel (2 CORINTHIANS 4:1–6)
      A.      In Honest Service (vv. 1, 2)
      B.      In the World’s Rejection (vv. 3, 4)
            Preaching the Pure Gospel
      C.      In the Light of God (vv. 5, 6)
          II.      Humility of the Messenger (2 CORINTHIANS 4:7–12)
      A.      God’s Treasure (v. 7)
      B.      Paul’s Hardships (vv. 8, 9)
      C.      Jesus’ Death and Life (vv. 10–12)
          III.      Persistence of Faith (2 CORINTHIANS 4:13–15)
      A.      Confident in Resurrection (vv. 13, 14)
      B.      Benefit for Many (v. 15)
Conclusion
      A.      Hardship with Hope
      B.      Prayer
      C.      Thought to Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

Corinth

Kor-inth.

Corinthians

Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).

Ephesians

Ee-fee-zhunz.

Weatherly, Jon et al. “Treasure in Clay Jars.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2013–2014. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson & Jonathan Underwood. Vol. 61. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2013. 430. Print.