The International Sunday School, Outline

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May 1
Lesson 9

INCREASED FAITH

DEVOTIONAL READING: Jeremiah 23:33–24:6
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Luke 17:1–10


LUKE 17:1–10

1 Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.




Photo: Shawn Hempel/iStock/Thinkstock

KEY VERSE
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
—Luke 17:3


THE GIFT OF FAITH

Unit 3: Fullness of Faith
LESSONS 9–13


LESSON AIMS

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. List some duties of a Christian as set forth by Jesus.
2. Explain the relationship between growing faith and forgiveness.
3. Identify one way to practice forgiveness on a daily basis.


LESSON OUTLINE

Introduction
      A.      Keeping Score
      B.      Lesson Background
          I.      Protecting and Forgiving (LUKE 17:1–4)
      A.      Little Ones (vv. 1, 2)
      B.      Offending Ones (vv. 3, 4)
      Card Counting
          II.      Growing and Serving (LUKE 17:5–10)
      A.      Bigger Faith (vv. 5, 6)
      B.      Enduring Faith (vv. 7–9)
      C.      Obedient Faith (v. 10)
      A Sense of Entitlement
Conclusion
      A.      Mustard Seeds or Scorecards?
      B.      Prayer
      C.      Thought to Remember


HOW TO SAY IT

Corinthians   Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).
Jerusalem   Juh-roo-suh-lem.
Leviticus   Leh-vit-ih-kus.
sycamine   sih-kuh-mine.

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 What Do You Think?
     In your experience, what makes corrective rebukes effective?
 Talking Points for Your Discussion
     ■      Regarding the rebuke’s content (“what you say”)
     ■      Regarding the rebuke’s form (“how you say it”)
     ■      Regarding the medium used (in person, by e-mail, by phone, etc.)
     ■      Considering the spiritual maturity and personality types of those involved
     ■      Other
______________________________________________________

 What Do You Think?
     How can we apply Jesus’ words without enabling bad behavior?
 Talking Points for Your Discussion
     ■      Considering the difference between forgiveness and consequences
     ■      Considering criminal vs. noncriminal behavior
     ■      Other
______________________________________________________

  What Do You Think?
     How do you know if and when your faith is growing?
 Talking Points for Your Discussion
     ■      Evidence from your prayers
     ■      Evidence from level of contentment or worry
     ■      Evidence from your worship
     ■      Evidence from your Christian service
     ■      Other
______________________________________________________

 What Do You Think?
     When was a time you saw “mustard-seed faith” result in an unanticipated outcome? How did your faith change as a result?
 Talking Points for Your Discussion
     ■      Involving your church as a whole
     ■      Involving someone’s ministry gifts in particular
     ■      Involving a direction-of-life decision
     ■      Other
______________________________________________________

 What Do You Think?
     What does this verse have to say about a Christian’s being able to “exceed expectations” in various areas of life?
 Talking Points for Your Discussion
     ■      In the business arena
     ■      In home life
     ■      In volunteer work
     ■      Other
______________________________________________________

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