Lord's Day - Sunday - International KJV Sunday school Lesson - Outline for Teacher's & Student's

 December 27

Lesson 4 (KJV)

Called to Prepare

Devotional Reading: John 1:19–34

Background Scripture: Matthew 3

Matthew 3:1–12

1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

 Key Verse

This is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.—Matthew 3:3

Call in the New Testament

Unit 1: The Beginning of a Call

Lessons 1–4

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. List salient points of John the Baptist’s ministry and message.

2. Compare and contrast the two baptisms of which John spoke.

3. Correct one attitude that puts him or her in danger of being viper-like.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. The Voice

B. Lesson Context

I. Called to Testify (Matthew 3:1–4)

A. Setting (v. 1)

B. Message (vv. 2–3)

Voice in the Wilderness

C. Messenger (v. 4)

II. Called to Repent (Matthew 3:5–10)

A. Receptive Audience (vv. 5–6)

B. Unrepentant Adversaries (vv. 7–10)

Fruits of Repentance

III. Called to Prepare (Matthew 3:11–12)

A. John’s Work (v. 11a)

B. Prophesied Work (vv. 11b–12)

Conclusion

A. Voices in the Wilderness

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

Esaias	E-zay-us.
Herod Antipas	Hair-ud An-tih-pus.
Isaiah	Eye-zay-uh.
Josephus	Jo-see-fus.
Judean	Joo-dee-un.
Malachi	Mal-uh-kye.
Messiah	Meh-sigh-uh.
Pentecost	Pent-ih-kost.
Pharisees	Fair-ih-seez.
Sadducees	Sad-you-seez.
synagogue	sin-uh-gog

What Do You Think? Under what circumstances will your witness for Christ be better served by dressing in a way that is distinctively different from that of culture customs? How might that hinder? Digging Deeper How do passages such as Leviticus 19:19, 27; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23; 11:3–16; 1 Timothy 2:9–10; and 1 Peter 3:3 inform your decision?

What Do You Think? Under what circumstances, if any, are Christians justified in speaking harshly to others as John did? Why do you say that? Digging Deeper In addition to Acts 8:20; 18:6; Titus 1:13; and 1 Peter 3:15–16, what passages help frame your answer?

What Do You Think? As new Christians begin to produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), which of the rotten fruits (5:19–21) should be first to go? Why? Digging Deeper Which of the lists in Romans 1:29–31; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Ephesians 4:25–32; 5:3–5; Philippians 4:8–9; and Colossians 3:5, 8, 12 convict you most in this regard? Why?

What Do You Think? What can you do to recognize and appreciate more fully the work of the Holy Spirit in your life? Digging Deeper Does your thinking trend more toward things you need to start doing or things you need to stop doing? Why is that?

What Do You Think? What plan can you make to get rid of the chaff in your life? Digging Deeper What would be the advantages and disadvantages of recruiting an accountability partner for this task?

Conclusion

A. Voices in the Wilderness

Whenever a person emerges as the lone advocate for an important cause and is later proven to be right, we may refer to that individual as “a voice in the wilderness.” Such people often feel that way themselves, alone in their cries for change and often criticized for their views. They call others to prepare for a future that is obscure to most but that they themselves foresee (or think they foresee) clearly. Like John the Baptist, these individuals are often attacked rather than appreciated.

Today’s lesson reminds us of the need to prepare for Christ’s coming—in our case, His second coming. Part of our preparation involves serving as voices in the wilderness as we speak out against the evil we see both in the world and among God’s people.

B. Prayer

Father, help us to know our own hearts so that we can be ready for Your Son’s return. Help us bear the fruit You have called us to bear and to be strong in telling others that Your kingdom is near. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

C. Thought to Remember

The time to repent is now.

 Thatcher, Tom, David Graves, et al. “Called to Prepare.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2020–2021. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson, Jane Ann Kenney, and Margaret K. Williams. Vol. 68. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2020–2021. 151. Print.