13/03/2022
AG ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
UNIT 2: Why We Need The Bible
LESSON 11: MARCH 13, 2022.
TOPIC: THE BIBLE AND CULTURE
Memory Verse: Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven(KJV).
Lesson Bible Text:
Matthew 5:13-20; Exodus 31:1-5; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; 15:58; Isaiah 5:20-24; Philippians 4:8-9.
Lesson Central Truth:
God calls His people to live by Biblical values in a sinful culture.
LESSON INTRODUCTION
Culture can be defined as the arts, customs, lifestyles, background, and habits that characterise a particular society or nation.
We should bear in mind that the Bible is not anti-culture. So there are worldly and Christian cultures - both can often clash. The Word of God is always there to help us as believers to respond positively to any worldly culture. Note that culture is to conform to the Word, not the Word to the culture.
What role do Christians hold in shaping the culture around us?
There is an old saying that Christians can either be a thermometer or a thermostat in the world. We either adapt to the values of our culture,like a thermometer changes in response to temperature, or we can shape culture, like a thermostat controls the temperature. Scripture is clear: Rather than allow the world to change our values, we should live out the values of Scripture and thereby influence culture.
This week's lesson explores:
- What it means to be salt and light in our culture.
- The importance of living out our Christian values within the culture.
- How we can use our talents and interests as opportunities to engage and influence culture according to Scripture.
LESSON OUTLINE:
1. BE SALT AND LIGHT
A. Effective Witnesses - Matthew 5:13-16
B. Righteous Witnesses - Matthew 5:17-20.
2. SCRIPTURE AND THE ARTS
A. Spirit-Anointed Skills - Exodus 31:1-5
B. To Glorify God AND Benefit Others - 1 Corinthians 10:31-33; 15:58.
3. BIBLICAL WISDOM ON ENTERTAINMENT
A. Value What God Desires - Isaiah 5:20-24
B. Think On These Things - Philippians 4:8-9.
LESSON NUGGETS
✅ In the ancient world, salt was very valuable: It serves as seasoning, it was often rubbed into meat to act as a preservative. Farmers would add it to soil as fertiliser. Virtually everyone depended on salt in some way. The value of salt is its taste. You can bear with me that any food without salt, will definitely be tasteless. So as believers, we are salt to add good taste to this world. All the wonderful fruit of the Spirit are the taste we must display each day as salt we are. Always be the salt you are to your world and never lose your taste via sin. When we lose our taste we become vulnerable to the worldly culture and attacks from the devil.
✅Note that salt, to be effective, must be in contact with the meat or fish it is to preserve. To be effective, we must be involved where we work and where we live. This puts us in a tension because the dominant culture doesn’t necessarily like us. But in our contacts with the culture, we must retain our “saltiness,” our distinctiveness. It’s a balancing act we are called upon to maintain. We shouldn't lose our identity because we have a role to fulfil here on earth. God's intends for our Christian character and values to have an impact on our world.
✅ Jesus called us to remain clearly visible. Light is and important metaphor in Scripture, often symbolising Jesus and His mission(John 1:4-5; 8:12). As light, Christians convey the gospel in a sin-darkened world. Just as city on a hill wi naturally be seen by all those around it, believers ought to be clearly recognised by the surrounding world. Never hide your identity as light. We shine on as light to the worldly culture when we preach and teach the good news of Christ. More importantly, our daily lifestyle speak volumes to who we are as light or darkness. People around will definitely change to become light when they see the real light of Christ in us.
✅ Jesus said He came to "fulfil" the law rather than abolish it, He meant that He came to accomplish its purpose. The fulfilment of the law is in Christ's life and ministry. Yes, we don't offer sacrifices again because Jesus has atoned for our sins through His blood. So our minds and hearts should set on His Kingdom. We are called to love, forgiveness, honesty, sincere charity, selflessness, and many other spiritual virtues. These qualities in many ways stand in contrast to a fallen, ungodly culture and thus provide a powerful witness of God's transforming grace. We are His righteous witnesses through our changed lives. Praise be to His Name. Amen!
✅ Bezalel, a man filled with God's Spirit and was anointed by God with a wonderful skill as an artisan working with gold, silver, and bronze. Bezalel used his talent mighty for the tabernacle project. You will do exploits when your hands are anointed by God. Note that any skill or talent you have is given to you by God; so use it to promote His purpose and not for worldly culture. So use it for His glory and not for your own interest. Beloved, be Bezalel of our time by using your talent and skill for the growth of God's Kingdom. You have what the church needs and don't allow your talent to die off without using it. Many today use their skill for ungodly culture. We are to stand out if we must win souls for the Kingdom through our talents.
✅ It is also important to keep in mind that giftedness from God must never be seen as taking the place of our own hard work and commitment. Bezalel still had to work hard, even as he depended upon the Holy Spirit to help him use his God-given talents. We, too, can endeavour--with the help of the Spirit--to honour God and promote His Kingdom through the gifts He has given us to use. Beloved, whichever gift that you have both the ones that associated with church ministries and the non-church gifts, always subject yourself to the leading of the Holy Spirit for direction.
✅ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless(1 Corinthians 15:58). Your present labour in the Lord has a great value beyond this world. Take an inventory of how you are using your abilities, even in terms of your hobbies and interests. At times, we do get tired for not being appreciated or rewarded in our work in the church. Always bear in mind that God is your great Rewarder and not your pastor or any other man. Continue with your good works in the Lord because a great reward await you.
✅ Destruction is certain for those who say that evil is good and good is evil; that dark is light and light is dark; that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter(Isaiah 5:20). This is the real definition of our world today. Isaiah 5 helps us discern what values to embrace or reject. God will judge those who focus on self and fail to value what He values. As we decide how to live each day, our values must grow out of a love for holy things and a priority for the eternal.
✅ In Philippians 4:8, Paul listed qualities that ought to occupy the thought life of believers. Each of these possess spiritual virtue:
things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. It is easy to link these things to godly actions and attitudes. As such, they form a good standard by which to choose our entertainment. We are to ponder these virtues, allowing them to guide us into good deeds. The right attitude of righteousness should be our desire.
✅ Paul then pointed to himself as an example of how a Christian should live. By observing his life and teachings, the Philippians could know what it means to live a godly life.
Pause and ponder on these questions:
- Can you confidently point at yourself as an example of how a Christian should live?
- Is your lifestyle a godly one?
- Can a Sinner be saved through your godly lifestyle?
✅ The real you is always in the private. When we go online in the privacy of home, what sites do we visit? When we turn on the TV, what do we watch? When we are out of town for business, where do we go? As Christians, we are called to live "counter-culture," shining brightly for Christ in a culture darkened by sin. Yes, we live in a scary time of ungodly culture, but we are to live victoriously in this scary world, knowing fully well that God will surely see us through.
🎤Action Word🎤
We are living in the world that is full with anti-christian culture. We are to find help in God's Word to respond and counter any culture that is against our faith in Christ.
🙏Lesson Prayer Point🙏
Father, help us to live according to Your will in this ungodly world in Jesus Name.
Remain blessed as you join us to study in our Sunday school both online and at any Assemblies Of God Church close to you as we study together under the Feet of the Master.
Share your contribution.
Shalom!
