| |
|
|
|
| |
| Sabbath School Programs and Teaching Plans for your Church |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
Formerly Sabbath School Leadership, LEAD is a quarterly magazine to bring more power and polish to your Sabbath School programs and Sabbath School teaching.
 Listen to the Sabbath School Theme Music for this Quarter
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
February 27: Meekness 
Meekness
By David Robinson
CONNECT: RELEVANT
WHY should I study “The Fruit of the Spirit Is Meekness”?
• To understand the true meaning of meekness.
• To see examples of different expressions of meekness within the Bible.
• To understand the importance of being meek.
LEARN: CREDIBLE
WHAT are the Bible facts in “The Fruit of the Spirit Is Meekness”?
• The meek are blessed, because they will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5).
• When I meekly acknowledge God’s control, I am less stressed (Matt. 11:29).
• Not focusing on myself supports developing a humble spirit (Rom. 12:3).
• There are many examples of meekness in the Bible for me to follow (Gen. 13:8; Gen. 45; 1 Sam. 24:3-7; 26:7-12; Ex. 32:19, 20; Matt. 11:29).
• If I do not have a humble spirit, I won’t be able to receive God’s Word (James 1:21).
• Being meek helps me to be a better witness, because I’m more in tune with people’s challenges (1 Peter 3:15).
• Meekness enables me to give all the glory to God for any success (1 Peter 3:4).
APPLY: TIMELY
HOW are the principles of “The Fruit of the Spirit Is Meekness” seen today in the media?
• Another steroid case. Manny Ramirez of the Los Angeles Dodgers was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for steroids (sports.yahoo.com. Accessed May 7, 2009).
• China’s government taking steps toward meekness. The student-led democracy movement in China led to a military crackdown in Beijing. In honor of the occasion, China released some of the articles published during that time period (chinadigitaltimes.net. Accessed May 7, 2009).
APPLY: CONVERSATION
Witness: Can you believe that Manny Ramirez was suspended 50 games for substance abuse?
Coworker: Manny was using?
Witness: Apparently. But he says that he was taking them for fertility reasons—or something like that.
Coworker: A likely story.
Witness: Manny’s experience is actually one example of people not being meek enough to forthrightly face their limitations.
Coworker: But in today’s world, who really wants to be weak.
Witness: Meekness and weakness are two different situations. Perhaps a more common synonym for “meekness” can help you. Think “humility.” Meekness—humility—can help a person to be open enough to get needed help.
Coworker: And to admit that they—famous and manly though they may be—even need help.
Witness: You’re on to something good, my friend.
Coworker: And you have interesting ways of looking at the news.
Witness: I’m in an interesting discussion group. You’d like them; they’d like you. Want in?
Witness: China’s government is giving up some of its power over the media. To commemorate the student-led protests, the government recently decided to release some of the articles that were written 20 years ago.
Neighbor: Oh, I see. By China’s government giving up power, they’re actually winning the people’s favor gaining power.
Witness: In a way, yes. We’re actually meeting to discuss meekness this week in my Bible study group, and China is going to be my example. Would you like to come and see the responses from other participants’ study?
Coworker: Sure, it sounds interesting. Actually, I want to see what they say about your idea! Ha!
INTEGRATE: DOABLE
HOW do I use and share the principles of “The Fruit of the Spirit Is Meekness” for my own spiritual growth and share them with other people?
• I am more inclined to give up more of my personal power so that God can use me in any way He sees fit.
• I can now clearly explain the difference between meekness and weakness to my friends who aren’t Christians. If I can convince them to disassociate meekness from weakness, that one change in their mind-set will help them to have a different outlook on life.
MASTER: MEASURABLE
WHAT changes in thinking, action, or reaction have I begun/made as a result of studying “The Fruit of the Spirit Is Meekness”?
• I don’t get stressed as easily when things aren’t going the way I planned or hoped.
• I’m trying different ways to explain “meek,” because the word isn’t in my friends’ regular vocabulary.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
