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| Sabbath School Programs and Teaching Plans for your Church |
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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
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March 27: The Essence of Christian Character 
By David Robinson
CONNECT: RELEVANT
WHY should I study “The Fruit of the Spirit Is: The Essence of Christian Character”?
• To understand that there are many aspects and nuances of the Christian character.
• To know that hope plays a big role in developing a Christian character.
• To understand what “seeking the kingdom of God” means.
• To learn how to receive the fruit of the Spirit.
LEARN: CREDIBLE
WHAT are the Bible facts in “The Fruit of the Spirit Is: The Essence of Christian Character”?
• Christ in my heart equals the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).
• I should pursue the things of God first rather than make the things of the world my priority (Matt. 6:33).
• Seeking worldly things makes all other pursuits futile
(Matt. 16:26).
• Righteousness, joy, and peace are what the kingdom of God is about (Rom. 14:17).
• I need to hold myself accountable for the type of witness I am (2 Cor. 13:5).
• When my sins discourage me, I must remember there is no perfect person here on earth. I am expected to grow in grace (Rom. 3:22-24).
• I should not love the things of this world, or I will become an enemy of God (1 John 2:15).
APPLY: TIMELY
HOW are the principles of “The Fruit of the Spirit Is: The Essence of Christian Character” seen today in the media?
• Coach funds basketball trip. Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings gave his $100,000 raise to help fund his team’s trip to Australia (rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa. Accessed August 25, 2009).
APPLY: CONVERSATION
Witness: Did you hear about Kevin Stallings?
Younger Brother: Who is he?
Witness: He’s the men’s basketball coach at Vanderbilt.
Younger Brother: And?
Witness: Instead of taking his $100,000 raise, he gave it to his team to fund their 10-day trip to Australia.
Younger Brother: That’s pretty cool!
Witness: That’s more than cool; that’s downright Christlike.
Younger Brother: I don’t necessarily think it’s the money. I think he looked at what was more important—money or a chance to really connect with his team. That’s Christlike.
Witness: Excellent insight, my little brother! The guys could use some more input like yours at our Friday night sessions. Instead of just staying around the house, come share your perspectives.
Younger Brother: Thinking is fine. Public speaking isn’t!
Witness: Then sit back and listen to what everyone else has to say.
Younger Brother: How much is it worth to you that I come? Would you give me $100,000?
Witness (roars with laughter): It’s not about the money, remember?
Younger Brother: You’re right. It will be cool to have something that we can connect on.
INTEGRATE: DOABLE
HOW do I use and share the principles of “The Fruit of the Spirit Is: The Essence of Christian Character” for my own spiritual growth and share them with other people?
• Now that I thoroughly understand what it means to seek the kingdom of God, I focus on specific, short-term goals that move me in the right direction. For instance, now I focus on spreading joy to the people I come in contact with rather than just making myself comfortable.
• I share that love, peace, joy, etc., are much more than just good personality traits drilled into a person by parents and authority figures. Can heaven actually work through the Holy Spirit to help us reach a character that we could achieve in no other way. That’s good news!
MASTER: MEASURABLE
WHAT changes in thinking, action, or reaction have I begun/made as a result of studying “The Fruit of the Spirit Is: The Essence of Christian Character”?
• I care about secular people and world situations, but I don’t allow the world to squeeze me into its mold—having its values and methods, its standards of success and “right” living.
• I hold myself accountable for the type of witness I am. I seek to set an example for my family and the young people who admire me. This means that in addition to me being a law-abiding citizen, I incorporate Jesus into my life so my “flock” will know why I do the things I do and who is responsible for any good that I achieve.
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