Judy and I came home from our vacation last week Thursday night. Lake Michigan was still there. The sun is setting higher in the north, but the snow is still there. I am not complaining, God's seasons are all beautiful!

Sunday School Lesson for February 22, 2009

Here is the lesson for my Sunday School Class 10 AM. Please study over the text and discussion questions for this week.

Lord willing, I will be there to teach my class this week!

FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH PASTOR’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
FEB. 22, 2009 “A COMMITMENT TO CHARGE” ISH. 6:1-8

1In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
· What important event had just happened before the recording of this story? Where were you when John F. Kennedy died?
· Who is the king that will never die? Why is that important to you?
· How does this passage refer to God’s throne in Heaven?
· Why do you think that the faces of the seraphim angels were covered? Why would their feet be covered?
· Why do you think that the seraphim angels had a pair of six wings? Was this story an actual account or simply a vision of Isaiah?
· Where were these angels flying to? Are they still flying today?

3And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. 4And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
· What were the seraphims crying and why? Why did they cry “holy” three times? What is the importance of recognizing the holiness of God?
· What did the angels say about the earth? When is the last time that you witnessed any “glory” of God upon the earth?
· What door is being spoken of in verse 4?
· Why would the house be filled with smoke? What is the meaning of all of this? Is this to be taken literally or figuratively?

5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
· What was the response of Isaiah? Why would he feel undone? Have you ever felt as if you were unworthy to come to Church or to be in God’s presence? Should we make everyone feel at home in Church? Should a lost man feel at home within the inter sanctum of our Church?
· What did Isaiah say about the people that surrounded him? Do you think that Isaiah felt that he was better than the people around him?
· Why is it that caused Isaiah to feel this way? How do you think that God looks at America today? Are you proud to be an American? When is the last time that you saw something in the news that made you proud to be an American? When is the last time that you saw or heard something on the news that made you ashamed to be an American?
· How do you think that the rest of the world looks at us? Does it matter?
· What is meant by the term “the Lord of hosts?” What host?

6Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
· What did the seraphim do in verse six? Why was it important that this “coal” was taken from off of the Altar?
· Are they altars in Heaven? Why? Isn’t the cross sufficient? What altar is spoken of in this verse?
· Why would the angel have to use “tongs” in retrieving the coal from the altar? Is it possible for angels to receive an injury?
· Why do you think that the angel laid the coal upon the mouth of Isaiah?
· Why would this coal have the ability to remove the iniquity of Isaiah? What does the word iniquity mean?
· What is meant by the word “purged?” In what way has God purged you of your sin? Does a Christian need to have his sinned purged?
· When is the last time that you felt as if God had to purge you of your sin? Can you share a testimony of this truth?
· Can God use an unclean vessel for his honor and glory?
· Are you a vessel of honor? When is the last time that God used your life for his glory? Can you share a testimony of how God has recently used your life? How did it make you feel?

8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
· Who asked the question in verse 8? How did Isaiah know that this was the “voice of the Lord?”
· How does God speak to us today? Is it possible for a Christian to be deceived by listening to someone else’s voice and think that they are hearing the “voice of the Lord?
· What question did the Lord ask? Why couldn’t God just have sent one of his seraphim angels to do his bidding?
· Does God really need the help of man? Can’t God do it all by himself?
· If God needs our help, is God completely sovereign?
· What does this verse tell you in regards to the need of soulwinners in the Church today? Do you consider yourself a soulwinner? Should you be?
· Can we expect people to attend our Church simply because we can offer them a nice building to sit in on Sundays?
· Do you consider our Church to be an evangelistic Church? How can we improve in the entire of evangelism?
· When is the last time that God used your life to win someone to Christ? Can you share a testimony about a time that God used your life to win someone else to Christ?
· What was the difference between the way that Isaiah had first had felt when he saw this vision, and the conclusion of how Isaiah felt now? What creates boldness in the life of a Christian in order to witness for the Lord?

This picture was taken at Cabe Cove, Tennessee near Gatlinburg. Judy and I visited some old cabins in the mountains. Thank you for praying for us. The vacation ends in a couple of days. We are looking forward to our trip home on Thursday. -JLD

Isn't this picture beautiful? Two reasons, the ocean waves, and the beautiful lady in the foreground!

Cosumel, Mexico, the far side of the Island. -JLD

Picture of Judy and I in Playaday Carman, Mexico. Great shopping and beautiful beaches. This picture was taken at a fountain in the downtown area.

Judy and I in Cosumel, Mexico... having a wonderful time together!

Thank you for your prayers. We hope to be home late Thursday night...

JLD

Judy and I are enjoying our vacation together. We are now in Mobile, Alabama. It is summer here... summer for us anyway. Tomorrow will be my 56th birthday and we will be boarding the "Holiday" Ship on the Carnival Cruise liner heading for Mexico. It is a five day cruise. Next week, we will be joining our friends, Alan and Pat Willis in Gatlinberg, Tennessee. We anticipate being home again on the 20th.

Remember us in your prayers. Pray for our spiritual renewal. We are full of praise for all of the things God has blessed us with in Muskegon. It will be wonderful returning home again. God bless. -Jerry

Here is the Sunday School Lesson for this coming Sunday. Dave Torok will be teaching it as Judy and I will be away on vacation for a couple of weeks. I intend to keep everyone posted on my blog as the events of the day pass by. We are leaving for Tennessee on this coming Friday and plan on being with my former Pastor and his wife, Rick and Judy Stewart on that evening in McMinville.

Now for the lesson, enjoy:

FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH PASTOR’S SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
FEB. 8, 2009 “COMMITMENT TO CONFRONT” 2 SAM. 12:1-7, 13-15

1And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 3But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

· Why do you think that God did not speak unto David directly? Why did he use a prophet to convey the message?
· Why do you think that Nathan used a parable to speak to David instead of just telling David straight out that he had sinned against the Lord?
· When does it become our “business” to talk to others about “sin” in their lives? Aren’t we all sinners? Don’t we all want to be left alone?
· What was the parable that Nathan told to David? Why would David be inclined to listen to story about a man who had a little sheep?
· How does this story remind you of your own pet? Do people care more about their pets than they do about other people?

4And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.

· What gave the rich man the right to think that he had the right to take the poor man’s lamb? Are all rich people self centered people?
· Who did the “rich man” portray in the parable that Nathan was telling? Do you believe that David ever considered himself in this light?
· Do you think that the rich man in this text ever considered the fact that he was “sinning?” Was this rich man indeed committing a sin?
· How does this story compare in the analogy of committing adultery? Is all adultery “selfish?” Isn’t adultery just “love making” between two consenting adults? Do you believe that Bathsheba was a consenting adult in the sexual exploits of the palace? Did David have an affair or a fling? Is there a difference? Can’t people just have an “innocent affair?”
· Do you have a proper self image of yourself? Do you think that you might appear to be selfish in the eyes of others? How can we change that image of ourselves to others?

5And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: 6And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

· Why do you think that David got so upset over the story of a little sheep? Wasn’t his own violation much more severe than that told in the story?
· What did David say should be done to the rich man? Can government ever give to harsh a sentence to those who violate the law?
· Why do you think that David was so quickly angered?

7And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

· Do you think that Nathan was a little blunt at this point? Wouldn’t you have been afraid to tell the King, “Thou art the man!” Especially in that David had just threatened to have a man put to death?
· How do you think that David physically appeared when Nathan had pointed out that “he was the rich man” in the story that he had just told?
· Why would God have been so angered with David? Couldn’t David simply have stated, “What’s the big deal, everybody sins from time to time?
· Does God have a higher standard for those who are in governmental leadership? How would those who govern our lands fare today by God’s standards? Should a “president” be impeached for committing adultery?

13And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

· What kind of excuses did David make for his sin? Did he make any excuses? If a person makes excuses for their sin, are they truly repentant?
· Who did David say that he had sinned against? Hadn’t David also sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite? Who else was harmed by David’s sin? Did David owe everyone an apology?
· When we sin, should we walk around apologizing to everyone that we see and tell them that we are sorry for being so terrible?
· Have you ever read Nathaniel Hawthrone’s book “The Scarlett Letter?” Should an adulteress person be forced to wear a Scarlet A on their tee shirt all over town? Should we put people in stocks for being bad people?
· How did God put away our sin? Has your sin been put away?
· What did Nathan say would be the results of David’s sin?
· What should we expect the world to do to us when they learn that we have sinned? Should the Christian community follow their lead?
· How should the response of the Church be any different than that of those who are sitting at the Tavern?
· Why would the world be so quick to condemn a Christian for being a sinner? Are Christians sinless? What should we say to others when we sin?
· What did God say would happen to the child of Bathsheba? Wasn’t God punishing David and Bathsheba? What wrong had Bathsheba done? What wrong had the child done? Why should they have to bear consequences of David’s sin? Is God fair? Is life fair? Should David had gotten angry at God for allowing his son to die? Did God cause the child’s death? If so, is a God a murderer?

15And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.

· Why would God strike the child sick, when the sin was David's fault?