Teaching Plan on Lesson1: The Gospel Comes to Thessalonica

Key Thought : We need to be grounded in the Bible and its truth, as the Word is ultimately important in our lives, mission, and witness.
[Teaching Plan for " The Gospel Comes to Thessalonica " July 2, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read Acts 16:18-30 .
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.

B. Why did the Philippians react so negativelyto the gospel?

C. Personal Application: What are the things of the world that can draw us away fromthe Lord if we are notcareful.

D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “You thinkyour church members are faithful? Have them falsely accused and put in prison or fined because they share their faith and see how quickly they stop preaching or teaching, if they areanyway. The world has a strong hold on many who want the world and its toys aswell as salvation. ”How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 2:13 .

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.

B. How do we share with people without being “mindless”quoters ofScripture and yet not just reasoning without using Scripture? How do you bring out a balance?

C. Personal Application: How do you approach someone who doesn’t believe the Bible is true? What can you do to draw their interest in its accuracy and veracity?

D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “There aremany people claiming tointerpret and reason from the Scriptures that come up with different conclusions. How canI know that what you say is from God and not just another personal or corporate opinion?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Acts 17:1-5 .
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.

B. Why areworldly wisdom and personal opinions not a goodway to reason with people in drawing them to Christ?

C. Personal Application: What kind of methods or commonground in reaching people today might work in drawing them to the authority of the Scriptures? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Why don’t you go to the church in town and reason with them out of the Scriptures and try to bring theminto your way of understanding the Bible?” How do you respond to your neighbor? Is this a good way?What are some of the negatives? The positives?

4. Have a volunteer read Acts 17:1-3 .
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.

B. In what ways are Christians ridiculed and ostracizedin society today? Share.

C. Personal Application: Why does the message of the Cross continue to be a stumbling block for many people today? Share.

D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class whatyou plan to do this week to share withthem.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retainedonly as it is shared.” MH p. 149)