Sunday School Lessons Archives - Baptist & Reflector

AUG. 18: LIVING WITH INTEGRITY

August 12, 2019

By Mickey D. Brackin
Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg

Focal Passage: Titus 2:1-15

In today’s focal passage (Titus 2:1-15), Paul presents a level of godly expectations, not only for church leaders but for all believers. According to Charles Ray, “The goal of his instructions was for believers to be above reproach (v. 5), to preempt opponents from having reasons to accuse believers (v. 8), and to make the gospel inviting to the world (v. 10).”

Paul begins chapter two with a contrasting exhortation for Titus (v. 1) “but as for you.” The words that Paul continues to write in chapter two are in direct contrast to the words of Titus 1:16. Paul instructs Titus to be different. [Read more…]

AUG. 18: REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

August 12, 2019

By Mike Kemper

Focal Passage: II Chronicles 16:1-13

In review, we have learned that King Asa was the third king of Judah, the first “good” king. He had determined to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, torn down idols, renovated the temple and commanded the people to seek the Lord. As a result, Asa and the people of Judah had times of peace and they strengthened themselves and prepared for future enemies.

When the Ethiopian enemies came against them, they were greatly outnumbered, and Asa did the right thing by calling on the Lord God to “help.” Indeed, God did help and gave them victory plus the spoils of victory. [Read more…]

AUG. 11: LIVING WITH OPPOSITION

August 6, 2019

Mickey D. Brackin
Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg

Focal Passage: Titus 1:1-5, 10-16

Are you familiar with the term “smokejumper?” A smokejumper is a highly trained firefighter who specializes in fighting wildfires. Often, they must parachute into rugged and remote areas to provide a frontline defense against raging wildfires. Upon examination of a young pastor named Titus, I believe he could have been given the title “pastoral smokejumper!”

Just like the U.S. Forest Service Smokejumpers, Titus on more than one occasion, was given the assignment of being a frontline firefighter, fighting against the fires of false teachers and false doctrine (II Corinthians 7:6-16, Titus 1:5, 10-16). [Read more…]

AUG. 11: WORSHIP CONTINUALLY

August 6, 2019

By Mike Kemper

Focal Passage: II Chronicles 15:10-19

As King Asa began his rule he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. However, before his time, worship and an obedient relationship with God had been token if at all. King Asa repeatedly insists that the people “seek the Lord.”

Though Asa had been successful to a degree, turning the hearts of the people back to their God, Asa obviously felt the need to “take it to another level.”

The timing was right, as it was time for the Festival of Weeks also known as Pentecost. By “seeking the Lord” they had been blessed with peace and plunder over enemies, so they had every reason to worship God and express their gratitude by sacrificing to the Lord. [Read more…]

AUG. 4: ENDURING

July 29, 2019

By Mickey D. Brackin
Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg

Focal Passage: II Timothy 3:12-17; 4:1-8

I grew up in Town Creek, Ala., a small town in northwest Alabama. My dad was a sharecropper and construction laborer. His formal education was completed in the sixth grade. Although lacking in formal education he was a wealth of wisdom for my brothers and me. One important truth he taught us was to always “hoe out your row.” When you start hoeing a row you don’t stop until it’s finished. It doesn’t matter how hot the sun gets or how long the row looks — “hoe out your row!” Don’t stop until it is finished.

In today’s lesson, Paul is writing encouraging Timothy to “hoe out his row.” Young Timothy will face difficult times and many hardships as he serves the Lord and ministers to the church. Paul is exhorting and encouraging him to faithfulness in life and ministry (II Timothy 3:12-13). Paul instructs Timothy to continue in the truth, preaching and teaching it just as he himself had been taught from childhood (vv. 14-15). [Read more…]

AUG. 4: ACT WITH COURAGE

July 29, 2019

By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: II Chronicles 15:1-9

Honoring and obeying God always brings blessings and benefits. Good King Asa had initially done what was right by bringing spiritual reforms. Blessings came. But, consistency in doing right things for the entire nation of Israel had always been “off and on,” sometimes yes, sometimes no.

The prophet Azariah went to King Asa with a reminder message from God, “The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you.” [Read more…]

JUL. 28: DILIGENT

July 22, 2019

Mickey D. Brackin
Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg

Focal Passage: II Timothy 2:14-26

In today’s passage, II Timothy 2:14-26, Paul continues to address the problem of false teachers spreading false doctrine within the church at Ephesus. He begins in verse 14 with the words, “remind them of these things.”

In reference to “these things” Paul is no doubt calling attention to the preceding verses in II Timothy 2, but he is also addressing the entirety of his writings to Timothy concerning his handling of false teachers and false doctrine. [Read more…]

JUL. 28: DEPEND ON GOD

July 22, 2019

By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: II Chronicles 14:9-15

How thankful we are for the many encouraging examples of the power and greatness of the Almighty God we know and serve! Such encouraging verses give vivid examples, and our own experiences with God continue to resound over and over as living testimonies to the power and greatness of God.

As you read and meditate on this lesson, pray that your own dependence on the Lord will be strengthened. The God of King Asa is also our God. [Read more…]

JULY 21: FOCUSED

July 15, 2019

By Mickey D. Brackin
Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg

Focal Passage: II Timothy 2:1-13

Paul begins chapter two with an imperative yet loving command for Timothy to be strong and to remain strong in the faith (II Timothy 2:1). Unlike those of chapter one that have “turned away” Timothy is instructed by the present passive imperative to “be strong,” and “keep on being strong,” strengthened by God’s grace to live faithfully and fulfill His calling. While many are turning away from the faith, Timothy is commanded to be strong and stay strong.

In verse two, Paul gives Timothy and the church a beautiful picture of discipleship. It is critical that Timothy understands his responsibility not only to preach, teach, and live the Word but also to invest into the lives of other faithful men who will in turn be faithful in teaching others. [Read more…]

JULY 21: PURSUE GODLINESS

July 15, 2019

By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: II Chronicles 14:1-8

How can followers of Christ live godly lives in an ungodly world? This lesson makes the point that as followers of Christ we must make God the focus of our lives. The ungodly world around us continually blurs and distorts efforts of living godly lives. We must make willful decisions to live and do what is right. While it is true that we, as believers, live in this world, we should not be of this world, not so much like the world.

The next six lessons explore the life of King Asa. Most of the kings of Judah were not “good” kings, but Asa was one of the “good” ones, and he did what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord God. [Read more…]

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