Sept. 2, 2012 "Joyful, Generous Giving"

"Joyful Generous Giving" - 2 Corinthians 8 & 9

Today's class  began with a review of last week’s lesson, ‘The Perfect Sacrifice’, re- emphasizing the important points about animal sacrifices in the Old Testament, and how that principle - that shedding of blood is required - also applies to paying for our sins.  We repeated the definition of sin, given last week:

SIN is anything you and I Say, Do, or Think, that does not please God.  It is breaking God’s laws.

The incident described in the video clip shown last week was mentioned (mass murder at a movie theater), and we also contrasted this gross sin with so-called “kid-sins” such as lying to  your parents.   God is Holy, and ALL sin separates us from God.   The review concluded by presenting Jesus as “The Lamb of God” - the Perfect Sacrifice.  This was followed by discussion, using posters of Jesus being crucified.  Jesus suffered and died as a sacrifice for our sins.   This was last week’s Lesson Focus: Jesus is the Perfect Sacrifice for your sins.

After the review, we covered Lesson 13 from Bible Adventures,  using Scripture texts from   2 Corinthians, chapters 8 and 9.   The churches of Macedonia are mentioned in chapter 8, and in class discussion it was pointed out that these people were not wealthy, but they were very generous, beyond what Saint Paul the Apostle had expected.   Paul uses this as an example to the Corinthians, who were financially better off than the Macedonian believers.  Paul taught important principles of giving, which were covered in chapter 9.   These principles are referred to as The Law of Sowing and Reaping, and this particular reference, in the key verses, 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8, emphasizes attitude - being a cheerful giver.  It also promises that God will respond to your giving in a gracious way and will be generous to you in return.   


The Memory Verse assigned this week is Galatians 6: 10.   Each week, now through the 9/9/12 class, we also are permitting students to say the previously assigned verse, Psalm 19: 1, using the NIV text, and earn extra Achievement Points.   
The Summer Quarter Achievement Award winner was announced this week -- Joshua Scranton.   
Homework  assigned is to read and review pages 1 and 4 of Bible Adventures.