Consider the difficulty of creating a worldwide solution for a worldwide problem. Two basic realities must be addressed. Reality one: is the solution workable among all people everywhere? Reality two: can people everywhere in all circumstances respond to the solution? We tend to stress the first reality and overlook the second.
God addressed both realities when He gave us Jesus to be the Savior of the world. For Jesus to provide salvation to all people, salvation had to be (1) workable everywhere among all people. It must work for the primitive and the advanced. It must work for the one who cannot read and the one who does read. It must work for the poor, the middle class, and the wealthy. Salvation in Jesus (2) must be based on an example that all people could understand. Jesus could have come as royalty; but royalty is not an option for most people. Jesus could have come as privileged, but being privileged is not an option for most. Jesus could have occupied a significant earthly position, but occupying a significant position is not an option for most people.
Among all people on earth are servants. Everyone understands the basic role and responsibility of a servant. For God through Jesus to create salvation that could be extended to the people of the world, He had to send Jesus as a servant.
(Suggestion to consider: possibly begin the class by sharing insights concerning the enormous difficulty God faced in making salvation a worldwide reality/option available to all people in every culture and circumstance.)
2 Corinthians 8:1-9; The Christians in Macedonia.
These very poor people contributed to a fund to relieve the physical distress of Christians in Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 16:3). Their generous gift reflected God's grace that lived in them. They suffered physically for having faith in Jesus (2 Corinthians 8:2) and lived in "deep poverty." They responded to the need with the "wealth of liberality."
They gave beyond their ability. They gave of their own accord. To God, generosity means nothing if it is not voluntary and from the heart.
They begged Paul to allow them to participate in contributing to the fund.
First, they gave themselves to the Lord and to Paul and his companions. They gave themselves because they understood this was God's will.
In the Lord Jesus Christ's grace, he left riches to become poor for their sake (and ours).
Note to teacher: do not allow the class to "drift" in the direction of a discussion about contributions. Assure them that this will be studied later. Keep the focus on the fact that Jesus was the example. It was because he willingly became poor that poor Christians were willingly generous in helping his people.
The Macedonian Christians, even in affliction and poverty, allowed Jesus to be their example in generosity. Jesus' example was the basis for their decision to be generous. Generosity to Christians in need was a means of expressing their appreciation for Jesus' generosity in granting them salvation. Stress the importance of Jesus existing as their example.
1 Timothy 2:3-6; Paul addressed image problems.
Christians living in the city of Ephesus had significant image problems. Paul wanted them to act in ways that publicly addressed the misrepresentations of whom and what they were.
God desires for (a) all to be saved and (b) to come the knowledge of the truth.
Jesus is the only mediator between God and people. A mediator seeks to reconcile two parties who are separated. His objective is to bring peace where it was destroyed and to reconcile those who are alienated. Mediation is a difficult task. In serious crises, it invariably calls for the mediator to make sacrifices. The mediator's heart and attitude often are the keys to successful mediation.
To successful mediate the alienation between God and people, Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all (even those who do not wish to be at peace with God).
Suggestion: Emphasize the truth that Jesus has earned the right to be my example.
Titus 2:11-14; Paul addressed problems associated with behavior.
Christians on the island of Crete behaved in ways that destroyed the gospel's "healthy teaching."
The grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all.
Grace instructs Christians to deny ungodliness and worldly desires. Suggestion: note that neither can be identified without looking at and listening to Jesus. Only he who is our example can focus us.
Grace instructs Christians to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the context of the times. The times do not define what is sensible, righteous, and godly. Christians do not allow the times to determine how they live. They live for Christ in the times.
Christians should look for the appearance of God and Christ.
He redeemed and purified us by giving himself for us. Suggestion: again, emphasize that Jesus has earned the right to be the example for those who accept the salvation he made possible.
(Jesus made salvation an existing reality. He made it possible for each of us to be rescued from sin. Only he lived without sinning. Only he did the will of God perfectly. Of all who have lived on earth, only he was righteous. Christians learn things from the life and teachings of Jesus that they can learn nowhere else. It is essential that we willingly allow Jesus to be our example.)
Jesus came to save. Jesus served to save. He willingly assumed poverty. He mediates. He sacrificed himself to redeem. Those are the actions of one who willingly chooses to serve. Only because Jesus was a servant could He do those things.
The basic significance of this truth must not be ignored. Christian generosity is the natural result when Jesus is the example. Improved Christian images are the natural result when Jesus is the example. Improved Christian behavior is the natural result when Jesus is the example. This truth is fundamental to Christian existence: Jesus must be my example. The basic reason that the Christian man or woman will assume the role of a servant: our Savior was a servant.
(Suggestion: stress the fact that Christians will redirect life and make eternal purposes their priority only when they permit Jesus to be their example. Any other motivation will prove inadequate to redirect life year after year.)
Link to Student Guide Quarter 1, Lesson 6