Sunday School Lesson for October 30, 2011

Lesson for Oct. 30, 2011: Seeking True Happiness (Matthew 5:1-16)

Matthew 5:1-16  King James Version (KJV)

 1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

 6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

• Lesson for Oct. 23, 2011: Finding True Love (Song of Solomon 4:1–5:1)
• Lesson for Oct. 16, 2011: Growing Old with Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:14)
• Lesson for Oct. 9, 2011: Valuing True Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 9:13–10:20)
• Lesson for Oct. 2, 2011: Living an Ordered Life (Proverbs 28:1–29:27)

Lesson for October 16, 2011: Growing Old with Wisdom (Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:14)

Ecclesiastes 11:7-12 (Amplified Bible)

⁷Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.

 

    ⁸Yes, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all; yet let him [seriously] remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that comes is vanity (emptiness, falsity, vainglory, and futility)!

 

    ⁹Rejoice, O young man, in your adolescence, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your [full-grown] youth. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

 

    ¹⁰Therefore remove [the lusts that end in] sorrow and vexation from your heart and mind and put away evil from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity [transitory, idle, empty, and devoid of truth].^(A)

   

Cross references:

1. Ecclesiastes 11:10 : II Cor 7:1; II Tim 2:22



St. Augusta Missionary Baptist Church Virtual Sunday School

Lesson for Sept. 18, 2011: Teaching Values (Proverbs 10:1–15:33)

St. Augusta MBC Virtual Sunday School Facebook Page

Proverbs 10

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Proverbs 10

 ¹THE PROVERBS of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish and self-confident son is the grief of his mother.

    ²Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) delivers from death.

    ³The Lord will not allow the [uncompromisingly] righteous to famish, but He thwarts the desire of the wicked.^(A)

    ⁴He becomes poor who works with a slack and idle hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

    ⁵He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

    ⁶Blessings are upon the head of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

    ⁷The memory of the [uncompromisingly] righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked shall rot.^(B)

    ⁸The wise in heart will accept and obey commandments, but the foolish of lips will fall headlong.

    ⁹He who walks uprightly walks securely, but he who takes a crooked way shall be found out and punished.

    ¹⁰He who winks with the eye [craftily and with malice] causes sorrow; the foolish of lips will fall headlong but ^[a]he who boldly reproves makes peace.

    ¹¹The mouth of the [uncompromisingly] righteous man is a well of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

    ¹²Hatred stirs up contentions, but love covers all transgressions.

    ¹³On the lips of him who has discernment skillful and godly ^[b]Wisdom is found, but discipline and the rod are for the back of him who is without sense and understanding.

    ¹⁴Wise men store up knowledge [in mind and heart], but the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.

    ¹⁵The rich man's wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.^(C)

    ¹⁶The earnings of the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) lead to life, but the profit of the wicked leads to further sin.^(D)

    ¹⁷He who heeds instruction and correction is [not only himself] in the way of life [but also] is a way of life for others. And he who neglects or refuses reproof [not only himself] goes astray [but also] causes to err and is a path toward ruin for others.

    ¹⁸He who hides hatred is of lying lips, and he who utters slander is a [self-confident] fool.^(E)

    ¹⁹In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent.

    ²⁰The tongues of those who are upright and in right standing with God are as choice silver; the minds of those who are wicked and out of harmony with God are of little value.

    ²¹The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart.

    ²²The blessing of the Lord--it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].

    ²³It is as sport to a [self-confident] fool to do wickedness, but to have skillful and godly Wisdom is pleasure and relaxation to a man of understanding.

    ²⁴The thing a wicked man fears shall come upon him, but the desire of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be granted.

    ²⁵When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous have an everlasting foundation.^(F)

    ²⁶As vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who employ and send him.

    ²⁷The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord prolongs one's days, but the years of the wicked shall be made short.

    ²⁸The hope of the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked (those who are out of harmony with God) comes to nothing.

    ²⁹The way of the Lord is strength and a stronghold to the upright, but it is destruction to the workers of iniquity.

    ³⁰The [consistently] righteous shall never be removed, but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth [eventually].^(G)

    ³¹The mouths of the righteous (those harmonious with God) bring forth skillful and godly Wisdom, but the perverse tongue shall be cut down [like a barren and rotten tree].

    ³²The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous know [and therefore utter] what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked knows [and therefore speaks only] what is obstinately willful and contrary.

   

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 10:10 The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) so reads at this point.
2. Proverbs 10:13 Recall that "Wisdom" is capitalized throughout the book of Proverbs as a reminder of its divine implications. See footnotes on Prov. 1:2 and Prov. 1:20.

Cross references:

1. Proverbs 10:3 : Ps 34:9, 10; 37:25
2. Proverbs 10:7 : Ps 112:6; 9:5
3. Proverbs 10:15 : Ps 52:7; I Tim 6:17
4. Proverbs 10:16 : Rom 6:21; I Tim 6:10
5. Proverbs 10:18 : Prov 26:24-26
6. Proverbs 10:25 : Ps 125:1; Matt 7:24-27
7. Proverbs 10:30 : Ps 37:22; 125:1

Lesson for Sept. 18, 2011: Teaching Values (Proverbs 10:1–15:33)

Lesson for Sept. 18, 2011: Teaching Values (Proverbs 10:1–15:33)

Proverbs 10

King James Version (KJV)

Proverbs 10

 ¹The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
 ²Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
 ³The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
 ⁴He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
 ⁵He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
 ⁶Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
 ⁷The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
 ⁸The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
 ⁹He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
 ¹⁰He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
 ¹¹The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
 ¹²Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
 ¹³In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
 ¹⁴Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
 ¹⁵The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
 ¹⁶The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
 ¹⁷He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
 ¹⁸He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
 ¹⁹In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
 ²⁰The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
 ²¹The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
 ²²The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
 ²³It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
 ²⁴The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
 ²⁵As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
 ²⁶As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
 ²⁷The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
 ²⁸The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
 ²⁹The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
 ³⁰The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
 ³¹The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
 ³²The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Lesson for Sept. 4, 2011: Pursuing Righteousness

Biblegateway.com Proverbs 3 Amplified Bible

Proverbs 3 (King James Version)

Proverbs 3 King James Version (KJV)

 ¹My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

 ²For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

 

 ³Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

 ⁴So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

 

 ⁵Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 ⁶In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

 ⁷Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

 ⁸It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

 

 ⁹Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

 

 ¹⁰So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

 ¹¹My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

 

 ¹²For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

 ¹³Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

 

 ¹⁴For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

 ¹⁵She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

 

 ¹⁶Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

 ¹⁷Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

 

 ¹⁸She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

 ¹⁹The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

 

 ²⁰By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

 ²¹My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

 

 ²²So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

 ²³Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

 

 ²⁴When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

 ²⁵Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

 

 ²⁶For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

 ²⁷Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

 

 ²⁸Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

 ²⁹Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

 

 ³⁰Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

 ³¹Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

 

 ³²For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

 ³³The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

 

 ³⁴Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

 ³⁵The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.



Lesson for Sept. 4, 2011: Pursuing Righteousness (Proverbs 3)

St Augusta Missionary Baptist Church Virtual Sunday School

Proverbs 3 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Proverbs 3

 ¹MY SON, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

 

    ²For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.

 

    ³Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart.^(A)

 

    ⁴So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man.^(B)

 

    ⁵Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

 

    ⁶In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

 

    ⁷Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.^(C)

 

    ⁸It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bones.

 

    ⁹Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income;^(D)

 

    ¹⁰So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine.^(E)

 

    ¹¹My son, do not despise or shrink from the chastening of the Lord [His correction by punishment or by subjection to suffering or trial]; neither be weary of or impatient about or loathe or abhor His reproof,^(F)

 

    ¹²For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

 

    ¹³Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences],

 

    ¹⁴For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.

 

    ¹⁵Skillful and godly ^[a]Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her.^(G)

 

    ¹⁶Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor.^(H)

 

    ¹⁷Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

 

    ¹⁸She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy (blessed, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who holds her fast.

 

    ¹⁹The Lord by skillful and godly Wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding He has established the heavens.^(I)

 

    ²⁰By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies distill the dew.

 

    ²¹My son, let them not escape from your sight, but keep sound and godly Wisdom and discretion,

 

    ²²And they will be life to your inner self, and a gracious ornament to your neck (your outer self).

 

    ²³Then you will walk in your way securely and in confident trust, and you shall not dash your foot or stumble.^(J)

 

    ²⁴When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.

 

    ²⁵Be not afraid of sudden terror and panic, nor of the stormy blast or the storm and ruin of the wicked when it comes [for you will be guiltless],

 

    ²⁶For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm and strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger].

 

    ²⁷Withhold not good from those to whom it is due [its rightful owners], when it is in the power of your hand to do it.^(K)

 

    ²⁸Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come again; and tomorrow I will give it--when you have it with you.^(L)

 

    ²⁹Do not contrive or dig up or cultivate evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly and confidently beside you.

 

    ³⁰Contend not with a man for no reason--when he has done you no wrong.^(M)

 

    ³¹Do not resentfully envy and be jealous of an unscrupulous, grasping man, and choose none of his ways.^(N)

    ³²For the perverse are an abomination [extremely disgusting and detestable] to the Lord; but His confidential communion and secret counsel are with the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him).^(O)

 

    ³³The curse of the Lord is in and on the house of the wicked, but He declares blessed (joyful and favored with blessings) the home of the just and consistently righteous.^(P)

 

    ³⁴Though He scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners, yet He gives His undeserved favor to the low [in rank], the humble, and the afflicted.^(Q)

 

    ³⁵The wise shall inherit glory (all honor and good) but shame is the highest rank conferred on [self-confident] fools.^(R)

   

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 3:15 See footnote on Prov. 1:20.

Cross references:

1. Proverbs 3:3 : Col 3:9-12
2. Proverbs 3:4 : Luke 2:52
3. Proverbs 3:7 : Prov 8:13
4. Proverbs 3:9 : Deut 26:2; Mal 3:10; Luke 14:13, 14
5. Proverbs 3:10 : Deut 28:8
6. Proverbs 3:11 : Ps 94:12; Heb 12:5, 6; Rev 3:19
7. Proverbs 3:15 : Job 28:12-18
8. Proverbs 3:16 : Prov 8:12-21; I Tim 4:8
9. Proverbs 3:19 : Col 1:16
10. Proverbs 3:23 : Ps 91:11, 12; Prov 10:9
11. Proverbs 3:27 : Rom 13:7; Gal 6:10
12. Proverbs 3:28 : Lev 19:13; Deut 24:15
13. Proverbs 3:30 : Rom 12:18
14. Proverbs 3:31 : Ps 37:1; 73:3; Prov 24:1
15. Proverbs 3:32 : Ps 25:14
16. Proverbs 3:33 : Ps 37:22; Zech 5:4; Mal 2:2
17. Proverbs 3:34 : James 4:6; I Pet 5:5
18. Proverbs 3:35 : Isa 32:6

Lesson for Sept. 4, 2011: Pursuing Righteousness (Proverbs 3)

Pursuing Righteousness Proverbs 3