Deuteronomy 31:6

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Moses is speaking to Israel

He gives these truths
• Be strong
• Be courageous
• Do not be afraid or terrified

He tells them why
• God (Yahweh) goes with you
• He will never leave you
• He will never forsake you

God's protection
• He is able
• Jude 1:24-25 GNB92 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to bring you faultless and joyful before his glorious presence— to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, might, and authority, from all ages past, and now, and forever and ever! Amen.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 GNB92 But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ's power over me.

He is encouraging. What God told Israel can be applied to us: Isaiah 41:9 HCSB I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are My servant; I have chosen you and not rejected you.

He is reliable: 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 Weymouth who will also keep you stedfast to the very End, so that you will be free from reproach on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is ever true to His promises, and it was by Him that you were, one and all, called into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Always the Same

Theme: God is Unchanging

Scriptures:

1. Numbers 23:18-20
2. Numbers 23 25-27
3. Jeremiah 18:5-11
4. 2 Timothy 2:8-13
5. James 1:16-18
6. Hebrews 6:13-20
7. Genesis 12:1-3
8. Exodus 3:13-15
9. Lamentations 3:21-26

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: God never changes and His consistency extends to His whole person.

Think: View God’s unchanging character as encouragement for present and future growth.

Do: Respect God’s unchanging nature and exercise faith through obedience.

A1 Beginning questions

B1 If God never changes and His ways never change, what about technological changes? Are they good or bad?

B2 What about God’s plan for the church (the people)?

B3 What about God’s plan for salvation?

B4 What about God’s plan for anything?

B5 When is change good?

B6 When is change not good?

B7 What do you think about the changes happening in Christianity today?

A2 Numbers 23

B1 Summary: Balak, king of Moab, sees Israel. He knows they have won some important battles. He knows what God did to the Egyptians. He now faces them and thinking, “We will be destroyed, too.” He hires Balaam to curse Israel, but the message given to Balaam was blessing Israel. So Balaam gets another message to give to Balak: Numbers 23:19-20 (NKJV) God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Behold, I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

C1 Name some characteristics of God from Numbers 23:19-20.

C2 Is God going to change His mind concerning Israel?

C3 How can we apply this to our lives?

B2 Numbers 23:27-30 (NKJV) Then Balak said to Balaam, “Please come, I will take you to another place; perhaps it will please God that you may curse them for me from there.” So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, that overlooks the wasteland. Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me here seven altars, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams.” And Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bull and a ram on every altar. Why does Balak keep trying to get God to change His mind?

B3 What is God’s plan for Christians?

C1 Some verses:

D1 Titus 2:11-14 (NKJV) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

D2 Matthew 6:25-27 (NKJV) Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

C2 Why does God care about us?

C3 Does God’s standard of Christian living change through the centuries?

C4 What about using new technology?

A3 James 1:16-18 (NKJV) Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

B1 What characteristic of God is taught here?

B2 Does God’s character change or stay the same?

A4 Truth

B1 Theories (overly simplified)

C1 Correspondence theory: something is true if it corresponds to reality

C2 Coherence: something is true because it agrees with what I believe is true

C3 Constructivist: truth is what society has struggled with and come to a conclusion

C4 Consensus: truth is what a group says is truth

C5 Pragmatic

D1 Positive: a belief works, so true

D2 Negative: a belief does not work, so false

C6 Nihilism: truth cannot be known

B2 The correspondence theory agrees with Scripture:

C1 By example: Samson: Judges 16:17-18 CSB - he told her the whole truth and said to her, "My hair has never been cut, because I am a Nazirite to God from birth. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become weak and be like any other man." When Delilah realized that he had told her the whole truth, she sent this message to the Philistine leaders: "Come one more time, for he has told me the whole truth." The Philistine leaders came to her and brought the silver with them.

C2 By testimony: Proverbs 12:17 NLT - An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.

C3 By departing from what is true: 2 Timothy 2:18 CSB - They have departed from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and are ruining the faith of some. There were over 500 people who saw Jesus alive after He had been crucified, buried, and resurrected. The group mentioned in this passage knew that but chose to ignore reality and believe something else.

B3 Are these verses of Scripture true?

C1 Luke 4:18 (WPNT) The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because He has anointed me to evangelize poor people. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to captives and recovery of sight to blind people, to send those who are oppressed out in freedom. (If you notice most translations leave out the words He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted. Pickering writes: Perhaps 1.5% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, omit “to heal the brokenhearted” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.). So 98.5% of Greek manuscripts include these words).

C2 John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

C3 James 1:5 CSB - Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God —who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

B4 Does God lie?

A5 Promises

B1 The main Greek word for promise is ἐπαγγελία epangelía which has the idea of what is said will be done.

B2 What good are God’s promises, if God changes?

B3 Why are promises serious?

B4 2 Peter 3:13 (NKJV) Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

C1 Can we (the church) bring righteousness to the earth?

C2 When will there be righteousness on the earth?

B5 Romans 8:37-39 (WEB) No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

C1 What if we feel that God has abandoned us?

C2 How can we use these verses to help someone who feels abandoned by God?

C3 How important is God’s love?

C4 How should we love?

B6 1 Corinthians 1:25 NLT - This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

C1 Does God ever fail?

C2 How can God have a foolish plan?

C3 Why is God’s plan always the best?

C4 How does God’s strength encourage you?

A6 Next week

B1 According to the Scope of Sequence, we will be studying in 2 Corinthians

B2 The believer’s role as a steward of the gospel.

B3 Theme: The believer’s quest

B4 Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

A Lasting Love

Theme: A Song of Enduring Love

Scriptures: Psalm 89

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: We serve a loving God who is always faithful to His promises.

Think: Rest in the assurance that God loves me and will keep all of His promises.

Do: Trust and Praise God, even during times of discipline or hardship.

B1 Promise

C1 What is a promise?

C2 What is different about a promise made by God?

C3 Are all promises unconditional?

D1 What about this one? John 3:16 NKJV - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

D2 This one? Jeremiah 31:37 CSB - This is what the LORD says: Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below explored, will I reject all of Israel's descendants because of all they have done -- this is the LORD's declaration.

D3 This? Genesis 12:1-2 CSB - The LORD said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

D4 Finally: Romans 4:13-16 CSB - For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise nullified, because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants; not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham's faith. He is the father of us all.

B2 This is a Psalm: When you realize the great power and reign of God

C1 Praise for all His awesome strength and power Psalm 89:1-18

C2 God’s promise to King David Psalm 89:19-37

C3 God’s anger towards the king Psalm 89:38-45

C4 Prayer to God for deliverance Psalm 89:46-52

C5 Concerning the writer, Ethan: 1 Kings 4:31 NKJV - For he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations.

B3 Praise for all His awesome strength and power Psalm 89:1-18,

C1 What is steadfast love?

D1 חֶסֶד cheçed, kheh'-sed

D2 Translated variously as mercy, unfailing love, great love, steadfast love, faithful love, lovingkindness, even beauty. In the bad sense it is translated reproof, envy, etc.

D3 It has the idea of kindness towards others motivated by love.

D4 The Psalmist (Ethan) declares that God is this way.

D5 Why do many people think God is mean, nasty, and carries a big stick to hit people?

C2 Is this a promise? Psalm 89:3-4 CSB - The LORD said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David my servant: "'I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.' "Selah

C3 In Psalm 89:7 it is said that God is feared. What is the fear of God? And, do you fear Him?

C4 According to Psalm 89:11, do we own anything? Explain.

C5 Psalm 89:14, righteousness and justice are stated to be the foundation of His throne. Why would these two things be so important? Compare:

D1 Psalm 97:2 CSB - Clouds and total darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

D2 Proverbs 16:12 CSB - Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.

C6 Who is the Holy One of Israel mentioned in Psalm 89:18?

D1 Isaiah 10:20 CSB - On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer depend on the one who struck them, but they will faithfully depend on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

D2 Isaiah 41:14 CSB - Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel. I will help you' -- this is the LORD's declaration. Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

D3 Isaiah 43:15 CSB - I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.

D4 Luke 4:34 CSB - Leave us alone! What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are —the Holy One of God!

D5 Acts 13:35 MEV So He says in another Psalm: ‘You will not let Your Holy One see decay.

D6 1 John 2:20 MEV But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.

D7 Revelation 3:7 MEV To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, says these things.

B4 God’s promise to King David Psalm 89:19-37,

C1 Why did King David receive such high and lofty promises?

D1 1 Samuel 13:14 NKJV - But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him [to be] commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.

D2 Acts 13:22 NKJV - And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after My [own] heart, who will do all My will.

C2 Even if King David’s descendants sin and rebel, God will not completely forsake His promise. Most of David’s descendants did rebel. Who is the one who was perfect and sinless?

D1 Matthew 1:1 KJV - The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

D2 Matthew 22:42-44 (MEV) “What do you think of the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.” He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’?

B5 God’s anger towards the king Psalm 89:38-45,

C1 In this portion, the Psalmist speaks strongly against God, protesting against His treatment. He uses phrases as You have cast off, You have been furious, You have renounced, You have profaned, You have broken down, You have exalted the enemies. Do you think God is angry that a mere mortal is talking disrespectfully like this?

D1 This is how the Psalmist perceives it.

D2 God is a counselor. He can take it.

D3 The Psalmist is venting.

E1 There are at least 2 types of venting. The first is emotionally healthy, while the second is not.

E2 Unhealthy venting

F1 leads to further problems and emotions worsening.

F2 is usually too long to solve any problems.

F3 can destroy a relationship.

E3 Healthy venting

F1 waits a little while before talking.

F2 expresses feelings over a few minutes, say 5 minutes, then quits. Going too long brings up more anger instead of resolving it. The other person might become angry, too. Short term venting, catharsis, relieves stress, but if it goes too long, increases stress.

F3 Seeks to resolve a problem, not create one.

E4 Some tips (You might find more info here, not necessarily Christian viewpoint).

F1 Wait a little before venting.

F2 Take some deep breaths.

F3 Think of things to be thankful for.

F4 Be considerate of the listener.

F5 Don’t vent to the person you are angry with.

F6 Go to the creek or someplace and yell at some trees.

F7 Know that God is a good listener.

F8 What are the steps the Psalmist uses?

E5 It might be helpful to discuss some verses

F1 Romans 15:1-3 MEV We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak and not please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself. But as it is written, “The insults of those who insulted You fell on Me.

F2 Galatians 5:13-14 (MEV) You, brothers, have been called to liberty. Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

B6 Prayer to God for deliverance Psalm 89:46-52,

C1 Psalm 89:46 NKJV - How long, LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire? Compare: Psalm 13:1-2 NKJV - To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [Having] sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?

C2 Hasn’t there been a time in your life that you felt this way?

C3 How would you answer the question in Psalm 89:46?

C4 How could Psalm 89:46 be helpful and comforting to someone?

C5 How would you answer this question: Psalm 89:47 CSB - Remember how short my life is. Have you created everyone for nothing?

C6 How would you answer these: Psalm 89:48 CSB - What courageous person can live and never see death? Who can save himself from the power of Sheol?Selah

C7 Why would the Psalmist ask this question: Psalm 89:49 CSB - Lord, where are the former acts of your faithful love that you swore to David in your faithfulness?

C8 I thought we had to forgive everyone. Why would the Psalmist ask God: Psalm 89:50-51 CSB - Remember, Lord, the ridicule against your servants -- in my heart I carry abuse from all the peoples -- how your enemies have ridiculed, LORD, how they have ridiculed every step of your anointed. It appears he wants God to remember their evil.

C9 After all the complaints prayed to God, Ethan prays: Psalm 89:52 CSB - Blessed be the LORD forever. Amen and amen. How is this a good attitude to have in difficulties and pleasures?

B7 Questions

C1 Name some ways how love is enduring.

C2 What is the difference between God’s love and human love, or can they be the same?

B8 Next week:

C1 Bless the Lord

C2 Theme: A Song of Praise

C3 Scripture: Psalm 103