Summary lesson quotes from the David C Cook Adult Teacher’s Guide
Week of April 13 through April 18
Something to think about this week: Childlike faith.
Daily Bible Readings
Mon. – Psalm 127 – A Heritage from the Lord.
Tue. – Proverbs 2:1-6 – My Child, Be Eager to Learn.
Wed. – Matthew 18:7-14 – Do Not Despise the Little Ones.
Thu. – Colossians 3:20-25 – Obedience Before God.
Fri. – Matthew 21:8-9, 15-17 – Praise from Infants.
Sat. – Proverbs 20:7-12 – Good Deeds of Children.
Next Week: Mark 9:36-37, 42; 10:13-16
Week of April 6 through April 11
Something to think about this week: Role of earthly leaders. Challenge yourself to list one admirable quality in a governmental leader this week, especially someone you don’t support.
Daily Bible Readings
Mon. – Prov. 11:3-6, 8-11, 14 – Wise and Righteous Counsel.
Tue. – Acts 5:26-32 – Our Ultimate Allegiance Is to God.
Wed. – Heb. 13:16-21 – Godly Leaders Will Give an Account.
Thu. – 2 Samuel 23:1-7 – Just Rulers Fear God.
Fri. – Deuteronomy 17:14-20 – The Ways of a Godly King.
Sat. – Mark 12:13-17 – The Things That Belong to God.
Next Week: Mark 12:17; Romans 13:1, 6-8; 1 Peter 2:13-17
A Bible verse that offers wise counsel when discussing politics (or any subject for that matter) is James 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Remember that Jesus is king, no matter who wins elections. ultimately, He will be our leader, and we can look forward to the day of His appearing.
Lesson 06 – April 12 – Authority: Belonging to God
Christians around the world turn to Scripture for guidance and encouragement as they follow Jesus in their own political contexts. The earliest believers faced challenges as they tried to live faithfully under Roman domination. Today’s lesson focuses on some of the most explicit statements about how Jesus’ disciples should relate to their governments and societies. These texts from the Gospel of Mark and the letters of Peter and Paul encourage believers to respect political authorities and their laws. Yet they also assume that, where God’s law conflicts with earthly powers, believers will obey God, rather than human beings.
Earthly Authority Is from God
We tend to balk at the word authority. In a world that prizes individualism and autonomy, it feels better to defend freedom. We have freedom to choose our path, our friends, the person we want to marry—almost anything.
Yet within the freedoms that we enjoy, there are limits, right? If we waltz into work on Monday and decide to scream at our boss, there would probably be dramatic consequences. If we allow ourselves to stretch the truth when we do our taxes, exaggerating deductions or fudging the math, we face the prospect of a painful audit. If we choose the wrong company of friends—people who only encourage our worst habits—we might become a gossiping, cruder version of ourself.
I think of the challenging words of Jesus in Matthew 16:24-27. He encourages us to find abundant life, not by clinging to our will and our desires, but through surrender: laying down our lives to find what it means to live. The way of the cross requires surrender.
There is for each of us a chain of duty: first to God and second to earthly authorities. While this probably is less common than in Paul and Peter’s day, an earthly authority who asks us to go against God’s will does not need to be obeyed. But for civil disobedience to be a credible witness, we must follow the other instructions in the same context: submit to earthly authorities, as a habit. It means that we follow the laws of civil government, we respect and honor the role of leaders, and we must seek to use our freedom for good. If we walk this path, we elevate the name of Christ.
Click to expand – What laws do you wish would change?
There are probably any number of ways we would like to change the rules if we were placed in charge. We might like to see fewer taxes, protection of vulnerable people, or leaders who focus on different things. For residents of an elected government, we have powers to advocate for change in a way far beyond what Paul or Peter could have imagined.Click to expand – What are some good examples of civil disobedience (when just following the law would have been unjust)?
We might think of the Civil Rights era in the US, before the prohibition of racial discrimination. There are many names to consider, but Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and James Groppi are all activists who were accused of breaking the law. In parts of the world without religious freedom, it can be against the law for Christians to gather.Click to expand – How do you show your primary allegiance to God?
Perhaps we include God’s will in prayers for our country. We might hold our ability to vote and to lobby our leaders before God, asking for divine wisdom. There may also be ways that we choose to remain distinct from our friends and neighbors, by keeping the call to remain holy in our visible public lives.
King Jesus, We acknowledge that You reign over all earthly kingdoms and powers. We praise You that nothing escapes Your watchful eye or powerful arm. Yet we also have rulers and laws that govern us. Give us wisdom to know how to interact with our local and national governments, and the grace to use our voice in ways that honor You and further Your kingdom on earth. Amen.
Week of March 30 through April 4
Something to think about this week: Bodily resurrection.
Daily Bible Readings
Mon. – John 14:1-4 – Many Dwellings in the Father’s House.
Tue. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 – Encouraging Words of Hope.
Wed. – Job 19:23-27 – I Know That My Redeemer Lives.
Thu. – Isaiah 26:12-19 – Awake and Sing for Joy.
Fri. – Psalm 118:15-24 – Give Thanks to the Lord.
Sat. – 1 Corinthians 15:13-20 – Christ Is Risen from the Dead.
Next Week: 1 Corinthians 15:13-20, 51-58
But then, if you decide to get the latest and greatest, you might discover it’s not all that different from the old one. Sure, it might run a little faster while it is new. But after a couple years, the new device will begin to break down too. These promises of “new and improved” only apply to minor changes, and the reality is often disappointing.
Scripture tells us there will come a time when Christians receive their own “new and improved” version of themselves. Paul says, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” as a pattern for us (1 Cor. 15:20). Our bodies will be changed; we will be imperishable not degrading or getting any worse over time. Imagine that day when all the sicknesses people endure are gone forever! This body won’t be like the false promise of a “new and improved” phone. It will never wear out or need to be replaced. It will be exactly as God intends.
What a blessed hope we have through our Savior, Jesus Christ! Praise Him today, and every day, for the victory He secured for us through His death and resurrection. Hallelujah!
Lesson 05 – April 5 – Resurrection: The Future Hope
Glory from the Last Adam
Easter is the center of the Christian calendar. Don’t let stores and businesses fool you into thinking otherwise! (No surprise, but they would prefer your attention revolve around the season of gift-giving.)
Easter Sunday is the realization of thousands of years of God’s promises. Just think of the way that forgiving sins gave offense to Jesus’ contemporaries. They couldn’t yet imagine a person with the authority to cover sin. Thus Jesus seems to have enjoyed flummoxing the same authorities by reversing sin’s effects too—healing and raising people from the dead. How is that for a display of God’s power?
Jesus’ resurrection is a sign of the times, God’s way of embarrassing and dethroning the forces of evil. Yet unless we witness Christ’s return, we must all face the cold breath of life’s end. Fear and apprehension are only natural.
Those in Christ are not without hope! God has flipped the curse of death. If sin and decay come from Adam, then resurrection and glory can be inherited from Jesus (see 1 Cor. 15:49). We don’t have to wallow in fear, worrying that our mortal lives are all we have. Those in Christ look forward to a glorious future with God—without pain, arthritis, or allergies. You probably have your own short list of everything going wrong with your physical body. But in the resurrection, everything that tends to go wrong will tend to do the opposite. It’s not a fantasy or a cheap parlor trick; it is simply the power of the Creator, our Lord, renewing all things.
Click to expand – What is on your short list of things you long to see renewed in your body or in the body of a loved one?
Any number of disabilities, diseases, or weaknesses could stand out as needing God’s new life. We have only to look at the healing ministry of Jesus to see how people react when they receive a temporary reprieve (even though their bodies were not changed in the way we anticipate for the future). We can comfort one another with this surpassing hope that all shall be well in our resurrection bodies.Click to expand – Which would you prefer: living to see Jesus return or living a full life in hope of resurrection?
Many of us are curious and eager to see the dawn of the new age, at the blowing of the last trumpet. One of the central joys of resurrection is the certainty that we will see that day, whether we live or die. No one will feel deprived or cheated by life when the end comes.Click to expand – What promise of Jesus gives you strength?
Perhaps we cling to the knowledge that our prayers are heard and that Jesus knows our weaknesses. We don’t serve a God who is aloof and unaware of what it means to live in a body subject to pain. Or perhaps you cling to the promise of immediate life with God, when your time on earth comes to an end. In John’s Gospel, Jesus describes his preparation of a new home for us. John 14:1-4 ERV 14 Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back. Then I will take you with me, so that you can be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”Everything in our world has a lifespan, and the reality of a finite limit is sobering. That’s why contemplating resurrection life is such a hopeful exercise for believers. The invitation for the week ahead is to bring resurrection joy into your prayer time, giving voice to the victory that Christ has won.
Jesus, It’s hard for us to imagine an eternal life that is free from the pains of this world. We praise You today for defeating death and all of its effects. We eagerly anticipate joining You in Your resurrection one day. Thank You for the incredible gift of resurrection life with You. Amen.
Week of March 23 through March 28
Something to think about this week: Paul’s creative strategy of preaching peace
Daily Bible Readings
Mon. – John 18:28-38 – A Kingdom Not of This World.
Tue. – Numbers 6:22-26 – The Lord’s Peace.
Wed. – Psalm 46 – God Is Exalted Among the Nations.
Thu. – Amos 9:7-12 – God Guides the Destiny of the Nations
Fri. – Revelation 21:21-27 – Glory and Honor of the Nations.
Sat. – Isaiah 2:1-5 – The Nations Shall Gather to God.
Next Week: Isaiah 2:2-4; Acts 17:26-28
Time marches on, and those once-innocent babes are now coming into their own as little humans. They are learning to navigate a world filled with discontent, discouragement, and distrust. I could think to myself, They are just facing reality, which is sharper than they could have known as youngsters. Then I feel the Spirit of God catching me, forcing me to wonder whether a child’s innocent ideal of peace might resemble God’s design.
It isn’t a crazy idea to think that children have something to teach us. Instead of seeking power or money, children want to enjoy company together—to be at peace with one another. Observing children can draw us back to the fundamentals of what it means to have safety with the heavenly Father. I tend to think that some of God’s designs are so simple that adults have the hardest time. God invites us to a kingdom of peace. God is the only one who can make it a reality.
Lesson 04 – March 29 – Waiting for God’s Peace
In a world where war is in the news, the question on everyone’s mind is, When will there be peace? There’s war against nations, war against political parties, war in our churches, war in our families, and perhaps even in our homes. How long until there is peace? Take a moment and reflect on where you long for peace in your life. Where in your own heart are you longing for the unity of every “nation, tribe, people, and language” (Rev. 7:9)?
The promise of Revelation 7:9-10 is that one day we will all behold this beauty as we worship together. Peace. It is coming, but the church still has a role to play, in the power of the Holy Spirit. The gospel must go forth; the news of God’s kingdom must be shared!
I Look at Paul’s preaching to the Greek audience in Acts 17. He uses the words of philosophers and the image of an altar “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD,” and he speaks in a way that his audience will understand and appreciate (Acts 17:23).
Jesus will bring an end to the wars that surround us, and He will do it through you and me and through the preaching of the gospel. This week perhaps we could reflect on Paul’s approach: What “languages” might we need to speak, as we spread the gospel of Jesus? What do we need to communicate in this day and age?
Click to expand – What is God’s desire for people of all nations?
God desires that all people seek Him, turning away from false gods and wayward ideas, recognizing Him as the true God—the one who has set boundaries on all.Click to expand – Given that God is always near, what keeps some people from finding Him?
We hear the noise of competing ideas, or the distraction of entertainment and endless information. Some people have cultural experience that obscures truths about God. Frankly, some people have no interest in seeking the one God or in submitting to His ways.Click to expand – What can we learn from Paul’s strategy of quoting sources familiar to the Athenians?
Paul’s seizes on the idea that all truth is God’s truth. It is possible to proclaim the gospel by using sources familiar to any audience. For example, a popular movie or song might reflect a common human longing for contentment or peace. A Christian who shares the good news today can validate that longing, explaining that it points to God and can only be satisfied in relationship with Jesus.Lord God, We look around our world and are heartbroken over the way people fight one another. You are the God of peace. Not only have you made peace between us and You through the blood of Your Son, but You are establishing a kingdom of peace that we will enjoy with You forever. We can’t wait for that day! But until then, help us to be peacemakers in our homes, workplaces, schools, and communities. Amen.
Week of March 16 through March 21
Something to think about this week: We are equal in God’s sight.
Daily Bible Readings
Mon. – 1 Samuel 18:1-5 – Souls Bound Together.
Tue. – 1 John 4:7-16 – Abide in God’s Love.
Wed. – 1 John 4:17-21 – Loving God and Each Other.
Thu. – Isaiah 56:3-8 – All Peoples Will Worship God.
Fri. – Psalm 133-134 – Living Together in Unity.
Sat. – Galatians 3:25-29 – Children of God Through Faith.
Next Week: Acts 10:9-15,30-35; Galatians 3:28-29
Lesson 03 – March 22 – Welcoming Others In Christ
The Spirit Leads
Peter’s encounter with Cornelius marks a powerful turning point in history. It is not only a story of one group of Gentiles receiving the gospel. It is a revelation of the heart of God, a revelation that God’s kingdom includes people from all backgrounds and contexts. For Peter—a devout Jew shaped by cultural memory and prejudice—a vision on the rooftop prepared him to change his assumptions about who is acceptable to God. God was expanding the new covenant to people without regard to whether they were Jews or Gentiles.
God had actually been preparing this moment for generations. From the promise to Abraham, to the words of the prophets, to Jesus’ ministry among outsiders, we see evidence of God’s intention all along. The same Spirit who came in power upon the Jewish believers at Pentecost was now filling Gentiles—even a Roman centurion, whose rank is a symbol of imperial power.
The fact that Peter could recognize Cornelius as a full member of God’s family speaks to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit—not only in Cornelius’s life, but also in Peter’s. Peter began to see others the way God does, as beloved by God and invited into the family without reservation. This truth is echoed in Paul’s bold declaration in Galatians 3:28. The limitless reach of the gospel levels human division. In Christ, our ethnicity, gender, or status does not determine power or significance any more than the size of our bank account or social media following.
The Spirit is still preparing us, forming one new people—beloved and equal in God’s eyes. We are all commanded to follow in the footsteps of our Lord, declaring the gospel to our enemies and setting aside worldly evaluations of one another.
Always the Plan – click to expand
From the beginning, God’s redemptive plan has extended to every nation, not only Israel. His covenant with Abraham promised “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen. 12:3). The Old Testament offers glimpses of this welcoming outsiders like Rahab and Ruth and proclaiming through Isaiah that “foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord . . . will be accepted” (Isa. 56:6-7). The prophet Joel foresaw a day when God would pour out His Spirit on “all people, Sons and daughters, old and young, even servants” (Joel 2:28-29). Jesus anticipated this inclusion. He praised the faith of Gentiles, spoke with women as disciples, and declared, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen . . . and there shall be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16). Jesus lived in the reality of the kingdom. The boundaries of the early church’s worldview explode when the Spirit is poured out on Cornelius, a Roman centurion. What was foreshadowed in Scripture and in Jesus’ actions becomes reality for the church: God shows no favoritism, and His desire is to draw all people to Himself. In Christ, all are equal, beloved, and empowered members of one Spirit-filled family.Father, We know that You loved the world so much that You sent Your Son to save us. We’re grateful that You didn’t bring salvation for only one group of people. We ourselves are among those who benefit from Your worldwide gift of grace! Give us Your heart for the nations, that all people would hear and receive the good news that Jesus saves. Amen.
Week of March 9 through March 14
Something to think about this week: Living “openhanded” to the needs of others.
Daily Bible Readings
Mon. – Psalm 12 – God Will Defend the Needy.
Tue. – Luke 12:13-21, 33-34 – DO Not Be Afraid to Give.
Wed. – Leviticus 19:11-18 – Treat the Neighbor with Justice.
Thu. – James 2:8-13 – The Royal Law of Love.
Fri. – Luke 10:25-37 – Everyone Is Our Neighbor.
Sat. – Deuteronomy 15:4-11 – Compassion for Those in Need.
Next Week: Deuteronomy 15:4-11; Matthew 25:42-45
The invitation for this week asks everyone to consider the needs of the community. There are ways of supporting one another that go beyond financial giving, but we never want to limit the ways that God might ask us to serve others. Make this a season where you are openhanded to the people you meet.
Lesson 02 – March 15 – Giving to the Community
What Is Money For?
Think about some things people have used as currency in history: shells, beads, salt, gold, whale teeth, and now even cryptocurrency. At its core, money is a tool to convey value. Unless you are a collector, you value money because of what it promises: freedom, time, esteem, relaxation, and more.
We are always tempted to project value onto the possessors of money, but Jesus reforms our understanding of value. Being rich is not a mark of our worth, just as being poor is not a knock against us. When Jesus tells of a man who enjoys the status of riches, the man loses it all because he is not “rich toward God” (Luke 12:16-21). If money is to have value to Jesus’ followers, it is for what they use it to accomplish, who they are able to help, and what glory they bring to God.
We shouldn’t forget that money is a tool. We might have a goal to earn more, but the next goal should be to surrender it for God to use. After all, earthly riches are temporary; they pass from our control when we die. Heavenly treasures last forever: faith, relationships, the love we show (Matt. 6:19-21). More money doesn’t signal spiritual success. But what we do with it is surely relevant.
As individuals, we can’t make ourselves responsible for every need we encounter. But as a community that follows a just God, generosity should be a distinctive act of worship.
Click to expand Discussion Questions
1 Imagine you were given a 150% raise at work. What would you do?An answer to this question will depend upon the individual situation, but it can stretch us to consider. People love to say that they would give a windfall of new money to charity or to helping family, but this might only be what we wish we would do! We should remember Jesus’ words of warning, that it is more difficult to enter the kingdom as a rich person. This is because the more we steward, the more difficult it can be to demonstrate costly generosity.
2 Where have you seen someone valued according to how much money they have?
This question could go either way. It might be that wealthy people who join a community are treated with extra respect and favor, receiving a special seat at the table. Likewise, we might see people without resources who are looked down upon or taken for granted.
3 Has your church community been known for generosity? How?
The community of Christ’s followers is asked to support the needs in their midst. You may have seen churchgoers receive special support during difficult seasons. Churches often come together for young parents, aging elders, and people who are sick. The way that church members support one another (and also outsiders) is a direct witness to the wider world. It is worth celebrating!
Heavenly Father, We want to see the people in our world with Your perspective. Give us Your eyes to see those in need around us. Give us Your compassion for their suffering. Help us to resist the temptation to judge but rather become people of love, empathy, and understanding. Amen.
Week of March 2 through March 7
Something to think about this week: Our habits
Daily Bible Readings
Mon. – Proverbs 12:1-2, 10-14 – Work and Discipline.
Tue. – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 – The Temple of the Body.
Wed. – 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 – The Discipline of Right Choices.
Thu. – Psalm 139:1-12 – God Is Always with Me.
Fri. – Psalm 139:13-24 – Fearfully and Wonderfully Made.
Sat. – 1 Timothy 4:7-12 – The Superior Training in Godliness.
Next Week: Daniel 1:8-17; 1 Timothy 4:7-8
Lesson 01 – March 8 – Watching Our Consumption
Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were taken to Babylon from their home country of Judah. They didn’t ask for this fate. For many years, Judah was weakened and corrupted by inadequate kings. God allowed Babylon to lay siege to Jerusalem and to send many people into exile.
Daniel and his friends are young and capable, which is why they have been chosen for future service in the courts of King Nebuchadnezzar. They would learn the language and customs of Babylon. Over time, their identities are expected to shift and to change, and they receive new Babylonian names to match.
These servants-in-training are fed well, with food and wine from the king’s own table. Their position is meant to help them adapt to new lives, exiled far from their homeland and families. For three years, they would be apprenticed in this role.
But in verse 8, Daniel makes a hard decision: not to “defile himself” with all these fancy things to eat. It could mean several things. Perhaps the food did not fit the requirements of Israel’s covenant agreement. Alternatively, the royal food might have been offered to idols and false gods. Or, perhaps Daniel notices that accepting rich food would signal disloyalty to his people, who were struggling and starving. Whatever the reasons, Daniel wants to remain a faithful servant of the one, true God. By taking a stand, he invites his friends to join his commitment to faithfulness.
Even as a slave in the court of a foreign king, Daniel is treated with respect by the chief official. He lives in such a way that others notice and show “favor and compassion.” But the king’s chief official is concerned that Daniel and his companions will look thin and unhealthy if they eat only vegetables and water.
Thus Daniel devises a test. He and his friends shall eat this restrictive diet for ten days, after which time their appearance can be compared to the rest. If these exiles of Judah remain faithful to God, they expect God to be faithful in return, meeting all of their needs.
The four men pass their self-devised test. At the end of ten days of eating a restrictive diet in the Babylonian court, they appear healthier than all the rest. God’s faithfulness goes beyond preserving their physical health: they receive great “knowledge and understanding.” And Daniel is singled out for his ability to interpret “visions and dreams.”
Because the exiles do not depart from faithful living, God helps them succeed in other things. Like other ancient people, the Babylonians see dreams as powerful messages from the gods. Their people seek to understand dreams through divination, but Daniel has this gift of interpretation from the one, true God. He can use his skill for the success of his new home. But while living in Babylon, he and his friends shall not lose their identity as God’s servants.
Click to expand Discussion Questions
1 What are examples of things that we can consume that are not beneficial for us?We know that junk food is not beneficial and will leave us depleted, rather than filled. But if we are thinking about our diet of entertainment, like the writer of this devotion, we might choose to restrict our use of social media, which is designed to capture more and more of our attention. Even more destructive are habits like drugs, gambling, or viewing pornography—all hazardous to our spiritual health.
2 What can cloud our judgment about what is good?
Most destructive choices are compelling because they promise something good. Social media can promise attention and connection to others, but it overwhelms users with negative thoughts and provocative stories. We are clouded by the pressure to conform and to go along with what seems good to others.
3 How might you choose to live in the world, without compromising your values?
Christians have always been challenged to answer this. Like Daniel and his friends, we don’t have the option to “opt out” and not participate in our culture. God has placed us in a particular set of circumstances, and we honor that call by abiding with Him. But when we are uncertain of where to draw the line, we should bring it to God in prayer.
Evaluating Our Consumption
In an imperfect world, there are any number of ways that our habits of consumption might not be surrendered to God. By paying attention to our habits, we can honor Him in our daily living.
Jesus, We want to live our lives in ways that honor You. Reveal to us the areas where our habits are out of line with Your character. Give us courage and perseverance to make the adjustments that are necessary. Thank You that when we backslide, Your amazing grace covers us and draws us back to what is true and nourishing. We love you. Amen.
Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church 