Follow In His Steps - Lesson 5

By Stafford North

LESSON 5

Jesus Tells

Background Information for the Teacher

Objectives:

The student can share how Jesus told the gospel message in so many different situations.
The student can quote Matt. 28:18-19 about how we are to tell.
The student can explain Matt. 28:18-19 and apply it to us today.

Preparation for the class:

Be prepared to write on the board key ideas and thoughts just to emphasize them.
Have songbooks or song sheets for all four verses of “Footprints of Jesus.”

Theme: To follow in His steps we need to tell the message as He did.

Lesson Plan for Teaching the Class:

Introduction: (12 minutes)

Check the roll and welcome visitors (Be sure you are following up with local visitors.)
Have a prayer asking that we follow in His steps and praying for special needs.
Prepare to sing all four verses of “Footprints of Jesus” by connecting the words of the song to our previous sessions on “serve” and to our upcoming lessons on “tell.”
Sing “Footprints of Jesus.”

Learning Experiences. (20 minutes)

Q: What occasions can you think of when Jesus was” telling” His message? A: (As each occasion is mentioned, ask the person to elaborate on the story and you, as the teacher, can help with that elaboration. Help the class to see that Jesus taught in every kind of circumstance. You need to be laying the foundation to teach to show that we, also, can teach in many different types of situations. They will mention some of the following and maybe others. If they do not mention enough times Jesus taught, then ask someone to read the verses listed that will introduce other situations.) Sermon on the Mount to a large crowd (Matt. 5:1), woman at the well one to one (John 4:7), going from town to town speaking to people gathered in synagogues (Matt. 4:23), by the lake teaching in parables (Matt. 13:1), in a house (Mark 2:1-12), to the Rich Young Ruler on the road (Mark 10:17), from a boat to a crowd (Mark 3:9), in the house of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9), on the temple grounds (Matt. 24:1), to the apostles on the Mt. of Olives (Matt. 24:3), in the upper room (John 13:15-17), at a dinner (Luke 7:36-44), at Lazarus’ funeral (John11:25), in a room with the apostles after the resurrection (John 20:26), by the sea after resurrection (John 21:15), and on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-27).
Q: What do we learn about Jesus’ teaching from reviewing these different occasions? A: That He taught people everywhere He went. That He did not miss an opportunity. That He taught in all kinds of circumstances from one-on-one to multitudes. That He adapted His teaching to the needs of the occasion. That He knew how to engage the people in the message. That He taught so it would leave a lasting impressing.
Q: Why did Jesus have His apostles follow Him wherever He went? A: So they could learn both the message to teach and how to teach. To give them courage to teach. To help them know how to deal with various situations. Read Acts 1:1-3. Q: What was the central theme of His teaching? A: The kingdom of God. Q: But how could they remember all He had taught them? A: John 14:26 teaches that He would send to them the Holy Spirit to remind them of what He had said.

Q: Does this guidance of the Holy Spirit include what they wrote as well as what they spoke? A: Yes. 2 Peter 1:20-21.

Read Matt. 28:18-20. Q: What basis does Jesus give for us to obey Him? A: All authority has been given to me. During the Christian era, He has the leading role in the kingdom. 1 Cor. 15:24-28 says that when Christ returns He will return the kingdom to God. Q: What does this passage in Matthew charge us to do? A: To go and make disciples. Q: What does the word “disciple” mean? A: Learner, follower. So we are to go and make learners and that means we are to go and “tell.” Q: After teaching people about Jesus, what are we to do? A: Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Q: Why is this act an important follow-up to making learners? A: Because it is the response one is to give after learning and believing. Q: What are some verses that teach baptism is the point of change for believers? A: (Have someone in the class read each verse and then ask the question of what is one’s condition before baptism and after baptism.) According to Gal. 3:27, before baptism we are out of Christ and after baptism we are “into Christ.” According to Acts 2:38, before baptism we still have our sins but afterward we are forgiven. According to Acts 22:16, before baptism, likewise, we still have our sins but afterward we are washed clean. According to Rom. 6:4, before baptism we have not yet contacted the blood of Christ, but afterward we have been in contact with the blood. Likewise, this verse teaches that before baptism we are still in the old life, but when we bury it in baptism we are raised to a new life. So after making learners about Jesus, we are to baptize them. Q: According to Matt. 28:18-19, what are we to do next? A: Teach them what Jesus taught. And it is for this purpose that the apostles and a few others who were inspired, wrote down the message so we could still have it today. So we teach, baptize, and teach. Or—tell, baptize, and tell.

Application: (10 minutes)

Q: According to Matt. 28:18, where are we to do this teaching? A: All nations. Everywhere.
Q: Where are some places that this congregation seeks to do this? A: (Mention some mission efforts but be sure that included in the list is across the street, next door, where we work, where we play, where we go to school. That will lay the foundation for the next two lessons.)
Q: In Matt. 28:20, what does Christ promise to those who are engaged in this work? A: I will be with you. Q: Will He still do that? A: Yes. Q: How? A: If we believe the Holy Spirit indwells us, then we believe that God is with us in every situation of life. He wants us to sense His presence and that He can help in ways we do not fully comprehend. He can help us have courage, He can help us remember. He can help us be kind and loving as we teach.

Assignment:

Memorize Matt. 28:18-19.
Practice saying the five steps.
Keep writing notes on your cards. In our next lesson we will be asking you to tell of situations you have thought about when we can tell.

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