Follow In His Steps - Lesson 6

By Stafford North

LESSON 6

We Tell—Part 1

Background Information for the Teacher

Objectives:

  1. The student can quote Matt. 28:18-19.
  2. The student can explain the value of “telling.”
  3. The student can explain the meaning of Col. 4: 3-6.
  4. The student will determine to do more to tell.

Preparation for the Teacher:

  1. Have a board available.
  2. Put the footsteps back on the floor of the classroom.
  3. Song books or song sheet on “Oh to be Like Thee.”

Theme:  “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Lesson Plan for Conducting the Class

Introduction: 

  1.  Check roll and welcome visitors.
  2. Ask the class to remember walking in the footprints that are on the floor.
  3. Look at the words to “O to Be Like Thee” and relate them to our study.  Then sing the song.
  4. Prayer for us to Serve and Tell and about other class concerns.
  5. Quote together Matt. 28:18-19.  Remind of emphasis on telling as we make disciples, baptize, teach.

Learning Experiences:

  1. Read Col. 4:3-6.  Q:  What are some expressions in this passage that help us understand Paul’s commitment to being one who will “tell?” (Teacher—write key phrases on the board—open a door; even in chains for Christ, he still wants to tell; wants to proclaim it clearly and want to make the most of every opportunity; he wants to answer each person well.)  A:  Open a door.  Q:  How does God open doors for us?  A:  By placing people in our path who need the gospel.  By helping us to be aware of those who need help.  By helping us to want to help people in need.  By giving us the Bible to teach us how to help people.
  2. Even though Paul was in chains for “telling,” he wanted to keep on telling.  Q:  What causes us to be reluctant to “tell?”  A:  Someone might be offended.  (How likely is this if we speak to them kindly?)  Someone might think of me as too pushy. (How likely is this if we speak to them kindly?)  Our society frowns on sharing faith.  (So to did the people of Paul’s day but what did he do?  Do we really run the risk of being beaten, jailed, or ostracized?  Very little risk of that in our society.)
  3.  “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders.”  Q:  What are some things we should keep in mind to follow this admonition?  A:  Choose the time and place carefully.  Do not be judgmental.  Use the right tone of voice.  Lay the proper foundation.  Show love first.  Serve before you tell.
  4. “Make the most of every opportunity.”  Q:  What are some opportunities we often let go by?  A: When we could serve someone as a way of strengthening a relationship with them that would open a door.  When we could have an experience with someone that would strengthen the relationship.  When we could invite and we don’t do it. When we could tell someone something the Bible says or of what someone at church has done.
  5. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”  We can do much with our regular, daily conversations.  Telling people what has happened at church, what the youth at church are doing.  Of some event coming up.  About something the preacher or a teacher said.  Q:  What does it mean for our conversations to be “full of grace.”  A:  Our conversations should be gracious, kind, acceptable.  And we can mention the grace of God.  Sometimes we are called “judgmental” because some have spoken to others in a condemning way, so we want to “tell” but to do it in a way the person appreciates.  Q:  What does it mean for our conversations to be “seasoned with salt?”  A:  Jesus said we are to be the salt of the earth.  So we should be helpful, making things “taste” better.  Those who talk with us will be glad they did because we make their lives better.  Q:  What does it mean to be able to “answer everyone?”  A:  We should all be well informed about questions that often arise about the Bible and religious matters.  On the other hand, however, this passage does not mean that we have to know the answer to every possible question before we have conversations with people.  If that were the case, none of us would ever be able to start.  Sometimes, it is even a good thing to be able to say to someone, “I’m not sure about the answer to that, so let’s both study on that some and get back together.”  This may be a good way to set up the next meeting.
  6. Often our failure to “tell” is because we are not sufficiently motivated to overcome a perceived difficulty.  Q:  What are reasons why we should overcome any reluctance and tell others about the gospel?  A:  To be like Jesus.  To help people to go to heaven.  To help people not to be lost.  To strengthen our own spiritual lives.  To strengthen the church.  To help families.  To be like the early Christians.  Surely these are much stronger reasons to “tell” than any possible reasons not to tell.
  7. Q:  What are some good opportunities to” tell?” A:  (Just mention a few because the next lesson will focus on this topic.  So just open this topic up as a teaser.)

Application:

  1. We need to be thinking of how we can follow in His steps by being one who tells.  We cannot be like Him unless we do.

Assignment: 

  1. In our next class, we will discuss some specific opportunities to tell and want you to be able to make suggestions and to tell about people who are doing this.  Take some notes on your card this week.

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