College & Career: 1st Quarter 2014

By Emily Ellis

College and Career is the young adult quarterly directed toward students ages 18–24. The lessons are designed to address the unique experiences of African- American young adults as they venture into the world of higher education and work.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Oct 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781589427464

Book preview

A Message from the President/CEO…

Greetings and welcome to another quarter of edifying and insightful study. We look forward to joining you in this New Year for a series of studies in God’s powerful and transforming Word. For 118 years, we have been motivated by the vision of our founder, Dr. R. H. Boyd, to provide you with the highest quality and most doctrinally-sound literature for the African-American church. This quarter is certainly no exception.

In this quarter, we will turn our attention to a variety of Scriptures that are very relevant for our own day, dealing with the nature of the Kingdom (or Reign) of God, and the importance of justice, mercy, and wisdom for living. In January, we will look at Jesus Ushers in the Reign of God. These lessons, drawn from the Gospel of Luke, are a continuation of the lessons in Luke from the fourth quarter of last year. In these lessons, we will focus on Jesus’ concern for mercy and for justice. We will also note His special concern for the poor and dispossessed in the world.

In February, we transition to Live Justly in the Reign of God, a series of lessons drawn from the New Testament letter of James. The letter of James is characterized by a practical wisdom that helps us to understand how to live out the values of the Kingdom of God in our everyday lives.

Finally, in March, we will turn to Jesus and the Davidic Covenant. These lessons, drawn from a variety of both Old and New Testament texts, shift from a focus on the Kingdom to a focus on the King, Jesus Christ. These lessons emphasize that Jesus’ kingship—and His Davidic lineage—were foretold in the Psalms and the prophets.

Praise and thanks be to God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—for the blessings these lessons contain. May He bless you in your studies this quarter.

In His Service,

Dr. T. B. Boyd III

President/CEO

Quarterly Overview

This quarter has three units centering on the overall theme of justice. God’s power is proclaimed through the person of Jesus Christ resulting in Christians being empowered to live under God’s rule.

UNIT I—JANUARY

Unit I, Jesus Ushers in the Reign of God, has four lessons. These lessons continue the study from the Gospel of Luke. The first lesson encourages us to honor the Sabbath. The second lesson challenges us to live as God’s people. The third lesson instructs us concerning Jesus’ teachings about relationships. The fourth lesson looks at Jesus’ teachings concerning compassion for the poor.

UNIT II—FEBRUARY

Unit II, Live Justly in the Reign of God, is a four lesson study of James. Lesson five provides a challenge for us to hear and do the Word. Lesson six is an admonishment for us to treat everyone equally and not show preference for those who have at the expense of those who have not. In Lesson seven, James encourages believers to show their faith by their works. The final lesson contains a challenge for believers to control their speech.

UNIT III—MARCH

Unit III, Jesus and the Davidic Covenant, explores a variety of texts that make connections between the reign of David and the lordship of Christ. Lesson nine studies the narrative of God’s promise of a Davidic line that would sit on the throne forever. Lesson ten looks at Matthew’s gospel as an interpretation of how God fulfills this promise in the birth of Christ. In Lesson eleven, Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost gives witness to Christ as God’s promised Messiah. In Lesson twelve, the scene takes place in the heavenly court of John’s vision and Christ is seated; the Lamb of Judah is on the eternal throne. Lesson thirteen concludes the study by considering Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem before the Passover.

FIRST QUARTER 2014

Features of Our College & Career

The College and Career quarterly has many features that have given this quarterly its popular appeal among Sunday school students ages 18-24. Also, it has a number of elements to enhance their total learning experience. These additions are designed to help you regard these lessons as more than simply a Sunday morning Bible study experience.

Printed Scripture Passages: Parallels the King James Version and the New Revised Standard Version so students can easily compare a traditional and contemporary translation of God’s holy Word.

Life.Point: Questions and statements related to life can guide you in making contemporary application to biblical passages. Each Life.Point can lead to a more complete understanding of spiritual principles as they are reflected in the lives of learners.

Lesson.Point: Succinctly states the focal point of the lesson for the purpose of internalizing and retaining the message.

Main.Thought: The passage of Scripture most central to the text is featured prominently at the bottom of the page.

Sidebar Questions/Activity: Sidebars offer thought-provoking questions to spark deeper personal reflection and/or class discussions of important spiritual applications of God’s Word. Learners may answer these questions individually or as a small group activity.

Online Extras: Provides additional resources via the R.H. Boyd web page: www.rhboydpublishing.com.

Lesson Summary: Gives students a synopsis of the lesson, citing its essential truths.

Life.Point Discussion: Contextualizes the lesson truths to stimulate additional questions, interest, or action from students.

Life.Point Question: These questions are designed to help students consider the Bible stories as they pertain to their own lives.

CONTENTS

JANUARY — JESUS USHERS IN THE REIGN OF GOD

Lesson 1          Living with Justice and Mercy

Luke 6:1-11

Lesson 2          Living Justly with Others

Luke 6:17-31

Lesson 3          Welcoming All People

Luke 14:7-18, 22-24

Lesson 4          Compassion and Generosity at the Gate

Luke 16:19-31

FEBRUARY — LIVE JUSTLY IN THE REIGN OF GOD

Lesson 5          Committed to Action

James 1:19-27

Lesson 6          Playing Favorites

James 2:1-13

Lesson 7          Live What You Believe

James 2:14-26

Lesson 8          Unfork Your Tongue

James 3:1-12

MARCH — JESUS AND THE DAVIDIC COVENANT

Lesson 9          A Change of Plans

2 Samuel 7:4-16

Lesson 10        Family Connections

Psalm 89:35-37; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:18-21

Lesson 11        Looking Forward and Looking Back

Psalm 110:1-4; Acts 2:22-24, 29-32

Lesson 12        Victory Celebration

Revelation 5:6-13

Lesson 13         Joy and Celebration

Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:1-11

PUBLISHER’S NOTE:

To allow more space for exposition and lesson activity, all lesson print Scripture passages may not appear in their entirety. For complete print text and further exposition, consult Boyd’s Commentary for the Sunday School.

SEEKING GOD’S GUIDANCE

Suggested Opening Exercises

1. Usual Signal for Beginning

2. Prayer:

(Closing with the Lord’s Prayer)

3. Singing:

(Songs to Be Selected)

4. Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 58:6-9 9 (KJV)

Director: Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

School: Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Director: Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.

All: Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.

Recitation in Concert:

Luke 4:16-21 (KJV)

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Closing Work

1. Singing

2. Sentences: James 2:5-9 (KJV)

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:

9 But if ye have