Adult Mentor: October- December 2023

By R.H. Boyd Publishing Corp.

The Adult Mentor is a topical Christian quarterly study guide for the adult learner and is designed to increase Christian faith and biblical understanding using a variety of learning methods. It is a practical resource for every day Christian living.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Sep 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886351330

Book preview

Vol. 11 • No. 4

R.H. Boyd family of companies produces and provides the highest quality of Christian, inspirational, historic, educational, and cultural literature, merchandise, and services by continuing to use high ethical, moral, and biblically-sound standards as it has for five generations.

Visit rhboyd.com/curriculum-videos to watch the video lessons and to sign up for the newsletter.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @rhboydco for latest news and updates.

R. H. BOYD, DD, LLD

Founder (1896–1922)

H. A. BOYD, DD

(1922–1959)

T. B. BOYD JR., DD

(1959–1979)

T. B. BOYD III, DD

(1979–2017)

LaDonna Boyd, EdD

President/CEO

David Groves, DMin, PhD

Director of Publications

Keaton Bell, BBA

Director of Finance

Steven Puckett, AAS

Director of Operations

EDITORIAL STAFF

Olivia M. Cloud, MRE

Associate Editor

Monique Gooch, BA

Brittany Batson, BA

Carla Davis, BA

Writer: Dr. Bernard Williams

Adult Mentor

Theme: Ministry, Faith, and Sacrifice

The Adult Mentor is designed to enhance the biblical and theological knowledge and understanding of seasoned adult Christians, and to empower them to inspire and encourage members of the community of faith. It is the ideal resource for both personal and group Bible study.

Lesson material is based on guidelines developed at our annual Writer’s Conference. These guidelines are developed with the aim of improving nurturing and training in Christian service. Copyrighted by R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation, Nashville, Tennessee.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Adult Mentor, Adult Quarterly (USPS 10299) (ISSN 2329–9630), copyright © 2023 by R.H. Boyd Company, 6717 Centennial Blvd., Nashville, Tennessee 37209–1017. Adult Mentor is published quarterly by R.H. Boyd Company. Periodicals postage paid at Nashville, Tennessee.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Adult Mentor, R.H. Boyd Company, 6717 Centennial Blvd., Nashville, Tennessee 37209–1017.

For Customer Service, call (615) 350–8000, Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Central, or fax [phone].

The publisher, R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation, bears no responsibility or liability for any claim, demand, action, or proceeding related to its content, including but not limited to claims of plagiarism, copyright infringement, defamation, obscenity, or the violation of the rights of privacy, publicity, or any other right of any person or party, and makes no warranties regarding the content.

Vol. 11 • No. 4

The Beginning of the Gospel

The Beginning of Conflict

Jesus’ Authority

Rejection and Mission

What Really Defiles

Entering Jerusalem and Cleansing the Temple

A New Meaning for Passover

The Cross and the Empty Tomb

The Importance of Belief

Bold Faith

Confession of Faith and Affirmation

Honest Faith

Faith and Sight

Just as He Predicted He Would

Sign up for your complimentary online subscription to the Union Review. Use the QR below or visit www.unionreview.org. Sign up for this free quarterly publication and get access to news and information about the issues that are important to you.

Scan the code now for your free subscription!

Get Social

Twitter

@rhboydco (#rhboydco)

Instagram

@rhboydco (#rhboydco)

Facebook

@rhboydco (#rhboydco)

www.rhboyd.com

Lesson 1

The Beginning Of The Gospel

LEARNING SESSION

This passage of Scripture is remarkable for its assertion that shows forth in a display of divine approval. The passage represents none other than the Good News of God breaking forth into human history for the purpose of human salvation. Jesus came preaching the Gospel of God to call attention to God’s love and concern for the human creature.

EXPOSITION:

Heaven Is Torn Open

Unlike Matthew or Luke, the Gospel of Mark, includes no celebration at the Savior’s birth, nor does Mark record a genealogical account. In fact, he begins his account well after Jesus was an adult. Mark’s Gospel opens with the story of Jesus’ baptism. It is probable that Jesus’ baptism signifies the beginning of a new age, one where the Spirit of God descends upon humanity. His baptism is the launching into the ministry of obedience that leads to His death.

This text is important for three important reasons: the heavens are opened; the Spirit of God descends; and a voice speaks. Jesus arrives on the baptismal scene without fanfare. The Son of the Almighty God appears from an obscure village (Nazareth) as an ordinary person affirming the need for repentance and baptism.

For Mark what occurs at the baptism, however, is of the utmost importance. The opening of the heavens is signified by the Greek word literally meaning torn open. In the Book of Ezekiel, the heavens were opened, and the prophet saw visions of God. In the Book of Revelation, John was privileged to provide an account of heavenly activities, but he also saw the coming of a new heaven and a new earth.

The tearing of the heavens is an act of God that equates to the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke and to the pre–existent account of Jesus’ sonship recorded by the fourth Gospel writer. God is about to speak and act and reveal His purpose. The tearing open of heaven denotes God breaking forth into human history.

KEY VERSE:

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mark 1:11, KJV)

LESSON SCRIPTURES:

Mark 1:9–26

DISCUSSION POINTS

I. Heaven is Torn Open

II. Jesus is Tempted

III. Jesus Came Preaching and Teaching

How did Jesus teach as One who had authority?­

The descent of the Spirit of God on Jesus stands in contrast to the tearing open of the heavens. The renting of the heavens denotes a sense of urgency; still, the Spirit descends quietly, calmly, and reassuringly. This descending Spirit hovers over Jesus and makes a divine declaration.

Mark here is reminiscent of Genesis 1:1–2 when God’s Spirit moved over the formless void transforming it into an orderly universe. He transformed that void from a state of chaos and confusion into a state of systematic order and precision. Now, Mark argues that in the descent of the Spirit of God upon Jesus, God acts to transform humanity. Thus, the coming of Jesus Christ signifies God’s activity to create humankind anew.

As the special envoy of God, Jesus received encouragement and full approval to thrust ahead on His most important mission.