Seekers for Jesus: January- March 2024

By R.H. Boyd Publishing Corp.

Seekers for Jesus is a quarterly written especially for young people ages 12-14. In addition to introductory material and biblical exposition, each lesson contains a section to help students apply the lesson to life. Questions are interjected to gauge the student’s understanding of the presentation. It follows the International Uniform Sunday School Lesson Outline from the National Council of Churches.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Dec 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886351705

Book preview

Lesson 1

01/07/24

Faith in Action

CHECK OUT TODAY’S LESSON

Today’s Scripture

Hebrews 11:1–4, 7–8, 17–18, 20–23, 32, 39-40

Background Scripture: Hebrews 11

NRSV

NOW faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

2 Indeed, by faith copy. our ancestors received approval.

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain’s. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks.

• • • • • •

7 By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, and he set out, not knowing where he was going.

17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only son,

18 of whom he had been told, It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.

• • • • • •

20 By faith Isaac invoked blessings for the future on Jacob and Esau.

21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his burial.

23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict

32 And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

• • • • • •

39 Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised,

40 since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.

Key Verse:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1, NRSV)

Today’s Word

Today’s lesson looks at our use of information; specifically, how we can make wise decisions even when we face uncertainty or have limited or incomplete information. We may not have all the facts, but we still have to make wise decisions. When we are faced with such dilemmas, our faith is invaluable to our critical thinking skills. We use critical thinking to analyze information and make sound decisions. This lesson examines faith as a critical part of our life. This lesson does not define faith. This lesson describes what faith is and how it works in our lives.

But what happens when we use critical thinking to figure out a solution and it doesn’t work? It is very difficult to make wise decisions when we face uncertain outcomes. Asking others for help may provide only temporary, or limited, solutions to problems. However, what will happen to your trusted friends, advisors, and family who also struggle for answers? We are provided with many excellent examples of the power of faith against life’s uncertainties as Christians. Hebrews 11 details the unfailing faith of many notable Bible figures. Their absolute confidence in God’s promises, even when they had only minimal proof of a positive outcome, helps us put our faith in God. Although Hebrews’ author is unknown, this lesson makes it clear that faith should lead our actions.

Faith in the Face of the Unknown

Hebrews 11 gives us several examples of faith from the Old Testament. The passage starts with a description of faith (v.1). It tells us that faith exists when there is no evidence what we hope for. Hebrews 11 encourages readers to be unfailing in believing God’s promises and directions. Faithful believers should have absolute confidence in God’s plans and in His word. When God promises He will do something, we should focus on that promise. True faith inspires us to be diligent and stay on God’s path. Faithful people do not have to look for other options to get what they want. Hebrews 11 uses the examples of people in the Bible as a guideline for faithful Christians to follow.

These faithful examples were willing to leave behind everything and everyone they knew to obey God and believe His promises. Even when God demanded the sacrifice of some incredible blessings they already possessed, these people did not hesitate to follow His directions. This is why Hebrews 11’s faithful are highly praised. These people were not perfect, nor did they do everything perfectly. But God was pleased by their faith in Him and blessed them abundantly despite their failings and shortcomings. God’s love is not given to us because we are perfect. God is pleased by the faithful actions of the people highlighted in Hebrews 11 because their acts revealed their hearts to God. Their acts showed Him how completely they trusted His promises and authority over everything.

God’s authority over all things is complete because He created the universe at His command. His voice created everything we see, hear, and feel around us. God created everything from nothing, and that is a demonstration of God’s incredible power.

Abraham’s Amazing Faith

Our faith is the standard by which we will be judged. That is why Abraham is celebrated, even today, as a true example of a devoted and faithful servant of God. Even though Abraham had sinned, Abraham still delighted God and he received God’s favor. God called on Abraham to complete many difficult tasks, and Abraham never wavered. Through his faith, Abraham obeyed God when he was told to leave his family. He and his wife Sarah traveled to the land where he would later receive his