LESSON
07
Lesson Focus: Proclaim God’s love and hope to the next generations. Lesson Scripture: Psalm 71:12-21
Continual Proclamation Lesson Path
Teacher’s Devotional
Week of July 14
Pass It On
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Life Response: Tell other generations about Christ.
It seems it was just the other day I was 16, getting a car; then 22, getting married. At 26, I had my first child. I turned 30 and thought I was ancient. Then 40, and now—in the blink of an eye, and after my parents have passed—I am the old one at 68. My greatest desire is to pass on a love for Jesus to our family. Both our kids are Christ-followers. My prayer now is for our three grandchildren, for each to trust Jesus, love Him, and seek His will for their lives. I want to pass my hope in Jesus on to others too. I wrote a memoir about raising our adopted, disabled daughter. It makes me so happy that those words will be here long after I’m gone. I see it as part of my legacy—to share my story of experiencing the goodness of God amid suffering and pain. From childhood through old age, God has been an anchor for my life. It’s my prayer that those following me will say the same. Psalm 71:17-18 from today’s Scripture passage says, “Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” Indeed, we find our hope only in Him. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet. 1:3).
Link to Last Week
Understanding the Bible
Allow some time for students to share about how they were able to give their thoughts of despair to Jesus this past week.
Psalm 71 was written by an elderly saint who had clearly faced some challenging times. There is no indication in the text of who wrote this psalm. Some commentators speculate that it was written after Judah’s return from captivity. Others, because of its position between a psalm of David (Ps. 70) and a psalm for David’s son Solomon (Ps. 72), believe that David also wrote this psalm. Though the psalmist experienced many bitter hardships, even persecutions, he never gave up hope in the Lord. He knew that he could call out to the Lord and be heard. Furthermore, he knew that even in death, his hope was in his loving Lord. As a result, the psalmist understood the importance of proclaiming God’s love and hope to the next generation. And such should be our hope and purpose today.
Life Connection: Discuss how all generations need to hear the Gospel. Bible Exploration: 2in Psalm Study the hopeful message 71. Suggested Material: N Adult Teacher’s Resource Kit: Poster and reproducible handout—Heartfelt Hope Interaction: 3withBible Explore how to share Jesus other generations. Suggested Material: N Adult Teacher’s Resource Kit: Reproducible handout—My Psalm
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Lesson 7
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