NLMBC October 2023 Sunday School Lessons

From Our Superintendent

Greetings New Light Members and Friends!

We continue our study, Walking In The Spirit, found at www.cru.org/ us/en/train-andgrow/bible-studies/teaching-lesson-walking-in-the-spirit.html. How do you prepare for the spiritual conflict in your daily walk? What are the resources available to you that will enable you to endure spiritual struggles? How do you handle the attacks of the devil as you occupy until He comes?

Pray without ceasing for all our New Light Members and Friends, especially our Pastor, Reverend Dr. Cardes H. Brown, Jr. The Spirit will guide us in all things, the good times and the bad. Listen to the Spirit! Amen!!

Your Brother in Christ, Superintendent Tony Hall

Table of Contents

* All Scripture is from The King James Version of the Bible unless indicted differently*

October 1, 2023

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT BE PREPARED FOR SPIRITUAL CONFLICT (Part 2)

This week we will continue our discussion on the remaining two forces that wage war against the believer.

2. The flesh

Galatians 5:16 -17 - 16 -This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

The flesh--our old sin nature--is at war with the Spirit. This conflict will continue as long as we live. Temptation (the initial impression to do something contrary to God’s will) is not itself sin. It becomes sin as we continue to meditate on it and develop a desire which becomes lust, which is often followed by an actual sin of disobedience. There is a difference between temptation and sin. The impressions to do something contrary to God’s will come to everyone, even as they did to our Lord, and are not sin in themselves. They become sin if we yield to the temptation. The conflict is resolved as we surrender continually to the control of the Spirit.

• How would you describe the difference between temptation and sin?

• Do you follow your own course or do you lean on the Holy Spirit to guide you? Give an example. _______________________________________________________________________

For practical daily living we simply recognize our weakness whenever we are tempted and ask the Lord to take care of the problem for us.

3. The devil

1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

• What does it mean to be sober and vigilant?

Satan is a real foe seeking to destroy us. We have the assurance in 1 John 4:4 - Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

• How does the truth in 1 John 4:4 impact your life right now and who do you need to share this truth with this week? _______________________________________________________________________

In zoos, lions are kept in cages. In the same way Satan is in a cage. Visit the cage in the zoo and watch a lion pacing impatiently back and forth. He cannot hurt you. Even if you go up close to the cage, he still cannot hurt you, if you are careful. But stay out of the cage, or you will be in danger. Get in the cage and the lion will tear you apart. But you have nothing to fear if you stay out of the cage.

We have nothing to fear from Satan if we depend upon Christ and not on our own strength. Remember, Satan has no power except that which God in his wisdom allows him to have. Satan was defeated 2,000 years ago at the cross and God’s power is sovereign over him. God’s Spiritual armor provides our safety against Satan.

Ephesians 6:11-12 - 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

• Review Ephesians 6:10-18. What is the whole armour of God and how is it used? Who is responsible for putting it on? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

• How can you become more dependent on the Spirit to direct you? _______________________________________________________________________

October 8, 2023

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

KNOW YOUR RESOURCES AS A CHILD OF GOD (Part 1)

Christ is the source of our strength. It is impossible to know and experience our resources in Christ without spending time with the Lord.

Ephesians 1:3- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

• What does Jesus want you to experience in your Christian life?

• What are the spiritual blessings we receive from God?

It is impossible to walk victoriously in the Spirit without spending unhurried time in fellowship with the Lord. Time in His word, in prayer and in listening to Him for directions for our daily activities and witness is of utmost importance. We need to be able not only to experience this great adventure with Christ for ourselves, but to present it to others. Witnessing is critical to experiencing a balanced spiritual life.

Remember that we become spiritual, experience power from God and become fruitful in our witness as a result of faith and obedience. The Bible clearly teaches that the just shall live by faith. Works are the result of faith.

We are able to live the Christian life only through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:5-8: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

• What things are of the flesh? _______________________________________________________________________

• What things are of the Spirit?

Ephesians 6:10 - Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Paul says, ‘I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you’(Ephesians 6:10). Jesus Christ, in all of His mighty, resurrection power, lives in all of us who have become children of God through faith in Christ. I do not have strength in myself.

The Holy Spirit enables us to be fruitful witnesses for Christ as we understand and draw upon our resources in Christ.

John 15:8- Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

• Why is discipleship important in our relationship with Christ?

• What fruit do we bear that gives God glory? _______________________________________________________________________

Leading people to Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we cannot boast over much fruit or be discouraged over little fruit. The responsibility for bearing fruit belongs to the Holy Spirit, who works in and through us producing fruit and changing lives as we exalt Jesus Christ.

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

KNOW YOUR RESOURCES AS A CHILD OF GOD (Part 2)

Christ’s power is available to help carry out the Great Commission.

• What is witnessing for Christ? _______________________________________________________________________

• Share a personal example of a fruitful witnessing experience when you drew upon your resources in Christ.

Ephesians 1:19-23 - 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Matthew 28:18-20 - 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

• What are the disciples to teach others? _______________________________________________________________________

• Who was given the Great Commission? _______________________________________________________________________

• Can you do the Great Commission in your own power? Why? Why not?

Yielding to Christ does not make us puppets. God does not force us to obey Him. The more we understand our resources in Christ, the more we will desire to do His will.

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Isaiah 55:6-7 – 6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

• What is God’s will for His people? _______________________________________________________________________

• How does God show us mercy? _______________________________________________________________________

• What are in your spiritual resources that help you seek the Lord? _______________________________________________________________________

A student asked, ‘If I give my life to Christ, do I become a puppet?’ No. We never become puppets. We have the right to make choices; we are free moral agents. God guides and encourages us, but we must act. He does not force us. But the more we understand the love of God, the faithfulness of God and the wisdom and power of God, the more we will want to trust Him with every detail of our lives.

• What does it mean to yield to Christ?

• Even though God does not force us to obey him, why should we?

The secret of the successful Christian life is to keep Christ on the throne of our lives and live in the power and control of the Holy Spirit. Failure in our Christian lives will occur only if we deliberately choose to be disobedient.

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

LIVE BY FAITH

What will typify the person who understands how to walk by faith? We do not live by emotional experiences; we live by faith. Feelings are a by-product of faith. Seeking emotional experiences denies God’s command to live by faith.

Galatians 3:11 - But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

John 14:21 - He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

• What does it mean that we are justified by faith?

• How can we manifest evidence that we walk by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

The object of our faith is God and His Word (Romans 8:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). We can trust the great promise of God’s Word that all things work together for good to those who love God. Do you believe this? Then the reasonableness of God’s command in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 logically follows: ‘In everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ Have you learned to say, ‘Thank you, Lord,’ when your heart is broken because of the death of a loved one? Do you thank God when your body is in pain? When you receive a letter terminating a love relationship? When you have financial problems? When you fail an exam? When you are persecuted for your faith? We may say that only a fool would give thanks to God under such circumstances. But, if God commands us to give thanks, then there is good reason for it. This is one of the most exciting lessons we can learn, to say, ‘Thank you’ when things go wrong.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

• How would you describe God’s providence working for those who are obedient to His commandment even in tough times, and how do you respond?

1 Peter 5:7 - Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Cast all of our cares upon Him. Christians have problems, but they are commanded to freely cast all of them on the Lord. I do not wish to suggest that Christians who walk in the fullness of the Spirit will have no problems. Problems of poor health, death, financial needs and other such experiences are common to everyone. However, most of our problems are self-imposed because of our own worldly (carnal), selfish actions. Spiritual people are spared from most of these problems. But when the problems do come, they can be faced with a calm and confident attitude because of God’s divine resources which are available to deal with such problems.

• How do you cast all your cares upon the Lord?

Giving thanks demonstrates faith (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Faith pleases God. Unbelief displeases God.

From the time we awaken in the morning until we go to bed at night we should walk with God, trusting and thanking Him for every circumstance of our lives.

APPLICATION

A. Be sure that you are filled with the Spirit by faith. This is based on God’s command to be filled and by claiming His promise that, if we ask according to His will, He will hear and answer.

B. Be prepared for spiritual conflict. The enemy is real. The world, the flesh and the devil will assail.

C. Know your resources as a child of God. Our strength must come from the Lord. We must abide in Him.

D. Live by faith, draw daily upon His strength, wisdom, power, and love, giving thanks in all things.

New Light Sunday School Staff

Editorial Board: Brother Tony Hall, Deacon Romeo Morrisey, Dr. Georgia Bowser, Reverend Tracey Moore, Sister Millicent Lee, Sister Tammi Taylor, Sister Violet “Dee Dee” Mitchell

Class Discussion Leaders

Genesis Sister Katie Davis

Sister Tammi Taylor

Exodus Brother Joseph “JT” Hall

Brother Tony Hall

Deacon Romeo Morrisey

Leviticus Dr. Georgia Bowser

Reverend Tracey Moore

Numbers

Reverend Bessie Allen

Reverend Shirlene Bennett

Deuteronomy Brother Willie Maddox

Deacon James Lee

Reverend Ray Hudson

Kings

Deaconess LaTonda Bonds

Deaconess Paulette Hudson

Sister Elizabeth Faucette

Sister Manecia Hall

Sister Shirena Smith

Matthew Deacon Leon Moses

Reverend Carolyn Chaffin

Ephesians Sister Patricia Cooper

Sister Violet “Dee Dee” Mitchell

Foundation Reverend Shirlene Bennett

Sister Doris Mosley

Sister Lettie Taylor

Location/Population

Upper Level Computer Room

Daycare Room 2

Room 102-103/Senior Women

Hospitality Room

LL Conference Room/Senior Men

Daycare Room 1

Room 104 -105

Room 201

Sanctuary

Mass Sunday School Pastor Cardes H. Brown Jr. Sanctuary

Orientation Sister Millicent Lee

*All classes start promptly at 9:30 am*

Room 100/New Members