Sunday School: God Offers Deliverance

Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!

When we meet in person, we take some time to share our joys and concerns. Consider the past week. What prayer requests do you have? If you would like, you can share them as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below, from St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Theresa of Avila, (source) to get started.

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

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Today's lesson is on Isaiah 51:1-8.

The Jewish people had been in captivity because they turned to idolatry. Isaiah gives them specific instructions:  Look to the past, look to the future, and look straight ahead. Good advice then and good advice now.  Looking to our past offers important insights: about faithfulness, examples to follow or deviate from, the people and events that have shaped us. Isaiah prepared the nation to look forward to Jesus, but we look to the past, present, and future when we look to him.  The salvation work Jesus has done is the reason for our joy in the present and our hope in the future.  So when you think about whether to look to the past, present, or future, the answer is all three!  Look to Christ and his ministry, his sacrifice, his death and resurrection.  Look to the body of Christ that continues to call the world to repent of sins and be reconciled to God.  And look to the glorious future when God’s promises of eternal life will no longer be a hope but our present, eternal reality.

Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for these reminders that you have always loved and admonished your people.  As we leave class now, we ask for wisdom in making the tough decisions that are ahead of us this week.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.
 
Thought to Remember
Hear that?  God is calling.

Benediction
Today's benediction is from the American Standard Version.

Next week is the first Sunday of July. We will be starting a month of reading from the Gospel of John with John 1:1-14.