Category: Lessons

God’s Assurance in Baptism and the Communion

• Lesson 11 for the week of March 4 to March 11

Background Considerations: Christians all over the world relate in different ways to sacraments. In many places you can never have too many; there is a ritual every time you turn around. And people find it...

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Assurance and the Final Judgment

• Lesson 10 for the week of February 26 to March 4

Background Considerations: The appearance in the same sentence of “assurance” and “judgment” seems to create an oxymoron; this does not make sense, because people are normally not encouraged by references to accountability and assessment. Are...

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Such a Great Cloud of Witnesses

• Lesson 9 for the week of February 19 to February 26

Background Considerations: Reviewing some definitions of “faith” might prove helpful in a good Bible dictionary in preparation for the discussion of this lesson. The Old Testament is more holistic and uses terms like faithfulness and...

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Assurance and Christ’s High-Priestly Ministry

• Lesson 8 for the week of February 12 to February 19

Background Considerations: The book of Hebrews is unlike others in the New Testament in its focus and style. What can we know about the background of this book which could help us interpret it? From...

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John’s Experience and Assurance of Salvation

• Lesson 7 for the week of February 5 to February 12

Background Considerations: The material from John is among the later materials which make up our New Testament. Perhaps this explains some of the reflective nature of this literature since it comes out of a mature...

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Peter’s Growth in the Grace of Christ

• Lesson 6 for the week of January 29 to February 5

Background Considerations: By all counts, the biblical treatments of the Apostle Peter, find him to be an intriguing character in the cast of disciples. Brash, arrogant, pushy, assertive, vocal, impatience, a grand-stander ­ these all...

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Paul’s Experience and Teaching of Assurance

• Lesson 5 for the week of January 22 to January 29

Background Considerations: The major issue at stake in this lesson has to do with sanctification and salvation as they relate to assurance. While Paul’s experience on the Damascus Road is the focal point for the...

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Christ’s Assurance of Justification by Faith

• Lesson 4 for the week of January 15 to January 22

Background Considerations: It might make some sense, in thinking about this lesson, to consult a good dictionary and a good Bible dictionary on terms like: guilt, forgiveness, justification. The latter in particular is a technical...

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The Work of Christ: Our Assurance

• Lesson 3 for the week of January 8 to January 15

Background Considerations: The issue in this lesson does not have so much to do with the nature of Christ as with his activities on our behalf as reason for assurance. Over the centuries, believers have...

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The Person of Christ: Our Assurance

• Lesson 2 for the week of January 1 to January 8

Background Considerations: The Christian centuries have witnessed endless debates about the person and nature of Christ. These extended from conflicts about the divinity of Jesus and the idea of a trinity during the first five...

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The Foundation of Our Assurance

• Lesson 1 for the week of December 25 to January 1

Assurance and the Bible: One of the major issues in this lesson has to do with the trustworthiness of the Bible as a source of assurance. How might one get at this concern? What kinds...

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The Heavenly Family

• Lesson 13 for the week of December 18 to December 25

Key Passages Phil. 3:20 — Our citizenship is in heaven. 2 Cor. 5:1-10 — The believer longs for something better. Rom. 8:18-25 — The whole creation waits and groans in hope. Descriptions of a restored...

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Strong and Active

• Lesson 12 for the week of December 11 to December 18

Key Passages: Isa. 58:1-14 — The Sabbath and the true fast. Rev. 14:6-12 — The three angels’ messages. Eph. 2:19-22 — Christ the foundation holds the house together 2 Peter 1:5-11 — Peter’s ladder: faith,...

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How We Are Today

• Lesson 11 for the week of December 4 to December 11

Key Passages: Matt. 7:15-20 — Beware of false prophets; check the fruit. Matt. 7:24-27 — Obedience means building on rock, not sand. Matt. 24:11-13 — False prophets, lawlessness, loss of love. 1 Tim. 4:1-5 —...

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