#65 The Man Born Blind

John 9:1-41
One of my favorite stories in the Bible. As you may could guess, my favorite part is when the former blind man responds to the Pharisees. Fuel does another good job with this lesson hitting a lot of the background stuff to set the story in proper context. I think a class consuming discussion could easily develop in the area of God's judgment in the world (why do bad things happen). It's a discussion that young people need to have and come to a conclusion on. From a personal note I would point out that Judgment on sin in the Bible has common characteristics. The Salvation of believers and total destruction, ie The Flood & Sodom and Gomorrah. So where does that leave hurricanes, tornadoes, etc? You know I think I know, but I will leave it up to you. Good studying this week.

I'm enclosing a link to a book I am reading that Billy and I talked about. I highly recommend it for you to read and give to individual youth in your class. It's about an unreal teenager and his passion for God.

#64 Parables About Forgiveness

Gospel Alert! Gospel Alert! I was going to start off by saying, if you don't preach the Gospel to your class this week you are not saved; however, I'm not cause it is a perfect week to preach it to your self. We often think the Gospel is something we give to lost people, it is, but is is also for the saved (Romans 1:15). So I encourage you as you read these parables about forgiveness, think about the forgiveness you have received in Christ. The joy announced in Heaven when Christ found you, cause the bible says you were not looking for Him. You were lost and He came looking for you. You repented and placed your trust in Him and He came running. He is a Just God that has to send the guilty to hell, but He does not desire this. It is his will that everyone be saved...that's you and the kids in your class. He desires this more than you desire for your child to live another day. Realize this and worship Him this week. Preach the Word! Tell the Story!

Fuel did a good job with these Parables. Especially the Prodigal son. I tire of preachers who preach this and focus on the prodigal and all about how that's you..blah, blah, blah. When we do hermeneutics one of the first approach is who was the author talking to and how did they receive it. Jesus was talking to the Pharisees. The Parable is about them, not the prodigal son who squandered the inheritance. Who are the Pharisees of today? Us. Well not all of us. But it's church people who think they are good, and believe in God, just like the Pharisee. As a side note, here is one of the best books on parables that I have. I highly recommend it.