A Reason to Live

TEXT: Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 2:19-22

OBJECTIVE

The students will be able to relate that God made man in His image and likeness, and has designed that man should be the temple of God.

REFERENCE INFORMATION

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” God spoke the universe into existence. We are not told that He had any blueprints for His creation, but rather that “the earth was without form and void.” By simply speaking, God brought about remarkable changes from day to day.

However, we do know that God did have a plan for man. After He had created the world with plant and animal life, God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). Man was not spoken into existence. From the dust of the earth, God formed man in His own image and likeness and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul. God gave him dominion over the animal kingdom, and he was given a home in the Garden of Eden with instructions to dress it and keep it.

God loved His creation and had fellowship with man right from the beginning, but Satan entered into the picture and the fellowship was broken. God would have been justified had He destroyed man and started over, but who can fathom the love of God? He loved His creation so much that He had a plan for man’s redemption already formulated. From Adam’s time on, God accepted the sacrifice of innocent animals for the atonement for sin, pointing to the spotless Lamb of God who would die for the sins of all mankind.

To those who will repent and call on the Lord for mercy, fellowship with God is restored. Indeed, it could be no closer, as John 14:17 tells us that His Spirit shall dwell in us.

QUESTIONS

Jesus asked, “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). This question clearly defines the value of man’s soul in God’s estimation. God also said, “Behold, all souls are mine” (Ezekiel 18:4). God loves the souls of men so greatly that He sent His Son to earth to provide salvation for whosoever believes in Him. God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

1. We have been studying about being respectful toward things that are holy. In this lesson we will be studying the relationship between God and mankind. In what way or ways can a man qualify as being holy?
   
   Response: Mankind was created in the image and likeness of God. Man is designed to be the temple of God and the Holy Spirit. Although man fell far short of God’s plan for him when he sinned in the Garden of Eden, God provided a remedy for sin when it is repented of. Since the time of Eden all men have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but God is no respecter of persons and He calls all men to repentance. When man turns from his sins, regretting the things he has done against God, his prayer is heard and salvation is granted. As man walks with the Lord, desiring more of His grace, consecrating his life to God, sanctification is given. Through this experience man is made holy unto God.
   
2. God did not send Jesus to earth to die for His friends only. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. . . . For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:8,10). Name several notable sinners who were saved through the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in New Testament times. Name several who have been saved in our time.
   
   Response: Encourage your students to give their lists of sinners saved. The names given might include such people as Peter, Mary Magdalene, the woman taken in adultery, the demoniac of Gadara, Zacchaeus, Saul of Tarsus. The names given of those saved in our time will make an interesting list. The point of this question is to help us realize that though a person may go far from God’s appointed way, yet He is ever merciful to bring man back if he will heed the call. The disciples probably thought there was none so bad as Saul of Tarsus, yet God loved, called, and made him into someone beautiful and usable. The Lord is still doing the same today.
   
3. Sometimes in our endeavors to serve God we are disappointed that our efforts fail to succeed to the extent that we desire. Our purpose may be ever so high and noble, but the end result is so short of our expectations. Peter fully expected that he would remain the faithful disciple, though every other might fail. Jesus knew before it happened that Peter would deny Him, yet what was Jesus’ attitude toward Peter? If we are trying to do our best for Him, what is Jesus’ attitude toward us?
   
   Response: In spite of Peter’s shortcomings, Jesus loved him still and looked sadly at him when the event happened. How must Peter have felt? He must have been disappointed in himself, ashamed, sad, brokenhearted. He went out and wept bitterly, repenting of what he had done. Jesus had said to him, “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32). The Holy Trinity could see beyond Peter’s present person to the Apostle he would become. This is grace in action. As long as we are trying to do our best for the Lord, He will supply grace to meet our need. We may be completely dissatisfied with ourselves, but we must keep holding on. He has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).
   
4. When we want to be our best for the Lord it is necessary to keep our focus on Him. Twelve spies went into the Promised Land to see what kind of land it was. They all consented that it was a good land—all that God had promised. But ten spies brought back a discouraging report: the people of the land were giants, the cities were walled, and it was a land “that eateth up the inhabitants thereof.” Joshua and Caleb, though they saw all these things, kept their focus on God and His promises. Their admonition: “Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us” (Numbers 14:9). How can we keep our focus upon God, thus doing and being what He wants?
   
   Response: When we keep our attention on God, we gain His perspective. The Apostle Paul expressed it beautifully, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). Discuss with the students that when the ten spies and the people they influenced focused their attention upon the things that surrounded them, they were kept from enjoying God, His tremendous plans for them, and His readiness to strengthen their weaknesses with His world-creating power. Lead the discussion to include Joshua and Caleb’s point of view: They were not depending upon themselves; they were depending upon God and His promises. Because God was with them, they did not fear the enemy for the battle was already won. With this focus, the Bible says of Caleb, “He hath wholly followed the Lord” (Deuteronomy 1:36).
   
5. “Who am I, O Lord God?” (2 Samuel 7:18) asked King David when the prophet brought him word that the Lord had promised to establish his house and kingdom forever. The young man David had started from very unpretentious beginnings, and he seemed to maintain an attitude of humility throughout his life, even after becoming king of the Children of Israel. What are some of the other evidences that we have in Scripture that show David’s humility? (See 1 Samuel 24:14 and Psalms 34:6; 40:17.) Why is it important that we maintain a humble attitude before God? See James 4:6.
   
   Response: As the Scriptures show, David referred to himself as a dead dog and a flea; David asked God why He had brought him and his house to such a high estate; he described himself as poor and needy, even after he had been king a great while with much material wealth. David was nothing in his own eyes, and as he maintained this attitude he remained a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22; 1 Samuel 13:14). It is important that we have a humble attitude before God in order to be saved (Luke 18:13), in order that God will dwell with us (Isaiah 57:15). It is one of God’s requirements for pleasing the Lord (Micah 6:8). God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.
   
6. As Solomon’s Temple was being built in Jerusalem, it was intended to be “exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries” (1 Chronicles 22:5). The people gave willingly of their substance in order that the House of God might be renowned throughout the world as the place where God’s Spirit dwelled. This was to be a house of sacrifice and worship for all who came according to God’s Word. Of what material is God’s temple made in the world today? What similarities might be drawn between Solomon’s Temple and God’s temple today?
   
   Response: The key verse gives the answer to the first question—the people who are saved become the temple of God. Solomon’s Temple was exceedingly beautiful, adorned with precious metals and magnificent carvings and art work. God’s temple today is to be adorned—not the outward adorning of “wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart” (1 Peter 3:3-4). In Solomon’s time, God received glory and honor through the physical edifice. Today, He receives reverence and homage through the indwelling of His Spirit in the lives of those who are redeemed. God and His salvation are seen in the world through the lives of those who have been saved and changed. Solomon’s Temple had an altar for sacrifice. Today’s temple has provision for living sacrifices and consecrations. “Ye . . . are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).
   
7. Solomon’s Temple was dedicated and the glory of the Lord filled the house. “Now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever” (2 Chronicles 7:16). And so it is with God’s temple today. “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are” (1 Corinthians 3:17). In what ways might the temple of God be defiled in our time?
   
   Response: Allow time for the students to give their answers, which possibly will include fornication, adultery, unclean habits (such as using tobacco, drugs, or alcohol), murder, envy, idolatry. In Galatians we read that those who do these things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. The Bible says these types of people “shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Bring your lesson to its conclusion by stressing the way to escape the judgment. Jesus Christ stands knocking at each heart’s door. “If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). The person’s sins will be forgiven, and the glory of the Lord will fill the house.

CLASS ACTIVITIES

Draw or copy a very simple shape of a man onto a medium-sized sheet of heavy paper. Draw a heart on the man’s chest. Cut the paper into puzzle pieces, leaving the heart together as one shape. Let your class help you put the puzzle together, saving the heart shape till last. Just before you put the heart shape into place, tell your students that this heart represents the most important part of man. It was the soul of man that was made in the image and likeness of God. It is the part that will live forever.

At the beginning of your class time divide the students into two groups. Have each group choose one person to be a reporter. For each reporter make a copy of the following questions and give them a set amount of time to conduct an interview with their groups. Then come together again as one group and compare reports. This is not a contest. But because of the smaller groups it is a way of giving all students a chance to express their views. Questions: WHO created man? WHEN was man created? WHERE was man created? WHAT set man apart from the animals? WHY did God give man a soul?

Junior-age children are hero worshipers. They want someone to look up to and try to be like. There are many public figures who are hailed as heroes today. Let’s give the children some solid things to look for in a hero. Draw a line down the center of a large chalkboard. Title one side, A HERO FOR GOD! Title the other side, NO HERO AT ALL! Let the children help you fill in things that would be characteristic of each “Hero.” Examples: loves God/loves self; drug free/takes drugs; prays/too busy to pray. Let them help you figure out how each of the choices would fit in with the subjects in the text: flesh, spirit, temple, idols, Jesus as foundation, unequally yoked, etc.