TEXT: Acts 26:1-20
OBJECTIVE
The students will be able to explain that to be used in the Lord’s service they must completely surrender their will and life to Him.
REFERENCE INFORMATION
Paul’s purpose to be a loyal servant of Jesus Christ was consistently proven by the life he lived. He was an interpreter of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, explaining it to the Gentile world through his labors and letters. It was primarily through his efforts that Christianity was established and liberated from the yoke of legalism. His epistolary writings which formulate, interpret, and apply the essence of Christianity, are vital to Christian theology and practice. Paul realized that the Gospel makes strenuous ethical demands upon the life and conduct of the believer. The essence of the Christian life for Paul was union with Christ. He loved Jesus and served Him till the end of his “course.”
QUESTIONS
Paul, even though having been in prison for a long time, was not hesitant to do service for God by giving his testimony. As he stood before King Agrippa, the account of his conversion and how he answered God’s call gives us a beautiful example of a complete change, total dedication and sacrifice. We are called by the same Christ to the same Gospel. Willing service for the salvation of souls in every phase of the Lord’s work brings eternal reward.
- Paul told King Agrippa that at an earlier time in his life, his ambition had been to put the followers of Jesus into prison, see them persecuted and even put to death. His attitude had been one of anger toward the followers of Jesus. Explain what brought about the change in his attitude, and tell why you think Paul was so willing to give his testimony before the King. Refer to Acts 9.
Response: Your students will, no doubt, mention that Paul experienced a real change when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was willing to stand before the king because he had been instilled with a burning desire to spread the Gospel. Discuss with your class how a genuine experience of salvation is the necessary prerequisite for any effective service for God.
- The word surrender means “to give up claim, or to yield to another.” How do you think this word relates to service for God?
Response: As your class talks this over, reinforce the thought of the preceding question, that the first step is to surrender our lives to God and receive salvation. But the need for surrender goes beyond this as we begin serving the Lord. Ask your class to list some of the things Paul gave up or surrendered when he became a servant of God. Then discuss some of the things we might be called upon to surrender as we continue in giving ourselves fully to God for His service.
- There are some important principles established in Scripture concerning the call of God. Read Romans 11:29 and 1 Corinthians 9:16,17, and note what points you find in these verses.
Response: The call of God is all-important in our lives. Romans 11:29 brings out the fact that this call cannot be repented of. That means that it will remain constant, even though it may go unanswered. The students should see that one cannot keep neglecting his call from God and just tell God he is sorry. 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 lets us know that we are to fulfill our call willingly. As your students bring out their thoughts, endeavor to lead them to understand the seriousness and yet the blessing of being willing servants.
- Reading verse 16 in our text, we find part of Paul’s call was to “witness.” What spiritual experience will help us fulfill this part of our call? See Acts 1:8.
Response: Acts 1:8 brings out the fact that receiving the Holy Ghost brings power for service into the life of a Christian. This power enables one to witness more effectively for God. Bring out in discussion the importance of having the baptism of the Holy Ghost to fulfill the call to service.
- When Jesus sent His disciples into the cities, they were told that the conditions they would face might not always be pleasant. They were sent as lambs among wolves. They were to carry no provisions. They were not guaranteed a welcome. Why were they sent? How did things turn out for them? What was their attitude upon their return to Jesus? See Luke 10:1,17 and 22:35.
Response: The disciples were sent to introduce Jesus Christ and were told that there was a great harvest of souls to be gained. They were sent to the cities where He would come later. When Jesus questioned some of them afterwards, they said they had lacked nothing in the way of supplies. Upon their return, the disciples were filled with joy, having experienced that even the devils were subject to them through Jesus’ name. Bring out in class discussion that without doubt the highest calling and occupation ever to thrill and hold the heart of man is the call of God to the winning of souls. When followed, not only does this unique call contain the greatest of earthly joys, but it also brings the promise of eternal reward.
- Willing service to God is more an attitude than an obligation. If the question is posed, “Are you willing?” what is your response? If the response is, “If I have to . . .” or “I guess I can . . . ,” the attitude is saying, “I really don’t want to.” In today’s society we are told not to commit or box ourselves in because life is too short. But this is a trick of the devil to keep us from serving the Lord. Psalm 40:8 contains a key word which reflects a certain attitude that we should maintain as we serve the Lord. Note the word, and describe how you think it applies to our Christian service. Then briefly describe how an opposite attitude might affect our service.
Response: The key word is delight. Ask your class for a definition of this word, concluding that it means “to give great joy or pleasure.” As your class discusses this, they should be led to see the joy that comes through wholehearted devotion to the Lord. When one is willing to be of service for Him, it is because that one considers it to be a high privilege. If one is serving unwillingly, no doubt the attitude will be grouchy and complaining, and thus will dampen the spirits of those around him. Encourage your students to do their best to show the joy that Jesus gives when the Lord is served willingly for the right purpose.
- The magnitude of needs in the spreading of the Gospel, may sometimes seem almost overwhelming. We need to be aware that our duty is not universal, but rather personal and individual. God does not command us to “Go and do everything,” but He marks out a special path for each of us. Once we have committed ourselves fully to Christ and have told Him we are willing to do whatever He gives us to do, how can we know just what that service should be? Proverbs 3:5-6 will give you some direction in noting your answer.
Response: The Scripture in Proverbs shows the necessity of looking to the Lord for direction, rather than trusting our own understanding. In our enthusiasm to do something for the Lord, our efforts could be misdirected and thus unprofitable, unless we are certain they are in accordance with God’s plan for us. Ask your class to mention some ways this guidance might come. They will likely bring out that direction may come through sermons or testimonies, through the request of our pastor or person in spiritual authority, through the recognition of a need and accompanying impression that this is an area we should fill, etc.
- In today’s society we often find that those in lesser circumstances are in a position of serving those who are more affluent. Matthew 23:11 establishes a Biblical perspective which is somewhat different. In your own words, elaborate on true greatness as brought out in this Scripture.
Response: Your students will probably conclude that to be great in God’s sight will necessitate our being a willing servant of all, including those that society would deem to be of lesser degree. Jesus gave His followers a perfect example of genuine greatness. He left His Throne in Heaven to descend to a human plane to serve mankind. List some of the humbling circumstances in which He ministered to His followers. Conclude your lesson by bringing out how we, as God’s followers, must be willing to serve in any circumstance or situation as the need presents itself.
CLASS ACTIVITIES
Tie a string around a dollar bill and take it to class. Give it to one of the students, but don’t let go of the string. No matter how many times you tell him it belongs to him, he will see it is not fully given as long as you hold the other end of the string. Explain that in the same way anything we “give” to God isn’t truly given if we make conditions or leave “strings attached.”
Have two of your students act out the parts of a youth worker and his pastor. The youth worker tells the pastor that he really wants to be used in the Lord’s service, but every time the pastor asks the young man to do a job for the church (janitorial work, pass out fliers, etc.), the young man has an excuse. After the role-play, ask your students how they can show, not just say, they are willing to be used in the Lord’s service.
Hymn Response: Have your class evaluate the words of a hymn of “service.” Example: Only One Life, by Merril Dunlop and Avis B. Christiansen. Possible questions for this song: What does the songwriter want to do with his heart’s devotion, according to the first verse? According to the second verse, how does the songwriter feel about his time? What does he want to do with his time? In what specific service does the songwriter wish to participate, according to the last part of the second verse?
Illustrate to your students the importance of never saying, “I can’t do anything. I’m of no use.” Show them a horseshoe nail (or at least a very large nail). Read them this famous little saying:
“For the want of a nail the shoe was lost;
For the want of a shoe the horse was lost;
For the want of a horse the rider was lost;
For the want of a rider the battle was lost;
For the want of a battle a kingdom was lost—
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.”
Talk about how important each person is to God. Ask each of them to decide if they are willing to be a “nail” in Christ’s service? Souls need to be won for God’s Kingdom. We don’t want anyone lost for want of willing service.
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