Bible Doctrine Part 1

TEXT: Luke 5:17-26, James 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2:24

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

These Bible doctrines were established in Scripture, and upheld in the preaching and publications of the Azusa Street ministry.

POSSIBLE OPENER ON EXPLORING DOCTRINE

Bring microscope to class with a glass slide and small object to look at. Explain that we get a much better view of objects when we study them close up. So for the next three weeks, we will be trying to get a “close-up” view of several doctrines, so we can understand them better.

QUESTIONS

• Why does the world today reject divine healing?
• What instruction is given regarding prayer for healing? James 5:14-15, Mark 6:13
• If a person needs healing but is unable to go to an elder, what alternative is described in Acts 19:11-12?
• According to Isaiah 53:5, what did Christ’s atonement on Calvary purchase for us in addition to our salvation?
• Some teach that Isaiah 53:5 only refers to spiritual healing. How does Matthew 8:16-17 refute this?

• What is repentance? Why is it so vital?
• What might be some indicators of true repentance?
• What are some promises given to those who repent? Isaiah 55:7, 1 John 2:25
• What did John mean when he exhorted his listeners to bring forth “fruits meet for repentance”?
• Referring to 2 Corinthians 7:9, what is the difference between being sorry and having sorrow to repentance? What is the outcome of both?
  

• What is restitution?
• How do we know what things we should make restitution for?
• What happens if we refuse to make a restitution?
• Is restitution optional or mandatory?
• What does Paul’s desire to “have a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” have to do with restitution?
• What are some of the results of making restitution?
• How might a person’s restitution impact those to whom he/she makes the restitution?
  

• What is the Trinity?
• What word in 1 John 5:7 describes the triunity of the Godhead?
• What does each person of the Godhead contribute toward the salvation of mankind?
• Give some examples of triunity in nature.
  

EXTRA HELP FOR TEACHERS

“The Framework of Faith” from Higher Way 95-2

Tract #25 –The Trinity

Tract #68 – Righting the Wrongs

Tract #15 – Divine Healing

POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNGER CLASSES

Have students design posters of all the Bible doctrines. (This activity could carry over into the next two weeks.) Post them along the wall of your room….or even down the hall of the church with a sign above saying “Art Work by the ___ Grade Sunday School Class.”

Divide the class into 4 groups. Assign each group one of this week’s doctrines. Have them look up supporting Scriptures and prepare a short presentation on one of the doctrines. Give the groups some guidelines:

    Texts to read to class         
    Questions to guide their explanation of the doctrine  
    Suggest testimonies to illustrate         
    Trinity might need object—3-legged stool, 3-sided stand, 3 parts of an egg, etc.

If did not want to form groups in class, the teacher’s presentation could follow the above format.

Have these doctrines printed out large for class to see as they come in. Then add doctrines as you progress through the lessons.

Illustration of Trinity: Take three pieces of colored cord or yarn and braid them together. Discuss the meaning of the word trinity and triune God. Then hold up the cord and ask your students how many cords you have. Unbraid it and ask the same question. Use this to illustrate the concept of three in one.

Another option on Trinity: Bring water, ice, and a jar with hot water in it and covered in plastic. Allow the water in the jar to sit long enough for water droplets to form on the inside of the plastic. Tell your students that water is a great example of how something can be three different things, and at the same time remain one thing. Water can be a liquid, a solid (ice), and a gas (vapor/steam). Even though there are three uniquely different states of water, they are still water. These states of water remind us of the triune nature of God.

Illustration of repentance. Tell your class that in the original Greek, the word repent means “to turn about” (illustrate by walking one direction, and then turn 180 degrees). Post or hold up a USA map. Repentance means a complete change of direction, like going from Iowa to New York, and then turning around to go to California.

Divine healing: Ask a visitor to come to your class to share a story of divine healing. It’s nice to hear details that we don’t get when we are restricted to two-minute testimonies!