1. GOD’S WILL FOR HIS PEOPLE (PART III)
LESSON 20
GOD’S WILL FOR HIS PEOPLE
(PART III)

2. Opening Prayer Before lesson
Thank you, Savior, for all the people you've put into my life to bless me. I would really be in trouble if I were alone! I confess, though, that I haven't always treated them so well. Thankfully, you obeyed the fourth and all the commandments perfectly in my place. Now, help me show my thanks by honoring your representatives. I know the work of parents, teachers, pastors and church leaders, and the government hasn't always been easy. Help me to show my love for you by honoring and obeying them. Use your Word to teach me more about a life with you and how I can live my life for you. Amen.
Before lesson
Thank you, Savior, for all the people you've put into my life to bless me. I would really be in trouble if I were alone! I confess, though, that I haven't always treated them so well. Thankfully, you obeyed the fourth and all the commandments perfectly in my place. Now, help me show my thanks by honoring your representatives. I know the work of parents, teachers, pastors and church leaders, and the government hasn't always been easy. Help me to show my love for you by honoring and obeying them. Use your Word to teach me more about a life with you and how I can live my life for you. Amen.

3. God’s Will for His People (Part III) The Second table of the Law says:
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration: In the past 2 lessons we have talked about our God seeks to protect his glory, name and word in the first table of the law. In the second table of the law we will talk about our relationship with others.
[Click to the next slide]
Love your neighbor

4. The Fourth Commandment
Honor your father and mother that it may go well with you and you may enjoy long life on the earth.
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]

5. GOD’S REPRESENTATIVES
Illustration: Joe’s parents have given him a curfew of 10 pm. He obeys his parents, but he pouts about having a curfew and complains about it every chance he gets. Joe’s dad has to drive through a long section of town where the speed limit is 25mph. He obeys the speed limit, but he constantly gripes about it to his neighbors and friends. Joe’s little sister has a Sunday school teacher who requires her to memorize a portion of the catechism and a Bible passage each week. She does the memory work, but she lets the whole family know how much she hates having to do it. What do all three members of Joe’s family have in common? (They all resent having to do something that is required of them by someone in authority over them.) Let’s look at this situation a little more closely. Joe’s family members obey -- they do what is required of them -- but they do it reluctantly. Are they keeping the Fourth commandment or not? Let’s see what God has to say about our relationship with his representatives on earth.

6. God’s Representatives
God places His representatives in
home
church
government, society
over us to bless us.
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration: These are the three most obvious. You may want to explore the area of society a little more (I.e. – their teachers, coaches, other group leaders like 4H etc.)
[Click to the next slide]

7. Ephesians 6:2-3
2"Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: What do parents provide for us to help us enjoy long life on the earth?
Answer: Food, clothing, shelter, love, religious training, education.
[Click to the next slide]

8. God’s Representatives
Through His representatives in the home He gives us:
food, clothing, shelter, love, religious training, education
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]

9. Hebrews 13:7
7Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage what do leaders in church speak to us?
Answer: God’s Word
[Click to the next slide]

10. God’s Representatives
Through His representatives in the home He gives us:
food, clothing, shelter, love, religious training, education
Through His representatives in the church He gives us:
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]
God’s Word and Sacraments

11. Romans 13:4
4For he [the government] is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: What does God give worldly governments in order to protect its citizens?
Answer: He gives them the sword or the right to punish wrong doers.
[Click to the next slide]

12. God’s Representatives
Through His representatives in the home He gives us:
food, clothing, shelter, love, religious training, education
Through His representatives in the church He gives us:
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]
God’s Word and Sacraments
Through His representatives in the government He gives us:
protection, freedoms, social order

13. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD’S REPRESENTATIVES

14. Ephesians 6:1-3
Children and Parents 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to verse 1 what does God want us to do in our relationship with our parents?
Answer: He wants us to obey them.
[Click to the next slide]

15. Hebrews 13:17
17Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to verse 17 what does God want us to do in our relationship with our spiritual leaders?
Answer: Obey them
[Click to the next slide]

16. Romans 13:1-7
Submission to the Authorities 1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to verse 1 what does God want us to do in our relationship with leaders in the government?
Answer: He wants us to submit to them.
[Click to the next slide]

17. Our Attitude Toward God’s Representatives
God expects us to
honor
and
obey
our parents and others in authority.
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration: As we’ve seen throughout this lesson, God has place people over us in order to give many wonderful blessings. Therefore, if we disobey these people, we are really saying to God: “Lord, I don’t like the fact that you placed this person over me. And I really don’t care about the blessings you want to give me through this person. So, Lord, as far as I’m concerned, you can take this person and these blessings and stuff it!” On the other hand, obeying is saying to God: “I know that these people are not perfect, God, but since you place them over me, I will honor them by obeying them. Thank you, God, for the blessings you give me through them!”
[Click to the next slide]

18. Acts 5:29
29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage, who always deserves our ultimate obedience?
Answer: God.
[Click to the next slide]

19. Our Attitude Toward God’s Representatives
God expects us to
honor
and
obey
our parents and others in authority.
ONE
EXCEPTION
IF THEY TELL
US TO SIN
AGAINST GOD
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration: If my mother or father order me to tell a lie to get them out of trouble, I have to disobey them. If government officials tell me not to go to church or read God’s Word, I have to disobey them. God’s representatives are not representing him when they tell us to do something that God doesn’t want. In such cases, they are not really his representatives anymore. Rather, they are serving the devil.
[Click to the next slide]

20. THE ATTITUDE OF GOD’S REPRESENTATIVES TOWARD US

21. Ephesians 6:4
4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage rather than exasperating their children what do loving parents do?
Answer: Loving parents train and instruct them.
[Click to the next slide]

22. Proverbs 13:24
24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage what does a loving parent do?
Answer: A loving parent disciplines his child. (Note that may even mean physical punishment – but Scripture certainly doesn’t command it.)
[Click to the next slide]

23. The Attitude of God’s Representatives Toward Us
God expects parents to
discipline/train
their children. They will do this if they
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]
LOVE
them.

24. His Word in My Life
Evaluate: Some parents or teachers lose their tempers very easily. When we know this, it is fun to see if we can do something to get them to “blow their stacks.”
It’s wrong for those whom God places over us to “blow their stacks.” God wants them to deal with up patiently and with careful instruction. But their sin doesn’t give us the right to think we can have some fun by getting them to lose their tempers. Remember, God says it is a serious sin to make his representatives angry.

25. His Word in My Life
Agree or Disagree: God wants us to obey, but we can’t honor government officials who are dishonest or immoral.
Few governments have had more dishonest or immoral leaders than the Roman government in Jesus’ day. They taxed people far more than necessary and used the money for their own sinful pleasures. They were guilty of adultery, abortion, and homosexuality. Still God’s Word told people of that day to honor and respect those government officials (Romans 13:7) because God had placed those authorities over them (Romans 13:1). We don’t honor and respect those people for the sinful things they do but for the things they do to keep law and order – which is the blessing God gives us through them in spite of their wicked lives.

26. His Word in My Life
Agree or disagree: A Christian child will be glad when he is disciplined.
A Christian child will be both sad and glad when he is disciplined. He will be sad because he sinned. If the discipline includes punishment, he will be sad because it may hurt. On the other hand, he will be glad because there was someone who loved him enough to stop him from doing something sinful – something which might even have led to the loss of his soul.

27. His Word in My Life
Mary’s parents are seldom home and show little concern for her. She tells you that because they don’t care for her, she feels she doesn’t have to obey them. What do you say to her?
Her parents are sinning by not showing any concern for her, but God doesn’t say that her parents’ sin gives her a right to sin against them.

28. His Word in My Life
Evaluate: George said, “I think it’s stupid that the government says I have to wear a seat belt in my car, so I’m not going to do it.”
Whether it is stupid or not doesn’t make any difference. God doesn’t say, “If the government or your parents make a stupid rule, you don’t have to obey it.” No, God simply wants us to obey those whom he place over us in a spirit of love and respect. Those over us may at times do stupid things, but that doesn’t give us the right to disobey. In the case of a seat belt, it may be a cumbersome thing to put it on every time we get in a car, but studies show that it really is a safety precaution. So by this law the government is doing what God wants it to do, namely, to care for our bodies.

29. The Fifth Commandment You shall not murder.
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]

30. GOD GIVES HUMAN LIFE FOR A SPECIAL PURPOSE
Have you ever heard the term cryonics? (The practice of freezing a human corpse immediately upon death with the hope that the body can be unfrozen and brought back to life when a cure is found for the cause of death) Why might people spend thousands of dollars in this way? (afraid of death, think they can play God) Do you think cryonics will ever work? Why or why not?

31. Genesis 9:6
6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage, in whose image was mankind created?
Answer: God’s image
[Click to the next slide]

32. God Gives Human Life For a Special Purpose
Man was created
in the image of God.
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]

33. Isaiah 55:6
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: This passage hints at when a person can find the LORD. When would that be? When a person is alive or dead?
Answer: When they are alive.
[Click to the next slide]

34. God Gives Human Life For a Special Purpose
Man was created
in the image of God.
A lifetime is a person’s chance to
regain
the image of God.
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration: This is why murder is such a tragic sin. It cuts a person’s time of grace short.
[Click to the next slide]
To end someone’s life is to end one’s
chance to come to God, to know Jesus and to serve Him.

35. WE ARE TO HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE

36. Psalm 119:73
73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage, who has formed us?
Answer: God has formed us.
[Click to the next slide]

37. We are to have great respect for human live because
Respect for Human Life
We are to have great respect for human live because
God has made everyone for Himself, for His purposes.
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]

38. Psalm 31:15
15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage who has the right to end our life on earth?
Answer: God
[Click to the next slide]

39. We are to have great respect for human live because
Respect for Human Life
We are to have great respect for human live because
God has made everyone for Himself, for His purposes.
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]
God is the only one with the right to
end human life.

40. Romans 13:4
4For he [the government] is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage, who else does God give the right to end a life on this earth? Hint – think of what a sword is used for.
Answer: the government.
[Click to the next slide]

41. Respect for Human Life
We are to have great respect for human live because
God has made everyone for Himself, for His purposes.
God is the only one with the right to
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]
end human life.
He may carry out this right through
representatives in the government.

42. Matthew 26:52
52"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question:
Answer:
[Click to the next slide]

43. Respect for Human Life
We are to have great respect for human live because
God has made everyone for Himself, for His purposes.
God is the only one with the right to
end human life.
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]
He may carry out this right through
representatives in the government.
The government’s right to punish by death is called
capital punishment.

44. killing an unborn child killing to end suffering
Respect for Human Life
The child of God cannot agree to …
personal vengeance
taking the law into one’s own hands
abortion
killing an unborn child
killing to end suffering
active euthanasia
suicide
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]
killing oneself

45. Anything that destroys the health of the body God created
Respect for Human Life
Anything that destroys the health of the body God created
Drugs/alcohol abuse, drunkenness, improper eating habits
Examples:
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]

46. 1 John 3:15
15Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage how else can a person be guilty “committing murder”?
Answer: Hating someone.
[Click to the next slide]

47. Anything that destroys the health of the body God created
Respect for Human Life
Anything that destroys the health of the body God created
Drugs/alcohol abuse, drunkenness, improper eating habits
Examples:
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]
Hatred, which is
murder
in the heart.

48. WHAT GOD
WANTS US
TO DO

49. Ephesians 4:26 and 32
26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage, instead of holding a grudge and hating someone what are we to do?
Answer: Be kind, compassionate and forgiving.
[Click to the next slide]

50. What God Wants Us To Do
Instead of bearing grudges and plotting vengeance,
forgive
Just as God, for Christ’s sake, has
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]
forgiven
you.
REMEMBER THE KINDNESS OF JESUS!

51. Acts 10:38
[You know] 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage, how did Jesus show kindness?
Answer: he helped and healed people.
[Click to the next slide]

52. Remember the Kindness of Jesus
Always
helped
those in need.
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]

53. 1 John 3:16
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage, how did Jesus show kindness
Answer: He laid down his life for us.
[Click to the next slide]

54. What God Wants Us To Do JESUS … Always helped those in need.
for us who were His enemies.
Even
laid down His life
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]

55. Galatians 6:10
10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage, who is one group of people we should befriend?
Answer: fellow believers.
[Click to the next slide]

56. What God Wants Us To Do JESUS … helped those in need. Always
for us who were His enemies.
Even
laid down His life
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]
So we will also want to
help
and
be a friend to
anyone in need, both
fellow believers

57. Romans 12:20
20On the contrary:    "If your enemy is hungry, feed him;        if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.    In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
[Have your youth read the passage]
Question: According to this passage, who is another group of people we should help?
Answer: Our enemies
[Click to the next slide]

58. What God Wants Us To Do JESUS … helped those in need. Always
for us who were His enemies.
Even
laid down His life
[Have your youth record the answer]
Illustration:
[Click to the next slide]
So we will also want to
help
and
be a friend to
anyone in need, both
fellow believers
and even
our enemies.

59. His Word in My Life
Agree or Disagree: Smoking, drinking or eating too much is just like committing suicide.
Such smoking, drinking, or eating too much may not lead to the immediate death of the person as suicide does. But in many cases smoking, eating, or drinking too much are harmful for the body. If that is the case, such actions are sins against God’s precious gift of life just as suicide is.

60. His Word in My Life
Explain why it is okay for someone in the military to kill an enemy on the field of battle.
A military person who kills someone on the field of battle is acting on behalf of his government which has been given the sword to protect its citizens.

61. Agree or Disagree: Entertainment media (i. e
Agree or Disagree: Entertainment media (i.e. Video Games and movies) which glorify murder are nothing to worry about.
Disagree – It can desensitize a person over time and it can make a person not value human life.

62. His Word in My Life
Explain what is wrong with this statement: “The reason using illegal drugs is so terrible is that it can eventually break up a relationship.”
While it is true relationships are hurt when drugs become a problem, the worst part is that it hurts a persons relationship with God.

63. Closing Prayer After lesson
Help me remember the importance of life. Sometimes it seems so cheap and useless...and that's the way some people treat their lives. But you've told me that life is important. All human lives are important because now is the only time we have to come to know you and without you, we're lost. I don't want that for anyone and neither do you. Use me to show your love to someone else. Help me to continue to learn your Word throughout my whole life. Use it to bless me and keep me yours. Thank you for children, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters and all those you've given to bless me here. In Jesus' name. Amen.
After lesson
Help me remember the importance of life. Sometimes it seems so cheap and useless...and that's the way some people treat their lives. But you've told me that life is important. All human lives are important because now is the only time we have to come to know you and without you, we're lost. I don't want that for anyone and neither do you. Use me to show your love to someone else. Help me to continue to learn your Word throughout my whole life. Use it to bless me and keep me yours. Thank you for children, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters and all those you've given to bless me here. In Jesus' name. Amen.

64. ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK
Study carefully the notes you have taken in class; be sure you understand them.
Study carefully questions in the Catechism.
Complete the “Working with God’s Word” section.
Memorize the Sixth Commandment and “What Does This Mean?”
Memorize these Bible passages:
Matthew 22:39 – “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
VIP - Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Romans 12:20 – “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.”
6. Complete Worksheet #20.

65. Key Truths Lesson Twenty
God wants us to honor and obey his representatives in the _______________ , the _______________ , and the _______________ , except when they command us to _______________ God. Human life is precious because it a person's only chance to come to _______________ . The Bible says abortion is _______________ an unborn child. Since life is so important, we'll want to _______________ those in any need.

66. Key Truths Lesson Twenty
God wants us to honor and obey his representatives in the HOME, the CHURCH, and the GOVERNMENT, except when they command us to DISOBEY God. Human life is precious because it a person's only chance to come to KNOW JESUS. The Bible says abortion is KILLING an unborn child. Since life is so important, we'll want to HELP those in any need.