January 13, 2009

Disciple I Group Meeting

Lesson 14 - The Righteous Are like a Tree

January 13, 2009

Gathering and Prayer (5 minutes)

Theme: The Righteous Are Like a Tree

Theme Word: Right Living

Scripture: Psalm 1: 2-3

Video Segment (20 minutes)

Listen for the major concerns of the postexilic community. Discussion Questions: What were the major concerns of the postexilic community? How did the people deal with them?

Scripture and Study Manual (15 min. group discussion, 15 min. reporting)

a) Members of each group will review the material assigned to them. Group members will be responsible for "teaching" the assigned material to the entire class.

b) Part of the joy in reading and studying the Psalms/Proverbs is to understand how God wants us to walk a Godly path.

c) Groups should be prepared to read and relate several examples of righteous living/unrighteous from their assignment and relate this to everyday life.

Group 1: Psalms song of ascent (Psalm 128)

Group 2: Proverbs of wisdom (Proverbs 10)

Group 3: Proverbs of personal virtues and character (Proverb 18-19)

Group 4: Ezra Rebuilding of the temple (Ezra, 3, 4, 7)

Group 5: Nehemiah confession of sin and restitution (Nehemiah 8 - 9)

Encounter the Word(15 minutes, if time permits)

Read Psalm 112 in unison. Work in pairs to identify major ideas in the passage. Then have persons work individually to put the passage into their own words. (See paraphrasing, pages 71-­76 of Teaching the Bible to Adults and Youth.)

Marks of Discipleship (15 minutes, if time permits)

Disciples strive to love in harmony with God's laws even through obedience is costly.

Begin this section by reading the statement of "Our Human Condition." Then ask three questions: How accurate is this statement in your experience? What are the costs of right living today? Discuss the questions under "Marks of Discipleship" calling for written responses.

Closing and Prayer (5 minutes)

Turn to lesson 15 and write down prayer concerns. Look together at the assignment for the coming week. Close with prayer