SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON - JULY 17TH

Week of July 17 - Keep Your Behavior in Line

LESSON PASSAGE OUTLINE
1. What Are You Building Your Reputation On? (Jer. 22:13-14,17)
2. What Does It Mean to Know the Lord? (Jer. 22:15-16)
3. What Are the Consequences of Self-Indulgence? (Jer. 22:18-19)
4. Is Your Behavior in Line? (Jer. 22:20-21)

BIBLICAL TRUTH - The Lord expects His people to demonstrate a right relationship with Him by treating others fairly and compassionately.

Introduction - by E. LeBron Matthews, Pastor of Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Columbus, GA.
Clara needed to take her six-year-old daughter to the hospital for an outpatient procedure. The little girl had been suffering from an unidentified illness, and her doctor wanted to run some tests to assist with the diagnosis. Clara’s mother had been helping care for her granddaughter, so Clara as yet had not missed any work time. She didn’t expect any problems when she requested the day off to be with her daughter. However, she was stunned when her boss approached her and lectured about getting her priorities in order. Clara couldn’t believe what she was hearing! Not once did the supervisor ask her about her child’s health situation.

 Have you ever been treated as if your life did not matter? If so, how did you respond?

We live in a “me”-focused culture. In such a culture, people tend to pattern their behavior according to the guideline of what they perceive as most beneficial to themselves. As a result, greed and exploitation of others too often run rampant. The Lord, however, expects His people to keep their behavior in line with His holy character. To truly know the Lord means to act with fairness and compassion in all our dealings with others.
As you study Jeremiah’s prophecy against King Jehoiakim’s oppressive regime, look for ways to strive toward the Life Goal of always treating others fairly and compassionately. Specify an action you will take this week to demonstrate fairness and compassion to others.