YOUNG ADULT Sunday School • Fall Quarter, 2020 • September, October, November LIVING HEROICALLY

QUARTERLY AIM: The students will learn how to live heroic lifestyles by studying the faith, obedience and trust that the great men and women of the Bible had in God.

6 So Great a Cloud of Witnesses ...... 3 Hebrews 11:1-3; 12:1-3 13 Abel—It Is All About Faith ...... 11 Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 4:1-8 20 Enoch—Pleasing God ...... 18 Hebrews 11:5, 6; Genesis 5:18-24 27 Noah—Standing in Awe of God ...... 25 SEPTEMBER Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 6—8

4 Abraham and Sarah—Vision, Faith and Blessings ...... 32 Hebrews 11:8-16; Genesis 12—21 11 Abraham and Isaac—The Joy of Sacrifice ...... 39 Hebrews 11:17-19; Genesis 22:1-14; John 8:54-58 18 Isaac, Jacob, Esau and Joseph—Carrying on a Legacy ...... 46 Hebrews 11:20-22; Genesis 25—33 OCTOBER 25 Joseph—Following a Dream ...... 53 Hebrews 11:22; Genesis 37—50

1 Moses—Becoming Great God’s Way ...... 60 Hebrews 11:23-29; Exodus 1-14 8 Joshua and the Children of Israel—Doing Business God’s Way . . 67 Hebrews 11:28-30; Exodus 6:1-5; Joshua 6:1-21 15 Rahab—An Unlikely Hero ...... 75 Hebrews 11:31; Joshua 2:1-13 22 Whom the World Is Not Worthy—Every Day Heroes ...... 82

NOVEMBER Hebrews 11:32-40 29 One True Hero—Jesus ...... 89 Hebrews 12:1, 2

Vol. 7, No. 3, Fall Quarter, 2020. Writer: Robbie Horne Editor in Chief: Kyle W. Elkins, [email protected] Business Manager: Dean Grigsby, [email protected] © 2020, Bogard Press, 4605 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, TX 75503-2928 www.bogardpress.org; 1-800-264-2482 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr . Robbie Horne pastored churches in the American Baptist Association for forty-three years . Robbie is married to Pam (Clift) Horne and has two children, Jacquelyn and Clint, three grandchildren, Cody Dale Beene, Hadley Grace Horne, and Maverick Lee Horne, and one great grandchild, Adeline Beene . Robbie is a 1970 graduate of Benton High School in Benton, Arkansas . After serving three years in the United States Army, Robbie enrolled in the Missionary Baptist Seminary in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in theology . In 2010, Robbie earned a doctor’s degree in theology from the Central Arkansas Baptist Bible Institute in Benton, Arkansas . Robbie is an instructor at CABBI, has taught Hermeneutics, Life of Christ, Church Epistles and Leadership, and is presently teaching first, second and third year Hebrew . Robbie enjoys the Arkansas Razorbacks, reading, writing, talking, preaching, teaching, playing the guitar, spending quality time with his dog Max, and taking vacations to Branson, Missouri and Panama City Beach, Florida with his wife of forty-six years Pam .

Email: [email protected]

2 Lesson 1 September 6, 2020 SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES

Lesson Text: Hebrews 11:1-3; 12:1-3 Principle: True heroes believe Jesus is the Son of God, which is the first step a person must take to live heroically .

Recently my nephew, a third grader, played his first football game . The opposing team’s running back broke through the line and my nephew pushed him out of bounds after a thirty-yard gain . And what did my nine-year-old nephew do? He beat his chest as if he had just sacked the quarterback in the endzone for a safety . Why did a nine-year-old put on such a macho unsportsmanlike display? He watches football on television, of course, and how do professional athletes act when they make impressive, hard-hitting plays? They celebrate in unique, often silly ways . My nephew, no doubt, had seen his heroes on television and believed that it was okay for him to beat his chest and taunt his opponent like a professional . The chest-beating incident didn’t sit well with my brother-in-law, the nine-year-old’s grandfather . After the game, he told him, not only did he

3 make a fool of himself—the opposing player ran for thirty yards—the family name was on the back of his jersey, and that if he pulled another stunt like beating his chest after a mediocre play again, he would tear the family name off the back of his jersey and never attend another game . My nine-year-old nephew stepped out of his grandfather’s car with his feather’s ruffled . Was my brother-in-law too rough on his grandson? No! He had played for a no-nonsense coach in high school, he holds people in high regard, and he treats them with respect . He is proud of his country, his family and his church, and he expects his children and grandchildren to show respect and to exercise proper behavior . I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a problem with a man who sets a proper example and instills in his children and grandchildren a respect for themselves and their fellowman . Far too often, everyday heroes—men and women, like my brother-in-law, who try to do the right things—are over- shadowed by highly compensated actors and athletes who are paid millions to play a game or play a role . The world needs heroes, but, unfortunately, heroes are hard to find . Hebrews 11 is often called God’s Hall of Fame . It is true that each man and woman mentioned in Hebrews 11 is a genuine hero . With faith in God, they overcame many obstacles Satan placed in their paths . After describing the heroic feats of Old Testament saints, the writer of the book of Hebrews stated, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1) . The “great cloud of witnesses” are the men and women the writer mentioned in Hebrews 11 . These men and women, no doubt were heroes, but we cannot overlook what made them heroes: they believed God, they placed their faith in a coming Messiah, Jesus, the Son of God . In fact, the Hebrew writer points out that the very same thing that made Old Testament saints heroes makes twenty-first century Christians heroes as well . Therefore, like Old Testament heroes, we must look “unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (verse 2) . It is important to note that God’s Hall of Fame consists of men and women like you and me . Elijah, for example, “was a man subject to like passions as we are” (James 5:17), which means he was just a man, flesh, blood and bones, with the same strengths and weaknesses we have . Yet Elijah (flesh, blood and bones) became God’s warrior and preserved true faith on earth .

4 As I have already stated, the world needs heroes, but sadly, true heroes are hard to find . The truth is, we can live heroically, just like the great “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) . Like the men and women enshrined in God’s Hall of Fame, we, too, believe that Jesus is the Son of God . Despite our human frailties, we, like the heroes of faith, can serve God bravely in an increasingly anti-Christian world .

EXPLORING THE PRINCIPLE

Heroes and Faith THINK After the Hebrew writer pointed out the ABOUT IT! importance of assembling together and the danger of sinning willfully (Hebrews 10:23- LIVING HEROICALLY 31), he quoted the prophet Habakkuk and said, Do you want to live heroically? “Now the just shall live by faith” (verse 38) . This sounds good . True heroes live by faith . But what If you do, a heroic life begins does it mean? The Hebrew writer (probably the with a relationship with God apostle Paul) wanted ancient Christians, and us, through His Son Jesus. to know what it means to live by faith; therefore, A relationship with God begins he defined faith so that Christians in every age with faith. could grasp this important principle: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence Jesus said, “For God so loved of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1) . the world, that he gave his only “Faith” is confidence, assurance and trust . begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not “Substance” is assurance . “Evidence” is legal perish, but have everlasting life” proof . Faith, therefore, is being confident in (John 3:16). things we hope for and is legal proof that we will receive things we cannot presently see . A The apostle Paul wrote, “For by popular study Bible states, “Biblical faith is not grace are ye saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). a vague hope grounded in imaginary, wishful thinking . Instead, biblical faith is a settled confi- Once you have believed that dence that something in the future—something Jesus is the Son of God and that is not yet seen but has been promised by have called on His name, you God—will actually come to pass because God are “just” and “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17; will bring it about . Thus biblical faith is not Hebrews 10:38). blind trust in the face of contrary evidence, not an unknowable ‘leap in the dark’; rather, biblical This means, regardless of what faith is a confident trust in the eternal God who you encounter in life, your faith is all-powerful, infinitely wise, eternally trust- in God doesn’t waver, and

5 that you trust in Him in every worthy—the God who has revealed himself in circumstance. His Word and in the person of Jesus Christ, whose promises have proven true from genera- Trusting God is, and always has tion to generation ”. Such faith in the unseen real- been, the only way a person can live heroically. ities of God is emphasized throughout Hebrews 11 and provides confidence and assurance to all who believe that Jesus is the Son of God . By faith “the elders obtained a good report” (verse 2), that is, the elders were inducted into God’s Hall of Fame because they trusted God and believed His promises throughout their lives . Were they perfect? No! Did they make mistakes? Yes! Did they sin? Absolutely! But despite their human weaknesses they trusted God, and they believed His promises . Living by faith isn’t complicated . It is simply trusting God and believing His promises . Can we see God? No! But someday “we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2) . Are we guaranteed affluence? No! But in the Father’s house are “many mansions” and Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2) . Do we sin and make mistakes? Yes! But someday Jesus will “deliver” us from “the body of this death” (Romans 7:24) and “we shall be like him” (1 John 3:2) . Do we live in dangerous times? Yes! But someday the “former things” will pass away and God will “make all things new” (Revelation 21:4, 5) . These are the things the elders believed . These are the things we believe . Life isn’t always fair—just ask the elders—but God is fair and just . Conse- quently, if there comes a time when it seems there is no good reason to trust God, we should trust God anyway, believe His promises, and live by faith, which is, and always has been, the mind-set of true heroes .

Heroes and God THINK Recently, as I walked my dog through my ABOUT IT! neighborhood, a police officer stepped out of his car and told me to be aware because one of LIVING HEROICALLY my neighbors had reported that an intruder had Real heroes love God and people. climbed his fence and had tried to break into his storage shed . I thanked the officer, said that I Two thousand years ago, a lawyer would keep my eyes and ears open, walked away, asked Jesus, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?” then turned back and told him, “Thank you for (Matthew 22:36). keeping me safe ” . The young officer seemed shocked at first, but then he smiled and said, Jesus replied, “Thou shalt love the “You’re welcome . That’s my job ”. Lord thy God with all thy heart, I admire police officers . I know they have, and with all thy soul, and with at times, a thankless job, and I know, like you

6 and me, that all police officers aren’t perfect . all thy mind. This is the first and However, what would society be if there weren’t great commandment. And the men and women who enforced the law? Life second is like unto it, Thou shalt would be chaotic, and society would soon spin love thy neighbour as thyself” (verses 37-39). out of control . I am not saying that police officers don’t make mistakes . I am saying, however, that Loving God means we honor God, in an increasingly lawless world, police officers we revere God, and that we stand probably wouldn’t have to use physical force in awe of God. if citizens, even during routine traffic stops, Loving God means doing God’s will exercised self-control and did what they were is an important part of our lives. told to do . My point is, we are born sinners (Romans Jesus said, “This is the will of him 5:12) . Because of sin, “There is none righteous, that sent me, that every one which no not one” (Romans 3:10) . Because of sin, seeth the Son, and believeth on “there is none that seeketh after God” and “there him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” is none that doeth good, no, not one” (verses 11, (John 6:40). 12) . Because of sin, “feet are swift to shed blood” (verse 15) . Because of sin, “Destruction and We will have a difficult time loving misery are in their ways,” and “the way of peace people, if we don’t love God. have they not known” (verses 16, 17) . Finally, Heroes make the world a better because of sin, “There is no fear of God before place by loving God, loving people, their eyes” (verse 18) . This is an important and by sharing their faith in Christ. principle: Humankind has great potential for doing good and great potential for doing evil . Furthermore, because of sin, humankind, even Christians, struggle with doing the right thing or the wrong thing (Romans 7:14-24) . We must not overlook the restraining power of God in the world . Speaking of the last days—the days in which we live—the apostle Paul wrote, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) . The word “letteth” means to hold fast, retain, hold down, quash, or suppress . This means the Holy Spirit restrains or suppresses evil in society and in the world . Furthermore, Jesus called Christians “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13) . Salt is used to season or preserve food . Jesus is saying that Christians, by their presence, tend to stop the spread of corruption on earth because they believe in God and base their lives on His Word . “Through faith” Christians “understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God” (Hebrews 11:3) . They understand that God holds all things—the entire universe—together, and that “by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:17) . They live as salt, stopping the spread of corruption, as the

7 Holy Spirit works in their lives . They make the world a better place simply because they believe in God, love God and serve God . Today, there are people who believe government, through legislation, can change a decaying society . Commissions study societal issues, make recom- mendations, and eventually—often years—congress passes legislation that changes nothing and ignores the fact that the problem is, and always has been, sin and the hearts of men . Government doesn’t consider the fact that the heart is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9) . For behavior to change, hearts must change . Only God can do this . Society needs more Christians, not more ineffective laws .

Heroes and Accountability THINK Heroes understand that they are accountable ABOUT IT! to God . Accountability, of course, makes us stop, think and consider the consequences of LIVING HEROICALLY our actions . Furthermore, believing in God It is not wrong for Christians to means that we know there is someone greater be political activists. than us—a Creator—and that someday we will answer to Him (Hebrews 9:27) . Christians must understand, Without the influence of God, society will how­ever, that evangelism, not political activism, is their deteriorate . In the last fifty years, the Supreme number-one priority. Court of the United States has basically taken God out of public schools and ruled that Christians make the world a pictures and statues of Moses holding the Ten better place one person at a Commandments are inappropriate in court time, by sharing their faith in Christ (Hebrews 11:1, 2). houses and capitol buildings . Has society prospered as a result of de-emphasizing God? No! In fact, the United States is now on an international watch list as a dangerous place to visit because of violence, especially mass shootings . Real heroes don’t sit idly by and wait for the return of Jesus . Yes, they long for His glorious and peaceful kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-9), but like the “great… cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1), they trust God, share their faith in Christ, and work to make the world a better place one person at a time .

GRASPING THE PRINCIPLE

Cameron Hollopeter, nineteen, suffered a seizure while waiting for a train in a station . As his body convulsed out of control, the

8 young man stumbled down the platform onto the tracks directly in the path of an inbound train . Wesley Autrey, fifty, a construction worker, who was standing on the platform with his two daughters saw, Hollopeter fall . He jumped onto the tracks, grabbed Hollopeter, and with only seconds to spare, he rolled with the younger man into a drainage trough between two tracks . An instant later, the train thundered over the two men . Amazingly, Cameron Hollopeter and Wesley Autrey were not injured . In the ensuing days, Autrey was rewarded for his bravery . Mayor presented him with the city’s highest award for civic achievement, calling him “a man who makes us all proud to be New Yorkers ”. He was given $10,000 from , a trip to Disney World, and a year’s supply of MetroCards from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority . His boss bought him a “hero” sandwich . Wesley Autry was modest about his status as the hero of Harlem . “I just did it because I saw someone in distress,” he told reporters . “Someone needed help ”. There are millions of people who need our help . I am not talking about benevolence funds and food banks, I am talking about people who need us—God’s people—to share Christ with them . The “elders obtained a good report” (Hebrews 11:2) because they lived by faith and shared their belief in God . True heroes always believe and share .

DISCUSSING THE PRINCIPLE

1 . Define faith . 2 . What does it mean to live by faith? 3 . Why do humans have great potential for doing good and evil . 4 . How does God and His people restrain evil in the world? (2 Thessalo- nians 2:7; Matthew 5:13) . 5 . What is the significance of understanding “that the worlds were framed by the word of God” (Hebrews 11:3) . 6 . What is the source of wickedness? (Jeremiah 17:9) . 7 . Why is it important to know that we are accountable to God? 8 . Do heroes sit back and do nothing about the world’s problems? Explain .

9 THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“Above all am I convinced of the need, irrevocable and inescapable, of every human heart, for God . No matter how we try to escape, to lose our- selves in restless seeking, we cannot separate ourselves from our divine source . There is no substitute for God ”. —A . J . Cronin, British physician and novelist .

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