Class Lesson April 1, 2012

Hey Gang,

This week we begin a whole new series on Foundations of Our Faith. Many of us live life at such a fast pace that sometimes we fail to catch the significance of our faith for daily living. Some of us are really only able to give “Sunday School answers” regarding the foundation of our faith. There are foundational truths that are necessary to establish a firm foundation on which to grow in spiritual maturity and understanding.

The true test of any structure like a home or building, a successful business, a marriage, any relationship, especially your relationship with Christ is dependent totally on its foundation. The foundation determines whether it will stand and grow strong or whether it will completely crumble. Sometimes you’ve got to go back and check the foundation, both in your home and in your life. Maybe you’ve got some shifting or cracking that’s undermining your strength and allowing unwanted forces to seep in. When that’s the case, you’ve got to shore up your foundation.

The five lessons in this series provide a foundation upon which we can build lives that are strong and can stand the outside forces that try to bring us down. Jesus is the Master Carpenter and He will do the work. Your payment required is your life, but the work is guaranteed for eternity.

Lessons in this series:

April 1 – Jesus Died for Our Sins – Understand with head, heart, and soul why Jesus died on the cross.



April 8 – Jesus Rose from the Dead – Examine the evidence and believe in the reality and relevance of Jesus’ physical resurrection from death.



April 15 – Jesus Lives in Believers – Choose each day to faithfully bear fruit for Jesus. He will show you how and He will give you power.



April 22 – Jesus Works Through His Church – Allow Jesus to work through you as part of His church to give people of all nations opportunity to know Christ.



April 29 – Jesus Is Coming Again – Because Jesus is really coming back prepare for His return.

This is a WHY lesson: Why did Jesus choose to die?



It’s important to your foundation of faith that you understand with your head, heart and soul why Jesus died on the cross. 

I. JESUS DIED TO FORGIVE – MATTHEW 26:26-29

The First Lord’s Supper

26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is My body.” 27 Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 But I tell you, from this moment I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in My Father’s kingdom with you.”



What does Jesus’ intention seem to be here? What symbolism is in the bread and the wine?

• Forever after this the Passover meal would have new symbolism, completing the old covenant with the new one (Ex. 12:24-28; Jer. 31:31-34).

• During the exodus in Egypt, God’s people put the blood of a lamb offering on the top and two sides of the door frames of their houses (Ex. 12:5, 7, 22-23). The angel passed over the houses covered with lamb’s blood but destroyed the firstborn in all other homes. The Passover wine represented that blood. Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29; 1 Pet. 1:19).

• At the last supper Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. His immediate purpose was to prepare His disciples for His death. His long-range purpose was to help latter generations remember what He had done and why.

Jesus indicated He would be crucified before He was ever arrested. What does this tell you about the reason He died? From verse 28, for what purpose did Jesus choose to die? 

• It’s true the Jews hated Jesus, the Romans were cruel, Pilate was weak, and Judas was greedily controlling. But long before Jesus walked the earth, God chose to redeem humankind.

What does the Lord’s Supper, also known as communion, mean to you now?





II. JESUS DIED TO FULFILL GOD'S PLAN – MATTHEW 26:36-39

The Prayer in the Garden

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is swallowed up in sorrow —to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with Me.” 39 Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”



Describe Jesus’ emotional state in verses 36-39. How do you know that, despite His anguish, He was still determined and certain of God’s plan? What does this passage teach about obedience?

• Jesus was fully human and tempted in all the ways we are (Heb. 4:15).
• Obedience is not always easy; even Jesus wanted a different plan if possible.
• In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed earnestly that He might not need to die, but he concluded by renewing His commitment to the Father’s will.
• Gethsemane is the ultimate example of an earnest prayer that received a no answer.

Jesus had changed water to wine, healed many, cast out demons, walked on water, fed thousands from a small amount of food, and raised dead people to life. God could have saved Jesus from the cross at any point. What does it tell you that God did not “let this cup pass”?

The Cup was the wrath of God.



When you pray, is there any reason to pray for anything other than "Thy Will Be Done?"

III. JESUS DIED TO REVEAL HE WAS GOD'S SON – MATTHEW 27:45-46, 50-54


The Death of Jesus

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over the whole land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

...............................................

50 Jesus shouted again with a loud voice and gave up His spirit. 51 Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was split in two from top to bottom; the earth quaked and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 And they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “This man really was God’s Son!”




When Jesus was crucified, people looked on; so did His enemies. Some of them pointed to the irony of the sign declaring Jesus King of the Jews. Jesus was crucified between two thieves, thus identifying with sinners. He cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” When He died, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. A Roman centurion declared his faith in Jesus as the Son of God.


What four miraculous events occurred? What caused the centurion and those who were with him to recognize Jesus is the Son of God? What did they risk by making such a proclamation? What makes this discovery worth the risk?

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, I confess my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, and I commit (or recommit) my life to You. Amen

This is our Easter series of lessons and spring is in the air, so be in prayer this week as you prepare to re-build your faith on the foundational truths of the good news!

Hope that each of you have a blessed rest of the week and we'll see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan