ADULT STUDY

The Ten Commandments: A Fresh Look

Most Christians know about the Ten Commandments, and even many non-Christians are aware of them, due to media attention surrounding the posting of the commandments in particular places. But how well do we understand the commandments? Are they simply a list of do’s and don’ts, or are they a part of a larger covenant with God?

Help your adults gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the Ten Commandments with this special study. The study will not only take a look at the commandments, but help learners discover a fresh way to see them — as joyful responses to God’s grace.

Below, find two session plans for the study. The first allows for a brief overview of the background of the commandments, and the vertical and horizontal dimensions reflected in individual commandments. The six week plan provides for a more in-depth look at the commandments, and also requires a more significant investment from the leader and learners.

Three-week plan:
• Week 1 – The Covenant and the Commandments
• Week 2 – The Vertical Commandments
• Week 3 – The Horizontal Commandments

Six-week plan:
The Covenant and the Commandments
• Week 1 – The God of Covenants; The Hebrew Looks at God
• Week 2 – The Covenant and the Law; The Ten Commandments: Their Origins, Character, and Scope

The Vertical Commandments
• Week 3 – The First Commandment: The Character of God; The Second Commandment: Concerning Idols
• Week 4 – The Third Commandment: On Using the Name; The Fourth Commandment: Confessing Our Humanity

The Horizontal Commandments
• Week 5 – The Fifth Commandment: Recognition of Indebtedness; The Sixth Commandment: Respect for Persons as the Image of God; The Seventh Commandment: Respect for Persons in the Male-Female Relationship
• Week 6 – The Eighth Commandment: Respect for Property as an Extension of Selfhood; The Ninth Commandment: Respect for the Integrity of Society; The Tenth Commandment: The Inwardness of the Law

Resources available:
The book, Covenant and Commandment: A Study of the Ten Commandments in the Context of Grace, by C.W. Christian, is available for purchase at:
http://www.helwys.com/books/covenant.html
or by calling 800-747-3016 (quantity discounts are available).

Tips:
• Promote the study with posters or headlines such as:  “The Ten Commandments: From stone tablets to our hearts”; “Do We Really Understand the Ten Commandments?”.
• A newsletter article might read:

It’s the Law! 
We’ve all read the Ten Commandments, but do we really understand them? Is there more to them than meets the eye? Discover fresh insight into these 10 laws by joining us for a special study (provide place, time, and leader name). Thou shalt not miss this special study!

• Make books available in advance, and encourage participants to read the chosen chapters before each meeting. Some of the chapters pose ideas that may be new to readers. Having read the chapters before a meeting will make discussions more interesting and productive.
• If you choose to do the six week version of the study, you might want to enlist two leaders for the study, and allow each leader to lead three sessions.


ADULT STUDY

Becoming Wise: Proverbs for Living

A collection of teachings from ancient wise teachers became very important for the church, and today we know it as the book of Proverbs. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" is a central theme of the book. How does one parent, conduct business, speak to a neighbor, manage finances, and prepare for retirement in a manner that is full of the Lord's wisdom? Proverbs attempts to provide a practical manual for living for those who love the Lord.

Proverbs is a brief and often overlooked book in the Bible. Yet it is part of the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. Many adults may be curious about its sayings, and wonder about its relevance in their lives today.

Use this special study to learn about wisdom, and discover the intrigue of Proverbs.

Sessions include:
• Becoming Wise (Proverbs 1:1-7; 3:1-10)
• Wise Wealth (Proverbs 10:1-15)
• Wise Talk (Proverbs 18:21; 16:23-30)
• Wise Character (Proverbs 31:10-31)

Resources available:
Proverbs for Living, by Mark McElroy, is a four session study for adults, including learner's materials, teaching guides, and handouts. The teaching guide is options-based, so teachers can customize sessions to match their favorite approach. These materials are only available as a download. Just download your copies from NextSunday.com at this address:
http://www.nextsunday.com/web-content/biblestudy/adultbible/abs_provlivdp.html

Tips:
• Promote the study in ways that help people understand that the study is easy to attend and easy to understand. Many of the study’s session titles make great poster or article headings: “Becoming Wise,” “Wise Wealth,” “Wise Character.” Or, try for something funny, such as “When it’s Okay to be a Wise Guy.”