This week's Bible study is adapted from the YOU! curriculum.
Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 4
Discussion Questions:
-- How have you observed the culture distracting people from recognizing their need for God?
-- How can you help people overcome those distractions?
Food for Thought:
Some needs are easy to see. A man on the street holds a cardboard sign that says he needs money for food. A child with protruding ribs and glazed eyes starves. A young homeless family huddled under a bridge on a cold night needs a warm place to stay. Hundreds of people lined up outside an employment agency need jobs.
Not all needs are so obvious. It's not so easy to tell when a person needs Christ. The need for Christ is a heart thing, but the bottom line is that everyone needs Him. People have been deceived by the allure of the world: money, power, fame, pleasure, you name it. We need Christ because we are perishing, and oftentimes we don't even know it.
We talk a lot about perishable products that have expiration dates, such as milk, eggs, bread, canned goods. People also have expiration dates. Without Christ, they are subject to death and decay -- just like a rotten piece of produce. Even worse, they will spend eternity separated from God.
In 2 Corinthians, chapter 4, Paul said the Gospel has been veiled to those who are perishing because they have been distracted. Their pursuit of non-essential things has blinded them to what they need most. He also referred to Satan as the god of this age and identified him as the source for these distractions. While Satan cannot prevent the light of the Gospel from penetrating people's lives, he can divert them. The good news is that Satan is not stronger than God and cannot stand against the truth of Scripture.
Believers have been called to a ministry that opens people's eyes and transforms their character. As believers, we can share the Gospel with confidence because we don't have to do things on our own. We simply need to be faithful in sharing the message and rely on the power of Christ to change people's lives.
YOU! curriculum
Intentionally focused on urban and multicultural believers, YOU is biblically based with culturally relevant and affirming lessons to help people connect, grow, serve and ultimately be engaged in impacting the world for Christ. This flexible, non-dated all-in-one quarterly resource offers weekly Bible study for leaders and learners, devotionals and teaching plans as well as articles on hot topics and missions. For additional information, visit LifeWay.com/YOU.
Other ongoing Bible study options offered by LifeWay for all ages can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool.
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