Sunday School Enlightenment

Love, Mercy & The Sabbath Lesson Text: Luke 6:1-11 Acts of love and mercy are a part of the Sabbath. Thought to Remember: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath Lessons Learned: If Jesus remains the Lord of the Sabbath, how do we honor the Sabbath as believers? For example, honor occurs when we demonstrate kindness, mercy, and justice as priorities over men's traditions. Yet, conflicts arise when men prioritize strict Sabbath laws or church customs over kindness, mercy, and justice. In such cases, I must learn to navigate the tension between church customs and the higher calling of love and mercy. I must do this in a way that aligns with Jesus' teachings and examples. My Prayer: Dearest Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Sabbath rest in Jesus. We praise you for being a God of love and mercy. We ask that You empower us to show love and mercy to those who need it. Give us wisdom to discern when and how we should act. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

The Messiah Arrives Lesson Text: Luke 2:1-17 The Messiah is born. Thought to Remember: Every promise of God seems problematic. Lessons learned: Often, we hear this common saying. What God has for me is for me. Yet, when we face difficulties, we question the validity of the promise. We forget that God has a plan for us and is always in control. We become discouraged and doubt our faith when things don't go according to our plans. We need to trust the timing of Divine Intervention, like the birth of Jesus, which occurred according to prophecy in Bethlehem instead of Nazareth. Therefore, I must learn endurance to witness God's extraordinary things. Trusting in God's plan is essential in receiving His blessings based on His timing. My Prayer: Dearest Heavenly Father, we thank You for bringing Your Word to pass. You brought Your Word to pass in sending Your Son, Jesus. We know that You can bring Your Word to pass in our lives. Therefore, we ask that You allow Your way in our lives as we obey the leading of e

A Blessing for Ishmael and Isaac Lesson Text: Genesis 21:13-14, 17-21; 26:2-5, 12-13 God promised to make a great nation of Ishmael even though his mother was an Egyptian. Thought to Remember: God creates great nations of His choosing. Lessons learned: There can be no doubt that God loved Ishmael as much as he loved Isaac because God promised each of them to become a great nation. However, each of them found themselves in a distressful situation in our lesson today. Distress often blinds us, and we cannot see or remember God's promises. Everything appears dark when we are troubled. It is important to remember that God's promises are everlasting, and no matter what our circumstances. God will provide for us. Isaac and Ishmael receive God's promises, and they were able to endure the distress they faced. Likewise, I must receive God’s promises and remain faithful in my Kingdom walk. “God don’t make no junk…He made us just how we are, and He likes us that way.” My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank

The Blessing Passes to Jacob Lesson Text: Genesis 28: 1a, 10-22 We can rely on God to never leave us or forsake us. Thought to Remember: God gives assurances about keeping His promises. Lessons learned: What appears as loneliness can become a perfect setting for something divine to happen in our lives. After his dream, Jacob vowed by stating, If God will be with me. His concerns about his immediate needs in distress give in to bargaining with God instead of relying on God. I, too, have bargained with God because of my shortsighted vision. Yet, I must remember God still does exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, because You promised to be with us, keep us, and provide for all our needs, I am completely Yours. So help me to yield to the Holy Spirit leading in my daily life. Help me to become steadfast and unmoveable toward Your direction as You give me the heart to listen. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

eginning of the Tabernacle Lesson Text: Exodus 40:16-30, 34,38 God is the same as when He created His Tabernacle after the Israelites left Egypt. Thought to Remember: God wants to abide in and with us like Yesteryears when He established the moveable Tabernacle. Lessons learned: The Tabernacle was a moveable tent of meeting that God commanded Moses to build. God wanted to dwell among his people, the Israelites. He wanted to fellowship with them and communicate with them. The Tabernacle and its courtyard were constructed according to a pattern set by God, not by Moses. I think the same rationale exists today because God has established us as His Tabernacle through the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. Because of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus our Savior, God set up His permanent residence within us, allowing us to experience His presence and fellowship with Him in a more intimate way than ever before. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your presence. We thank You that You

Beginning of Freedom Lesson Text: Exodus 14:21-30 God is the same when He delivers Israel from the Egyptian army. Thought to Remember: God is willing to use Moses like individuals even today. Lessons learned: The deliverance of Israel from the Egyptian Army demonstrates the act of saving. Even though this deliverance represented a physical liberation, it was a foreshadowing of the ultimate salvation provided by Jesus. I realize that God still desires to bring glory to Himself with the miracle of salvation by using believers just like Moses. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You that we do not have to lose hope. We thank You that we can come before Your throne and You can empower us to change our community. We ask that You would fill us with your Holy Ghost and make us YOUR willing vessels to deliver those in our communities who are in bondage to Satan. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Beginning of the Passover Lesson Text: Exodus 12:1-14 People who are living under oppression hunger for freedom. Thought to Remember: The blood creates doers instead of hearers. Lessons learned: God regarded Israel as His firstborn, His favored people. If Egypt refused to release God’s firstborn, then God required the firstborn of Egypt as a penalty and judgment. Further, they realize that an intellectual agreement with what God said about the blood was not enough; they had to do what God said must be done with the blood. Likewise, I must grasp the concept of doing instead of telling. What a memorial in knowing and believing the blood of Jesus enables my redemption back to God. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for delivering us. We thank You for sending Jesus to liberate us through His blood and set us free from the chains of the devil. We ask that You help us walk in this freedom and never return to being in bondage. Also, help us aid others to gain this freedom we have in Christ. In Jes

Preparation for Deliverance Lesson Text: Exodus 3:7-17 God is always present with us. Thought to Remember: Your age is irrelevant to God. Lessons learned: The first 80 years of Moses' life were a crucial preparation period for the monumental task of liberating the Israelites. Through his experiences as an Egyptian prince, a Midianite shepherd, and now a chosen servant of God, Moses has developed the qualities necessary to lead his people to freedom. Moses' experiences gave him a unique understanding of his people, an understanding of their struggles, and a unique set of skills that no one else had. His age was not a barrier but rather an asset in that he was uniquely suited to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Therefore, I must realize the irrelevance of age when God gives tasks to perform on His behalf. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You because You created the challenges we face in life. We praise You because if You created the challenges, You can help us overcome the challenges. Yet,

Meaningless Worship Lesson Text: Isaiah 29:9-16A God’s expectation consists of heartfelt worship. Thought to Remember: Worship God from the Heart Lessons learned: Isaiah wanted the Israelites to develop a relationship with God from the heart instead of performing rituals. Even today, we cannot see the forest for the trees. In other words, we become so tethered to worship performance we need to remember worship's purpose. Our worship becomes hollow when we lack a relationship with God, even though we attend church faithfully. Therefore, I must ensure that my heart is at the same level as my devotion. To achieve this level of intimacy with God, I must combine my traditional worship with a genuine intention to dedicate myself to Him. My Prayer: My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for enabling us to reconnect with You through Your Son, Jesus. We know how You value our relationship, and we want to nurture this relationship and remember the purpose of worship. Please allow the aiding of the Holy Spiri

Give Thanks Lesson Text: Isaiah 12:1-6 #SundaySchool #COGIC #TheProphetAndPraise Praise the Lord and declare His name. Thought to Remember: The removal of sin enables one to hear what God is saying. Lessons learned: This lesson reminds me of God’s goodness even in a world of chaos and pain. If Isaiah realizes God’s goodness and sings His praises during his day, I should recognize the same today. Because of God’s unconditional love that fills us the same today as it did for Isaiah, I must Give Thanks and remember that God’s goodness is a blessing that goes beyond what I can see or imagine. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for all You have done to make a way and to remain in fellowship with You. Be pleased with our worship and receive our praise and thanksgiving as an offering of our gratitude. We look forward to joining the heavenly host in ascribing to You with all power, glory, and honor; in Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen. Follow the COGIC Legacy Version Follow me on Sound Cloud https://sou

Holy, Holy, Holy Lesson Text: Isaiah 6:1-8 #SundaySchool #COGIC #TheProphetAndPraise God is worthy of praise and worship. Thought to Remember: The removal of sin enables one to hear what God is saying. Lessons learned: Spirit-led worship marks true believers. Through the Spirit, we worship God by bringing all our creative faculties under Christ's rule. The Spirit enables us to offer God our worship in a way that pleases Him and brings our lives into greater conformity with His will. Like Isaiah, who experienced the burning coal to purge his sin, he realized that God was more interested in purging sin than punishing sin. So, Isaiah committed himself to God's mission for his life. Considering this lesson, I must not simply worship God on Sunday but commit myself to a life of holiness that reflects the attitude of Send me God. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we honor You, for You alone are worthy of our worship and adoration. We live in a world where there is a lack of reverence for Your directions and g

The Holy Spirit Comes Lesson Text: Act 2:1-13 In today’s lesson, we will learn that Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, and He appeared after the Power of Agreement. Thought to Remember: The Power of Agreement Lessons learned: The power of agreement is more promising than one can realize. After Jesus’ ascension, He promised another comforter would enter the believers’ lives. So, His disciples agreed to return to the upper room with a single mindset of waiting on this promise. Only when a group of 150 agreed with one accord did the Holy Spirit arrive as promised. Thus, I ask myself how many promises have failed to materialize because I failed to agree with my fellow believers. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, what an awesome plan that You allowed to unfold. Your Son died for our sins, and You allowed the Holy Spirit to come to dwell among us to comfort and sustain us in the absence of Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for strategically placing us as the Holy Spirit guides us in the right service for Your Kingdom.

Proclaiming Christ Lesson Text: Philippians 1:15-26 Paul rejoices in proclaiming the Gospel even when he is in prison. Thought to Remember: The Gospel is above human pettiness. Lessons learned: Paul recognized that his release from prison was uncertain. Despite his circumstances, Paul never lost faith in God. There was no bitterness or anger on his part since such emotions are irrelevant to spreading the gospel. I, too, must realize the insignificance of my feelings or how others feel about me when doing Kingdom work. I cannot allow the pettiness and vindictiveness of humans to interfere with the power of the Gospel. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to find our joy in Jesus Christ. Please help us to look forward to our arrival in heaven while we share the Goods News with others on earth. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen. Follow the COGIC Legacy Version Follow me on Sound Cloud https://soundcloud.com/mickeywbaker You can access my blog. https://www.beyondtheotherside.me/

Live in the Light Lesson Text: John 1:1-5; Ephesians 5:1-2,6-14 Believers must embrace the slogan - children of the light. Click here to read the blog for this lesson entitled An Unexpected Discovery - https://www.beyondtheotherside.me/blo... Thought to Remember: Walk in the Light Lessons learned: Jesus is the light of the World; therefore, believers must reflect Him the same way as the moon reflects the sun. We cannot become crescent-moon believers (half-believers) but full-moon believers. So, I must remember that I cannot reflect Jesus’ light unless I am in the light. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Your Son to earth as the greatest gift we could ever receive. Please help us to live our lives following our Savior. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

The Apostle Paul lays the foundation for Christ and His Church. Thought to Remember: Knowledge leads to perfection Lessons learned: Neither our minds nor our bodies can prepare us for the unity that will exist in the afterlife. In the meantime, we need to grow while realizing that the foundation of our journey is the knowledge of Christ and the unity of our faith. The unity of the faith will occur when we see Jesus as He truly is, and we know as we are known. Then and only then, when we are in a position of complete knowledge, will we be able to achieve perfection. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we praise and thank You for laying the foundation and making us equal with all believers. Help us to exercise the spirit of oneness among fellow believers in such a way as to bring praises to Your holy name. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

Paul Ministers in Malta Lesson Text: Acts 28:1:10 On his journey to Rome, Paul encounters a shipwreck, but he continues ministering to others. Thought to Remember: Ministers to those in need. Lessons learned: Even though they are now shipwrecked, Paul and Luke remain focused on the mission by serving others. In the same way, as a believer, I must exercise the ability to serve others, especially when I am undergoing a shipwrecked period in my life. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, give us the heart of things that break Your heart. By assisting others, we pray to reflect your goodness collectively and individually. Reveal to us opportunities to serve and minister in our communities and worldwide. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

Paul Sails for Rome Lesson Text: Acts 27:1-2, 33-44 Paul’s journey to Rome to exercise his appeal to Emperor is met with a stormy and life-threatening decision. Thought to Remember: God calms life’s storms Lessons learned: Although the storm blocked Paul's journey to Rome, God protected him. In other words, even though you are in a storm, you are not out of God's will. Sometimes, the storm is precisely where God wants you so He can intervene and provide an opportunity for you to accomplish His purpose. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, allow us to always trust You, even during the storms of life. Enable us to rely more on You even when the unforeseen occurs while realizing that You are always in control. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen. Follow the COGIC Legacy Version in God’s What is Faith? https://www.beyondtheotherside.me/what-faith Follow me on Sound Cloud https://soundcloud.com/mickeywbaker You can access my blog. https://www.beyondtheotherside.me/

Paul Before King Agrippa Lesson Text: Acts 26:19-32 Paul shares the story of his conversion with King Agrippa while imprisoned. Thought to Remember: You gotta stand up for what you believe Lessons learned: In response to Paul's appeal to the Roman Emperor, God permitted him to share his testimony before King Agrippa, Festus, and Queen Bernice. My responsibility as a believer is to become aware of unique opportunities to share my testimony with nonbelievers while recognizing that God’s plan is constantly unfolding. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, allow us to display our faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Allow us to draw others to You so they will glorify you. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen. Follow the COGIC Legacy Version in God’s What is Faith? https://www.beyondtheotherside.me/what-faith Follow me on Sound Cloud https://soundcloud.com/mickeywbaker You can access my blog. https://www.beyondtheotherside.me/

Philp and the Ethiopian Eunuch Lesson Text: Acts 8:26-39 The Holy Spirit leads Philip on a journey to save one individual without knowing why. Thought to Remember: The Gospel message is universal. Lessons learned: As Philip completed his work in Samaria, the Spirit ordered him to leave for Gaza without explaining why. My question today is, how does one know when to move in a different direction? When clarity is lacking, this lesson illustrates the uniqueness of faith. I must become in sync with the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life without knowing the why. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to be more responsive to Your promptings. Help us to have the heart to pray for the lost and to seek out those who are looking for You. I pray for anyone who comes into the door of our church. I pray for them to receive Your truth and to accept the invitation to discipleship. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen. Follow the COGIC Legacy Version in God’s What is Faith? https://www.beyondtheotherside.me/what-faith

Simon Wants to Buy Power Lesson Text: Acts 8:9-21 Simon the Sorcerer is the subject of this week's lesson. He uses the occult arts to elevate himself to the position of greatness. However, he quickly becomes aware of his sinful behavior when he encounters the men of God. Thought to Remember: One cannot buy or sell the Holy Spirit Lessons learned: Simon the Sorcerer was about himself. When Simon witnessed the apostles laying their hands on people as they received the Holy Spirit, it seemed like some very powerful religious magic. His lack of knowledge and his focus only on himself create the gall of bitterness. Taking this example to heart, I must refrain from self-interest arrogance, particularly in the ministry, and focus on what is in the best interest of the Kingdom. My Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, forgive us for times when we have selfish motives in doing things in Your Kingdom. You desire truth in our inward parts and that we do nothing out of ambition or conceit. Purify our hearts, help us to f