12: Dealing With Bad Decisions – Teaching Plan

Key Thought: Nehemiah contended with those who had made bad choices in marrying those who had no desire to follow God or were idolators.
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December 21, 2019

1. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 13:23-25.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
Why did Nehemiah use Biblical cursing, beat, and pull the hair of some of the elders in Israel?
Personal Application: In what ways can language prove a barrier to teaching or understanding the Bible and faith in the One True God? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Why was it so important for Israel not to marry people of other languages or culture? Is this a racial issue, a social issue, or a Spiritual issue?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Nehemiah 13:26,27.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
Why was Solomon used as a negative example by Nehemiah for Israel?
Personal Application: Why isn’t it a good idea to marry a non-believer and hope they will convert later?. Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why did God allow people like Abraham, Solomon, and David to have multiple wives if it isn’t supposed to be like that? Where does it show that God was displeased with their choices?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Ezra 10.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
What was the reason and significance of the people separating themselves from their mixed marriages in response to Ezra’s rebuke
Personal Application: Have ever had times of lesser dedication to God when you were in a situation of following God, but compromising at the same time with what you knew truth to be? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Was this an example of God approving of divorce if the spouse was an unbeliever? When it says they put them away and separated themselves even with children, does this show a pattern of divorce approved by God?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 7:10-17.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
What wise counsel does Paul give here to those who have already unwisely married an unbelieving spouse?
Personal Application: How do we sometimes become too judgmental on other people’s Sabbath-keeping? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!