INTERACTIVE TEACHING/LEARNING GUIDE
Week 9
Session Title: “Acknowledging The Ultimate Sacrifice”
Focal Passage: (Hebrews 10:1-4, 8-18)
Central Teaching/Learning Aim: To help the learner discover that Jesus is a better sacrifice and the ultimate sacrifice, providing a forgiven, victorious life.
I. Hook
A. Display the picture of pop star Madonna on a cross. (This is a scene from her current concert tour.)
Ask – What is your reaction to this image? Allow time for responses.
Next share the following explanation from Madonna herself from her website.
As Madonna's Confessions Tour comes to an end in Japan this week, the artist has released a statement regarding the much talked about Crucifixion scene.
"I am very grateful that my show was so well received all over the world. But there seems to be many misinterpretations about my appearance on the cross and I wanted to explain it myself once and for all.
There is a segment in my show where three of my dancers "confess" or share harrowing experiences from their childhood that they ultimately overcame. My 'confession' follows and takes place on a Crucifix that I ultimately come down from. This is not a mocking of the church. It is no different than a person wearing a Cross or 'Taking Up the Cross' as it says in the Bible. My performance is neither anti- Christian, sacrilegious or blasphemous. Rather, it is my plea to the audience to encourage mankind to help one another and to see the world as a unified whole. I believe in my heart that if Jesus were alive today he would be doing the same thing.
My specific intent is to bring attention to the millions of children in Africa who are dying every day, and are living without care, without medicine and without hope. I am asking people to open their hearts and minds to get involved in whatever way they can. The song ends with a quote from the Bible's Book of Matthew 'For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you took care of me and God replied, Whatever you did for the least of my brothers...you did it to me'. Please do not pass judgment without seeing my show."
Ask – Do you think it is right or wrong for Madonna to use the cross image in her concert despite her explanation?
NBC plans to air her concert in November, should Christian’s be up in arms about this?
Why is the cross such a moving, powerful image for Christian’s?
State – Today we are going to discuss how the sacrifice that Christ provided on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice that should never be taken lightly.
B. Optional Method – Share the following story:
Sgt. Rafael Peralta had a reputation for putting the interests of his fellow Marines ahead of his own. He demonstrated that for the last time on November 15, 2004, by making the ultimate sacrifice in a firefight during the battle of Fallujah.
Peralta regularly volunteered for duty on assault teams. As one of the first to enter a house occupied by insurgents, Peralta suffered a gunshot wound to the face and fell to the floor. Within moments, a fragmentation grenade rolled into the room. Two other Marines tried to escape, pounding against a locked door. Still conscious, Peralta grabbed the grenade and cradled it into his body before it exploded. One Marine was badly wounded by shrapnel from the blast. But the Marines said more lives would have been lost if not for Peralta's selfless act.
Gordon Trowbridge, Army Times, reported in USA Today (11-22-04)
State – In war there are many unsung heroes who sacrifice their lives for others. Christ provided the ultimate sacrifice for all of mankind. The writer of Hebrews continues his proof that Christ is superior.
He is a superior Priest.
He is a superior Covenant.
He is from a superior Sanctuary.
He is a superior Sacrifice.
State – Today we are going to discuss how the sacrifice that Christ provided on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice that should never be taken lightly.
C. Optional Method – Movie Clip – The Day After Tomorrow
Start: 01:20:40
Stop: 01:23:30
DVD Scene 23
Synopsis: The Day After Tomorrow is the story of human survival when global warming causes catastrophic climate changes in the Northern Hemisphere. The east coast of the United States is besieged by massive tidal waves followed by a deep freeze and relentless snowfall.
Three climatologists, Jack, Jason, and Frank, are on a trek through a violent snowstorm from Philadelphia to New York City. They are attached to each other by a cord and are pulling a loaded sled behind them. Suddenly the weight of the sled causes it to plunge through the surface and drag the three men back. Jack quickly takes his ax and hammers it into the ground, stopping their momentum. The sled had plunged through the glass roof of a shopping mall. Jack and Jason are still on the surface. Jack clears the snow from the glass beneath him and sees Frank and the sled hanging perilously in midair.
Jack yells out, "Frank! Are you all right?"
Frank says sarcastically, "I'm fine. Just dropped in to do a little shopping. I've got to lose the sled." He takes out a knife and cuts the cord behind him. The sled plunges to the ground and breaks into several pieces.
Jack yells, "Hold on! We'll pull you up!" He turns to Jason and says, "Jason, we've got to support Frank's weight."
Jason, who is at the edge of the hole, replies, "Okay. I'll try."
Jack crawls slowly toward Jason to help him lift Frank. The glass under Jason begins to crack. Frank yells up, "Too much weight! It's not going to hold!"
Jason struggles to hold his position. Jack clears snow beneath him again and sees Frank put his knife on the cord right in front of him. Jack, realizing Frank's intention, yells, "Frank! I could get you out! Don't do it!" The glass beneath Jason continues to crack. Frank looks at Jack and with a quick motion cuts the cord holding him. He falls. (His landing is not shown.) Jack and Jason are stunned.
The Day After Tomorrow (20th Century Fox, 2004); written and directed by Roland Emmerich
Frank’s sacrifice of his own life saved the life of his friends. Christ’s sacrifice provided salvation for all of mankind.
State – Today we are going to discuss how the sacrifice that Christ provided on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice that should never be taken lightly.
II. Book
A. Utilize the discussion guide to examine the Scripture passages.
III. Look
A. Distribute the handout “Living in His Sacrifice” and guide members through it. This would be an excellent group discussion. Display the following two questions for members to discuss.
1. Which of the steps seem the easiest to understand and implement?
2. Which of the steps seem the most difficult to understand and implement?
IV. Took
A. Have members get into groups and display the following instructions.
In your group spend time praying about the following:
· Thank God for His sacrifice for you once and for all
· Thank God for the forgiveness of sin He provides
· Release any guilt for past sins
· Pray for the strength to live a victorious life this week
B. Optional Method – Display the graphic “Making a Clean Sweep.”
Ask – How do you feel when you get through cleaning something around your house? Have you ever considered that because of Jesus ultimate sacrifice you can make a clean sweep each and every day.
Display and share the following:
10 WAYS TO SPRING CLEAN YOUR LIFE
1. Clean out the anger, hatred, jealousy, and self doubt.
2. Move out unforgiveness, and lack of communication. Wash away delay and procrastination.
3. Dust off your attitude, and put on a fresh coat of positive.
4. Throw out misunderstanding, and lack of patience. Sweep out the dirt of gossip or lies.
5. Recycle fractured relationships, roles, and routines that no longer work into a new, useable relationship.
6. Open the shades and let in the warmth of friendship.
7. Lighten up your thoughts with humor and fun.
8. Give away as much love, help, care, concern, and gratitude as possible.
9. Paint in new boundaries, and stencil some raised standards. Based on the Word of God.
10. Open the windows of your mind to new ideas and a fresh perspective on living a happier, better, forgiven life.
Close in prayer, challenging members to live victoriously this week.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
(Teacher’s Copy)
1. Why was the law referred to as “only a shadow of the good things to come”? (Heb. 10:1)
[It was a picture of the work that Christ would accomplish on the cross.]
2. Under the Old Covenant, why was repetition of animal sacrifice necessary for forgiveness of sin? (vs. 2-3)
[Because the animal sacrifices did not offer remission of sin only reminder of sin. The sin was covered but not cleansed.]
3. (Verse 4) spoke to the Hebrew Christians right to the heart of the matter of their heritage and belief system saying what their ancestors did for sacrifice was not adequate. What do people today often say when asked, do you think you will go to heaven?
4. What is the significance of the phrase in (v. 8) that states that God had no pleasure in the Old Covenant sacrifices?
[God did not delight in the sacrifices themselves, He did delight in the obedience of the people.]
5. What do the following passages teach about sacrifices and obedience?
a. (1 Sam. 15:22) God delights in obedience not sacrifices
b. (Ps. 51:16-17) God delights in a broken and contrite spirit
c. (Jer. 6:19-20) It is a matter of heart
6. What do (vs. 9-11) teach about the sufficiency of Christ?
a. (v. 9) Christ replaced the old with the new
b. (v. 10) Christ’s sacrifice is eternal
c. (v. 11) Works of men can never take away sin
7. When you contemplate that Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, “sat down at the right hand of God” (v. 12) (completed work/royalty) and He did it for you what emotions do you feel? (Write them here)
8. (Verses 13-14) speak of the ultimate victory of Christ and His sanctified followers, how can you live like a victorious warrior on earth?
9. Through the witness of the Holy Spirit a believer can have confidence that his/her sins are forgiven and remembered no more. (vs. 15-17) Are you holding on to guilt associated with forgiven sin? How can you claim this promise of forgiveness?
10. Since your sins are forgiven how should this impact your daily walk? (v. 18)
DISCUSSION GUIDE
(Student Copy)
1. Why was the law referred to as “only a shadow of the good things to come”? (Heb. 10:1)
2. Under the Old Covenant, why was repetition of animal sacrifice necessary for forgiveness of sin? (vs. 2-3)
3. (Verse 4) spoke to the Hebrew Christians right to the heart of the matter of their heritage and belief system saying what their ancestors did for sacrifice was not adequate. What do people today often say when asked, do you think you will go to heaven?
4. What is the significance of the phrase in (v. 8) that states that God had no pleasure in the Old Covenant sacrifices?
5. What do the following passages teach about sacrifices and obedience?
a. (1 Sam. 15:22)
b. (Ps. 51:16-17)
c. (Jer. 6:19-20)
6. What do (vs. 9-11) teach about the sufficiency of Christ?
a. (v. 9)
b. (v. 10)
c. (v. 11)
7. When you contemplate that Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, “sat down at the right hand of God” (v. 12) (completed work/royalty) and He did it for you what emotions do you feel? (Write them here)
8. (Verses 13-14) speak of the ultimate victory of Christ and His sanctified followers, how can you live like a victorious warrior on earth?
9. Through the witness of the Holy Spirit a believer can have confidence that his/her sins are forgiven and remembered no more. (vs. 15-17) Are you holding on to guilt associated with forgiven sin? How can you claim this promise of forgiveness?
10. Since your sins are forgiven how should this impact your daily walk? (v. 18)
©CS
9
Living in his sacrifice
“Choosing to Forgive”
A 12-step comprehensive plan to overcome your struggle
to forgive and find lasting healing
Step 1 Openly recognize wrong deeds to be wrong deeds.
Step 2 Recognize your anger is not only normal, but necessary.
Step 3 Realize how ongoing bitterness will ultimately hurt you.
Step 4 Learn from your problems by establishing better boundaries.
Step 5 Refuse to be in the inferior position and resist the desire to be superior.
Step 6 Avoid the futility of judgments, letting God be the ultimate judge.
Step 7 Allow yourself permission to grieve.
Step 8 Confront the offending party if appropriate.
Step 9 Find emotional freedom as you let go of the illusion of control.
Step 10 Choose forgiveness because it is part of your life’s mission.
Step 11 Come to terms with others’ wrong deeds by recognizing your own need for
forgiveness.
Step 12 Become a source of encouragement to other hurting people.
Adapted from The Choosing to Forgive Handbook by Les Carter and Frank Minirth (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997)