Lesson For The Week (May 30)

God’s Timing
Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Getting Started
Where do you see yourself in a year? Five years? Ten? Do you have your whole life planned out? Do you try to stay open to different possibilities?

Today’s world is very fast-paced. Many people have big dreams for the future. They want to make the most of every moment to achieve those dreams. But the Bible says, “You don't even know what your life tomorrow will be! You are like a puff of smoke, which appears for a moment and then disappears.”(James 4:14) This doesn’t mean that our lives on earth aren’t important! God has big plans for each of our lives. But it does mean we don’t have time to waste on selfish or meaningless plans. During our lives on earth, God wants us to serve him, and to serve others.

Improving Your Vocabulary
Make the most (v phr) – to take advantage of; to get as much out of as possible
Parable (n) – a story with a lesson about right and wrong
Bear (v) – to bring out
Tear down (v phr) – to pull down; destroy
Take life easy (v phr) – relax; enjoy life
Mill (n) – a building for grinding grain into flour
Ignorant (adj) – unknowing or stupid

Reading God’s Word

Luke 12:16-21

16 Then Jesus told them this parable: "There was once a rich man who had land which bore good crops. 17 He began to think to himself, "I don't have a place to keep all my crops. What can I do? 18 This is what I will do,' he told himself; "I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I will store the grain and all my other goods. 19 Then I will say to myself, Lucky man! You have all the good things you need for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!' 20 But God said to him, "You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself?' " 21 And Jesus concluded, "This is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God's sight."

Matthew 24:35-36
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 36 "No one knows, however, when that day and hour will come—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son; the Father alone knows. 39That is how it will be when the Son of Man comes. 40 At that time two men will be working in a field: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. 41 Two women will be at a mill grinding meal: one will be taken away, the other will be left behind. 42 Watch out, then, because you do not know what day your Lord will come. 43 If the owner of a house knew the time when the thief would come, you can be sure that he would stay awake and not let the thief break into his house. 44 So then, you also must always be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him.

Ephesians 5:15-17
15 So be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people. 16 Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. 17 Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.

Taking a Closer Look
1. Why did the rich man tear down his barns? (Luke 12:18)
2. What was his plan for the future? (Luke 12:19)
3. What was God’s plan for his future? (Luke 12:20)
4. What kind of riches does God want us to store up? (Luke 12: 21)
5. What does only the Father know? (Matthew 24:36)
6. How can we prepare ourselves for Christ’s coming?
7. Ephesians 5:17 says, “try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.” How can we do this?

Taking Action
1. Jesus tells us not to store up good things on earth, but to store up good things in heaven. How can we do this?
2. Jesus wants us to use our lives to serve him. We serve him by serving others. What is one way you can serve your friends, family, co-workers, etc?

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Past Lessons