This quarter’s study begins with God’s demands for our complete and undivided love as shown in passages from Deuteronomy and Psalms. It proceeds with our response to God’s love in the advent of Christ, and the epistles’ interpretations of the nature and extent of our responses to God’s love in Christ. It concludes with passages from three of the psalms expressing glorification of God.
UNIT 1 • God Commands Our Love, Respect, and Obedience
The Deuteronomy passage contains a presentation of God’s demand for total love and devotion. The session from Joshua contains his faithful statement of love and reverence for a liberating God. In Psalm 103, David expresses love and glorification of God for God’s creative, sustaining, and protective actions. Luke portrays the advent of Christ and human response to God’s act of fulfillment of God’s promise. We are challenged in Matthew to love God through compassionate works.
Lesson 1: December 2, 2018
Love and Devotion
Deuteronomy 6:1–9
In the midst of life’s challenges and uncertainties, people search for a foundation on which to make decisions. What is that foundation? God instructed the Israelites that the basis for meeting all of life’s circumstances is to love God absolutely, and Matthew records that Jesus repeated those instructions.
Lesson 2: December 9, 2018
Choose to Love and Serve God
Joshua 24:1–3, 13–15, 21–24
At critical junctures in life, people are forced to make life-changing decisions. How do they