Subject:  “God's Plan Revealed”

Background:  “Genesis 43, 44, & 45:1-15”

Printed Text:  “Genesis 45:1-15”

Aim for Change:
“By the end of this lesson, we will
   UNDERSTAND how Joseph viewed his past mistreatment
        at the hand of his brothers,
   RECOGNIZE how God is at work in difficult circumstances,   and
   RESPOND to mistreatment not with vengeance   but
       with creative, transforming initiatives.”

Keep in Mind:
“Now therefore be not grieved,
  nor angry with yourselves,
  that ye sold me hither:
  for God did send me before you to preserve life”
       Genesis 45:5, KJV

Excerpt From:
Urban Ministries, Inc.  “Precepts For Living (2020-2021).” Apple Books.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/precepts-for-living-2020-2021/id1526579195

Subject:  “Love Versus Guilt”

Background:  “Genesis 42”

Printed Text:  “Genesis 42:6-25”

Aim for Change:
“By the end of this lesson, we will
     EXPLAIN why Joseph's brothers interpreted their misfortune as punishment for their sins,
     SENSE the need for wholeness in their personal relationships,   and
     IDENTIFY ways to accept God's forgiveness   and
        strive to offer grace to those who mistreat them.”

Keep in Mind:
“And Reuben answered them, saying,
     Spake I not unto you, saying,
            Do not sin against the child;
            and ye would not hear?
            therefore, behold, also his blood is required”
                     Genesis 42:22, KJV

Excerpt From:
Urban Ministries, Inc.  “Precepts For Living (2020-2021).” Apple Books.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/precepts-for-living-2020-2021/id1526579195

Subject:  “God Rewards Obedience”

Background:  “Genesis 41:14 - 57”

Printed Text:  “Genesis 41:25-33, 37-40, 50-52”

Aim for Change:
“By the end of this lesson, we will
    DISCOVER how Joseph's love for God and faithfulness
        helped him find success in Egypt,
    ASPIRE to remain steadfast in love and obedience to God
        when facing extreme hardships,
    and CELEBRATE God's providential care in times of suffering.”

Keep in Mind:
“And Pharaoh said unto Joseph,
   Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this,
   there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
   Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word
     shall all my people be ruled:
     only in the throne will I be greater than thou”
                   Genesis 41:39-40   KJV

Excerpt From:
Urban Ministries, Inc.  “Precepts For Living (2020-2021).” Apple Books.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/precepts-for-living-2020-2021/id1526579195

Subject:  “Issues of Love”

Background:  “Genesis 37”

Printed Text:  “Genesis 37:2-11, 23-24, 28”

Aim for Change:
“By the end of this lesson, we will
   EXAMINE the circumstances of familial love and hatred
       between Jacob/Israel's sons,
   REPENT of times we allowed jealousy and hatred
       to override a commitment to love,  and
   DEVELOP strategies to allow a commitment to love
       to override feelings of jealousy and hatred.”

Keep in Mind:
“And his brethren envied him;
  but his father observed the saying”
       Genesis 37:11, KJV

Excerpt From:
Urban Ministries, Inc.  “Precepts For Living (2020-2021).” Apple Books.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/precepts-for-living-2020-2021/id1526579195

Subject:  “Two Kinds of Wisdom”

Background:  “James 3:13-17 & 5:7-12”

Printed Text:  “James 3:13-17 & 5:7-12

Aim for Change:
“By the end of the lesson, we will:
      DESCRIBE the value of acting with wisdom from above and
                                                                patience in the midst of trials,
      TURN from actions that have been done out of earthly wisdom and
                                                                lack of patience, and
       EMBRACE wisdom from God and seek to demonstrate it.”

Keep in Mind:
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
  then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated,
  full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality,
  and without hypocrisy”
    James 3:17, KJV

Excerpt From: Adonijah Okechukwu Ogbonnaya.
“Precepts for Living (2019-2020).” Apple Books.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/precepts-for-living-2019-2020/id1472286612

Subject:  “Taming the Tongue”

Background:  “James 3:1-12”

Printed Text:  “James 3:1-12”

Aim for Change:
“By the end of the lesson, we will:
    EXPLAIN how James’ illustrations
        demonstrate the power of the tongue,
    REPENT of times when the use of our tongues
        has ignited a destructive fire,
   and
   PRACTICE controlling the tongue
        so it becomes a consistent source of refreshment to others.”


Keep in Mind:
“Even so
    the tongue is a little member,
    and boasteth great things.
  Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
    James 3:5, KJV

Excerpt From: Adonijah Okechukwu Ogbonnaya.
“Precepts for Living (2019-2020).” Apple Books.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/precepts-for-living-2019-2020/id1472286612

Subject:  “Faith Without Works Is Dead”

Background:  “James 2:14-26”

Printed Text:  “James 2:14-26”

Aim for Change:
“By the end of the lesson, we will:
  COMPARE and contrast faith that is no more than empty talk
     with a faith that is proved by actions,
   REFLECT on the power of Abraham’s and Rahab’s examples of faith in action,
   and DECIDE to demonstrate faith with tangible works.”

Keep in Mind:
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also”
    James 2:26, KJV

Excerpt From: Adonijah Okechukwu Ogbonnaya.
“Precepts for Living (2019-2020).” Apple Books.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/precepts-for-living-2019-2020/id1472286612

Subject:  “Hearing and Doing the Word”

Background:  “James 1:19-27”

Printed Text:  “James 1:19-27”

Aim for Change:
“By the end of the lesson, we will:
  REALIZE the proof of wisdom is not just in what we say,
      but what we do,
  EXPRESS compassion for those who are most vulnerable
      and desire to act on their behalf,
and ENGAGE in ministry that demonstrates the religion that James describes.”

Keep in Mind:
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves”
    James 1:22, KJV

Excerpt From: Adonijah Okechukwu Ogbonnaya.
“Precepts for Living (2019-2020).” Apple Books.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/precepts-for-living-2019-2020/id1472286612

Subject:  “Faith and Wisdom”

Background:  “James 1:1–11”

Printed Text: “James 1:1–11”

Aim for Change:
“By the end of the lesson, we will:
   CONSIDER the relationship between wisdom and perseverance through trials,
   AFFIRM the value of trials and hardships
       in making us more wise and productive disciples,
   and PRAY for godly wisdom by which to endure life’s trials and temptations.”

Keep in Mind:
“If any of you lack wisdom,
  let him ask of God,
  that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
  and it shall be given him”
    James 1:5, KJV

Excerpt From: Adonijah Okechukwu Ogbonnaya.
“Precepts for Living (2019-2020).” Apple Books.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/precepts-for-living-2019-2020/id1472286612

Subject:  Wisdom: The Way, Truth, and Life

Background:  PROVERBS 3:17; 8:32–36;  &  St. JOHN 14:1–14

Printed Text: St. JOHN 14:1–14

Aim for Change:
“By the end of the lesson, we will:
  EXPLORE the encounter between Jesus the disciples in the upper room,
  APPRECIATE the difficulty the disciples had in understanding Jesus, and
  CELEBRATE the promise of Jesus to prepare a place for His followers
   and hear and respond to their prayers.”

Keep in Mind:
Jesus saith unto him,
  "I am the way, the truth, and the life:
   no man cometh unto the Father, but by me”
       John 14:6, KJV

Excerpt From: Adonijah Okechukwu Ogbonnaya.
“Precepts for Living (2019-2020).” Apple Books.
https://books.apple.com/us/book/precepts-for-living-2019-2020/id1472286612