Church makes DeLaughter the lesson for Sunday school

Church makes DeLaughter the lesson for Sunday school

Dear Church Member,
Last week, a man who, as a Mississippi attorney, helped to prosecute a 30-year-old murder against a civil rights worker and thereby move civil rights forward in that state, started serving a jail sentence for obstruction of justice in an unrelated case. His sentencing reminds us that no one, no matter how good and faithful he or she has been, is immune to temptation to later to do wrong. It also reminds us of the importance of ongoing maintenance and growth in our spiritual lives.

So that will be the topic of this installment of our next lesson.

If you wish to start thinking about our topic in advance, below is some introductory material.

The Big Questions
Here are some of the questions we will discuss in class:

1. When a person who has done notable good things later falls into wrongdoing, how should that person’s life and contributions to the common good be assessed by those who had considered that person an ally? By those who considered that person an opponent?

2. How do you think God views your flaws? Your mistakes? Your deliberate sins?

3. Is it possible for good people to “slide” into serious sin, without much forethought or intention? If so, how do we guard against such downfalls?

4. Does doing wrong later make your motives for doing earlier good works suspect? Why or why not?

5. Are committed Christians as susceptible to temptation as are people who have not committed themselves to follow Jesus? Why or why not?

Confronting the News with Scripture
We will look at selected verses from these Scripture texts. You may wish to read these in advance for background:

2 Samuel 1:17-27
Mark 4:32-42
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
1 Peter 5:6-11
Matthew 12:43-45

In class, we will talk about these passages and look for some insight on the big questions, as well as talk about other questions you may have about this topic. Please join us.