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Date: July 25, 2021
Serve with Courage
The Point: Serving God often calls for courage.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
On May 2, a five-car accident happened on the bridge that crosses over Assawoman Bay near Ocean City, Maryland. As the accident happened, an 18-month-old girl was thrown from a vehicle and into the bay. Jonathan Bauer, whose car was in the accident, saw the child thrown from the pickup truck into the water. Bauer got out of his car and looked over the side of the bridge to see the child floating in the water 25 feet below. Without concern for his own safety, Bauer jumped over the bridge and into the water. He lifted her out of the water and held her until a boat arrived at the scene and rescued both of them. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has honored Bauer for “his incredible selflessness and bravery.”
Say: The Ocean City Fire Chief says that what Bauer did to rescue the child by jumping into the bay was the most heroic act he has ever seen a civilian perform. Then call attention to Question #1 (When you think of courage, who comes to mind?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/hero-who-jumped-into-bay-gets-thunderbird-ride/
Get Into the Study [Option from Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video clip of someone known for his or her courage. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to introduce Question #3.
In 2013, Barronelle Stutzman, a florist in the state of Washington declined to make a floral arrangement for a gay couple’s wedding because of her religious beliefs. The couple sued Stutzman, arguing that she discriminated against them based on their sexual orientation. She argued that the state violated her First Amendment rights by forcing her to express celebratory messages that violated her faith. The lower courts found that Stutzman did violate the state civil rights laws in refusing to make the floral arrangement for the couple. She pursued the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where on July 2, the Supreme Court declined to hear her case. So the decision against her by the Washington State Supreme Court stands.
Say: Because of her faith, Barronelle Stutzman took a stand against our culture. Then call attention to Question #3 (When have you seen someone take a stand against our culture’s false beliefs?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-barronelle-stutzman-lgbtq-rights/
— Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- When in your life have you needed a good amount of courage?
- What’s an example of courage you have observed?
- When you think of courage, who comes to mind?
1 Kings 16:29-33
- How can we recognize when God and His authority are being opposed?
- What does God’s attitude toward Ahab teach us?
- Why is obedience to God so important?
1 Kings 17:1
- What does standing up for God and His Word look like in your circle of influence?
- Where do you currently see an opportunity to act courageously for God?
- How can you know when it is the right time to stand against false beliefs?
1 Kings 17:2-6
- What part of today’s passage encourages you to courageously serve God?
- What promise from God’s Word could we call to mind when we personally need courage to follow God?
- What are some practical ways to demonstrate faith in God’s provision?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Tips for Leading Bible Study Groups
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Is the new format permanent? The old one is easier to read and typically just a single page.
One option to consider: add the web browser extension: Print Friendly.. At whatever web site/blog you’re on, you click this extension, and it immediately generates a print-ready page—but without the side bars, ads, and so forth. On the PDF it creates, you can also click any feature/paragraph you don’t want, and it is removed.
Great suggestion. Thanks, you are the I T Guru!