Date: September 7, 2025
The Greatest Name
The Point: There is only one God and only His name deserves glory.
Get Into the Study
After discussing Question #1, read the following:
It is everywhere—talk of the latest athletes successes, the best pop-star moments, the new cover shoot of that amazing actress. Sports are revered in today’s culture—the best of the best making a name for themselves.
Take for instance Tom Brady. Not only is he a 7-time Superbowl champ, 5-time Superbowl MVP, 3-time NFL MVP, and NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He represents not just himself, but a football team (The Las Vegas Raiders), multiple brands (Gillet, Aston Martin, Under Armour, etc) and his family. He has a lot going for him, making him The GOAT.
What was his response to all this success and glory? Tom Brady states that, “How I became a great player certainly had an impact [on my success]—from showing up day in and day out, to doing whatever it took to get better, be successful, be a role model, and to provide.”
He doesn’t take the glory lightly, but instead says that it’s not just about him, but that he is a role model, a representative to—and for—others.
Everything we do, and everything we have, is from God. No matter what we do or where life takes us, we need to give all the glory to God. For there is only one God, and only His name deserves the glory.
Get Into the Study (Option for Adult Leader Guide)
In advance, play a video clip from of highlights from a great athlete. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Before asking Question #3, read the following:
Tom Brady put football above all else, making it his life. However, when pro-golfer, Scottie Scheffler (who recently won the 2025 Open Championship) was asked about how he approached to his sport, he commented that, “[Golf] is fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it’s not fulfilling from a sense of the deepest places of your heart…That’s why I talk about family being my priority because it really is. I’m blessed to be able to come out here and play golf, but if my golf ever started affecting my home life or it ever affected the relationship I have with my wife or my son, that’s going to be the last day that I play out here for a living.”
Scottie could very easily have made his career, the golf course, winning, or fame define him. It could have become an idol, with nothing else getting in the way of the next win. Instead, he stays grounded and focused, thanks to the love and support of his family.
There are many things in our lives that can take our focus off of God and put it onto what the world defines as glory – fame, success, money, or status. But we can’t let that define us. We are children of God, and have to put Him first in all we do. As we learn in this lesson, there is only one God, and only He deserves all the glory.
The week’s writer for Extra is Erika Morrison. Erika is the daughter of missionary parents. She lives in Southwest Michigan, where she serves as the executive director of a human services non-profit, and speaks regularly on poverty culture, and having a relationship with Jesus.
Study the Bible (Option for Adult Leader Guide)
In advance, play a worship song to give your group an opportunity to praise God through song.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- Did you like your name when you were growing up? Why or why not?
- What’s the story behind your name?
- In your opinion, who is the greatest name in the field of sports, literature, or cinema?
Isaiah 42:1-4
- How has Jesus served you when you were bruised or burned out?
- Which of the listed characteristics of God in vv. 1-4 distinguish Him from other gods or heroes?
- Which part of the description of Jesus is most compelling to you?
Isaiah 42:5-8
- What practical step(s) can you take this week to purposely give glory to the God who gives breath to every living thing?
- When can you look back and identify the hand of God in your life?
- If God does not give glory or praise to others or idols, why do His followers behave differently?
Isaiah 42:9-12
- What past and future events stir you to give God glory and praise?
- What are some specific steps we can take to glorify God’s name?
- How has God’s faithfulness prompted a new song in your heart?
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
How do I print out the extra material for teaching Adult lessons to be used in classroom on Sunday September 7, 2025. It no longer lets me click a box to print.
Hi Pat, Please refresh the page and you should see the printer-friendly image to click and view the version you’re looking for. Or, if that’s not showing up, please click this link for what you’re looking for: https://s3.amazonaws.com/LWbranding/bsfl2019/2025/08/2wt1WzR9-EXTRA-Session-1-September-7-2025.docx
Thanks and let us know if you have further questions. —Ryan
This is my first time to lead a study like this. Do I need both the leader guide and the participant guide?
Thanks for your question, Melissa. And for your willingness to lead your group! Generally speaking, both guides are developed to be used with the idea that the leader has a leader guide and the participant has a participant guide. I know that sounds weird to read. It’s weird to type. But, all it really means is that you—as the leader—want to be armed with lots of biblical content to aid in teaching from week to week. And, as a group member, the individual attending will appreciate having something to hold and look at and keep engaged from week to week. Also, as the leader, you want the group member to have something to take home and both reinforce the session cover and prepare for the session that’s coming up. We find it’s best to have both leader and learner guides for those involved in small group. Please, if this answer doesn’t help guide you enough, then I’ve simply done a poor job of explaining. So please feel free to reach back out or email me at [email protected] with any additional questions you might have as you dig in. Thank you.
Jumping in to reply. I lead a senior adult class. I use both books in preparing and teaching.
Me too and I teach senior ladies
Thank you for this lesson & podcast. I have just taken on a senior adult Sunday School class and found this very helpful. Pray for me as I go forward in conveying God’s message from Isaiah 42: 1-12.
Fantastic, Sharon! Please reach out as you dig in and have any questions. We’re right here with you! May the Lord bless your time of study and you seek to lead the group. Godspeed and let us know how things go!
Each Sunday I like forwarding your Podcast’s to my Small Group I lead on Sunday’s, and in the past you had an option to download this podcast so that I could forward it. However, for this Sunday’s session Podcast there doesn’t appear to be a way to download this into an email for me to send out. Going forward, could you please put the download option back into your Podcasts?
Hi Charles, thanks for using BSFL and for commenting. We’re glad you find our podcast helpful. Please refresh your page and check out the bottom options for the podcast section. You should be able to share and download now—for session one and two. And I’ll be sure to keep those options going forward. Hope that’s helpful. Please reach out if you have additional questions. —Ryan
I used to use both books for preparation, but since many of the ladies faithfully read their lessons, now I tell them to share anything from the pupil’s book that they learned or found interesting. It’s a chance for them to contribute more than their opinions.
Diane
Regarding Lesson one of Fall: In the “share” utility for the podcast episode, is it possible to provide a URL for the podcast link? I share by sending my class an email and paste in the URL link when available.
Thanks
Hi John, thanks for listening to the podcast and commenting. Great question. If you “SHARE” you’ll have two options to pull the exact link to share with your group. You can click the RSS which will take you to links for more podcast episodes. Also, if you click the Buzzsprout button on the bottom right, you’ll be taken to a view where you’ll find the exact links your looking for as well. Thanks.
Are there no sermon outlines for The Greatest Truths of All Times? That is a great resource for lesson preparation.
Hi Amy, you can find our Sermon Outlines here: https://biblestudiesforlife.lifeway.com/leader-extras-sermon-outlines/ — thanks and let me know if you need further assistance. —Ryan
Hi, I’m still not seeing the sermon outlines for the series, The Greatest Truths of All Times.
Thanks!
I’m seeing them here: https://biblestudiesforlife.lifeway.com/leader-extras-sermon-outlines/ — Note they are download links, so when you click on a session 1, 2, 3 . . . they will download to your downloads file. Thanks.
No sermon outlines for Greatest Truths of all times. They are not on the page you gave to Amy. I also use these each week.
I’m seeing them here: https://biblestudiesforlife.lifeway.com/leader-extras-sermon-outlines/ — Note they are download links, so when you click on a session 1, 2, 3 . . . they will download to your downloads file. Thanks.
When accessing this website on my iphone, there is no where to click to hear the podcast. I like listening to it when I walk or when I am driving. Hope you can get this issue corrected. This podcast is very helpful to me as I prepare to lead my class in Bible Study each week. Thank you. Billie
Hi Billie, for The Greatest Name it’s at the bottom of the page. I just tested on mobile and it’s there—allowing you to listen, download, and share. Thanks. https://biblestudiesforlife.lifeway.com/extra-ideas-for-adults-greatest-truths-greatest-name/