People of Commitment

December 2008 – February 2009
Vol. 9 No. 2

The stories examined propound certain biblical characters that exhibit commitment. In various ways they respond to God’s claim on their lives. They join themselves to God’s mission to bring salvation to the world: women in every generation bring forth the new thing God is doing; shepherds and prophets serve as heralds for the mission; countless people step into the unknown trusting only God’s promise of life, abundant and meaningful.

Commitment in the Christian economy is not limited to keen observation. The exemplars honored in these pages challenge us to join God’s mission, to nurture the new life God’s Spirit provides, to proclaim the wonder of God’s design, to step into the unknown trusting God’s promise for a future filled with hope. As is also apparent in these stories, commitment to God entails a certain amount of risk. Saying “yes” to God will necessitate our saying “no” to something or someone else.

Our pledge to join God’s mission in the world may take us across the street, around the world or anywhere in between. Are you ready to join God’s mission, God’s adventure?

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Unit I: Commitment to the Messiah

Unit I is drawn from four passages in Luke. The first lesson looks at the commitment of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Lesson 2 turns to Elizabeth and her commitment as mother of John the Baptist. In Lesson 3, the Christmas story is approached through the shepherds who glorify God at the birth of Jesus. Finally, Lesson 4 examines the commitment of John the Baptist to prepare the way for the Messiah.

December 7
Mary’s Commitment           

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:46–55

December 14
Elizabeth’s Commitment

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:39–45

December 21
Shepherds Glorify God

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:8–20

December 28
John the Baptist Proclaims God’s Message

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Luke 3:7–18

Unit II: Old Testament People of Commitment

In Unit II, the commitment of several Old Testament personalities is explored. The first lesson is about the midwives who kept the Hebrew boy babies alive. Next, the participants will meet Rahab, the Jericho harlot who cooperated with the Hebrew spies. Then comes a look at Joshua’s commitment as the successor to Moses; and then following is an examination of the role of Samson’s mother in preparing for his birth. Lesson 5 considers the Shunammite woman who assisted Elisha. In Lesson 6, Nathan confronts King David. Lesson 7 looks at the story of Esther, and Lesson 8 considers the response of Isaiah to God’s call.

January 4
Midwives Serve God

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Exodus 1:8–21

January 11
Rahab Helps Israel

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Joshua 2:1–4, 12–14; 6:22–25

January 18
Joshua Leads Israel

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Joshua 3:1–13

January 25
Samson’s Mother Prepares for His Birth

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: 13:1–7 (end with “son”), 8–13, 24

February 1
A Shunammite Woman Helps

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 4:8–17

February 8
Nathan Challenges David

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Samuel 12:1–7 (end with “man”), 13–15

February 15
Esther Risks Her Life

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Esther 4:1–3, 9–17

February 22
Isaiah Answers God’s Call

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 6:1–8