Week 12: You Will Never Fail
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble (2 Peter 1:10-11).
Well, my young (or old) scholars. We have come to the end of our summer school term. Sadly (sniff, sniff), summer is drawing to a close, but before we end this chapter there’s a final exam waiting for you! I know…don’t you just love exams? I promise this one is going to be very different. There is only one question, and it requires just a yes or no answer. But before we get to that, let’s review some of our notes.
Remember where we left off last week? Yes? You, in the back, with your hand raised. Mmm yes, “being nearsighted and blind.” Good memory! Does anyone remember how we keep from being shortsighted and blind in our faith? This is a harder question! Let’s read 2nd Peter 1:9 to refresh our memory…
“But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off (shortsighted), and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” (vs. 9).
Do you see the answer?! We become nearsighted and blind when we forget that we were purged from our old sins! Hmm. How could anyone who is truly a Christian forget that his sins were forgiven? It happens when we stop reading God’s Word and stop adding God’s virtues to our faith.
This is why Peter tells us, “Therefore brethren, be even more diligent” (vs 10). If we lose our diligence in adding virtue to our faith, then it is easy to forget. Do you remember what it means to be diligent? Pop quiz! What is the Greek word for diligence that we studied earlier in the term? Hint: it starts with an s…. “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?” Uh…no. Not quite. The answer is spoudazo (and you already know what that means)! SPEED! DO IT QUICKLY! DON’T WASTE TIME!
Peter is challenging each of us to add the seven virtues to our faith (virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love)—with speeeeed—with a relentless tenacity! He goes on to say,
“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent (spoudazo) to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never fall” (vs 10).
Huh? How do I make my calling and election (God called and elected you to be saved) 100% positively sure? Hmm. Your answer on the final exam will help you to know 100% that you were called and elected by God. You ready for the final question? Pencils sharp, desks cleared and brain muscles in gear? Here we go!
“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2nd Corinthians 13:5).
Phew. That question goes right to the heart of the matter—Does Jesus Christ live in you? This is one of the most important questions you will ever answer in life. If this question is answered incorrectly, it could mean the difference between eternal joy and eternal suffering. So, are you 100% sure? Does Jesus live in you? If the God of the universe lives within you, then you should know with 100% positivity!
How can someone be 100% really sure? “Examine yourself.” Be honest with your answer. If you aren’t 100% positive, that’s ok. Turn to God and let him know about your doubts and ask Him to help you know. Jesus said, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will never cast out” (John 6:37).
If you possess the character qualities that we’ve been learning these past 13 weeks, then it is very likely that Jesus lives within you. And if this be the case, there’s a lot to do…and a lot to practice…and there’s no better time than the present! Time to exercise! Push-ups—down on the floor and give me 50! Hold those planks! Touch those toes; now hands up high; stretch! At ease! You can get back in your seat. Now, don’t forget Peter’s challenge:
“Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these things...”
Just like we practice in exercise and multiplication tables, we need to practice self-control, perseverance, etc…. And guess what? Ready for the big reward for those who are willing to practice?
“If you practice these things, you will never fall.”
God will protect and guide your steps wherever you go. Now that is a promise I want to lean on! If we practice these things, we gain confidence that we will never fail that test, and never fail to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Oh, we may stumble from time to time, but if we are practicing with spoudazo, we will get back up quickly and finish our race, and receive that prize. Hmm…the prize! Join me this Saturday as we reveal the prize that is waiting for us…talk to you soon.
Rainey
Weekly Bible Memory (You can use whatever version of the Bible you prefer): 25 points per passage - additional passages may be memorized for 25 points each (up to 3 verses constitute a passage)
Ages 6-10
“I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved” (Psalm 16:8).
Ages 10-13
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Ages 14+
“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light” (Luke 11:33-36).
Weekly Bible Reading/Book: 5 points per chapter read - any chapter of the Bible may be read anytime during the challenge for 5 points each.
Psalm 119
Reading List: * 1 point per page read - any Lamplighter book/Lamplighter resource book/non-fiction [biography, spiritual growth, informational] may be ready anytime throughout the challenge 1 point per page.
Ages 6-11
Ages 9-14
Stephen: A Soldier of the Cross
Ages 12+
Sir Knight of the Splendid Way
*You may read any Lamplighter book at any time throughout the challenge. This list is only recommendations that go along with this week’s theme.
Creative Assignment: Acrostic (25 points)
Using a piece of blank or lined paper, write out an acrostic* with the letters that make up your first and last name, in a vertical line (make sure to leave enough space between each letter for the verses). Carefully and prayerfully choose a verse or Scripture passage that begins with each letter in your name. (See page 99 of Tip Lewis and His Lamp for reference!) As you write out a verse for each letter in your name, carefully consider what God is trying to teach you through each passage and think of ways you can apply them to your daily life. You could also create an acrostic for a friend or family member (using their name) as a way to encourage them with scripture.
*An acrostic is a composition usually in verse in which sets of letters (such as the initial or final letters of the lines) taken in order form a word or phrase.
*Submit your Creative Assignment to Lamplighter HERE and award yourself 15 bonus points! Assignments need to be submitted by August 16th, 2024, in order to receive the bonus points. Please submit all activity sheets using the form HERE by August 17th, 2024.
Practical Assignment: Examine Yourself (50 points)
As we head into a new school year soon, it is important that we do NOT step into it blindly (or shortsighted-ly?) without a plan for spiritual, physical, and intellectual development. Using the character qualities listed in 2 Peter 1, make a daily/weekly/monthly plan which you can use as your guide going into this next season. We’ve talked a lot about changing your attitudes and habits to grow in the Lord, but it is helpful to actually make a plan and stick to it (always remembering to ask the Lord for help). Examine yourself and identify areas where you need to grow (is it being more diligent? Godly? Patient?), and then make a practical list of ways that will help you to “make your call and election sure.”
Example list:
Daily: 6:30 am Bible study and prayer
Daily: set a reminder to pray for specific family members or friends
Weekly: find (and write out) a new Bible verse/passage to memorize for the week
Weekly: room tidy and laundry
Daily: create an exercise plan with different sets of exercises for each day
Keep a running list or journal of prayer needs (for yourself, others, and the world) and answered prayers
Daily: set aside time to help out around the house (cleaning, cooking, repairs, etc.)
Weekly/Monthly: tithe to church or a ministry
Don’t forget to tag us @lamplighterministries
to share with us how you and your family are completing the challenge!
