Sunday School Publishing Board National Baptist …

1 Sunday School Publishing Board National Baptist convention , USA, Inc. Rev. derrick jackson interim executive director Copyright 2017. Townsend Press, Nashville, Tennessee. A division of the Sunday School Publishing Board , NBC, USA, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without expressed permission in writing from the Sunday School Publishing Board , 330 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37201-1188. E-mail: The Commentary lesson expositions have been developed from the International Sunday School Lessons Series, 2010-2016 Cycle, copyright 2008 by the Committee on the Uniform Series of the National Council of Churches USA. The Home Daily Bible Readings are prepared by the Committee on the Uniform Series, copyright 2008. Used by permission.

2 Bible passages are taken from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture passages marked NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and are used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from the New Century Version. Copyright 1987, 1988, 1991. by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

3 Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NLT taken from the New Living Translation, copyright 1996, are used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified Bible. Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( ). *Some Scripture passages may represent the writer's paraphrase. _____. Writers: Dr. Michael Minor; Dr. Christopher jackson ; Dr. Cleo LaRue; Editors: Rev. Wellington A. John- son Sr.; Rev. Emmanuel Reid; Associate Editors: Tanae C. McKnight Murdic; Regina Hoosier; Copy Editors: Yalemzewd Worku; Jannie Frierson; Layout Designer: Royetta Davis; Cover Designer: Donn S. Jobe Sr. ISBN: 978-1-939225-31-3. ii CONTENTS. Six-year Cycle .. v List of Printed Texts .. vi Preface .. vii Acknowledgments .. viii Know Your Writers .. ix Fall Quarter, 2017 Covenants with God General Introduction.

4 1. September: UNIT I Signs of God's Covenants 3 The Rainbow (Genesis 8:20-22; 9:8-17) .. 3. 10 Circumcision (Genesis 17:1-14) .. 13. 17 Sabbath Observance (Exodus 31:12-18) .. 23. 24 Spirit-filled Heart (Ezekiel 36:22-32) .. 33. October: UNIT II Called into Covenant with God 1 God's Covenant with Abram (Genesis 15:1-6, 17-21) .. 43. 8 God's Covenant with Israel (Exodus 19:16-25) .. 53. 15 Obeying God's Law (Exodus 20:18-26) .. 63. 22 God's Covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:1-6, 8-10, 12-16) .. 73. 29 God's Covenant with the Returned Exiles (Nehemiah 9:32-38; 10:28-29) .. 83. November: UNIT III An Everlasting Covenant 5 Faithful God, Unfaithful People (Numbers 25:10-13; 1 Samuel 2:30-36) .. 93. 12 Promise of a New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:27-34) .. 103. 19 Mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 12:14-15, 18-29) .. 113. 26 Remembering the Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:23-34) ..123. Winter Quarter, 2017 2018 Faith in Action General Introduction.

5 133. December: UNIT I The Early Church Proclaims Faith in Christ 3 Faith in Jesus (Acts 3:11-21) .. 135. 10 Faith to Discern (Acts 13:1-12) .. 143. 17 Faith to Persevere (Acts 14:8-11, 19-23) .. 152. 24 Faithful Seekers of the King (Matthew 2:1-12) .. 160. 31 Faith to Unite (Ephesians 4:1-16) .. 168. January: UNIT II A Living Faith in God 7 A Sincere Faith (Daniel 1:8-21) .. 176. 14 A Bold Faith (Daniel 3:19-23, 26-28) .. 184. 21 A Prayer for an Obedient Faith (Daniel 9:4-8, 15-19) .. 192. 28 A Strong Faith (Daniel 10:10-19) .. 200. iii February: UNIT III Self-controlled, Upright, and Godly Faith 4 Faith without Works Is Dead (James 2:14-26) .. 207. 11 A Disciplined Faith (James 3:1-12) .. 215. 18 Faithful Disciples (Acts 9:36-43) .. 223. 25 The Good Fight of Faith (1 Timothy 6:11-21) .. 231. Spring Quarter, 2018 Acknowledging God General Introduction .. 239. March: UNIT I Follow in My Ways 4 The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:1-3, 6-14).

6 241. 11 There Is No God like You (2 Chronicles 6:12-21) .. 250. 18 The People Gave Thanks to God (2 Chronicles 7:1-9) .. 258. 25 Keep My Statutes and Ordinances (2 Chronicles 7:12-22) .. 266. April: UNIT II All Glory and Honor 1 He Has Risen (Luke 24:1-12, 30-35) .. 275. 8 The Risen Lord Appears (John 21:1-14) .. 284. 15 Follow Me (John 21:15-25) .. 293. 22 The Lord God the Almighty (Revelation 4:1-6, 8-11) .. 302. 29 Blessing, Glory, Honor, Forever (Revelation 5:6-14) .. 311. May: UNIT III Give Praise to God 6 Giving from a Generous Heart (Exodus 35:20-29; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8) .. 320. 13 Bringing First Fruits (Leviticus 23:9-14, 22) .. 329. 20 Remembering with Joy (Leviticus 25:1-12) .. 337. 27 Rejoicing in Restoration (Psalm 34:1-10; Hebrews 2:17-18) .. 345. Summer Quarter, 2018 Justice in the New Testament General Introduction .. 353. June: UNIT I God Is Just and Merciful 3 Justice and Sabbath Laws (Matthew 12:1-14).

7 355. 10 Parables of God's Just Kingdom (Matthew 13:24-33) ..364. 17 Jesus Teaches about Justice (Matthew 15:1-9) .. 372. 24 Reaping God's Justice (Luke 16:19-31) .. 380. July: UNIT II Jesus Calls for Justice and Mercy 1 Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35) .. 389. 8 Jesus Criticizes Unjust Leaders (Matthew 23:1-8, 23-26) .. 397. 15 The Widow and the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-8) .. 406. 22 Entering God's Kingdom (Luke 13:22-30) .. 414. 29 Parable of the Great Dinner (Luke 14:15-24) .. 422. August: UNIT III Paul Teaches about New Life in Christ 5 God's Justice (Romans 2:1-12) .. 430. 12 Global Economic Justice (2 Corinthians 8:7-15) .. 438. 19 Loving and Just Behavior (Romans 12:9-21) .. 446. 26 Practicing Justice (Colossians 3:5-17) .. 454. iv 2016 2022 SCOPE AND SEQUENCE CYCLE SPREAD. ARRANGEMENT OF QUARTERS ACCORDING TO THE CHURCH School YEAR, SEPTEMBER THROUGH AUGUST. Winter 2016 2017 Spring 2017 Summer 2017.

8 Fall 2016. CREATION LOVE CALL. GOD SOVEREIGNTY. Creation: A Divine Cycle God Loves Us God's Urgent Call Sovereignty of God Psalms; Luke; Psalms; Joel; Jonah; Exodus; Judges; Isaiah;. Isaiah; Matthew;. Galatians John; Romans; Jeremiah; Ezekiel;. Hebrews; Revelation Ephesians; 1 Peter; 1 John Amos; Acts Fall 2017 Winter 2017 2018 Spring 2018 Summer 2018. COVENANT FAITH WORSHIP JUSTICE. Covenant with God Faith in Action Acknowledging God Justice in the New Testament Genesis; Exodus; Numbers; Daniel; Matthew; Acts; Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus; Matthew; Luke;. 1 Samuel; 2 Samuel; Ephesians; Colossians; 2 Chronicles; Psalms; Romans;. Nehemiah; Jeremiah; Ezekiel; 1 Timothy; James Luke; John; 2 Corinthians; 2 Corinthians;. 1 Corinthians; Titus; Hebrews Hebrews; Revelation Colossians Winter 2018 2019 Summer 2019. Spring 2019. LOVE COVENANT. Fall 2018 CALL. Our Love for God Covenant in God CREATION Discipleship and Mission Exodus; Deuteronomy; Joshua; Ruth; 1 Samuel.

9 God's World and God's People Matthew;. Psalms; Matthew; Mark; Luke; Matthew; Luke; John;. Genesis Luke;. Philippians; 2 Thessalonians; Ephesians; Hebrews;. Romans James; 2 John Romans Spring 2020. Fall 2019. Winter 2019 2020 JUSTICE Summer 2020. FAITH. WORSHIP Justice and the Prophets GOD WISDOM. Responding to God's Grace Honoring God Esther; 1 Kings; Psalms; Isaiah; Many Faces of Wisdom Genesis; Exodus; Numbers;. 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles; Jeremiah; Hosea; Amos; Micah; Genesis; Leviticus; 1 Kings;. Deuteronomy; 1 Samuel;. 1 Kings; Ecclesiastes; Habakkuk; Job; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes;. 1 Kings; Luke; 2 Corinthians;. Matthew; Luke Zephaniah; Zachariah; Matthew; Mark; Luke;. Galatians; 1 Thessalonians;. Malachi; Matthew; John; James 1 Peter; 2 Peter Mark; 1 Corinthians Winter 2020 2021 Spring 2021 Summer 2021. Fall 2020. CALL COVENANT FAITH. LOVE. Call in the New Testament Prophets Faithful to God's Confident Hope Love for One Another Isaiah; Matthew; Mark; Luke; Covenant Matthew; Mark; Luke.

10 Genesis; Leviticus; 1 Samuel;. John; Acts; Romans; Exodus; Joshua; 1 Kings; Romans; 2 Corinthians;. 2 Samuel; Luke; John; Acts;. 1 Corinthians; Hebrews; 2 Kings; Ezra; Nehemiah; Hebrews; 1 John 1 Corinthians; James; 1 John;. 2 Timothy Isaiah; Jeremiah; Lamentations;. 2 John; 3 John Ezekiel; Amos; Jonah; Luke Fall 2021 Winter 2021 2022. Spring 2022. WORSHIP JUSTICE Summer 2022. GOD LIBERATION. Celebrating God Justice, Law, History CREATION. God Frees and Redeems Exodus; 2 Samuel; Genesis; Exodus; Partners in a New Creation Deuteronomy; Ezra;. Ecclesiastes; Psalms; Deuteronomy; 2 Samuel; Isaiah; John;. Matthew; John; Romans;. Mark; Luke; Acts; 1 Kings; Ezra; Job; Revelation Galatians Revelation Isaiah; Nahum; Luke v LIST OF PRINTED TEXTS. The Printed Scriptural Texts used in the 2017 2018 Townsend Press Sunday School Commentary are arranged here in the order in which they appear in the Bible. Opposite each reference is the page number on which Scriptures appear in this edition of the Commentary.