DECEMBER 

The theme of this quarter's lessons is faith. The three lessons prior to Christmas all come from the life of Abraham, the father of the Hebrew people. Since Israel was the nation from which the Messiah sprang, it is certainly appropriate that we study God's covenant for mankind.

December 4  A Blessing for All Nations (Gen. 12:1-9)  

December 11  A Promise to Abram (Gen. 15:1-6, 12-18)  

December 18  The Lord Provides (Gen. 22:1-2, 6-14)

December 25  According to God's Promise (Christmas)—Luke 1:46-55 In our last December lesson we will study the birth of Christ. That lesson will actually come on Christmas Day, and it will be a text that is not often studied during the Advent season.

While many see Abraham only as the founder of a race of people, Christians correctly understand him to be the father of all the faithful. While some of the promises made to the great patriarch related primarily to the nation of Israel, other promises found fruition in the coming of Jesus Christ. This will be more evident in the final unit of the quarter, which deals with God's redemption.

JANUARY

UNIT 2: God's Protection

Sandwiched between studies of Abraham and Paul's Galatian letter are five lessons dealing with God's protection. This unit includes one lesson about God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage and four lessons from the life of Joseph, a favorite character of many Bible students. 

January 1  A Man of Integrity (Gen. 39:7-21) 

January 8  True Success (Gen. 41:37-45, 50-52)

January 15  Preserving a Remnant (Gen. 45:3-15 )

January 22  The Power of Forgiveness (Gen. 50:15-26)

January 29  Delivered out of Egypt (Exod. 15:1-3, 19, 22-26)

That the account of Joseph covers a large portion of Genesis indicates its importance. Not only does it provide background information relating to Israel's arrival in Egypt, but it is also an important reminder of God's providential care of His people and thus especially encouraging to us all.

FEBRUARY 

UNIT 3: God's Redemption

The last four lessons all come from Galatians, one of the most significant writings of the Apostle Paul. Among other things, our study in Galatians will remind us that salvation is by faith, a kind of faith that was exemplified in Abraham. Indeed, Christians are heirs to the promise made to Abraham.

February 5  Justified by Faith in Christ (Gal. 2:15-21)  

February 12  Freed from Law Through Christ (Gal. 3:1-14)

February 19  Heirs to the Promise (Gal. 3:15-18; 4:1-7)

February 26  Fruits of Redemption (Gal. 5:22—6:10)