1. Justice and Sabbath Laws
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Justice and Sabbath Laws
Lesson 1

2. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Horizontal Visual
Map overview of the 13 lessons in Summer 2018 quarter

3. Lesson Outline Introduction A. The Best Rest B. Lesson Background
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Lesson Outline
Introduction A. The Best Rest B. Lesson Background

4. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
You Be the Judge
Imagine you were a judge. What might be an appropriate punishment for the following lawbreaker?
The defendant is found guilty of blasting the music in his car too loudly.
An actual judge sentenced the defendant to listen to Barry Manilow, played very loudly, for an hour!
Graphic: © VVZann | iStock | Thinkstock®
Photo: © VVZann | iStock | Thinkstock®

5. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
You Be the Judge
Imagine you were a judge. What might be an appropriate punishment for the following lawbreaker?
The defendant is found guilty of being a slumlord and renting out 40 decrepit properties.
An actual judge sentenced the slumlord to six months of house arrest in one of his units.
Photo: © VVZann | iStock | Thinkstock®

6. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
You Be the Judge
Imagine you were a judge. What might be an appropriate punishment for the following lawbreaker?
A mother who received a ticket because her 6-year-old son kept unbuckling his seatbelt asks for your help.
An actual judge sentenced the child to attend a seat-belt safety class specifically designed for him.
Photo: © VVZann | iStock | Thinkstock®

7. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
You Be the Judge
It seems these judges had the accused in mind when handing out just the right sentence.
The Pharisees of Jesus’ day, on the other hand, didn’t seem to have much concern for how their interpretation of Sabbath laws would affect the people.
We’ll see what Jesus has to say about this.
Photo: © VVZann | iStock | Thinkstock®

8. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Lesson Outline
I. Law and Temple (Matthew 12:1-5) A. David in the Temple (vv. 1-4) B. Priests in the Temple (v. 5)

9. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Jesus Wins the Debate
The Pharisees were eager to accuse Jesus and His disciples of not observing the Sabbath Day properly.
But Jesus had an answer for each of their accusations by using illustrations from Scripture and from everyday life.
Graphic: © BibleArtLibrary | iStock | Thinkstock®
Graphic: © BibleArtLibrary | iStock | Thinkstock®

10. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Jesus Wins the Debate
Read Matthew 12:1-5. Explain how Jesus answered the Pharisees’ accusation.
Pharisees: “Your disciples are breaking the Sabbath laws by plucking and threshing grain on the Sabbath.”
A. Jesus’ story about David:
B. Jesus’ illustration of the temple priests:
iStock / Thinkstock
Have half of the class state Jesus’ response for A and the other half suggest His response for B.
Graphic: © BibleArtLibrary | iStock | Thinkstock®

11. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Jesus Wins the Debate
Read Matthew 12:1-5. Explain how Jesus answered the Pharisees’ accusation.
A. Jesus’ story about David:
“David did what was unlawful—ask for the temple bread—to save his life and the lives of his men.”
Thus, the priest chose to give them the bread to show them mercy.
Graphic: © BibleArtLibrary | iStock | Thinkstock®

12. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Jesus Wins the Debate
Read Matthew 12:1-5. Explain how Jesus answered the Pharisees’ accusation.
B. Jesus’ illustration of the temple priests:
“The priests ‘break’ the Sabbath command to rest by working on the Sabbath as they serve God in the temple.”
Thus, the priests honor the Sabbath by offering sacrifices in obedience to God.
Graphic: © BibleArtLibrary | iStock | Thinkstock®

13. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
What Do You Think?
How were you shaped by an experience of being judged through a lens of legalism?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
Regarding your own use of such a lens
Regarding presuppositions
In terms of response
Other 13

14. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
What Do You Think?
Where do you draw the line regarding what you will and won’t do on a day of rest? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
In terms of physical activity
In terms of mental activity
Considering Proverbs 6:10, 11; Matthew 11:28; 26:45; Mark 6:31; John 9:4; Hebrews 4:9, 10; 6:11, 12; 10:25 14

15. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Lesson Outline
II. Sabbath and Messiah (Matthew 12:6-8) A. Greater Law (vv. 6, 7) B. Greater Authority (v. 8)

16. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Jesus Wins the Debate
Read Matthew 12:6-8. Explain how Jesus answered the Pharisees’ implied accusation.
Pharisees: “We (and not you) are the experts on the Sabbath and how it is to be observed.”
A. Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath:
B. Jesus speaks of mercy:
Have half of the class state Jesus’ response for A and the other half suggest His response for B.
Graphic: © BibleArtLibrary | iStock | Thinkstock®

17. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Jesus Wins the Debate
Read Matthew 12:6-8. Explain how Jesus answered the Pharisees’ accusation.
A. Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath:
“I am greater than the temple. As Lord of the Sabbath, I am the ultimate authority on how the Sabbath is to be observed.”
Thus, Jesus’ opinions about the Sabbath are superior to those of the Pharisees.
Graphic: © BibleArtLibrary | iStock | Thinkstock®

18. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Jesus Wins the Debate
Read Matthew 12:6-8. Explain how Jesus answered the Pharisees’ accusation.
B. Jesus speaks of mercy:
“Showing mercy on the Sabbath is more important than observing all your rules.”
Thus, the Pharisees should have shown mercy on the Sabbath to Jesus’ disciples, who were hungry.
Graphic: © BibleArtLibrary | iStock | Thinkstock®

19. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
What Do You Think?
How can you help your church improve its extensions of mercy?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
In physical, material terms
In spiritual terms
As the material needs interrelate with the spiritual 19

20. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Lesson Outline
III. Ritual and Humanity (Matthew 12:9-14) A. Trick Question (vv. 9, 10) B. Bold Response (vv )

21. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Jesus Wins the Debate
Read Matthew 12:9-14. Explain how Jesus answered the Pharisees’ unspoken accusation.
If Jesus heals the disabled man, we can accuse Him of breaking the Sabbath.
A. Jesus’ example of the sheep:
B. Jesus’ idea on observing the Sabbath:
Have half of the class state Jesus’ response for A and the other half suggest His response for B.
Graphic: © BibleArtLibrary | iStock | Thinkstock®

22. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Jesus Wins the Debate
Read Matthew 12:9-14. Explain how Jesus answered the Pharisees’ accusation.
A. Jesus’ example of the sheep:
“If you had a sheep that fell into a pit, you would rescue it. Isn’t a man of much more value than a sheep?”
Thus, the Pharisees should want Jesus to heal the man.
Graphic: © BibleArtLibrary | iStock | Thinkstock®

23. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Jesus Wins the Debate
Read Matthew 12:9-14. Explain how Jesus answered the Pharisees’ accusation.
B. Jesus’ idea on observing the Sabbath:
“It is lawful to do good to other people on the Sabbath.”
Thus, Jesus restored the man’s hand.
Graphic: © BibleArtLibrary | iStock | Thinkstock®

24. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
What Do You Think?
What safeguards can be implemented to ensure that a Scripture discussion sheds “light” and not “heat”?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
In terms of predefined safeguards, which everyone knows in advance
In terms of impromptu safeguards, enacted on the spot 24

25. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
What Do You Think?
What accessibility boundaries do you need to establish so you don’t overextend yourself in being available to help others?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
In matters of time
In matters of money 25

26. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Lesson Outline
Conclusion A. No Longer Sick and Tired B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

27. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Tradition vs. People
The Pharisees got it wrong by emphasizing their traditions over the needs of the people.
Do the traditions of your church ever get in the way of serving people?
Photo: © seb_ra | iStock | Thinkstock®
Photo: © seb_ra | iStock | Thinkstock®

28. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Tradition vs. People
What is a probable response at your church to the following situation?
A guest comes to church dressed inappropriately.
What would be the best response?
Photo: © seb_ra | iStock | Thinkstock®

29. Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Tradition vs. People
What is a probable response at your church to the following situation?
Parents keep their very young and noisy children with them in the main service rather than taking them to age-appropriate classes.
What would be the best response?
Photo: © seb_ra | iStock | Thinkstock®

30. Tradition vs. People How well does your church respond to visitors?
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Tradition vs. People
How well does your church respond to visitors?
The next time you participate in worship, be mindful of any visitors, and find one to whom you can show a kind and merciful welcome.
Photo: © seb_ra | iStock | Thinkstock®

31. Thought to Remember Jesus gives us rest in a weary world.
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Thought to Remember
Jesus gives us rest in a weary world.

32. Parables of God’s Just Kingdom
Copyright © 2017
Standard Publishing,
part of the David C Cook
family, Colorado Springs,
Colorado 80918
All rights reserved.
Photo: © joebelanger | iStock
Next Week’s Lesson
Parables of God’s Just Kingdom