potential

Begin with object lesson: “Two Identical Boxes”

Focal Passage:

New Living Translation Psalm 139

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 Point out anything in me that offends you,

and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

The Holman Christian Standard Bible Psalm 139

23 Search me, God, and know my heart;

test me and know my concerns.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me;

lead me in the everlasting way.

is all about God begin an All-Knowing, Ever Present God. What do you think that that means?

Read the entire Psalm:

Psalm 139 HCSB

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up; You understand my thoughts from far away. You observe my travels and my rest; You are aware of all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, Lord. You have encircled me; You have placed Your hand on me. This extraordinary knowledge is beyond me. It is lofty; I am unable to reach it. Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night” — even the darkness is not dark to You. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to You. For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well. My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began. God, how difficult Your thoughts are for me to comprehend; how vast their sum is! If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, I am still with You. God, if only You would kill the wicked— you bloodthirsty men, stay away from me — who invoke You deceitfully. Your enemies swear by You falsely. Lord, don’t I hate those who hate You, and detest those who rebel against You? I hate them with extreme hatred; I consider them my enemies. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.

This Psalm teaches us three things about God:

The Bible Knowledge Commentary A. The Omniscience of the Lord (139:1–6)

A. The omniscience of the Lord (139:1–6)

139:1. The theme of verses 1–6 is announced in the opening verse: the LORD knew David penetratingly. David said God’s knowledge came as if He had scoured every detail of David’s life and thus knew him intimately.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 139:2–4

The daily activities of the psalmist were also thoroughly familiar to the Lord. The opposites of going out in the morning and lying down at night represent the whole day’s activities (another merism; cf. vv. 2, 8).

The Bible Knowledge Commentary B. The Omnipresence of the Lord (139:7–12)

B. The omnipresence of the Lord (139:7–12)

139:7. The thought of such confining knowledge (vv. 1–6) may have prompted David’s desire to escape, as verses 7–12 suggest. This is indicated in verse 7 by two rhetorical questions: there is absolutely no place where he could escape from the presence of the Lord (cf. Jer. 23:24).

The Bible Knowledge Commentary C. The Omnipotence of the Lord (139:13–18)

C. The omnipotence of the Lord (139:13–18)

The thought that darkness cannot conceal anyone from the Lord (vv. 11–12) brought to David’s mind this meditation in verses 13–18: God knew all about him when He created him in his mother’s womb. Verse 13 begins with “For,” indicating that this strophe (vv. 13–18) explains the preceding two strophes (vv. 1–6, 7–12): since God can create a person, He certainly knows him intimately and is with him everywhere.

Two identical boxes will be wrapped and sitting on a table in front of the group. Ask for two volunteers to come forward and they will get to pick a box. Then tell the group that one of the boxes contains a $5 bill, while the other one contains nothing. Ask the group to guess which box has the $5 in it. After a min or two of discussion have the volunteers open their boxes. the one that finds the $5 may keep it as a prize. Have he volunteers to sit down and leave their boxes and wrappings on the table.

1) Did you believe that the box that you selected had the $5 in it? Why or why not?

2) What was the only way to find out which box contained the $5 bill?

God judges the potential and value by what is inside a person rather than what is on the outside. The outside may look the same, but it’s what’s inside that matters.

Why do we spend so much time worrying about what is on the outside vs. what is on the inside?

Note: The empty box is like a lot of students today who try to look good on the outside but are empty on the inside.

Extra Scriptures:

1 Sam

1 Samuel 16:7–13 NLT

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

Matthew 10:29–31 NLT

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Ephesians 2:8-10

Ephesians 2:8–10 NLT

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.