Serving God by Serving Others
Teachers
Lesson Summary
Pastor Richard Sutton opened the class by sharing his own experience as someone who was not raised in the church, describing the unique sights, smells, and sounds of a Church of Christ worship service. He reassured visitors that questions were welcome and highlighted several upcoming service opportunities, including volunteer needs for Wednesday supper, an outdoor devotional on September 28, a spiritual‑growth lectureship in October, and a weekend discussion on Christianity and sexuality with guest speaker Guy Hammond. The teaching then pivoted to the year’s theme, “Pressing On,” citing Philippians 3:13‑14 and John 1:18 to illustrate Paul’s and Jesus’ call to pursue a deeper, personal knowledge of Christ. Sutton emphasized that serving God is inseparable from serving others, using a Star Trek analogy of Captain Kirk’s “Kobayashi Maru” scenario to demonstrate how changing the rules—mirroring Christ’s counter‑cultural commands to love enemies (Matt 5:44) and turn the other cheek (Matt 5:39)—enables believers to overcome seemingly unwinnable situations. He concluded by urging the congregation to live out this transformative love in fellowship, evangelism, and daily service. Throughout, Sutton encouraged members to engage actively, sign up for service slots, and carry the message of Christ’s love into their communities, reinforcing the church’s commitment to growing together in faith and action.
Key Scriptures
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it, but I keep pressing on to seize it, because Christ Jesus has seized me. Brothers and sisters, I want you to know that my way of living is by faith, not by the law; I have put my trust in the grace of Christ Jesus.
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made him known.