Rules for Happy Living - Lesson 14
Teacher
Lesson Summary
The class concluded the “Rules for Happy Living” series by emphasizing that spiritual happiness is found when believers fully trust God to direct their lives. Larry Johnson first recapped the previous lesson’s focus on cowardice, citing Revelation’s warning of the lake of fire for the fearful, and 2 Timothy 1:7’s description of the Spirit as power, love, and self‑discipline. He described these attributes as God’s “vaccines” against fear, enabling us to act with strength, sacrificial love, and sound judgment. Moving into the final theme, Larry explored the metaphor of the Lord as Shepherd, drawing on Psalm 23:1, Jeremiah’s lament about humanity’s inability to guide itself, and Colossians 1:11’s promise of divine power for endurance. He explained that while God provides guidance, believers still exercise free will, a point he contrasted with deterministic views like Calvinism. The class highlighted the responsibility of Christians to share the gospel, illustrating that God works through human messengers rather than direct intervention. Throughout, practical illustrations about sheep and shepherding underscored the necessity of relying on God’s direction while actively participating in the life‑giving tasks He entrusts to us.
Key Scriptures
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.