Hope in the Lord
One dictionary defines hope as “to want something to happen or be true” or “to desire with the expectation of obtainment or fulfillment.” In popular use, a hope is often closely associated with a wish; there is not necessarily an expectation that this “hope” will come true. But Christian hope is based on nothing less than God’s promises and the confidence we have based on his faithfulness to his promises. We do not wish God would honor his promises; we hope he will. This quarter of study traces hope through the generations.
Hope and the Church
The five lessons of Unit I, “Experiencing Hope,” consider hope through the lens of those whose faith in Christ gave shape to the early church. In Colossians 1:27 (lesson 1), Paul tells the Colossians that the mysteries of God become known to them as their hope in Christ transforms their lives. In 2 Corinthians (lesson 2), hope in Christ leads to an even greater boldness than was possible for Moses because believers are able to see the glory of God with “with unveiled faces” (3:18). Lesson 3 points to the hope that is inspired in those around us when they see the salvation that is being worked out in us by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:1–13). In lesson 4, we find encouragement, as did the writer of Hebrews, in the spiritual lifeline we have to God through Christ (see Hebrews 6). The unit closes with a lesson from Acts 26:1–11 and a testimony of Christian hope from Paul’s own lips as he defends himself before King Agrippa.
Praise and Hope
Unit II, “Expressing Hope,” turns attention to the prayers of ancient Israel as a model for offering to God our praise and petitions. These Hebrew prayers are also expressions of Christian hope. The first lesson of the unit is from a song of lament in Lamentations 3. The author of Lamentations describes hope as fleeing from the people of Israel until the author remembers God’s faithfulness. This memory leads the author to worship God and proclaim, “great is [God’s] faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23; lesson 6).
The remaining lessons of the unit are drawn from the Psalms. These ancient songs express hope in God’s intervention (lesson 7), graceful giving of the law (lesson 8), and forgiveness (lesson 9). These hopes find their fulfillment in Christ.
Hope and the Future
The four lessons of Unit III, “Eternal Hope” (1 Thessalonians, 1 John, and Titus), consider facets of the promised future that God is preparing for those who call on the name of Jesus. What does hope look like as we wait for Jesus to come again in glory and finally set things right? Paul anticipates the nearness of Christ’s return when he tells the Thessalonians how excited he is to brag about them (lesson 10), even as he worries about the problems that might rock their faith in his absence from them. Similarly, 1 John (lesson 11) anticipates Christ’s return so that in seeing Christ we might become like him.
The final two lessons of the quarter are from Titus, where we hear Paul’s appeal to live out the present moment with hope rooted in God’s grace-filled future, made certain in Christ’s death and resurrection. Our hope will be fulfilled at the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (see Titus 2:13; lesson 12). Thus, the foundation of hope is Jesus Christ. Through the death and resurrection of Christ and the promise of his coming, believers live in daily encouragement and strength. The knowledge of Christ’s second coming prevents us from complacency in our present situation.
by John Miller
Unit 1: Experiencing Hope
| Date | Title | Bible Text |
| June 2 | Glorious Riches | Colossians 1:24–2:3 |
| June 9 | Bold Ministers | 2 Corinthians 3:5–18 |
| June 16 | Empowered Servants | Romans 15:1–13 |
| June 23 | Full Assurance | Hebrews 6:9–20 |
| June 30 | Fearless Witness | Acts 26:1–11 |
Unit 2: Expressing Hope
| Date | Title | Bible Text |
| July 7 | Ceaseless Love | Lamentations 3:16–24 |
| July 14 | Continual Proclamation | Psalm 71:12–21 |
| July 21 | Delightful Precepts | Psalm 119:73–80 |
| July 28 | Expectant Watchfulness | Psalm 130 |
Unit 3: Eternal Hope
| Date | Title | Bible Text |
| August 4 | The Word of God | 1 Thessalonians 2:13–3:5 |
| August 11 | The Love of God | 1 John 3:1–10 |
| August 18 | The Rules of Life | Titus 1:1–3; 2:11–15 |
| August 25 | The Washing of Regeneration | Titus 3:3–11 |