Matthew 6:1-4 - Jesus taught his followers not to do good deeds just to be noticed by others. When giving to those in need, they shouldn’t show off what they’re doing or loudly announce it for everyone to see and hear. If they do this, then the praise of others will be their only reward. Instead, Jesus taught them to give quietly and privately, because God sees what is done in secret and will reward it.

Matthew 5:38-42 - Jesus taught that while the Law of Moses called for justice through the principle of “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” his followers are called to a higher standard of non-violence and radical grace. Instead of retaliating against those who wrong them, they should turn the other cheek, give more than what is asked, and go the extra mile when compelled to do so. He also urged his followers to be generous to those who ask and a willingness to lend without refusal.

Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus taught that while the Law told people not to break their promises and to keep their oaths, he gave an even deeper teaching: don’t make oaths at all. Don’t swear by heaven, by earth, by Jerusalem, or even by your own head. Instead, Jesus says we should be people of honesty. If you say “yes,” mean yes. If you say “no,” mean no. We don’t need to make big promises—we just need to speak the truth.

Matthew 5:13-16 - During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that his followers are the salt of the earth, meant to preserve and enhance the world. He also said that they are the light of the world: a lamp is not hidden under a bowl but placed on a stand to give light to everyone in the house. In the same way, we are called to let our light shine, so that others may see our good works and be drawn to God’s goodness.

Micah 6:6-8 - The prophet Micah asks the question of what he should bring as an offering to please the Lord. He asks if he should bring burnt offerings, thousands of rams, or even his firstborn child. But he concludes that God does not desire any of those things. Rather, God calls people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord. This passage reminds us that what truly matters to God is how we live and treat others, not religious rituals.

Amos 5:14-15, 24 - Amos urges the people to seek good and not evil so they may live, and so that the Lord will be with them. He calls them to hate evil, love good, and seek justice in their communities. He emphasizes that God desires justice and righteousness to flow continuously and abundantly, like a never-ending stream, more than religious rituals or outward displays.

Jonah 1-3 - The prophet Jonah is called by God to go to the city of Nineveh and tell the people to turn away from their wrongdoings. Instead of obeying, Jonah runs away and boards a ship, but God sends a storm. Jonah knows that the storm was because of him and he tells the sailors to throw him overboard to calm the sea. He is then swallowed by a giant fish, and after three days, the fish spits Jonah out and God gives him the command once more. This time, Jonah obeys and delivers God’s message to Nineveh and the people repent.

Isaiah 6:1-8 - This passage recounts the Prophet Isaiah’s vision of God in the temple. He sees the Lord seated on a high throne, surrounded by angels calling out, “Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty.” The temple shakes and smoke fills the space, overwhelming Isaiah with a sense of his unworthiness. One of the angels touches his lips with a burning coal from the altar, symbolically cleansing him. Then, God asks, “Whom shall I send?” and Isaiah responds, saying, “Here I am, send me!” This marks Isaiah’s calling and commissioning as a prophet.

2 Samuel 5 - David is anointed king over all Israel after the tribes recognize his leadership and God’s calling on his life. He conquers Jerusalem and takes up residence in the fortress of Zion, which becomes known as the City of David. David continues to grow in strength and success because the Lord is with him. He builds a palace with the help of King Hiram of Tyre. When the Philistines attack, David seeks God’s guidance and defeats them twice.

1 Samuel 18 - After defeating Goliath, David becomes close friends with Jonathan, King Saul’s son. Jonathan makes a covenant with David and gives him his robe and weapons as a sign of loyalty. David gains popularity with the people and continued success in battle, which makes Saul increasingly jealous and fearful. In his envy, Sault attempts to kill David by sending him on dangerous military assignments and offering his daughter Michal in marriage in exchange for David fighting the Philistines. However, David continues to succeed, and both Jonathan and Michal remain loyal to him.

1 Samuel 16:1-11 - In this passage, God tells the prophet Samuel to stop mourning Saul’s rejection and to go to Bethlehem to anoint a new king from among Jesse’s sons. Samuel is hesitant, fearing Saul’s reaction, but obeys after God provides a cover story. In Bethlehem, Samuel invites Jesse and his sons to a sacrifice. As Jesse’s older sons are presented, Samuel assumes that the eldest, Eliab, must be God’s chosen, but God tells him not to judge by appearance, for God looks at the heart. One by one, seven sons pass by, but none are chosen. Samuel then asks if there are any more sons, and Jesse mentions the youngest, David, who is tending sheep.

1 Samuel 17 - This passage recounts the famous story of David and Goliath. The Philistines and Israelites are at war, and the giant Goliath challenges Israel to send a champion to fight him. David, a young shepherd visiting his brothers at the battlefield, volunteers to faith Goliath despite his youth and inexperience. Rejecting Saul’s armor, David confronts the giant with only a sling and five stones. Trusting God, he strikes Goliath in the forehead with a stone, securing victory of Israel.

Acts 2:22-41 - During his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus of Nazareth was accredited by God through miracles, signs, and wonders, yet was handed over to be crucified according to God’s plan. Peter declares that God raised Jesus from the dead, fulfilling prophesy, and exalted him as Lord and Messiah. Convicted by his message, the crowd asks what they must do, and Peter urges them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. About 3,000 people respond to the message and are added to the early church that day.

Acts 1:15-26 - The followers of Jesus gather together after his return to heaven. Peter stands up among them and explains that they need to choose someone to take the place of Judas as one of the twelve apostles. The new apostle should be someone who was with them the whole time Jesus was teaching and who saw him after he came back to life. They pray and ask God to show them who to choose. Then, by casting lots, they select a man named Matthias to join the apostles.

Acts 1:9-11 - In this passage, Jesus is with his disciples for the last time before he is taken up into the clouds before their eyes. As they are staring into the sky after him, an angel appears and asks them why they are looking at the sky. He then informs them that Jesus will one day return in the same way that he left.

Luke and Acts - This week’s lesson is about how the story of Jesus continues from the Gospel of Luke into the Book of Acts. Luke tells us about Jesus’ life, his teachings, and the amazing things he did — right up to his death, resurrection, and return to heaven. But before Jesus went back to the Father, he gave his followers a special mission: to be his witnesses throughout the whole world, spreading the good news of God’s love and forgiveness that is available to all. The Book of Acts picks up the story, showing how the apostles carried out that mission and how the church began to grow.