Essentials of Christian

Living
Sunday School Lesson # 28
Order
Memory Verse: I Corinthians 14:40
“Let all things be done decently and in order.”

Introduction: Everyone is familiar with the phrase, “Order in the court

room.” But what does this mean? A judge uses this phrase to gather control
of his court room if things start to get out of hand. God told us that all things
are to be done in order. This means that a Christian is supposed to have every
area of is life in order, that is, in control. Many Christians bounce from
emergency to emergency and live for long periods of times with their worlds
crashing down simply because they do not have order in their lives. May
God help us to say as a judge says, “Order in our lives.”

Definition: Order—The methodical arrangement of things in one’s life.

Bible Examples:
1. Paul (Acts 18:8-23)
We can learn that Paul was a man of order from these verses. Notice
the countries that Paul visited: Ephesus, Caesarea, Antioch, Galatia, and
Phrygia. Now notice that he visited them “in order.” Paul did not jump
around aimlessly. He planned a route that would make the most of his time.

2. The Table of Showbread (Exodus 40:1-23)

Many times while God was explaining how the different parts of the
Tabernacle were to be constructed, He used the words “in order.” You will
notice the words “in order” in verses 4 and 23 of Exodus 40. Also notice
how everything in this chapter had an exact place. That’s what order is.

3. The Church at Macedonia (II Corinthians 8:1-5)

Paul was making an example to the church at Corinth by showing the
good works of the church at Macedonia. He made mention of their generous
giving in spite of their terrible poverty. Notice the key to their good works
mentioned in verse 5, “but first gave their own selves to the Lord.” See
the order? They put God first and that is what made them good Christians.
The generous giving was a by-product of having the right order in their lives.

Points to teach:
1. God is a God of order.
We see His order in the creation of the world. He had seven days. He
used them systematically and built each day upon the last. He did not make
animals until they had air to breathe or fish until there was water in which
they could swim. He did not put man in the garden until all the rest was in
order. Notice also that God did not wait to the last minute. He actually had a
day left in which He could rest.

2. All sin can be traced back to decency and order. (I Corinthians 14:40)
Sin can only fall into two categories; things which are indecent, and
things which are out of order. There are somethings which are never decent
such as homosexuality and drunkenness. Other sins can be good things which
are simply out of order. For instance, baptism is a good thing, but if you
move it from its order it can send a person to hell. The marital relationship is
another example. A Christian takes a giant step when he decides to only do
decent things in the right order.

3. The commanded things of God should take first place in our lives. (Joshua
11:15)
There is not enough time in one’s life to do all that he needs to do or
wants to do. Therefore, he must prioritize his life, then be sure to do the most
important things. The Bible does not say that Joshua left nothing undone. It
says, “he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded”. We sin
when we let things which are not commanded take precedence over things
which are. (ie. Church attendance, tithing, prayer, Bible, rearing Christian
children.)
Also notice Matthew 6:33.

4. Keeping a schedule will help keep things in order and also keep them from
getting indecent.

5. Children should be taught decency and order from the time they are very
young.
The generation of today knows little of decency and order. Their talk
is filthy, their clothes are obscene, and their morals are out of order. The
Christian home is the answer. It should be one of consistent neatness, orderly
schedule, and decent conversation.

Elementary ideas: