This document discusses the song "A Beautiful Life" and its message. It was written by William M. Golden while imprisoned for 8 years. The song was inspired by the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The document outlines three things Golden learned: to enjoy life through finding joy in God, to enrich life by helping others, and to entrust life fully to God despite present circumstances, as spiritual freedom is greater than physical. It encourages readers to appreciate that the Christian life is a beautiful one through trusting God.

2. A Beautiful Life!
Lk. 10:36-37 "So which of these
three do you think was neighbor to
him who fell among the thieves?"
And he said, "He who showed
mercy on him." Then Jesus said to
him, "Go and do likewise."

3. The title for my lesson tonight comes
from one of the songs we often sing!
“A Beautiful Life!” (Page 570)
▪ In our lesson tonight we will be working
to learn to think about the message and not
just the melody of the songs we sing!
▪ I am afraid that we often focus far more
on the “sound of the song” and far less on
the “soundness of the song” that we are
singing!
▪ The words are important!

4. Singing is one of the five acts found
in the worship of the NT church!
Five Acts of Worship! (Act. 2:42)
▪ Preacher/Teaching and Singing “apostles’
doctrine” (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; 2 Tim.
4:1-5 and Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)
▪ Giving “fellowship” (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor.
8:1-5 see vs 4; 9:1-8)
▪ Lord’s Supper “breaking of bread” (Mt.
26:26-28; Act. 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-28)
▪ Praying “prayers” (Lk. 18:1-14; 1 Thess.

5. We even read of God singing to His
children!
Zeph 3:17 The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over
you with gladness, He will quiet you with His
love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
▪ There is just something powerful about
music! The right song at the right moment
can really turn one’s day around for better!
▪ Singing really has the ability to open up our
hearts and minds! The ability to draw us into

6. The words of the songs we sing are
important!
1Co 14:15 What is the conclusion then? I will
pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the
understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I
will also sing with the understanding.
▪ Songs help us to be filled with the Words
and will of Jesus!
▸Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the

7. A Beautiful Life was written by
William M. Golden in 1918
He was serving 8 years in a Mississippi State
Penitentiary when he wrote this song & the song
To Canaan’s Land (867)
▪ He said that he got his inspiration for
this song from the parable of the “Good
Samaritan” (Lk. 10:30-37)
▪ We will spend the rest of our time
tonight looking at what He had learned
even in prison that would motive him to

8. I. He Learned to Enjoy Life!
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I
will say, rejoice!
▪ If anyone has reason to rejoice, we
do!
▪ We are blessed beyond measure!
▸Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places in Christ,
▸Hab 3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I

9. We need to learn to truly “enjoy” the
lives that God has given us!
▪ Let’s keep in mind that it is often in our darkest
hour that the Light shines the brightest!
▸2Co 12:9-10 And He said to me, "My grace is
sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in
weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather
boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions,
in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am

10. II. He Learned to Enrich Life!
▪ As we go through life we are often given the
opportunity to “help” people or to “hurt” people!
▪ It has been said that, “we shouldn’t just “go”
through it, but “grow” through it!
▪ God requires us to “consider one another!”
▸Heb. 10:24-25 “one another”
▸We “need” each other!
–Ec 4:12 Though one may be overpowered by
another, two can withstand him. And a threefold
cord is not quickly broken.

11. Life is better together!
▪ We are blessed to become a blessing,
saved to help save others, forgiven to
become forgiving!
▸Phil. 2:1-4
▸Gal. 6:1-2
▪ No one can do everything, but
everyone can do something and that is
why we “need” one another!
▪ May we come to see our need to

12. III. He Learned to Entrust Life!
▪ Entrust = to give someone
responsibility for an important job or
activity; to put into someone else’s care
(Oxford Dict.)
▪ Even though William Golden was in
prison, he was aware that “spiritual”
freedom is far greater than “physical!”
▪ When we come to see the real beauty
of life and trust the Lord, we then will

13. It is easy to get catch up in where
we are, rather than in where we are
going!
▪ When God is on our side, or better yet, when
we are on God’s side we have won already!
▸1Jo 4:4 You are of God, little children, and
have overcome them, because He who is in
you is greater than he who is in the world.
▸Heb 13:6 So we may boldly say: "The
LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can
man do to me?"

14. We need to always remember
that God is greater than our
present circumstances!
▪ Rom 8:28 And we know that all
things work together for good to
those who love God, to those who
are the called according to His
purpose.
▪ God has no problems, just plans!

15. Conclusion:
▪ It is good to be a Christian! A-men!!!
▪ William M. Golden is found on the Freed-
Hardeman Researching the Restoration
Movement website for his part in helping
bring people to Christ through his songs
and faith in Jesus, even while in prison!
▪ Have we come to really understand that
this is “A Beauty Life?”
▪ Life is always good with God! Have you
come to trust God with your life? Are you