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June 18, 2023: A Call to Repentance
June 18, 2023: A Call to Repentance

June 18, 2023: A Call to Repentance

FOCUS TEXT: Revelation 2:12-20

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Numbers 25:1-8; Jude 1:8-13; Revelation 2:12- 29

DEVOTIONAL READING: Galatians 5:16-25

KEY VERSE: From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17).

CENTRAL TRUTH: God tolerates no competition to His lordship of our lives.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain what is involved in repentance, and identify when this action is appropriate for Christians.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Compromise Rebuked (Revelation 2:12-15)
II. Repentance Required (Revelation 2:16, 17)
III. Worldliness Judged (Revelation 2:18-23)

bookstoreadmin2023-06-12T15:35:50+00:00June 12th, 2023|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|0 Comments

June 11, 2023: The Essence of Faithfulness
June 11, 2023: The Essence of Faithfulness

June 11, 2023: The Essence of Faithfulness

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Isaiah 55:1-11

DEVOTIONAL READING: Joshua 23:6-16

KEY VERSE: And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold (Matthew 24:12).

CENTRAL TRUTH: The Christian is marked by a passionate love for God.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list at least three steps that people can take to maintain their love for God.

LESSON OUTLINE:

I. Good Works Commended (Revelation 2:1-3)

II. Unfaithfulness Condemned (Revelation 2:4-7)

III. Faithfulness Rewarded (Revelation 2:8-11)

bookstoreadmin2023-06-08T13:56:27+00:00June 8th, 2023|Categories: Lesson Highlights, Weekly Lesson Summaries|0 Comments

June 4, 2023: The Revelation of Christ
June 4, 2023: The Revelation of Christ

June 4, 2023: The Revelation of Christ

PRINTED TEXT: Revelation 1:9-18

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ezekiel 1:26-28; Daniel 7:9-28; Revelation 1:1-20

DEVOTIONAL READING: Isaiah 6:1-8

KEY VERSE: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8).

CENTRAL TRUTH: The living Christ reigns on high.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways this revelation of Christ gives us confidence for today.

LESSON OUTLINE:

I. The Eternal Christ (Revelation 1:4-11)

II. The Majestic Christ (Revelation 1:12-16)

III. The Sovereign Christ (Revelation 1:17-20)

bookstoreadmin2023-05-30T16:24:11+00:00May 30th, 2023|Categories: Lesson Highlights, Weekly Lesson Summaries|0 Comments

Summer 2023: CHRIST, THE TRIUMPHANT LORD
Summer 2023: CHRIST, THE TRIUMPHANT LORD

Summer 2023: CHRIST, THE TRIUMPHANT LORD

A thrilling series of studies is ahead of us for this quarter. Centering around the theme, "Christ, the Triumphant Lord," they are all taken from the book called "The Revelation of Jesus Christ."
We have chosen to center these studies around the work of Christ within the Church and in the end times. Not every lesson specifically deals with Christ, but they do deal with His work in the church ages in preparing the Church as a Bride for Himself. Several of the early lessons deal with the messages of Christ to the various churches.
Lessons 5 and 6 deal with John's thrilling vision of the throne of God and the beings and happenings around it. Of chief importance is the revelation of Christ as the Lamb of God, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, who was found worthy to loose the seals of the Book of Life. Truly, He is worthy of our praise and adoration.
In lessons 7-9 we discuss some important happenings relating to the end-of-the-world events. Although some of these things are sobering, they need to be brought to our attention occasionally.
Christ's entire life and ministry looked toward the events dealt with in the last four lessons. Faith should be inspired, weary Christians encouraged to press on, and all of us challenged to maintain the faith.
May the presence of the living, triumphant Lord be present to inspire and bless in every one of your class sessions during this quarter of thrilling studies. It is our prayer that student and teacher alike will receive a new vision of the Triumphant Lord. That will bring fresh hope in dark days and impetus to be true to the very end.

bookstoreadmin2023-05-30T16:18:40+00:00May 30th, 2023|Categories: Quarter Topic|0 Comments

May 21, 2023: Christian Living in the Neighborhood
May 21, 2023: Christian Living in the Neighborhood

May 21, 2023: Christian Living in the Neighborhood

BIBLICAL BASIS: Understanding Our Relationship to Our Neighbor

FOCUS TEXT: Romans 12:14-21; Galatians 5:13-15; Hebrews 13:1-3

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Proverbs 25:8-20; Matthew 25:34-46; Titus 3:2-7; James 1:26, 27

DEVOTIONAL READING: Matthew 5:13-16

KEY VERSE: If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Our love for God finds its release in a needy world.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify several ways they can show love for needy persons.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Peaceableness of a Christian Spirit (Romans 12:14-21)

II. The Power of Christian Love (Galatians 5:13-15)

III. The Practical Christian Witness (Hebrews 13:1-3)

bookstoreadmin2023-05-15T19:22:25+00:00May 15th, 2023|Categories: Lesson Highlights|0 Comments

May 7, 2023: Safeguarding the Home
May 7, 2023: Safeguarding the Home

May 7, 2023: Safeguarding the Home

BIBLICAL BASIS: Strengthening Family Relationships in the Home

FOCUS TEXT: Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 20-25

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Deuteronomy 30:11-20; Joshua 24:14-24; James 1:22-27

DEVOTIONAL READING: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

KEY VERSE: Fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life (Deuteronomy 6:2).

CENTRAL TRUTH: The Christian home's greatest priority is instilling love for God.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways to develop a Christian heritage.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Keep God's Commandments (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)

II. Instruct Your Children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

III. Reinforce the Lesson (Deuteronomy 6:20-25)

bookstoreadmin2023-05-01T14:52:26+00:00May 1st, 2023|Categories: Front Page, Lesson Highlights, Weekly Lesson Summaries|0 Comments

April 26, 2023: Parental Instruction
April 26, 2023: Parental Instruction

April 26, 2023: Parental Instruction

Read Proverbs 1:7-19.

"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother" (v. 8).

Most of us want to look good in the eyes of others. For sure, some will go further to make that happen than others, but most of us want it. And the proverb writer seems to suggest that feeling is not all bad. Our text verse is combined structurally with verse 9. "For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck."
Jewelry, whether a crown on your head or chains around your neck, is designed to signify dignity. But the proverb says such signs of dignity can be achieved in different ways. One of them is by obeying the instruction of parents. In well-trained eyes, submission to parents moves a person to the head of the class!
How are you trying to look good in the eyes of others? Again, the Bible does not condemn that, so long as the motives and methods are godly. (Gordon Snider)
"I would be true, for there are those who trust me."
--- H. A. Walter

bookstoreadmin2023-04-26T14:45:49+00:00April 26th, 2023|Categories: Opening the Word, Uncategorized|0 Comments

April 30, 2023: Building Family Relationships
April 30, 2023: Building Family Relationships

April 30, 2023: Building Family Relationships

FOCUS TEXT: Ephesians 5:31 – 6:4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Peter 3:1-7

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Luke 2:51, 52; Ephesians 4:32; 5:22, 25; 2 Timothy 1:3-6

DEVOTIONAL READING: Proverbs 23:19-26

KEY VERSE: Except the LORD build the house, they labor in vain that build it (Psalm 127:1).

CENTRAL TRUTH: The Christian home should follow God's relational principles.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several ways they can make their home a better place in which to live.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. God's Order for Marriage (Ephesians 5:31-33; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Colossians 3:18, 19)

II. God's Order for Children (Colossians 3:20; Ephesians 6:1-3)

III. God's Order for Parents (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21)

bookstoreadmin2023-04-24T16:26:39+00:00April 24th, 2023|Categories: Front Page, Lesson Highlights, Weekly Lesson Summaries|0 Comments

April 20, 2023: Responsibility for Wealth
April 20, 2023: Responsibility for Wealth

April 20, 2023: Responsibility for Wealth

Thursday, April 20
Read Matthew 25:14-30.

Responsibility for Wealth
"Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury" (v. 27).

In the Parable of the Talents, the master conveys a certain amount of money to three servants. The funds represented both an opportunity and an obligation. Nowhere are the funds viewed as being intended for personal pleasure. The two "profitable" servants used the opportunity with an eye to their obligation to the master. Both were rewarded with more significant opportunities for investment, not a life of ease based on the investment or the profits. The third servant is condemned because he failed to seize the moment to enhance his master's holding but was contented to "manage" his holdings with an eye to not losing. Possessions are the Father's investment in His children with which they are to extend His kingdom. Doing so brings His commendation. Failure to do so brings His condemnation.
Contrary to the opinion of the unprofitable servant, our Father is not a demanding taskmaster. God's bounty is strikingly evident in our daily lives. But the ultimate purpose of such gifts provides both opportunity and obligation. Failure to understand these underlying purposes for His investment in us justifies the Master in removing the investment He has made in us. Blessings bring responsibility. (William Snider)

bookstoreadmin2023-04-20T13:50:46+00:00April 20th, 2023|Categories: Opening the Word, Uncategorized|0 Comments

April 23, 2023: Christian Principles for Giving Money
April 23, 2023: Christian Principles for Giving Money

April 23, 2023: Christian Principles for Giving Money

FOCUS TEXT: Malachi 3:8-10; 2 Corinthians 9:5-15

BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11; Matthew 6:1-4; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 6:35-38; Galatians 6:6-10

DEVOTIONAL READING: Luke 16:1-13

KEY VERSE: Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

CENTRAL TRUTH: Proper biblical stewardship includes giving as God directs.

OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways in which their stewardship of money could be improved.

LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Pattern for Giving (Malachi 3:7-12)

II. The Principles of Giving (2 Corinthians 9:5-7)

III. The Privileges of Giving (2 Corinthians 9:8-15)