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Checking for Evidence
Checking for Evidence

Checking for Evidence

Read Matthew 28:1-7
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay” (v. 6).
Our governmental system makes provision for the solving of disputes in a court of law. After all the evidence has been presented, the jury will retire to deliberate, and after a time will return to present their decision to the judge, who will hand down the final verdict. Today we are going to look at some of the evidence that Jesus truly arose from the grave. First of all, the stone was rolled back, and the tomb was empty. Jesus' body was nowhere to be found. Second, many eyewitnesses have left us their testimony of seeing Jesus alive again after His death. Many Bible scholars feel that there are ten post-resurrection appearances. Here are few of them:
Mary Magdalene, in the garden (John 20:11-18)
Women returning from the tomb (Matt. 28:9, 10)
Two disciples on the Emmaus road (Luke 24:13-32)
The eleven and 500 more at Mt. Tabor (Matt. 28:16-20)
After all the evidence is presented, and the eyewitnesses give record, we may know with certainty that Jesus arose from the dead. (Steve Gifford)

One of the greatest evidences of Jesus' resurrection is a changed life.

This devotional is the Sunday, April 16, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.

Herald & Banner Press2017-04-12T09:00:00+00:00April 12th, 2017|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: resurrection|0 Comments

The Narrative

Another major form of presentation is narrative, or story-telling. Narrative presentations can easily be inductive in reasoning, presenting the conclusion at the end of the story, but they can also be deductive, using stories to illustrate the truth that is stated upfront.

Story-telling is an ancient form of teaching, and was used by Jesus extensively. (Jesus used inductive reasoning with story-telling throughout His earthly ministry.) This method may be more effective for certain lessons; a lesson built around a story in scripture would seem to fit this approach more easily. Yet even the “driest” lesson could be taught using a series of stories that progressively or repeatedly emphasize the scriptural truth.

The teacher need not be the only person telling stories, but could ask students to share life stories related to the scriptural truth. (Note: it may be best to ask select persons beforehand so they have time to prepare and not waste time recalling details or getting sidetracked into unnecessary minutiae.)

Herald & Banner Press2017-04-11T09:00:00+00:00April 11th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Narrative|0 Comments

Raised From The Dead (Easter)

Lesson 7 - April 16, 2017

Focus Text: Luke 23:55-24:12

Central Truth: Christ's resurrection is good news -- that is true!

Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify several proofs of the resurrection of Christ.

Lesson Outline:

Burial of Jesus (Luke 23:50-56)
Resurrection Dawn (Luke 24:1-7)
The Good News Proclaimed (Luke 24:8-12)

Herald & Banner Press2017-04-10T09:00:00+00:00April 10th, 2017|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: resurrection|0 Comments

An Illustration on Giving
An Illustration on Giving

An Illustration on Giving

Herald & Banner Press2017-04-09T08:00:51+00:00April 9th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Giving|0 Comments

How do the blessings promised in the Old Testament relate to Christians today?

In "God's Word for Today" Gordon Snider writes:

[Malachi 3:10-12] focus on blessings that will come to those who honor their financial commitments to God. These verses have been used by preachers of a “prosperity gospel” to prove that it is God's will for His people to be materially blessed. How do the blessings of these verses relate to New Testament Christians?

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 35.

Herald & Banner Press2017-04-08T09:00:00+00:00April 8th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Blessings|0 Comments

Should we only give if we have much?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Jason Lindahl writes:

Jesus said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38). Human nature being what it is, if people are led to believe that certain circumstances excuse them from tithing, they will tend always to find themselves in those circumstances! Instead of encouraging people to withhold more because they are poor, we should encourage them to step out in faith and trust a never-failing God to bless them for keeping His commands. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10).

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 38.

Herald & Banner Press2017-04-07T09:00:00+00:00April 7th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Giving|0 Comments

The Practice of Tithing

In "Biblical Perspective" Larry Grile writes:

There are perhaps several important things to be said about this passage as well as the general issue of tithing, giving offerings, etc. Tithing was a practice long before the Old Testament Law was given (Gen. 14:20; 28:22). It was enlarged and required under the Sinai Covenant. Still in Jesus' day it was practiced by the adherents of the Law and was commended by Jesus (Matt. 23:23). After the inauguration of the New Covenant at Calvary, no more reference was made to tithing. The concept of tithing is found in only one place where Paul asked the Corinthians to lay aside money according to their financial profit during the week, to be given as an offering on the first day of the week when they gathered together for worship. Since tithing preceded the Law, was commanded as a worthy part of the Law, and was commended by Jesus, it has been generally considered by devout people as a proper way to honor God with our substance. Many have proven God's promise and found Him true to His word. As for offerings, Malachi was referring to special required offerings of animal sacrifices, etc., and to freewill offerings as mentioned in the Law.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 35.

Herald & Banner Press2017-04-06T09:00:00+00:00April 6th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Tithing|0 Comments

The Attitude of Giving
The Attitude of Giving

The Attitude of Giving

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
“Every man, according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (v. 7).
Giving — proportionately, purposefully, willingly, even exuberantly: there is nothing like it. It is true that we are commanded to care for our own; I doubt that anyone disputes that. Watch for the needs of your family, those that are closest to you. When you are incapable of helping a particular need, ask God for the faith to believe in His unending care for His own. Then set your eyes on heaven and eternity; keep in mind the “recompense of the reward” to those who are faithful. Ask God to help you see, really see, needs. We have a special obligation to the local church — the “storehouse.” Give consideration to the outreach to the Native Americans, the inner cities, overseas missions, our Christian day schools, and Bible colleges. Joyously support traveling evangelists; give to local charities, those who are working with addicts, in prison ministries. Help sponsor a scholarship to a local Christian school or a Bible college. Don't be a grouch about giving back to God, for He loves a hilarious giver. (Leonard Sankey)

Give of your sons to bear the message glorious;
Give of your means to speed them on their way. — Mary A. Thomson

This devotional is the Sunday, April 9, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.

Herald & Banner Press2017-04-05T09:00:00+00:00April 5th, 2017|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Giving|0 Comments

Small group discussion and reporting

Another effective learning technique is to divide the class into smaller groups who will spend time studying, researching, and debating a smaller aspect or issue, and then reporting to the whole group their findings and conclusions.

For example, in studying Lesson 6, the class could be divided into three groups. The first group could be given multiple scriptures that speak of tithing and giving offerings to God, with the question: “What are patterns we see about giving in God’s Word?” The second group could be tasked writing a list of 5–10 principles for giving from the primary text and supporting scriptures. The third group could compile a list of the many blessings God promises for those who have a giving, sacrificial heart.

These three groups would report to the whole group their findings. The main points could be listed on a whiteboard, and you as teacher could then spend time emphasizing the most important issues, leading the class in relevant discussion and consideration of practical application steps.

Herald & Banner Press2017-04-04T09:00:00+00:00April 4th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Small Group|0 Comments

Christian Principles for Giving Money

Lesson 6 - April 9, 2003
Focus Text: Malachi 3:8-10; 2 Corinthians 9:5-15
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:

The Pattern for Giving (Malachi 3:7-12)
The Principles of Giving (2 Corinthians 9:5-7)
The Privileges of Giving (2 Corinthians 9:8-15)

Herald & Banner Press2017-04-03T09:00:00+00:00April 3rd, 2017|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: Giving|0 Comments

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