Herald & Banner Press, Author at HERALD AND BANNER PRESS

Change Things Up

We all love our routines, but sometimes it is good to challenge our brains by doing something different. We all like to sit in the same spot and so do others, so we end up sitting by the same people which can lead us to interact to some extent with a smaller percentage of the group. A quick way to change things up and encourage new discussion is to change where your members sit. Divide your group up by gender or color of clothes or birthday months/seasons. Other ways to change things up could be to rearrange your classroom. Instead of rows of seating, bring in a table and gather around it. If your classroom is not very attractive, fix it up a bit with fresh paint and pictures. On a simpler scale, start the Scripture reading at the back of your class instead of the front, or move your prayer time to the beginning instead of the end.

Herald & Banner Press2018-12-14T10:00:01+00:00December 14th, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: fresh look, routines, Tips for Teachers|0 Comments

A Vision of Pentecost

Read Joel 2:21-32

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call” (v. 32).

We are introduced to God in the very first verse of the Bible. And then when man comes into the picture, we suddenly see the “Lord God.” He who inhabits eternity is right down here on earth to be near and dear to man; to meet every need and bless man in every way, and fellowship with him. Man has failed God many times, but God has been faithful. He created man with a conscience; then He made a covenant with Noah promising His goodness; afterward He gave the law; next, He gave His Son to take our punishment, and He has given us the Holy Spirit to speak to every man. Thank God, there is a bright side of history repeating itself. There have always been those who have responded favorably to God. God has never overlooked them. He has a “name,” and whoever calls on “the name of the Lord” shall be delivered. This “name is an appellation; it identifies Him.” It is a memorial, a reputation that describes His individuality. Whenever we call, He delivers. We don’t even have to bring a lamb; He provided Himself! He is as near and dear as He was to Adam, and He is more precious than you can explain. This is His identity — no one else is like Him! (L. Wayne Covert)

“What music is to the ear, what beauty is to the eye, what fragrance is to the nasal organs, what air is to the lungs, what water is to the fish — these and more also is divine love to the life of man” (Anonymous).

Herald & Banner Press2018-12-12T10:00:12+00:00December 12th, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Devotional, faithful, Pentecost|0 Comments

The Accuracy of Bible Prophecy

Focus Text: Daniel 2:28-35, 44, 45; Revelation 11:15

Central Truth: Fulfilled Bible prophecies are an evidence of its divine authorship.

Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list some fulfilled prophecies of the Bible.

Lesson Outline
1. God of Kingdoms
2. Earthly Kingdoms
3. The Eternal Kingdom

Herald & Banner Press2018-12-10T10:00:33+00:00December 10th, 2018|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: Bible, Christ's return, Eternity, prophecy, scripture|0 Comments

Break Into Small Groups

If your classroom is anything like mine, it can sometimes be too quiet. You might be waiting for a response to a question, and nobody is willing to answer. Let’s face it, not everyone coming into your classroom is fully awake and ready to interact (maybe that’s just me). If you end up answering your own questions very often, give this a try. Break into small groups. You can do this a couple of different ways depending on your class size. For the small class, ask your members to turn to a partner and share what they think. For a larger class, you can divide into groups of three or four. This causes your members to interact more with each other and not just rely on the few members that are willing to answer. I do not recommend doing this for every question but more frequently on questions where there is not such a cut-and-dried answer.

Herald & Banner Press2018-12-07T10:00:32+00:00December 7th, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Discussion, Small Groups, teachers, tips|0 Comments

The Coming Messiah

Read Malachi 3:1-4

“Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts” (v. 1).

This prophecy was given about four centuries before its fulfillment. It is very obvious that John, the Baptist, was the fulfillment of this prophecy. He was promised to a childless couple who had long past given up on any hope of having children. The incredulous Zacharias was struck dumb because of his unbelief. His son John became a very important part of laying a foundation for the future ministry of Christ. Indeed, John baptized Jesus in Jordan and introduced Jesus as the one who would take away the sin of the world. Jesus came as the fulfillment of this prophecy. He came to satisfy the need for a perfect sacrifice. His initial entry into this world was not recognized by many of His own people, but His soon-to-be second coming will be seen by all and recognized by all when He comes on a white horse with tens of thousands of His saints. (Lonnie R. Witt)

The infant Christ came to redeem us from sin. He’s coming quite soon His reign to begin. — Lonnie R. Witt

Keep looking above; the King is coming.

Herald & Banner Press2018-12-05T10:00:26+00:00December 5th, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Christ's return, Devotional, Jesus, King, prophecy|0 Comments

A Picture of Christ

Focus Text: Deuteronomy 18:15-19; John 5:39-47

Central Truth: Jesus Christ is the central teaching of the entire Bible.

Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list several things which the Bible reveals about Jesus Christ.

Lesson Outline
1. The Scriptures Point to Christ
2. The Scriptures Reveal Christ
3. The Scriptures Testify About Christ

Herald & Banner Press2018-12-03T10:00:02+00:00December 3rd, 2018|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|0 Comments

Celebrate Birthdays and Anniversaries

Perhaps you already celebrate each class member’s birthday or anniversary, but if you do not, here are some reasons and ways to start celebrating. Everyone likes to be remembered and acknowledged on a birthday. Most everyone likes to eat. Now I am not suggesting you make a big deal with presents, cake, and ice cream, but I am suggesting giving a card and possibly bringing a coffee cake or donuts. One way to make this affordable for you as the teacher is to set up a class benevolence fund. You can ask your fellow class members to chip in as needed or suggest a certain amount to be given. If remembering when birthdays are is not your strong point, ask someone in your class to be responsible for this. Make it happen, because you show you care by remembering. And that’s an important step in building relationships. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” (Zig Ziglar).

Herald & Banner Press2018-11-30T10:00:57+00:00November 30th, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Caring, celebrating, Teacher, Tips for Teachers|0 Comments

God’s Word Is Effective

Read Psalm 19:1-14

“Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (v. 11).

Descriptive nicknames and titles have frequently been used about the Bible, God’s Word. It has been referred to as “The Good Book.” It has been called “The Road Map to Heaven” or “The Christian’s Guide to Holy Living.” In each case God’s Word is seen to be filled with purpose and intention, inspiring those reading it to be better people. The evident fact is that God’s Word is effective, meaning it produces “a decided, decisive, or desired effect” through its admonitions and examples. In yesteryears, Bible reading and scripture memorization were common practice. It was believed that exposure to God’s Word would have a positive effect. It provided a warning, instruction, and encouragement that inclined people to step back, weigh their choices and regulate their behaviors. Parents started each day sharing verses from God’s Word with their children; school days were begun with teachers reading a passage from God’s Word with their students. Respect for God’s Word was instilled by giving it a place of priority; in turn, it effectively impacted many lives. It offers the same possibilities for those who will use it today! (Rodney B. Stearns)

Sweet are the promises; kind is the Word,
Dearer far than any message man ever heard.
Pure was the mind of Christ — sinless I see.
He the great example is, and pattern for me.
— W. A. Ogden

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Ps. 119:11).

Herald & Banner Press2018-11-28T11:10:15+00:00November 28th, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Bible, effective, Reading, scripture|0 Comments

Emphasis on Prayer

As we conclude this quarter of emphasizing the Sunday school teacher in prayer, consider how you will continue to make prayer an integral part of your ministry. What emphasis in prayer for the next Sunday school quarter is the Holy Spirit impressing upon you?

Heavenly Father, we pray for each teacher who has been reading these prayers this quarter and praying them throughout the week. Father, create in these dear people and our churches a renewed passion for prayer. Don’t allow this emphasis on prayer to fizzle out at the end of this quarter of lessons. Instead, may we continue to be a people committed to intercessory prayer.

Help us, Lord, to truly learn to pray for the needs of others, and not just our own needs and wants. May we love others, first, through prayer. Give us a vision that sees more than our personal needs. Instead, help us to demonstrate a real concern for others in prayer.

Thank you again for your love and grace. In Jesus’ name we pray all this. Amen.

Herald & Banner Press2018-11-23T09:00:20+00:00November 23rd, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: emphasis, intercession, prayer|0 Comments

Strength for the Spirit

Read Philemon 1:17-25

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen” (v. 25).

As a child, I was in awe at wax museums.

There, standing or sitting in lifelike poses and settings were real-looking replicas of famous people! They were perfectly fashioned according to their historical dimensions. Their glassy eyes gleamed and their coiffed hair was meticulously styled. Some of them even “talked” when you pushed a button.

I have to say; I still enjoy museums. And wax creations still intrigue me. It takes a lot of skill to create those plastic people. But there is one thing missing from these forms. They have no spirit. They are not living.

It is said that a servant named Onesimus penned the epistle of Philemon for Paul while he sat in prison. Under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the apostle ends his letter with a prayer for the grace of God to be with “your spirit.” Commentator Matthew Poole says this is the same thing as saying be “with you.” As living souls, humans are not like wax figures, but rather imbued with life because we have a God-given spirit.

Today, may the strength that comes from the grace of our Lord empower you to glorify Him in all you do and say. That was the prayer of Paul for Philemon and us! (Valorie A. Quesenberry)

You are alive in Him from the inside out!

Herald & Banner Press2018-11-21T09:00:51+00:00November 21st, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Grace, power, prayer|0 Comments

About Herald & Banner Press