Herald & Banner Press, Author at HERALD AND BANNER PRESS

Love Rewarded
Love Rewarded

Love Rewarded

Read Revelation 2:1-11
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death” (v. 11).
As I hear news reports of the torture that Christians in other parts of the world are undergoing and enduring, my heart bleeds for them. I am moved to pray that God will be their constant companion through these times. I remember the three Hebrew Children and the ridicule and testing they were put through before finally being cast into the furnace. God could have delivered them by some miraculous act without them going through the furnace, but when they faced what seemed certain death, God was with them. Those who are today being persecuted, tortured and slain for their faith are finding their God with them in the midst and to the end of their trying.
Though none of us like to think about having to go through the things that our Christian brothers and sisters in other parts of the world are enduring, we need to remember that there are worse things coming if we do not remain steadfast in our dedication and service to our Lord. Our text verse tells us that if we overcome these things in this present life that we shall not be hurt of the second death. Revelation 20:14 tells us that the second death is the casting of death and hell into the lake of fire. (Larry DeOrnellis)
"When our ears hear, and our hearts respond, we come into a love relationship with God and that love is rewarded by not being hurt of the second death."
This devotional is the Saturday, June 11, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

Herald & Banner Press2016-06-08T09:00:00+00:00June 8th, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: love|0 Comments

Prepare thoroughly for each lesson

A second, and vital, weekly best practice of Sunday school teachers is to start preparing for the
next Sunday's lesson early in the week. It is easy to understand the logic, but many fail to develop this habit and inevitably find themselves cramming desperately Saturday night - or Sunday morning - to get ready to teach. With this in mind, let us consider how to break down the task of developing a lesson to be more manageable.

Set aside some time Sunday afternoon to read the title page of next Sunday's lesson. Read
that week's "Tips for Teachers" for inspiration. Then, open your Bible to the “Focus Text(s)” and read, without referring to the lesson commentary. Read the “Central Truth,” and reflect on how the scripture illustrates or fleshes out this principle. Read the “Objective,” and brainstorm briefly how you can help your class achieve this goal.
Read one page per day, Monday through Friday, of the five remaining pages in the lesson.
Organize your lesson on Saturday, numbering sequentially various parts of the lesson to cover, as well as adding various other ideas, etc. that you have accumulated while studying throughout the week.

Herald & Banner Press2016-06-07T09:00:00+00:00June 7th, 2016|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Preparing|0 Comments

The Essence of Faithfulness

Lesson 2 - June 12, 2016
Focus Text: Revelation 2:1-11
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:

Good Works Commended (Revelation 2:1-3)
Unfaithfulness Condemned (Revelation 2:4-7)
Faithfulness Rewarded (Revelation 2:8-11)

Herald & Banner Press2016-06-06T09:00:00+00:00June 6th, 2016|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: Faithfulness|0 Comments

Prayer – Lesson 1, The Revelation of Christ

Heavenly Father, as we begin this new series studying about Christ, the Triumphant Lord, help our teachers and students to be caught up in the wonder of Your glorious majesty. Encourage us in our faith! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Herald & Banner Press2016-06-05T08:00:00+00:00June 5th, 2016|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Christ|0 Comments

How should Sunday school follow-up be conducted?

Are you wanting to do better in following up on visitors and absentees of your Sunday school class. Check out this resource for very practical tips.

Herald & Banner Press2016-06-04T09:00:00+00:00June 4th, 2016|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Follow-up|0 Comments

The Majesty of Christ
The Majesty of Christ

The Majesty of Christ

In "God's Word for Today" Steve Oliver writes:

Christ's majesty is not simply a matter of a glorious appearance (though He certainly has that). Rather, it is a visual display of His genuine power and authority. In John's vision, each visual aspect of Christ displays an invisible attribute of Jesus' character, power, or authority. For exam-ple, the depiction of Christ's eyes “as a flame” indicates that He sees and understands everything, that nothing is hidden from Him. If we are in trouble, this is a comfort. If we are try-ing to excuse ourselves for wrongdoing, this is troubling.

Source: Christ, the Triumphant Lord: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 5.

Herald & Banner Press2016-06-03T09:00:00+00:00June 3rd, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Christ|0 Comments

Why is Jesus called Alpha and Omega?
Why is Jesus called Alpha and Omega?

Why is Jesus called Alpha and Omega?

In "Word Focus" Darrell Grim writes:

The use of the expression Alpha and Omega in verses 8 and 11 is significant. These being the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, the obvious reference is to Christ's eternity. No one else can claim this title, so He uses the emphatic expression “I AM.” Since the expression not only includes the first and the last but everything in between, it also connotes the omnipotence and omniscience of God. In verse 8 this concept is revealed in the word translated the Almighty. The Greek word pantokrator is used nine times in the Apocalypse and only once in the Epistles (2 Cor. 6:18). It is, however, used frequently in the Septuagint and is literally the “all ruler.” It represents the Hebrew word translated as “God of hosts.” He is pictured as the one who commands all and is able to overcome any foe.

Discussion: How does this help you to understand better who Christ is?
Source: Christ, the Triumphant Lord: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 4.

Herald & Banner Press2016-06-02T09:00:00+00:00June 2nd, 2016|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Jesus|0 Comments

Jehovah’s Appearance
Jehovah’s Appearance

Jehovah’s Appearance

Read Genesis 12:1-7
“And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him” (v. 7).
I’m glad that we still have an altar! The patriarchs in the Old Testament regularly built altars at the site of a theophany; a place where God had appeared to them. It would seem natural to build an altar to commemorate the appearance of God.
There is a theological significance to an altar. Altars in the Bible were places of sacrifice. But, beyond that, the altar was also a place that marked the site of God’s appearance and presence. Many churches no longer have altars at the front of the sanctuary. This is disturbing to me. I’m grateful for the many times when I, personally, have met God at an altar! The continued use of the altar in the worship of God is vitally important. The altar is a place where God’s people can just come and bask in His presence or seek His guidance and power in their lives.
It may be that many believe the altar is just a place where one seeks God for salvation and sanctification. And it certainly is that; however, the altar can be utilized often just to bring the people of the church together into the presence of God! Let’s allow the altar to be a place where all are welcomed to come into the presence of the Lord. Don’t allow the altar to be only an article of furniture in the sanctuary. Use it! (KDK)

Who can tell all the love
He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made,
Of the fellowship sweet
We shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid.
(Elisha Hoffman; Public Domain)

This devotional is the Monday, May 30, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

Herald & Banner Press2016-06-01T09:00:00+00:00June 1st, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Altar|0 Comments

Follow up on visitors and absentee

The Sunday school teacher's responsibility does not begin and end with the classroom Sunday morning!
As a Sunday school teacher, there are various best practices you should follow to have the maximum positive spiritual impact on your class. One such weekly habit is to follow up on visitors and absentees.
Jesus' earthly ministry shows us by example that while one may preach to multitudes, investment must be made in just a few in order to develop disciples. Your pastor's effectiveness will be multiplied if you as Sunday school teacher help him by "pastoring" your class. One key element of this ministry is follow-up.

Ask your class secretary to ask all newcomers to your class for contact information.
Check with the secretary afterward to determine which guests and absentees need to be
contacted.
Call/text/email, visit, or mail a card within 24 hours.

Herald & Banner Press2016-05-31T09:00:00+00:00May 31st, 2016|Categories: Teacher Helps|0 Comments

The Revelation of Christ
The Revelation of Christ

The Revelation of Christ

Lesson 1 - June 5, 2016
Focus Text: Revelation 1:9-18
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: