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Lesson Highlight: "no room"
Lesson Highlight: "no room"

Lesson Highlight: "no room"

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:7)
In "Word Focus" William Sillings writes:

When Jesus was born, there was no room in the inn (kataluma — literally, lodging, inn, or guest house). The inn was likely an eastern khan which is like a series of open-ended rooms or stalls opening into a common courtyard where the animals were kept. There was no room in the khan, so it was in the common courtyard where Jesus was born. There was no privacy even at this event for this weary, wayworn family. The fact that there was no room in the inn is typical of what was to happen to Jesus all through His life. The room reserved for Him, says Barclay, was on a cross. “He sought an entry to the overcrowded hearts of men; He could not find it; and still His search — and His rejection — go on.”

Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 16.

Herald & Banner Press2015-12-18T09:00:22+00:00December 18th, 2015|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: christmas, heart, love|0 Comments

Lesson Highlight: "shepherds"
Lesson Highlight: "shepherds"

Lesson Highlight: "shepherds"

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." (Luke 2:8)
In "God's Word for Today", David Fry writes:

The shepherds’ first reaction was fear but it ended with rejoicing. What happened between the moment of fear and their time of rejoicing was their obedience. Of course, one can hardly imagine disobeying such a magnificent manifestation of God’s will. It was not merely hearing the message from the angelic host that persuaded them to seek the Messiah, but also witnessing the great rejoicing of the angels. Soon they too would rejoice. It wasn’t what was happening in the heavens that caused the shepherds to rejoice, but what God was doing on earth, in a manger in Bethlehem. Unlike Mary who kept quiet, the shepherds loudly praised
God for His coming.
The grandeur of Luke 2 is that Caesar Augustus, emperor of one of the greatest empires in history, gave way to a baby in a manger and a moment around which all of history revolves. Caesar had his earthly glory, but Christ received heavenly glory. Ancient rulers sought to be viewed as divine by their subjects, yet the true God became man to be subject to human suffering. Human emperors sought power over humanity; God sought humility among men. The difference is love. The miracle of love is a God who has all power and superiority, yet humbles Himself to become one of us.

Source: Miracles of Jesus, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 18.

Herald & Banner Press2015-12-16T09:00:39+00:00December 16th, 2015|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: christmas, humility, love, power, shepherds|0 Comments

Devotional: The Savior's Birth
Devotional: The Savior's Birth

Devotional: The Savior's Birth

Read Luke 2:1-7
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered” (v. 6).
The young mother was desperate. It was the day before Christmas, and she had no gifts for her small children. She had prayed for a miracle. She was discouraged and frustrated — a bit disappointed in God. However, God had seen her need and heard her prayer. That evening, church friends came bearing gifts and food for their Christmas dinner.
As we read the Christmas story, we bask in the wonder and awe of the season because He came to earth to save lost humanity. God worked faithfully to carry out all His plans — to the minute detail! Even having to travel at an inconvenient time, the delay in Bethlehem, staying in a stable, was all part of His plan. No doubt Joseph and Mary wondered, “Why, God? Why right NOW?”
It seems like when it rains, it pours. Troubles seem to multiply until we feel like we are drowning in our circumstances. God sees our needs. He sent His Son to come to our aid! Be encouraged — Jesus came to be the answer for all the troubles we face. God is faithful, he hears and answers our prayers — in His time. (Sue Colburn)

God kept His promise — and His Son, Jesus Christ, came to our world!

This devotional is the Thursday, December 17, 2015 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!

Herald & Banner Press2015-12-15T09:00:06+00:00December 15th, 2015|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: birth, christmas, savior|0 Comments

Lesson 3: The Savior Born (Christmas)
Lesson 3: The Savior Born (Christmas)

Lesson 3: The Savior Born (Christmas)

Lesson 3: December 20, 2015
Focus Text: Luke 2:1-17
Central Truth: The greatest miracle the world has ever seen was that God loved us enough to take on human form.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state why the Incarnation was such a great miracle.
Lesson Outline:

The Miraculous Birth (Luke 2:1-7)
The Angelic Announcement (Luke 2:8-14)
The Shepherd's Response (Luke 2:15-20)

Herald & Banner Press2015-12-14T09:00:24+00:00December 14th, 2015|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: christmas, incarnation, love|0 Comments

Prayer: Lesson 2, Miracles of Jesus

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the power Christ has over death and sin. Thank you for His resurrection power that He works in us, giving us victory over sin. Thank you for the hope we have of life for all eternity. Bless our Sunday school teachers today. Use them to inspire their classes to greater faith in Christ, we pray. Amen.

Herald & Banner Press2015-12-13T08:00:08+00:00December 13th, 2015|Categories: Teacher Helps|0 Comments

Effective & Creative Bible Teaching – mintools.com

This page at Mintools.com has a number of teaching resources to help the Sunday school teacher. As a teacher, what do you feel are some of your greatest needs in performing this ministry for God?

Herald & Banner Press2015-12-12T09:00:56+00:00December 12th, 2015|Categories: Teacher Helps|0 Comments

Lesson Highlight: "quickened"
Lesson Highlight: "quickened"

Lesson Highlight: "quickened"

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses." (Colossians 2:13)
In "Word Focus" William Sillings writes,

Colossians 2:13 says two things about our sins. One, being dead (nekrous ontas) uses the present participle “being” to describe our deadness as a continual state of existence. We not only died by sinning once, but we were in a state of deadness brought on by continual sinning and by the nature of sin in our lives. The second thing Paul said is that he quickened [us] together with him. Quickened (sunezoopoiesen — aorist active indicative) means “He made us alive together with Him.” We were dead, but now we are alive.

Discussion: What is the significance of being "made ... alive together with Him"?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 10.

Herald & Banner Press2015-12-11T09:00:20+00:00December 11th, 2015|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: alive, dead, quickened, sin|0 Comments

Lesson Highlight: "nailing it to his cross"
Lesson Highlight: "nailing it to his cross"

Lesson Highlight: "nailing it to his cross"

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. (Colossians 2:14)
In "Biblical Perspective", Dr. Gayle Woods writes:

Paul was comparing the practice of one who forgives a large debt by wiping his ledger sheet clean with what God does for us. ...The ordinances (God’s law) had been broken many times by each of us. Each time we broke His law, another mark was put on our ledger sheet. Jesus came to this world to provide salvation, full and free. ...Jesus not only erased all the transgressions that had been listed against us on our ledger of life, but He then nailed the blank document to His cross as a public testimony that we were totally forgiven of all our actions against Him and His law.

Discussion: Since we are totally forgiven by Christ, how should we feel? How should we think? How should we act?
Source: Miracles of Jesus: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 12.

Herald & Banner Press2015-12-10T09:00:52+00:00December 10th, 2015|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: cross, debt, salvation, sin|0 Comments

Lesson Highlight: "funerals in Israel"
Lesson Highlight: "funerals in Israel"

Lesson Highlight: "funerals in Israel"

In "Biblical Perspective" Dr. Gayle Woods writes:

A funeral in Israel was a special event that lasted thirty days. As a funeral procession moved along, it was led by hired mourners who wailed loudly in an effort to make an adequate public display of sorrow. The procession was followed by friends and relatives. This particular funeral was that of the only son of a widow, making it an even more tragic event. Many of the city showed their sympathy for the widow by joining the procession. The man who had died was probably the sole provider for the widow. It was wonderful to have sympathetic friends, but soon they would be gone, and she would be left to fight for survival in a day in which it was very difficult for women to find employment. The possibility that she would soon be reduced to begging was great.

Discussion: Do you think the elaborate display of sorrow made the grieving easier or more difficult on the bereaved?
Discussion: From your experiences of loss, imagine the pain and distress of this widow.
Source: Miracles of Jesus, Adult Teacher's Insights, pages 10-11.

Herald & Banner Press2015-12-09T09:00:57+00:00December 9th, 2015|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: death, funeral, grief, resurrection|0 Comments

Devotional: Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter
Devotional: Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter

Devotional: Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter

Read Luke 8:41-56
“But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole” (v. 50).
What would you say is the opposite of faith? My first thought would probably be “doubt.” In this verse, however, Jesus juxtaposes faith and fear: “Fear not: believe only.”
“What’s wrong with fear?” you might wonder. “Isn’t fear a natural human response?” I certainly find it comes naturally to me. Actually, when faced with a perplexing situation my response most times is more akin to panic.
A certain amount of caution is wise. But when we allow fear or worry to gain the upper hand, it can blot out the truths of God’s wisdom, His power, and His goodness. Instead, all we can see is our big, scary problem.
Charles Spurgeon said it well. “The very essence of anxious care is the imagining that we are wiser than God, and the thrusting ourselves into His place to do for Him that which He has undertaken to do for us. . . . Anxiety makes us doubt God’s lovingkindness, and thus our love to Him grows cold. We feel mistrust, and thus grieve the Spirit of God, so that our prayers become hindered, our consistent example marred, and our life one of self-seeking.”
A little worry can work like termites, almost unseen but totally weakening the structure of faith. So, when we are faced with that undesirable diagnosis, that unforeseen roadblock, that unexpected sorrow, “Fear not: believe only.” (Ashlee Englund)

We must keep our eyes on God.

This devotional is the Sunday, December 13, 2015 entry of Opening the Word. Buy your copy today!

Herald & Banner Press2015-12-08T09:00:30+00:00December 8th, 2015|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: faith, fear|0 Comments

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