Lesson Highlights Archives - Page 16 of 41 - HERALD AND BANNER PRESS

The Nationality of the Christian
The Nationality of the Christian

The Nationality of the Christian

In "Biblical Perspective" Larry Grile writes:

Peter considered Christians to be of a different “nationality.” In this world we are not at home; we are foreigners merely passing through to our native country. Abstain from fleshly lusts. God has created us with desires; but sin has tainted human desires with a compulsion to selfish, sensual, and illicit expression. While that compulsion may be purified from the heart, it remains that the capability of desires is still there and must be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit, who alone can help us to keep ourselves within proper bounds. To what extent any individual Christian may, for example, momentarily admire beauty, etc., within sanctified bounds will depend on each person's vulnerabilities; only the Holy Spirit can guide each person in drawing these lines. Nevertheless, it remains that such desires are themselves potential mortal enemies to all that is right and good in our hearts and lives, until and unless they are kept continually surrendered to God. This issue does not represent a single battle, but rather is a potential warfare that continues as long as we live; the man who lets down his guard of faith, prayer, and self-discipline will find himself a victim of the devil.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 76.

Herald & Banner Press2017-05-27T09:08:00+00:00May 27th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Nationality|0 Comments

What does it mean to be a stranger and a pilgrim?
What does it mean to be a stranger and a pilgrim?

What does it mean to be a stranger and a pilgrim?

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

While it has become common, especially in Christian songs, to use the phrase “strangers and pilgrims” to describe the spiritual condition of Christians, Peter was likely using that phrase here to describe the social status of his readers. Because they were Christians, these readers were considered without rights or privileges in Roman society. It is in that context that Peter urged them to live in a manner that God was glorified. Such a life is first marked by godly living in contrast to living according to our natural human desires. Notice that the purpose of godly living is not our own salvation, but the salvation of others.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 76.

Herald & Banner Press2017-05-26T09:00:00+00:00May 26th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Pilgrim|0 Comments

Submission – A Key Christian Principle
Submission – A Key Christian Principle

Submission – A Key Christian Principle

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

Clearly the key word in the text from 1 Peter 2 is the often-maligned word submit. A quick survey of its forty-one occurrences in the New Testament will show what a key concept submission is in the entirety of the Christian life. It was an attitude that Jesus modeled for us by submitting to His parents (Luke 2:51). Hupotasso is a military term that suggests order and arrangement. It does not imply surrender, but a plan of attack. Jowett states that submission “is not the bending of reeds but the devotion of giants” (The Epistles of St. Peter). In support of that idea is the fact that to submit is consistent with and parallel to “honor” (v. 17). When we fail to submit, we are not only “out of line,” but we are also an embarrassment to the entire unit, and especially to the one who is in charge.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 76.

Herald & Banner Press2017-05-25T09:00:00+00:00May 25th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Submission|0 Comments

How to Love Your Neighbor
How to Love Your Neighbor

How to Love Your Neighbor

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Jason Lindahl writes:

To love your neighbor as yourself, the second-highest commandment according to Jesus, is highly practical. It looks like Proverbs 25, where we read, “Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbor hath put thee to shame” (v. 8). In other words, when you find canine excrement in your front yard, do not automatically assume your neighbor's poodle is to blame and fling the offensive substance over the bordering fence into his property. Perhaps a friendly discussion of the problem is in order, as the next couple of verses state: “Debate thy cause with thy neigh-bor himself; and discover not a secret to another: lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.” That is, don't go blabbing to all the other neighbors that Joe next door lets his poodle run wild, instead of going and talking the matter over with Joe himself. When you find out that Joe's dog got run over by a car six months ago and that some other animal was responsible for the deposit in your yard, you are going to feel pretty ashamed. Furthermore, the town gossip becomes the subject of scornful gossip himself. Also, when we go to talk to Joe about the problem, our speech should be gracious and non-accusing, as verse 11 says: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Of course, upon further reflection, we may decide, probably correctly, that it is not worth making a big deal over the situation, and simply toss the refuse in the garbage can. The command to love our neighbors as ourselves comes from the Book of Leviticus and in context it reads, “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy peo-ple, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD” (19:18). Perhaps Joe's dog is to blame; perhaps Joe is careless and inconsiderate. Consider forgiveness. Take Joe a loaf of bread. Back to Proverbs 25: “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee” (vs. 21, 22). On the other hand, perhaps Joe is a great guy, friendly, generous, and helpful. Perhaps you enjoy talking to him and find it convenient to run over every so often and borrow his hedge trimmer. Keep in mind verse 17 of our chapter: “Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.” And certainly, whatever you do, don't let your dog run loose in Joe's yard!

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 74.

Herald & Banner Press2017-05-20T09:00:00+00:00May 20th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: love|0 Comments

What is the "low estate" of Romans 12:16?
What is the "low estate" of Romans 12:16?

What is the "low estate" of Romans 12:16?

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

In lesson 11 we looked at the message Paul conveyed when he spoke about being of one mind. In Romans 12:16 of today's lesson that phrase is encountered again. Only here Paul went on to discuss what must be done to keep that unity alive. One of the specific exhortations was to “condescend to men of low estate.” In its various forms the word translated low estate occurs thirty-four times in the New Testament. It is the normal word for humility, being translated that way in approximately half of its occurrences. Historically the literal meaning referred to something that was “low-lying.” But metaphorical meanings soon developed. In that way the word could refer to a person's social status or his emotional state. Mary used it in the Magnificat (Luke 1:48) to describe her social status. Paul described God as comforting “those that are cast down” (2 Cor. 7:6), a reference that at least includes the emotional aspect of the word. But most of the time the word has an ethical meaning that makes it the opposite of pride and arrogance.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 70.

Herald & Banner Press2017-05-19T09:00:00+00:00May 19th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: humility|2 Comments

Who is my neighbor?
Who is my neighbor?

Who is my neighbor?

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

God has always called His people to give special attention to their relationships with their neighbors. A review of the nearly thirty times the word is used in the first five books of the Bible shows that any wrong is magnified if it is committed against a neighbor. In his attempt to avoid that added responsibility, the lawyer who questioned Jesus in Luke 10 asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus' answer was the story of the Good Samaritan. Our age of electronic communication has greatly expanded our neighborhoods. Many people carry on meaningful relationships with people they have never seen. A starting place for today's lesson could easily be a repeat of the lawyer's question, “Who is my neighbor?” Once that question has been answered, the Christian is faced with the responsibility of that relationship. The texts for today's les-son help us to better understand that responsibility.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 70.

Herald & Banner Press2017-05-18T09:45:00+00:00May 18th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Neighbor|0 Comments

Is it harder to get along with the Christian?
Is it harder to get along with the Christian?

Is it harder to get along with the Christian?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Jason Lindahl writes:

A friend was describing conditions at his former place of employment. The picture was not rosy — bad attitudes, squabbles, childish behavior. The sad thing, he lamented in conclusion, was that the people who claimed to be Christians were the hardest with which to work. Those who made no claims to grace were, for the most part, the preferred co-workers. Too often, such an accusation has been repeated. “Christians” may be faithful at church attendance three times a week, be diligent in tithing and even verbal witnessing for Jesus, and wear three-quarter-length sleeves with fashionable ease; but whatever happened to graciousness, kindness, and consideration for others? What place is there for a chip on a Christian's shoulder, or a bite in a Christian's speech? Why doesn't anyone like to work with you, Christian? Are you sure it is just persecution?

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 67.

Herald & Banner Press2017-05-13T09:00:00+00:00May 13th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Unity|0 Comments

A Call for Unity
A Call for Unity

A Call for Unity

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

The serious student of Scripture will often find himself confronted with the need for balance in applying the Bible to life situations. The opening line of our printed text today is a case in point. Without doubt Scripture demands that the sincere disciple of Christ take a firm stand for what is right (Jude 1:3). But in our lesson today the companion truth is emphasized, which is the requirement of unity in the Body of Christ. The text reads, “Be ye all of one mind,” or literally, “of one mind, united.” The exact form Peter used appears only here in Scripture. In Greek it is a compound word: the first word meaning “together,” and the second word meaning “mind or understanding.” In classical Greek it literally meant “to be of one mind, to have the same thoughts.” It was used of the unity of conspirators. It was also the word used to indicate that an issue was decided by “common consent.” Both thoughts and feelings were included in its meaning. The Church fathers used this word often. To them it meant “unity of mind, agreement, and concord.”

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 64.

Herald & Banner Press2017-05-12T09:03:00+00:00May 12th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Unity|0 Comments

A Focus on What We Have In Common
A Focus on What We Have In Common

A Focus on What We Have In Common

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

Peter began by addressing the Christian's attitude toward fellow Christians. He was addressing believers who were living under persecution and the stress that creates in relationships. It is easy to be critical and defensive when you are constantly under attack. Peter urged his readers to resist that temptation. The focus should be on what Christians have in common, and not on their differences (“be . . . of one mind”). Attitudes of sympathy, compassion, and consideration were to be prominent. And if they are, Peter reasoned, it will affect the use of your tongue. Words of blessing will be more common than words of criticism. Your words will bring peace instead of division; healing rather than hurt. Your speech will be marked by transparency rather than deception. Verse 12 suggests clearly that such a person is the one who finds favor in the eyes of God.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 65.

Herald & Banner Press2017-05-11T08:54:00+00:00May 11th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Unity|0 Comments

A Life Lived as a Thank You to God
A Life Lived as a Thank You to God

A Life Lived as a Thank You to God

In "Biblical Perspective" Larry Grile writes:

Israel's parents could tell their children that their life style was based squarely both on what God had done for them and on what God had spoken to them. Since God had redeemed them from Egyptian bondage, He had a right to expect from them an altered life style, a life style that both would glorify Him and would be for their own good. God's requirements are always for our good, so that He can be good to us in wonderful and innumerable ways. Parents could remind their children that the pious keeping of God's laws was the evidence and measure of genuine righteousness, and that through their righteousness God would be able to pour out on them His goodness and blessings. Parents needed to remind their children that they were just as obligated as their parents were to preserve the blessings of God by faithful and continued obedience in the years to come.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 61.

Herald & Banner Press2017-05-06T08:56:00+00:00May 6th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Lifestyle|0 Comments

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