Lesson Highlights

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

Is your hope in wealth?
Is your hope in wealth?

Is your hope in wealth?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Jason Lindahl writes:

One of these was Job, a respected leader in his ancient community. In Eastern poetical language, he said, “Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me . . . when I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil” (29:2-6). Job confessed that he fully expected to die in this blessed state: “Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand” (29:18). However, his story illustrates that wealth, by itself, is a lousy source of security. In chapter 28, Job wrote about the wealth of precious stones and metals hidden in the earth and the means men use to mine them. Perhaps some of his own wealth was related to this mining. However, Job went on to explain that wisdom's value is much greater than all of this earthly wealth. He understood the principle that “the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” (v. 28). Job's hope was not in his wealth, but in God.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 32.

Herald & Banner Press2017-04-01T09:00:00+00:00April 1st, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: hope, Wealth|0 Comments

Is it wrong to want to be rich?
Is it wrong to want to be rich?

Is it wrong to want to be rich?

In "Biblical Perspective" Larry Grile writes:

The desire and purpose to be rich is neither spiritual nor legitimate. The desire to have money and possessions exposes men to unexpected temptations and traps them in unwanted trials and adversities. The lure of riches will tempt men to violate conscience and compromise ethics. Part of the problem of desiring to be wealthy is that it creates endless possibilities and therefore breeds many other desires for all kinds of worthless and harmful things. Things that we do not need and things that we should not want begin to overwhelm our lives, saturate our minds, absorb our time, and drain our money. Finally, all these things converge to overwhelm the soul and sink men down into ruin and eternal damnation.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 29.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-31T09:00:00+00:00March 31st, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Desire|0 Comments

When there is a vacuum in our souls
When there is a vacuum in our souls

When there is a vacuum in our souls

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

If there is a vacuum in our souls, however, covetousness will fill it! So having warned us against its danger, Paul urged the believer to fill the soul with higher qualities (v. 11)! To do so requires strenuous effort — active engagement (v. 12). People who live on with this world in view will succumb to the temptation of covetousness (vs. 7, 14-16). That is how Jesus avoided the materialism of His day (v. 13). He focused, not upon His standing before His peers, but upon His standing before His Father. Living in the presence of God lessens the attraction of earthly valuables! Paul wanted to make it clear, however, that possessions are not the danger, but our attitude toward them. He assumed that some people will be entrusted by God with greater wealth than others. Being so entrusted, however, can prove to be our damnation unless we develop and live by a godly theology of abundance. A key component of such a theology is a spirit of giving. If those who are blessed with this world's goods have truly learned the dignity of all humanity, they will find that they will want to enable the less fortunate.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 29.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-30T09:00:00+00:00March 30th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Soul|0 Comments

The Work Ethic of Apostle Paul
The Work Ethic of Apostle Paul

The Work Ethic of Apostle Paul

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Jason Lindahl writes:

Paul himself set the example by working as a tent-maker and providing for his own needs whenever possible during his missionary journeys. As God's minister, he had the right to earn his living by preaching the gospel, but he wanted to practice the sermon he had preached to the Thessalonians: “If any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). Of course, Paul was willing to receive support and gifts from fellow believers when willingly offered, as he mentioned in Philippians 4:14, 15. (Notice that Paul received this help while laboring at the laziness-plagued Thessalonian church.) Paul went on to thank the Philippians for their most recent gift, which, of course, he was receiving while in prison and unable to work. It is not wrong to graciously accept a gift as a blessing from God when He chooses to send one our way. God has proven over and again that, while He expects us to be diligent in our work, His overflow of blessings to us will far exceed anything that could ever be earned.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 26.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-25T09:00:00+00:00March 25th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Work|0 Comments

How does God's Word speak to the 21st century work culture?
How does God's Word speak to the 21st century work culture?

How does God's Word speak to the 21st century work culture?

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

Among the many things that have changed in my life-time is the employment picture in the USA. It used to be that a person spent an entire working career with one employer. The employee felt a certain amount of loyalty to the employer, and the employer felt a certain amount of responsibility for the needs of the employee, either because the employer had a generous heart, or because he was under contractual constraints with a union. Today, long-term commitment in the marketplace seems largely a thing of the past. And the resulting “dog eat dog” atmosphere makes it even more difficult for the employee to work “as unto the Lord.” It is important to remember that the biblical principles concerning master/servant weren't written under ideal conditions either. By almost any standards slavery is far worse than today's selfish employment theater, but whatever the social conditions of the day, the principles of God's Word remain the same. Be careful! Thoughtful attention to today's lesson may require an attitude change when you head to work tomorrow!

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 22.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-24T09:00:00+00:00March 24th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Work|0 Comments

What's so wrong with being a "menspleaser"?

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

Although one should serve to bring honor to God, there are many who are only rendering eye-service. This word “denotes service performed only under the master's eye . . . diligently performed when he is looking, but neglected in his absence” (W. E. Vine). Service that is rendered only when the master's eye is fixed on the worker stands as a reproach before fellow-workers, especially if that one is a Christian. This problem has always existed, especially if the service is of an involuntary nature. Faithfulness to perform only when under observation is a disgrace. One should be bound to perform his work with such faithfulness, not only because he is being watched by man, but because he is always being watched by God. Also, many perform so as to be menpleasers. This Greek word signifies a striving to please men. It designates “not simply one who is pleasing to men . . . but one who endeavors to please men and not God” (H. Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon of N.T. Greek). The object of the Christian worker is not to please men but to please and honor God. If service is rendered with this attitude, the service itself will stand as a testimony to the worker's religion.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 22.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-23T09:00:00+00:00March 23rd, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Hypocrisy|0 Comments

What does it mean to be a "good" servant?

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

The first word Jesus used was good. There are two words in the Greek that can be translated “good” — kalos and agathos. The word used here is agathos, and Jesus' use of it is very significant. In secular Greek agathos means serviceable and good — the good which evokes a state of well-being, whether intellectual, material, religious, or moral. Kalos embraces all these meanings as well as adding the idea of beauty, of loveliness, of graciousness, of winsomeness — that which appeals also to the eye. But why did Jesus use agathos instead of kalos in this parable? Because the result of its activity is essential, that good which is by its very root and character of a moral nature was used as a quality that is the foundation for righteousness. It is that good which preserves and supports, that which does more than justice demands (it is sometimes translated “generous”). It is that good which characterizes one who can be entrusted with a responsibility that will be executed to please his master. Agathos was used because the root or character of the person will be judged.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 16.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-17T09:00:00+00:00March 17th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Good|0 Comments

Is God fair in condemning people who've never heard the Gospel to Hell?
Is God fair in condemning people who've never heard the Gospel to Hell?

Is God fair in condemning people who've never heard the Gospel to Hell?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Jason Lindahl writes:

Since the Bible says that we are judged based on the light we have, are the heathen better off being left alone so that they have an excuse for not living righteously? After all, they can't be held responsible for light they don't have, right?
There are at least three biblical reasons why this line of reasoning is faulty. First, Romans 1:19, 20 says, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them" … These verses teach us there is at least enough biblical evidence in the physical universe to reveal the existence of an all-powerful Creator that is greater than any idol someone could construct…
Second, Romans 2 says that every person has a God-given conscience which leads him instinctively to view certain behaviors as wrong and others as right…
Third, Jesus told us in John 16:8 that the Holy Spirit is active in this world, and that part of His job is to convict every individual in it of sin, righteousness, and judgment …

See your Adult Insights for the full discussion of this thorny question!
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 20.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-16T09:00:00+00:00March 16th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Hell|0 Comments