Lesson Highlights

What is the biblical perspective on division?
What is the biblical perspective on division?

What is the biblical perspective on division?

In "Biblical Perspective" Larry Grile writes concerning Colossians 3:11:

In the spiritual realm of redemptive grace, human distinctions and divisions are annulled. There are not Greek Christians and Jewish Christians; there are only Christians. In Christ, whether one is circumcised or not does not matter. Whether one is merely a foreigner or is a savage makes no difference. Whether one is a freeman or a slave makes no difference. But Christ is all, and in all. Human distinctions are not erased but are transcended in Jesus Christ. Man's efforts to erase distinctions through a socialist world order are doomed to confusion and failure. Socialism is carnal man's solution to the carnal frictions produced by the human differences in our world. On the other hand, Jesus Christ is everything! Before any of us came to Christ, we were nothing. No matter how low or high we thought we were, Christ exalted us. Now that we are in Christ, we are brethren. Now that Christ is in us, we have no need for social uniformity, for we share a kindred spirit that transcends our diversities (Gal. 3:28).

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 12.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-11T09:00:00+00:00March 11th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Division, Relationships|0 Comments

Why do Christians struggle with troubled relationships?
Why do Christians struggle with troubled relationships?

Why do Christians struggle with troubled relationships?

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

Most people would agree that broken relationships are a huge problem in today's world. The divorce rate supports this statement, as does the increasing tendency to resort to violence against others. Divided churches and families are also stark reminders that Christians need to pay a lot more attention to relationships. As important as believing the correct truths is, the defining mark of the New Testament Christians, according to John 13:35, was their love for each other. So what is wrong? Why are Christians today even dealing with such troubled relationships? The central truth of today's lesson proposes an answer to that question. “Proper relationships with others begin with a proper relationship with God.”

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 10.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-10T09:00:00+00:00March 10th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Relationships|0 Comments

The Prerequisite for Successful Relationships
The Prerequisite for Successful Relationships

The Prerequisite for Successful Relationships

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

Since life itself is built around relationships (both with others and with the Creator), the success of these relationships is determined by the set of the will: whether it is bent to the physical, twisted to the mental, or surrendered to the spiritual. Paul got right to the point of this matter. In Colossians 2 he showed what a true Christian ought not to follow. In chapter 3 he taught what the Christian ought to pursue. He enjoined various duties in the different relations of life, which should be performed in such a way as to show that true religion has a controlling influence over the heart. These relationships, both with God and with others, involve both action and attitude on the part of man.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 10.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-09T09:00:00+00:00March 9th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Relationships|0 Comments

What is the value of the human race in God's eyes?
What is the value of the human race in God's eyes?

What is the value of the human race in God's eyes?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Jason Lindahl writes:

The dignity of humanity as the divine image-bearer has been under hell's attack for a very long time. The ancient Gnostics taught that matter was evil, including human bodies. The Hindus teach that in reincarnation, a person can return to earth as an insect or a lowly beast. According to Hinduism, it will take a very long time and much trial and error for a living form to escape this cycle of death and rebirth and somehow emerge pure and perfect. In all of this, salvation depends not upon a loving, personal God, but upon us. It is at this point that the Bible gives us the greatest testament to the value heaven places upon humanity. For God's Word tells us that the Father did not leave us to find a solution to our problems through endless years of struggle and reincarnation. Instead, He stepped into our world to provide the solution, and He did it by becoming a man! In the person of Jesus Christ, God became man and remains a man forever. God showed what incredible worth humanity has by taking on flesh and bone. He then laid down that physical body in death to provide us with “so great salvation” (Heb. 2:3).

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 8.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-04T09:00:00+00:00March 4th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: God, Humanity, Value|0 Comments

Man – God's Special Creation
Man – God's Special Creation

Man – God's Special Creation

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

The making or fashioning of man was not an act that resulted from a word spoken, but involved the personal and wise consideration of a planned purpose. This then resulted in an object carefully fashioned by God's own hands, so to speak, made from a substance (the ground) over which this object was to have dominion. It received life by the very breath of its Creator, and stands over all creation as the very image of its Creator. As H. Vorländer says, “His humanity resides in the life he has been given (2:7b) in his correspondence to God (1:27a). He is deemed worthy to be spopken to by God and to be given a task (2:16f.; 1:28)” (New International Dict. of N.T. Theology). God had purpose behind all creation, but that purpose resides in the grand purpose for man's creation. All of nature surely shows the handiwork of God, but His greatest expression is seen in man.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 4.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-03T09:00:00+00:00March 3rd, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Man|0 Comments

What are ways we neglect the dignity of humanity?

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

Ever since the publishing of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of the Species in 1859, there has been an increasing tendency to treat people with less dignity than God intended. The problem is widespread in our society. Many of the ethical questions facing today's world — genetic engineering, abortion, and assisted suicide, to name a few — are the result of this tendency to treat people as things to be manipulated rather than beings to be honored and respected. Sadly, even Christians who take strong, biblical stands on these issues can fall prey to the same subtle temptation. Often, perhaps always, when we fail to show due consideration for others, we have yielded to the temptation to treat others as something less than human. When we use people to accomplish our goals, we have done the same. Abuse in almost any form begins with denying the God-given dignity of the other person.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 4.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-02T09:00:00+00:00March 2nd, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Dignity, Humanity|0 Comments

Are you a stepping stone or a stumbling block?
Are you a stepping stone or a stumbling block?

Are you a stepping stone or a stumbling block?

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

“The kind of stumbling block or hindrance which Paul had in mind is the setting of an example which might lead another into sin. A Christian ‘stumbles' if, following the example of a more emancipated Christian, he does something of which his own conscience does not really approve. In consequence his spiritual life will suffer grave injury” (Bruce, Romans). Thus, the stronger Christian should resolve to live out his Christian experience so it would not be an occasion of leading his weaker brother to sin, whether by example or by a severe and harsh judgment which would provoke him to anger, or create jealousies, envyings, or suspicions. There is no allowance for indifference, for the influence which the believer's conduct may have on another believer should be exercised in consideration which is due to them. The searchlight of divine love should be turned upon our own hearts in order to determine whether we are stepping stones or stumbling blocks.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 76.

Herald & Banner Press2017-02-25T09:00:00+00:00February 25th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Christian, Influence|0 Comments

What is the Christian's Relationship to the Government?

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

New Testament writers were clear in directing Christian citizens to respect and obey governmental authority. (See Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Tim. 2:1, 2; Titus 3:1; and 1 Peter 2:13-17.) With secular governments unappreciative of spiritual values and at times even oppressive, it would be convenient to disregard their authority as anti-God. Paul argued to the contrary. Government is a divinely authorized impediment to anarchy and a divinely appointed agent for the punishment of evildoers to the degree that the ruler “beareth not the sword in vain.” Christians are directed to pray for those in authority over them, and to be submissive to the rule of law. Only in the most extreme cases were they to implement the dictum of Peter: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” Following the example of Christ himself, believers were directed to pay taxes inasmuch as they derived certain privileges from government which they could not provide for themselves. In the New Testament understanding, being a Christian citizen should be grounds for being a better citizen rather than a rebellious one. Likewise, being a Christian should entail a life motivated by love for all.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, pages 70-71.

Herald & Banner Press2017-02-19T08:00:00+00:00February 19th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Government|0 Comments

What is our reasonable service?
What is our reasonable service?

What is our reasonable service?

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

The word for service is a religious word that means “service'' or “worship.” It is used five times in the New Testament, where it always refers to religious service, not secular. Thus, true reasonable service is literally a spiritual function (not an external function) whereby man's spirit is in communion with God's Spirit. Man's spirit is that part of his personality which reflects its closest and most intimate relationship. From such a fellowship with God, man's spirit not only reflects that Christlikeness which results from the association, but also responds in obedience to the will of Him who has justified his spirit.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 64.

Herald & Banner Press2017-02-11T09:00:00+00:00February 11th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Service, worship|0 Comments

The Call of the Cross
The Call of the Cross

The Call of the Cross

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

The basis of Paul's appeal for consecration is “the mercies of God.” John Bowring wrote, “In the cross of Christ I glory, Tow'ring o'er the wrecks of time. All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.” Wesley said when dying, “I the chief of sinners am, but Jesus died for me.” The cross is the epic moment of history for the world at large and the individual Christian in particular. We are forever dependent upon the cross. Because of the cross, we owe Him everything. While the theology of the cross is compelling to consider, it issues in a practical assignment. “Present your bodies.” Barclay observed that true worship is not ritual; rather, it is the offering of the body every day. The body is the instrument of service. Such an offering is not salvation by works, but rather, an appropriate response.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 65.

Herald & Banner Press2017-02-10T09:00:00+00:00February 10th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: cross|0 Comments