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.

2017-03-04T09:00:00+00:00March 4th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , , |0 Comments
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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.

2017-03-03T09:00:00+00:00March 3rd, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: |0 Comments
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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.

2017-03-02T09:00:00+00:00March 2nd, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , |0 Comments
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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.

2017-02-25T09:00:00+00:00February 25th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , |0 Comments
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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.

2017-02-19T08:00:00+00:00February 19th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: |0 Comments
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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.

2017-02-11T09:00:00+00:00February 11th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: , |0 Comments
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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.

2017-02-10T09:00:00+00:00February 10th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: |0 Comments
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How should Christians use their spiritual gifts?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Omar Lee writes:

Remember, gifts come from God, and He in His wisdom gives them as He wills. Some are gifted preachers. Others less gifted may still preach but will never attain what the others do. The call may be the same, but the gifts differ. Others may be musicians, skilled carpenters, etc. None should look down on another, because his work is a worship to God just as ours is. His work is a service just as ours is. Let us make sure that we use our gifts so that no part of God's great building (the Church) will be built out of shoddy material! Notice that these gifts are for others, not ourselves; therefore, we have nothing to be proud of in our success. In the list of gifts, practical service, deakonia, is close to the top of the list. Do not apologize for being a practical servant. After all, these are the ones who build the building for those who serve in higher realms. They may not know, but God knows that “gifted” leaders would fall from cloud nine if it were not for the practical people who keep the organization together.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 68.

2017-02-08T09:00:00+00:00February 8th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|0 Comments
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Why are our attempts to earn our salvation futile?

In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:

The perfect obedience of Christ is a standard that no man on his own can equal. When man compares himself with Christ, he sees how totally impossible it is for him to “establish [his] own righteousness.” Christ did not destroy the law, but His perfect obedience made it forever impossible for man to claim his own righteousness as a reason for salvation. But notice the qualification — to every one that believeth. Once a man believes in Christ as Savior, he abandons any attempt to attain righteousness by his own merit. For those without faith, Christ is not the end of the law for righteousness. They, like the Jews of verse 3, continue the vain effort of salvation by works.

Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 59.

2017-02-04T09:00:00+00:00February 4th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: |0 Comments
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