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What is the meaning of predestination?
In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:
The other word is predestinate. This word conveys the idea of limiting in advance or marking out beforehand.
It should be noted that the verses where this word occurs relate to God’s redemptive plan for those who are “in Christ,” that is, believers. So we can see that predestination is primarily a doctrine for the saints, not for sinners.
Here we need to ask the right question. It is not who are the objects of this predestination, but to what they are predestinated. The text simply says that the believers are predestined “to be conformed to the image of his Son.”
It is only natural that the believer should be Christlike, for in Him is our total salvation dependent.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 46.
Pray for Your Sunday School Superintendent
Heavenly Father, thank Your for my Sunday school superintendent and all the work that he/she does to make sure our Sunday school department runs properly.
You see the stress this person experiences when teachers are absent without warning or complain and argue over little things. Help me to be an encouragement by faithfully showing up each week and letting the superintendent know well in advance if I cannot come. Help me also to have such a sweet spirit that it gives joy to him/her.
Enable this person to have the strength and energy to serve in this position. Help them not to feel overwhelmed by the various administrative tasks for which they are responsible. Give this person creative ideas for how to encourage and train us teachers to disciple our students more effectively. Help us teachers to work together for the good of our church, but most of all because we love You, Lord.
More Than Conquerors
Lesson 8 - January 22, 2017
Focus Text: Romans 8:26-39
Central Truth: God's grace enables us to have victory over all of life's difficulties.
Objective: By the end of this class my students should be able to identify at least one problem in their life in which they will trust God for victory.
Lesson Outline:
- The Help of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:24-27)
- The Promise for the Believer (Romans 8:28-32)
- The Power to Conquer (Romans 8:33-39)
The Formula for Victory
In "Doctrinal Discussion" Omar Lee writes:
First Peter 2:1-11 gives the formula for victorious living.
- Spiritual hunger — maintaining a healthy hunger for the Word of God will help to promote spiritual renewal and victory.
- Spiritual growth — eating a balanced diet will ensure us of advancing into maturity and in the understanding of the Christian life.
- Spiritual liveliness — our liveliness will be an inspiration to others until a spiritual house (church) will be established which will attract others to it as well.
- Spiritual values — we can see the true cornerstone is Jesus, and we will measure all other things in relation to His reaction to them through the Word, through the Spirit, and through our consciences.
- Spiritual heritage — it should be cause for celebration to know that we are a chosen people. We are a people belonging to God, and we are no longer orphans!
- Spiritual sanctity — we are in a spiritual war, but by abstaining from fleshly lusts, we can win.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 44.
Are the Law and grace at odds?
In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:
The law that was twisted by sin to enslave man was from the beginning the righteous counsel of God. God's purpose then in condemning sin was first to establish that His original counsel was righteous. But the purpose of sending Christ was also that the law might be fulfilled in us. God wanted it to be seen that His original plan for man was pos-sible, and our lives are to be the proof of that. Seen in this way there is no conflict between law and grace.
Source: Studies in Romans: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 41.