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What is your purpose in worship?
In "God's Word for Today" David Woods writes:
Too often we do conduct our worship services without purpose. Mindlessly singing songs we’ve sung for years, we blindly follow patterns established years before.
**Discussion: **Why do we sing praise to God? What is our purpose in worship? Is singing praise songs about me and my feelings?
David encouraged us to approach worship more thoughtfully and purposefully in the introductory verses of this Psalm.
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 29.
God's Greatness in Redemption
Read Colossians 1:14-17
In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (v. 14).
I remember well those early days of ministry in my first pastorate some 35-plus years ago, and I remember an elderly gentleman named Arnold who regularly attended the services. When the congregation was given the opportunity to select a hymn to be sung, Arnold would request No. 247 and then not sing a word. Arnold just sat quietly with tears coursing down his weather-worn, wrinkled, leatherlike cheeks as we sang, Redeemed, Redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Arnold had not been raised in the church but had a godly grandmother like mine in his childhood. He had lived a rough sinners life well into adulthood. But one day the Saviour knocked at his heart's door, and Arnold confessed his sin, sought and found forgiveness, and experienced the redemption of saving grace made possible by our Saviour Jesus Christ. Yes, Arnold knew the full price had been paid because our loving God was great in giving redemption through Jesus His Son. (John 3:16)
The greatness of God has been manifested for you in the blood of Jesus that has paid the full price for your redemption. Have you accepted that redemption? (Marshall Mosley)
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
- Fanny J. Crosby (Public Domain)
<
p style="text-align:center;font-style:italic;">The full price has been paid for your soul. Live a redeemed life.
This devotional is the Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
The Barrier of Reading
According to the Literacy Project Foundation, "50% of adults cannot read a book written at an eighth grade level" and "45 million are functionally illiterate and read below a 5th grade level."^Literacy Project Foundation Meanwhile, the King James Version is rated at a 12th grade reading level.^Christianbook.com
Therefore, as a Sunday school teacher you should be aware that a number of your students may have difficulty in reading. Some may have difficulty in reading the King James Version, especially uncommon biblical names.
How can you lower the reading barrier in your class?
- Be sure to practice reading the scripture text yourself, so that you can read it fluently.
- If there are difficult words/names to pronounce, lead the class in pronouncing these various words before reading the text.
- Avoid asking those who struggle reading or those who are new to your class to read, especially the more difficult verses.
- Do NOT correct (and thereby embarrass) students when they mispronounce or struggle with various words.
The Greatness of God
Lesson 5 - October 2, 2016
Focus Text: Psalm 33:1-15
Central Truth: God deliveres all who trust in Him.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify three attributes of God and the specific effects each of these has on their lives.
Lesson Outline:
- Great in His Righteousness (Psalm 33:1-5)
- Great in His Power (Psalm 33:6-12)
- Great in His Knowledge (Psalm 33:13-22)
Prayer – Lesson 4, Turning Fear into Courage
Heavenly Father, as our classes study this lesson today, help our students to learn how to respond to life's challenges with courage instead of paralyzing fear. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
What should we do after praying to God about our troubles?
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalm 27:14)
In "Biblical Perspective" Gordon Snider writes:
This closing exhortation may have been self-talk, the psalmist’s instructions to others based upon what he had just experienced, or the words of a third party to the psalmist. It concludes a Psalm characterized by imperatives with three more. Wait on the LORD suggests the idea of “Don’t give up.” This is active waiting — with expectation and hope, not resignation and exasperation. Be of good courage could be paraphrased, “Be tough.” Christians are not soft-skinned weaklings. They are warriors who must expect the adversities of battle. But in the battle we must not forget our resources. He shall strengthen thine heart. There is an interesting parallel in these two lines. God is said to do for us what we are commanded to do for ourselves.
Source: Studies in the Psalms: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 25.