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Children Are Special to God

Read Matthew 18:1-6

“Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (v. 6).

Growing up in the sixties in a godly Christian home enabled me to come under the influence of godly parents, great Christian reading, life lessons in prayer and thanksgiving. Although there were no Christian schools and our public school teachers were not all Christians, they always honored Judeo-Christian values in the classroom. I’ll never forget the time when one of the students brought a tape to school with the recording of Bill Cosby’s “Noah and the Ark.” The teacher allowed him to begin playing it during our Christmas party, and almost immediately had him turn it off because she said it was distasteful and disrespectful of the Bible.

Today, many children grow up with no Christian training at home and no Christian teaching at school. God’s absence creates a vacuum in their hearts and minds. Truth loses its meaning; love loses its motivation, and learning loses its moorings. How can they learn wisdom and understanding, since “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Prov. 9:10).

It remains our duty and delight as Christian parents and grandparents to train and teach our offspring through the third generation (Deut. 4:9). Beyond that, our influence will wane, and our memories will fade from their hearts and minds. (Stephen N. Hickman)

Where there is no Christian teaching, truth loses its meaning; love loses its motivation, and learning loses its moorings.

May 23rd, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|0 Comments

Is Life Sacred?

Focus Text: Psalm 139:12-16 Deuteronomy 27:24, 25; Exodus 21:22-25
Central Truth: Only our Creator has the right to determine our life span.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state why abortion is wrong.
Lesson Outline:

Value of the Unborn (Psalm 139:12-16)
Murder of the Innocent (Deuteronomy 27:24, 25)
Penalty for Murder (Exodus 21:22-25)

May 21st, 2018|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: abortion, life, sacred|0 Comments

Encourage Your Students

Teachers of adults in a church setting often have students for short time periods. The teacher or class may not have opportunity to know if a fellow class member is discouraged or troubled. Be positive! Be encouraging! Realize that your students may be fighting serious, life-altering battles. Be sensitive to the gravity of situations, but in all cases, be an encourager! Have an appropriate mantra for your class that has an encouraging, Scripture-based foundation, i.e., “God is working out His purpose,” “God is good,” “God loves us and does what is best for us.” But be aware of the possibility of minimizing a problem with a “godly” quote. Recognize that your class members have daily challenges, but help them know that when they come to your class, they will leave with a word of encouragement that has been spoken, based on God’s Word and His faithfulness!

May 18th, 2018|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Encouragement|0 Comments

Riches are Fleeting

Read Jeremiah 17:9-11

“As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool”

(v. 11).

All it takes is a hurricane to prove the fact that wealth is not lasting. Multi-million dollar homes on the beach front are gone in a swath of churning water. Billions of dollars worth of investment in businesses, golf courses, automobiles, and infrastructure can be swept away in minutes.

Or take the catastrophe of a financial collapse or the sudden calamity of an investment scam. In a flurry of numbers, the amount dwindles, and the account holder is faced with the reality that little or nothing is left. And riches can be fleeting, not only because they can be lost in a natural disaster or deceitful scheme, but also if they are gained at the expense of someone else.

The partridge, a common sight in ancient times, was often accused of hatching chicks which were not her own. The prophet makes reference to this in his admonition to us that we take heed to our use of riches. Wealth improperly gained is not an asset.

We must not be like a creature only out for gain, no matter the process. We must recognize that riches are temporal and look after the bit that God assigns to us. Only then can we rest in the security from above. (Valerie A. Quesenberry)

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,

Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

— Dallas Forgaill

Riches, like eggs, are fragile and must be handled with integrity.

May 16th, 2018|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: fleeting, riches, true wealth|0 Comments

Portraits of Bible Characters

The Bible centers around personalities. Augustine said it well: “The sacred record, like a faithful mirror, has no flattery in its portrait.” Sometimes the biographies of men and women outside the Bible seem to be too ideal and successful. But a journey through the pages of the Bible reveals those of like passion as ourselves.

The summer 2018 quarter studies "Portraits of Bible Characters." Join in this exploration of Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Gideon, Ruth, Hannah, Esther, Job, Jeremiah, Martha and Mary, Peter, Paul, and Dorcas.

May 14th, 2018|Categories: Quarter Topic|0 Comments

How Do Christians Handle Their Money?

Focus Text: Exodus 20:17 Proverbs 28:20-22; 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17 Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:12
Central Truth: Beware of the world’s perspective of get-rich-quick. It’s a sure road to destruction — and it’s forbidden by God.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list at least three reasons people shouldn’t gamble.
Lesson Outline:

Exploitation of Others (Exodus 20:17)
Unwise Risk-Taking (Proverbs 28:20-22)
Motivated by Greed (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
Misplaced Trust (1 Timothy 6:17; Matthew 6:19-21)
Leads to Addiction (1 Corinthians 6:12)

May 14th, 2018|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: Christians, Money|0 Comments

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