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Is the Church just another club?
In "God's Word for Today" David Woods writes:
When I was young, my brothers and I tried to organize a club with some friends. The problem was that we only saw our friends occasionally. During our first meeting, we talked through the rules and purpose of our club. A month later when we saw our friends again, we realized we would have to start our club from scratch. Another month later when we saw them again. . . . Sometimes the local church appears to be a sophisticated version of our boys' club. The loyalty of some members may be greater – or lesser – but the purpose is similar: to satisfy my spiritual needs and desires. Scripture paints a much different picture of the Church – a group of individuals redeemed by the blood of Christ, vitally connected to one another, committed to an eternal purpose.
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 3.
How to Have a More Engaged Sunday School Class
Every Sunday school teacher wants an engaged class – students who are active in the learning process. But what can the teacher do to encourage active learners? There is a catchy phrase common in educational circles today that says that a teacher should be “a guide on the side; not a sage on the stage.” Translated, that phrase means that teachers not only give good information, but they encourage their students to contribute information to the learning process as well. Group interaction in a class does carry some risks, and not every-one is comfortable with the process. So in the teaching tips for this quarter we will discuss some “do's and don'ts” for effective class discussions. My prayer is that if you have wanted more discussion, but did not know how to get it, these tips will result in opening the door to an active, engaged class.
"Tips for Teachers", by Gordon Snider.
Source: The Church: God's People. Adult Teacher's Insights, page 3.
Lord of the Atonement
Read Hebrews 9:11-15
“And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (v. 15).
He had messed up. Now the police were involved. Next came the court appearance. He entered a guilty plea, and a hefty fine was levied. The fine was more than he could pay, but a friend offered to pay the balance of the fine for him. That is the way atonement works. We messed up. The correct terminology is we sinned. Declared guilty in the court of heaven, the penalty for our sins was much more than we could pay; we deserved to die. That is when the best friend we could ever have stepped to our side to represent us. More than paying a fine, our best friend, Jesus, died for us. His sacrificial, substitutionary death satisfied God's righteousness and holiness and atoned for our sins. Only by faith in the offering that Jesus made for us can we find forgiveness of sins, cleansing of the sinful nature, and the new and eternal life that Jesus provides. Who could plan such an atonement! Only God could do it. While it is beyond our comprehension, this atonement was planned for us before God created the world. In the person of Jesus Christ, the atonement was completed at Calvary. (Mark Avery)
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. — Robert Lowry
*Jesus made atonement for my sins and yours.*
This devotional is the Friday, June 2, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.
The Lord of the Church
FOCUS TEXT: Matthew 16:13-27
KEY VERSE: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Jesus Christ is the head of the Church.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify ways to put Christ in His place as Head of the Church.
LESSON OUTLINE:
- The Divine Revelation (Matthew 16:13-20)
- The Human Misunderstanding (Matthew 16:21-23)
- The Challenge to Follow (Matthew 16:24-27)
Citizenship and Christianity
This video by Dr. Russell Moore is directed toward American citizenship and Christianity, but the principle applies to all Christians around the world.
https://youtu.be/0S3S9hEfjfw
The Nationality of the Christian
In "Biblical Perspective" Larry Grile writes:
Peter considered Christians to be of a different “nationality.” In this world we are not at home; we are foreigners merely passing through to our native country. Abstain from fleshly lusts. God has created us with desires; but sin has tainted human desires with a compulsion to selfish, sensual, and illicit expression. While that compulsion may be purified from the heart, it remains that the capability of desires is still there and must be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit, who alone can help us to keep ourselves within proper bounds. To what extent any individual Christian may, for example, momentarily admire beauty, etc., within sanctified bounds will depend on each person's vulnerabilities; only the Holy Spirit can guide each person in drawing these lines. Nevertheless, it remains that such desires are themselves potential mortal enemies to all that is right and good in our hearts and lives, until and unless they are kept continually surrendered to God. This issue does not represent a single battle, but rather is a potential warfare that continues as long as we live; the man who lets down his guard of faith, prayer, and self-discipline will find himself a victim of the devil.
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 76.