What is the book of Job? (Lesson for October 1, 2016)The book of Job is written as poetry, loaded with symbolism and parallel structure. The book is carefully constructed, as if it is intended for memorizing and even public presentation. Far greater than that, however, is the message of Job. What does Job have to say … [Click to read more …]
Memory Text: Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.—Romans 12:11-13 NIV. [Lesson 13, September 24, 2016] Were you impressed when you read the summary of Christian witnessing in northern California on … [Click to read more …]
Common–or uncommon–sense? [Lesson 12 for September 17] Advice to God’s people confined to exile: Work for the good of the country where you are taken. “If it prospers, you too will prosper.” Stunning words? or common wisdom? More people live in cities today than in the country or less populated areas. Does that mean we should … [Click to read more …]
They know His voice I. [Lesson 11 for September 10] You’ve probably seen it dozens of times–a dog turns into a bundle of wiggles running to its owner the moment it recognizes him or her. Do we Christians have the same instinct that draws us to our Owner and Protector, God? Why was the early Christian … [Click to read more …]
Winning Confidence. [Lesson 10 for September 3] What type of confidence winning do you see most? (1) a Spirit-led first step to making friends for Jesus; (2) A Satan-driven attempt to feel good following his ways. Wait a minute. Can winning someone’s confidence be bad as well as good? Explain. Can churches and belief systems exist … [Click to read more …]
What an Example! The opening note for our lesson this week describes a heart-lifting example of a woman believer in Africa being a minister for her community stricken by AIDS. Do reports like this stir you? Make you wish you could send a few thousand dollars to further this work? Or, go there yourself? Or can … [Click to read more …]
Sympathy. In the US we often see a big display of “sympathy” cards for sale among all the other greeting cards. If you’ve lost a friend or relative lately and have searched through the available cards, how hard was it to find one with just the right words? Or what about finding the right message for … [Click to read more …]
Memory text. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often I would have gathered they children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wing, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37. Should you and I long to take in as our good friends … [Click to read more …]
1. Christ’s Method Alone. Were you touched by the story of the dying man who grasped the hand of a Christian, convinced it was the hand of Jesus? What can you and I do to reach out to people so effectively that they will see Jesus in us? What did Jesus do before inviting people … [Click to read more …]
Mercy to the needy. You were probably touched by the story in the lesson about the child who was treated so kindly by a woman that in amazement he said, “Are you God’s wife?” Isn’t that our primary role in today’s world–to let God’s love show in what we do so strongly that people marvel … [Click to read more …]
