The Dwindling Church
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
“We simply must DO something to increase our membership,” Angie said.
Sylvia shrugged. “Or get more of our inactive members to show up for church–”
“–With an offering.” Angie broke in.
Fred was peeling an orange as he entered the living room from the kitchen. “What’s wrong with belonging to a small church?” he said. Angie jumped up and handed him a towel.
Sylvia said, [...]
Key Thought : A desire to please God and love others will truly be an effective witness for Christ.
[Teaching plan for "The Apostolic Example" July 30, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 2:1-3.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How can we be positive and persevere in presenting the gospel when things aren’t going so well for us or we have a ton of opposition? Share [...]
Thankful Adventists
Once upon a time there was a mid-sized Seventh-day Adventist church with about 150 people attending every Sabbath. As the years rolled on, certain factions developed within the church. There were the hard-working, rough-talking folks. And the genteel ones who could wear a spotless white suit bearing a white orchid and look with disdain on others less well dressed. And people in between. When you walked in the front door of the church you would [...]
Key Thought : Christians should be thankful for the way God’s grace can transform a person’s life and be encouraging to other growing Christians.
[Teaching plan for "Joyous and Thankful" July 23, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read I Thessalonians 1:1-4.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. For what things is Paul giving thanks? How would these things be manifested in daily life?
C. Personal Application: What encouragement can you draw [...]
“Mom! Dad! Where’s everybody?” Ariston let his sandals clack against the hard surface of the walkway as he dashed through the Thessalonian house where he lived with his family.
Image © Standard Publishing from GoodSalt.com
“Over here!” His mother called from the corner of the house where she was mixing dough for flat bread. “What is so urgent?”
“Can I go see Paul?” Ariston was breathing hard. He crossed his legs and held out his hands to his mother as he sat [...]
Key Thought : Presenting the gospel in a way that meets the needs of others requires a solid grasp of the Word and an understanding of the needs of those we wish to reach.
[Teaching plan for "Thessalonica in Paul's Day" July 16.2012]
1. Have a volunteer read John 11:48-50.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How does the current political situation in your community affect the work of [...]
A journey through time
“Would you look at that? A perfect illustration of the god particle.” Fred held up the second week’s lesson of the Bible Study Guide and pointed to the picture of two hands reaching for each other.
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
“Whatever are you talking about?” Sherry said, her eyebrows lifting toward her hairline. “Whatever in the world does the god particle have to do with the lesson this week?”
Fred folded back the pages [...]
Key Thought : Evangelism is not just a mere acceptance of Christian beliefs. The whole life – physical, mental, and emotional is involved in our Christian faith..
[Teaching plan for "Preserving Relationships" July 9, 2012]
1. Have a volunteer read Acts 17:5-9.
A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. In what ways as Seventh-day Adventist Christians, both positive and negative, do our lives affect the people we interact with from [...]
This quarter’s lessons focus on two of Paul’s letters to the church at Thessalonica. Today the city is called Thessaloniki and is a major a sea port of Greece on the northwestern shore of the Aegean Sea. It has a history that spans more that 2300 years.
The Cryptoporticus (Wikipedia article “Thesssaloniki”)
From its beginning in the kingdom of Macedon in 315, Thessalonica quickly became one of the most important sea ports of the kingdom due to its strategic location as [...]
Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com
Salina, Robert, and Kim, three youngsters, aged five, seven, and eight were ready to swing in the swings and play in the sandbox and take Rupert the dog for a walk. But it was pouring rain. Salina was still sniffling from a bad cold. Kim was pouting because she didn’t get two pieces of pie for dessert. Robert, the eight-year-old, decided he’d better take over.
“Let’s play church!” he said. “Kim, why [...]
