Paradoxically, it is only by dying that we may truly live. When baptized, we (ideally) died to our old nature and rose again to a new life. It would have been wonderful if the old man of sin had permanently died when we were buried under baptismal waters. Sooner or later, however, all of us … Continue reading –>
Students who are loved at home, come to school to learn, and students who aren’t, come to school to be loved. Nicholas A. Ferroni There is no true education, growth or maturity without love. On my first day of Kindergarten, way back in the mid 1900’s, I was given a red badge to wear, which … Continue reading –>
Along with studying the Bible, prayer is indispensable in order for us to abide in Christ and grow spiritually. Even Jesus Himself needed prayer to be united with the Father. He left us an example of a life of prayer. Prayer marked the crucial moments of His life. He prayed when He was baptized. He … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : Christian growth is the natural consequence of a healthy relationship with God and church family. [Lesson Plan for Growing in Christ August 4, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read John 3:1-3. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. What does it … Continue reading –>
A flourishing spiritual life is possible only by constantly depending on Christ. Jesus used the illustration of the vine to teach us how to accomplish this. I am the vine, you are the branches, said Jesus (John 15:5, NKJV). In the Old Testament, Israel was depicted as a vine that the Lord had planted (Isa. … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: John 3:1-15; 2 Cor. 5:17; John 15:4-10; Matt. 6:9-13; Luke 9:23-24. Memory Text: Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3, NKJV). Nicodemus felt drawn to Christ but dared not visit Him … Continue reading –>
John W. Fountain was, at one time a national correspondent for the New York Times and is now a professor of journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Back in 2005 he gave his testimony on the NPR program, All Things Considered. Here is a excerpt. “I believe in God. Not that cosmic, intangible … Continue reading –>
Will there be a need for the law in Christ’s eternal kingdom? What role does the law play in the lives of those who claim to be a part of his kingdom? Find out what the Sabbath School author has to say on this week’s edition of “Ask the Author.” (If you have missed past … Continue reading –>
When I first picked up the game of golf over seven years ago, I was excited to get to play with my friend Tom, a buddy from college. I had only been golfing a few weeks when we met one winter on a course in the Chattanooga Mountains. I scored a 137 in the mountains that day and … Continue reading –>
Have you ever been “compelled” to do something? Have you ever “compelled” anybody else do to anything? Does the word “compel” have positive or negative connotations to you? It’s an important question because we are told in the Matthew 14 parable of the wedding feast, “…, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel … Continue reading –>
