Who were the first missionaries that Jesus ever sent out? They were not among the disciples. They were not among His long-time followers. The first missionaries that Jesus sent out had been mad men, demoniacs who a few hours before had terrorized the countryside and struck fear into the hearts of the neighboring villagers. With … Continue reading –>
John and James, the sons of Zebedee, were known as the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17, NKJV). In fact, it was Jesus who gave them their nickname. An illustration of John’s fiery disposition took place when Jesus and His disciples were traveling through Samaria. When they tried to find a place of lodging for the night, … Continue reading –>
As Christians, we all have a personal story to tell, a story about how Jesus changed our lives and what He has done for us. Read Ephesians 2:1-10. What were we like before we knew Christ? What is ours since we have accepted Christ? A. Before we knew Christ (Ephesians 2:1-3). B. After we knew Christ (Ephesians 2:4-10). … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Ephesians 2:1-10, 1 John 4:7-11, Mark 5:1-20, Hebrews 10:19-22, Galatians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 1:30. Memory Text: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son … Continue reading –>
Forgiven in East Timor By Andrew Mcchesney The would-be killer of a Seventh-day Adventist store clerk won’t face punishment after East Timor authorities accepted a decision by the clerk to forgive rather than seek justice in the attack. The case has shocked the East Timor town of Lospalos, where retribution is common, and even the … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: A number of years ago a small European church outside of one of the continent’s major cities decided that it had to do something significant for the Lord. The church was stagnant. No one had been baptized for years. If the present trend continued, the church had little future. The pastor and his … Continue reading –>
Small groups are a vehicle that God uses to grow His church. They are “safe havens” for people to express their problems and discuss mutual concerns. They provide opportunities for spiritual growth in the context of caring relationships. Many non-Christians will initially feel more comfortable in participating in a small group meeting in a home … Continue reading –>
The New Testament church exploded in growth. In a few short years it grew from a small group of believers to tens of thousands of worshipers. There were many factors that contributed to this influx of believers and this rapid growth phenomenon. Jesus’ ministry sowed the seed of the gospel and prepared the multitudes to … Continue reading –>
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-25. How does the human body provide an excellent illustration of working together harmoniously in small groups? Paul not only reveals the importance of spiritual gifts in the life of the church, he also suggests a model of how they can be organized. He discusses spiritual gifts in the context of the body … Continue reading –>
The Bible provides numerous examples of small groups praying, fellowshiping, encouraging one another, and laboring together for Christ. These groups provided God’s people the opportunity to share responsibilities and fully utilize their varied gifts. That is, small groups can provide the opportunity for the Lord to use each of us more fully. Read Exodus 18:21-25. What … Continue reading –>
