Compare biblical references on hospitality with actual incidents in the homes of several Bible families listed below. Isa. 58:6-7, Isa. 58:10-12; Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:9. Note the attributes of hospitality that are demonstrated. Abraham and Sarah (Gen. 18:1-8) Rebekah and her family (Gen. 24:15-20; Gen. 24:31-33) Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9) Hospitality meets another person’s basic needs for rest, food, and fellowship. It is a … Continue reading –>
In the following verses, trace the New Testament uses of the words “follow” (KJV) or “imitate” (NIV). What do they tell us about the process of becoming and growing as a Christian? What do you think they suggest about the relationship between modeling and witnessing? 1 Cor. 4:16, Eph. 5:1, 1 Thess. 1:6, Heb. 6:12, Heb. 13:7, 3 John 11. The New … Continue reading –>
What counsel does the New Testament have for marriages divide by religion? 1 Cor. 7:12-15; 1 Pet. 3:1-2. The blessing of being a Christian partner. In 1 Corinthians Paul responds to converts’ concerns that staying married to an unbelieving spouse might be offensive to God or bring defilement upon themselves and their children. Not so, says Paul. The … Continue reading –>
The most natural first recipients of our gospelsharing endeavors are the people in our households. There is no more important mission field than this. What conclusions can be drawn from John 1:40-42 about sharing faith at home? See also Deut. 6:6-7; Ruth 1:14-18. An enthusiastic report. Andrew went beyond mere reporting; he arranged for his brother, Simon, to meet Jesus. An … Continue reading –>
Read the account of Hezekiah’s healing and the visit of the Babylonian ambassadors. 2 Chron. 32:25, Isaiah 38:1-39:11; 2 Chron. 32:31 Scripture points out that the messengers were interested in the miraculous recovery of King Hezekiah. However, Hezekiah seems to have been silent about his healing experience. He didn’t emphasize the things that would have opened the hearts … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Isaiah 38:1-39:8; 1 Cor. 7:12-15; 1 Pet. 3:1-2; Heb. 6:12; Hebrews 13:7; 3 John 11; Isa. 58:6-7, Isaiah 58:10, Isaiah 58:12. Memory Text: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV). … Continue reading –>
By Andrew McChesney An elderly man stopped in Delsie Knicely’s family-owned store in rural West Virginia with a request. “I’d like to see you in church this Sabbath”, he said. Delsie didn’t want to go. She had been raised in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and had attended Adventist schools. But she had left the church … Continue reading –>
Friday Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “In the Court of Babylon”, pages 479-490, in Prophets and Kings; “Words of Caution”, pages 324, 329; “No Respect of Persons With God”, pages 330, 331, in Gospel Workers; “Rejoicing in the Lord”, pages 115-126, in Steps to Christ.No respect of persons with God. “The religion of Christ uplifts the receiver to a higher plane of thought … Continue reading –>
In his popular Bible paraphrase The Message, Eugene Peterson uses “message” wherever the biblical word for “gospel” appears. The good news about Jesus is truly the message still needed by the world today. Christian families are called to experience it together and to share it in whatever culture they live. How would you summarize “the message” using the following texts? Matt. … Continue reading –>
What crisis of faith developed in Israel after Joshua and his peers died? Judg. 2:7-13. Studies of how values and beliefs in organizations such as churches are transmitted to subsequent generations show that the founders have very high levels of commitment to the beliefs. They were the ones who first championed them. Within a generation or two, … Continue reading –>
