Read Matthew 13:3-9, Matthew 13:18-23. Though this is a familiar story, how can we take what it teaches in order to help us better understand how to minister and to witness to our communities, including the cities? Though set in a rural context, this parable is, in fact, more important in urban ministry than in … Continue reading –>
As Christ made His way through Jerusalem, Capernaum, and other cities of His time, the sick, disabled, and poor crowded around Him, the Healer. His heart went out to suffering humanity. In the city, there is more of everything-more people, more buildings, more traffic, and more problems. This presents a real challenge for churches. Those … Continue reading –>
Cities bring together many different cultures, ethnic groups, languages, and religions. Traditionally, each group had its “quarter,” or defined territory. Increasingly, all kinds of people live next door to one another throughout metropolitan regions. This multicultural reality creates risk and complexity, but it also provides great opportunity for the gospel. There is greater tolerance for … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 18:1-28; Exod. 2:23-25; Matt. 13:3-9, Matt. 13:18-23; John 15:12-13; 2 Pet. 3:9. Memory Text: “ ‘Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper’ ” (Jeremiah 29:7, NIV). … Continue reading –>
Read Psalm 77:20, Hosea 11:4, 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. Read Ellen G. White, “Teaching and Healing,” pages 139-146, and “Help in Daily Living,” pages 469, 470, in The Ministry of Healing; “ ‘This Man Receiveth Sinners,’ ” pages 185-197, and “ ‘Go Into the Highways and Hedges,’ ” pges 219-237, in Christ’s Object Lessons. There was … Continue reading –>
Read Revelation 3:20, Matthew 7:7-8, and John 1:12. In what ways are these three passages related, and what are they saying to us about what it means to seek and to find the Lord? These texts together show that people must ask and seek and be open to receive Jesus. At the same time, Revelation … Continue reading –>
Jesus and His disciples healed people and then turned their minds to eternal issues. (See Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 20.) Evangelist Mark Finley reminds us that not to introduce God to people is spiritual malpractice. Jesus’ method of evangelism was to touch people at their points of greatest need. This is … Continue reading –>
Sometimes a church will have community service outreach programs in areas of health, family, personal finance, conflict management, et cetera, and might ask: What is the bridge to bring them to the “Follow Me” stage? We rather should ask, Who is the bridge? Answer: You are! “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 19:10, Mark 1:17, Luke 9:2, and Revelation 14:6-7. What is one key point that all these texts have in common? That is, what are they telling us to do? For years a Seventh-day Adventist congregation prayed, “Lord, please draw the people in our community to our church and to You”-as if our church … Continue reading –>
Read John 10:1-5, John 10:16. How do these texts illustrate the importance of why we, as Jesus’ representatives, must form positive and loving relationships with people in our communities as we seek to lead them to Jesus? How can we help them learn to hear His voice? The whisper of a friend is more powerful … Continue reading –>
