They call me Simon the Pharisee. “Simon” means “hearing.” In accordance with my name, I heard the call of Jesus and became a disciple after He healed me of leprosy. Candidly, the physical disease symbolized the deeper spiritual disease from which Jesus also delivered me. I was guilty of clergy sexual abuse, a practice that … Continue reading –>
A family I know bought a huge home years ago, and their daughter invited her friends over for their first get-together at the new home. Unfortunately jealousy set it in with one of the daughter’s friends who made a comment about the home and her thinking she is “so rich.” The daughter was hurt because … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for With the Rich and Famous February 19, 2014] 1. Richly Blessed. How well do you know the wealthiest people in your church? Your community? Have you ever pled with God to make you rich? And promised to be faithful in your giving to God’s cause if you were? Have you attended workshops, read … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : Materialistic persons, rich or poor, cannot serve God and money. We cannot allow the deceitfulness of riches to draw us away from Christ. [Lesson plan for With the Rich and Famous February 17, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read I Timothy 6:10. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what … Continue reading –>
Would Jesus hang out with homosexuals? Is there a way we can know?1 We know that Jesus associated with the outcasts of his day. Luke 15:1-2 is very clear that he not only associated with tax collectors and sinners, he ate with them. He went to their dinner parties (Matt 11: 19) to such an … Continue reading –>
We interrupt this week’s lesson discussion to bring you breaking news out of Jerusalem. Jesus has just concluded a major speech dealing with the volatile topic of race relations between the Jews and the Samaritans. What started out as a discourse on the process of salvation turned into what can only be described as a … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : From God’s perspective, every human being is of infinite worth. Everyone deserves as much mercy, respect, and kindness as possible. [Lesson plan for Jesus and the Social Outcasts February 10, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read Luke 15:1-7. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for Discipling the “ordinary” February 5, 2014] 1. The great equalizer. How hard should we work to bring the wealthy, the influential, the highly educated into our fellowship? If we are all equal in Christ, doesn’t that equality extend to powerful politicians and brilliant scientists? Or is it our mission to disregard the highly … Continue reading –>
The word of the day is Potential. Everyone has potential. No one can decide what its limits are. Only God knows. And we must try to develop potential; not just in ourselves but also in those we serve. Potential. “In the common walks of life there is many a man patiently treading the round of … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : People who know their limitations and trust God for guidance can accomplish extraordinary things for Him. [Lesson plan for Discipling the “Ordinary” February 3, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read Luke 2:21-24. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. Why … Continue reading –>
