Have you ever noticed that humans, as a group, tend to be extremely superficial and shallow? We expend enormous amounts of time, money, and energy making sure that we look a certain way – wear particular brands of clothes and shoes, dye our hair, even have surgery. We go to great lengths to change our … Continue reading –>
Have you ever been part of a musical group of some kind – like a choir, band or orchestra? Making music together is an amazing experience. Practicing together somehow brings the members together into almost a single organism. Each person has their specific part to play or sing. It may be similar to someone else’s … Continue reading –>
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” John 10:14, NIV The Bible was written at a time when society was primarily agrarian. Prophets spoke in terms the people could relate to. Images of farm and field were easily understood, because these were snapshots of daily life. The seasons … Continue reading –>
Read Ministerial Association of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, chapters 22, 23, in Seventh-day Adventists Believe; Miroslav M. Kis, “Christian Lifestyle and Behavior,” pp. 675-723, in Raoul Dederen (ed.) Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology. “Acts of generosity and benevolence were designed by God to keep the hearts of the children of men tender and sympathetic, and … Continue reading –>
Beyond the family, the Christian has other social and professional involvements – a clear recognition of the biblical view that Christians are in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-18). Consider the following three areas of daily life and discuss the Christian’s responsibilities in regard to lifestyle and behavior: 1. Employer/Employee Relations (James 5:4-6, Eph. 6:5-9). Apart from regarding … Continue reading –>
Humans are social beings. At home and work, and in public and civic places, people are involved in all kinds of relationships. Responsible Christian behavior ought to be evident at all these levels, and the Bible has relevant principles by which to guide these relationships. Study the following Bible passages in order to come up with … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : The Christian is to use the gifts of personal and material resources God has given them to reflect His benevolence. [Teaching plan for The Christian Life December 10, 2012] 1. Have a volunteer read I John 3:16. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of … Continue reading –>
Jesus tells us very clearly that “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt. 22:39). A very interesting text in light of the idea that we often look at love for self as the height of all that is opposed both to Christianity and to the idea of disinterested selflessness. What did Jesus mean by this … Continue reading –>
“And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes:and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. For the children of Israel and the children . . .” (Neh. 10:38, 39). Think about your life; … Continue reading –>
When we think about salvation translating into service to others, we cannot avoid the Christian concept of stewardship. The Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia defines ‘stewardship’ as “the responsibility of God’s people for, and use of, everything entrusted to them by God – life, physical being, time, talents and abilities, material possessions, opportunities to be of service to … Continue reading –>
