One phenomenon the world faces is that of single parents, often but not always a woman as the single parent. Sometimes we think of single parents as those who have conceived a child out of wedlock. However, that is not always the case. Hagar was pressured into having a child with Abraham, and then was … Continue reading –>
Read Genesis 18:11, Genesis 30:1, 1 Samuel 1:1-8, and Luke 1:7. What do these people have in common? How did God answer their longings? Children are a blessing. But for some reason God doesn’t always bless everyone with children. Some hope and pray for a family, and God graciously grants their request, sometimes quite miraculously, as in the case … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 18:11; Jer. 31:25; Matt. 11:28; Psalm 127:1-5; Prov. 22:6; 1 Sam. 3:10-14; Phil. 3:13. Memory Text: “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3, NKJV). Births are such a common, normal occurrence that often we don’t always fully appreciate the wonder that they are. Imagine what Eve … Continue reading –>
‘The Man’ Shares Sabbath By Andrew McChesney Not many people can say that they have spoken with an angel. Farmer Notley Tidwell could–but he didn’t. Instead, he referred to the mysterious stranger as “the man”. One evening in the 1880s, Notley prayed as he trudged home, his fiddle in hand, from a barn dance in … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “A Sacred Circle”, pages 77-180, in The Adventist Home; Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, pages 236-238. Unity—the first work. “The first work of Christians is to be united in the family. … “The more closely the members of a family are united in their work in the home, the more uplifting and helpful will … Continue reading –>
Ultimately, family cohesion and unity rest on the commitment of family members, beginning with the commitment of the marital partners, to care for one another. Sadly, Bible history is strewn with examples of failed promises, broken trust, and lack of commitment where it should have been present. Scripture also has stirring examples of ordinary people … Continue reading –>
What counsel does Paul have regarding humility and service in relationships? Eph. 5:21. How do you think this attitude contributes to unity in the church? Why is it so important at home? Eph. 5:22-6:9. The word “submit” (Eph. 5:21) means to place oneself humbly before another person on the basis of voluntary choice. This unique principle began with Christ (Matt. 20:26-28; John … Continue reading –>
“If pride and selfishness were laid aside, five minutes would remove most difficulties”. – Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 119. As human beings, our natures have been corrupted by sin. And, perhaps, the greatest example of that corruption is the curse of selfishness. We seem to be born selfish; we can see this reality in … Continue reading –>
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else” (1 Thess. 3:12, NIV). Jesus prayed to His Father that His followers would “be one as we are one” (John 17:22, NIV). Summarize what Jesus was saying here, focusing specifically on the role of love needed in order to achieve this oneness. … Continue reading –>
What illustration does Paul use to describe the new unity that exists between peoples in Christ? How has Christ made “one” out of “two”? Eph. 2:11-22; see also Gal. 3:28. The cross of Christ removes the barriers that separate people from each other. Walls separated worshipers in the Jewish temple, men from women, and Jews from Gentiles. Describing … Continue reading –>
