Of all the ways sin has devastated humanity, with the exception of physical suffering and death, what has faced more devastating consequences from sin than the family? It’s almost as if the phrase, “dysfunctional family” is redundant. What family isn’t, to some degree, dysfunctional? Outside of death, one of the hardest things a family can … Continue reading –>
An Epidemic of Loneliness. “Nothing has been right since then,” our authors note, referring to the crash in Eden that tore the first building blocks to a happy home in pieces. Whether married or single, part of a friendly congregation or isolated in loneliness, all of us reflect to some degree or other the consequences … Continue reading –>
Genesis 2:18 “It is not good that man should be alone”, and yet we question in Hymn 328, “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone”. The best friend to give us companionship is Jesus Hymn 542, “Jesus, Friend So Kind”, Hymn 185, “I’ve Found a Friend” and Hymn 499, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”. We … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: We were not meant to be alone. We are to live in fellowship. Many people suffer from loneliness and a lack of companionship. April 27, 2019 1. Have a volunteer read Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12 Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. What is … Continue reading –>
A young woman told of the advantages of not being married: “Twice I had the opportunity to go serve in the mission field, and I responded without any hesitation”. A married person, with a family, might have had to take a little more time making that decision because it doesn’t just involve them but also … Continue reading –>
Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. What’s the basic idea there? What principle of life is it talking about in general? Very few of us can make it alone. Even if we are loners and like being alone, sooner or later we not only want some companionship but we might even require it, especially in times of need. We … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Eccles. 4:9-12, Phil. 4:11-13, 1 Cor. 7:25-34, Matt. 19:8, Gen. 37:34, Isa. 54:5. Memory Text: “And the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18, NKJV). A fascinating yet painful story made the news years ago. A young woman had been found dead … Continue reading –>
By Marjorie Chisonga My son was born a year after I got married. Then nothing. No more children. People started to notice. “Why aren’t you conceiving?” one person asked. “Maybe you should go to the medical doctor for help”, another said. Some people suggested that I visit the witchdoctor. My husband and I wanted more … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: If we read through the story of ancient Israel in the wilderness, we can see a litany of mistake after mistake in the face of great changes, even despite the amazing revelation of God’s love and power. In fact, before Israel was to, finally, enter the Promised Land—and thus face another great change—Moses … Continue reading –>
Unless we are alive at the Second Coming, one change that we can all expect is the biggest change of all: from life to death. Along with marriage and birth, what change has a greater impact on family than the death of an immediate family member? Read 1 Corinthians 15:24-26. What do these verses teach us … Continue reading –>
“The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Ps. 90:10, NKJV). These words from Moses remind us of the inexorable march of time. As the years come and … Continue reading –>
But the godly will flourish like palm trees…..Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. Psalm 92:12-14 NLT When I was young I was inspired by John Kennedy, because he was the most youthful U.S. president, and he showed what younger people can do. Now that I am … Continue reading –>
