This week’s study theme commenced with a flood of hymns having “Christ as the Centre”: Hymn 185, “Jesus is all the World to Me”, Hymn 305, “Give Me Jesus”, Hymn 329, “Take the World, but Give Me Jesus”, Hymn 577, “In the Heart of Jesus”, culminating in Hymn 309, “I Surrender All”. Hymn 518, “Standing … Continue reading –>
Tuesday’s lesson this week is about Christ-centered doctrinral beliefs. This reminds me of a passage that has become the theme of my ministry. The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the word … Continue reading –>
One doesn’t usually think of the sanctuary in the context of stewardship. Yet the link is there because the sanctuary is so crucial to our belief system, and stewardship is part of the system. “The correct understanding of the ministration [of Christ] in the heavenly sanctuary is the foundation of our faith.” – Ellen G. … Continue reading –>
Jesus is the central figure throughout the Bible (John 5:39), and we need to see ourselves in relationship to Him. He paid the penalty for sin and is “a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth (Matt. 28:18), and all things are in His hands (John 13:3). His name is higher than all others, and … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Col. 1:16-18; Heb. 4:14-16; 3 John 3; Gen. 6:13-18; Rev. 14:6-12; 1 Pet. 1:15-16. Memory Text: “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thessalonians 4:7, NIV). Because of the depth and breadth of stewardship, it is easy to get lost in the big picture, bogged down by tangents and … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “The spirit of liberality is the spirit of Heaven. The spirit of selfishness is the spirit of Satan. Christ’s self-sacrificing love is revealed upon the cross. He gave all that he had, and then gave himself, that man might be saved. The cross of Christ appeals to the benevolence of every follower of the … Continue reading –>
The Missing Ingredients This week as we continue our study of stewardship by focusing on offerings, we are reminded of some of the reasons why we give. Using some of the biblical examples of people expressing their gratitude to Jesus, we affirm that the best motivation for giving springs from a love of God. But … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Giving of offerings; whether from means, time, or talent; is a way of living our faith and revealing God’s character in our lives. Lesson 9, March 3, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 6:19-21. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. … Continue reading –>
If Christ came to reveal to us the character of God, one thing should be clear by now: God loves us, and He wants only the best for us. He asks us to do only what would be for our own benefit, never to our detriment. This would include, too, His call for us to … Continue reading –>
In an earlier lesson we noted the story of the widow’s generous offering. Though minuscule in comparison to other offerings, it was generous because it showed the true nature of her character and heart, prompting Jesus to say, “This poor widow has put in more than all” (Luke 21:3, NKJV). God alone (James 4:12) knows our true motives (Prov. … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 7:37-47. What does this story teach us about the proper motivation for offerings to God? Mary entered the room and saw Jesus reclining at the table. She broke the alabaster box of expensive nard and poured it on Him. Some thought her act was improper, considering that the life she lived was illicit. But … Continue reading –>
“Where your treasure is…” Are you tempted to smile at the description of moths and rust representing the ultimate destruction of what we value on earth? They are destructive, and thieves are probably more so and have always been a major source of destruction of important possessions, including money, since sin entered this world. Given a … Continue reading –>
