The story of Nehemiah also comes at a time when the nation of Israel no longer existed as a political entity but as a remnant scattered across foreign lands. God, though, as always, would be faithful to His covenant promises, even when the people failed to live up to their end of the covenant. Read … Continue reading –>
This week we look at how some monumental Bible characters played important roles during times of crisis. The author of this lesson week’s lesson pointed out how each of the persons in the lesson was instrumental in a period of deliverance needed for God’s people. But what was it about these characters that led to their … Continue reading –>
It’s so hard for us today (as no doubt it has been for people from various cultures through the centuries) to understand the customs and tradition of the ancient Persian Empire, where the story of Esther unfolds. One thing is certain, though: the Lord had used that empire in the process of fulfilling the covenant … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : We will all meet opposition in our service to Christ, but we can overcome in His strength. The Controversy Continues January 23-29, 2016 1. Have a volunteer read I Kings 18:21,30,37-39. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. How is worship … Continue reading –>
Hezekiah was king of Judah when the new superpower, Assyria, conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and scattered its inhabitants across Mesopotamia (2 Kings 18:9-12) . “That which He could no longer do through them in the land of their fathers He would seek to accomplish by scattering them among the heathen. His plan for … Continue reading –>
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. Proverbs 16:32 NLT David prayed for deliverance from his enemies. He also prayed they would not disgrace him. David faced Goliath, but Goliath did not turn out to be too much of an enemy as he fell by the first stone … Continue reading –>
Elijah the Tishbite has to be one of the most colorful characters in Scripture. We first meet him standing before a startled king and telling him there will be no rain for the next three years (1 Kings 17:1) . It was not easy either to approach a king or to escape from him, but … Continue reading –>
Life is complicated, and that’s because, as humans, we are complicated. Imagine-creatures made in the image of God, the Creator of the universe, who then corrupt themselves. No wonder that our potential both for good and for evil can reach remarkable levels. And it isn’t just that some people attain great levels of “goodness” while … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Sam. 17:43-51, 2 Sam. 11:1-17, 1 Kings 18:21-39, 2 Kings 19:21-34, Esther 3:8-11, Nehemiah 1. Memory Text: “And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, ‘Let … Continue reading –>
The Bible is known for not glossing over human sin, human evil. If it did, how could it, and portray accurately the state of humanity? An especially sharp depiction of human evil is found in 1 Samuel 2:12-25, when the sons of Eli are presented in contrast to the young Samuel. 1 Samuel 2:12 reads, … Continue reading –>
Why did God need to make peace with heaven? (1 Col 1:19-20) This verse may help us understand just how real the war in heaven was: For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth … Continue reading –>
We have a full cast of characters to study this week. Deborah, Gideon, Sampson, Ruth and Samuel. Each found themselves in pivotal positions at times of conflict and crisis. God used them to do extraordinary things. These are heroes of the Bible, but all heroes are first ordinary people just like you and I. Let’s look at … Continue reading –>
