This week’s lesson on Dealing With Fights describes why Sam no longer wants to attend organized church. It’s not that Sam is not interested in God, Jesus and heaven. Quite the contrary. However, in this age of hyper sensitivity and the “take-no-prisoners” approach to life Sam sees in church, he reads this week’s memory text and it speaks to … Continue reading –>
A king needed to appoint a new minister for the highest office of his kingdom. For this purpose, he organized a special contest on lying: who could utter the biggest lie. All his ministers applied, and each one came and spoke their biggest lie. But the king was not satisfied; their lies seemed lame. The … Continue reading –>
A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. Proverbs 18:19 NKJ This text highlights the issue that conflicts with friends and within church communities are hard and often a cause for division and even separation. In my personal time with God, I am … Continue reading –>
[Thought Questions for Dealing with Fights February 10, 2015] 1. Introduction. What’s that? Fights among God’s people? Or fights by evil people that can do us damage? Let’s take a look in this week’s lesson about dealing with fights. Have you ever witnessed a snappy, angry exchange between two people who should care for each other? … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 18:2. Why don’t fools need time to form their opinions? Fools are so sure of themselves and so eager to express their own opinions that they are not interested in learning from others. Their closed minds go along with their open mouths. This is a deadly combination. How careful we need to be … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : Human relations are built on words. Angry words of contention and lies indicate a broken relationship. Gracious words of truth and encouragement indicate a growing relationship. [Lesson Plan Dealing With Fights February 9, 2015] 1. Have a volunteer read Proverbs 17:4-7. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 18:1-24. Though different themes are presented here, focus on what it has to say about our words. What important concepts are presented here regarding what we do or do not say? We are again confronted with the reality and power of words; in this case we see how fools use their mouths to … Continue reading –>
True love is not blind. That we cover someone’s mistake through love does not mean that we do not see the sin and do not recognize it as such. Love and justice go together. The Hebrew word for justice, tsedeq, also means love, charity. We cannot have real compassion if we are not just, and … Continue reading –>
Read Proverbs 17:9, Prov. 19:11. What crucial point is being made in these texts? How should we deal with others who fall? When someone messes up, it’s so tempting to spread the story, to tell others. Have you heard about what so-and-so did? Though we might act as if we are appalled by the action, … Continue reading –>
As I read “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy” (Prov. 14:10,) I’m reminded of the largest single need in the Adventist community today. This need doesn’t involve personalities or institutions. It doesn’t touch on finances or even theology. It speaks to the absolute foundation of experiencing salvation. Much … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Proverbs 17:1-28, 1 Cor 13:5–7, John 8:1–11, Proverbs 18:1-24, Proverbs 19:1-29, Deut. 24:10–22. Memory Text: Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife (Proverbs 17:1, NKJV). Proverbs again denounces the deception of appearances. We may seem to have everything the world offers — wealth, … Continue reading –>
This is the Tampa Bay, Florida area I always write from, which is slightly overcast today. You won’t see this picture on a postcard featuring Florida as the “sunshine state.” Even the sunshine state sees its fair share of storms. Likewise, even our most cheerful friends see their fair share of life’s storms. Each heart knows its … Continue reading –>
