Witnessing For God
~Phillip~
Them Dry Bones
Scripture: Acts 8:31
And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
Lesson Objective: To understand that we never know when we must be ready to witness for God.
We must recognize that we have to be prepared to witness for God. Also we must recognize that just because someone is reading the Bible does not mean that they truly understand what they are reading. A person who goes to Church every Sunday, but is not being taught can and will be lost. We as Christians think that it is enough for someone to get baptized and begin coming to Church but that is only the beginning. One must be taught in small study groups, Sunday school etc. so that they will really understand what the Bible says. Furthermore they must also go out and teach for that is the Great Commission. It is not enough to just come to Church, but we must go out and make disciples.
Thought for today: Make an intentional action today to go our and witness for God.
Cannot Wash Hands Clean
~Pilate~
Ten Times Better
Scripture: Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.”
Lesson Objective: To understand that you cannot sit on the fence when you see a wrong being committed.
I remember a news story several years ago where some one was being murdered right outside an apartment complex and not a soul offered assistance. They did not call the police or try to stop the attack. I often wonder how those individuals can sleep at night knowing that they may have prevented this death. We cannot continue to put our heads in the sand when we know that something is going wrong. We have to speak up and take action. Christians are to be people of action not inaction.
Thought for today: Just know that ignoring a wrong will not make it go away. Also know that it may not affect you now, but it will if you continue to ignore it.
Is Your House a Church?
~Priscilla~
Centurion
Scripture: 1st Corinthians 16: 19
The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
Lesson Objective: To understand that God requires our houses to be Churches.
We all know of the tradition of spring and fall cleaning when one takes the time to really do a thorough cleaning so that we can feel more comfortable when we invite our friends and others into our house. Do we feel as comfortable when we invite our friend Jesus Christ into our house? It is important that just as we clean the physical house for our friends that we must do a spiritual cleaning so that all that come and visit recognize that our house represents a place where Christ is present and our Church family will be able to praise God in prayers, songs and words.
Thought for today: The Church is not the edifice that we visit on Sundays but it is comprised of each of us who truly believe in Christ and praise Him daily.
To Be Tested
Queen of Sheba
Scripture: 1 King 10: 1
Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions.
Lesson Objective: To understand that the world will test your faith and trust in God.
Someone has said that life is a series of test that prepares us for the next test. How well we respond to the little test will dictate our success in more difficult situations. While we may not like it, there are those around us who are looking at us and testing us daily. They are looking to see how we react when things are not going well. They are looking to see if we revert to worldly reactions when someone says something to us that can be offensive. They are also looking to see if we stand up for our values when questioned by compromising situations. The question is not whether we will have test but how will we meet the test.
Thought for today: The best way to study for a test is to study daily. There are no grades for this test, just pass or fail.
Later May Be Too Late
~Reuben~
God Pours Out
His Spirit
Scripture: Genesis 37:22
And Reuben said to them, "Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him"--that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father.
Lesson Objective: To understand that we cannot put off today for tomorrow. Good intentions are not enough.
I have found that I have a problem with procrastination. I have also found that it most often occurs for one of two reasons. 1) It is something that I really do not want to do; or 2) It is something that I really do not know how to do. Therefore to address this problem I have found the solution that works for me. We must all find solutions that will enable us to do the things that God tells us to do whether we want to do them or know how to do them for he will never ask us to do something that he has not already prepared us to do.
Thought for today: Remember the old saying that we should never put off until tomorrow what we can do today.
Obeying Your Elders
~Ruth~
Jabez
God Brings Peace
Scripture: Ruth 3:6
So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her.
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Lesson Objective: To understand the importance of following the instructions of our elders.
There is an exercise that I use when working with groups to demonstrate the need for trust and following instructions. I set up a maze and let the group go through the maze then I place a blindfold on someone. They are then told to follow the instructions of the one who will lead them through the maze. It never fails that one person will choose to do what they feel is right or what they think they remember even though the instructions are quite clear. It teaches us that we do not always have full trust and also that we depend on our own thoughts to the detriment of the task at hand.
Thought for today: We must be careful that we place our total trust in God and listen and follow His instructions no matter how we may want to question Him for he knows.