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SNDAY, APRIL 28, 2013: THE LORD WILL TRIUMPH

Devotional Reading:  Titus 3: 1-7; Study Scripture 2  Thessalonians 2:

 

What could be better than knowing that “The Lord Will Triumph” .  This statement is all we need.  What are your thought when you read the above referenced statement?

  • Are you a unshaken believer?
  • What are soome safeguards we can use in our church to help people avoid being deceived by false teachers?
  • What are some consequences of failing to discern satanic activities?

Stop for a moment and read Romans 8:28.  How have you seen the promise of this scripture fulfilled in troubling situations in your life?

 

This blog is an opportunity for us to engage in meaningful discussions about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

Please log on and share your comments.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2013–THE LORD SEND THE SPIRIT

Scripture  Reference:  Devotional Reading–John 15:1-7, Lesson Scripture:  Acts 2:1-16

The entire experience that  happened, in the passage of scripture in Acts, was unexpected by those in the room.  Reflect on ways that God has worked unexpectedly in your life.  How did this work of God strengthen your faith?

In the text, we find  individuals from “every nation under heaven”. What does this say to you about the far reaches of God’s word?

How do you respond when you reccognize someone under the influence of the Holy Spirit?

At the end of our text, Peter stood up to address the crowd.  When was the last time you stood up to do something for God?  How did it turn out?

In this lesson, God used extraordinary means to accomplish his purpose.  Summarize the extraordinary events and discuss why they are important to you.

Log on so that we can discuss further.  Looking forward to seeing you in Sunday School

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March 31, 2013: JESUS LIVES!

Scripture Reference:  Luke 24:13-21, 28-35

Jesus Lives!  Whatever the sadness, the circumstance, or the situation—Jesus Lives.  This one fact lets us know that all hope has not died.  Previously, the disciples were in the depths of despair.   They had witnessed the violent and painful death of their friend, their teacher, and their Savior.  They believed that all hope was gone.  BUT!!!!    That was not the end of the story.  Hope was —is—and always wil be.   Our lesson today begins with two of the disciples walking down the road to Emmaus.  During this walk, the discipes were discussisng the earlier events  of the day, i.e., Mary Magdalene and a group of women had visited the tomb where Jesus was buried and after encountering two angels,  found the tomb empty.  Peter, who received a report from the women, went to check, and he also found the tomb empty.  The discipes were talking freely about all of the recent events, including Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the arrest and trials of Jesus as well as his cruxifiction and the reports of the empty tomb.

When was the last time you disussed Jesus with a group of your friends?

The disciples were engrossed in a very intense discussion and unaware of the fact that Jesus had joined them.  Isn’t this what we do sometimes.? We get soo caught up in our situations, or our saddness, and we don’t even notice that Jesus is with us.  Not only were ethe disciples unawae of exactly when Jesus joined them on their walk, they also did not recognize him.  The scripture says, “…but thy were kept from recognizing him”.  This reference is extremely powerful.  How often do we not recognize the presence of God in our circumstances?  The use of the words “kept from” suggest that divine intervention will make all things visible at the proper time.  However, sometimes we allow what we see with our physical eyes cloud the view of our spiritual eyes and as a result–we block God’s blessings

When Jesus asked the disciples what they were discussing, he was not seeking information.  He was asking as a means of starting a conversation.  If Jesus visited you today or this week, what would he most likely find you discussing?  In their comments to Jesus, the disciples talked about their lost hope,because  initially, they didn’t realize that something much better was in store for them.    When was a time when your dashed hope eventually resulted in something unexpected and ultimately better?

After reading this passage of scripture, what new revelation did you get about Jesus? or–What beliefs about Jesus have been validated?   The disciples realized they had been on a walk with Jesus, what about you?

Join us next Sunday @ 9:30 am to further discuss  the life of Jesus Crist.

Women’s Class;  Men’s Class; Technology Sunday for children and youth, arts and crafts for young children

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, December 9, 2012: One In Jesus Christ

Devotional Reading:  Ephesians 3:14-21; Background Scripture: Epesians 2,3

Lesson Study: Ephesians 2:11-22

LESSON AIMS:

  • Explain the scriptural dimension of the separation that existed between the Jews and the Gentiles before Christ came
  • Compare and contrast the separation between the Jews and the gentiles in Paul’s day with the separation that exixts between Christians and non-Christians
  • Suggest an evangelistic campaign that focuses more on uniting people with Christ than on music, programs, or social benefits

A single thread that runs throughour the Christian faith is that all humanity is united into a single entity, the church of Jesus Christ.  Jesus prayed for that day and now more than 2000 years later, sometimes we might wonder if we have really reached that goal.  There are divisive tensions within many of our local churches.  Conflict occurs over worship styles, leadership, music, and seemingly trivial activities.

About a dozen years before Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians, Paul attended a meeting called,  “the Jerusalem Council”.  This council met to resolve a pressing question–“Is it necessary for Gentile men to be circumcised in order for them to be consider Christian believers?”  The council determined that circumcision was not required of Gentiles.  However; not everyone accepted that decision.  As the economic status of the region grew,  tensions rose again and some were teaching that Gentiles needed to follow the las of Moses.  Thus, Paul revisited the issue again.

 

Circumcision was a source of pride for the Jews, because they considered the uncircumcised to be unclean.  For the Jews, there were only two types of people: circumcised and uncircumcised.  The Jews even used the term uncircumcised as a way to describe the person whose heart stubbornly opposed God’s will.  By contrast, Paul’s message was about overcoming divisiveness in the church of Jesus Christ.  Paul preached the message that Jesus died for all and that because He paid the price for our sins, He also has given us hope.

  • In what way does our church bring the hope of Christ to people in the church community?
  • How does our church promote oneness and unity in Christ?
  • Is there such a thing as “healthy distinctives” among churches?  If so, how do we keep these from becoming unhealthy divisions of the one body?

Paul preached that Jesus is the “peace of man”  In other words, the peace that we find in Jesus Christ and the oneness that we gain through our belief in Him, things that used to divide us, should disappear.

  • How can our church communicate the good news more effectively

Ephesians is a great book of Christian unity.  In today’s lesson, Paul laid out the marvelous unity that Christian have in Christ.

Thought to remember:  May all churches be places of peace and unity where the Spirit of God dwells.

Share your comments with the Body

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Divine Intervention, Restoration, Compassion, and Justice–July 22, 2012

Hello Bloggers,

It’s been quite a while, but I’ve been waiting on responses from you.  We certainly had a dynamic Church School lesson today.  On the surface, it seemed like it was going to be about a lady who abandoned all of her possessions and left town.  She returned seven later and found that she had to request to get her possessions returned.  As I said, on the surface it may have appeared that way.  Our lesson was based on the 8th Chapter of II Kings, and we really got deep into the scripture.  This was truly a lesson about how God can restore us.  The lesson prompted us to identiify ways in which others can see Jesus’ light in us.  During our discussion, we were motivated to talk about how we can reach out to others in need, and to no longer hold on to the mantra of “God knows what I do”.  Sometimes you really have to be bold for Jesus.   When was a time when you knew it was the hand of God that turned your situation around?   I would love to read your comments.  Remember, I am waiting!

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“NO FOOLING!!” SUNDAY APRIL 1, 2012

Who is  this Jesus? What has He done?    Hello Bloggers, where are you?  The first two questions were the introduction to our Sunday School lesson on Palm Sunday.  If at no other time during the year, this is the time when you should have an answer readily available.  Who is Jesus to you and what has He done for you?  These two questions demand an individual response.  If we go back and read the 18th and 19 chapters of John, we can understand the drama which was played out according to Gods plan.  Jesus foretold His own death; yet, Pilate and the Jewish leaders still did not understand who Jesus was and what He had really done for for them.   Let us not repeat the same mistakes which were made more than 2000 years ago.  Do you really know Him and Can you tell someone what He has done for you?

I am waiting for you to join me in dialogue.  Let all of the believers say so!

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SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 2012: WATER TURNED TO WINE

Scripture Reference: John 2:1-12

If you were not in Sunday School today, well… just let me say that in the Senior Adult class, the annointing fell fresh on Rev. Riggins. Since there are so many powerful truths in this particular passage of scripture, I have to believe that all other classes were equally blessed, as well.  Some might think this passage is simply about Jesus being at a wedding, and the bride’s father running out of wine.  This passage is much, much deeper.  In the Senior Adult class, the discussion reached such a peak that Rev. Riggins began pacing across the front of the room.  Some members thought we were trying to re-write scripture, others cautioned us to not portray Jesus as some type of magician, while others wanted to “say” that Jesus “spoke it” and the water turned to wine.  Now even though we initially had different opinions, that’s all they were——-opinions.  Rev. Riggins took the class deep———she took us to Sunday School, and in turn, led all of us to a new level of understanding.

Even in our misguided state, all of agreed that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that He indeed, performs miracles.  He performed them over 2000 years ago, and He is performing them now.  If each of us looks over one shoulder and visualizes what we used to be, we can say without a doubt that Jesus Christ has performed a miracle in our lives.  Rev. Riggins led us through the process of “This is what I know, and this is all I know.

What are your thoughts on this lesson?  When was a time in your life when you tried to bring Jesus into a situation, and it was not His time to intervene?  When Jesus’ mother told him that all the wine was gone, He said, His time “had not come.”  Then His mother told the disciples to do what He said.  Think of a time when someone told you to simply do “what Jesus said to do?”  How did things turn out for you?  Finally, the water pots, although not designated for this purpose, were available to be used by Jesus.  In thinking about your own life, what are some of your possessions that need to be available for use in the service of Jesus Christ?

Log on and post your comments.

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WISDOM’S ORIGIN—SUNDAY: MARCH 4, 2012

Scripture Reference: Proverbs 8

The Bible has a lot to say about wisdom.  First, true  wisdom can not be divorced from faith.  Second, although wisdom is related to knowledge, it is not the same thing.  Third, wisdom is the just and righteous use of  knowledge.

In what ways do you see God’s eternal wisdom at work, within your family, within the plan of salvation?

When you view creation, what feelings do you have and why?

In what areas do you need to listen more to God, and thus gain godly wisdom?

What do you do to seek wisdom from God? What should you do?