Re: Verse reading–1 Timothy 3:1-13 (day seven)
“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.”—Ezekiel 22:30. Sad statement. God willing to heal, renew a nation. Looked for someone to obey His call. Found no one. Without leadership, nations fail. (Please remember this on Tuesday when you go to the polls.) Churches, too. After 30 years of missionary ministry, Paul is in prison facing the end of his life. He sees clearly the priority. Find new leaders! Men (and women) of New Testament character. Sincere and strong examples for the churches. 1 Timothy 3 is his instruction to Timothy as he undertakes this assignment. Us? Are we convinced that the church needs leaders? Pastors, Deacons, Sunday School teachers? Do we feel the urgency that Paul felt? “It is not too late”, says the Lord, “but, leaders are needed”. Are you ready to lead?
Tag: Sunday School
Instruction Matters
Re: Verse reading – 1 Timothy 1:1-19 (day two)
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. (vs. 7) You know these kind of people. The kind who have a vehement conviction about something, but when pressed to articulate why they have nothing to ground their argument. We are to be a passionate people, who can share, defend, argue with love all of the attributes of our faith. Instruction matters. Your spiritual development matters. If you are not already, find a Sunday School class that will challenge you and cause you to grow. Enroll in Christianity Explored to deepen your understanding of Mark’s gospel. Join a Circle of Six where you can find a greater appreciation for God’s Word. Paul’s words to Timothy regarding his instruction continue…I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight. (vs. 18)
With a Song
Re: Verse reading–Ephesians 4:17-5:20 (day two)
“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything” v 5:19-20a.
It may not be hard for you to believe, but this has been one of my favorite passages of scripture for many years. I remember finding it when I was in college and thinking, YES! Permission to live life as a Broadway Musical! What I love even better about these words is that it isn’t speaking to professional musicians, it is speaking to everyone. Think of how you feel when a favorite song is played, or what is like when you hear the introduction to your favorite hymn. It is exhilarating, isn’t it? It literally lifts your spirit. Imagine if we greeted one another with that same spirit. If our discourse was flavored with the kind of joy that we feel when listening to great music think how pleasant it would be.
This is why we sing to start our services. We sing to bring people in, to become connected with each other. Don’t stop there. Sing in Sunday School, remember when we used to do that? Sing at home! Sing in the car, a few rounds of Row, row, row your boat work on our 2 year-old without fail. Try it, be earnest about it, this scripture won’t disappoint you.
Children of light
I hope you are reading John 12. It will be the text for worship and Sunday School this coming Sunday at FBC. Jesus speaks, first, about “walking in the light” (vs 35). Then He speaks about becoming “children of light”(vs 36). The first is a case by case obedience. As He gives us grace to see His will, we move forward into it. We walk! One of Mary’s early lessons re. her son was, “Whatever He tells you to do, do it” (John 2). The second phrase in John 12 is something different. To become a child of light is to have your whole character and direction shaped by the will of God. It is not case by case, it becomes your character. Interesting. Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer we call God our Father. I wonder how often we consider whether we are becoming His children. “To them He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)