What we see is that in early church’s practice of living together, in their sacrificial generosity, they had unity. And that ties directly to the phrase in 1 Thessalonians 5:13, I skipped over in the previous posts. In those previous posts I emphasized “live…with each other.” Paul says, “Live in peace with each other.” Peace. InContinue reading “Church family peace requires small groups – 1 Thessalonians 5:13–15, 26, Part 3”
Tag Archives: Sunday School
Is the Bible written to you? – 1st Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 2
This week I once again welcome guest blogger, Kirk Marks. Kirk is a retired pastor of 35 years who now works in international fair trade. I’m thankful for the upbringing and the Christian education that I received in the church I grew up in. Very good, very well-intentioned Sunday school teachers and pastors told meContinue reading “Is the Bible written to you? – 1st Thessalonians 2:13–3:13, Part 2”
How to study scripture like the first Christians – Studying scripture together, Part 5
As we think about studying scripture together, I want to point out an interesting episode in the early church that occurs during one of Paul’s mission trips. In Acts 17:10-12, we learn that, “As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the JewishContinue reading “How to study scripture like the first Christians – Studying scripture together, Part 5”
Cliques in the church are good thing? – Meeting together, Part 5
Over the years people in my church have expressed concern that there are cliques in our church family. The word “clique” reminds me of my high school cafeteria. You could look across the large space full of tables and see the cliques, the small groups of people, like the football players, the cheerleaders, the academics, the bandContinue reading “Cliques in the church are good thing? – Meeting together, Part 5”
Sword drills in Sunday School class? – Sword of the Spirit, Preview
Did you participate in sword drills as a child in church? Yes, in church. But I’m not talking about swords with metal blades. When I was growing up in children and youth Sunday School classes, we had sword drills with our Bibles. No, we didn’t slam each other with Bibles. Here’s how sword drills worked: AllContinue reading “Sword drills in Sunday School class? – Sword of the Spirit, Preview”
The failure of the American church’s educational model of discipleship – Becoming Disciplemakers, Part 3
We’ve been talking about what Jesus meant in Matthew 7, verse 21, when he says that the only ones who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven are those who do the will of the father in heaven. What is his will? Jump ahead to Matthew 16:24-28. Jesus says it clear as day: “If anyone wouldContinue reading “The failure of the American church’s educational model of discipleship – Becoming Disciplemakers, Part 3”
Defining true Christian fellowship – Philemon 1-7, Part 4
What is fellowship? How does it look in your life, in your church? How do you know if you are doing it right? As we have seen in our study through Philemon verses 1-7, Paul has been giving his friend Philemon feedback on what Philemon has done with his life. Paul has many nice complimentsContinue reading “Defining true Christian fellowship – Philemon 1-7, Part 4”
When to subject ourselves to the authorities, and when not to – Titus 3:1-8, Part 1
I recently heard what is reported to be a true story from a Sunday school teacher in Dublin, Ireland. She writes, “I was testing the children in my Sunday school class to see if they understood the concept of getting into Heaven. I asked them, ‘If I sold my house and my car and had aContinue reading “When to subject ourselves to the authorities, and when not to – Titus 3:1-8, Part 1”
Is Sunday the new Sabbath? – Luke 6:1-11
Last week I introduced the next sermon in our series on Luke saying that Jesus told the Bible scholars they didn’t know the Bible. In Luke 6:1-11 he really gets in their face. At one point the Pharisees confronted Jesus’ disciples for rubbing grain in their hands on the Sabbath, saying the disciples were harvestingContinue reading “Is Sunday the new Sabbath? – Luke 6:1-11”
What happens when Jesus tells the Bible scholars they don’t know the Bible?
The religious establishment is on him. They’ve been following him ever since he splashed onto the scene months earlier, healing people and preaching and gaining a following of large crowds. These Bible teachers, these Pharisees, are the religion police of their day, and they have dispatched some agents to check Jesus out. Now they’re followingContinue reading “What happens when Jesus tells the Bible scholars they don’t know the Bible?”
Engaging Scripture 