Resources for Discussion Class Hour on October 30, 2019
Sermon Title: He Must Go Text: Matthew 16:21-28; 17:22-23; 20:17-19 Resources: Click here to listen to or watch the sermon Download tonight’s printable study guide Brief summary From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This…
The Preacher and Porn
Not long ago I read an all-too-familiar story: another preacher got caught. He was looking at pornography on his computer, then switching to his Bible software program to work on his upcoming sermon, then back to porn . . . all in the span of a few hours. Are you shocked? Unfortunately, you’ve probably seen too many headlines to be too surprised. I don’t know this preacher, and I don’t know any of his circumstances, but I think I can…
Resources for Discussion Class Hour on October 23, 2019
Sermon Title: The Son of David Text: Matthew 1 Resources: Click here to listen to or watch the sermon Download tonight’s printable study guide Brief summary The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. . . . So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations (Matthew 1:1, 17, ESV).…
Shouldn’t have said that
I’ve rarely regretted keeping my mouth shut, but fairly often I kick myself for saying something I shouldn’t have (and wouldn’t have if I’d stopped to think). You might be the same way. Your child irritates you, and you spit out something that bites. You get in an argument with your spouse, and before you know it you’ve thrown a dart that hurts. (In marriage, we know where all of the tender spots are . . .) Or maybe it…
Resources for Discussion Class Hour on October 16, 2019
Sermon Title: But he was a leper Text: 2 Kings 5 Resources: Click here to listen to or watch the sermon Download tonight’s printable study guide Brief summary So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought…
God is Good
My, how things change. Have you looked at any of your old high school pictures lately? One of the unfortunate consequences of our Facebook world is the ease with which others can post constant reminders of how we used to look. Time changes things, and mostly not for the good. We get older, grayer, and sometimes, well, bigger. There’s often a corresponding decrease in efficiency as well. In other words, some things just don’t work as well as they used…
Resources for Discussion Class Hour on October 9, 2019
Sermon Title: Where are the other 9? Text: Luke 17:11-19 Resources: Click here to listen to or watch the sermon Download tonight’s printable study guide Brief summary On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to…
Resources for Discussion Class Hour on October 2, 2019
Sermon Title: Consider One Another Text: Hebrews 10:24-25 Resources: Click here to listen to or watch the sermon Download tonight’s printable study guide Brief summary And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV). The word “consider” in Hebrews 10:24 translates the Greek word katanoéō—a word that…
When we struggle
The more I read the Bible, the more I’m struck by how often it talks about endurance. The longer I live, the more I realize how badly we need it. Life is hard. If it isn’t right now, it will be soon enough. I don’t think that’s overly pessimistic; it’s confirmed almost every day as I hear about things people are facing. A friend finds out he has cancer. A Christian discovers her husband is cheating. Another faces debilitating depression,…
On Level Ground
Things aren’t always fair down here, but they ought to be. The poor don’t get the same treatment as the rich, and minorities are often pushed to the margins. We love a good David-and-Goliath story. We like to see Cinderella make it to the big dance. We love the Rudys of the world, the underdogs, the outmanned, outmatched, and overpowered. Occasionally, we like to see the little guy winning and the big guy begging for mercy. We like to see…
Resources for Discussion Class Hour on September 25, 2019
Sermon Title: The Hope Text: Acts 20:17-20 Resources: Click here to listen to or watch the sermon Download tonight’s printable study guide Brief summary “After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, ‘Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. When they had examined me, they wished…
Resources for Discussion Class Hour on September 18, 2019
Sermon Title: A Work in Your Days Text: Acts 13 Resources: Click here to listen to or watch the sermon Download tonight’s printable study guide Brief summary Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning…