What does it take for a congregation to grow? What does it take to have a successful gospel meeting? What does it take to have a successful VBS or Youth Rally? What does it take to have any successful endeavor within the church?
In this lesson, we will see that the Bible teaches salvation by faith, but not faith only. Each person should have ample evidence from the scriptures that show salvation is not by faith only.
God does not want us to just behave in any old way we please. Peter wrote, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
The gospel chariot is a metaphor for the church. We want as many to be added to the kingdom as possible. Paul wrote, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). Saving sinners means that we stop and pick up as many as we can as we faithfully preach the gospel and sow the seed of the kingdom.
How we respond to failure will shape the course of our lives. For many, failure ends their efforts. How can we carry on in the face of failures? Equip each person with truths to overcome failure. Christians must not let failure control their lives.
This song emphasizes that God is the creator of all things. It is an echo of Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God made the heavens and the earth.” Children who sing these lyrics understand that God made everything simply by speaking it into existence. One cannot read Genesis 1 and get the idea that everything evolved over a long period of time without someone planting that idea first. This theory of evolution is false.
Love does not envy because 1) Love Values People, 2) Love Rejoices with Others, 3) Love Helps Others Flourish, and 4) Love Seeks Unity. Each should be able to explain why love does not envy. To demonstrate that love and envy cannot coexist in a person.
Jesus loves everyone, whatever their race or country of origin. It is sacrilege for us to say otherwise. “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him” (Acts 10:34, 35). One’s country of origin plays no part in how God looks at us. He looks at everyone the same—in need of the gospel.
Wrestling with the justice of God means that because God loves justice, 1) He will judge every word and deed, 2) He will punish every injustice, 3) He paid the price for man's sins. Each person should be able to explain the justice of God. Each person will be motivated to seek forgiveness and mercy from God through Jesus.
“Jesus Loves Me” is probably the most sublime song of which I know. It was written by Anna Bartless Warner in 1859. This song tells the truth that it was love that motivated Jesus to sacrifice himself on the cross for our sins. It tells us that he will take care of our needs. How do we know these things? “The Bible tells me so.”
In this lesson we will focus on what happens when we are hated without a cause. We must respond with 1) Prayer, 2) Correct Attitude, and 3) Pursuing the Truth. Each person should know how to handle hatred without a cause when it happens to us in the world today. Jesus exemplified this attitude best and we must follow His example.
Jesus said, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35). “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38). Let us teach and pray and then teach and pray some more. There are souls who are ready to be added to the church (Acts 2:48). What are you doing to help them?
In this lesson we want to look at the process of rescuing the lost as illustrated by the Elizabeth Smart case. Everyone should understand this process and the principles involved in this process to aid in the seeking and finding the spiritually lost to motivate us as Christians to seek and save the lost.
A seed will produce after its own kind. An Apple seed cannot bring forth a Peach tree. A Wheat seed cannot bring forth a Pecan tree. A Grape seed cannot bring forth a Watermelon. Now, “The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11b). When THAT seed is planted, what will come of it? They got Christians (Acts 11:26). And when the church teaches and practices what Christ and the apostles taught and practiced, you can only get ONE THING—GOD’S CHURCH— CHRIST’S CHURCH—THE CHURCH OF CHRIST! That is why I am a member of the church of Christ.
Events of super significance are true stories so mind blowing that you never forget them. The miracles of Jesus, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and the ascension of Jesus were these kinds of events. Each person would understand that the apostles told the truth about Jesus and His work. I hope that each person would come to believe and obey the gospel because it is true.
The church of Christ honors THE plan that Christ gave for salvation. By looking at the process of salvation as given by Jesus in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, one comes to the undeniable conclusion that there are five things that must occur before one can claim salvation.
I know my mother loved me because 1) She disciplined me when I did wrong, 2) She cared for me when I was sick, 3) She fed and clothed me even when I was rebellious. 4) She taught me God's word. Each should be able to recall their mother's love for them and God's love for us to honor God's creation of mothers.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 that ANY name that honors ANYONE other than the one who was crucified for your salvation is a name that is NOT worth keeping! Yet how many churches today are named after Paul, Peter, John or some man?
In this lesson we will discuss God's ideal of the family. We will discuss God's ideal 1) Father and Husband, 2) Mother and Wife, 3) Children, 4) Grandparents. Each person should be able to state what their role is in the family as God would have it and cite supporting scripture to back this up. To support and encourage each person as they fulfill their role in the family.
God does not want me to just take for granted that I am saved. He wants me to examine my life every day to make sure that I am doing what He wants. He said to the Corinthians, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).