What if I told you that you smell? First, you may be offended. How dare brother Jon say something like that, telling me I smell? Then again, you may be confused? I smell? (Sniff, Sniff) Or, maybe, you might be thinking, how did brother Jon know? Now, you may be wondering, Jon, where are you going with this thought? Well, let me tell you something. If after reading this, you realize you don’t smell, well, you’re going to want to make a decision about that.
God gave Adam and Eve this command, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). For this to happen, Adam and Eve needed to move beyond the status quo. They needed to flourish. The word flourish means to thrive and prosper. It means to reach one’s full potential as a human being. God has the same desires for us today. He doesn’t want us to languish in idleness but make a concerted effort to be the most we can. Are we doing that?
The fruit of the Spirit is love: 1) Love Comes from God, 2) Love Unifies, 3) Love Will Not Fail. Each person should understand that true love comes from the Spirit, not from the flesh.
In this lesson we will discuss the four commands in 1 Peter 2:17: Honor all men; Love the brotherhood; Fear God; Honor the king. The hearer should be able to quote and explain the verse citing a supporting scripture for each point.
Relatives, friends, and outside influences who do not share Christian values can challenge family unity. Fathers must teach their children (Ephesians 6:4) and talk early.
Satan and the world want to destroy the home. Families maintain spiritual unity through core practices like worship (Hebrews 10:25), Bible study, and evangelism.
John is speaking to those who are Christians. He says, "If any man see his brother sin…." What kind of sin could a Christian commit that would lead to death? James says in James 1:14, 15 "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." According to James, any temptation can lead to sin and death.
Yes, provided they sincerely desire to come back. The book of Hebrews deals more with this issue of falling away than does any other book in the New Testament because many Jewish Christians were falling away from the church to go back to Judaism. In Hebrews 6:4-6 we read, "For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame" (ASV).
Preaching Christ brings joy because of the 1) Challenges, 2) Comradery, and 3) Christ. Each person should understand the joy that comes from preaching Christ and evangelism. Each person may open their heart to evangelizing for the joy to be found.
Job's friends believed only good things happen to good people, but Job showed that the wicked sometimes prosper (Job 21:7-12). Blessings are not proof of God's approval.
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me by my 1) pure life 2) pure speech 3) living sacrifice 4) charitable deeds. Let each would resolve to be beautiful on the inside and not worry so much about external beauty. I want to emphasize how beauty in God's sight is radically different from man's standard of beauty.
In this lesson we will compare and contrast the purposes and expectations of man in relationships with the purposes and expectations of God. We will note what humans construct when it comes to relationships vs. what God creates and then see how liberating God’s way is. I hope that each hearer will understand how God’s design of loving one another encapsulates the whole of human relationships without the need for additional human constructions.
Husbands and wives can agree that God should lead the home. When Adam failed to follow God's word (Genesis 3:6), leadership went astray. Seek God's kingdom first.
The righteousness of the gospel means maintaining good relationships with 1) The Government, 2) Your Neighbor, and 3) Christ. Each person would understand what it means to maintain good relationships.
In this lesson we will discuss 1) the purpose of the family in having children, 2) the mission of the church in relationship to children, and 3) the need for the church to be involved in the lives of children. This lesson encourages the church to support and be involved in our children’s activities with a view toward growth, and it discusses the relationship of the church to children in an encouraging way.
The home needs spiritual leadership led by God's Spirit and word (Romans 8:14). Like Jesus, who led by humble example (John 13:14), fathers must prioritize God.
The psalmist declares the glory of God through 1) The World, 2) The Word, and 3) His Wish. Every one should understand that all things were made to declare the glory of God.
In this lesson, we will look at how Jesus showed respect toward others. The listener should understand that Jesus was extraordinary in His behavior.
Good communication skills require planning, patience, and practice. One cannot resolve all communication issues overnight. Sometimes, it takes time to think and to understand. We may need to broach the topic multiple times to communicate clearly.
The Bible teaches that the gospel is for all regardless of one’s race, social status, skin color, or other physical appearances that happen to be different from others. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God loved the entire world, every single person in it. God sent His Son to die for everyone.