Video Bible Class: August 2015 – Coping with “Evil, Pain and Suffering”

Our first video Bible class for the 2015-16 school year will be on Monday, August 10. We will view “Evil, Pain and Suffering,” produced by World Video Bible School. More information about this material is available here: EvilPainandSuffering.com

James encouraged us to lean into difficulties: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2-3, ESV). This material helps us see ways we can become better – rather than bitter – through setbacks.

Video Bible Class is conducted the second Monday night of each month during the school year, and provides additional opportunities for education, encouragement and equipping for service.

Consistently Christians

Christians are to be faithful servants of the Lord (Rev. 2:10). How do we know whether or not we are living faithfully? Try these questions: “Is a car that starts once out of seven times ‘faithful’? Is a refrigerator ‘faithful’ that quits for a day now and then? Is your paper boy ‘faithful’ if he misses you with the paper every few mornings? If you fail to come to work two or three days each week, would you be ‘faithful’ to your job? If your hot water heater greeted you with cold water one or two mornings a week, would it be dependable?”

Faithful means “firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty.” It means we are loyal in carrying out our duties to God. One of the fruits of the Spirit is faithfulness (Gal. 5:22). Unfortunately, some can only be “counted on to be counted out.”

Here are some areas in which Christians should be dependable:

Be faithful with your family. Wives should not have to worry about whether their husbands are devoted to them. Husbands should faithfully love (Col. 3:19-21) and support (I Tim. 5:8) their families. Love your children, and be a consistent Christian example for them (Eph. 6:1-4; Prov. 22:6).

Be faithful with your fellowship. Real Christianity is not a one- or two-day-a-month thing. It’s a lifestyle. Real Christians are faithful in their church attendance, their support of their brothers and sisters in Christ, their study of Scripture, and their participation in the work of their congregation (see, e.g., Acts 2:42-47).

Be faithful with your finances. Yes, Christianity applies to the pocketbook, too. We must be responsible in every area of life (Rom. 12:11). Be a good steward of your money (Matt. 25:14-30), and faithfully provide financial support for the work of the church (I Cor. 16:1-2; II Cor. 9:7; Acts 4:32-37).

Be faithful with your forte. Each one has strong points – special talents and abilities that another may not have (I Cor. 12:12-25). God expects us to use our gifts faithfully so that we can be blessed with greater opportunities of service in the Kingdom (see, e.g., Luke 19:11-27).

Be faithful with your friends. Can you be counted on to support and encourage your associates? Someone said, “He who walks in when others walk out is a true friend.” Loving those around us is the “royal law” of Christianity (James 2:8). “A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you just the same.”

Durable Disciples: An in-depth look at 2 Timothy 2

An important principle for enjoying an abundant life is perseverance. The problem with many is they give up one yard short of the goal line. If you have ever felt like you just can’t go another step, our series of studies during December 2014 can help you dig a little deeper and and keep you going. We’ll examine Second Timothy 2, where Paul provides extensive resources for Timothy to endure difficulties and stay on task. He calls attention in verse 1 to the first item that helps disciples be more durable: “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (NKJV). God’s grace can sustain us through extreme hardships.

Series in November 2014: “The Power of Our Thoughts”

Solomon was referring to the power of our thoughts when he wrote: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). On Sunday mornings during November 2014, we’ll consider how our point of view about ourselves, others, our possessions, our problems and our Creator, shapes our lives.

The Return of the Prodigal Son

One of the most moving passages of Scripture is found in Luke 15:11-24, where Jesus recounts the homecoming of a son who had been selfish and foolish.

Rembrandt captured the emotional reunion in his work Return of the Prodigal Son, which is on display in St. Petersburg.

In their embrace, we can observe the remorse shown by the son, and the mercy demonstrated by the father.

The Heavenly Father has unending mercy for those who come to Him in faith and obedience: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7).

A sense of place – and people

Just because we can find a location on a map doesn’t mean we really know anything about the place. Geography involves more than a study of physical location.

Our state, Mississippi, is a good example. This article by Martha Hutson on The Geography of Mississippi for Mississippi History Now suggests a method for reflecting more closely on our surroundings, using one of the primary themes for geography:

“Imagine that the state of Mississippi was able to exchange places with the state of Alaska. Not only would its location be much farther north, but what else about the state would change as a result of the shift in latitude? How would Mississippi’s history, her people, and their cultures, have been different if the state had been situated along the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea instead of along the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River?”

Hutson points out that by using the theme of place, the study of geography “comes alive and shows the excitement and wonder, as well as the difficulties and challenges, that our incredible planet can offer.”

This approach can work not only with places, but with people – What would be different if you changed places with someone else?

Being able to project into the lives of others is a key element in living by the Golden Rule.

Jesus said, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12, ESV). Stated differently: “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself'” (Gal. 5:14).

Being helpful to those who are hurting requires self-knowledge and sensitivity: “Brothers,if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).

The Lord invites us to get to know other people – and places – so we can care for them and relate to them in a meaningful way.

The World’s Deadliest Drink

The World Health Organization has released its Global status report on alcohol and health 2014, which indicates that alcohol consumption is connected with the death of one person every 10 seconds.

The Book of Proverbs, which focuses on making wise choices, also emphasizes the dangers of strong drink:

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” – Prov. 20:1, ESV

“Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.” – Prov. 23:20-21

“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.” – Prov. 23:29-35