Frustration and anger are emotions the prophet Jonah embraced. The Lord told Jonah to go and preach in Nineveh and warn them that their city would be destroyed in forty days, because of their wickedness. Jonah tried to flee away from God. He did not want to warn Nineveh, because he wanted God to destroy them. Jonah hated the Ninevites more than he loved God. So Jonah defied God, but eventually he did go and…
Teacher, you pour your heart into preparing and delivering your lessons. Are you sure your learners even understand the words you are using? I recently posted an article about The Seven Laws of Teaching by John Milton Gregory. Gregory’s third law, The Law of the Language, says “The language used as medium between teacher and learner must be common to both. Use words understood in the same way by the pupils and you – language…
The Apostle Peter once preached and his message was so successful 3000 people believed and were saved. A few days later Peter delivered the same message and it made his audience so furious they wanted to kill him. In both cases Peter was preaching to his fellow Jews. Below are excerpts from the book of Acts where these occurrences are recorded. A. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has…
Pray like an apostle. Does that seem like a tall order? The Apostle Paul’s prayers are a good model for us. At the beginning of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 Thessalonians, Paul describes his prayers of thanksgiving and petition. He repeats almost the same four basic things in each of these letters. Paul tells the Christians in these cities that he gives thanks to God for the faith they have in Jesus and their love…
Our president has lied continually about the results of the November 2020 election. Republican members of congress knew the president was lying to us, but most said nothing. On January 6, it became clear they knew the truth, because they had to either bow to the president or honor their oath of office. Thankfully, most honored their oath of office and chose to uphold the will of the majority of voters. Majority Leader Senator Mitch…
I highly recommend Bible class teachers read The Seven Laws of Teaching by John Milton Gregory. It was published in 1884 as an instruction manual for Sunday school teachers. The basis for the book is the concept that teaching has “natural laws which are as fixed as the laws of circling planets or growing organisms.” Therefore, Gregory argues, if these simple laws are adhered to, knowledge must be communicated. Even though this book was first…
I read a passage from the Old Testament and it made think about the different understanding God’s people had about life after death in the Old Testament versus the New Testament. Below is a fictional story inspired by an Old Testament scripture. Try to determine which Old Testament event inspired this story. Think about the differences and similarities in both life and life after death presented by each of the dreams. First Dream The night…
This is a time for new beginnings, so I hope you will find greater prosperity and peace in the New Year than ever before. Remember, for those who follow Christ every day is a day in which we can begin again. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who…
When someone does something to you, in word or deed, that really bothers you, what should you do? First, take the time to answer two questions. Was what was done motivated by kindness and not malice? Is there some truth in what was done that you need to take to heart? The New Testament book of James says, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and…
Conflict is one thing most of us hate. In fact, there are some people we would rather kill than have an open conflict with them. Isn’t that an extreme statement? Sadly, I think it is a true statement. We may not kill them physically, but we assassinate them in our heart and with our words to other people. William Blake, an 18th century English poet, wrote a poem that beautifully captures the process of unresolved…