In the Class Room 5-23-10

BIBLE STUDY

We covered part of the second lesson in the new unit of lessons entitled, Face Your Problems in Sunday Bible study. This purpose of this lesson, When You Feel Overwhelmed, is to give us important instructions and insights on how to handle the future, especially when troubling events seem to crash down and overwhelm. Our Scripture reading was Mark, Chapter 13 and while this chapter deals with the end time, the end of time as it is now known was not the theme of this lesson. As always, Jesus used every opportunity to teach and on this occasion gave crucial help to His followers and an example to every generation for living and witnessing in a hostile world.

We can prepare for trying times by: TRUSTING THE SPIRIT
As Jesus and His disciples exited the temple one day, one of the disciples commented on the splendor and beauty. Jesus responded by informing them that one day it would all be destroyed. Peter, James, and John later asked Jesus to tell them more about when and how they would know when the temple was to be destroyed. Jesus’ response shifts back and forth between an immediate and a remote future. The author of our lesson states that the events He talked of seem to have a dual fulfillment—once in the disciples’ lifetimes and again with finality in the end times. He warned of persecution and personal suffering and the difficulty they would endure to remain His followers, much like the fate that was to be His. When Jesus told the disciples that the gospel must first be proclaimed to all nations, He was reminding them of their task, which was to continue telling the world of the gospel message of salvation. They were assured that through their hardships, the Holy Spirit (He) would always be with them to assist them and that in the end they would be delivered (verses 9-13).

We can prepare for trying times by: STAYING WITH THE TRUTH
Jesus warned that the time would come when many false prophets would proclaim to be the Messiah, performing wonders, and attempting to deceive even the elect. His instruction was DO NOT BELIEVE THEM! (verses 21-23). This danger is as real today as it was then. Heed not the teaching of any one if their teaching does not align with the truth, the Word of God! Robert pointed out that the words if possible, in verse 22 indicated to him that false teachers would not be able to sway true followers who were knowledgeable of the Word. We must be cautious and never allow any one to convince us of any thing contrary to the Word!

The third way to prepare for trying times, REJOICING, will be discussed next Sunday. The lesson begins on page 95 in our book and is taken from Mark 13:24-37. Read these passages and come prepared to share thoughts, insights, ideas and questions.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Jean – Jim's sister; mammogram results suspicious; further tests 5/26 & 6/15

In the Class Room 5-16-10

BIBLE STUDY

We started a new unit of lessons this week entitled, Face Your Problems. The first lesson studied this Sunday was When Your Priorities Are Challenged. Our Scripture reading was Mark, Chapter 12:13-17 and 28-34. The truth learned today was that Christians have obligations to God, to others, and to their government, but first priority is to God.

We closed last week with Jesus and his disciples entering Jerusalem for what Jesus had said would be a time of betrayal and death for Him, concluding in His resurrection. He entered on a donkey and while there visited the temple and drove out money changers declaring the temple a house of prayer. This prompted the temple leaders to look for a way to be rid of Him. Jesus and His disciples spent the night in nearby Bethany and the following day returned to Jerusalem.

His day was filled with trick questions from the Pharisees, who were the staunch religious leaders and the Herodians, who were the stalwart political leaders. The Pharisees and Herodians tried to trick Jesus by asking, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” Answering no could result in treason against Rome and answering yes would offend the Pharisees who objected to the use of coins with Caesar’s image, declaring his divinity; therefore, a violation of the First and Second Commandments.

Recognizing their hypocrisy and that it was a trick question and would result in an accusation against Him if he answered yes or no, Jesus responded wisely. He asked for a coin used to pay taxes. Interesting that Jesus had no coin of His own and apparently neither did the disciples! He asked for a coin of those who were trying to trap Him and they obeyed His request! Receiving the coin, Jesus asked, “Whose image and inscription is this?” When they answered Caesars’s, He told them to give to Caesar what is his and give to God what is God’s. They were amazed at His answer (shrewdness and wisdom)! Jesus affirmed the idea that citizens owe appropriate support to their government for their benefit, but also established the breadth of God’s claim on every human being. We are created by God and all that we are and have is God’s.

The second question posed to Jesus was by a scribe who transcribed and taught the Mosiac law. “Which commandment is the most important of all?” The answer was in two parts. Jesus declared the first priority of every Christian is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, Mark 12:30. The scribe asked for only the most important commandment, but Jesus continued by giving the second most important, to love your neighbor as yourself, Mark 12:31. Jesus forever linked these two obligations as inseparable for believers. If God is priority, these commandments will be obeyed. If God is priority, a strengthened commitment will enable us to meet obligations appropriately should our priorities be challenged. Priorities can be in the order that Jesus commanded by keeping our heart and mind open to God’s truth.

Next week’s lesson When You Feel Overwhelmed begins on page 90 in our book and is taken from Mark 13:1-37. Read this chapter and come prepared to share thoughts, insights, ideas and questions.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Family of Danny & JoAnn – death of their mother.
Frances – back problems and upset over death of her aunt.
Virginia – wife of Donna’s co-worker; cancer.
Betty – asthma and glaucoma.
Yvonne – Roger’s daughter.
Sylvia’s mother – to retain failing eyesight (91 yrs. old) so she can continue to read her Bible!

In the Class Room 5-9-10

BIBLE STUDY

Evidently, we have become fast listeners! Robert finished an entire lesson the second Sunday in a row. The lesson, How to be Successful was taken from Mark, Chapter 10:32-52. We discussed the Biblical definition of success. In this passage, Jesus again told his disciples as they traveled up to Jerusalem of His (the Son of Man) coming fate and once again they failed to grasp the gravity, purpose, and meaning of His earthly life. Though Jesus told of his coming death, He did not leave the disciples without hope. He also told them that He would rise after three days. Jesus made it clear that doing what God wants may include sacrifice and suffering.

Soon after this conversation, James and John approached Jesus with an ambitious and somewhat selfish request. They asked for a position on the right hand and the left hand of Jesus when He set up His kingdom. They still did not realize that Christ’s kingdom would not be on an earthly throne, delivering them from Roman oppression. Jesus asked James and John if they were willing to drink the cup and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. They answered affirmatively. The other disciples overheard the conversation and became indignant. The crisis caused was used by Jesus to teach the true meaning of success. Authority and success in God’s kingdom is based on humble service, not selfish grabs for power as in the secular world. Those who aspire to become truly great will find the path to that goal lies in service to others, even if it involves personal sacrifice. Authentic success in life is possible if your life’s ladder is leaning against a relationship of saving faith in Jesus Christ.

We start a new unit of lessons next week entitled, Face Your Problems. The first lesson is When Your Priorities Are Challenged. Read this lesson, beginning on page 83 of our book and Mark, Chapter 11 through Chapter 12:44. Come prepared to share thoughts, insights, ideas and questions.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Shannon – Diane’s daughter; possible cervical cancer, 2 suspicious spots
Amy – Amanda’s friend; serious issues
Kay – starts chemo Monday
Jolene – continued recovery
Eva Lee – continued recovery
Joe – for good report from liver test

FISH, SHRIMP, AND FRIES!

A great time last Tuesday evening at Shane’s! Wonderful to see Kay looking good and feeling well enough to be out after finishing radiation and first round of chemo. Class did not know that Jeff Salter was in town and that we had invited him to join us. A great surprise for all! Every one enjoyed seeing him and catching up on the last 3 ½ years since he and Denise moved to Kentucky. We miss them much!

We had special prayer for Jolene who has had a slow recovery from heart surgery and was still hospitalized after a month. It worked! Wednesday, Jolene was released and is now home! Never doubt that prayer works and that God is Good!

In the Class Room 5-2-10

BIBLE STUDY

Sorry, I did not hear Robert’s teaching, so I cannot summarize the lesson for you. However, I heard that he finished the entire lesson, ‘How to Get Along With Others’ taken from passages in Chapters 8 and 9. Is that a first?! So, next Sunday, we will be on page 74 in our book and in Mark Chapter, 10:32-52. Our lesson is titled, ‘How to be Successful’, something we all strive for in all walks of life. Read the lesson and Bible passage and come prepared to share and learn!

PRAYER REQUESTS

Tiffany – Veronica’s daughter; lupus.
Joe – liver biopsy Monday to determine cause of elevated enzymes.
Jolene – recovering from heart surgery.
Kay – for upcoming chemo treatments.