Teaching schedule:
Feb 8- Veer, Thessalonians 2
Feb 15- Ken Davis
Feb 22- Brian, Thessalonians 3
March 1- Rob, Thessalonians 4
March 8- Michael, Thessalonians 5
March 15- Rob, Redemption
March 22- Brian, Money Basics Through Biblical Principles
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Louis Kathman's Visit and Lesson
Notes from Louis' visit to our class and their ministry:
Louis' website is: www.myspace.com/allforjesusmusic Some key points:
God is in sovereign control of the recession. He expects us to be faithful in our giving of tithes and offerings EVEN during a recession Malachi 3:6-11. He alone gives us the ability to create and sustain wealth. He alone can take that away and give it at his discretion. God has blessed us financially primarily to advance His kingdom. True believers are driven to advance the Kingdom of God. False believers are not. We live in a world where if you make 5,000 per year you are wealthier than 86% of the world's population. If you make 50,000 per year, you make more money than 99% of the world's population. Key verses: Matthew 6:19-20 Luke 12:32-34 Matthew 25:31-46 Matthew 7:21-23
A $5 Chinese Bible distributed through www.worldhelp.net impacts as many as 300 people with the Gospel. An $1800 deep bore water well through Operation Blessing's Living Water Well program gives water to thousands of people the rest of their lives in continents like Africa and countries like India (www.cbn.com). A group of Christians like your Sunday school class CAN change the world! One more thought Jesus is referred in John and Revelation as the Word of God. Jesus and the Bible(Word of God) are inextractable. You can guage your love for Jesus by your love and use of the Bible. Blessings!
Louis' website is: www.myspace.com/allforjesusmusic Some key points:
God is in sovereign control of the recession. He expects us to be faithful in our giving of tithes and offerings EVEN during a recession Malachi 3:6-11. He alone gives us the ability to create and sustain wealth. He alone can take that away and give it at his discretion. God has blessed us financially primarily to advance His kingdom. True believers are driven to advance the Kingdom of God. False believers are not. We live in a world where if you make 5,000 per year you are wealthier than 86% of the world's population. If you make 50,000 per year, you make more money than 99% of the world's population. Key verses: Matthew 6:19-20 Luke 12:32-34 Matthew 25:31-46 Matthew 7:21-23
A $5 Chinese Bible distributed through www.worldhelp.net impacts as many as 300 people with the Gospel. An $1800 deep bore water well through Operation Blessing's Living Water Well program gives water to thousands of people the rest of their lives in continents like Africa and countries like India (www.cbn.com). A group of Christians like your Sunday school class CAN change the world! One more thought Jesus is referred in John and Revelation as the Word of God. Jesus and the Bible(Word of God) are inextractable. You can guage your love for Jesus by your love and use of the Bible. Blessings!
A New, New Year’s Resolution
clip from The Bucket List
Who finds it easy to tell other people about Jesus?
II. Follow-up from last week’s lesson.
a. What was special about Thessalonica?
i. It was a prosperous city.
ii. Geographically it was located in the NW corner of the Aegean Sea. It was the harbour where Xerxes had his naval base when he invaded Europe.
iii. It was a free city and there were no Roman troops housed in this city.
iv. For a time there was a question of whether Thessalonica or Constantinople would be recognized as the capital of the world.
v. The main street of Thessalonica lay astride the Egnatian Road which linked Rome with the East. East and West converged on Thessalonica
vi. Lap of the Roman Empire
vii. Trade came to the city from the East and the West and if Christianity got a foothold here it would spread East to Asia and to the West to Rome which would make Christianity a world religion.
iii. It was part of Macedonia which was the kingdom of Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Great dreamed of one world dominated by Greece in culture and Philosophy. He wanted to marry the East and West. Macedonia included Thessalonica which was named after Alexander’s father and Philippi which was named after Alexander’s father. Paul embraced the philosophy of Alexander the Great but as a world for Christ rather than for Greece.
b. Why did Paul go to Macedonia?
Read Acts 16:6-10
Paul was driven to the Aegean Sea by the Holy Spirit
c. How long was Paul in Thessalonica?
Read Acts 17:2
About 3 weeks
d. Why did Paul leave Thessalonica?
Read Acts 17:10
Paul was driven out of Thessalonica to Berea which was 50 miles west
Read Acts 17:13-15
He was driven out of Berea to Athens which was 200 miles to the south, leaving Silas and Timothy behind.
Read Acts 17:14-15
He called for Silas and Timothy to come to Thessalonica
He then sent Timothy to Thessalonica for an update.
Read Acts 18
Timothy met Paul in Corinth to report on the church at Thessalonica. He told Paul that they were “enduring bravely” and their efforts were not for nothing.
e. What significance do we learn from Paul’s mission in Thessalonica?
More on that to come.
III. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2
How does Paul start this letter and why?
It’s always good to start off positive and not put people on the defensive. The best way to eradicate a man’s faults is to praise his virtues.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:3
What does Paul state that are the 3 main ingredients of the Christian Life
a. Work-inspired by faith. What are the reasons you work. This refers to your job, your marriage, and your children.
b. Labour prompted by Love. What is the difference between work and labour. Work is towards a goal. Labour is the energy put into to working towards a goal.
c. Endurance founded on hope. Endurance keeps you going
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4
It’s very easy to overlook a phrase in this as just biblical language. That phrase is “beloved by God.” This phrase was reserved in Jewish culture for only great men which included Moses and Solomon and the nation of Israel itself.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:5
God is present and is in the message.
Miracles took place. What are some modern miracles?
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:6
There were imitators. We need models. Who do you model your life or your walk after?
I think that this is another mention that should lead us to consider having a mentor. More on that to come.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:7
You can be an example to the world of fortitude under persecution.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Sounding forth like a trumpet.
What kind of picture does this put in your mind. Is this a society of timid folks? No. This was a brave announcement that something had changed. I think that we need a change in this city, this church, and this Sunday school class. I think we need some trumpet blowers and I put myself at the head of the line.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:9
This message that Paul is preaching should turn people from idols and towards God to serve. Anybody willing to admit they have an idol problem that takes them away from God’s work? What about work, bible study, television, fitness, etc.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Paul could not wait for Christ’s return
IV. How many of you are happy with the world as it is now?
Back to the significance of Paul’s mission in Thessalonica.
As we have already discussed:
We can draw a parallel with Thessalonica and Franklin.
We can view opposition in our world today as was present then. One could argue in our nation that it was worse in Thessalonica than it is in the US. Look at the situation in China.
To Paul, Thessalonica was a test case. That is why he so desperately awaited Timothy’s report on the status of the church. Could he accomplish what he wanted on his mission in 3 weeks or would it take months or years.
Read Acts 17:4-6
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9
Was Paul’s mission in Thessalonica successful?
Without a doubt. Their work was heralded all over Greece.
Are you ready to “turn the world upside down?”
Conclusion:
If all this is similar, I would put forth that we can be successful and we can turn the world upside down. You just have to decide if this is what you want to do. Does this appeal to anybody? Who wants this?
It’s a good time of year for resolutions.
I need to tell ____________________ about Jesus.
How would you fill in this blank?
Challenge: I challenge you to talk to that person about Jesus. It may be a friend. It may be a co-worker. It could even be a relative. This could be an easy or difficult conversation. The only thing that I know is that you won’t be alone. Be prayerful. I bet that if we can start this, it will be something that becomes easier and something that becomes integral in our lives.
Who finds it easy to tell other people about Jesus?
II. Follow-up from last week’s lesson.
a. What was special about Thessalonica?
i. It was a prosperous city.
ii. Geographically it was located in the NW corner of the Aegean Sea. It was the harbour where Xerxes had his naval base when he invaded Europe.
iii. It was a free city and there were no Roman troops housed in this city.
iv. For a time there was a question of whether Thessalonica or Constantinople would be recognized as the capital of the world.
v. The main street of Thessalonica lay astride the Egnatian Road which linked Rome with the East. East and West converged on Thessalonica
vi. Lap of the Roman Empire
vii. Trade came to the city from the East and the West and if Christianity got a foothold here it would spread East to Asia and to the West to Rome which would make Christianity a world religion.
iii. It was part of Macedonia which was the kingdom of Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Great dreamed of one world dominated by Greece in culture and Philosophy. He wanted to marry the East and West. Macedonia included Thessalonica which was named after Alexander’s father and Philippi which was named after Alexander’s father. Paul embraced the philosophy of Alexander the Great but as a world for Christ rather than for Greece.
b. Why did Paul go to Macedonia?
Read Acts 16:6-10
Paul was driven to the Aegean Sea by the Holy Spirit
c. How long was Paul in Thessalonica?
Read Acts 17:2
About 3 weeks
d. Why did Paul leave Thessalonica?
Read Acts 17:10
Paul was driven out of Thessalonica to Berea which was 50 miles west
Read Acts 17:13-15
He was driven out of Berea to Athens which was 200 miles to the south, leaving Silas and Timothy behind.
Read Acts 17:14-15
He called for Silas and Timothy to come to Thessalonica
He then sent Timothy to Thessalonica for an update.
Read Acts 18
Timothy met Paul in Corinth to report on the church at Thessalonica. He told Paul that they were “enduring bravely” and their efforts were not for nothing.
e. What significance do we learn from Paul’s mission in Thessalonica?
More on that to come.
III. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2
How does Paul start this letter and why?
It’s always good to start off positive and not put people on the defensive. The best way to eradicate a man’s faults is to praise his virtues.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:3
What does Paul state that are the 3 main ingredients of the Christian Life
a. Work-inspired by faith. What are the reasons you work. This refers to your job, your marriage, and your children.
b. Labour prompted by Love. What is the difference between work and labour. Work is towards a goal. Labour is the energy put into to working towards a goal.
c. Endurance founded on hope. Endurance keeps you going
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:4
It’s very easy to overlook a phrase in this as just biblical language. That phrase is “beloved by God.” This phrase was reserved in Jewish culture for only great men which included Moses and Solomon and the nation of Israel itself.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:5
God is present and is in the message.
Miracles took place. What are some modern miracles?
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:6
There were imitators. We need models. Who do you model your life or your walk after?
I think that this is another mention that should lead us to consider having a mentor. More on that to come.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:7
You can be an example to the world of fortitude under persecution.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:8
Sounding forth like a trumpet.
What kind of picture does this put in your mind. Is this a society of timid folks? No. This was a brave announcement that something had changed. I think that we need a change in this city, this church, and this Sunday school class. I think we need some trumpet blowers and I put myself at the head of the line.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:9
This message that Paul is preaching should turn people from idols and towards God to serve. Anybody willing to admit they have an idol problem that takes them away from God’s work? What about work, bible study, television, fitness, etc.
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:10
Paul could not wait for Christ’s return
IV. How many of you are happy with the world as it is now?
Back to the significance of Paul’s mission in Thessalonica.
As we have already discussed:
We can draw a parallel with Thessalonica and Franklin.
We can view opposition in our world today as was present then. One could argue in our nation that it was worse in Thessalonica than it is in the US. Look at the situation in China.
To Paul, Thessalonica was a test case. That is why he so desperately awaited Timothy’s report on the status of the church. Could he accomplish what he wanted on his mission in 3 weeks or would it take months or years.
Read Acts 17:4-6
Read 1 Thessalonians 1:8-9
Was Paul’s mission in Thessalonica successful?
Without a doubt. Their work was heralded all over Greece.
Are you ready to “turn the world upside down?”
Conclusion:
If all this is similar, I would put forth that we can be successful and we can turn the world upside down. You just have to decide if this is what you want to do. Does this appeal to anybody? Who wants this?
It’s a good time of year for resolutions.
I need to tell ____________________ about Jesus.
How would you fill in this blank?
Challenge: I challenge you to talk to that person about Jesus. It may be a friend. It may be a co-worker. It could even be a relative. This could be an easy or difficult conversation. The only thing that I know is that you won’t be alone. Be prayerful. I bet that if we can start this, it will be something that becomes easier and something that becomes integral in our lives.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Focus Verse: Galatians 3:9- So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
I. What is Faith?
Read Romans 4:13-25
Abraham held a special place in the hearts of the Jews. He was the founder of their nation. He was the man to whom God had first spoken and he obeyed.
Read Genesis 12:1-5
Read Genesis 13:14-17
God is asking Abraham to take him at his work. He is telling him that if he makes this leap of faith, he will become the father of a great nation and people.
At the crux of this event is the manifest difference between Jewish law or works and Christian Faith. What is it?
Abraham acted in faith before the Law came into being
Jews felt they had to earn God’s favour. Christians felt they could never earn God’s favour. All they can do is take God at his word that his promises are true.
There are 2 Greek words for promise. Huposchesis means I promise to do this and you promise to do that. Epaggelia means a promise made out of the goodness of someone’s heart and made unconditionally. This is the one that was used by Paul in romans.
II. Now that we realize how we can be in a right relationship with God, how can we give that as a gift to our children.
Read James 2:14-26
Whereas some argue that this passage represents a dichotomy between James and Paul, that is not the case.
Read 1 Corinthians 3:8
Read Matthew 5:14-16
William Barclay states that the twin truths of the Christian Church are “we are not saved by deeds, we are saved for deeds.”
We give our faith as a gift through our actions. We live our lives in such a manner that what we claim to believe is evident.
When in your life have you been the best example of your faith to your children?
How did your parents best demonstrate their faith for you as a child?
III. What does this gift provide.
As our children grow and inch closer to adulthood and independence, we have to come to the realization that we will not always be to teach and protect. We will really want to. Has anybody ever taken their kids to school and want to go in so be there to support them for that test they aren’t sure if they did enough for or to stand up for that kid that is saying mean things about them. I have. However I know that I can’t. Somebody can though.
A. Source of Comfort and Strength
Read Psalm 23:4
The verse says I, not we.
Has anybody ever faced down a fearful situation, one they may just as well have not faced, but experienced the comfort of God and this got them trough it?
B. Source of Protection
Read 1 Peter 5:8-9
C. Source of Healing
Most of us have been up in the middle of the night with sick kids, gotten sneezed and snotted on (sometimes worse), and we would do it again. While we never physically healed our kids, we were there to see them through it. One day we will have to send our kids out and they will be alone as they face all kinds of illness from colds to addictions to accidents and sometimes worse. The great thing is that God has dominion over all illness and frequently it was Faith that resulted in healing.
Read Mark 5:25-34
Read Mark 5: 35-43
Read Mark 10:46-52
D. Source of Justification
Read Romans 3:21-25
Even though it is our sin that separates us from God, because of Jesus, we are able to approach God and he can see us through his loving eyes, as innocent.
E. Source of Eternal Life
Read John 3:16
IV. Marriage
Read 1 Peter 3:1-7
Christianity broke all of the social barriers that were in place for women.
In Roman civilization there was the Patria potestas- daughters were under the rule of their father until they married and then they fell under the rule of the husband.
In Greek civilization, a husband could divorce his wife on a whim as long as he returned the dowry.
Christianity introduced the concept of reciprocal ethic. Christianity believes that a marriage is based on reciprocal obligation. For each privilege there is a reciprocal obligation.
If your Christian faith is brought into your marriage and embraced, verses like Matthew 19:26 will take on new meaning.
Divorce statistics- began to rise in the late’60s, skyrocketed in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
-rate peaked in 1981 at 5.3 divorces per 1000 people.
-dropped by 1/3 to 3.6 in 2007.
-Why has the drop occurred.
I believe that if you bring your faith into your marriage, and live it, you will give your children the gift of family that they can take with them into their own children and pass on to their children.
Challenge- Live your faith this week and this Christmas so that your children see it and make note of it and then continue this into the new year.
I. What is Faith?
Read Romans 4:13-25
Abraham held a special place in the hearts of the Jews. He was the founder of their nation. He was the man to whom God had first spoken and he obeyed.
Read Genesis 12:1-5
Read Genesis 13:14-17
God is asking Abraham to take him at his work. He is telling him that if he makes this leap of faith, he will become the father of a great nation and people.
At the crux of this event is the manifest difference between Jewish law or works and Christian Faith. What is it?
Abraham acted in faith before the Law came into being
Jews felt they had to earn God’s favour. Christians felt they could never earn God’s favour. All they can do is take God at his word that his promises are true.
There are 2 Greek words for promise. Huposchesis means I promise to do this and you promise to do that. Epaggelia means a promise made out of the goodness of someone’s heart and made unconditionally. This is the one that was used by Paul in romans.
II. Now that we realize how we can be in a right relationship with God, how can we give that as a gift to our children.
Read James 2:14-26
Whereas some argue that this passage represents a dichotomy between James and Paul, that is not the case.
Read 1 Corinthians 3:8
Read Matthew 5:14-16
William Barclay states that the twin truths of the Christian Church are “we are not saved by deeds, we are saved for deeds.”
We give our faith as a gift through our actions. We live our lives in such a manner that what we claim to believe is evident.
When in your life have you been the best example of your faith to your children?
How did your parents best demonstrate their faith for you as a child?
III. What does this gift provide.
As our children grow and inch closer to adulthood and independence, we have to come to the realization that we will not always be to teach and protect. We will really want to. Has anybody ever taken their kids to school and want to go in so be there to support them for that test they aren’t sure if they did enough for or to stand up for that kid that is saying mean things about them. I have. However I know that I can’t. Somebody can though.
A. Source of Comfort and Strength
Read Psalm 23:4
The verse says I, not we.
Has anybody ever faced down a fearful situation, one they may just as well have not faced, but experienced the comfort of God and this got them trough it?
B. Source of Protection
Read 1 Peter 5:8-9
C. Source of Healing
Most of us have been up in the middle of the night with sick kids, gotten sneezed and snotted on (sometimes worse), and we would do it again. While we never physically healed our kids, we were there to see them through it. One day we will have to send our kids out and they will be alone as they face all kinds of illness from colds to addictions to accidents and sometimes worse. The great thing is that God has dominion over all illness and frequently it was Faith that resulted in healing.
Read Mark 5:25-34
Read Mark 5: 35-43
Read Mark 10:46-52
D. Source of Justification
Read Romans 3:21-25
Even though it is our sin that separates us from God, because of Jesus, we are able to approach God and he can see us through his loving eyes, as innocent.
E. Source of Eternal Life
Read John 3:16
IV. Marriage
Read 1 Peter 3:1-7
Christianity broke all of the social barriers that were in place for women.
In Roman civilization there was the Patria potestas- daughters were under the rule of their father until they married and then they fell under the rule of the husband.
In Greek civilization, a husband could divorce his wife on a whim as long as he returned the dowry.
Christianity introduced the concept of reciprocal ethic. Christianity believes that a marriage is based on reciprocal obligation. For each privilege there is a reciprocal obligation.
If your Christian faith is brought into your marriage and embraced, verses like Matthew 19:26 will take on new meaning.
Divorce statistics- began to rise in the late’60s, skyrocketed in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
-rate peaked in 1981 at 5.3 divorces per 1000 people.
-dropped by 1/3 to 3.6 in 2007.
-Why has the drop occurred.
I believe that if you bring your faith into your marriage, and live it, you will give your children the gift of family that they can take with them into their own children and pass on to their children.
Challenge- Live your faith this week and this Christmas so that your children see it and make note of it and then continue this into the new year.
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