Showing posts with label Family Devotionals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family Devotionals. Show all posts

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Building Faith at Home - Psalm 78



Who spoke these words: “My little children, with whom I am again in labor?” It was not a mother, but the apostle Paul in Gal 4:19. He used that analogy to express his concern for the Galatian Christians that Christ be formed in them.
A child’s life is formed in the womb, and a child’s faith is first formed in the home. It is further nurtured and developed in the church. Though the church can supplement and complement the efforts parents make at home, there is no substitute for the role of fathers and mothers. This is Job One for us as parents! Psalm 78 gives us a clear path forward.
Scripture – Ps 78
These are sermon notes, not written in a polished or finished manuscript form. To see the video of this and other sermons:
To see thumbnails of all posts on this blog:
Commitment to families.  Parallels between church and family strength.
Building better marriages.  Equipping and encouraging fathers and mothers.  Will present messages from time to time to focus on family needs.  Welcome ideas, questions, and suggestions.
Recent school shooting in Florida. Nikolas Cruz. How did this 19-year-old turn into a killer?
Whatever else may be said – about guns, laws, and schools – one thing is clear. The love of God and the fear of God must be taught in the home. The absence of God in families has had devastating consequences in our society.
One man with a dream: Korczak Ziolkowski
On June 3, 1998, a 500-ton explosion was deliberately detonated in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Chief Crazy Horse Memorial Notes
Crazy Horse was a legendary warrior and leader of the Lakota Sioux, celebrated for his battle skills as well as his efforts to preserve Native American traditions and way of life. Resisting efforts to force the Sioux on to reservations, he fought alongside Sitting Bull and others in the American-Indian Wars, and was instrumental in the defeat of George Armstrong Custer’s forces at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. After surrendering to federal troops in 1877, he was killed amid rumors of a planned escape.
Since his violent and controversial death, Crazy Horse, or Tashunka Witko, has become almost a mythical figure of the Great Plains Indian wars. The place and date of his birth are uncertain, but he was probably born in the early 1840s near Bear Butte on the Belle Fourche River in South Dakota. His father was a medicine man of the Oglala subtribe, his mother a BrulĂ©. Much speculation about the origin of the name Crazy Horse, but most historians now agree that his father had the same name. As a youth he was known as Curly, but acquired the father’s name after proving himself in combat.
The Crazy Horse monument in South Dakota has been under construction since 1948. When (if?) it’s completed, it will be ten times larger than Mount Rushmore (563 feet high, vs. the Rushmore heads’ 60 feet height.) It may actually be the largest sculpture in the world.
Over 60 years in the making
Boston-born Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, descendant of Lakota Indians, born 1908.
6,740-foot Thunderhead Mountain – Black Hills of South Dakota
Blasted away over 7.4 million tons of rock
Nine-story granite face
17 miles away from Mount Rushmore
All four Mount Rushmore faces could fit inside head
563 feet tall (Washington Monument is 555 feet.)
Ziolkowski died in 1982 at age 74.
Left behind three notebooks of plans, diagrams and calculations.
In 1991 Chief Crazy Horse “opened” his 18-foot eyes.
His widow, Ruth, and seven of their ten grown children, continued to chase his dream. His image of Chief Crazy Horse was formed in his family.
What parents must teach children, so that Christ can be formed in them, the church must teach youth, for the same purpose.  And we all must teach each other.
We build faith when we teach our children …
What Our Fathers Taught Us
Ps 78:1-3
We build faith when we teach our children …
The Lord’s Glorious, Mighty Deeds
Ps 78:4
We build faith when we teach our children …
Confidence and Obedience
Ps 78:5-7
We build faith when we teach our children …
Steadfastness and Faithfulness
Ps 78:8
We build faith when we teach our children …
The Past: Stubborn Rebellion
Ps 78:9-11
We build faith when we teach our children …
The Lord’s Provision
Ps 78:12-16
We build faith when we teach our children …
The Lord’s Righteous Wrath
Ps 78:17-31
We build faith when we teach our children …
The Lord’s Loving Discipline
Ps 78:32-33
We build faith when we teach our children …
The Way Back After Failure
Ps 78:34-35
We build faith when we teach our children …
The Lord’s Compassion
Ps 78:36-39
We build faith when we teach our children …
The Lord’s Heartbreak
Ps 78:40-41
We build faith when we teach our children …
The Danger of Forgetfulness
Ps 78:42-66
We build faith when we teach our children …
The Value of Godly Leaders
Ps 78:67-72

Friday, September 01, 2017

The Best Bible Class Experience You Have Ever Had


What are the keys to exciting, faith-building, life-changing Bible classes? What causes people to anticipate each session? Is it the teacher? The subject? The setting? The others in the group?

One answer that should be obvious is right there in your own hands and mine. It is what you and I bring to the class each week that determines to a large extent what you and I get out of it. That is why the teacher may seem to know the text so well and present it with such confidence and excitement. The teacher has thoughtfully, carefully, and prayerfully prepared. The teacher cannot wait for class to start, in order to share “nuggets” mined from God’s life-changing Word. You and I can do the same!

You can effectively prepare for Bible class each week in advance by using a very simple yet powerful method. It is an inductive approach, in which you draw points, ideas, and applications from the text itself, rather than first simply receiving what others have put together.

We are about to begin studying the Gospel of Luke where we are, so let's use Luke as an example in this post.

First, get a spiral notebook, folder, or three-ring binder.

As you read each section of Luke before class each week, write down as many of the following items as you find helpful. This does not have to be perfect or complete. This is not for anyone else but you. It is not an assignment exactly, but more of an invitation. Please accept it!

Write at the top of the page the Bible reference (For example, Luke 1:1-4).

Ask and write - 
·     Who is speaking?  To whom?  About whom?
·     What is the subject?  The event?  The instruction?
·     When do or will events occur?
·     Where did or will this happen?
·     Why is some element mentioned?  Why now?  Why to this person?
·     How is it to be done?  How will it happen?  How is it illustrated?

Notice and write -
Key words and phrases - 
Connecting words (like "therefore") -
Words that are repeated -
Words that suggest themes for the book as a whole - 
Persons -
Places -
Questions that the text answers -
Questions that you want to ask about the text -
Questions you would ask (for your class to answer) if you were teaching the text -
Points you would make if you were teaching the text -
Bible characters, texts, and accounts that illustrate the teachings in the text -
What this text is telling you to do as a result (application) -
A title for the text -
How the text follows what precedes it -
How the text leads to what follows it -

Bring your spiral notebook, folder, or three-ring binder to class.
Use what you wrote to contribute to the class.
Add more notes as you hear what others contribute.

To start, try using the inductive approach with the beginning of Luke.

Lk 1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

Think about it! Write it down! Bring it with you! Share with the class (if you wish) what you found most helpful!

If you want to take a bigger piece of Scripture, continue as far as you can through Luke 1, then work on 2. As a result, this Sunday's class experience may just be the best you have ever had.

You may also use this method in your family devotional times. We have done so. Read a paragraph of Scripture out loud. Then each family member may respond to any or several of the inductive ideas listed above. You may be surprised by the energy, interest, and growth that you witness.

Friday, January 23, 2015

100-Plus Favorite Scriptures


God’s Word promises that that man is blessed whose delight is in the law of the Lord, who meditates on his law day and night (Psalm 1:1-2). The benefits of memorizing and meditating on Scripture cannot be measured.
Our congregation’s involvement with L2L (Lads to Leaders / Leaderettes) has encouraged our brothers and sisters (adults as well as youth) to memorize Scripture. One can sign up for the “Centurion of Scripture,” committing to learn and recite 100 verses of his or her choice during any given year.
I compiled my list, starting with some verses I knew and including others I wanted to learn. The experience has been very rewarding. I added more than 100 so I can continue learning. They are numbered in groups of ten.
As you look at my list, perhaps you will do something similar. In the process you will develop a great resource to use for family devotional, personal evangelism, Bible class teaching, and more. God will bless you for it!
[1-10] Genesis 1:1–2 (ESV)
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Genesis 9:6 (ESV)
6 “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.
Psalm 22:1 (ESV)
1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
Proverbs 15:1 (ESV)
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 18:17 (ESV)
17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
Proverbs 22:1 (ESV)
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.
Matthew 5:13–16 (ESV)
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.
[11-20] 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 16:13–18 (ESV)
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 28:18–20 (ESV)
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Mark 16:15–16 (ESV)
[21-30] 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
John 1:1–14 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
[31-40] 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:18 (ESV)
18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
John 3:3–5 (ESV)
3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:16–17 (ESV)
[41-50] 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 12:48 (ESV)
48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
John 14:1–6 (ESV)
1 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:27 (ESV)
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
[51-60] John 16:33 (ESV)
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 20:30–31 (ESV)
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Acts 2:36–47 (ESV)
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
[61-70] 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.
45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 4:12 (ESV)
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 22:16 (ESV)
16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Romans 1:16–17 (ESV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Romans 3:10 (ESV)
10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
[71-80] Romans 3:23 (ESV)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 5:1 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:6–11 (ESV)
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 6:1–4 (ESV)
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
[81-90] 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 10:17 (ESV)
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 12:1–2 (ESV)
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:21 (ESV)
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1 Corinthians 3:11 (ESV)
11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (ESV)
16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
[91-100] 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 5:1 (ESV)
1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
2 Corinthians 5:14 (ESV)
14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 6:1 (ESV)
1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)
1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Philippians 2:5–11 (ESV)
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
[101-110] 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 4:4–7 (ESV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:1–4 (ESV)
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
[111-120] 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 4:6 (ESV)
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
James 1:2–8 (ESV)
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
[121-130] 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:19 (ESV)
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
James 1:27 (ESV)
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 3:1–2 (ESV)
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
1 Peter 2:21–25 (ESV)
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.