Values...quite an interesting word for ideas that we cherish and live by. Who is the source of values? What do they look like? What challenges our values today?
Part 2, on the common pairing of "mercy and truth" (lovingkindness and faithfulness)
"In everything give thanks," Paul wrote. This may sound like other common, trite sayings ("Be Kind" "Stay calm and. . ."), but it goes far beyond such slogans. This year, have you given thanks in everything? In this lesson, you will be reminded of why you should!
In our meme- and text-crazed days, short slogans are a common method of sending a much longer message. While Paul offered no trite picture to accompany this message, he ended 1 Thessalonians by simply urging the saints to "Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing." Consider the power of the fusion of these two.
Today, you can visit the site where the walls of Jericho once stood. Some experts even believe they have found the walls that fell in the days of Joshua. But visiting the site will not offer the insights that Scripture does about Israel's visit to Jericho. Those lessons are only available by the witness the Holy Spirit has given about those events.
Paul ends the first letter to the Thessalonians with a series of brief reminders. While some of them are related, each one on its own will lead to other thoughts, questions, and answers that feed our soul. In this lesson, we consider the words "Rejoice always." Without the background of the gospel, this becomes a shallow slogan that is impossible to follow (like the popular "Keep calm. . ."). But in Christ, we have no other option but to rejoice always. . .
Knowing that we are made in God's image opens our eyes to many other truths. This lesson explores the fact that being made in His image means that we belong to God.
When our hearts are a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God we are prepared to make our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God. How do we dress our bodies to make them pleasing to God?
Our society frequently values new ideas and change over tradition, and as a result change is often expected. That can be good (transportation, attitudes toward other races) or bad (man's constantly changing ideas of what is proper and acceptable dress). Proper outward dress begins with proper inward dress. What does Romans 12:1 teach us about dressing our hearts?
What do you think about James efforts at recruiting teachers in James 3:1? What kind of a Christian would be discouraged from teaching by James' admonition? In what other areas of life will we receive a stricter judgment?