There are a lot of jokes about life after death. Most of them include Saint Peter. Here is one my son sent me about Judgment Day:
Author: Bob Stone
Effective Evangelistic Explanations
Everywhere we go or look, God has revealed Himself, at least in a general way. Shouldn't that be enough to bring everyone to a complete commitment to God? Sometimes, but not often. They need something else. When an unbeliever views creation; observes a godly example; or witnesses miracles—all of which are evidence of the existence of God—they don't always immediately follow God. Why aren't these evidences enough for pre-Christians to believe in and follow God/His son?
An Evangelistic Interpretation
Acts 17:16-34
The last few months I have been walking through several neighborhoods in Bellingham and Whatcom County. Not only is the walk enjoyable and good exercise, but it is also one of the best ways I know to get an understanding of a ministry area. As I have walked through these regions of our city, I have again been impressed with the unique culture of Bellingham, as well as the diversity of neighborhoods. We all have a tendency to define our hometowns in the light of our immediate surroundings/neighborhood, but that exposure often offers an incomplete picture.
As one application of studying this topic, I want to encourage you to walk through your area of town too, and pray; listen to the Lord; and listen to the people you encounter. It is also very helpful to ask yourself some questions about the people and the setting. For example, you might ask:
Abraham Part Two: The Picture of God’s Love Through Abraham
Genesis 22
A student of famous illustrator and painter Gustave Dore had just finished a painting of Jesus and handed it to him for his critique. Dore studied it, his mind searching for the right words. At last he handed it back to the student. "If you loved Him more," he said, "you would have painted Him better"—Gene Geyer, Windows of the Soul, p. 172, Zondervan Pub., 1996.
That's a great statement. A person needs to know God before he can adequately paint Him with the brush, or even with words—with a verbal picture. In our continuing study of Bible characters, we are viewing a portrait gallery containing various pictures of the character of God.
Abraham Part One: Climbing the Foothills of Mount Moriah
Genesis 12-21
In this study of Abraham, we will focus on the apex of his life—the events leading up to Genesis 22. This chapter is extremely important to us, because
- we see evidence of why Abraham is the father of faith
- it is very critical to our understanding of Old Testament theology and the purposes of God in sacrificing His Son on the cross. (What a picture this is!)
- it reminds us that we all have at least one great test sometime during our life. (Do you believe that?)
Beautiful Bodies
In my last reflection, we took a look at beautiful pain. We discussed how often our perspective is focused only on the external, the painful process in which we are involved. But God sees the internal result that comes at the end of the process. We see pain as an intruder, an enemy, but God sees it as the brush, the sculpting tool for the masterpiece.
Consider what the masterpiece will look like if we cooperate with the Master Designer! The promise of God is that “He will make everything beautiful in its time.” But how can that be when the ending of life is often anything but beautiful? The answer is obvious; this earthly life isn’t all the life that we as believers will enjoy. We are assured of an eternal life in Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5 affirms that truth. In this passage Paul shares three great reasons why we know something more beautiful is coming.
Part 2: Small Group Leadership
The small group leader is not the only teacher, and the small group is not a traditional class sitting in rows of chairs listening to a lecture. Learning comes through interaction, discovery, modeling of leaders, problem solving, and the study and application of the Scriptures.
Part 3: Small Group Topics
Discussion About Miscellaneous Topics
Part 4: Small Group Resources
Small Group Leader Evaluation + Your Year In Review (Name of Leader) Looking back on this year, what would you say were three high points and three low points for your group? Briefly describe your goals and objectives for this past year. How do you feel your group did in light of your goals and...
Part 5: Small Group Resources
Worshipping in Your Small Group
by Lynn Mather Breitenbach
Worship in a small group setting can be very different than in the large group setting, especially if you have folks who are insecure about their own worshiping. The first thing to do is to put people at ease by letting them know that we are all beginners in worship. Then help them by having a structure prepared to help them worship. Then model what you want your small group to do. This may mean that you have to step out of your own comfort zone. Use this as a challenge to grow deeper in worship.