One spring day, I sat in my backyard with my friend Suzy and our kids. While we relaxed in lawn chairs, sipping lemonade, a few of the children played on the swing set. The rest sat at our bright yellow children’s picnic table, purchased just days earlier. They were happily creating masterpieces on the pages…
Finding Your Big “Why?”
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven. — Matthew 5:16 Video: Finding Your Big “Why?” Play the video teaching segment for session one. As you watch, record any thoughts or concepts that stand out to you in the outline…
Nourishing Words
The lips of the righteous nourish many. — Proverbs 10:21 There was once a monk who, like many followers of Jesus at the time, was looking for a deeper walk with God. This monk, Abbot Agatho, fled to the desert. The story goes that Abbot Agatho, aware of his temptation to sin with his words,…
Answering Our Own Prayers
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” — Luke 11:1 ESV A group of teenagers and I sat cross-legged on the church lawn, soaking in the warm summer sunshine. One of the girls…
Keep It Shut Bible Study
Sparks, Squabbles, Spats, and Such: Our Words Matter Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. – Proverbs 18:21 Editor’s Note: Words are one of the most powerful weapons we have. They can be a sharp sword or a soothing salve, both having the ability…
Zip It and Pray!
How to Talk to God Before You Talk to Others Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer. ~ John Bunyan When I was in college in the 1980s, I came across a pamphlet entitled “How to Spend an Hour in Prayer.” I had been a Christian for just a…
Talking: Taming the Tongue
The apostle James has more good advice about the tongue. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. — James 1:19-20 Even if you don’t consider yourself a major…
Settle My Soul: Martha Martha
You know the drill. When retiring for the night, you have every aim that tomorrow you will carve out time to meet with Jesus. You envision an early morning summit alone with the Lord — Bible wide open — joined only by perhaps a helpful devotional book and a steaming mug of something hot. It…
Why Are You So Angry?
The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?” — Genesis 4:6 The first sin recorded for us in the Bible outside of the garden of Eden is the sin of Cain killing his brother, Abel. We’re told that Abel kept the f locks and Cain worked the soil (Genesis…
Pray Pray Pray: How to Hug a Porcupine and Squeeze a Skunk
Do you know someone who is difficult to love? The nosy neighbor. The grouchy grocery store clerk. Your child’s teacher who never cracks a smile. The hot-tempered boss. The church curmudgeon. Here are some things to keep in mind as you try to share the love with them. PRAY. PRAY. AND THEN PRAY SOME MORE.…