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In the World–March 24, 2024

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RECEIVE LEARNING FROM THE HIVE

Scientists studying bumblebees have discovered that individual bees can solve complex puzzles through social interaction with their peers. In a recent issue of Nature, lead researcher Dr. Alice Bridges reported that a complicated two-step puzzle task, in which the bee had to perform two actions to gain access to a sugar solution, could be taught by “demonstrator” bees who knew how to do it. But bees without training could not figure out how to break the code. “This is an extremely difficult task for bees,” said Bridges, that “opens exciting possibilities” for further study. Lars Chittka, another scientist who reviewed the findings, said that it “challenges the traditional view that only humans can socially learn complex behavior” from peers.

RECEIVE WISDOM FROM THE SPIRIT

In today’s passage, Stephen, a deacon in the newborn church in Jerusalem, found himself debating with learned Jewish scholars who revered the temple. None of his opponents could refute—or even stand up against—the wisdom given to Stephen by the Holy Spirit. This infuriated them, much as it had done when they had debated Jesus. So they hatched a similar plan to get rid of him.

  1. What’s an example of insects or animals learning something that was not instinctual (for instance, kittens learning to use the litter box or crows crafting twigs as tools)?
  2. When have you been given instruction or guidance from the Holy Spirit?
  3. Why do you think the Jewish religious leaders didn’t take Stephen to Pilate with their false accusations?

Additional Resources

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In the World–March 17, 2024

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REFUSE TO BE UNFORGIVING

Last month, a wrestling student at Campbellsville University in Kentucky allegedly strangled his teammate, Josiah Kilman. A week later, Kilman’s father spoke to the student body at an emotional chapel service. He urged the students to forgive the accused killer. “Forgiveness is a choice,” he said. “If Josiah was standing here right now, he would talk to you about forgiveness. It’s the center of what Jesus is. Unforgiveness? That’s a curse. It comes with things you don’t want, things you don’t need. From the life of Josiah, I challenge you to choose forgiveness because in that, we become the light of Jesus.”

REFUSE TO TAKE REVENGE

Today’s passage contains Peter’s plea to his readers not to take revenge or to repay evil with evil. He advocates living in ways that are above reproach, for that is likely to cause them to be on the receiving end of fewer acts of malice. Suffering may still come, Peter says, even if we’re doing good. But suffering will surely find us when we choose to take our own revenge.

  1. When have you been moved by someone’s tragedy? What did you want to do in response?
  2. How do you imagine that a grieving father might be able to call for forgiveness so soon after his son’s death?
  3. If you have ever suffered for doing right, how did it feel?

Additional Resources

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In the World–March 10, 2024

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ONBOARD LASER DIAGNOSTIC CHECK

Last month, for the first time, a privately owned company (as opposed to a government-funded agency) successfully landed a spacecraft on the moon. The unmanned lander, Odysseus, built and operated by Intuitive Machines, made a soft landing on the lunar surface, but it was almost a disaster. The flight operators who were working on a separate issue decided to check the craft’s distance from the moon the night before the scheduled landing. When they tried to fire the laser rangefinders on board, nothing happened. These lasers were critical to help the craft land safely. Normally, the team wouldn’t have discovered this internal failure until they were already committed to landing, but thanks to this unrelated problem, they had an early warning. They delayed the landing long enough for engineers to come up with a brilliant solution, which they programmed and uploaded to the lander. And it worked.

INTERNAL SPIRITUAL DIAGNOSTIC CHECK

In today’s passage, Paul is warning the Christians in Corinth that he is about to visit them for a third time, and he’s concerned that this will be their third strike. They have worked to correct their previous acceptance of someone’s egregious sin, but he wonders if they’ve really put aside sexual immorality (see 2 Cor. 12:20–21). He asks them to do an internal check to be sure they’re reflecting Christ in their actions.

  1. What is your reaction to sending spacecraft—eventually, humans—back to the moon?
  2. When was a time that you wondered whether a machine or your health was working as it should?
  3. How can we examine ourselves to see if we are faithful in our behavior?

Additional Resources

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In the World–March 3, 2024

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RETAINING ALLIES BY STRENGTHENING SECURITY

In February, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced intentions to speed up new measures designed to remedy serious security breaches. The US discovered the cybersecurity breach in 2020, when it saw that information it had shared with Japan was being leaked to China. Japan was informed of the problem as a matter of highest urgency but has since moved slowly on it, doing—in the words of one US official—“too little, too late.” Making policy changes to communications protocols has wide-ranging legal impacts on Japanese law, creating resistance to change. But Japan risks losing the trust of its allies, as things stand. One Japanese official said that other nations “are not going to be comfortable sharing sensitive data with Japan if they think it is going to be compromised.”

REMAINING IN GOD’S LOVE AS OTHERS FALL AWAY

Jude wrote to warn Christians that scoffers would come who would divide the church and cause some to fall away from the faith. But he urged his readers to strengthen their faith, keeping themselves in the love of God and praying to the Holy Spirit to stay the course.

  1. When have you recently come to someone with a matter of urgency? Did they react quickly?
  2. How can scoffers bring division to a church body?
  3. In what ways can we strengthen our faith, even as others may fall away?

Additional Resources

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In the World–February 25, 2024

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HER FLIGHT WILL BE ON TIME

Super Bowl LVIII is ancient history now, but one fan made an epic ’round-the-world trek to get to the game in time for kickoff. Music superstar Taylor Swift is dating Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce, and she wanted to be in her seat to watch her boyfriend play for the Lombardi Trophy. The problem was that she was doing four shows in Tokyo. After her final show, she rushed to the airport to begin the twelve-hour, fifty-seven-hundred-mile journey across nine time zones and the international date line. At some point over the Pacific, the pilots received word that all the private aircraft parking lots at the airport in the destination city (Las Vegas) were full. Swift’s plane landed in Los Angeles, and then she and her friends had to drive the final five-hour stretch to Allegiant Stadium in Vegas. She did make it to the game on time, and her boyfriend’s team did take home the trophy.

HIS PROMISE WILL BE ON TIME

Sometimes we notice the discrepancy between the things God has promised to do in the world and the actual condition of the world, and we can begin to wonder if the Lord has forgotten or is slow about keeping his promises. In today’s Scripture passage, the prophet Habakkuk received an assurance from God that, though the promised deliverance for his people seemed to be delayed, it would certainly come in its fullness and at the proper time.

  1. What’s the longest or most difficult journey you’ve ever made?
  2. When has God made a promise to you, one that seemed to take a long time to materialize?
  3. How can we patiently wait upon the Lord’s timing?

Additional Resources

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In the World–February 18, 2024

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WORSHIPING GOD DESPITE CHINESE PERSECUTION

At the end of last month, about one hundred and fifty police officers descended upon the church service of a group of Protestant Christians in northeastern China. Some two hundred of the people were arrested and put on buses, and their fate is unknown as of this writing. The church is affiliated with the SOLA Network, which is working to spread the good news of Jesus Christ through both local churches and digital media platforms. The church’s beliefs were not sanctioned by the Chinese state, and it comes at a time of increased persecution, when the government under Xi Jinping has been cracking down on Christians. Locals became suspicious after noticing a strange car parked outside the gathering place the night before. But everyone was surprised at the number of officers who were sent. “Even when they arrest criminals, we have never seen so many police officers,” one witness said.

WORSHIPING GOD DESPITE BABYLONIAN PERSECUTION

The prophet Daniel, though a captive and a slave, was known for worshiping the God of the Jews. His enemies sought to use this fact to remove him from his favored position in the court of King Darius. They tricked Darius into passing a law whose aim was to make Daniel’s worship a criminal offense punishable by death. But even knowing this edict, Daniel threw open the windows and openly prayed toward Jerusalem. He didn’t know whether God would save him or not, but his love for God overruled his concern for his own life.

  1. How do you think you would do in a country where expressing your faith was a crime?
  2. When have you or someone you know been the target of a plot or persecution?
  3. What were Darius’s options when he realized what was going to happen to Daniel?

Additional Resources

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In the World–February 11, 2024

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RESCUED FROM A FIERY CAR

Thirty years ago, two NYPD detectives in Harlem spotted a car billowing smoke. They flagged down the car, which had a young mother and two young children inside. Just then, the engine burst into flames, and they pulled the three out and got them to safety. Earlier this month, one of the two children in that car—Denise Gomez, who was two at the time—achieved her dream of emulating the heroes who had saved her life, and she became a NYPD officer herself. The two detectives who rescued her are now retired, but they attended the ceremony where Denise received her badge. They were surprised to learn that she would carry the exact badge as Eric Ocasio, one of the officers who had pulled her from the car. Ocasio said, “To know that, thirty years later, Police Officer Gomez became a police officer due to our actions that day is very special and near and dear to my heart.”

RESCUED FROM A FIERY FURNACE

After uttering one of the most profound expressions of faith in the Bible, three young men known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown alive into a blazing furnace, which was supposed to execute them. But the God in whom they had placed their unwavering faith, a faith they would hold to whether he rescued them or not, delivered them from the flames. The miracle was a powerful testimony to a pagan tyrant, who gave glory to God.

  1. What’s the greatest thing you’ve ever seen a police officer or other service worker do?
  2. Who is someone you admire so much that it has brought change to your life?
  3. How can we know whether our faith is as courageous as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?

Additional Resources

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In the World–February 4, 2024

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DISTRUSTING THE POWER COMPANY

During last month’s winter storms, the Portland, Oregon area was hit especially hard, with one hundred twenty-seven thousand people going without power for days. The Portland General Electric (PGE) webpage and mobile app were unreliable, as well, even telling residents that their address didn’t exist. The company worked diligently, mobilizing over fifteen hundred employees and calling in crews from surrounding states. Within two days, nearly a hundred thousand people had their electricity restored. Still, some went five days or more without heat at home, leading Portland resident Jai Sen to say, “I still have no honest answer from PGE as to what to expect, and I don’t know if I could trust anything provided at this point.”

TRUSTING IN THE POWER OF THE LORD

Today’s passage from Isaiah is a testament to the trustworthiness of God. With imagery similar to God’s words in Job 40–41, the Lord is portrayed in glory and power, for the one who created the earth and the cosmos has no equal. Yet this tremendous God employs that power to come to the aid of those who hope in him.

  1. What was your most extreme encounter with cold weather?
  2. What is something in your life that has proved less reliable than you expected it to be?
  3. Where have you experienced the power of God in your life?

Additional Resources

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In the World–January 28, 2024

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USING THEIR SKILLS OFF THE FIELD

The University of Washington played in the championship of the College Football Playoffs this month. (They lost 34–13 to Michigan.) But three members of the UW Huskies’ football team are working with a professor on a study that identifies how the skills needed to thrive in high-level athletic competition are transferrable to a variety of career and academic fields. These players are “developing and analyzing plays, observing human behavior, anticipating their opponents, and adapting a complex strategy based on real-time information that they’re synthesizing from their surroundings,” says Holly Barker, a University of Washington teaching professor. “That hasn’t been widely acknowledged, and does a disservice to players, especially in the academic opportunities they pursue and their future careers.”

USING YOUR GIFTS IN THE CHURCH

In today’s passage, Paul calls the Christians in Rome to assess what spiritual gifts they’ve been given and then use those gifts to serve the body of Christ. The Lord has beautifully designed the church to build up its members, and this happens as every person uses his or her gifts in faithful service to Christ and one another.

  1. What abilities have you developed in one hobby or sport that you’ve been able to apply in other settings?
  2. What do you think sets a spiritual gift apart from a natural ability?
  3. How can someone use a spiritual gift in a creative way or an unusual setting?

Additional Resources

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In the World–January 21, 2024

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ERODING TRUST IN A COMPANY

In the online store of the Boeing aircraft company, you can buy a t-shirt that says, “If It’s Not Boeing I’m Not Going.” This reflects the trust the public once held in the company and the safety of its planes. However, recent disasters—including two deadly crashes of its 737 Max aircraft in 2018–19—have tarnished their image. Their Starliner spacecraft program has been plagued with errors and failures, and their design of the two planes slated to replace Air Force One has amassed more than $2 billion in losses. Then on January 5 of this year, a 737 Max 9 suffered the rupture of its fuselage in the main cabin while at 16,000 feet, with 171 passengers aboard. After the crashes five years ago, US consumer advocate Ralph Nader said the Boeing 737 Max must never fly again, and recent events have not stopped the erosion of public confidence.

ENCOURAGING TRUST IN THE LORD

During the reign of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, an enemy alliance of three armies invaded the land. The people of Judah came to Jerusalem and cried out to the Lord. The king prayed to God, ending with the words sometimes translated, “We don’t know what to do but our eyes are on You!” (2 Chron. 20:12 NIV). Then the Lord gave a message to a prophet among them, who urged them to trust in the Lord’s deliverance, because the battle would be fought by the Lord on their behalf.

  1. Which companies or brands do you deeply trust, and why?
  2. What do you think of the words of the king in reaction to the danger?
  3. When have you trusted in the Lord to help you through something in your life? What was the result?

Additional Resources

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In the World–January 14, 2024

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COUNTERINTUITIVE PARENTING

It may seem odd, but modern parenting of school-age children in Western cultures may be increasing anxiety in children rather than giving them confidence for life. “Unfortunately … what the statistics and the studies show us,” says Jennifer Breheny Wallace, a journalist, parenting researcher, and author, “is that the very life-vest we’re hoping to put on our kids to keep them afloat in an uncertain future is actually … acting more like a lead vest, and drowning too many of the kids we are trying to protect.” Parental anxiety over their children, especially their children’s performance in school and extracurricular activities, may be sending the message that what really matters is their scores, grades, and rankings. This can have a chilling effect on children, causing them to hesitate about taking the risks that will make them stronger and teach them how to handle anxiety in life.

COUNTERINTUITIVE TRUST

Following God can sometimes seem counterintuitive to a watching world. Today’s passage reminds us that our own understanding—logical though it may be—is far inferior to the Lord’s commands and guidance. Proverbs reminds us that it’s better to trust in the Lord’s ways than in even the most popular or agreed-upon wisdom of the world.

  1. What’s an example of a parenting strategy that did not work as planned?
  2. When have you found something to be true but counterintuitive?
  3. Why do God’s ways sometimes seem confusing to non-Christians?

Additional Resources

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In the World–January 7, 2024

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SINKING FAITH IN GOALS

In Europe and America, governments have set goals that significant percentages of energy be obtained through renewable sources such as solar or wind power in the near future. The European Union, for example, has set a legally binding mandate that it will be producing 42.5% of its energy from renewables by 2030, up from its current 32%. However, supply chain interruptions begun during the pandemic have not been resolved, and manufacturing and shipping costs have risen dramatically. It has reached the point where wind power companies can’t afford to build the turbines and infrastructure. Britain recently held an auction for wind farm companies to bid to supply that country’s energy needs, but no bidders showed up. “The ratio between risk and reward is out of line in the offshore wind market,” said Ben Backwell, CEO of the Global Wind Energy Council. If things don’t change, he warned, “climate and economic goals will simply not be met.”

STEADY FAITH IN GOD

In the famous chapter on faith from the book of Hebrews, the writer features several biblical heroes. What is praised is each person’s belief that God’s faithfulness would be present in the future. Whatever the Lord asked them to do, they did it, counting it as sure that God would work things out to his glory and according to his design.

  1. What is a goal you were able to reach? What is one you were unable to reach?
  2. When have you had to trust in someone who had not always proved to be reliable?
  3. How have you trusted in God for something in the future and found him faithful?

Additional Resources

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In the World–December 31, 2023

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UNWAVERING IN A BAD FAITH LAWSUIT

This year, a judge in Houston, Texas, made a ruling in a trade dispute between Teligistics, an expense management company, and Liquid Networx, a San Antonio-based cybersecurity company. Teligistics accused Liquid Networx of stealing a trade secret, but a jury found that Teligistics did not own the secret and had brought the lawsuit in bad faith, which means with dishonest or harmful intent. In September, the Houston judge awarded Liquid Networx over a million dollars in attorneys’ fees as damages. Attorneys praised Liquid Networx, which “never wavered in its denial of any wrongdoing and asserted that the lawsuit was brought in bad faith.”

UNWAVERING IN A GOOD FAITH JOURNEY

Somewhere in “the east,” possibly Persia, Magi saw a star rise in the sky and understood it to herald the birth of a king of the Jews. In faith that their observations were correct, they set out on a long, overland journey to come worship such a supernaturally announced king. In faith, they asked King Herod about where the baby would be born, in faith they went to Bethlehem as the Jewish teachers advised, and in faith—because of a warning dream—they departed via another way.

  1. What does it feel like to be exonerated from a false accusation?
  2. When have you seen non-Christians behave with admirable faith?
  3. Why do you think none of the Jewish chief priests accompanied the Magi to Bethlehem?

Additional Resources

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In the World–December 24, 2023

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REVEALING THE GENDER

An expectant woman from Texas had celebrity help in discovering her baby’s gender this fall. Larissa Silva of Weslaco, Texas, attended a Jonas Brothers concert in San Antonio, hoping that the music group would do the honors during the show. The three brothers, all young fathers themselves, have been kindly announcing babies’ genders throughout their current tour, and Silva and her husband were able to arrange for them to do so for their baby. After the band sang “Little Bird,” a song dedicated to their daughters, Joe Jonas opened the envelope that revealed the findings of the ultrasound and announced, “It’s a girl!” The crowd cheered uproariously, and the lights turned pink.

REVEALING THE SAVIOR

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she would be the mother of the Son of God, who would be the Savior. Despite the incredible nature of this news, Mary gladly submitted to the will of the Lord. Gabriel told Mary that her Aunt Elizabeth was also expecting, so Mary journeyed to the hill country to share the news with her aunt. But as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, the baby growing inside Elizabeth—who would be John the Baptist—leapt inside her. In two senses, John would be among the very first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

  1. What’s the most interesting gender reveal you’ve ever heard of?
  2. What would be your ideal Christmas celebration, if you could have your best dream come true?
  3. Of what significance might it be that a woman was the first to be told of the Savior’s birth and that a woman was the first to witness the risen Christ?

Additional Resources

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In the World–December 17, 2023

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A LIST OF SITES WITH GREAT HERITAGE

In September of this year, an ancient earthworks circle joined Stonehenge, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Angkor temple complex in Cambodia as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ceremonial site isn’t on the plains of Mesopotamia or Africa, however, but in Ohio. Around two thousand years ago, the Indigenous people now referred to as the Hopewell culture built hundreds of ceremonial earthworks. Over the centuries, especially with European migration to the area, most of the sites have been damaged or erased. A quarter of a century of work from organizations across Ohio culminated in the U.S. Department of the Interior applying to UNESCO in March of 2022, and in September 2023 the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthwork site was officially added to the list.

A LIST OF FATHERS WITH GREAT HERITAGE

Today’s passage includes Matthew’s genealogical list tracing the lineage of Jesus from Joseph to David, Ruth, and Rahab, and all the way back to Abraham. A careful reading of the list reveals it to be not just a dry sequence of begats but a remarkable tale of God’s grace, faithfulness, and love for people of all nations.

  1. Which UNESCO heritage sites would you like to visit? Here’s the link: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/
  2. How far back do you know your own genealogy?
  3. What do you make of the fact that Matthew’s genealogical list includes women and non-Jews?

Additional Resources

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In the World–December 10, 2023

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GOING UP AGAINST A CORPORATE GIANT

This fall, a small real estate holding business, Courtland Company, successfully challenged a much larger corporation in federal court. In what the company hailed as a “David versus Goliath victory,” U.S. District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. ruled favorably for Courtland against chemical giant Union Carbide, which is owned by Dow Chemical. Between 1950 and 1980, Copenhaver found, Union Carbide had illegally dumped toxic waste in a nearby property called the Filmont Landfill. Toxins from that practice have and continue to leech into public waterways and groundwater. If the ruling is not overturned, Union Carbide will be forced to pay for the cleanup of soil and water contamination and could face civil penalties under the Clean Water Act.

GOING UP AGAINST AN ACTUAL GIANT

When a young man from Bethlehem came to King Saul and offered to face a Philistine giant in single combat, Saul was hesitant. How could this David, not much more than a boy, stand a chance against a nine-foot-tall warrior? But seeing no other volunteers, and perhaps being moved by David’s zeal for the God of Israel, he relented. David stood before Goliath in the power of the Lord, and he prevailed.

  1. When have you seen someone take positive responsibility for harm done to another?
  2. What’s a David vs. Goliath situation you’ve been part of?
  3. Why do you think King Saul agreed to let David represent Israel in this situation with Goliath?

Additional Resources

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In the World–December 3, 2023

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REUNITED WITH HIS BIRTH MOTHER

One day in 1981 in Santiago, Chile, a poor woman gave birth to a premature baby boy. She was discharged from the hospital while the baby was put in an incubator, but when she returned, she was told the baby had died and his body had been disposed of. In reality, the baby was sold in a human trafficking scheme that was common at the time. The boy was adopted by an American family and given the name Jimmy Lippert Thyde. The mother, María Angélica González, had more children but never forgot her baby boy. Forty-two years later, through an organization called Nos Buscamos (which means, “We are looking for each other”), mother and son were reunited in Chile. “Mijo,” María told her son, “you have no idea the oceans I’ve cried for you. How many nights I’ve laid awake praying that God let me live long enough to learn what happened to you.”

STAYING WITH HER NEW MOTHER

Naomi had gone to Moab because of a famine in Israel. She had prospered there, marrying and raising two sons, both of whom married Moabite women. But when all three men died and news reached Naomi that Israel had food again, she determined to return home. She urged her two daughters-in-law to go back to their own homes and remarry, but one of the two—Ruth—refused to be parted from her mother-in-law. Her devotion was such that she gave up her homeland and her religion to stay by Naomi’s side.

  1. What’s the happiest adoption or reunion story you’ve ever heard?
  2. How can we help put an end to human trafficking?
  3. What could cause you to leave everything behind and start a new life?

Additional Resources

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In the World–November 26, 2023

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FREEDOM THAT RISKS HARM TO ONESELF

Protestors in several countries recently commemorated the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who died in police custody in Iran last year. Amini had been arrested by morality police for allegedly violating Iran’s mandatory headscarf law. Her death is believed to have resulted from beatings inflicted by Iranian police. News of the tragedy triggered massive protests across the country that threatened to overthrow the Islamic regime. Though the uprising was violently put down, women in Tehran and elsewhere could be seen openly flaunting the headscarf rule. Amini’s efforts to win freedom were celebrated by anniversary gatherings not only in Iran but also in England, France, Italy, and Germany.

FREEDOM THAT RISKS HARM TO OTHERS

Paul countered the claims of some people connected to the church at Corinth who were saying that freedom in Christ meant they were freed from restrictions of any kind. The apostle argued against such libertinism, saying that the freedom we have in Jesus is not meant to be license to sin—nor should it be used to cause others to stumble. If our flaunting of freedoms harms the faith of others, then we are not walking in love.

  1. What freedoms do you enjoy now that you or others had to fight for?
  2. Why do people sometimes flaunt freedoms that others do not have access to?
  3. How can we keep our freedoms from becoming a stumbling block for someone else?

Additional Resources

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In the World–November 19, 2023

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COPYRIGHT NO LONGER APPLIES

On January 1, 2024, the Walt Disney Company’s copyright protection on Mickey Mouse finally runs out. Technically, it’s just the 1928 animated short film “Steamboat Willie,” Mickey Mouse’s first appearance in film, that will no longer be protected. But at 12:01 a.m. in the new year, the entire film will enter the public domain and be fair game to anyone to do with as they please. Users have already been using Mickey and other Disney characters in their own art before now, but there has always been a risk of legal action from the copyright holder. But come the new year, that risk will disappear. In this day of artificial intelligence-driven graphics, who knows what new forms—delightful or unsettling—people will come up with for that mouse.

RESTRICTIONS NO LONGER APPLY

Paul urged the Christians in Colossae to leave behind the “elemental principles” of the world, specifically manmade restrictions pertaining to special foods, festivals, and dates. These strict limitations, which were easy to understand even if they were not so easy to obey, belonged to the non-Christian way of living. Paul wanted his readers to abandon such restrictions and stop thinking that such rules had any value to produce a heart of godliness, humility, or wisdom.

  1. What is your favorite animated character or movie?
  2. What food dish are you most looking forward to enjoying in the holidays?
  3. How can we be sure we don’t put our faith in human restrictions that have no value in God’s eyes?

Additional Resources

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In the World–November 12, 2023

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Download “In the World” for November 12, 2023 here.

LOVE CONQUERS ALL

Last month during the NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys, two fans of the rival teams found a way to bridge their differences. NBC cameras caught the moment when Arty, wearing a 49ers jersey, got down on one knee and presented a ring to his sweetheart, Lexi, who was wearing a Cowboys jersey. The football commentators had fun with the moment, and some observers questioned whether this might be the closest the Cowboys would get to a ring this year. Arty and Lexi, both from El Paso, Texas, walked away from the game engaged, showing the world that if even fans of rival teams can find romance, maybe love really can conquer all.

LOVE SURPASSES ALL

In today’s two passages from Paul’s letters, we see that the love of God, expressed through Jesus Christ, is the greatest attribute to pursue. Love sums up the whole law of God and gives substance to any act of piety we can do.

  1. When have you seen love overcome differences and even obstacles between people?
  2. What does Paul mean that love fulfills the law?
  3. How can Paul say that love (charity) is greater even than faith and hope?

Additional Resources

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In the World–November 5, 2023

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INHERITING UNBEARABLE DEBT

Following every war fought by the United States up to and including World War II, national wartime debt was quickly reversed by a united leadership and populace. For example, during WWII, publicly held debt was around 105% of the gross domestic product (GDP), but the White House and Congress worked together to quickly shrink it to 23%. But today the political mood is primarily to increase spending and think about reducing debt at some later time (if at all). According to Forbes, the current debt is already at WWII levels, and this is expected to grow to 115% of GDP in the next ten years…and to 180% in the next thirty years. Our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will inherit crushing financial burdens if older generations don’t unify to send a message of drastic change to lawmakers at every level.

INHERITING UNBEARABLE LAW

When Jewish Christians came to Antioch, where Paul was, and began teaching that believers needed to be circumcised and follow Old Testament law and traditions, the resulting debate culminated in a council in Jerusalem. Paul was unwilling to put Jewish legal, dietary, and sacrificial requirements on Gentile believers, as if Christianity consisted of those things as much or more than faith in Jesus. But Jewish believers wanted to continue following their religious traditions while worshiping Jesus as Lord. After much debate, the council finally sided with Paul, refusing to make Gentile believers inherit a burden that even the Jews could not bear.

  1. What factors may have contributed to the current high national debt?
  2. When have you seen older and younger believers finding common ground in the church?
  3. How can traditions that were well-intentioned later become burdensome?

Additional Resources

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In the World–October 29, 2023

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REMOVE THE TRAINING WHEELS

American students have long trailed their international peers in math skills. Disruptions caused by COVID-19 intensified the problem, and educators are scrambling to keep up. One solution being tried is an artificial intelligence tutoring program called Digit, developed by Arizona State University. For middle schoolers doing their math work on a computer, Digit corrects mathematical inaccuracies and provides real-time feedback right as the students are solving the problem. It’s individualized, immediate help for every student, something most teachers simply cannot replicate. With middle schoolers, Digit offers hints and game-like rewards. But for high schoolers and college students, the training wheels come off, and Digit instead provides video lectures of why it’s imperative that they learn higher math.

REMOVE THE TUTOR

In his letter to the Galatian church, Paul gives a master class on the purpose of the Jewish law in the context of the New Covenant. It was there as a tutor and guardian for the people of God, holding them in check and preparing their hearts to receive their inheritance, which is not through law but by faith. The law was never God’s final solution. In the fullness of time, the Lord removed the tutor and presented the Savior.

  1. Who or what gave you the most help in learning a new topic or skill?
  2. Why do some people see artificial intelligence as a threat? Why do some people see it as a benefit?
  3. What tasks of a tutor or guardian did the Old Testament law perform for God’s people?

Additional Resources

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In the World–October 22, 2023

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STAY ON THE TRAIL

This month in Australia, a woman tragically fell to her death at a lookout spot on a popular walking trail. “At one stage, she was there with the witnesses, just walking along,” said Police Inspector Paul Hoyer, “then all of a sudden she’s gone over the edge.” She fell one hundred fifty feet and did not survive. This lookout had no guard rails, but people have fallen in spots that did have them. “Fences, unfortunately, sometimes don’t preclude people from jumping them to get a better view or to look over the edge of cliffs,” said Hoyer. “There’s an inherent risk at these locations that you’ve got to be mindful of.”

STAY ON THE PATH

Paul wrote to the church in Galatia because they were danger of falling away from true Christian faith. They had started out well, following Paul’s sure guidance at the beginning of their spiritual journey. But new teachers had come along promoting a false gospel, and news had reached the apostle that some of them had begun to abandon the truth and wander into deadly error. In today’s passage, he urgently calls them back to the truth.

  1. Where is the most dangerous drop-off you’ve visited or heard of?
  2. When it comes to the outdoors, how can we find the balance between caution and fear?
  3. What are some ways that Christians can wander from the true path of the faith?

Additional Resources

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In the World–October 15, 2023

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WALKING BACK PLANS FOR RETIREMENT

Michael Caine is 90, and he says he’s finally retiring from making movies. He announced last month that his new film, The Great Escaper, will be his last. This is the third time Caine has retired, he admits with a laugh in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly. Back in the 1990s, when he’d turned 60, he wasn’t getting many offers for roles, so he thought he would retire—until fellow actor Jack Nicholson talked him out of it. Then in 2021, after the release of Best Sellers, he suggested that role would be his last. “There’s not exactly scripts pouring out with a leading man who’s 88,” he wrote at the time. He quickly walked back that claim too. But this time, he says the retirement is real. Instead, he wants to concentrate on writing books. “I’m very happy with that because it’s something I can do without walking. All you need is a chair and a pencil and paper.”

WALKING BACK A GOSPEL STANCE

In the early church, especially in churches with both Jewish and Gentile believers, there was much that had to be figured out regarding what, if anything, non-Jewish Christians had to “add to their faith” to be believers, and what, if anything, Jewish believers no longer had to observe from their religious traditions. On at least one occasion, it seems that Peter affirmed the freedoms of Gentile converts … until certain conservative Jewish believers came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. Around these men, Peter walked back his behaviors, putting on a more traditional and “Jewish” manner of living. In today’s passage, Paul tells about how he called Peter out for this hypocrisy, because of the damage it could do to the faith of non-Jewish Christians.

  1. Which paying jobs could you still be doing if, by God’s grace, you reach the age of 90?
  2. What’s a major life decision you (or someone you know) changed your mind about?
  3. Why do we sometimes change our behavior when we’re around certain people?

Additional Resources

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In the World–October 8, 2023

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REPEALING A LAW

Quebec is a mostly French-speaking province of Canada, and Montreal is its chief city. In 2022, Quebec passed a language reform law whose goal is to “limit government communications in languages other than French.” Last month, two bilingual (French and English) Montreal suburbs filed a court challenge to elements of this law, saying that it violates constitutional law allowing local governments to use languages other than French. The challenge also seeks to repeal an element of the new law that says that French is Quebec’s official language.

DEAD TO THE LAW

Today’s passage in Romans contains Paul’s metaphor that a wife whose husband dies is free to marry another without the Jewish law declaring her an adulteress. His intent is to show that Christians are free from the authority of the Old Testament law and are rightfully bound to Jesus as their new Lord.

  1. What are the pros and cons of requiring official government communication to be only in a certain language?
  2. What freedoms does a person gain by coming to Christ?
  3. Why do we sometimes gravitate to rules and legalism, even as Christians?

Additional Resources

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In the World–October 1, 2023

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DISOBEYING A LAW THEY KNEW

Last month, a Christian family killed in World War II were honored by the Catholic Church for harboring two Jewish families in Poland. The Nazis had invaded Poland and the governor made a law forbidding any citizen from aiding or protecting the Jews. Anyone who so much as gave a piece of bread to a Jewish person would risk the death penalty. Nevertheless, Józef and Wiktoria Ulma, along with their seven children, hid two Jewish families in their backyard for a year and a half, risking their lives every day. Eventually, someone turned them in to the Nazis, and soldiers descended upon the house. They executed the Jewish families on the spot, killed Józef and Wiktoria Ulma right in their yard, then killed all seven children.

OBEYING A LAW THEY DID NOT KNOW

Paul wrote Romans to at least two audiences: Gentile and Jewish Christians. In today’s passage, he challenges his Jewish Christian hearers about how Gentiles who have never heard the law of God as recorded in the Old Testament can sometimes obey it better than those who do know the law. Their natural obedience will be judged favorably by the Lord, even being declared righteous in God’s sight if they heed the voice of conscience.

  1. What factors may have gone into the Ulmas’ decision to shelter the Jewish families?
  2. How is it that non-Christians sometimes conduct themselves with more compassion or kindness than some believers?
  3. What comfort can you draw from the knowledge that God will deal fairly with all people?

Additional Resources

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In the World–September 24, 2023

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VIOLENCE FOR THE GROUP

This September 11 saw the release of research examining why people commit violence in support of a group. Joanna Lindström, PhD Researcher in Psychology at Stockholm University, and her team found that some people—but not all—who saw their group as “unjustly disadvantaged” felt justified in the use of violence for their cause. Lindström’s team wanted to know why some in this group called for violence and some did not. They found that individuals who felt superior to others and entitled to privileges were most likely to think their group was unfairly disadvantaged. This held true even if their group was not actually “structurally disadvantaged.” It seems that feeling superior may be linked to a tendency to justify violence.

VIOLENCE FOR THE LAW

Today’s passage describes two events in Jesus’ life when the Jewish religious leaders took up stones to commit violence to carry out their interpretation of God’s Law. In one, they sought to “purge” Israel of the sin of adultery, and in the other, they sought to punish Jesus over his claim to have existed prior to Abraham. In both cases, they felt righteous and justified in attempting to kill someone else. And in both cases, Jesus prevented their ungodly violence.

  1. Under what conditions, if any, would you consider violence justifiable?
  2. Why do some people feel unjustly disadvantaged even when most observers would not consider them disadvantaged at all?
  3. What do you think of the claim that non-violence is a core teaching of Christianity?

Additional Resources

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In the World–September 17, 2023

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A RELIABLE CHAMPION

American gymnast Simone Biles is again on top of her sport. Late last month, Biles won her eighth all-around title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, breaking a record that had held for nearly ninety years. Two years ago, Biles pulled out of the team finals in the Tokyo Olympics after suffering from “the twisties,” a mental phenomenon that affects a gymnast’s perception about their position in the air. Soon afterward, she and other gymnasts testified about being sexually abused by the team doctor. After two years away from competition, it appears the world’s most decorated gymnastics athlete—winner of twenty-five medals at world championships, including eighteen golds—is back.

A RELIABLE MESSENGER

One year during Jesus’ ministry, he went to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles. Some Jewish leaders challenged his teaching, citing the fact that he hadn’t been educated in their formal system. Jesus said his teaching was reliable because he wasn’t seeking his own fame but only God’s glory. Those who are committed to accurately relaying the message of the one who sent them are reliable messengers, he said. This was in contrast to the Jewish leaders, who were perverting the message of Moses for their own gain.

  1. When have you or someone else made a tremendous recovery?
  2. What does Jesus mean by someone who “speaks on their own” (or “speaketh of himself”)?
  3. How can we be sure we are seeking God’s glory only and not speaking on our own?

Additional Resources

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In the World–September 10, 2023

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THE LETTER OF THE GUN LAW

Last month in Utah, state lawmakers called officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department to explain why they had suspended one of their own officers for trying to obey a new law at the city’s airport. The law states that travelers should be ticketed if they try to bring a firearm through security—unless the person brought the gun unintentionally or had forgotten it was in a carry-on bag. In that case, the person should not be ticketed (but still be disallowed from bringing the gun through). The SLCPD preferred to ticket everyone who brought a gun to the airport, no matter what, choosing a “letter of the law” reading of the legislation. The suspended officer had been disciplined by his superiors for trying to follow the intent of the law and not writing a ticket for someone who had accidentally brought a firearm to security. The lawmakers wanted to know why the police were violating what they felt was the clear intent of the new law.

THE INTENT OF GOD’S LAW

In today’s passage, some Pharisees tested whether Jesus would violate the letter of the commandment to keep the Sabbath holy. They brought a man in need of healing before Jesus on the Sabbath to see if he would heal him and thus, in their minds, violate the Sabbath by doing work. Jesus did heal the man, and then he dashed their efforts to trap him by showing God’s original intent for the commandment—and by showing that even they would “work” on the Sabbath to save a child or a cow in a well. So how could he not save this son of Abraham, even on a Sabbath?

  1. Why might someone prefer a letter-of-the-law interpretation over the spirit of the law?
  2. What does it say that the Pharisees took for granted Jesus’ miraculous healing power and concentrated instead on questions about the Sabbath?
  3. How can we know if we have begun obeying the letter of an instruction in the Bible and straying from its intent?

Additional Resources

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In the World–September 3, 2023

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TRAGIC MISTAKEN IDENTITY

In San Francisco last month, a family that had already been touched by tragedy was struck again. In 2008, in a case of mistaken identity, three members of the Tony Bologna family were killed in gang violence. Tony and two of his sons, Michael and Matthew, were murdered when Edwin Ramos, an MS-13 gang member, thought one of the sons was a member of a rival gang. Left behind were Tony’s third son, Andrew, and Tony’s wife, Danielle, and daughter, Francesca. But last month, Danielle and Francesca were killed when a car veered into their lane on a highway. Now Andrew Bologna has had to bury every member of his family. A GoFundMe page has been set up to allow people to provide assistance to him.

SINFUL FALSE IDENTITY

In today’s passage, the Pharisees came under the Lord’s discipline for hypocrisy. They presented a false identity of being pure and righteous, carrying their supposed love for God to the extent of giving him a tenth of everything—even their garden herbs—and yet their hearts were full of sin and greed. Jesus exposed their façade and called them to make their true selves line up with the righteous identity they showed the world.

  1. When have you or someone you know been touched by false or mistaken identity?
  2. Why is it sometimes tempting to present a more positive, but not entirely accurate, version of ourselves to others?
  3. When has someone been honest with you about their faults?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 27, 2023

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UNTIL THE AXIS ENEMY IS DEFEATED

The movie Oppenheimer (which we are not endorsing) tells the story of Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, who led the American effort to build an atomic bomb before the Germans could do so. Historians have suggested that the US government needed Oppenheimer and his team to succeed in order for the Allies to win World War II, but in the decade afterward, he was not needed and was cast into suspicion as a Communist, as the World War ended and the Cold War began. For himself, Oppenheimer wished to turn control of all atomic weapons over to some neutral body like the United Nations to attempt to prevent a nuclear arms race.

UNTIL THE LAST ENEMY IS DEFEATED

Jesus Christ is eternal and will reign forever. His mission on earth was to be not only deliverer but also conqueror, with the task of defeating sin and the devil and reconciling humanity with God. In our passage today, Paul explains that Jesus’ role as God’s war commander would continue until the very last enemy, death, was defeated. When his task is complete, he will lay aside that role, bow to his Father, and rejoin him in eternal majesty.

  1. What do you think of the arguments for and against the use of nuclear weapons in WW2?
  2. In what ways would the world change if all nuclear weapons disappeared today?
  3. How do we reconcile the idea of Jesus as equal with God the Father and the fact that he submits himself to his Father, as seen in today’s passage?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 20, 2023

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RISING TO HIGHER AUTHORITY

When the top-ranking Marine—the commandant of the Marine Corps—retires or needs to be replaced, the successor must be sanctioned by the U.S. Senate. The elevation of someone to the Corps’ top post, along with nearly 270 other military nominations and promotions, is being blocked by a senator who wishes to bring attention to some of the Pentagon’s policies. Despite the obstacle, the officer deemed most likely to step into the commandant’s position—Gen. Eric Smith, assistant commandant—has this month written a letter giving direction for all marines. “Until the Senate confirms our 39th Commandant, this guidance will serve as our reference point,” Smith wrote. “What I require is that when decisions are made, we move out as one to attack our problems together.”

WAITING FOR HIGHER AUTHORITY

The Christians in Corinth had evidently passed judgment on how Paul was conducting his ministry, perhaps even accusing him of having sinister motives for his actions. Paul responded that he didn’t really mind what they thought of him—or even what he thought of himself—but deferred all judgment to the Lord Jesus. Paul answered to God, not to humans, and the Lord’s judgment would reveal not only Paul’s motives but also their own. He would be exonerated, and he did not shrink back from exercising the authority entrusted to him as a servant of Christ.

  1. What is a time when you approved of someone in authority?
  2. When have you made a decision based not on what people wanted in the moment but on the wishes of the higher authority you were going to have to report to?
  3. How can we balance our responsibility as Christians with the sometimes-ungodly desires and demands of our culture?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 13, 2023

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REMOVING OBSTACLES TO HOUSING

Late last month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $85 million in “innovative competitive grants for communities to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation.” Government entities at the local and state level can apply for grants ranging from $1 million to $10 million to help them improve zoning restrictions, housing policies, and the availability of affordable new homes and the preservation of existing ones. “HUD recognizes that communities have unique housing challenges,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge in announcing the new grants. “Today, we are acting to increase the supply of affordable housing, which is crucial to lowering housing costs.”

REMOVING OBSTACLES TO FAITH

Paul wrote to the believers in Rome that they should be sensitive in their exercise of freedoms so as not to offend or upset other, especially new, Christians. For example, eating food dedicated to idols could cause some brothers and sisters to question their faith. Instead, mature Christians could exercise some of their freedoms in different circumstances to avoid putting obstacles in the way of people coming to faith. Better to temporarily not eat something than to eat it in such a way that it makes someone stumble.

  1. If you had a $10 million grant to deal with some housing issue, how would you use it?
  2. What’s something about the Christian life that an unbeliever might not understand?
  3. How can we be careful that an unbeliever or less mature Christian will not be harmed by our actions?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 6, 2023

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CONDITIONS FOR BAD FRUIT

South Carolina peach farmers are in a bad way this year. A combination of an early spring and hard freezes in March have cost them as much as seventy percent of their crop. What they have managed to harvest are mostly small, “button” peaches, which can’t be sold at market, or have pits that are difficult for machinery to remove when processing for fruit cups. “When you lose 70% of a crop,” says Ross Williams, chief operating officer of post-harvest operations at Titan Farms, “it’s difficult to be able to make ends meet at the end of the year.” Farmers are trying to keep relations with major retailers intact by providing as many peaches as they can and hoping for better in the future. “Next year, hopefully when we do have a full crop,” says Williams, “we don’t want to have missed out on a year with that retailer.”

CONDITIONS FOR GOOD FRUIT

This week’s passage includes Paul’s lists of deeds of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit. While it is tempting to think of the fruit of the Spirit as qualities we can work on and develop in our lives, Paul teaches that these things simply “grow” in us as we walk by the Spirit. We can’t make ourselves have more love, joy, or peace, but we can create conditions in our heart for those things to appear on their own by the working of the Lord.

  1. What experience, if any, do you have with farming?
  2. If you could have more of any fruit of the Spirit, which one would it be, and why?
  3. In what sense are the deeds of the flesh another sort of spiritual fruit?

Additional Resources

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In the World–July 30, 2023

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WORTH EVERYTHING IN THE WALLET

Shohei Ohtani is an extremely talented Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani, originally from Japan, is setting records both as a batter and a pitcher this year. And he is nearing a time of free agency, when the pocketbooks of many MLB team owners are expected to come all the way open. Los Angeles Dodgers’ player Freddie Freeman calls Ohtani a “unicorn” whose new contract may shatter the previous high amount of over $426 million. Several people have suggested the new deal could reach $600 million. When asked what he would pay to sign Ohtani if he were an owner, Baltimore Orioles’ center-fielder Austin Hays said, “As much money as I have. I’m giving him everything that I’ve got.”

WORTH EVERYTHING YOU OWN

Today’s passage includes some striking parables in which Jesus urged believers to value the kingdom of heaven so dearly that they would be willing to give everything away in order to obtain it. Others may not understand it, but he or she is no fool who uses what is temporary to obtain what is eternal and who trades earthly belongings for heavenly treasure.

  1. If you could own any sports team in the world, what would it be, and why?
  2. When have you realized that you would pay everything you owned to gain, change, purchase, or prevent something?
  3. How can we live out our commitment to the kingdom over the things of this life?

Additional Resources

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In the World–July 23, 2023

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SEPARATING OUT THE PLASTIC

A 22-year-old Irishman has taken third place in the Young Inventors Prize contest in Europe for his ingenious method of removing microplastics from water. The UN estimates that there are more than fifty-one trillion microplastic particles in the seas, a crisis that affects our food chain and, ultimately, us. Fionn Ferreira’s method mixes seawater with ferrofluid, a magnetic liquid mixture that binds to microplastic particles. A magnet draws both the ferrofluid and the plastics out of the water, removing eighty-five percent of the particles in a single pass. The plastics can be recycled, the ferrofluid can be reused, and the water is rendered safe. “This prestigious award,” Ferreira says, is “a profound acknowledgment of the urgent need to combat the devastating impact of microplastics on our planet’s water systems.”

SEPARATING OUT THE WEEDS

In Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares (weeds), a field where good seed was planted gets sabotaged by an enemy, who sows weeds alongside the good seed. The workers soon spot the weeds and ask the owner if they should begin weeding. But the owner instructs them to let both crops grow together, and they’ll sort one from the other in the harvest. Jesus later reveals that this is a metaphor for the people of God’s kingdom and the people of the devil, who share the earth. They will continue to live side by side until they are separated in the judgment.

  1. As a steward of the earth, what do you feel is the most pressing concern in the natural environment?
  2. What do you think Jesus means by the children of the devil?
  3. If Jesus is going to sort out these two groups, what role does evangelism or missions play?

Additional Resources

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In the World–July 16, 2023

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THE RIGHT NUTRIENTS FOR THE SOIL

In a global first, the soil in Northern Ireland’s farms is receiving free testing by the government. The massive scheme, developed by Rachel Cassidy, a scientist in the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute in Belfast, is designed to level the playing field for all farmers in Northern Ireland. By making the assessment free, all farmers can receive the comprehensive soil sampling and analysis of their fields, plus detailed erosion maps of their land. The goal is to save farmers money and improve their efficiency, especially against a backdrop of soaring costs for feed, fertilizer, and fuel. The larger goal of the scheme is to protect the environment by reducing the risk of excess fertilizer polluting nearby waterways.

THE RIGHT KIND OF SOIL

Jesus’ parable of the soils continues to resonate across the centuries. Nearly everyone can relate to the different kinds of soils: hard-packed, shallow, weedy, or receptive. Though the farmer casts the seed far and wide, dropping good seed on all sorts of soils and hearts, all it takes is a few spots of good soil, with receptive hearts—and the few spots that have truly receptive hearts will produce a tremendous harvest.

  1. What is the best government program you’ve ever heard of?
  2. How can we develop a heart of good soil that produces such a plentiful harvest in the Lord?
  3. What connection can we make, if any, between this parable and the current exodus of many young people from the church?

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In the World–July 9, 2023

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A REGIME DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF

Late last month saw one of the most bizarre episodes of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Putin employs a mercenary army called the Wagner Group, commanded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has an ongoing power struggle with Moscow’s military brass. In late June, Prigozhin accused his rivals of firing rockets at Wagner Group troops. He took his tanks and troops off the war front and turned toward Russia itself, rolling rapidly toward Moscow. Then, through negotiations behind the scenes, Prigozhin abruptly halted his tank columns and diverted to Belarus. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky triumphantly declared, “Everyone who chooses the path of evil destroys himself…. Russia’s weakness is obvious…. And the longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries on our land, the more chaos, pain, and problems it will have for itself later.”

A KINGDOM DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF

When Jesus delivered a demon-possessed man who had not been able to speak or see, the people were astonished—and the Pharisees felt jealous and threatened. They claimed that Jesus was only able to command demons because he used Satan’s power to do so. Jesus responded that the devil would never divide his forces and weaken his kingdom by letting Satan fight against Satan.

  1. What are your feelings about the war in Ukraine and the divisions within Russian top leadership?
  2. When people are feeling jealous or threatened, what are they likely to say or do?
  3. In this passage, Jesus talks about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit—what do you think that means?

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In the World–July 2, 2023

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THE CROWN JEWELS OF SCOTLAND

Every year, the monarch of the United Kingdom pays a week-long visit to Scotland to celebrate Scottish culture, community, and contributions. This year is special because the UK has a new king and queen. King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled to be Edinburgh this week, where amidst much pomp and a twenty-one-gun salute, Charles will be presented with “The Honours of Scotland,” England’s oldest crown jewels. The first monarch to be crowned with it was Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. The crown and accompanying scepter and sword of state are made of gold, silver, and precious gems.

THE CROWN JEWELS OF GOD

In today’s passage, we study Zechariah’s prophecy of rejoicing for the Jewish exiles returning to Jerusalem. This chapter contains the messianic prophecy about the king coming to Jerusalem mounted on the foal of a donkey. Zechariah also says that God’s people will glitter in Jerusalem like jewels in a crown.

  1. What royal ceremony anywhere in the world would you love to be present to witness, if any?
  2. While that celebration is going on in Scotland, Americans will be celebrating Independence Day. What are your plans?
  3. Which biblical metaphor or word picture, like today’s simile of jewels in a crown, is your favorite?

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In the World–June 25, 2023

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CONVICTION OVERTURNED

Back in 2003, someone robbed a Walgreens store at gunpoint in Dania Beach, Florida. A witness tentatively identified 33-year-old Leonard Cure as someone who might’ve been the robber. There was evidence that Cure was miles away at the time of the crime, but a jury nevertheless convicted him, and he was given a lifetime sentence plus ten years. This month, however, the state attorney’s office got the entire case thrown out, and Cure was not only released from prison after sixteen years but was also granted record compensation of $817,000 and 120 hours of college tuition and fees. “No amount of money will get those years back for Mr. Cure or give him peace,” said Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor, “but it is a small gesture that recognizes Mr. Cure was wronged.”

PUNISHMENT RESCINDED

After years spent in Babylonian exile because of the rebellion and idolatry of the people of Judea, God promised through Zephaniah to bring them home. The Lord announced his intention to cancel his punishment, cease his rebuke, and deal with any who had oppressed them. God’s discipline of his people was not without end.

  1. What’s the worst case of injustice you know of? How should things have gone instead?
  2. When have you felt the Lord’s discipline?
  3. This passage depicts the Lord rejoicing over his people with singing. What do you think that means?

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In the World–June 18, 2023

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COMING OUT OF A COMA

British eleven-year-old Tom White was struck by a police van this month and left in critical condition. The boy spent nearly a week on life support and then began waking from his coma. As his family awaited Tom’s full awakening, when they could find out his long-term prognosis, they launched a Facebook page to collect videos and notes from well-wishers. Among the many contributors was WBC heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury. Fury’s personal video shows the British boxer saying, “Keep fighting, Tom! All the best. Get recovered. See you soon, buddy. God bless.” When Tom comes to his senses, God willing, he will have many such treasures to discover.

COMING TO THEIR SENSES

The Babylonian exile had taught the Jewish people a costly lesson about turning away from God to idols. The Lord spoke through the prophet Ezekiel, promising to gather the Israelites from all the nations they’d been scattered to and to bring them back to their own land, where they would be united again and ruled by a king from the line of David. All these benefits awaited them if they would come to their senses and put their idolatry behind them forever.

  1. Why do you think even busy celebrities go out of their way to help young people sometimes?
  2. What was your most memorable Father’s Day?
  3. When did you realize that you needed to put something behind you?

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In the World–June 11, 2023

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A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR 3D PRINTING AND SPACEFLIGHT

A few weeks ago, Terran 1, the world’s first full-sized 3D-printed rocket, blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It was a maiden test flight of the rocket prototype, which at the time was the largest 3D-printed object in the world, at 110 feet tall and 7.5 feet wide. The unmanned rocket launched and successfully endured Max-Q, the moment of most intense vibration during ascent, proving that 3D-printed rocketry is robust and viable. The vehicle had an “anomaly” later in the flight, causing it to fail to reach orbit. But as a test flight, it was highly successful, and the manufacturer, Relativity Space, incorporated lessons learned and is already moving to its next-stage prototype, the Terran R rocket, and sees a bright future for 3D-printed space technology.

A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM

In our passage today, the Lord paints a picture of a day when God’s people will live in complete peace and joy. Children will not die shortly after childbirth in this future, and lifespans will be such that if someone doesn’t reach 100 years of age, it will seem very strange indeed. They will build houses and live in them, and they will have such a measure of peace that even the wolf and the lamb will dwell together in harmony. Such will the future be for those who belong to the Lord.

  1. If someone gave you the opportunity to ride a rocket into orbit, what would you say?
  2. What would perfect peace and harmony look like to you?
  3. How does knowing what heaven may be like change your life on earth?

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In the World–June 4, 2023

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VETERAN ESCORTED BY POLICE

Last month, just before his 95th birthday, WWII veteran John Powell got a special ride through his home city. Back in 1945, young John Powell turned 17 and promptly enlisted for the Navy. But on May 15 of this year, he rode through downtown Greenfield, Indiana, in a 1948 MG TC Roadster convertible escorted by police and cheered by all who saw the little parade pass by. Representatives from the Greenfield Veterans Honor Guard presented Powell with an American flag, and the town’s mayor presented him with the city’s Distinguished Citizen Award. “I’m grateful,” said Powell as he shook the mayor’s hand. “There are no words.”

ISRAEL ESCORTED BY THE LORD

Now that the Babylonian Empire had been overthrown, the Israelites heard that they would soon be able to return to Jerusalem. In today’s passage, the Lord promises to be both their vanguard and their rearguard, allowing them to make the journey without fear of ambush or attack.

  1. Who is the oldest person you have ever met?
  2. What’s the most unusual car you’ve ever ridden in?
  3. How would your actions or decisions change if you knew God was going both before and behind you?

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In the World–May 28, 2023

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KINDNESS TO A LEGAL ENEMY

Last month, a years-long legal battle involving actress Gwyneth Paltrow concluded in her favor. On the slopes of a Utah ski resort in 2016, Paltrow and another skier, Terry Sanderson (now 76), collided, resulting in injuries to Mr. Sanderson. He sued her for $3.1 million, and she counter-sued for one dollar plus attorney fees. After a highly publicized court trial last month, the jury sided with Paltrow. On her way out of the courtroom, the actress went to Mr. Sanderson and, rather than gloating, told him, “I wish you well.” Sanderson responded, “Thank you, dear,” and later characterized Paltrow’s gesture as “very kind.”

KINDNESS TO A SPIRITUAL ENEMY

Saul the Pharisee had been blinded in a divine encounter on the road to Damascus. The Lord had rendered him blind in order to open his eyes. Jesus appeared in a vision to a faithful discipled named Ananias, instructing him to go lay hands on Saul to regain his vision and bestow the Holy Spirit. Ananias, quite naturally perhaps, asked the Lord for clarification. But God sent him to his former enemy to make him a brother.

  1. What is a celebrity encounter you have had?
  2. When have you or others doubted whether someone had actually become a Christian?
  3. How have you acted with Christ’s love toward someone you formerly considered an enemy?

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In the World–May 21, 2023

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HAPPY COINCIDENCE AT THE CORONATION

Earlier this month, England held the coronation ceremony for King Charles at Westminster Abbey. It was a spectacle of pomp and history, but what caught the attention of many was all the blue and yellow in the ceremony. Several members of the royal family and distinguished guests, including First Lady Jill Biden, wore blue or yellow, and the interior of the abbey itself was decorated in blue and yellow carpets. With the war in Ukraine in the news, and the first lady of Ukraine in attendance, the prominent display of the colors of the Ukrainian flag was a welcome sight to many. “I saw Ukraine there,” said Dame Melinda Simmons, Britain’s Ambassador to Ukraine, about the carpets, “and lost my composure for a minute.” A Palace spokesman described it all as “a happy coincidence.”

HAPPY COINCIDENCE ON A DUSTY ROAD

In the early days of the Church, one of its leaders—Philip—was led by the Holy Spirit to leave Jerusalem and approach a certain chariot that was traveling slowly along the dusty road. Philip approached the chariot and, in a beautiful example of God’s coordination and timing, overheard the passenger, an official from the Ethiopian royal court, reading aloud from the book of Isaiah. It happened to be Isaiah 53, which is a clear Messianic prophecy. Philip engaged the Ethiopian, and it led to the man becoming a baptized follower of the Lord.

  1. What’s the most bizarre coincidence you’ve ever heard of?
  2. How do you respond to this quote by William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury in the 1940s: “When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don’t, they don’t”?
  3. When have you felt most directly guided by the Holy Spirit?

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In the World–May 14, 2023

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TRADING UP FOR EDGE PRESSURE

In Kansas City last month, the NFL draft took place. In the third round, the Carolina Panthers traded the Pittsburgh Steelers a late fourth-round draft in exchange for the eightieth overall pick. The Panthers wanted University of Oregon outside linebacker DJ Johnson, and they were concerned he wouldn’t still be available when their next pick—at ninety-three overall—came around. Johnson fits well with the new defensive scheme the Panthers are adopting, which benefits from multiple edge rushers who can get to the quarterback. “This was one of the teams that I liked and wanted to go to,” Johnson said of the Panthers. “I am super excited. Super juiced. This is one of my dream spots, for sure.”

TRADING UP FOR LEGS THAT WORK

One day not long after the Day of Pentecost, Peter and John were hailed by a paralyzed man begging for money at one of the gates to the temple. The man was hoping for silver or gold to help him get by one more day, just as he’d done most of the days of his life, having been paralyzed since birth. But Peter offered him the chance to trade up for something much better than coins. He offered him the chance, in the name of Jesus Christ, to gain the use of his legs. He accepted, and his legs and ankles were miraculously healed. He leapt and cavorted and shouted praise to God, and a crowd ran up to see this miracle.

  1. What are your feelings about the NFL or other pro sports leagues?
  2. When have you seen God give someone something greater than they’d dared hope for?
  3. In what ways has your life with the Lord been a “trade up” from the life you had before?

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In the World–May 7, 2023

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CALLING ON A NEIGHBOR TO BE SAVED

Late last month, video footage was released from body cameras of first responders who rushed to save the life of actor Jeremy Renner on New Year’s Day. Renner, who played Hawkeye in the Avengers movies of superheroes, was run over by his own snowcat while attempting to rescue his nephew, Alex Fries. The 13,500 lb. vehicle ran him over, breaking more than thirty bones and crushing him nearly to death. In the footage, Fries explains what happened, and first responders are amazed to find Renner still alive. Desperate to find help, Fries spotted the legs of neighbor Rich Kovach through a partially opened garage door. Fries yelled and even grabbed Kovach’s ankle to get his attention, so someone could call 911. Renner has had several surgeries and has a long road ahead, but he is determined to fully recover.

CALLING ON THE LORD TO BE SAVED

On the day of Pentecost, God poured out the Holy Spirit onto the believers gathered in Jerusalem. They began speaking in foreign languages they had never learned, astonishing the crowd that had come to the city for the feast. Peter addressed the entire throng, telling them that in this miracle the Lord was fulfilling his promise concerning Jesus Christ, the Messiah—whom they had killed—and was offering pardon and salvation to anyone who would repent and call upon the name of Jesus in faith.

  1. What’s the most serious accident you’ve ever heard of anyone recovering from?
  2. How might you pray for Jeremy Renner and everyone involved in that event?
  3. What do you think it would’ve been like to have been in the crowd on the day of Pentecost?

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In the World–April 30, 2023

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THE PROMISE OF ELECTRICAL POWER

This month, rain and high winds knocked out power to twenty thousand Michigan residents, just as a cold front moved in. DTE Energy deployed more than 160 crews on the day of the storm, and by 2:00 p.m. the next day, power had been restored to 99.9% of their customers. We expect that sort of responsiveness from utility companies, as a CEO of another power company makes plain: “As an electric utility, our responsibility is to provide reliable power to our customers,” said Kevin Thornton, CEO of Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative. “That’s the promise we make, and we take it very seriously.”

THE PROMISE OF SPIRITUAL POWER

Today’s passage describes a time after the Resurrection but before the Ascension, when Jesus ate a meal with his followers. They pressed him for information about what was going to happen next, but Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem until the promised Holy Spirit came upon them in power. Then they would know what to do, and it would be to take the good news outward from there until it reached the ends of the earth. But they could not accomplish that task without power from above.

  1. When were you most affected by the absence of electricity, water, or some other utility?
  2. What’s a task you simply didn’t have the power to accomplish on your own, and how did you eventually manage it?
  3. What questions would you have had for Jesus if you’d been eating with him after the Resurrection?

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In the World–April 23, 2023

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REINSTATED AFTER THEFT

The city manager of Brookings, the southernmost city on the Oregon coast, was reinstated last month after pleading no contest to a charge of theft after allegedly shoplifting from an area grocery store. Janell Howard repaid the store for the items she is accused of taking and paid a $500 fine. But Brookings locals report feeling “betrayed” that she was given her old job back. “What message does that send to our at-risk youth that are trying to negotiate the system?” wondered Brookings resident Jan Miller. “That it’s okay to be a thief?” Concerned citizens vowed to hold a recall on all elected city council members who supported the reinstatement. That includes the mayor, said Miller. “We’re going to recall them all.”

REINSTATED AFTER BETRAYAL

After denying three times that he was Jesus’ disciple, and after watching his Lord crucified and buried, Peter’s remorse weighed heavily upon him. Even the reports of Jesus’ resurrection had not brought relief from his sorrow. So when the risen Christ appeared to several disciples on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and asked if Peter loved him, Peter saw his chance to seek forgiveness. His three denials were canceled by three new protestations of his devotion to Jesus, and Peter was reinstated as leader of the newborn church.

  1. Under what conditions would you consider reinstating a public official—or religious leader—who is guilty of a crime?
  2. What cases could be made that Peter should or should not have been reinstated to lead the church?
  3. How can we balance prudence with Christ’s forgiveness of us as we consider reinstating Christian leaders who fall?

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In the World–April 16, 2023

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ENTHUSIASTIC DIVE IN MICHIGAN

Five years ago, Michigan native Chris Roxburgh was paddleboarding on Lake Michigan when he saw in the waters beneath him a ghostly sunken ship. It turned out he’d discovered the wreck of the George Rogers, a tugboat that sank in 1914. The wreck had never been found because researchers had looked in deeper waters. A week later, and without any training but full of excitement, Roxburgh went back to the spot with a wetsuit and a GoPro camera. His photos and video of the wreck were instantly hailed by local, and then national, media. The thrill of the discovery and his sudden fame convinced Roxburgh that he’d just found his new passion. Five years later, he is a certified scuba diver and a leading expert on photographing deep shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, featured in national publications and on The History Channel.

ENTHUSIASTIC DIVE IN GALILEE

After Jesus’ resurrection, Simon Peter and half a dozen other disciples spent the night fishing on the Sea of Galilee. As the morning dawned and the boat neared land, they spotted a man on the shore beside a cookfire. When Peter understood that it was Jesus, the one he’d so badly failed only a few days before, he threw himself into the water and swam a hundred yards to reach his Lord.

  1. What do you think it would feel like to make a significant historical discovery?
  2. Despite proof of Jesus’ resurrection, Peter still seems troubled—why do you think that was?
  3. When have you felt desperate to get back to Jesus as quickly as possible?

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In the World–April 9, 2023

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DETERMINED TO BELIEVE

Last month, the men’s basketball team from San Diego State University (SDSU) won their quarterfinals game against Creighton University to move into the Final Four for the first time in the school’s history. With the game tied and the final period ticking down to overtime, Creighton committed a foul, sending SDSU star Darrion Trammell to the free-throw line with only 1.2 seconds left. Trammell missed the first shot and then took a deep breath. After the game, he was asked what went through his mind right then. “That the moment wasn’t too big for me,” he said. “Through everything I’ve been through, I feel like the opportunity was just set there for me. It was God’s timing. I just had to believe in that.” He sank the second shot, and SDSU won by one point.

SLOW TO BELIEVE

On the first Easter Sunday, Jesus’ disciples heard from Mary and the other women who had seen the angels that Jesus was alive. They themselves found the tomb empty. But evidently, two of Christ’s disciples did not believe this meant Jesus had defeated death. Though Jesus’ resurrection changed everything, opening the way for his followers to rise to life as he had, still his closest disciples did not believe that the empty tomb meant Jesus had overcome death and become the firstborn among many more to follow.

  1. When has belief (in God, in yourself, or in someone else) helped in a critical moment?
  2. What factors went into the disciples’ slowness to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead?
  3. Why do we sometimes still live in defeat or fear even though Jesus has overcome the grave?

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In the World–April 2, 2023

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THE EMPTY HOMES

In Hong Kong, forty thousand small housing units sit empty. Some were occupied briefly for COVID-19 quarantine stays during the pandemic. But nearly two-thirds of them were never occupied, having been finished after the need diminished, and one was just officially shut in March. This in a city of seven million residents where 1.4 million live below the poverty line and many need subsidized housing. While the average new home sells for over a million dollars, and hundreds of thousands of people wait five years or more for housing, all these quarantine units remain empty. Some critics theorize that the government obtains so much income from house prices being high that it is intentionally slow to ease the housing problem and thus drive down home prices. A government spokesperson said that future plans for the empty units “will be announced after a decision is made.”

THE EMPTY TOMB

When the women got to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, they found the stone rolled away and no sign of Jesus. They saw angels, heard about the resurrection, and ran to tell the disciples. Not knowing what to think, Peter ran to the tomb and he too found it empty. Even when we believe, we can still be astonished when God moves in power.

  1. What’s an example of government doing a good job for its citizens?
  2. What questions do you have about the resurrection of Jesus?
  3. When have you believed that something would happen and yet you were still surprised when it did?

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In the World–March 26, 2023

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DELIVERANCE AND THE JESUS REVOLUTION

Jesus Revolution is a current movie about the Jesus Movement of the 1970s, especially as it involved Pastor Chuck Smith’s church in California. The real-life instigator of the movement at Smith’s church was Lonnie Frisbee, a hippie played in the movie by Jonathan Roumie (who also portrays Jesus in The Chosen). Frisbee’s early life had been marked by brutal beatings by his father and molestation by a babysitter. The young man turned to drugs and homosexuality before becoming radically saved by the Lord. Later, Frisbee fell away from the faith. But near the end of his life, he repented and found deliverance from the Lord he’d inspired so many to follow. His final release came in 1993 when he died from AIDS at age 43.

DELIVERANCE AT THE HANDS OF JESUS

Today’s passage depicts the demon-possessed man who lived in the country of the Gerasenes. The legion of demons gave him tremendous strength, allowing him to break free from shackles and chains. But it wasn’t until Jesus set foot on the shore that he could truly be delivered from his torment. When Jesus delivered him from possession, all the man wanted to do was follow the Lord. But Jesus sent him home to testify about what God had done for him.

  1. If you were aware of it at the time, what did you think of the Jesus Movement as it was happening?
  2. Why do you think Jesus sent the man home rather than letting him become a follower?
  3. In what ways has Jesus delivered you?

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In the World–March 19, 2023

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THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN HUMAN AND ROBOT

Science fiction authors have long predicted the moment when artificial intelligence (AI) becomes as capable and intelligent as humans. We have not reached that point yet, but a new AI program called ChatGPT has made a huge leap in that direction. ChatGPT lets you enter questions or commands in a way similar to how you might do a Google search, and then you watch as it instantly researches, synthesizes, and types out a well-written response. Whether you want it to summarize the book of Galatians, list the top five themes of the works of Shakespeare, or write a letter to your congressman, ChatGPT can do it almost as quickly as you can type the command. College professors now have to try to determine if term papers were written by their students or by this program. Though we are more capable than AI in many respects, the time when we can easily define the boundary between something written by humans and robots is past.

THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN SAVED AND LOST

Because of a long history of hatred, invasion, intermarriage, and religious disagreement, Jewish people in the first century did not willingly interact with Samaritans. The boundary between Israel and Samaria was well known by both parties, and each stayed away from the other. But Jesus not only crossed the border and went into a Samaritan town, he also broke the barrier between Jewish rabbi and unaccompanied Samaritan woman—so that he could reach a woman who was desperately lost.

  1. What opportunities or dangers do you see in the advances being made in artificial intelligence?
  2. Who might be today’s equivalent to the Samaritan woman?
  3. What boundaries would you be willing to cross to bring the gospel to someone who needs it?

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In the World–March 12, 2023

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A FATAL STUMBLE

Changes may be coming to equestrian events after the tragic death of Irish rider Tiggy Hancock (15) in 2001. An inquiry last month found that the trained showjumping horse the young girl was riding could not see a jump bar. This led to a tumble in which horse and rider flipped. Tiggy landed on the ground first and the horse fell on top of her, crushing her chest and one lung, leading to her death. Her mother, who witnessed the fall, said the obstacle was “brown water with a brown jump and brown sand.” Tiggy is remembered as an accomplished rider and rising star in Irish equestrian sport. The family welcomes the call to use contrasting colors so both horse and rider can see obstacles, hopefully avoiding future tragedy.

AN ETERNAL STUMBLE

In today’s passage, Jesus drives home the importance of not stumbling and not causing others to stumble. To follow Jesus in humility and devotion is the way to enter the kingdom of heaven, and nothing must be allowed to be an obstacle to this. The stakes can be eternal. He urges us to prefer entry into the kingdom over anything on earth—and to be sure not to block others as they seek to get in.

  1. What experience do you have with horses?
  2. If you could suggest a safety improvement to any sport or activity, what would it be?
  3. Why did Jesus use such disturbing imagery in today’s passage?

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In the World–March 5, 2023

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REGRETS OVER LEAVING A JOB

In 2021, partially due to the disruptions of COVID-19, 47 million Americans quit their jobs, and the trend has not entirely ended. This unprecedented shift in the workforce was dubbed The Great Resignation. But a recent survey found that for most of those who quit, it has become The Great Regret. The survey, performed by HR company Paychex, found that eighty percent of employees who left their jobs during this period feel that they made a mistake, and sixty-eight percent have tried to get their old jobs back. Workers who resigned reported missing co-workers, having lower pay, and finding less work satisfaction in a new job as compared to the previous one. Only twenty-seven percent of those trying to get rehired at their old places of employment have succeeded.

REGRETS OVER LEAVING HOME

Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son follows a similar trajectory. Thinking the grass was greener out in a faraway country where he could be master of his own time and finances, the young protagonist strikes out and lives the high life. Until the money runs out. But at his lowest point, he comes to his senses and determines to go home, humbly and with newfound gratitude over what his father had provided all along.

  1. What’s a workplace or relational decision that you came to regret?
  2. When have you made a big change that was definitely a good one?
  3. What is your favorite aspect of the prodigal son story?

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In the World–February 26, 2023

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REJECTED PHONE CALL

Earlier this month, the United States military shot down several objects thought to be unmanned Chinese spy balloons in the airspace of the US and Canada. The first incident was the downing of a very large balloon at high altitude (over 60,000′). Shortly after the Air Force F-22 destroyed the balloon with a Sidewinder missile, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin used a special phone line to reach out to his Chinese counterpart, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, to try to manage the crisis. But the minister refused to get on the line, later saying that the U.S. had “not created the proper atmosphere” for dialogue. A call to prevent a possible escalation was rejected, and matters became worse.

REJECTED SAVIOR

Peter appealed to all people to heed the call of Jesus to be saved. He said that some—including the Christians he was writing to—had indeed believed in Jesus as God’s chosen and precious cornerstone. By this, they had become spiritual stones themselves, and God had constructed them into a spiritual building. But others continued to reject the Lord’s offer, and Jesus had become for them a stumbling stone. A call to prevent eternal doom was rejected, and if they did not change their minds, matters for them would become much worse.

  1. What are acceptable and unacceptable practices for nations to spy on one another?
  2. When did someone reject a positive effort on your part? What did you do?
  3. What causes an unbeliever to change his or her mind and come to Jesus in faith?

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In the World–February 19, 2023

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IMPARTIALITY REQUIRED IN AFGHANISTAN

Humanitarian agencies working around the world sometimes struggle to ensure that the aid they deliver makes it into all the right hands. For example, in Afghanistan the Taliban has recently placed restrictions on food aid agencies that make it nearly impossible to assess whether or not the food is reaching the most vulnerable—women and children—with any degree of impartiality. Some agencies have halted their aid to the country because of the restrictions. The issue highlights the difficulty of balancing women’s rights with delivering aid.

IMPARTIALITY REQUIRED AT CHURCH

This week’s passage records James’ observation that people in churches were giving precedence to rich congregants and treating poor congregants disrespectfully. Though some among the rich were exploiting other Christians and dragging them into court, these were the ones being honored. He called believers to treat all people equally and to remember that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith.

  1. What factors prevent vulnerable people from receiving aid, even when it’s offered?
  2. When and where have you seen good examples of impartiality at church?
  3. What explains the tendency to treat rich people favorably?

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In the World–February 12, 2023

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IMMORTAL CELLS

People have been trying to defy death for millennia before Ponce de León searched for the Fountain of Youth. In more recent years, scientists have explored “cell death” in the bodies of mammals, and last month, researchers discovered how to accelerate, decelerate, and even reverse aging in mouse cells. They learned how to tell the epigenome (the part of the DNA system that gives cells their instructions) to erase the corrupted instructions that had been causing cell death. The researchers have hopes that further work will show potential in healing a host of diseases—including chronic heart disease and even neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s. “It’s no longer a question of if rejuvenation is possible,” says David Sinclair, professor of genetics in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School, “but a question of when.”

IMMORTAL SOULS

In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul urged Timothy, his protégé, to fan into flame the spiritual gift that was in him. Timothy had the responsibility and the honor of proclaiming the message that Jesus Christ had abolished death and brought immortality to light. Timothy needed to leave his natural timidity behind and guard the good thing that Christ had deposited into him and given him the grace to use in his service.

  1. If science developed the ability to hold off death indefinitely, why (or why not) would you be interested?
  2. What advantages and disadvantages would there be in prolonging earthly life indefinitely?
  3. When have you had to leave behind some natural tendency of your own to follow the Lord?

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In the World–February 5, 2023

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TRACTION THROUGH AN UNLIKELY SOURCE

Oklahoma City motorists were seeing red late last month as they made their way across frozen bridges and overpasses. The city’s public works department was experimenting with a mixture of rock salt brine and beet juice to increase the effectiveness of their ice-melting efforts. The brine alone needs a temperature of at least fifteen degrees to melt ice, but adding a percentage of beet juice to the mixture drops its operating temperature to negative twenty degrees. If the experiment is successful, the program may expand—and if it gives drivers better traction, perhaps they won’t mind the red tint on the roads.

WISDOM THROUGH AN UNLIKELY GROUP

In Paul’s first letter to the Christians in Corinth, he developed one of his favorite themes: that the weakness of humans is the perfect stage for the demonstration of the power of God. Though the Corinthian church did not have many impressive people in it—few government officials, notables, or celebrities of any sort—nevertheless, they were the ones whom God had chosen to use to show the foolishness of the world’s wisdom.

  1. What’s the strangest solution you’ve ever seen to a problem?
  2. What do you think of Christians’ fascination with celebrities who come to faith in Christ?
  3. Where have you seen the wisdom of humans nullified by the wisdom of God?

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In the World–January 29, 2023

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EMERGING FROM PHYSICAL COLLAPSE

On January 2, during a Monday Night Football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills, Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin made a routine tackle on Bengals’ receiver Tee Higgins. Both players got up, but Hamlin suddenly collapsed. Medical staff rushed to the field, where they determined that his heart was not beating. First responders administered CPR, and Hamlin was rushed to a local hospital, where he remained in a coma in intensive care. Over the next three days, not just the world of pro football but most of the nation hung on scraps of updates. Finally, to the relief of all, Hamlin emerged from the coma and showed no sign of lasting injury to his mental or physical capacities. “We’re not promised anything,” said NFL great Tom Brady, reflecting on Hamlin’s injury and recovery, “none of us are…. Let’s not take anything for granted,” he said. “Nothing’s forever.”

EMERGING FROM SPIRITUAL COLLAPSE

The land of Judah had been devastated by a plague of locusts because of the disobedience of God’s people. But even though the Lord had sent his army to devastate their fields as in the Day of the Lord, he nevertheless promised to be with them and to bless them in the future. His discipline was not forever, and his mercy remained for those who worshipped him. God promised that Judah would emerge from that disaster and once again praise him.

  1. What is the most serious injury you’ve heard about in sporting events?
  2. When has something happened that has reminded you that there are more important things than what we often get so worked up about?
  3. How often do you think about God’s discipline on those he loves?

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In the World–January 22, 2023

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EMANCIPATION FOR SLAVES

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and already many communities across America have celebrated the 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. On January 1, 1863, a document signed by President Abraham Lincoln went into effect declaring the freedom of enslaved people living in Confederate states that were not yet in Union hands. This freedom was not realized by most slaves in the South until the conclusion of the Civil War, in 1865. Today, slavery remains a scourge in America through forced labor and sex trafficking. “I call upon businesses, civil society organizations, communities of faith, families, and all Americans,” said President Biden in a December 30, 2022, proclamation, “to recognize the vital role we play in combating human trafficking.”

EMANCIPATION FOR ALL

Through Isaiah, the Lord reminded the Jewish people that his will has always been to loose the chains of injustice, feed the hungry, and remove the yoke of oppression. In today’s passage, Isaiah declares God’s promise that those who heed his call to bring emancipation to all who are in forced labor will receive blessing and power from heaven.

  1. What was your closest encounter with slavery, forced labor, or human trafficking?
  2. How can we fight human trafficking today?
  3. Who is one person whose suffering you could alleviate this week?

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In the World–January 15, 2023

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CLOSED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS

In the last week of December, a small sinkhole opened on the shoulder of SR-261 just south of Washtucna, Washington. Department of Transportation crews closed the rural road in one direction, reducing traffic to a single lane. Then over the course of the next few hours, the sinkhole began to collapse the asphalt, widening to dangerous proportions. Officials finally closed the road in both directions and set up a detour. Sinkholes in Washington are usually caused by extreme weather changes or flooding beneath the surface. The water can hollow out an area beneath land, a road, or even a structure, and eventually the roof of the cavern can’t support itself. “If you see a sinkhole,” said TV station Fox 28 in Spokane, “even a small one, quickly leave the area and report it. Though they can look harmless at first, the opening can spread rapidly.”

THE GOD WHO GIVES DIRECTIONS

In today’s passage, God reminds the Jewish people that he had announced his plans for them in generations past. They had no room to claim that they had thought them up or brought them to pass through their pagan idols. Then he says he’s doing new things that they couldn’t predict, so they can’t claim they’d already known of them. God is the one who directs them, either in the past or the future, and teaches them what’s best for them. But will they heed his directions?

  1. What’s the worst sinkhole incident you’ve ever heard of?
  2. When have you had to change the direction of your life?
  3. How has God directed you in the past?

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In the World–January 8, 2023

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OVERCOME BY SMOKE

A 66-year-old woman in Benton Harbor, MI, died in October in a house fire. When firefighters arrived at 1:49 p.m., fire was coming from the eaves of the home. The incident commander circled the house and found the woman’s husband struggling to open the back door to rescue his wife, but he was overcome by smoke and could not proceed. The firefighters entered the home and rescued the woman. On the way to the hospital, she regained a pulse, but she later died from her injuries. It was her birthday the next day.

NOT OVERCOME BY FIRE

Though God’s people had disobeyed Him, He still promised to not forsake them. He was their God and He had summoned them by name. Though waters might rise up against them, they would not drown, and though they passed through fire, they would not be overcome. They were witnesses to the fact that the Lord is the only God.

  1. Have you ever had breathing problems caused by smoke? What did it feel like?
  2. When, if ever, have you felt that God might have abandoned you?
  3. How can you know that God has called you and not forsaken you?

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In the World–January 1, 2023

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DEBT FORGIVENESS FOR A STUDENT

The federal Student Loan Forgiveness program is understandably popular for the many millions of college students carrying debt from their educational loans. Some analysts, however, point out that such forgiveness may encourage financial irresponsibility and that it would tend to discourage those who worked to repay their debt after graduation. But with university costs skyrocketing and the pandemic putting some people out of work, many have fallen behind and feel they can never recover. No matter what may be said about the policy or the program, when a person needs help with any debt, forgiveness is always welcome.

SIN FORGIVENESS FOR A PEOPLE

Today’s passage includes one of the most well-known verses in the Old Testament. The “If my people…” passage is a common rallying cry to call a nation back to God. The benefits of turning the hearts of a people back to God are many, not least of which being forgiveness of sin. The dangers of turning away from the Lord are manifold, as well, and include invasion, conquest, and exile to another land—all of which did happen for God’s people.

  1. What do you think about any effort to forgive or cancel financial debt?
  2. As we enter this new year, who in your life will you decide to forgive?
  3. What benefits and dangers are there in today’s world for turning toward or away from God?

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In the World–December 25, 2022

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GRASPING THE CORE MESSAGE

When students are learning a language other than their mother tongue, some use reader books in which the original words have been simplified by the books’ writers. However, as artificial intelligence (AI) tools become more powerful, simplification software is emerging that can simplify any written material automatically. This fall, in a test of an English-language AI text simplification tool in Busan, South Korea, students who were learning English were able to grasp the core message of an article simplified from the magazine Scientific American. The automated tools need more work to help readers of all levels, however. “Software developers will continue to develop AI-enhanced tools,” says the study’s leader, Professor Dennis Murphy Odo, “that will make challenging texts more and more comprehensible to foreign language learners with different reading proficiencies.”

EXPRESSING HIS CORE MESSAGE

When Mary was pregnant with Jesus, she was filled with the Holy Spirit and uttered beautiful words that expressed the heart of God and what would be Jesus’ core message on earth. Those who fear the Lord will be exalted. Those who oppress the poor will be cast down. The hungry will be filled, and the proud will be scattered and sent away empty.

  1. What’s a complex idea someone has expertly simplified for you?
  2. How would you describe God’s core message? What is the Lord’s heartbeat?
  3. Who around you needs to hear that message?

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In the World–December 18, 2022

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REMOVING OBSTACLES TO GOD IN AFRICA

In a commencement address at Coal City University Enugu in Nigeria this fall, Senator Anthony Agbo called on Africa’s universities to lead the way in turning to Scripture for how to live. He urged his countrymen to turn from pagan gods and lay aside internal conflicts, basing their lives on the Bible in order to avoid the obstacles caused by those ancient prophecies. He urged them to turn to the Word of God, “whose power, authority and impeccable truth have defied the coordinated onslaught of misguided men of all ages, including those of elevated but sinister institutions; to produce the greatest nations on earth and most insightful men of all time.”

REMOVING OBSTACLES TO GOD IN ISRAEL

John the Baptist was raised up by God to go in the spirit of the Old Testament prophets to make the people’s hearts ready to welcome their King. His ministry would be to remove all obstacles from the path of the Lord’s coming. Every valley would be raised, every mountain flattened, and every crooked way straightened to hasten the arrival of the Son of God.

  1. What correlations are there, if any, between a nation that reveres the Word of God and that nation’s status?
  2. What Old Testament judgments are still in effect today?
  3. In what way did John’s ministry remove obstacles for the coming of Jesus?

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In the World–December 11, 2022

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THE WRONG KIND OF ATTENTION

The wastewater treatment plant in the city of Driggs, ID, has for years failed to come into compliance with federal pollution statutes. The city has been working to eliminate the problem and build a new plant, but the federal government filed a lawsuit in October to pressure the city to come into compliance. However, some in the media have misrepresented the seriousness of the problem, painting the city as negligent and irresponsible. “It is challenging to know the facts surrounding our [plant],” said Mayor August Christensen, “and see how some media outlets spun the story. I am hearing how much it is affecting our community.” Despite the large amount of negative media attention, Christensen hopes people will support the city’s efforts to correct the problem.

THE RIGHT KIND OF ATTENTION

After failing to believe the angel’s words about a son, Zechariah was rendered mute until the boy was born. At John’s birth, however, news began to go out that God had been merciful to Elizabeth by giving her a son, even in her old age. But when Zechariah indicated, by writing a message on a tablet, that the boy’s name was to be what the angel had proclaimed, his muteness vanished, and he began praising God and prophesying. Then everyone in the whole region turned their attention to the great things God was doing for Israel.

  1. When has someone gotten the wrong idea about you, and what did you do?
  2. Why do you think the media sometimes misrepresents true events?
  3. What’s something God did that you just had to tell someone about?

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In the World–December 4, 2022

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SHE COULDN’T BELIEVE THE PARTY WAS FOR HER

For more than two decades, Dolores Santucci (now 96) manned her hot dog cart in Hillsdale, New Jersey. “She was there six days a week, rain or shine,” says Esther Davidowitz writing in NorthJersey.com. “Everyone in town and beyond, it seems, knew her, if not by name, then by her nickname: The Hot Dog Lady.” After a liver infection sidelined her from working the cart, the city decided to honor the woman many called “Mom.” The mayor proclaimed October 28 “Dolores Santucci Day,” and more than 200 people turned out for the celebration. “It was a complete surprise,” said Dolores of the party, which took place at the cart. “I couldn’t believe it. The people are very nice. They always were nice.”

HE COULDN’T BELIEVE GOD HAD GRANTED HIS PRAYER

For many decades, the priest Zechariah prayed that his wife, Elizabeth, would bear him a son. Sadly, she remained barren, and by the time they were both well advanced in years, one wonders if his prayers slowed or finally stopped. So, when the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple and told him that his prayers for a son had been heard, Zechariah didn’t buy it. He still got the son he’d prayed so long for, but there were consequences for his unbelief: he was rendered mute until his son, John the Baptist, was born.

  1. If you could throw a big celebration to honor someone, who would it be?
  2. When have you or someone else stopped praying for something only to receive it unexpectedly?
  3. How do you think God decides if, how, and when to grant prayers?

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In the World–November 27, 2022

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TOOLS TO SPOT AN UNSEEN ENEMY

The invasion of Ukraine is the first time that both sides in a conflict have had reconnaissance drones—and the ability to shoot down the enemy’s drones. Throughout the war, Ukraine’s hordes of locally produced drones, which are cheap enough to lose during a mission without causing much hardship, have been a better option to Russia’s small number of very expensive drones, which Moscow doesn’t want to lose. As a result, the Ukrainian military has had much better knowledge of Russian positions and movements than the Russian military has enjoyed.

TOOLS TO FIGHT AN UNSEEN ENEMY

When the devil’s schemes come on the day of evil, Christians can stand firm in the power of the Lord. Paul’s famous passage on the full armor of God—based on the armor worn by Roman soldiers all around him in prison—encourages believers to take up and strap on the various pieces of armor. The enemy may be spiritual and invisible, but Jesus does not leave His children without powerful defenses.

  1. What do you think of self-flying or self-driving vehicles like drones?
  2. How can we improve our ability to see things that are otherwise invisible?
  3. When have you used one or more pieces of the full armor of God?

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In the World–November 20, 2022

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THE BEAUTY OF FALL COLORS

During spring and summer in the northern hemisphere, tree leaves bud and sprout, becoming a luxurious green in the warmth of the middle of the year. But as autumn begins, leaves turn color, becoming the glorious shades of gold, yellow, red, and orange we often see at Thanksgiving. What many people don’t know is that the leaves were always secretly gold, yellow, red, and orange. During the long-daylight months of spring and summer, the trees were producing chlorophyl and lots of green pigment, which masked the other colors. When the sun is up fewer hours, the chlorophyl breaks down and there is no longer enough green pigment to hide the leaves’ true colors.

THE BEAUTY OF GOD’S WORKMANSHIP

Paul tells the Christians in Ephesus that they are creations hand-crafted by God for specific purposes. Like the handiwork of a master craftsman, believers are beautiful in their own right. But God hasn’t created, called, and justified us simply to be admired but rather to be useful to him in the good works that he has prepared for us to do. We find our meaning when we are used by God to do his will on earth.

  1. What is your favorite autumn memory?
  2. What are your plans for Thanksgiving?
  3. In what ways are you a masterpiece? In what ways are you a trusty tool for the Lord?

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In the World–November 13, 2022

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ENLIGHTENED FOR THE EARTH

Late last month, the Frost and Sullivan Institute released its second annual Enlightened Growth Leadership Awards. The prize goes to companies that “have demonstrated commitment to [environmental] sustainability by leveraging technology and innovation-driven solutions to make strides in innovating some of the major global challenges we face.” One of this year’s winners is Ubisoft Entertainment, makers of video games such as Assassin’s Creed and Ghost Recon. Their efforts to support the environment include targeting 100% renewable energy in their facilities, limiting employees’ international travel, and eliminating single-use plastics in their offices. “The recipients of the Enlightened Growth Leadership Recognition,” said Aroop Zutshi, Director, Frost & Sullivan Institute, “have demonstrated success in merging business acumen with a moral imperative.”

ENLIGHTENED BY GOD

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians includes his prayer that the eyes of their hearts would be enlightened with wisdom so they could fully grasp the hope that Christ had given them. He prayed that their understanding would be stretched so they would know the inheritance of power, riches, and security that was theirs through the Lord.

  1. How do you help care for the world the Lord made us stewards of?
  2. What improvements have you seen in how some companies treat the environment?
  3. How has your understanding of Christ’s riches toward you grown over the years?

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In the World–November 6, 2022

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PICKED TO RULE WITH XI

Last month, China’s President Xi Jinping secured a third term in office. In addition, he handpicked his top cabinet members, the Politburo Standing Committee, promoting and demoting so that only those personally loyal to him remain. One surprise was the promotion to the top spot among Xi’s advisors of Li Qiang, who had fallen out of public favor by his poorly planned and deeply unpopular COVID lockdown in Shanghai, where Li held top party leadership. “If Li Qiang does become premier, which looks now certain,” said Tony Saich, an expert on Chinese politics at Harvard University, “it clearly means that loyalty is more important than performance.”

PICKED TO INHERIT WITH CHRIST

Before the creation of the world, God chose us in Him to be adopted as His sons and daughters. He redeemed us through Christ, made us to the praise of His glory through our hope in Him, and marked us with a seal of the Holy Spirit when we believed. The Spirit is the deposit guaranteeing our inheritance from God until the day when we receive it in His presence.

  1. When have you seen loyalty prized above performance? When have you seen the opposite?
  2. What do you think it means that we were chosen to be blameless in God’s sight?
  3. What’s an example of something held as a deposit or guarantee until a later date?

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In the World–October 30, 2022

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WHO HE IS UNDER THE COSTUME

Halloween is Monday and depending on where you live and whether or not you leave your porch light on, you may get some trick-or-treaters at your door. This year, you can expect to see more than the usual number of cute little dinosaurs, Spider-Man imitators, fairies, and characters from the Netflix show Stranger Things. Those are the most popular Halloween costume searches this month, according to Google. It can be humorous when children dressed in costumes expect us to recognize them under the mask. But sometimes, the outward appearance doesn’t give us any clues as to who is actually standing before us.

WHO HE IS UNDER THE APPEARANCE

After God let Israel have their way in choosing a regal-looking first king—and the disasters that followed—He decided to replace Saul with a king who would be a man after His own heart. He sent Samuel to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, to anoint God’s selection. But none of Jesse’s handsome, impressive, full-grown, regal-looking sons were God’s choice. They had to go bring in the kid brother, who smelled of sheep, before God revealed His plan. Sometimes, the outward appearance of a king doesn’t show how well he will rule. What God examines is the heart.

  1. Why would we hide our true character from other people?
  2. What does it mean to be a person after God’s own heart?
  3. When have you been surprised at the disconnect between someone’s appearance and true character?

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In the World–October 23, 2022

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A CONSIDERATE KING

Last month, King Charles III took the throne of England after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. While his mother’s coronation ceremony had lasted three hours and boasted 8,000 dignitaries as guests—and cost a fortune, Charles wishes to streamline things. With an eye toward the financial crisis in the UK, Charles didn’t want to create a huge, expensive spectacle of his coronation. So the event (next year) will be one hour long, and the guest list will drop to 2,000. Still big and befitting a kingdom, but sensitive to the cultural moment. “The King is very aware of the struggles felt by modern Britons,” said a royal source. “It should also be representative of a monarchy in a modern world.”

A RELUCTANT KING

After Samuel had ruled Israel as the last judge and first prophet for a lifetime, he grew old and his sons did not follow the Lord. The people, perhaps looking with envy at surrounding nations who were led by monarchs, came to Samuel and demanded that he select someone to rule over them as king. Samuel consulted the Lord, certain that God would refuse their demand. But the Lord told him to grant their request, assuring him that it wasn’t Samuel they were rejecting, but God. However, when it came time to crown Saul, they couldn’t find him. They finally located him hiding with the luggage.

  1. What do you think it would be like to live in a monarchy? What would you like or dislike about it?
  2. If you were king or queen of your own country, what would be your first decree?
  3. Why do you think Saul hid from those who wanted to make him king?

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In the World–October 16, 2022

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OPPORTUNITY FROM WEAKNESS

The global economy continues to struggle. This month, an Australian economic writer named Taylor Dart wrote an article featuring an Australian mining company called Evolution Mining, which has been hit hard by market conditions. Though it had a down fiscal year in 2022, running at seventy-five percent below its highs, Dart sees evidence to predict that the company’s stock will experience a sharp turnaround in the new fiscal year. His personal opinion is that his readers should watch for Evolution Mining’s stock prices to drop even further first though, and he sees this as a good chance to seize the moment. “I would view any pullbacks below US$1.15,” he says, “as buying opportunities.”

STRENGTH FROM WEAKNESS

Israel’s disobedience of the Lord had left them hiding in winepresses to conceal their meager harvests from the occupying Midianites. A young man named Gideon felt quite sharply his weakness as the youngest child of the least important family in a conquered clan. And yet this is the champion the Lord chose to deliver His people. Gideon’s story is a magnificent illustration of how God delights to exert His power through the weakness of willing humans.

  1. If you have invested in the stock market, what have been your own highs and lows in doing so?
  2. What’s an example of something that others saw as a weakness but that you knew was a strength?
  3. Where are you called by God to do something you know you are in desperate need of His help to accomplish?

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In the World–October 9, 2022

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COLLIDING WITH AN ASTEROID TO SAVE THE EARTH

On September 26, NASA intentionally crashed one of its spacecraft into an asteroid. The DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission released an impactor probe that slammed into Dimorphos, a tiny “moon” that orbits the asteroid known as Didymos, while the other portion of the probe observed the impact as it sailed past. Also watching were the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble telescope. The mission was the first “live” test of a proposed method of saving the earth from any asteroids that might someday be found to be on a collision course with our world. The goal of the collision was to see if the impact could adjust the little moon’s orbit around the asteroid, and to what degree. It provided crucial data for scientists and engineers to develop plans for planetary defense.

CONFRONTING THE ISRAELITES TO SAVE THEIR SOULS

At the end of Moses’ life, he gave a speech we often refer to as the Song of Moses. His farewell speech was at times harsh as he called the children of Israel to obey God. Moses knew, after leading them for forty years, that the people were obstinate and tended toward disobedience. But he urged them remember the glorious faithfulness of God after he was gone and to not forget the rock of their salvation.

  1. What would you do if you found out that a large asteroid was on a collision course with Earth?
  2. When have you or someone else used “tough love” to motivate someone’s behavior? Did it work?
  3. How effective was Moses in preventing the children of Israel from committing wickedness after he was gone?

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In the World–October 2, 2022

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THE RISKS OF COVID-19 UNDER CHINESE POLICY

The Chinese government has taken a zero-COVID policy throughout the pandemic. Citizens are ordered to stay in their homes during local outbreaks. Reports have emerged of police welding apartment doors shut to keep people inside, and people were ordered to stay in their homes even during and after an earthquake. In September, a bus carrying 45 residents who had been exposed to infected people left after midnight to take them to quarantine housing. Around 2:40 a.m., the bus rolled into a ditch, killing 27 of those aboard. The incident, a forced move made when visibility was low and the driver bleary-eyed, highlighted the glaring safety risks the Beijing government has been willing to accept to keep COVID under control. “For such a large-scale, long-distance transport,” said Hu Xijin, the former editor in chief of China’s state-run Global Times, “did it really have to be done so late at night, and was there really no alternative?”

THE RISKS OF THE NILE UNDER EGYPTIAN POLICY

The Egyptian government that assumed power after Joseph’s death adopted a zero-new-Hebrew-boys policy to limit the growth of their slave population. But after months of hiding her newborn son, one Levite mother finally had to obey the letter of the Egyptian edict, so she put her son into the Nile (but in a little boat). Would the boat even float? Would the current overturn it? Would the crocodiles attack? Such dangers are a small thing in God’s eyes; He ensured that the risks were averted and the child would be found by a daughter of Pharaoh, and later named Moses.

  1. How do you feel about the stricter or more lenient governmental responses to COVID-19?
  2. What risks would you be willing to accept to keep other people safe?
  3. When have you had to trust God to keep you from danger?

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In the World–September 25, 2022

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FAMILY DISPUTE IN MODERN RUSSIA

The citizens of Russia have been told the invasion of Ukraine is a “special military operation” to liberate the people from fascist forces. But some Russians, including the grown daughters of a returning Russian paratrooper surnamed Grigoryev, know that the truth is much different. Their father returned from six months of fighting “a broken man,” which exacerbated an already sore subject of whether or not the war is justified. “He says he didn’t kill anyone” in the fighting, says one daughter, Elizaveta. “But war is a crime in and of itself,” says Anastasia, the other daughter. The conflict within the family became so intense last month that the daughters fled the home. It’s an example of how the invasion is tearing some Russian families apart.

FAMILY DISPUTE IN ANCIENT CANAAN

Through a sad series of events, two sons of Judah died before having children. Both in turn had been married to a woman named Tamar, and Judah promised to give his third son to her as a husband when he came of age. But the time came, and Judah did not keep his promise. Tamar felt she had to resort to deception to achieve justice—and children—from Judah. Nevertheless, God promised to bring about the Messiah through the line of Judah.

  1. What criteria, if any, must be met before you would consider a war to be justifiable?
  2. How can family disputes be solved well?
  3. Why did God promise to bring the Messiah through the line of Judah, despite Judah’s sins?

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In the World–September 18, 2022

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NAME CHANGED FROM

In Germany this month, a family won their legal battle to change their six-year-old daughter’s name from Alexa to something else (undisclosed). Alexa is the name and activation word used by Amazon’s Echo device. Children and even adults would “tease” the little girl by saying her name and commanding her to do things. One man accosted her on the street and said, “Alexa, dance for me.” Lauren Johnson, founder of the I Am Alexa Alliance, says, “The whole thing is a step beyond ‘normal’ teasing and bullying. It’s identity erasure…. The word Alexa has become synonymous with servant or slave,” she says. “It gives people a license to treat people with the name Alexa in a subservient manner.”

NAME CHANGED TO

When Jacob had sent his family and servants across the Jabbok River, he remained alone on the near bank. A mysterious figure appeared and wrestled with him all night, and when he saw he could not overpower Jacob, he said he had fought with God and prevailed. He who could perform such a feat deserved a new name, so the man changed Jacob’s name to Israel, which means one who wrestles with God.

  1. When have you wished you could change your name or something else about yourself?
  2. What steps have you taken on behalf of someone who was being bullied or harassed?
  3. If God were to give you a new name, what might it be? What would you wish your new name to be?

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In the World–September 11, 2022

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SHORTSIGHTED IN THE MILITARY

A report released last month by the Defence Safety Authority, an investigative arm of the British military, claims that a tragic death happened because someone was not wearing his contact lenses. Last year, during a live-fire training exercise at the Castlemartin range in Pembrokeshire, Wales, Sergeant Gavin Hillier, 35, of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, was fatally shot. The report found that the shooter was not wearing his lenses and mistook his fellow soldier for a shooting target. Without his contacts, the shooter would’ve had to be six times closer to the target to be able to distinguish what he was shooting at. Sergeant Hillier had served in several countries, including Afghanistan, where he’d fought the global war on terror, which we especially remember this weekend.

SHORTSIGHTED IN GOD’S PLAN

Jacob and Esau were twin brothers in the book of Genesis. Esau loved his wide-open spaces and wild game, while Jacob was a homebody who sometimes enjoyed vegetarian dishes. One day, Esau returned from the hunt in a state of great hunger. In order to get a bowl of the savory bean soup Jacob was cooking, Esau was willing to give away his birthright as Isaac’s firstborn son. His shortsighted decision changed the course of the two nations that would rise from their lines: Edom and Israel.

  1. What’s the worst tragedy you’ve heard of resulting from reduced or obstructed vision?
  2. As you remember the 21st anniversary of 9/11, what are your thoughts on the state of the world?
  3. How can we balance our real but shortsighted goals against the need to take the long view, especially as it relates to God’s plan?

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In the World–September 4, 2022

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COME BACK

Several major corporations in North America have designated this Monday—Labor Day—as the day when most of their workforce must cease working exclusively from home. It is RTO (return-to-office) day. However, “Workers have grown accustomed to being able to work where and when they wish,” says Bloomberg writer Matthew Boyle, “freeing them up to care for kids, aging parents or to simply escape … and take a stroll in the backyard after lunch.” Labor Day may be when companies draw a line in the sand for their workers to come back to their desks. “In the battle of the boardroom versus the bedroom,” Boyle says, “something has to give come September.”

GO FORTH

During his life in Haran, Abram had grown wealthy and was probably anticipating enjoying his sunset years enjoying the fruit of his labors. However, the Lord God spoke to Abram and called him to leave the country of his father and journey into a land that God would show him. Once he and his family, along with his servants and flocks, had arrived in Canaan, God promised to bless Abram—and the whole earth through him. He believed the word of the Lord, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

  1. What advantages and disadvantages do you see in working from an office vs. working from home?
  2. In your current life situation, would you say you are feeling more of a tug to go out or to stay put? Explain your answer.
  3. When has God ever called you or someone you know out into an unknown land or on an adventure?

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In the World–August 28, 2022

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INVITED TO A BIRTHDAY PARTY

Turning six is a big deal. So this month when one girl in England started making out the guest list for her party, she decided to send an invitation to Prince George, the nine-year-old son of Prince William and Duchess Kate. George’s parents received the invitation and ultimately decided he wouldn’t be able to attend. However, they dictated a kind note to the birthday girl. “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were immensely touched that you should take the trouble to write,” said the response. “It really was most thoughtful of you and Their Royal Highnesses have asked me to send you their warmest thanks and best wishes.” While she didn’t get the prince at her party, the little girl did get a personalized message from the royal family, which her mother says will always be “something amazing she can keep.”

INVITED TO THE ULTIMATE PARTY

The Spirit and the bride invite everyone who hears to receive the free gift of the water of life. When the business of the fall has been tended to and the damage undone, the party that got delayed in Eden can begin, and we’re all invited.

  1. What’s the greatest party or celebration you’ve ever been part of?
  2. Of all the people who have attended your celebrations over the years, whose presence was most meaningful to you?
  3. Revelation describes many pictures of heaven—which aspect appeals to you most?

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In the World–August 21, 2022

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FOR THE HEALING OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS

Washington, D.C., contains many pockets of financial wealth and many pockets of poverty. Two such neighborhoods are split by the Anacostia River, which is quite wide at the point where it separates the affluent Navy Yard homes from the downtrodden Ward 8 region. A highway bridge linking the neighborhoods was torn down a decade ago, but the piers and pilings were left in place. And now plans are finalizing to rebuild the bridge as an elevated park, garden, art space, and performance venue. “These communities are separated by 900 feet of water,” said Scott Kratz, one of the planners. “They have been divided for generations.” He hopes the park will bring residents from both sides together. Harriet Tregoning, former D.C.-area director of planning, agrees, calling the new bridge “a space where people who wouldn’t otherwise be in the same place would be able to mingle and do things together.”

FOR THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS

Our passage today depicts the New Jerusalem of God, through which runs a wide street with a river flowing down the middle. Straddling this river of crystal-clear water stands the tree of life, which yields twelve crops of fruit and bears fruit every month. It’s a picture of plenty and luxurious life, and its leaves are for the healing of the nations.

  1. If you wanted to bring two divided populations together in peace, how would you do it?
  2. What step could you take today to be a peacemaker or bridge-builder?
  3. In what ways is the New Jerusalem similar to the garden of Eden, and in what ways is it different?

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In the World–August 14, 2022

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YOUR NEW CITY

Since 1989 with Sim City, fans of computer games have been able to play civic engineer and build their own dream cities. City-building games form a genre that remains popular today. Late last month, a game called Urbek City Builder became the newest entry into the category. In the game, you pick your location and biome (seaside, desert, forest, etc.) and start building your infrastructure, power grid, transportation system, housing districts, and more. You’re limited only by terrain, money, resources, and your own imagination. Urbek brings a focus on how your city will develop on its own, so long as you provide the conditions necessary. For example, if you place several homes around a park, eventually it will become condominiums. If you’ve ever wanted to build a city the “right” way, these games will let you do so.

GOD’S NEW CITY

In today’s passage, we see the new Jerusalem descending from heaven in the glittering glory of God. The city has been designed and constructed by God, and it is both functional and gorgeous. In fact, the emphasis in John’s account of the city is all on how beautiful it is and how richly adorned it is with precious jewels of all kinds. It is from this passage that we learn that heaven has pearly gates. When we finally see the city whose architect and builder is God, we will be astonished.

  1. What’s your favorite game (computer game or otherwise) of all time?
  2. If you were to build your dream city, what would it be like, and what would it have in it?
  3. When you walk the streets of the heavenly Jerusalem, what will you want to do first?

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In the World–August 7, 2022

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A NEW BRIDE AND A BURNED HOME

Steve and Andrea Ward of Mariposa County, California, were married last month under a wooden arch in the yard of what was to be their home. Shortly after their wedding, a wildfire broke out, quickly expanding to more than 15,000 acres and forcing over 6,000 residents to evacuate—including the Wards. The fire did take their home, burning it to the ground in a matter of minutes. The newlyweds were allowed to return to the site late last month, where almost everything was gone. The wooden arch had burned away, except for part of its base. “If I gotta prioritize keeping her safe versus keeping the house safe,” said Steve Ward of his new bride, “I’m gonna take her…. What was more important that was built in that … was strong bonds and a stronger love.”

A NEW BRIDE AND AN ETERNAL HOME

The Bible concludes with an account of heaven and the glorious eternity that believers will share with the Lord. In today’s passage, the new Jerusalem descends from heaven adorned as a bride arriving at her wedding. The home the Lord will share with His beloved will never burn or fade, and every tear will be wiped away, replaced by joy.

  1. When were you most affected by a fire?
  2. What’s the funniest newlywed story you know?
  3. What are you most looking forward to about heaven?

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In the World–July 31, 2022

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PEACE AS THE WORLD GIVES

The Russian invasion continues, and nowhere in Ukraine seems safe—not even 167 miles away from the fighting. Earlier this month, Liza Dmytriyeva, a little four-year-old girl with Down syndrome, played big-girl in a park in the city of Vinnytsia, pushing her own stroller and smiling up at her mommy in a video posted to social media. Photos from hours later show the stroller on its side, mangled and bloody, marking the spot where Liza was killed by a Russian cruise missile that destroyed the medical center nearby. The peace the world gives—assuring families that being far away from the battlefield will keep them safe—is not real peace.

PEACE AS THE LORD GIVES

On the night Jesus was to be betrayed, he promised that though he himself was going away from his disciples for a while, they would see him again. Better yet, he would come to them in the form of a helper or advocate, the Spirit of truth, so he could be in them—and they in Him—forever. The Holy Spirit brings the peace that Jesus carried inside him, and no act of war, disease, or death can ever separate those who believe in him from the peace he gives.

  1. What has been your strongest reaction to the war in Ukraine?
  2. When has human or earthly peace failed you?
  3. How have you felt the peace of the Lord—and have you experienced it lately?

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In the World–July 24, 2022

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BELIEF AND TENNIS GLORY

Two weeks ago, tennis star Elena Rybakina won the women’s singles final at Wimbledon. Though she was born in Russia, she moved to Kazakhstan and has been playing for them for four years. “I’m really happy representing Kazakhstan,” she said before the finals. “They believed in me.” In the final match, Rybakina, then ranked #17 in the world, gained glory by defeating #3-ranked Ons Jabeur in three sets. She again hailed Kazakhstan’s belief in her, noting that the president of their tennis federation had come to some of her matches. “It’s really a big thing,” Rybakina said. “It’s unbelievable support, which I just appreciate.”

BELIEF AND GOD’S GLORY

Four days after Lazarus had been laid in his tomb, Jesus arrived at the home where Martha and Mary grieved the death of their brother. Jesus assured Martha that her brother would rise again. And while her great faith allowed her to believe in Jesus’ power to resurrect, Martha’s still believed they would find a rotting corpse if they opened Lazarus’ tomb. Jesus gently reminded her that if she believed in Him, she would see the glory of God—and after Jesus prayed, Lazarus emerged from the tomb alive.

  1. How does someone’s belief in you help you perform at a high level?
  2. Whom do you know who needs someone to believe in them today?
  3. When have you believed God and seen His glory?

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In the World–July 17, 2022

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CAN’T BELIEVE IT

After a 21-year dry spell, the Colorado Avalanche NHL hockey team won the Stanley Cup last month, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. After the victory celebration on the ice, with the Avs team posing for the camera beside the big metal statue, the Stanley Cup was taken away so it could later be delivered to the home of the Avs team captain, Gabriel Landeskog. Unfortunately, the delivery team couldn’t read the street address in front of the houses and accidentally delivered it to the wrong home. “I couldn’t believe it!” said Kit Karbler, the temporary holder of the Stanley Cup. “I knew that we had Avalanche players that lived in the neighborhood, but I didn’t know how close!” After much friendly laughter and a rare photo op, the delivery team took the trophy to its rightful resting place next door.

MUST BELIEVE IT

Jesus came into the world as its light—and as the perfect representation of His Father. He brought into the family of God all those who believed Jesus had been sent by Him. He also believed that every word His Father gave Him to say led to eternal life, so He carefully delivered each one to His hearers exactly as He’d received them from God.

  1. What’s the funniest story you know of something delivered to the wrong person—or of the wrong thing delivered to the right person?
  2. When have you had to be absolutely certain that you delivered a message with perfect accuracy?
  3. Which command(s) of God did Jesus deliver that lead to eternal life?

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In the World–July 10, 2022

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SEEING THE MIRACULOUS

In just a few days (July 12), the very first full-color images from the new James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) are scheduled to be released to the public. The telescope itself is an engineering miracle, having been folded up origami-style to fit inside its launch vehicle and then unfolded in space. But the infrared images it is set to deliver could revolutionize our understanding of the physical universe. With a clarity and magnification greater than any previous telescope, including Hubble, and with infrared’s ability to peer through stellar dust, JWST is poised to wow us with miraculous images and take its place as the greatest space telescope ever built.

BELIEVING THE MIRACULOUS

A royal official from Capernaum traveled to Jesus and begged Him to come heal his son, who was dying. After challenging His listeners to believe in God without first seeing miracles, Jesus promised the father that his son would live. The man took Jesus at His word—believing in Him with no miracle already witnessed—and returned to Capernaum, where he found that his son had been healed at the hour Jesus had promised the miracle.

  1. What’s your favorite thing to gaze at when you look into the night sky?
  2. What miracle or miracles have you seen God perform?
  3. When have you believed God would do something and then you later saw Him bring it to pass?

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In the World–July 3, 2022

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DON’T MISS THE POINT

This Fourth of July, if you go out to watch fireworks, don’t forget that this is a celebration of freedom and unity. Don’t miss the point, as some did last month in Disney World. A couple had staked out the perfect spot to watch fireworks at Cinderella Castle, but shortly before the program began, a family tried to get right in front of them. A physical altercation broke out, first between the wives and then between the husbands. With the result that the police were called and one of the women went to the hospital with a brain bleed. These couples missed the point of ending a fun day at the Happiest Place on Earth by fighting over watching fireworks.

DON’T MISS THE MESSIAH

The Son of God made the entire universe, yet when He walked among His creation, people did not honor Him. Most did not even recognize Him, and fewer still believed in Him. The Light that gives light to the world walked through the darkness, and yet He was not recognized. But some people listened to what John the Baptist said, and some observed the words and works of Jesus, and they did not let Him pass them by. Those who believed in Him received the greatest freedom imaginable.

  1. What are your best memories of fireworks?
  2. When have you or someone else completely missed the point of what was happening?
  3. How can we make sure we don’t miss what Jesus is doing in our own day?

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In the World–June 26, 2022

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IGNORING THE GUIDANCE OF EXPERTS

Soccer (globally known as football) is a high-speed, sometimes violent game in which head injuries are common. There is pressure from teams, owners, and fans for injured players to continue playing. This can result in extremely serious injuries, including permanent brain damage. This month, the sport’s global governing body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), received an open letter from the Professional Footballers’ Association, prominent ex-players, and a top consultant neuropathologist urging changes. But the letter’s recommendations were rejected. “It’s disappointing to hear,” said Penny Watson, wife of former England captain Dave Watson, who now lives with dementia due to multiple concussions suffered in football, “that IFAB do not seem to listen to the suggestions and advice from those eminent people involved in the head injury debate.”

HEEDING THE GUIDANCE OF GOD

Many messages delivered through God’s prophets were calling the people back to obedience. But occasionally, a portion of the people received praise from the Lord. This week’s passage contains a message Isaiah delivered to those in Judah who pursued righteousness and heeded God’s instructions. The Lord promised to destroy those who threatened them and to turn Judah’s deserts into gardens. God knows the ones whose hearts are truly His.

  1. When have you ignored experts’ advice to your own detriment?
  2. What advantages come to those who pursue righteousness and seek the Lord?
  3. How could Isaiah have handled being the bearer of bad news from God so often?

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In the World–June 19, 2022

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REVERSAL OF AGING IN MICE

This month, a molecular biologist at Harvard Medical School announced success at resetting certain cells to an earlier age. Dr. David Sinclair’s lab has used special proteins to turn aging cells in mice back into stem cells, essentially reversing the ravages of time. This was done first in old mice with damaged retinas, returning their vision to levels they had in youth. Sinclair has had success with mouse muscles and brains, as well, and is working to reverse aging on a mouse’s entire body. While it will take years of further testing and analysis before any such treatment would be approved for humans, that is the future Sinclair envisions. “We’ve done it in a mouse,” he says. “There’s no reason I can think of why it shouldn’t work in a person, too.”

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE IN ISRAEL

Though God had disciplined the children of Israel for their disobedience and idolatry, He always had their restoration in mind. Through Isaiah, the Lord declared images of reversal, such as the ruined land once again thriving and the depleted population coming to exceed the space available inside their borders. God would bring other nations to give tribute to His people, too, once more lifting up all those who put their hope in Him.

  1. If science offered the chance to reverse aging on any one part of your body, which would you choose?
  2. What advantages and disadvantages can you foresee if humans gained the ability to stave off death indefinitely?
  3. In the Bible, when else did the Lord completely reverse someone’s situation?

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In the World–June 12, 2022

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LIGHT ECLIPSED

On the night of May 15–16, most of the Western hemisphere and beyond were united in witnessing a total lunar eclipse. Because this happened when the moon was near its closest distance to earth (lunar perigee), the moon seemed especially large in the sky. Sunlight refracted through the earth’s atmosphere, tinging its shadow red, giving the eclipsed moon that color, and earning it the status of a “super blood moon.” People from Canada to Argentina and from California to Italy—from dozens of languages, races, and religions—stood together and watched the light of the moon go dim.

LIGHT UNVEILED

Though the children of Israel were convinced that God was theirs alone and that salvation was for the Jewish people only, that had never been God’s design. The prophet Isaiah was frustrated with the hardness of heart among the people, feeling that he had served the Lord in vain. But God’s plan was well under way to make redemption shine forth as a light to all, uniting people from every land, language, and race in Christ.

  1. What’s the most spectacular eclipse you’ve ever witnessed?
  2. What causes you to feel a kinship with all people, even those who look or speak differently than you do?
  3. How do you think Isaiah felt when he heard that God’s salvation was meant for the Gentiles too? How do you think Isaiah’s listeners would’ve felt when they heard it?

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In the World–June 5, 2022

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UNRELIABLE CRIMINALS

Ransomware is a crime in which hackers gain access to a victim’s computer network and demand payment to return control to the owners. Victims range from individuals all the way up to huge companies and even entire cities. Part of the agreed-upon arrangement in ransomware, says cybersecurity expert Charles Carmakal, is that hacker gangs promise to abide by the deal and not simply seize control again tomorrow or release embarrassing data even if the victim pays. But as this crime becomes more mainstream, unscrupulous hackers join in, many with no intention of honoring a deal. Carmakal says victims could pay the ransom and yet still see their data leaked. Such unreliable criminals could give hackers a bad name.

UNRELIABLE SORCERY

The people of Judah in Isaiah’s day had turned to magic spells and astrology to bring them good fortune and protect them from calamity. But the prophet sought to turn them back to the Lord. He delivered God’s warning that soon a disaster would come upon them that they could not dispel with their magic nor ward off with any ransom. All such protections would prove futile and unreliable in the end.

  1. Which aspect of computer technology do you like best? Which do you like least?
  2. What do you think of the notion of honor among thieves?
  3. When have you given up on something unreliable in exchange for more faith in the Lord?

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In the World–May 29, 2022

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A NEW LIFE AFTER LEAVING HOLLYWOOD

When she was 9, Melissa Gilbert played Laura Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie. Now, at age 58, she has finally put Hollywood behind and given herself permission to age. Growing up in Tinseltown led Gilbert to pursue superficial standards of youth and beauty. Before long, she was obsessed with her weight and was going down the path of Botox and cosmetic surgery. As she says in her new book, Back to the Prairie, “I finally woke up and went, ‘What am I doing?’” She and her husband moved to the Catskills to restore an old hunting cabin and live in the country. “I’m excited about this,” she says about aging and rediscovering herself. “I love all these changes and watching what’s happening and getting to know this new person.”

A NEW LIFE AFTER COMING TO CHRIST

Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians to remind the believers there that life in Christ meant freedom from and freedom to. Jesus had set them free from all the old behaviors they had come out of—envying, fighting, carousing, sensuality, and the rest. And He had set them free to walk in the Spirit and to enjoy the new person this allowed each one of them to become.

  1. Who was your favorite TV star when you were younger?
  2. What’s something you had to put behind you to go on to maturity?
  3. Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you want more of in your life?

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In the World–May 22, 2022

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A RETURN TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS

“Just look at this,” said octogenarian Joaquin Diaz as he led the Cinco de Mayo parade in Saginaw, MI. “We needed this.” Diaz and his late wife, Cruz, founded the city’s parade in 1979. After running annually for fifty years, health concerns over COVID-19 caused the event to be cancelled for the previous two years. This year, with pandemic restrictions lightened, Diaz rode in his pickup ahead of hundreds of vehicles in the parade, delighting the thousands of people who turned out to watch. “It’s so wonderful to be out here again,” he said. “This reminds me of the good old days.”

A RETURN TO THE BAD OLD DAYS

The Apostle Paul had founded the church in Galatia on the solid rock of freedom in Jesus Christ. However, not long after he left, someone tricked the believers into surrendering their freedom and returning to the bad old days of slavery to sin and law. When the news reached Paul, he was baffled. What—short of sorcery or a smooth-talking salesman with something to gain—could convince people walking in freedom to voluntarily downgrade their lives and submit to bondage again? He urged them to resist the lie and fight for their freedom in Christ.

  1. What’s something you remember from the good old days that you wish would come back?
  2. When have you seen someone knowingly reject a superior solution or return to an inferior way of life?
  3. How do Christians today return to a bondage to law or the primitive, pre-Christian life of unbelievers?

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In the World–May 15, 2022

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UNITED FOR UKRAINE

In a time when American politics is seemingly more factional than ever, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has united Americans to a refreshing degree. Early this month, results were released from an ABC/Washington Post poll about the war. A whopping seventy-six percent of Americans polled were in favor of providing even more support to Ukraine in the form of humanitarian aid. There are many factors involved here, experts say, but one reason for this show of support is Americans’ love of a heroic figure. “The image of a young and charismatic leader courageously leading his country in a time of war has also galvanized support,” said George Washington University assistant professor Michelle Kelso. She said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy “is, for us, an underdog. We love the underdog in this country.”

UNITED IN FREEDOM IN CHRIST

When Judaizers from Jerusalem came to the church in Galatia, Paul was concerned that the new believers there would fall away from the grace of the free gift of salvation in Christ. He wrote to them, stressing that there are no superior/inferior divisions within humanity when it comes to Christ. Before salvation, all people are united under the condemnation of sin because of the Law. And after salvation, all those who believe in Christ are united in their freedom from bondage. Against those who want to put them again into slavery, believers must stand firm in Christ.

  1. What are your hopes and fears regarding the war in Ukraine?
  2. When have you found yourself unexpectedly united with someone you would not normally connect with?
  3. Why does Paul need believers to understand that all social, ethnic, racial, and other divisions are erased in Christ?

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In the World–May 8, 2022

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AN END TO A BEAR CUB’S SUFFERING

Sometime in early 2022, a bear cub in the Appalachian region of Tennessee was hit by a vehicle but survived its injuries. However, late last month, officers with the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Association found the cub greatly underweight and struggling with months-old injuries. They contacted Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) personnel, who rushed the yearling to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinarian Medicine. However, the wounds were too severe, and the vets made the painful decision to end the cub’s suffering. “This bear was one of ours,” said an ABR spokesperson, who also commented that they’d named the cub Caledon Bear, which means tough.

AN END TO OUR SUFFERING

When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, the consequences reached beyond humankind and extended to Creation itself. We still groan under sin and illness and broken relationships. The world of nature groans too, suffering under decay and fear. But because of Jesus’ incarnation, death, resurrection, and ascension, all of this suffering will one day come to a positive end—not only for those who follow Christ but also for the universe He created.

  1. When have you taken steps to end some form of suffering?
  2. In what ways do you long for an end to the suffering we face in this world?
  3. What does Paul mean when he says that creation is suffering the pain of childbirth?

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In the World–May 1, 2022

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PLAYING FOR ANOTHER TEAM

NBA stars CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard spent nearly nine seasons playing together with the Portland Trail Blazers. Then for this season, McCollum was traded to New Orleans, where he helped lead the Pelicans to the 2022 playoffs. For over eight years, McCollum and Lillard became close friends and adapted their play styles to enhance the strengths of the other. This year, Lillard had to watch his friend play in a different jersey. “It’s weird, man,” Lillard said. “It’s weird to see him enjoying playing with somebody else. It’s almost like a little bit of jealousy, like…man, he’s having fun playing with them.” But when the trade happened, it did make sense to Lillard. “Look at their team: They got the talent; they got the youth mixed with a little bit of experience—and you throw [CJ] into the mix, and you really got something.”

SERVING ANOTHER MASTER

Before salvation, every person serves sin. Paul says we’re all slaves to sin outside of the Lord. But when we come to Christ, we switch teams. We switch alliances and masters, and we become available to serve Jesus instead. Paul speaks of it as a death and resurrection. New Christians are set free to offer themselves as slaves not to sin but to the risen Lord.

  1. When has someone you had partnered with become allied with a new person or group? How did you feel about it?
  2. In what ways can someone be enslaved to sin?
  3. How can Christians make sure they never enter again into slavery to sin?

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In the World–April 24, 2022

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IN BONDAGE TO FEAR

Earlier this month, a Utah man slammed his car into a man sitting on a parked motorcycle. Surveillance video shows the car approaching and then accelerating toward the man and motorcycle. The car hits, sending the bike crashing away and the rider upside-down in the air and off the hood. Miraculously, the rider hops to his feet, mostly uninjured. But the driver leaps from the car and attacks the man. The driver fled but was soon arrested. He insisted that he believed the unarmed motorcyclist was a hitman who had been hired to assassinate him. He said he’d had a hit out on him since 2009 and decided that it was time to kill or be killed. His bondage to a fear of death caused him to try to kill an innocent man.

SET FREE BY THE SON

Jesus told some Jews who had believed in Him that they needed to be set free from their bondage, and He said He was the one who could grant their freedom. This offended them, and they made the outrageous claim that they were free and had never been slaves of anyone. Jesus primarily meant that they were slaves to sin, and yet this offended them even more. Nevertheless, He promised that they could be set free—free indeed—by the Son of God.

  1. What’s the most serious traffic accident you’ve ever witnessed or been part of?
  2. When do fears, especially irrational fears, tend to come upon you?
  3. Why do you think the Jewish believers were offended by Jesus’ words about freedom?

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In the World–April 17, 2022

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IRISH FEMALE SCIENTISTS RESURRECTED THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

In many nations, there is a serious shortage of young women entering fields of science and engineering. An effort in Irish classrooms is seeking to help correct that through clever technology. A new phone app called Volu uses 3D holograms of female pioneers from Ireland’s scientific history to engage the interest of girls at the high school level. The scientists are depicted by actresses in full animation and sound, and their moving images can be placed into real-world scenes via the Volu app on a smart phone. It’s a versatile and innovative use of augmented reality that brings famous Irish female scientists back to life and into our modern lives. “Lots of women aren’t really into science and things,” said one female high school student. “So seeing women actually achieving that…it really helps. Because it they can do it, you can do it too.”

THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD RESURRECTED FOR ETERNITY

Early in the morning on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, two women who loved Him experienced an earthquake at the tomb and encountered a powerful angel. The angel reminded them that Jesus had predicted His death and resurrection, and he announced that it had happened as He had promised. They turned to obey the angel’s command to inform the disciples of the resurrection. As they ran, they met the risen Lord and worshipped Him. Their faith and love had been rewarded with the first revelation that Jesus had conquered death for us all.

  1. If you wanted to interest young people in some field of study, how would you go about doing it?
  2. What does it mean that women were the first to know of Jesus’ resurrection?
  3. How would the world be different if everyone knew the true meaning of Easter?

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In the World–April 10, 2022

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EXPECTING A REWARD FOR LOYALTY

Most fast-food chains in the United States have customer loyalty programs. It’s reached the point where restaurants that don’t offer such programs “run the risk of falling behind,” according to an article by PYMNTS.com. The article, entitled “Restaurant Loyalty Holdouts Get on Board as Consumers Expect to Be Rewarded,” explains how, in March, two notable restaurant chains—Carl’s Jr. and IHOP—launched their own programs to reward frequent customers. “In today’s digital-first age,” said Chad Crawford, chief brand officer of the company that owns Carl’s Jr., “we want to reward our loyal customers in a fun and engaging way.” Only twenty percent of restaurants that allow mobile ordering do not have loyalty programs, so the holdouts may find they had better reward their frequent customers or risk losing them.

HOPING TO BE FOUND LOYAL

While eating His last Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus revealed that one of them would betray Him. One after another, they protested their loyalty to Jesus, saying, “Is it me, Lord? Surely it can’t be me, can it?” They were desperate to prove themselves loyal, and they longed for Jesus’ assurance that their hearts were true. We don’t know what, if anything, Jesus replied to each one. But when Judas Iscariot said, “Jesus, is it me?” Jesus responded, “You have said it yourself.” Jesus lays bare the thoughts of every person.

  1. Why are customer loyalty programs suddenly so important for businesses today?
  2. What contrasts can be made between the loyalty of modern consumers and the disciples at the Last Supper?
  3. How can you know if your heart is loyal to the Lord?

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In the World–April 3, 2022

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A HUMBLE LEGISLATOR IN INDIA

In March, Indian legislator Bhagwant Mann won an election to become the next chief minister of the Aam Aadami Party. In a speech to his fellow victorious party members, he urged them to reject the typical behavior of other politicians in their shoes and instead remain humble. “We should not be arrogant,” he said. “You are also the [representatives] of those who did not vote for you.” Instead of moving to the regional capital and staying there, as many do, Mann encouraged them to go out to the people. “Stay in Chandigarh for the least possible time. We have to go and do work at those places where we went and asked for votes,” he said. “Go sit in villages and meet people. Have tea, speak to people about their problems, take officials with you.”

A HUMBLE KING IN JERUSALEM

Though many in Jesus’ day longed for a Jewish military leader like David who could rally the people and drive out the Romans, this had never been God’s plan. Jesus indicated what sort of kingdom He was instituting by arriving in Jerusalem not astride a massive warhorse but on the back of the foal of a donkey. Everyone watching would be reminded of Zechariah’s prophecy that said the king who came to bring salvation would ride humbly upon the back of a donkey’s colt. Jesus had come to eliminate war and bring peace.

  1. How do you think politicians should behave after they win an election and take office?
  2. How can government officials serve even those who did not vote for them?
  3. In what ways have you seen God behave differently than what you expected?

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In the World–March 27, 2022

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GRATEFUL FOR THE CAT

A nighttime tornado ripped through Florida this month, tearing away a roof and wall of some apartments in Ocala. One woman was awakened by her cat acting oddly and crying from the kitchen. She got up to see what the cat’s problem was, and just when she got to the kitchen, the tornado tore away the walls and roof of her bedroom. “She moved at just the right time,” said the woman’s neighbor. “If she didn’t move, she would’ve been right there” when the tornado hit.

GRATEFUL FOR THE LORD

At the end of the forty years of wandering in the wilderness, the children of Israel were instructed by God to remember how He had taken care of them. Their shoes hadn’t worn out and the feet hadn’t swelled. He had disciplined them as a loving father disciplines a child, but His intent was always to bless them. The Lord wanted them to remember His kindness when they got into the plentiful land He was about to bring them into.

  1. Has an animal ever warned you of something you wouldn’t have known about otherwise? What happened?
  2. Why do we have to be taught to be grateful or to notice when someone has done us a kindness?
  3. What helps you trust God’s ways when things seem to be going badly around you?

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In the World–March 20, 2022

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RESCUED FROM UKRAINE

In the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, business owner Vladislav Guristrimba awoke to explosions and missile strikes near his home. Russian missiles were bombarding Kiev’s airport, not far from the Guristrimba residence. Vladislav and his wife, Dariya, made hasty plans, and three days later they and their five children fled the fighting to meet up with Dariya’s parents. In the city of Sokryany, on the border with Moldova, Vladislav got the family to safety. But instead of joining them in the rescue, Vladislav remained in Ukraine to help other families find their way to safety. Using his resources and contacts, he arranged for the escape of others to Moldova and Poland. “I’m not going to fight,” Vladislav said, “because I’m not military. My value is as a manager. I can be a manager in a military system or a volunteer system.”

RESCUED FROM BABYLON

After the Jewish captives had lived so long in Babylonian exile, the new ruler—Darius of Persia—allowed them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Under Ezra’s leadership, the Temple was rebuilt, and in the sixth year of Darius’s reign, the people dedicated the house of the Lord by celebrating Passover. Their relief and joy over how God had rescued them overflowed in seven days of celebration.

  1. What emotions has the invasion of Ukraine brought up in you?
  2. If an invasion happened in your nation, what would you do?
  3. When have you been rescued from something? How did you celebrate?

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In the World–March 13, 2022

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NOT FREE TO WORSHIP IN IRELAND

During his six-year enslavement in Ireland, the young Briton who became known as St. Patrick was not free to worship Jesus. He served pagan masters and could not openly pray to the Lord. Though he was the son and grandson of Christian ministers in England, the young man named Maewyn Succat had not shown much interest in the things of Christ before the Irish raiders had appeared on the horizon. But over his years of hard labor in Ireland, he came to call upon Jesus with his whole heart. When he escaped and returned to England, he was finally free to worship the Lord who had saved him. It wouldn’t be long before that Lord would call young Patrick back to bring the light of life to his former captors.

FREE TO WORSHIP IN ISRAEL

After seventy years in captivity, the Jewish people were allowed to leave Babylon and return to Israel. The conqueror, King Cyrus of Persia, was perhaps keen to get all the people (and gods) of Nebuchadnezzar’s conquests to look favorably upon him and his new empire. So he was generous with freedom, supplies, and edicts to help the departing peoples go home and reinvigorate their religions. The letter he wrote to protect the returning Jewish exiles ensured they would be able to worship freely in Jerusalem and throughout Israel.

  1. What would it take for you, like Patrick, to be willing to offer salvation to the people who have mistreated you?
  2. How can the superstitions of non-Christians sometimes aid the cause of Christ?
  3. What would you do if you were suddenly not free to worship the Lord?

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In the World–March 6, 2022

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LIONS RETURN TO THEIR HOMELAND

Four adult African lions—named Angela, Bellone, Säida, and Louga—have been returned to Africa after being part of a French traveling circus. The big cats, all born in captivity, were removed from the circus in 2018 and looked after by experts. They were set to be transported in 2019 to a sanctuary in South Africa by Born Free, an international wildlife charity. Then COVID-19 hit, and the plans were put on hold. But last month, the lions finally stepped onto African soil. “Lions in lockdown have had a long arduous journey,” said Catherine Gilson, Manager of Shamwari Private Game Reserve, “but [these lions] are settling in so well [with their other lions]. We have just seen them all under a tree together in the shade sheltering from heat here, which is a great relief for us.”

EXILES RETURN TO THEIR HOMELAND

After the Babylonian Captivity, any Jewish captives who wished to return to Israel were allowed to do so by the new king, Cyrus of Persia. He issued a decree that his own citizens should provide the returning exiles with silver, gold, and livestock. Moreover, Cyrus returned to the exiles thousands of gold and silver items that had been pillaged from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. Cyrus instructed the exiles to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, and more than 40,000 Jewish people accepted the offer and went back to their homeland.

  1. When have you had a “going home” moment? Did it live up to your expectations?
  2. Why do you think Cyrus was so generous in giving away all that gold and silver, not to mention captives?
  3. If you had been born in Babylon and had never seen Israel, do you think you would want to go there when given a chance? Why or why not?

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In the World–February 27, 2022

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WHEN THE UNIFORM IS TOO BIG

During the recently concluded Winter Olympics in Beijing, five female Japanese ski jumpers were disqualified because of their uniforms. The thigh portions of the team’s suits were found to fit 2cm too loosely, which could give an aerodynamic advantage. “I am very sorry that the chance of winning a medal has been taken away from the Japanese team,” said ski jumper Sara Takanashi. “It is an undeniable fact that my disqualification changed everyone’s lives. Even if I apologize, the [chance for a] medal will not be returned.”

WHEN THE SELF IS TOO BIG

While Job was challenged by his friends and wife to accept their sometimes-false views of God, he stood firm and maintained his innocence. However, he did finally complain to God that he had been treated unfairly. The Lord reminded Job that God is the Almighty One and Job is a mere human. Thus returned to his proper reverence and fear of the Lord, Job humbled himself and repented in dust and ashes, and God again blessed him bountifully.

  1. On the whole, do you tend to be a stickler for the rules, or do you prefer to let things slide? Why?
  2. How might we compare Job’s sense of smallness before God with our own culture’s emphasis on throwing off authority in order to “live our own truth”?
  3. What other examples can you think of in which someone humbled himself and God raised him up?

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In the World–February 20, 2022

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BLAMED FOR THEIR OWN ATTACK

“In deeply patriarchal conservative societies, women have been the victims of inequality since time immemorial.” So said a female writer named Kabir in The Kashmir Observer. She wrote in response to an acid attack this month. In Hawal, a city near the northern tip of India, a man asked a 24-year-old woman to marry him. She declined his offer, so he and two others tracked her down and splashed acid on her face. According to a hospital official, “Nine percent of her face has been completely burned.” Kabir criticized the patriarchal tendency of blaming the victim for angering or humiliating the man. Such attacks by males in her culture can be explained, she says, “by how men see any attack on their power as an opportunity to resist through inflicting punishment on the opposite gender.”

BLAMED FOR HIS OWN TRAGEDY

As Job lay on the ashes mourning the tragic death of his children, his friend Bildad informed him that the children were obviously killed because of their sins against God. He seems to be chiding Job for his sadness, and possibly rebuking him as a father…because if he and his children had done the right thing, none of this would’ve happened.

  1. Have you ever witnessed an example of victim blaming? Describe the incident.
  2. Why do you think Bildad said what he did to Job?
  3. What’s something helpful we can say to someone who is in grief?

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In the World–February 13, 2022

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GUIDELINES FOR A SUGAR-FREE VALENTINE’S DAY

Diabetics and others wanting to cut down on sugar may look on Valentine’s Day with dread. But confectioners have made great strides in recent years to provide delicious treats that have low or zero impact on glucose levels. This Valentine’s Day, you can choose sugar-free gummy bears, zero sugar Reese’s peanut butter cups, sugar-free Jolly Ranchers, and more. But you can still get sick to your stomach eating too much candy, even if it’s sugar-free. Viola Holmes, associate director of nutrition science and health care for the American Diabetes Association, says this is because of the sugar alcohols sometimes used to sweeten these treats. “You should still practice some form of portion control,” Holmes says, “because some sugar alcohols, like sorbitol, for instance, can cause abdominal discomfort.”

GUIDELINES FOR A GODLY LIFE

At the end of the Babylonian Exile, Ezra led a group of priests, Levites, and other religious workers back to Jerusalem to revive the Temple. The Bible indicates that Ezra had devoted his life to the study and observance of the guidelines included in God’s Law, a factor that may have led directly to the Lord’s hand being on him so firmly. God grants favor to those who serve Him wholeheartedly.

  1. What are your best memories related to Valentine’s Day—or sweets?
  2. When have you known the hand of God upon you or someone you know?
  3. What guideline from God’s Word is helping you today?

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In the World–February 6, 2022

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CALLING OUT A PRIME MINISTER

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces a challenge to his leadership after reports of a series of parties he or his staff hosted during strict COVID-19 lockdown rules. While Britons abode by rules to not gather with more than one person outside their household—voluntarily being cut off from family and friends—Johnson and his guests were drinking, dancing, and partying until all hours. The night before Queen Elizabeth’s husband’s funeral, a party at the prime minister’s residence went until midnight. The next day, the queen sat alone at the funeral, obeying the social distancing rules. Many reported Johnson’s string of rule-breaking gatherings, and calls for Johnson’s firing increased rapidly.

CALLING OUT A KING

Though God had given King David the throne and great wealth and power, David nevertheless sinned with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah, killed. Though his sin remained a secret from most in his kingdom, it was not hidden from the eyes of the Lord. God sent the prophet Nathan to David with a brilliant parable that showed David the horrible evil of his crime … and cut him to the quick. David repented, and God relented in some of His punishment, but both Uriah and Bathsheba’s son died as a result of David’s actions. Nathan’s courage in obeying God to call out a king saved David and the kingdom from greater consequences.

  1. How does it make you feel when a leader violates restrictions that you yourself have obeyed?
  2. Our society loves to cast down leaders for their injustices, real or imagined. How can you tell the difference between true injustice and lesser trespasses like poor judgment, etc.?
  3. What do you think was going through Nathan’s mind when he approached his friend and king to tell him God’s judgment?

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In the World–January 30, 2022

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PROVIDING FOR THE POOREST IN MODERN INDIA

The state government of Rajasthan, India, has provided benefits for its poorest citizens during the pandemic. They have paid benefits to more than 14,000 orphans and widows of COVID-19. The expenditures, which began in June of last year, have exceeded one billion rupees (nearly $14 million USD). The government has provided both one-time and monthly payments to these orphans, promising to continue until they reach the age of 18. Free education through grade 12 has been provided to these children, along with a monthly pension for the widows. Help is also available to the homeless of the state, as well, including those out in the villages. “As [many] such people are unaware about the facilities including free stay, free food and medical aid,” said judge Dinesh Kumar Gupta, “we will create awareness about the program and its benefits.”

PROVIDING FOR THE POOREST IN ANCIENT ISRAEL

Landowners and farmers in Old Testament Israel were instructed to provide for the poorest among them, as well. Their fields weren’t to be scrupulously reaped, nor were their orchards to be utterly harvested. The extras were to be left for the poor, including widows, orphans, and those not even from among God’s people. Generosity was built right in to their daily rhythms.

  1. How is the government intervention in Rajasthan similar to what you have seen from your local or national government during COVID-19? How does it differ?
  2. How have you seen the Church rising up to help those affected by COVID?
  3. What can we learn about the character of God from the instructions he gave about leaving part of the harvest for the poor, the fatherless, the widow, and the foreigner?

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In the World–January 23, 2022

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FINE THOSE WHO FLOUT THE LAW

Neighborhoods in Scottsdale, Arizona, just got a little quieter, thanks to a new ordinance. It used to be that neighbors could do very little about loud parties outside homes occupied by short-term renters. The new ordinance requires that the property owners furnish police with an emergency contact number. If the police serve a notice and no one has corrected the problem within an hour, the owners receive a fine of $750. And on each subsequent offense, the fine goes up, reaching nearly $2,500 for a fourth offense. “We just want them [renters] to have a good time and enjoy themselves,” says Scottsdale police sergeant Kevin Quon, “while still respecting the neighborly type of feel that we grow to expect in Scottsdale.”

EXECUTE THOSE WHO FLOUT THE LAW

As God’s people wandered in the wilderness under Moses, they too had people who tended to disregard laws and legal decisions handed down by judges chosen by the Lord. The judges were under strict instructions to pursue justice faithfully, rejecting bribes and other perversions of justice. But if anyone showed contempt for the judge God had chosen, he was to be put to death to send a message to the rest of Israel not to be contemptuous again.

  1. What are effective and ineffective ways of making sure people follow rules, ordinances, and laws?
  2. Why is it dangerous if officials have no way of enforcing rules, ordinances, or laws?
  3. What behaviors do you think would disappear overnight if death were the penalty for doing them?

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In the World–January 16, 2022

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PRESSURED TO FIT IN

Today, peer pressure among young people often takes the form of “challenges” issued on Tik-Tok and other social media platforms. There have been challenges to eat laundry detergent pods, steal large items from school bathrooms, style one’s hair using gorilla glue, and strangle oneself within an inch of death. A recent example is the “dry scoop challenge,” which involves eating energy drink powder without first adding water. This has been linked to at least one heart attack, and doctors are adamant against it. Still, children and teens try it in hopes of gaining affirmation from peers. “Kids are biologically built to become much more susceptible to peers in adolescence,” said Mitchell Prinstein, of the American Psychological Association. “And social media has magnified those peer influence processes to be much, much more dangerous than they were before…. These kids are being influenced at a level that’s beyond their conscious awareness.”

PRESSURED TO DO WRONG

Today’s passage involves matters of justice among the Israelites during Moses’ leadership. When the majority favored one side over the other, others were inclined to side with that group regardless of guilt or innocence. God commanded them not to pervert justice for any reason, and certainly not to fit in with peers.

  1. What’s the worst example of peer pressure you know of?
  2. Why is peer pressure so powerful?
  3. How can we be on the side of right even when the pressure to fit in is so strong?

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In the World–January 9, 2022

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POEM FOR THE EXPAT

This past fall, Danielle Obisie-Orlu was named Youth Poet Laureate of Allegheny County (Pennsylvania). The University of Pittsburgh junior was born in Washington, D.C., to Nigerian parents, and she was raised mainly in South Africa. She has always felt like something of an outcast, and this comes through in her poetry, including “Poem for the Expat,” which won her the title of Youth Poet Laureate. “My personal experiences of growing up as a dark-skinned Black woman in South Africa and the U.S. have really shaped how I hold myself.” Her passion to build bridges across cultural and racial divides is summed up in the African concept of ubuntu. “Ubuntu … [is] an approach to life that’s about valuing human dignity in one another,” she explains. It is the quest to “get to a place where I can say, ‘I recognize my humanity within you.’”

MERCY FOR THE OUTCAST

When Sarah had her son, Isaac, by Abraham, she wanted to be rid of Hagar and Ishmael. She urged Abraham to get rid of them, but Abraham was distressed by the idea. God assured him that He would not only protect the child but raise him up into a great nation. When the baby cried from thirst in the desert, the angel of God called out to Hagar, guided her to a well, and saved the lives of the outcasts.

  1. What is your favorite poem, and why?
  2. Who do we find it easiest to see dignity and humanity in? Who do we find it hardest to see these in?
  3. What does it say about God’s character that He treated Hagar and Ishmael as He did?

Additional Links

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In the World–January 2, 2022

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GRIEVING OVER THE DEATH OF A SISTER

“That must’ve been so hard on your parents.” That’s a phrase often heard by the siblings of someone who has died, especially if the person died young. The grief of the brothers or sisters is sometimes considered less important or painful, explained UK therapist Jennifer Park. The grieving siblings can even take “on the role of helping out, making sure other people are okay, so their own grief gets lost.” Three sisters who lost their fourth sister in adulthood found little help for sibling grief, so they decided to do something about it. “We wanted to change the landscape of sibling loss,” said Maeveen Brown. “We launched Sibling Grief Club to provide an online resource and community that adult siblings could utilize, so they never have to feel alone in their grief again.” Brown said they have found that the amount of grief isn’t determined by the age of the person who died but by the love the sibling had for that person. “If you love hard, you will grieve hard.”

DEFIANT OVER THE DEATH OF A BROTHER

Today’s passage concerns the first murder in the history of humanity. Cain killed his brother, Abel, because he could not master the anger that was roused when God accepted Abel’s sacrifice and not Cain’s. Not only did Cain kill his brother, he lied—and expressed defiance about it—to God. God’s judgment on Cain was severe, but even then, the Lord was merciful to the sinner.

  1. Who do you know who has had to hide his or her grief in order to spare someone else’s pain?
  2. What has helped you grieve through a loss of your own?
  3. Why do you think Cain became angry enough that he would kill his own brother?

Additional Links

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In the World–December 26, 2021

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THE QUICK ANGER OF MAN

In September, when the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, their retribution was as swift as it was unjust. Certain groups were primarily targeted. Among them were female judges, especially those who had sentenced Afghan men to prison for violence against women. “They feel like it’s their right to find me, to hit me, to kill me,” said a female judge named Bibi, since now “they don’t have anyone to be afraid of.” Many of these women are trying to flee Afghanistan, but most remain in hiding, moving from house to house. Their danger came quickly, as soon as the old regime fell. “A day or two after the Taliban arrived in Kabul,” said a judge named Nabila, “my personal number was called and I was threatened with revenge, threatened with murder.” Bibi is hiding with her three young children, but she lives in fear. “My kids … they can’t see their mother being killed.”

THE SLOW ANGER OF GOD

The Lord’s anger at the Kingdom of Assyria was long in the building. He had graciously sent Jonah to preach a warning to the capital city of Nineveh, which the Assyrians heeded. But this did not change their ways for long, and they renewed their attacks against the Kingdom of Judah. Finally, God had had enough, and He sent Micah to carry word of Assyria’s impending downfall. The Lord’s anger is slow, but when it is kindled for His people, it cannot be resisted.

  1. When have you seen human anger flash out? When have you seen someone slow to anger?
  2. Why are you grateful that God is slow to anger?
  3. Why did the Ninevites’ repentance in Jonah’s time not continue?

Additional Resources

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In the World–December 19, 2021

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CORRUPTION IN GOVERNMENT

In October, the leader of Austria—Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (35)—resigned amidst accusations of corruption. He and nine other individuals plus three organizations were accused of using government money to gain favorable coverage in a prominent newspaper and other daily media. Bribery and manipulated content, including doctored opinion surveys, were used to generate a consistently positive view of his administration. Kurz maintained his innocence and said he resigned “to make space to guarantee stability.”

GOVERNING WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS

At Christmas, we remember Isaiah’s prophecy of a child who would be born to be a great light for people living in darkness, The government would be on this child’s shoulders, and He would establish His kingdom with justice and righteousness. Our passage today reminds us of how much greater the rule of Christ will be.

  1. Who is or was the finest elected official you know of? Why do you think that person was elected?
  2. Why do governments seem prone to corruption?
  3. In what ways does the government foreseen in Isaiah 9 stand in contrast to governments today?

Additional Resources

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In the World–December 12, 2021

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INSPIRING CHILDREN TO SHOW KINDNESS

Last month, the subscription programming service Apple TV+ debuted a children’s program called Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show. With more than a few similarities to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, the new show features actor Jack McBrayer, famous for his broad smile and “infectious positivity.” The show was developed by Angela C. Santomero, creator of Blue’s Clues and co-author of a book entitled Radical Kindness: The Life-Changing Power of Giving and Receiving. Apple says Hello, Jack! aims to “ignite kindness through exploring empathy, humor, playfulness and imagination.” In a time when things can seem dark and scary to children, a show that inspires them to show kindness to others is a welcome development.

INSPIRED TO SHOW KINDNESS TO A FRIEND’S CHILD

When King David was at the height of his reign, having subdued the enemies on all sides, his mind turned to his late friend Jonathan. He wished to do some kindness to Jonathan’s family, so he investigated whether or not any of his relatives remained alive. He found Mephibosheth, a crippled son of Jonathan, and brought him to his palace. He returned to the young man all the land that had belonged to his father, Jonathan, and his grandfather, King Saul, and he invited him to dine at the king’s own table regularly.

  1. Of what benefit is a television program that models kindness to children?
  2. When have you shown kindness to one person because of gratitude to someone else?
  3. How could God’s kindness to us inspire us to show kindness to others?

Additional Links

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In the World–December 5, 2021

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A SIGN TO WARN OF DANGER

In October, a 43-year-old man was killed after being washed off a jetty in Crescent City, CA. There are signs and fences warning people against going out at high tide, but these are often disregarded. Crescent City leadership member Rick Shepherd has since suggested that new signs be put up, saying that anyone who disregards warning signs and then has to be rescued will be charged up to $12,000 for the effort (assuming they live). “A lot of times,” Shepherd said, “it jeopardizes our search and rescue [folks] to go out there and try to rescue people” who have ignored the warning signs.

A SIGN TO REMEMBER GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Before God had brought the children of Israel into the promised land, He gave them commands for what to do when it did come to pass. He instructed them to pile up uncut stones on the far bank of the Jordan River, whitewashing them and then writing the Law on them. This was to be a sign and a memorial to them and their children, reminding them of God’s faithfulness on their behalf—and of the benefits of obeying the Lord.

  1. When have you seen someone disobey a warning or law, resulting in negative consequences?
  2. What do you think of billing someone who needs rescuing because they ignored warnings?
  3. How can you remind yourself of crucial moments of God’s faithfulness in your own life?

Additional Resources

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In the World–November 28, 2021

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INCLUSION IN MAKING ANIMATED MOVIES

In a recent roundup article of the top 50 animation studios in the world, many of them were in Hollywood, as one might expect. Studios like Pixar, Disney, and DreamWorks topped the list. However, some might be surprised to learn that more than half of the studios (26 of 50) were not in the U.S. at all. Many were in Japan or Canada. Other countries active in computer animation include Germany, England, the Philippines, Iceland, India, and Turkey. Add to that the many individual animators and artists from scores of other nations who work for these top studios, and you’ll see that computer animation is now a radically international affair. These studios often have a surprising openness to international animators and artists. “You should be fine,” said one industry insider in an online forum, because “most animations studios/companies in the creative industry look mostly at portfolios.” If you’ve got the skills, studios will be interested, no matter where you’re from.

INCLUSION IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Our passage today shows the moment when Peter became suddenly aware that the salvation of Jesus is intended for all people in all nations. He took fellow Jewish Christians with him to the home of Cornelius the centurion, and all of them witnessed the Holy Spirit falling upon these Gentiles as He had fallen on the Jewish believers. Through the vision and this dramatic event, Peter began to understand that God offers salvation to everyone in every nation, language, and tribe.

  1. What’s an animated film you have a positive opinion of?
  2. How do you respond to the idea that the world has become more of a global village?
  3. What do you admire about Christians who come from other countries or cultures?

Additional Resources

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In the World–November 21, 2021

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MARRIAGE AT ITS LOWEST

In 1946, when most Americans were euphoric about the hopeful state of the world, the national marriage rate hit an all-time high. In the 152 years these statistics have been kept, that year’s rate of 16.4 marriages per 1,000 people was the highest it had ever been. Since that time, the rate has generally declined, especially since the early 1980s. In 2019, the most recent year for which data is available, the marriage rate dropped to its lowest since recordkeeping began, to a rate of 6.1 per 1,000. Sally C. Curtin and Paul D. Sutto, curators of these statistics for the National Center for Health Statistics, found “that adults in the United States are increasingly postponing marriage, and that a record number of current youth and young adults are projected to forego marriage altogether.” Studies have cited multiple factors for this, including declining religious adherence to marriage, public disenchantment with marriage, COVID-19, and unstable jobs and strained finances. Tragically, fully one-quarter of unmarried Americans aged 25 to 34 years are living with a romantic partner.

A MARRIAGE IN THE HIGHEST

In stark contrast to our culture’s attitude toward marriage, today’s passage shows us that God places a wedding at the pinnacle of His divine plan. The Lord Jesus, having purified for Himself a bride, convenes the wedding in the throne room of God. The fine linen of her dress represents the righteous deeds of His people.

  1. What’s the best wedding you’ve ever seen? What made it so good?
  2. Why is marriage still important to society?
  3. Why does Scripture begin and end with a wedding?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

  1. Music Video, Traditional: “This Is My Song” by VOICES8
  2. Music Video, Multicultural: “He Understands” by Chandler Moore
  3. Music Video, Contemporary: “Stir a Passion” by Lindy Cofer (Revere)
  4. Guzik’s Commentary on Revelation 19
  5. Pulpit Commentary on Revelation 19
  6. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Revelation 19

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–November 14, 2021

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GRATITUDE FOR THOSE WHO SACRIFICED ALL

Every year, Wreaths Across America places Christmas wreaths on the headstones of veterans in cemeteries around the nation. There is even an annual running program, the Escort to Arlington challenge, associated with the wreath-laying. Trucks in Maine load wreaths in December and then make the 737-mile trek down to Arlington National Cemetery. Runners can “escort” those trucks by amassing 737 miles of running by the time the trucks reach Washington, D.C. This year’s event has special significance to Emily Kraines, whose husband was an Air Force pararescue jumper who died in a training accident in 2019. Emily had always been a runner, but when her husband died, she stopped. She discovered that this year’s Escort to Arlington challenge culminates on what would’ve been Peter’s 36th birthday, December 18, so she committed to amassing all those miles. “This year, I will get to visit his grave with an accomplishment of finishing another race,” she said. “I know he would be so proud.”

GRATITUDE FOR THE ONE WHO SACRIFICED ALL

Our passage today captures the scene in heaven when the reign of the Lord Jesus is celebrated. Having overcome on earth, purchasing people from all tribes and tongues for God, now His forever reign is celebrated again. It is a scene of tremendous gratitude and worship.

  1. As you are filled with thankfulness in this season, how can you show gratitude?
  2. What’s the most extravagant expression of gratitude you’ve ever witnessed or received?
  3. In what key ways was Jesus treated differently on earth from how He is treated in heaven?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

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In the World–November 7, 2021

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WORSHIPING TOGETHER IN ALABAMA

Believers “of all colors” united in worship in Mobile, Alabama, in October. It was the annual Shrink the Divide gathering organized by The Pledge Group. “Today is an opportunity for a diverse group of believers to come together and communicate the fact that we believe the Gospel is the way to bring racial reconciliation in every situation,” said Roy Hill, president of the Pledge Group. This year, hundreds of people were in physical attendance, with many more watching online. “We have a message for everyone that will listen,” said Hill. “Through Christ, we’re all family. We’re all brothers and sisters, and we need to start treating each other that way.”

WORSHIPING TOGETHER IN HEAVEN

Christ is the great uniter and Savior of humanity. Our passage today pulls back the curtain on a scene in heaven, in which people from all nations and tongues unite in praise of Jesus. Whatever factors might’ve divided these people in life are overwhelmed by the family relationship we share with every believer in Christ.

  1. Have you seen racial unity in our country increasing or decreasing in recent years? Why do you think that is?
  2. How can you take a step toward uniting with a believer in Christ who may be different from you in external ways?
  3. What are you most looking forward to in eternity?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–October 31, 2021

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PRAISING MAN WITH A PRIZE

This month, the Nobel Prize for physics was awarded to three men for their groundbreaking work in climate change in the 1960s. One of the three was Japanese-born Syukuro “Suki” Manabe, 90, a meteorologist at Princeton University. Manabe was honored for “the physical modelling of Earth’s climate, quantifying variability, and reliably predicting global warming.” This work laid the foundation for the modern science of climate modeling. Colleagues praised Manabe for his “combination of brilliance and humility,” the latter of which was illustrated in his acceptance speech. He said he felt his work didn’t compare with the outstanding research done by previous winners of the prize. But when he considered that his work could help lead to a better understanding of our current climate crisis, he changed his mind about winning the prize. “Then I thought, maybe it’s OK.”

PRAISING GOD WITH WORSHIP

Today’s psalms are some of the most jubilant celebrations in Scripture. We get an image of raucous, musical glory, like a marching band playing all around us to worship God. The psalmist calls the people to praise the Lord with an almost reckless abandon.

  1. What’s the highest prize you have ever personally witnessed anyone receiving?
  2. When have you been in a celebration that almost got out of control?
  3. What could send you into this kind of jubilant worship?

Additional Resources

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In the World–October 24, 2021

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LIVING FARTHER FROM THE CITY

As the pandemic caused a shift from in-person employment to remote work, people began to realize they didn’t have to live in the big city anymore. If they weren’t forced to show up at the desk at 8:00 a.m., why fight the traffic and endure the other hassles of urban living? Realtors in the Seattle area, for example, found demand skyrocketing for housing in more outlying and rural areas. “People were coming up to the islands and Whatcom County in droves,” said real estate agent Annie Dameron Pederson. People began to arrive “with cash to spend and mountain bikes in tow,” said Windermere agent Damian Pro. “​​They have this mentality of, ‘We want to live our best life.’” For them, that means moving away from something.

LIVING CLOSER TO THE LORD

For the psalmist in ancient Israel, pursuing the best life meant moving toward something—namely, the temple, the place where God was thought to dwell. In our passage today, the psalmist admires the swallow, who builds a nest very close to the altar of God. He wishes to be the lowest servant in the house of the Lord rather than to dwell in lavish luxury with the wicked.

  1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
  2. When have you taken a big step back and reevaluated important aspects of your life?
  3. What do you do when you feel a desire to move closer to the Lord?

Additional Resources

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In the World–October 17, 2021

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A CRY FOR HELP LEADS TO RESCUE

Last month, Hurricane Ida slammed Louisiana. With power and phones down in the middle of the night, area resident Kamie Tatum went into labor. Kamie (22) was alone and nine months pregnant. “I was having full-on contractions,” she said. Because the phones were out, she got in her car and tried to make it to a hospital. But she encountered a huge tree that had been blown down across the highway. “I thought I was going to have my baby in the car by myself…. I just sat in the middle of the highway in my car and cried.” About this time, a crew of thirty sheriff’s deputies and volunteers with chain saws, wire cutters, and axes, who had been working their way on the road for three hours, came upon Kamie’s car and heard her cries of pain. The crew pushed the tree off the road, and Lt. Trent Duplantis climbed into the driver’s seat and drove Kamie to Thibodaux Regional, where she later gave birth to a healthy baby boy. “If it wasn’t for Deputy Trent,” she said, “I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

A CRY FOR HELP LEADS TO DELIVERANCE

In our passage today, the psalmist describes how God is drawn to those in need. The distressed, the lost, and the hungry cry out to God, and He delivers them. Indeed, the Lord delights to come to the aid of all those who call to Him. God is never more than a prayer away.

  1. When have you cried out to God and then seen His rescue?
  2. Why does God so often choose to send help in the form of other people?
  3. Who around you is crying out for help today?

Additional Resources

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In the World–October 10, 2021

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JUSTICE FROM A JUDGE

Late last month, a court in India finally delivered sentences to those responsible for a so-called honor killing of a young married couple in 2003. The wife, D. Kannagi, was from a higher caste than her husband, S. Murugesan. The couple eloped and kept their marriage secret from the families. But when the wife’s relatives learned of the marriage, her brother and father took it as an insult to their family and caste. The brother formed a mob of extended family, paid two police officers to look the other way, and tortured and killed the couple in front of many witnesses. India’s parliament had passed the Prevention of Atrocities Act in 1989 to punish such behavior, but such cases still occur with regularity. Justice did finally come for the couple last month, as a judge handed the wife’s brother the death sentence and gave life sentences to twelve others, including the two policemen.

JUSTICE FROM THE LORD

David cried out to God for justice against his enemies. In our passage today, David praises God for bringing judgment against whole nations, overthrowing their cities, and establishing his throne. Though human magistrates are fallible and can be swayed, God rules with righteousness and judges with perfect equity, defending the innocent and bringing down the corrupt.

  1. What differences might be cited as justification for discrimination or violence?
  2. How can we celebrate justice as a blessing from God?
  3. How are our celebrations tempered by the awareness that we have not seen God’s perfect justice?

Additional Resources

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In the World–October 3, 2021

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AN EXPERT SHEPHERD

“I kept meeting people with expertise but without an opportunity to mentor,” says Deborah Heiser, founder of The Mentor Project. In a recent interview in Forbes, Heiser explained that this led to her forming a non-profit organization with the goal of connecting experts in science, law, business, and finance with students around the globe for free. One example happened at the height of the pandemic, when the organization connected a 16-year-old inventor with two mentors: an innovator and an intellectual properties lawyer. “A patent is out of the realm of possibility for most people,” Heiser said, “but because they worked each week with him for free, he could get a patent pending! And, for a 16-year-old, this is a life-changing experience.” The Mentor Project pairs world-class mentors with students eager to be shepherded, and the results are powerful.

THE GREATEST SHEPHERD

Psalm 100 reminds us that we are the sheep and God is the shepherd. It is a powerful metaphor for how wise and knowledgeable God is and how simple and sometimes clueless we are. Happy is the “sheep” who attends to the guidance of the divine shepherd.

  1. Who have been your key mentors?
  2. When have you “stumbled into” a situation that you came to see as the result of God’s shepherding?
  3. In what other ways is the shepherd/sheep metaphor applicable in the Christian life?

Additional Resources

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In the World–September 26, 2021

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STRATEGIC COLLABORATION

Earlier this month, the third annual Future of Home conference took place in New York City. The conference, which focuses on companies that serve the home market, hosted a discussion that featured home guru Martha Stewart and Jim Shreve, president and CEO of Baccarat North America (Baccarat sells high-end crystal products). Stewart and Shreve recently collaborated to create new glasses for Stewart’s signature drinks. Over the years, Stewart has created several of what she calls “playful partnerships,” alliances with partners as diverse as a hydroponics firm and rapper Snoop Dogg. A collaboration such as this is fun, Stewart says, “but it’s calculated fun—it makes money, and it gets people thinking…. [Collaborations] brought in a new group of people and more opportunities.”

SPIRITUAL COLLABORATION

When Peter preached to the crowd at the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit initiated a large-scale collaboration. In a single day, God added 3,000 people to the Church in Jerusalem, and they joyfully joined their resources and gifts to serve one another. The realities of this new happy partnership meant that everyone had to get creative in using what they had and could do to help their fellow believers. They give us a wonderful illustration of how God has designed the local church to work.

  1. What’s a great partnership, alliance, or collaboration you know of?
  2. What factors do you think might go into making a strategic partnership successful?
  3. How long did it take for the new believers in Jerusalem to begin using their gifts and resources to serve the church?

Additional Resources

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In the World–September 19, 2021

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DESPERATE FOR NURSES

“Stress is part of the game when you sign up to be an emergency medicine RN, but this is another level.” Trauma nurse Matt Miele made it through the brutal early waves of COVID-19, though not without extreme stress. But just when he and his burned-out peers thought things were heading back toward normalcy, the Delta variant hit. “We thought the pandemic would be over soon and could take time later to deal with our emotions,” said Zenei Triunfo-Cortez, president of National Nurses United. But it was not to be. Now, hospitals and clinics across America deal with critical nursing shortages, and the nurses who remain are being pushed beyond the breaking point. “Some days coming home from the hospital I yell at God, I yell at myself, I yell at COVID and cry,” said ICU nurse Mary Lynn Briggs. “And that’s all before I pull into my driveway.” The need for more nurses is desperate, but the nurses themselves are becoming emotionally desperate.

DESPERATE FOR GOD

Life was hard for Bartimaeus, a blind beggar in Jericho during the ministry of Jesus. Perhaps word of the miraculous healing powers of Jesus had reached his ears, and perhaps he found himself longing for a chance to gain access to him. But how could he? He couldn’t exactly just hop up and go find him. So when he heard that Jesus was in Jericho, actually near enough that he could reach him, Bartimaeus leapt up and awkwardly but boldly stumbled toward the Messiah, crying out to Jesus. People told him to be quiet, but his desperation only surged, and he wailed for mercy. Jesus rewarded his faith by healing his blindness.

  1. When in your life were you most desperate for something?
  2. In what ways could your church minister in Jesus’ name to local nurses and other medical staff?
  3. What is the relationship between Bartimaeus’ desperation and the faith Jesus praises him for?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–September 12, 2021

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DANCING TO HONOR A CHARITY

More than 200 people gathered in Toledo, Ohio, recently to raise money for a local charity. The event was a mock dance competition with area performers, in which the audience voted for their favorite dance couple. But the real winners were the children served by the Ottawa County Family Advocacy Center, which supports local families by “providing compassionate support as they navigate the educational, legal, and social systems of our community.” This year’s banquet was the 13th anniversary of the event, and attendees raised more than $20,000. The community rose up in dance to honor a group doing good in their community.

DANCING TO WORSHIP GOD

King David leapt and danced before the Lord with all his might when he and the people brought the ark of the Lord into Jerusalem. His own appearance and dignity were not as important to him as his worship of the Lord God. His own wife, Michal, did not approve, however. She saw him cavorting about, and she despised him in her heart. But God was pleased with David’s worship, because he had risen up in dance to give honor to Him.

  1. What’s the most extreme expression of celebration you’ve ever given?
  2. Which expressions of worship are you more comfortable with? Which expressions are you less comfortable with?
  3. In what ways can we express joyful worship to God today?

Additional Resources

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In the World–September 5, 2021

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A SONG BY VICTORY

Victory Brinker, a nine-year-old singer from Pennsylvania, wowed the judges on a popular television talent show, and last month moved on to the semifinals of the competition. At the age of six, Victory saw someone singing opera, and she knew what she wanted to do with her life. But in the second round of the TV show, she increased the drama by changing her song at the last minute. Happily, she performed beautifully and moved on to the semis. “If I impress the judges, that’s wonderful,” Victory told a reporter. “My goal is to get a standing ovation by the judges.” She achieved this, and the song of Victory propelled her onward.

A SONG OF VICTORY

Immediately after God brought the people across the Red Sea on dry land and plunged Pharaoh’s army to their deaths, Moses and Miriam sang a song of victory of their own. With God’s arm outstretched like that, all Israel’s other enemies would think twice about opposing them. Propelled onward by this triumph and their song of victory, God’s people moved toward the Promised Land.

  1. When has a very young person wowed you with their talent or knowledge?
  2. What can make someone’s enemies think twice about opposing them?
  3. What could the Israelites know about God’s character in light of His deliverance at the Red Sea?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 29, 2021

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TEMPORARY HOUSING

Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services (IRIS) is a non-profit organization based in New Haven, Connecticut. They help refugee families find housing, jobs, and support. With the American withdrawal from Afghanistan this month, IRIS is seeking to help a large influx of Afghan refugee families, often receiving only 24 hours’ notice before a family arrives. The organization’s leaders are calling for temporary housing—like unoccupied apartments or vacation homes—to be made available for these families. “Receiving families on short notice when we’re already at full tilt because of the pandemic operations, it’s really stretched our budget,” said Ann O’Brien, director of community engagement at IRIS. Meanwhile, the families long for a permanent dwelling too. “As of right now,” O’Brien said, “the housing market is so tight that it takes us two weeks to find permanent housing that they can afford, so we’re incurring hotel costs, which is why we’re looking for temporary housing.”

TEMPORARY HOME

In today’s passage, Paul was thinking of leaving his temporary home behind to move into eternal dwellings. He knew his time on earth, in the earthly dwelling of his body, would someday come to an end. He longed to cast off his physical body and clothe himself with his permanent dwelling—in his permanent home. But he knew he had work to do here until that day, and he was determined to be faithful to his Lord.

  1. What would be your hopes if your family needed to flee from your home country?
  2. How eagerly do you share Paul’s desire to leave this life and put on eternity?
  3. How do you seek to be pleasing to the Lord while you are still in the temporary housing of this life?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 22, 2021

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THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

Earlier this month, a representative of a ransomware group made an encouraging promise. Ransomware is a form of computer hacking in which a company’s software is rendered unusable unless the company pays millions of dollars in ransom. Targets of such attacks this year include Colonial Pipeline, Kia Motors, and the National Basketball Association (NBA). But pressure from the White House may be having an impact. A spokesperson for ransomware group BlackMatter promised to leave crucial infrastructures alone. But computer security experts are skeptical. “The fact that a single group has said it will avoid attacks on critical infrastructure,” said Brett Callow, a threat analyst at Emsisoft, is “a meaningless nothing-burger.” Whether the word of computer hackers can be trusted is yet to be seen. The proof will be in the pudding.

THE PROOF IS IN THE LOVE

In our passage today, the Apostle John writes that the evidence of someone’s faith will be his or her love shown toward others. As Paul had written previously, even the most laudable of actions are suspect if they are not done in love. Confessing the divinity of Jesus and living in God’s love is how we can identify those who truly belong to the Lord. The proof will be in our love.

  1. Who do you know who has been affected by hackers or other malicious computer users?
  2. When have you taken a wait-and-see approach on someone’s promise or claim?
  3. How can we be sure we are acting in love as we interact with others?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 15, 2021

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PERSEVERING THROUGH COVID

New York City veteran firefighter Kinga Mielnik nearly died from COVID-19 and suffered a miscarriage in the last year. After 20 years fighting fires with the FDNY, it was the coronavirus that almost took her life. But the mother of five young boys persevered and fought for her life in Bellevue Hospital. When she was still recovering, she got pregnant again and she and her husband had their sixth child—a girl, at last: Aleksandra. “You never know what was going to happen with COVID, but you have got to let life go on,” Mielnik said. “Some people were afraid to have kids during the pandemic and put it off, but you can’t let things like this stop you from living.”

PERSEVERING THROUGH PERSECUTION

The writer of Hebrews called upon believers to persevere in their faith despite public insult, persecution, prison, and the loss of their property. They suffered for Christ in ways that might cause some people to turn from the Lord and throw away their confidence. The author called on them to hold fast to the end so they would receive the reward promised to those who endure.

  1. What things have you put on hold because of COVID, and what things have you continued doing no matter what?
  2. What’s the most inspiring story of perseverance you’ve ever heard?
  3. How might hardship or persecution help refine your faith in God?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 8, 2021

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SUSTAINED BY FAITH IN TOKYO

Grace McCallum, 18, is a member of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team at the Tokyo Olympics. She credits her faith in Christ as sustaining her not only through years of training but also through a serious injury earlier this year. Until Tokyo, her parents had never missed one of her competitions. The thought of being without them in Japan has driven Grace to the Lord even more. “I’ll really be leaning on my faith,” she said before the Olympics. “My dad is sending me a couple of prayers to say before each practice in the morning. I think that will be really helpful to keep me at peace and calm while I’m there.”

SUSTAINED BY FAITH IN LIFE

Faith is the chief quality the Lord requires in those who follow Him. Christians are referred to as believers, which shows the importance of faith in our spiritual lives. Our passage today is a brilliant rewind of great examples of people of faith throughout Scripture. “By faith Abel…” and “By faith Enoch…” and “By faith Noah…” The writer of Hebrews heaps up reminder after reminder that faith is difficult, and sometimes deadly, but it is what it takes to follow Jesus not only to the cross, if necessary, but then on to the city that God has prepared for those who believe.

  1. How has your faith sustained you when the pressure was on?
  2. Who are some of your heroes of faith, both in the Bible and in life?
  3. In what way does faith make us strangers or pilgrims on earth?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 1, 2021

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SCHOOL LUNCH FOR ALL

This fall, California public school students, all 6.2 million of them, will be offered free school lunches, regardless of income. There has been a perceived stigma against children who accept school lunches, causing many who need the offered meal to be ashamed to take it. “This is so historic,” said Erin Primer, director of food services for the San Luis Coastal Unified School District. “It’s beyond life-changing.” This is the largest free lunch program in the nation, but other states are watching California’s experiment carefully, and Maine has already announced a similar plan. “We’ve completely leveled the playing field when it comes to school food,” Primer said.

SALVATION FOR ALL

In the minds of most people in Israel during the first century, eternal salvation was something available to only a select few: the Jews. Whereas the children of Israel had always been meant to draw the world to the salvation available in God, they had come to think of it as a gift offered exclusively to them. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection reconciled the whole human race to God for all who believe. Today’s passage shows Paul’s teaching that, in Christ, salvation is offered to everyone.

  1. What’s something that had once been available only to some but then was offered to all?
  2. Why do people sometimes wish to keep benefits private rather than making them available to everyone?
  3. When has someone tried to keep Christ’s salvation away from certain people or groups?

Additional Resources

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In the World–July 25, 2021

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SAVED FROM DEATH

An Alaska man named John Pearl Smith II is accused of murdering two people and wounding a third in 2016. When the case neared a court date, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced its intention to pursue the death penalty. However, earlier this month, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that federal executions would halt, pending a review. The motion to seek Smith’s execution has now been withdrawn. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska cautioned that, just because execution has been taken off the table, Smith’s alleged guilt remains. “This decision does not change our intent,” she said, “to pursue justice for the victims and their family members.”

SAVED FROM WRATH

In our passage today, Paul teaches that Christ’s blood covers our guilt. Through the cross, we are justified and reconciled to God. We ourselves have not become more righteous—but the wrath of God has been withdrawn because of Jesus’ atonement. Condemnation has been taken off the table. We stand to gain even more at the judgment because of the resurrection of Jesus. Justice for our sins was obtained at the cross, and now we have peace with God.

  1. What arguments would you give for or against the death penalty?
  2. When have you been saved from a punishment you expected?
  3. What does it mean that God paid such a high price to achieve peace with humanity?

Additional Resources

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In the World–July 18, 2021

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FAITH IN THEIR CHANCES

No matter how the Stanley Cup series ended, the Montreal Canadiens NHL hockey team made it to the finals because of their faith. Not many others shared this faith at the beginning of the tournament, as the Canadiens had the worst record of any of the teams that qualified. But they won 11 of 13 games through the preliminary rounds and in the first round made a sensational comeback against their rivals, the Toronto Maple Leaves, to overcome a 3-1 deficit. But when they were playing the Tampa Bay Lightning in the best-of-seven final round, their faith in their chances rose dramatically. “We wouldn’t be here right now if we didn’t believe,” said Canadiens goalie Carey Price. “We’ve believed this whole time.”

FAITH IN HIS GOD

In Paul’s masterpiece of theology, the letter to the Romans, he carefully laid out why faith in Christ is what is required for salvation. Obedience to the Law will save no one. In today’s passage, Paul recalls that it was the faith of Abraham, not his obedience, that brought about his justification from God. It wasn’t the Law of Moses that brought justification, as that was still 600 years in the future, and it wasn’t even the rite of circumcision that brought justification, as that too was in Abraham’s future. It was Abraham’s belief that God would keep his promises that brought about Abraham’s justification. Therefore, we too are made right with God through our faith and not through our works, sacrifices, or obedience to the Law.

  1. When did you believe in someone (or even in yourself) when no one else did?
  2. Why do you think people—including believers—tend to trust more in works than in faith?
  3. Why do you have faith in a God you have never seen?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to the “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–July 11, 2021

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FINDING THE COURAGE TO CONFESS HER FAITH

In Makassar, Indonesia, a young woman named Yaya is suffering for her faith in Christ. She grew up in a Muslim home but had always been curious about Christianity. When Yaya met Uda, a faithful Christian man at the bank where they both worked, she was drawn to him, and they began seeing one another. Yaya attended church with Uda, eventually giving her life to Christ. But she was too afraid to tell her mother about her conversion. When Yaya learned that she had actually been adopted by her Muslim parents, she found the courage to finally tell her mother. Her mother flew into a rage, became violent, and threatened Yaya with a knife. She reported her daughter to a radical Muslim organization, who is suing the bank to have both Yaya and Uda fired. As of this writing, the matter was still unresolved.

DECLARING HIS COURAGE TO PREACH THE FAITH

Paul had wanted to visit the church in Rome but had long been prevented from doing so. Perhaps his desire to not build on works begun by others had something to do with it, as well. Whatever the reasons for his absence, it was not because he was somehow ashamed of the gospel. He knew that it was the very power of God for salvation, the only hope for humanity.

  1. When have you had to summon the courage to tell someone about your faith in Christ?
  2. What’s a situation that might cause someone to be ashamed of the gospel?
  3. Who would you speak to about Jesus if you had complete courage?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to the “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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In the World–July 4, 2021

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GRATITUDE FOR CITIZENSHIP

This Fourth of July, 51 new American citizens are celebrating independence with a happy memory. A surprise speaker attended their naturalization ceremony in New York City last month: Douglas Emhoff (husband of Vice President Kamala Harris). The second gentleman gave the keynote address, mentioning his ancestors, who came to Ellis Island from Austria, and his wife’s parents, who are immigrants from Jamaica and India. One new citizen in the crowd felt especially grateful for her official status. Jia-Lin Liu from Taiwan waited 20 years for the ceremony. “I was laughing and crying but I’m really thankful,” Liu said. “Being an American gives you a lot of rights and power and resources.”

GRATITUDE FOR HEALING

Jesus met ten lepers on the border of Galilee and Samaria. He graciously granted healing to all ten, but only one—a Samaritan—came back to give Jesus thanks and praise. Though the Lord had miraculously restored their lives and status in society, only this one outsider showed gratitude.

  1. How did you or your family come to live in this nation?
  2. What are you most grateful for about this country?
  3. What are three things you’re deeply grateful to the Lord for?

Additional Resources

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In the World–June 27, 2021

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FEAR LEADS TO SUPERHUMAN FEAT

In Russia, strongmen compete in bizarre ways to prove they are the strongest in the country. This month, Maxim Gametsky, the “Siberian Bear,” strapped a 737 jet to his back and tried to pull it across the runway. It wouldn’t budge. In practice, he couldn’t get it to move. But when the crowds and reporters came, something shifted in Maxim, and video shows him pulling the 40-ton beast 15 meters down the tarmac, to the wild cries of fans. “I couldn’t move it on the first attempt in any of my training sessions,” he later said. “And to be honest, I was a little scared today would be the same. Maybe it was excitement, maybe it was fear, but I did it anyway.” Fear and excitement enabled him to perform at a level he’d been unable to attain alone.

FAITH LEADS TO SUPERNATURAL STEP

Imagine the shock and fear the disciples felt that night when they saw a ghostly figure walking on the whitecaps of the Sea of Galilee. Sailors are notoriously superstitious anyway, and seeing Jesus there must’ve been not only terrifying but disorienting. Were they about to hit land? What was happening? The supernatural mood only deepened when Jesus called Peter out onto the water with Him. Peter is often ridiculed for his lack of faith here, but he exhibited a faith so strong that it enabled him to do—for a few steps, at least—something that none of the others even dared to try.

  1. What’s the most impressive feat of human strength you’ve ever witnessed?
  2. When have you found yourself capable of something you never thought you could do?
  3. What was your moment of greatest faith in God?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to the “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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In the World–June 20, 2021

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DESPERATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT

Climbing North America’s tallest peak, Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley), isn’t like climbing other mountains. Even experienced climbers of peaks in the 14,000′ range, like Mt. Rainier, aren’t automatically prepared to reach the Alaskan giant’s summit, at 20,308′. “We have seen a disturbing amount of overconfidence paired with inexperience in the Alaska Range,” the National Park Service wrote in a statement, citing the mounting number of deaths and serious injuries among Denali climbers in 2021. As an expedition’s days begin to run short, climbers are tempted to make the 7,000′ final ascent in a single day. Rangers said that many climbers get “desperation, impatience and summit fever,” causing them to take unwise risks to reach their goal.

DESPERATE FOR HEALING

In Capernaum, Jesus was thronged by people eager to hear Him teach—or desperate for Him to heal them. A father whose twelve-year-old daughter had died begged Jesus to bring her back to life. So great was his faith in Jesus that even death was not a barrier. As Jesus went with him, a woman in the crowd was just as desperate. After suffering for twelve years with a medical condition, she reached out to Jesus as He passed, just to touch the edge of His cloak. Her faith too was so great that she believed He didn’t even have to notice her to provide healing. Both this woman and the bereaved father were rewarded for their faith— faithful risks allowed Jesus’ reach to work miracles.

  1. What’s the highest hill or mountain you’ve ever climbed?
  2. What’s the relationship between desperation and faith?
  3. Who in the biblical story do you most identify with?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to the “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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In the World–June 13, 2021

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SHAKING IN THE STREETS

On May 18–20, a skyscraper in Shenzhen, China began inexplicably shaking, sparking a panic in the city. Video shows people screaming and running away down the streets in all directions, fleeing a possible collapse. However, inspectors could find no problems or anomalies in the safety standards they monitor. And there was no wind, earthquake, or structural failure in the seventy-two-story building. Some speculate that a combination of temperature changes, gusts of wind, and a subway running below the streets might be the cause. But the building is twenty years old, and those conditions have never caused such shaking in the past. After three days of such shaking, the building was finally shut down as officials discussed what to do.

SHAKING IN THE BOAT

Jesus was asleep in the boat as the disciples rowed across the Sea of Galilee. A sudden storm blew in, bringing high winds and waves and causing even the fishermen among them to panic. Though the architect of the universe was right there with them, and surely He wouldn’t perish in a freak wind, they feared for their lives.

  1. What’s the most frightened you’ve ever been?
  2. What have you learned about the relationship between fear and faith?
  3. How would the disciples’ actions have been changed if they had acted out of faith instead of fear?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to the “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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In the World–June 6, 2021

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FAITH OVER WORRY ON D-DAY

Sunday marks the 77th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Though there are fewer and fewer veterans of that day still living, we have the writings of many. On that day, the men in the landing boats were almost entirely defenseless. After riding in a landing craft to Omaha Beach, Chaplain John G. Burkhalter wrote home: “It was a pure miracle we even took that beach at all. Yes, there were a lot of miracles on the beach that day. As we approached the French coast I began praying more earnestly than ever, and our assault craft was miraculously spared.” Amidst the anxiety of that harrowing landing under deadly enemy fire, all Burkhalter had to protect him was hope in the Lord.

FAITH OVER WORRY TODAY

Today’s text is a favorite of many. How powerful are Jesus’ words reminding us of God’s tender care and His loving attention upon us. If the Lord spares the time and effort to care for blades of grass and the smallest of birds, how much more must He care for us! Assured that He is tending to those things and armored by His attentiveness, we can shift our focus from our anxieties to doing His will.

  1. When have you been the most worried?
  2. How do you cope with worry when it comes upon you now?
  3. When have you asked God to meet a need, and He met it?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to the “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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In the World–May 30, 2021

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COMPASSION FOR THE HURTING

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. This May, one couple was dining at a restaurant in Buffalo, NY, and noticed a semicolon tattoo on the wrist of their server, Katie Battel. A semicolon is used when a writer could’ve chosen to end a sentence but chose not to; in the same way, a semicolon tattoo shows that the person has chosen not to end his or her life. The couple left a nice tip for Katie and a note saying they were so glad she was still here. What they didn’t know was that Katie’s suicidal thoughts had returned lately. “It was just like a sign,” she told a reporter. “Like, ‘Hey, girl, we know you’re going through it again, but … here’s a little boost to help you keep going.’ ” An act of compassion helped give this young woman a future.

COMPASSION FOR THE SINFUL

When Jonah finally preached God’s message of doom in the heart of Nineveh, he could hardly have guessed the city’s reaction. While he was still hoping for them to reject God’s warning and suffer His judgment, they took the prophecy seriously. From the king in his palace to the lowliest livestock, all put on sackcloth and fasted, together begging the Lord to show compassion on them and turn His wrath away.

  1. When you hear the words Mental Health Awareness Month, who or what comes to mind?
  2. What’s a dark outcome you or someone else turned from, and what caused the change?
  3. Do you regularly pray for those who hurt you? Explain your answer.

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to the “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–May 23, 2021

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IRRESPONSIBILITY IN SPACE

This month, China’s space agency successfully placed in orbit the first module of its new space station. However, the main rocket used to launch it was not caused to burn up in the atmosphere or controlled to splash down in the ocean, as NASA and other space agencies do. Instead, the 20-ton Chinese rocket entered orbit, which meant it would then fall to earth at some point—and in some random location, possibly on a populated area. Thankfully, it eventually splashed down in the Indian Ocean. However, “China was just playing the odds,” said Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. “They decided … ‘We’ll take the risk and we’ll pay compensation if it hits anything.’ ”

IRRESPONSIBILITY WITH SIN

In Ezekiel’s day, the Israelites thought they were not responsible for their own deeds. They played the odds too, hoping God would put the punishment for their sins onto the next generation, instead. God’s message for them was that He holds every person responsible for his or her own sin—and that the person who does not sin would certainly not be punished for the sins of the previous generation.

  1. What’s an example of someone who hoped to escape punishment by letting the responsibility fall on others?
  2. What’s the difference between taking responsibility for one’s own actions and acknowledging one’s complicity with the actions of others?
  3. When have you wanted someone else to take responsibility for their actions or choices?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–May 16, 2021

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Download “In the World” for May 16, 2021  here.

A COACH’S CHOICE

The NFL draft took place a couple of weeks ago. The San Francisco 49ers traded up to have the third overall pick in the draft because they sorely needed a quarterback. The first two teams to make their picks were virtually guaranteed to also pick quarterbacks, and pretty much everyone knew who those first two picks would be. So the 49ers had to select from the young quarterbacks who remained. As sportswriter Josh Shrock put it, the choice for 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is whether he would take one player who was “NFL-ready” but might have already reached his potential or another player who wasn’t as ready but whose potential might be unlimited. “Two paths stretch before Shanahan,” Shrock wrote. “Which one he walks will determine the course of his and the 49ers’ future.” He decided to draft the young player with potential, Trey Lance.

A KING’S CHOICE

King Zedekiah was in a terrible spot. However, Jeremiah made the situation crystal clear to him: you are going to Babylon either way. Your only choice is whether or not you’re going to bring about the deaths of your family and the destruction of Jerusalem too. The capital of David, the home of the temple, and the resting place of the ark of the covenant, not to mention all his sons and the other citizens inside Jerusalem, were in the king’s power to save. Sadly, Zedekiah chose poorly, and great was the suffering that followed.

  1. When have you or someone else taken a complicated situation and found a way to boil it down to a very clear choice?
  2. What was an example of when you had an extremely important decision to make? How did you decide?
  3. Why do you think King Zedekiah chose as he did?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–May 9, 2021

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SECRET PLOT EXPOSED BY A PHOTO

British television network ITV has begun shooting a dramatic portrayal of a notorious crime committed in 2002. John and Anne Darwin, an English couple in their sixties decided to fake John’s death in a canoeing accident in order to claim nearly $1 million in insurance payouts. The scam involved Anne reporting John’s death to police and then lying to their two sons, who were devastated by the loss of their father. Meanwhile, John lived in a secret room for five years, using the stolen money to plan for he and Anne to begin a new life in Panama. Their crime was discovered when an amateur sleuth, acting on a tip, Googled “John,” “Anne,” and “Panama” and found an image of the couple in Panama, and then contacted media and the police. The treacherous plans the Darwins kept secret were revealed to the world, and their expectations were thwarted.

SECRET PLANS EXPOSED BY THE LORD

People in Isaiah’s day thought they could hide their treacherous plans from the Lord. They went to great lengths to do so, and they were confident that He would never find out. One of their worst offenses was that they claimed to honor the Lord with their words and offerings, but their hearts were far from Him. Their hypocrisy would bring about God’s judgment, and their expectations of deception would all be dashed. But God nevertheless remained with His arms stretched out to His people and gave them hope for the future.

  1. What’s an example of someone you know who tried to deceive but whose plans fell apart?
  2. How do we sometimes claim to honor God but don’t?
  3. Since we know God understands our private thoughts, why do we sometimes think we can hide from the Lord?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–May 2, 2021

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FALSE TESTIMONY GIVEN TO SWAY A JURY

Last month, the Indiana Court of Appeals reexamined the case of a man sentenced to 55 years in prison for the murder of an elderly woman in 2002. Andrew Royer was convicted of the murder due largely to testimony that was coerced, falsified, and later disproved, and now the court is deciding whether or not to “vacate” the previous conviction. The detective in the case was removed from other cases for making misleading statements to attorneys. It was also revealed that the key witness was paid for her testimony and threatened with having her children taken from her if she didn’t comply. Falsehoods were presented to the legal authority in order to bring about someone’s desired outcome.

TRUE TESTIMONY GIVEN TO JUDGE A KING

When King Ahab wanted to find out if an attack against the Arameans at Ramoth-Gilead would succeed, he sent for the prophet Micaiah. All of Ahab’s other advisors were telling him that God would surely give him the victory, and even Micaiah said the same. But Micaiah did so, he explained, because God had ordained that Ahab must die in the battle. He essentially said, “Sure, go ahead, my king. It is God’s will for you to fight them. Not for you to win, however.” Truth was spoken to the king in order to bring about God’s desired outcome.

  1. When has false testimony been used against you or someone you know?
  2. Why is it sometimes hard to speak truth to those in power?
  3. If we feel we must speak truth to someone in authority, how can we be sure we’re delivering God’s will and not just speaking from our own mind or preferences?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–April, 25, 2021

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A DRONE HEARS A CRY FOR HELP

Drones are used to search for lost hikers or survey areas devastated by flood or earthquake. However, the most common way for people in need of rescue to be found is when rescuers hear them crying out for help. Until now, drones have not been able to listen for these pleas. Even if a drone had a microphone, all it would pick up would be the sound of the drone’s rotors. Dotterel Technologies, a drone manufacturer in New Zealand, has solved this by including both a directional microphone and an onboard processor that filters out the sound of the drone itself. “Many missing people are found by rescuers listening for voice appeal in hard-to-reach locations,” says Auckland search and rescue leader Brandon McCarthy. “The ability to quickly extend our hearing range is of high value.” These drones are no longer deaf to cries for help.

GOD LISTENS TO A CRY FOR HELP

The people of Judah were left in devastation after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and carried many into exile. In the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah, appropriately nicknamed the weeping prophet, described the people’s distress and dismay. They admitted their sins but wondered why God seemed deaf to their cries—or perhaps too angry at them to consider reconciliation. He did hear and would reconcile, but the consequences for their sin had to be carried out through Babylon, God’s instrument of judgment.

  1. When has someone’s cries for help brought you to their aid?
  2. How has God seemed slow to hear your cries?
  3. When has someone’s consequences extended even beyond the person’s repentance?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–April 18, 2021

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BUILDING ISRAEL’S DEFENSES TODAY

Modern-day Israel is surrounded by hostile nations. One of its primary foes, Iran, is seeking nuclear weapons capability, a development that senior Israeli military officials believe could spark a nuclear arms race in the region. “The United States is [now] looking at other regions,” IDF Brig. Gen. Tal Kalman said in an interview this month, “and doesn’t want to invest as much in ours.” Israel needs to develop new tools to better deal with Iran, even on Iran’s own territory, he says. “When you’re competing against an intelligent, strategic actor who plays long term, you need to act to influence his intentions. For that, you need to act also in other places and in other ways.”

BUILDING ISRAEL’S DEFENSES CENTURIES AGO

Israel after the Exile was surrounded by enemies, as well. When Nehemiah returned from Persia to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he understood that he would be doing so amidst great opposition. Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite servant, and Geshem the Arab mocked the Jewish people who were rebuilding the city’s defenses. In the face of their pressure and threats, Nehemiah urged his countrymen to rebuild the walls and gates so as to restore their strength and remove their disgrace.

  1. What level of peace do you think is possible in relations between Israel and its enemies?
  2. When have you tried to build something despite strong opposition?
  3. In what ways does the Christian life stand in conflict with the surrounding culture?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–April 11, 2021

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STATELESS BY THEIR OWN CHOICES

Four years after the fall of ISIS, the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, many women and children remain in limbo. More than 500 young women born in the West left their homes to help the Islamic cause and marry ISIS fighters. Some may have been misled and mistreated, but all abandoned their citizenship to join the new Caliphate. A few weeks ago, twenty-one-year-old Shamima Begum, originally from London, lost her court case to be reinstated as a British citizen after marrying an ISIS member in 2015. The tribunal who heard her case refused to repatriate her, citing national security concerns. Whatever the factors that led to her situation, they said, Begum is stateless “as a result of her own choices.”

MATELESS BY THEIR OWN CHOICES

Following the Exile to Babylon, three waves of Jewish citizens were allowed to return to Israel to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. Though they had been exiled as punishment for violating God’s Law, the returning Israelites continued to sin, most notably by marrying foreign women. Ezra cried out to God, and the people agreed to send their foreign wives away, showing how costly it may be to follow God after making bad choices.

  1. If you sat as a judge hearing a case like Begum’s, how would you decide if the person was a national security risk or a victim of fraud and lies?
  2. What’s something significant you’ve given up to follow Jesus?
  3. How have bad choices—yours or someone else’s—resulted in pain or sin?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–April 4, 2021

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HIS LIFE GIVEN FOR MANY

Three weeks ago, Tampa Bay police officer Jesse Madsen took Interstate 275 home after his shift. Madsen, father of three and a seven-time recipient of the Tampa Police Department’s Life-Saving Award, saw a car coming toward him, racing the wrong way at over 100 mph. The driver, probably intoxicated, was almost certain to cause multiple accidents and possibly many fatalities. So Officer Madsen intentionally veered into the car’s path. Both men died in the fiery collision, but no one else was injured. “Officer Madsen is a true American hero,” said police Chief Brian Dugan. “He deliberately moved his patrol car into the other driver’s path of travel … to stop this wrong way driver from putting anyone else’s life in danger by laying down his own.”

HIS LIFE GIVEN FOR ALL

This weekend we celebrate Easter, when the greatest act of personal sacrifice in history was overwhelmed by resurrection. Isaiah 53, our passage today, is one of the most remarkable Old Testament descriptions of the Messiah, later revealed to be Jesus. To make a way for all humanity to be offered salvation from something even worse than physical death, Jesus deliberately offered His life in exchange for us all. May we worship Him in awe.

  1. What is the greatest act of sacrifice for the sake of others that you have ever seen or heard of anyone making?
  2. Which aspect of Christ’s suffering, crucifixion, death, burial, or resurrection is most meaningful to you this year?
  3. How could you honor the family of a fallen police officer, firefighter, soldier, or other hero?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–March 28, 2021

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WOMEN OF COURAGE

On March 8, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden helped the U.S. State Department honor twenty-one women with the International Women of Courage Award. Seven of the women had been murdered in Afghanistan while serving their communities. The other fourteen were from were from Belarus, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Venezuela. They had all faced tremendous difficulties, and many had endured imprisonment, threats, and violence. “You see, courage isn’t really found,” Biden said. “It’s an intentional decision made.”

MAN OF COURAGE

The prophet Elijah made an intentional decision to present himself before King Ahab, who was on a murderous rampage to locate him. Obadiah, the king’s official, also had to summon his courage to go to Ahab and promise that he would find Elijah in the place where Obadiah said he would be. If Elijah left or hid himself, Ahab would certainly have had Obadiah executed. But Obadiah trusted himself to the Lord and the prophet, and he led Ahab to Elijah, where an epic confrontation was brewing.

  1. What’s the most courageous act you’ve ever witnessed or heard about?
  2. How could you have done what Elijah (or Obadiah) did if you were in their position?
  3. This is Palm Sunday—what courage do you think Jesus or others exhibited on this day?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–March 21, 2021

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HUMAN FORGIVENESS

Last week were the annual Grammy Awards. Secular musician Grace Potter was nominated in two categories. One song from her most recent album is called “Release” and is about forgiveness. The lyrics speak about how she’s loosing someone, perhaps herself, from resentment. “Back when I first wrote a piece of the chorus,” Potter said, “I didn’t really know what forgiveness would feel like because I wasn’t there yet.” But over time, she came to understand “that forgiveness is the most beautiful feeling you can have; to really go through the cathartic, angry and overwhelming emotions that grief or loss can bring on” and find release.

DIVINE FORGIVENESS

Through the prophetess Huldah, God had proclaimed disaster upon Jerusalem because the people had turned to idols. But the current ruler of Judah, King Josiah, was deeply grieved over the nation’s behaviors and the coming judgment from God. He tore his robes and wept before the Lord in confession, and God was pleased. Huldah gave instructions that Josiah should be told that the judgment had been delayed until after the king’s death. His humility before God brought a release and a reprieve to the whole nation.

  1. What song, fictional story, or poem has ever moved you to release bitterness?
  2. When have you witnessed someone give authentic confession of wrongdoing?
  3. Who benefits the most from forgiveness?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–March 14, 2021

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CHAINS OF IRON BROKEN

Contrary to popular understanding, the historical St. Patrick was a courageous Christian missionary. He was a Roman Briton captured as a teenager by Irish pirates, and yet after his escape, God called him back to the land of his enslavement. Based on one of Patrick’s own surviving letters, we know that he was once clapped in irons by local warlords because of his testimony for Christ. “They stole everything they found in our possession, and they bound me in iron,” he wrote. However, “On the fourteenth day, the Lord set me free from their power; all our possessions were returned to us for God’s sake.” Mighty chains could not hold back the plan of God for His servant.

WALLS OF STONE THROWN DOWN

Nor could mighty walls hold back the plan of God for His people. Today’s passage contains the story of how God supernaturally cast down the walls of Jericho to give His people the victory. From the instructions God gave Joshua and the lack of any assault on the walls by the people, it was clear that this incredible conquest came directly from the hand of the Lord.

  1. How does knowing about the real St. Patrick encourage you on the holiday named for him?
  2. What have you seen happen that could be only from the hand of God?
  3. When has God asked you to take Him on faith for something that seemed impossible?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–March 7, 2021

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LISTENING WITH PERSEVERANCE

On February 18, NASA landed its Perseverance Rover on the surface of Mars. In addition to amassing incredible photos and video of the landing itself, an onboard microphone recorded the first-ever direct sounds from another planet. At a press conference on February 22, the audio recording was played, and the sense of the world holding its breath and leaning forward to hear it was palpable. After the whirring of the rover itself was filtered out, the puff of Martian winds was clearly audible. On a barren plain 129.9 million miles away, an alien wind blew, and humans strained to hear.

LISTENING FOR DELIVERANCE

In our passage today, the children of Israel wondered how they could tell the difference between the words of a false prophet and the words of a prophet sent from God. They were leaning forward to hear, but there was interference that made discernment difficult—and their very deliverance as a people rested on hearing correctly. God told Moses to have the people watch to see if the alleged prophet’s words came true. If they didn’t, that person was not a prophet sent from God.

  1. What’s the most memorable sound you’ve ever heard?
  2. When have your ears told you that something was wrong or dangerous?
  3. How do you know when you’re hearing from God, from yourself, or from some other source?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–February 28, 2021

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OVERCOMING DIVISIONS FOR DEMOCRACY

Earlier this month in the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar, the military overthrew the democratically elected government and seized control of the country. The nation is normally divided by a wide array of religious, ethnic, and regional factions all fighting the government and sometimes each other. But in demonstrations across Myanmar this month, citizens have set aside their differences to jointly call for the military to reverse its coup. “What is happening right now is not about party politics,” said Ke Jung, a youth leader from a remote Indian border area. “It is a fight for the [democratic] system.”

OVERCOMING DIVISIONS FOR THE GOSPEL

How odd it must have been for Paul to be speaking not in a synagogue but on a riverbank, and not to Jewish men but to Gentile women. Yet that is the scenario the Apostle encountered in the Roman colony city called Philippi when he taught Lydia and the other women. Yet with the Gospel, God was tearing down the old, man-made divisions so that all the world could be offered salvation in Christ.

  1. What divisions—social, economic, political, etc.—have held you back in your life?
  2. When have you seen someone cross a boundary to reach out to someone else?
  3. What divisions might you dare set aside for the gospel?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–February 21, 2021

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CO-TEACHING FOR INCLUSION

Early last year, the DuBois Area School District in northwestern Pennsylvania announced they would no longer be providing special education services for its sending districts. So one area school, Jefferson County Vocational Technical School, decided it would find a way to continue offering special ed to its students. Turning to its own personnel, school officials devised a co-teaching arrangement and an all-inclusive approach. “Co-teaching involves a regular instructor and a special ed. instructor working together to present the lesson,” explained Special Education Supervisor Amber Hathorn this month. This method “allows all learners to be in the regular education environment and learning at the same time as their peers.” Teaching teams are making a difference in this school.

CO-TEACHING FOR THE KINGDOM

Among the Apostle Paul’s many co-laborers were the husband-wife team of Priscilla and Aquila. These two tentmakers from Rome became believers in Christ and joined Paul’s ministry in Corinth. They were an effective gospel partnership, co-teaching the believers in Ephesus and also the gifted apologist named Apollos. Paul even declares that Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for him (Romans 16:4). We are called to work together to explain the gospel.

  1. When has a partnership with someone helped you achieve more than you could do alone?
  2. Who is a “power couple” you admire, and why?
  3. What other pairs of people did God use in Acts to further the Gospel?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–February 14, 2021

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DECLARING HIS LOVE FOR HER

On Valentine’s Day, we give thought to voicing our affection for our loved ones. Celebrity Peloton cycling instructor Ally Love recently got engaged to her long-time boyfriend, Andrew Haynes. He took her to one of her favorite places in the world, a beach in Mexico, and surprised her by dropping to one knee and proposing. When she said yes, the private fireworks display he had arranged was set off, and the couple are now planning their wedding.

DECLARING OUR LOVE FOR HIM

When Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared first to the faithful women such as Mary Magdalene who had followed Him in His ministry. They first testified to the world of His resurrection, and they were effective communicators of the Lord’s victory over sin, death, and hell, supporting the advance of the kingdom of God.

  1. What’s the most extravagant or romantic way you’ve ever voiced your love to someone?
  2. Which is your favorite (or least favorite) thing about Valentine’s Day?
  3. What do you imagine it was like for the women who followed Jesus during His ministry?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–February 7, 2021

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TESTIFYING TO THE GREATNESS OF TEAMMATES

Today (Sunday) is when Super Bowl 55 is scheduled to be played. After the championship games two weeks before, both winning teams went to great lengths to testify to the worthiness of their teammates, coaches, opponents, and fans. Each offense lauded its defense, and vice versa. When singer John Legend tweeted “Hire. Eric. Bienemy.” [sic] to encourage some NFL team to hire Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy as head coach (after the Super Bowl), the Chiefs’ official Twitter feed answered, “What. He. Said.” In the day of victory, people are quick to testify to the greatness of others.

TESTIFYING TO THE GREATNESS OF JESUS

When the Samaritan woman spoke with Jesus at Jacob’s Well (John 4), she became convinced that He was the long-awaited Messiah. She left her water jar behind and rushed back to her town to testify to anyone who would listen that she had found the one they’d been longing for. An entire population came to faith because she was willing to testify.

  1. When have you been so excited about something that you just had to tell someone else?
  2. What was it like (or what do you imagine it would be like) to testify in court?
  3. What part (if any) did a witness’s testimony play in your path to salvation?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–January 31, 2021

By "In the World"

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WOMEN ARE VALUED IN ICELAND

Sara Sigmundsdottir is one of the world’s top female CrossFit athletes. She is from Iceland, which has produced a disproportionate number of world-class contenders in this fitness category for its population of only 360,000. Many have wondered why this is so. Some credit the shieldmaiden legacy of Viking women. Others mention the toughness demanded by life in the cold land of volcanoes and geysers. In more recent years, people have pointed to the fact that Iceland has the world’s best male and female parity policies, enforced by many laws and agencies and mandated as a teaching throughout the school years. Sara praises the opportunities given by her homeland, and she channels these into her work ethic. “I want to prove that if you set your mind to something and work hard for it,” she says, “you will get it.”

WOMEN ARE VALUED IN GOD’S KINGDOM

From the beginning, God has set men and women on equal footing. Scripture is full of stories of the Lord’s high regard for women. Jesus was considered controversial for how He consistently valued those whom society had labeled as outcasts, including women. Today’s Scriptures remind us that Jesus expects women to have integral parts in the establishment of His kingdom, including the sacred act of divine prophecy.

  1. If God considers men and women to be of equal value, why have societies not shared that view?
  2. How have women been more recognized for their importance in your lifetime?
  3. How do we put God’s high value of women into daily practice?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–January 24, 2021

By "In the World"

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UNIFIED BY THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT

As we anticipate the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, we may recall that the 2008 Beijing Games were the scene of an incredible display of Olympic spirit. The Danish sailing team was favored to win the gold medal in the men’s 49er competition, but in rough seas just before the final race began, their mast broke. When the team from Croatia, who had not qualified for the medal race, heard that the Danish team needed a boat, they sprinted to the marina to get theirs rigged for the race. “For them it was just a natural thing to do—‘These boys need a boat, we have a boat, they’re getting our boat,’” one of the Danish sailors recalled. “They were true legends, really nice guys showing true sportsmanship.” The Danish team went on to win gold.

UNIFIED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Christians around the world and across time are united by the Holy Spirit. Truly, we may have more in common with a brother or sister from a completely different culture or era than we do with our next-door neighbor. Jesus prayed that the world would comprehend that this unity is a sign that the same Spirit is within us all, which would be a further testimony that He and the Father are one.

  1. What club, alma mater, or affiliation best unites you with people who are otherwise strangers to you?
  2. If there were no language barrier, what could you talk about with a believer in a very different culture?
  3. How well or poorly do you think the world sees unity in the Church, and why do you think that is?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–January 17, 2021

By "In the World"

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EMPLOYEES MADE WHOLE

In April of last year, the aldermen of Starkville, Mississippi, instituted a 20 percent pay cut for many of its city employees. The goal was to compensate for the drastic reduction in sales tax revenue due to COVID-19. Pay for these employees was returned to its normal level in July. But then, in November, the city approved a measure to compensate those employees with a 20 percent pay increase for the same amount of time that the pay reduction ran. “I think it was incredibly important to make those people whole,” Mayor Lynn Spruill said. “It was a matter of fairness and equity, since we have the capability to do it.”

FORGIVENESS MADE WHOLE

When Jesus healed the man with paralysis who had been lowered through the roof, He said the man’s sins were forgiven. Some teachers of the Law took offense at this, thinking He was blaspheming, since only God can forgive sins. Jesus pointed out that it was easier to say that a person was forgiven than to declare that the person was healed, because the former is invisible while the latter can be immediately ascertained. To prove that He could do the invisible forgiving, he performed the visible healing. Jesus makes us whole in all ways.

  1. When have you seen someone “made whole” in a financial sense?
  2. What’s something that is easy to claim but hard to prove?
  3. In what ways have you been broken by life or sin but made whole by Jesus?

Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–January 10, 2021

By "In the World"

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CAREER CHANGE TO EMPOWER WOMEN

In 2014, Chiney Ogwumike was chosen #1 in the WNBA draft. She played in the US and also in Italy in China. As a basketball player, she used her platform for “uplifting and amplifying women in particular.” But major injuries—knee and Achilles tendon—forced her out of professional sports. She changed careers when she had the opportunity to work for ESPN. For her, broadcasting is a place “where my perspective can matter and [I can] also create other opportunities for other people that look like me.”

CAREER CHANGE TO FISH FOR MEN

When Peter saw Jesus provide the miraculous catch of fish, he knew his life would be forever changed. He fell to his knees, as Isaiah had done long before, in the presence of Almighty God. Jesus raised him up and gave him a new career—no longer as a fisherman but as a fisher-of-men. He joined Jesus’ mission to bring salvation to the world.

  1. What’s the most radical career change you’ve ever heard of anyone making?
  2. How has your life’s path been influenced by your faith in the Lord?
  3. In what ways do people change when they encounter God through faith in Christ?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–January 3, 2021

By "In the World"

Download “In the World” for January 3, 2021 here.

DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD

Many of today’s young people are keenly interested in committing their lives to careers that will actually do good in the world. A recent article published for Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, Canada, highlights study programs the school offers that lead to jobs that aim to make people feel empowered “to enact change in the real world.” These include degrees preparing students for careers as wildlife ecologists, social workers, health care assistants, or environmental scientists. We all want to know, the article says, that “what we do in our day-to-day lives has some positive impact on those around us.”

GOOD NEWS FOR THE WORLD

Jesus’ sermon in the synagogue in Nazareth officially launched His mission to proclaim good news to the world. The message He came to give would have positive impact in the context of first-century Israel, but His eyes were on the whole cosmos and into eternity. He came to set the oppressed free, in both the physical and spiritual realms. Jesus calls His followers to the same mission.

  1. What opportunities do you have for bettering the world through your Christian witness?
  2. If you had access to unlimited resources, how would you proclaim the gospel to the world?
  3. How do you minister to people around you who don’t seem to realize that they need to be set free from sin?

Additional Resources

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Get unlimited access to “Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” podcast when you sign up for our Church Support Program: https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/

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Copyright © 2021 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–December 27, 2020

By "In the World"

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UP TO THE OWNER TO PROVE HIS CONCERN IS SINCERE

Last month, Steven Cohen, the new owner of the New York Mets baseball team, asked for ideas for how to improve “the Mets experience” for the team’s longsuffering fans. He engaged with several fans on Twitter, responding with sincerity and even affection. “Being open and sincere with fans is a good way to win them over and create trust,” reported Chris Cwik for Yahoo!Sports. However, as Cwik points out, “None of this guarantees Cohen will be a good owner…. It’s possible this is the best it ever gets between Cohen and the Mets’ fanbase.” But it’s an encouraging sign. In the end, whatever improvement he promises, “It will be up to Cohen to prove he’s willing to make that happen.”

UP TO THE PEOPLE TO PROVE THEIR REPENTANCE IS SINCERE

John the Baptist drew many people to his message of repentance. Those flocking to him were committing to changing their lives in anticipation of the Messiah’s arrival. Or they were at least pretending to make that commitment. If they had truly repented, John said, they needed to match their actions with their words. Real change is internal and will show itself in external behaviors.

  1. Who have you seen radically change behaviors to match a new set of beliefs?
  2. When have you seen someone’s professed reforms not matched by reformed behavior?
  3. As you move into 2021, what change would you like to see in your attitudes and actions?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–December 20, 2020

By "In the World"

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GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS TO DANCE

The performing arts have been hit hard by the pandemic. Audiences can’t gather and performers can’t be near one another. This fall, the Tulsa Ballet was committed to exceeding expectations both of audiences and the CDC. They rehearsed while wearing masks and standing no closer than six feet apart, breathing air purified through a system obtained by a grant. They allowed only thirty people in the audience, separated by empty seats. Their performances were shorter, due to the difficulty of dancing while wearing masks. They learned the dances via video from a choreographer in Amsterdam. As for the annual Christmas performance of The Nutcracker, it had to be canceled so as to not risk the health of the more than one hundred children in the cast. But the company feels that artists who are forced to be even more creative can truly shine.

GOING TO GREAT LENGTHS TO WORSHIP

When ancient astronomers in the Middle East observed great signs in the heavens, a group of them mounted an expedition to see what the signs were heralding. They upended their lives, perhaps for a year or more of travel, to journey to Israel and give homage to the king whose birth was announced in the stars.

  1. What are the greatest lengths you have gone to help someone or achieve something?
  2. What could happen that would make you leave your home for a year or more?
  3. If you had been there to meet the holy family, what would you have wanted to say or do?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–December 13, 2020

By "In the World"

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UNAFRAID TO ATTEMPT A RESCUE

This fall, on a rainy night in Greenacres, Florida, a car lost control, went off the busy highway, and landed in a flooded canal. Off-duty Battalion Chief Frank Marciante witnessed the accident and stopped. The car was already submerged to the top of its windows. Nevertheless, Marciante dove in, reached the young woman through the passenger side, and pulled her to safety. “If it was not for his willingness to put her life before his, the outcome would have been very different,” Fire Chief Brian Fuller said. “There were many other witnesses to this accident; however, only one got out of his vehicle and dove into the water to save her.”

UNAFRAID TO OBEY GOD’S COMMAND

When Joseph learned that Mary, his betrothed, was pregnant, he was doubtlessly outraged. Evidently, there was also an element of fear involved, because when the angel appeared to him in a dream, he told Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary for his wife. Perhaps Joseph was afraid of the social consequences of marrying her or of the scorn he and Mary—or the baby—might have to endure. But when he was assured that God was commanding him to marry her, he set his fears aside.

  1. When has fear held you back from doing something you wanted to do?
  2. What fears might prevent a wedding from going through as planned?
  3. If you have felt God calling you do to something scary, what did you do?

Additional Resources

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www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–December 6, 2020

By "In the World"

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LISTENING TO THE VIRTUAL TEACHER

With schools operating remotely due to COVID-19, many parents of young students found themselves being “helicopter parents.” Virginia Riggs, a stay-at-home mom in Chicago with three young children, sits beside them all day long to make sure they pay attention to their teachers. Her pre-K son refuses to use the unmute button on the computer when called on, so Virginia has to do so for him. All three kids fidget and sometimes get up and leave during class, and it’s a struggle to get them to listen to what their teachers are calling them to do. “The first couple of days last week,” Virginia admits, “I didn’t even eat or take a shower.”

LISTENING TO THE AWAITED MESSIAH

Both Matthew and the writer of Hebrews go to great lengths to emphasize the importance of heeding the call of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. Humanly speaking, Jesus has a royal heritage, descending from King David. Divinely speaking, Jesus is the radiance and glory of God the Father and the agent through whom all Creation was made. When Jesus issues a call, we must pay attention.

  1. How easy (or hard) is it to listen to a speaker who isn’t in the room with you?
  2. Who do you know with an impressive lineage or genealogy?
  3. What makes the commands that Jesus gives worth listening to?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–November 29, 2020

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PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT LEADS TO DEFEAT

The NBA championship is behind us for this year, but part of the reason one team did not advance in the playoffs was the preferential treatment given to a star player. Los Angeles Clippers’ superstar Kawhi Leonard was reportedly given the authority to take himself out of games whenever he wished, to simply skip games to rest, and to live in another city. The latter frequently made him late for team flights. “When you’re one of the best players in the world, and responsible for so much of the success, the organization is going to take care of you,” wrote one reporter. “Fair or not, that’s just how it works. At a certain point, though, a line can be crossed where that arrangement starts negatively affecting other players, and that’s when things can go bad.”

PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT LEADS TO SIN

James wrote to early Christians who were bending over backward to give preferential treatment to rich people who attended their church gatherings. They also treated the poor badly, making them stand in the back or sit on the floor. Such discrimination—in favor of those who were likely to exploit or defraud others—was a gross misrepresentation of the gospel.

  1. Why do we tend to give preferential treatment to the rich, beautiful, or famous?
  2. In what ways does God honor the poor?
  3. How could you emulate God’s impartiality today?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–November 22, 2020

By "In the World"

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GOOD MOTIVES—GOOD GAME

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson recently listed his motives for doing his very best to lead his team. His top motivation, he said, was his Christian faith, “because God’s given me this opportunity.” At least one sports writer comments that Wilson makes his faith “evident nearly every time he speaks publicly.” His second motive is his family. “I want my kids one day to see that Dad was able to do everything he could to leave it on the line for the family,” Wilson said. He also likes winning and wants to be the best in the game. Good motives result in a good example to emulate.

BAD MOTIVES—TAINTED ACT

In the early days of the Church, one couple tried to counterfeit their devotion to God, but they were found out. Ananias and Sapphira, a married couple, sold a piece of land and falsely told the Apostles that they had donated the entire purchase price to the Church. Had they simply explained that they had kept part of the proceeds for other purposes but were donating the rest, the act might’ve been pure. But by giving part yet saying they had given all, perhaps to gain more glory, they revealed their sinful motives, and God held them accountable.

  1. On Thanksgiving, we express gratitude for our blessings. How can motives—good or bad—play a part in our speech and behavior during a holiday season?
  2. Where might someone’s motives become obvious in how they play a game or perform any task?
  3. Why do you think God dealt so severely with Ananias and Sapphira?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–November 15, 2020

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KINDNESS LOUDER THAN HATE

In September, legal developments in the UK edged a trial date closer for two Britons accused of terrorist killings. Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh had traveled to Syria to fight with ISIS. They are on trial for executing British humanitarian aid worker David Haines in 2013. His brother, Mike Haines, initially desired revenge for David’s murder, but he has since devoted his life to teaching kindness and warning of the dangers of radicalization. “The voices of hatred are loud and in all sorts of places,” Mike says. “But kindness is strong and deep…. Kindness is the greatest force in this world.”

LOVE OVERCOMING HATE

The Apostle John warned believers not to be surprised if the world hated them, and he urged them to show love anyway. Jesus showed sacrificial love, even to those who hated him. Therefore, Jesus models the way we can love our enemies.

  1. When have you seen kindness speak louder than hatred?
  2. Where can you show love even though you might be hated for doing so?
  3. Of what value is a loving act if the person rejects it?

Additional Resources

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In the World–November 8, 2020

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Download “In the World” for November 8, 2020 here.

“Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” is a podcast designed to give you additional insight to lesson context, the key verse, and applying the lesson. And you can share this podcast with your entire class—just copy the URL and email or text the link! https://soundcloud.com/user-809447765/issl-fall-2020-lesson-10Get unlimited access to the weekly lesson podcast and other materials when you sign up for our Church Support Program:  https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/.

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR A SON

This summer, television actress Naya Rivera (33) drowned after getting her son, Josey (4), back into their boat. Rivera, who appeared on TV’s Glee, was a strong swimmer. She had rented a pontoon boat on Lake Piru northwest of Los Angeles and had tweeted the day before how much she and Josey were enjoying spending time “just the two of us.” The boy was later found asleep on the drifting boat, but Rivera’s body was not found for another five days. Experts speculated that she might have been caught in currents that rise up in that lake. Her last act was to save her son’s life.

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR FRIENDS

Jesus called the disciples to love one another with sacrificial love. They could not know how truly Jesus would soon live out this command. No one can show greater love than to lay down his or her life for another person. The idea becomes even more amazing when we realize that the Creator laid down His life for the creature.

  1. What is the strongest illustration of sacrificial love that you have personally witnessed?
  2. How would you characterize our culture’s attitude toward denying oneself for another?
  3. Which of your rights or comforts might you lay down to love someone else?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–November 1, 2020

By "In the World"

Download “In the World” for November 1, 2020 here.

“Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” is a podcast designed to give you additional insight to lesson context, the key verse, and applying the lesson. And you can share this podcast with your entire class—just copy the URL and email or text the link! https://soundcloud.com/user-809447765/issl-fall-2020-lesson-09. Get unlimited access to the weekly lesson podcast and other materials when you sign up for our Church Support Program:  https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/.

FOLLOWING CHRIST’S EXAMPLE

A month ago, Rev. Greg Collins, 59, a minister in North Carolina, died of COVID-19. “Pastor Greg” was praised for his servant’s heart. A fellow minister wrote that it was especially difficult for Greg to “do pastoral care without touching people.” He confessed to sometimes feeling he couldn’t help his church thrive anymore and was just trying to help it survive. “I am going to keep on trying to be the kind of John 3:16 pastor that Greg was,” the writer said. “Love people in Jesus’ name. Serve people in Jesus’ name. And in our loving and serving, it is our prayer that more people will come to know Jesus as their Savior.”

CHRIST SETTING HIS EXAMPLE

Everything in the disciples’ experience said that the way to succeed in life was to gain prominence in the eyes of others. Even three years with Jesus had not fully overturned these beliefs. When Jesus, the most prominent among them, knelt down to wash their feet, it must have seemed so strange—even wrong. Our world values those who gain superiority over others. But God, who has all superiority, takes a servant’s towel and goes to His knees to serve.

  1. Who is the most servant-hearted person you have known?
  2. In what ways does God serve us?
  3. How can you serve others in Jesus’ name this week?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–October 25, 2020

By "In the World"

Download “In the World” for October 25, 2020 here.

“Unpacking This Week’s Lesson” is a podcast designed to give you additional insight to lesson context, the key verse, and applying the lesson. And you can share this podcast with your entire class—just copy the URL and email or text the link! https://soundcloud.com/user-809447765/issl-fall-2020-lesson-08. Get unlimited access to the weekly lesson podcast and other materials when you sign up for our Church Support Program:  https://churchsupport.davidccook.org/.

 

LOVE ME OR DIE

This month, a New Jersey court sentenced Helder Rosa to twenty-three years in prison for aggravated manslaughter. His live-in girlfriend, Leydi Lemos-Delgado, was ending their relationship. The woman’s family told police that Helder Rosa refused to let her leave the relationship, and he obsessively called and texted to find out where she was and who she was with. One day, he took up a knife and killed her. Helder’s idea of love was possession and power, and if Leydi wouldn’t love him, he would “love” her to death.

LOVE ME OR NOT

The love of God is faithful, patient, and humble. It does not demand. It does not control. And it does not punish. Paul’s famous “love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13) is the focus in this week’s lesson. Even having faith or the great power of God is secondary to having His love, Paul says. Jesus is the perfect illustration of the love of God. His love always trusts, always hopes, and always protects.

  1. What’s the best example of human love you’ve seen?
  2. When have you been touched by someone’s false definition of love?
  3. How do you respond to Paul’s statement that love is greater even than faith?

Additional Resources

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In the World–October 18, 2020

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CROSS-CULTURAL MISTAKES

Last month, Disney released its live-action remake of the movie Mulan, a dramatization of the legend of a female warrior from China’s ancient past. The movie failed to capture Chinese moviegoers, primarily because it paid little heed to historical accuracy and themes. “The movie is just a mixture of oriental elements and symbols in the eyes of Westerners,” said one review. Another critic said the movie, “blended conventional settings of traditional Western fairy tales incompatible with Chinese historical stories.” While the movie may have many redeeming qualities, its makers did not work hard enough to depict the actual legend and epoch of Chinese history. It did not maximize its chance to bridge cultures.

CROSS-CULTURAL MINISTRY

Few of Jesus’ parables felt more counter-cultural to the original hearers than the story of the Good Samaritan. Far from being the villain in the story, the Samaritan—despised by the people of Israel as betrayers and heretics—is not only the hero but is depicted as both virtuous and pleasing to God. In spite of what the fictional Samaritan undoubtedly knew the reaction to his actions would be, he nevertheless showed exceptional kindness to someone in need. His compassion to a fellow traveler superseded cultural differences and showed us the example God has set for us.

  1. What is one cultural boundary you would find nearly impossible to cross?
  2. How have you (or someone else) crossed cultural lines in Christ’s name?
  3. Who are people of other cultures in your area who might be in need?

Additional Resources

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In the World–October 11, 2020

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RETURN THE FLAG

During COVID-19, many people have gone through attics and basements, and some have found autographed Japanese flags from World War II. When Japanese soldiers went to war, many tucked into their uniform a flag that had been inscribed with messages from home. Greg Murphy of Portland, Oregon, found such a flag. “I realized then what that flag must have meant for somebody,” he said. “It would be like someone here losing someone and getting their dog tags back.” To commemorate last month’s 75th anniversary since the end of the war against Japan, Murphy sent the flag to an organization that specializes in returning such things. He received notice that the flag had been given to a nephew of the Japanese soldier who had carried it into battle. Murphy contributed to peace through an act of kindness to the family of a former enemy.

TURN THE CHEEK

Loving your enemies means not doing what the world says to do—always fight back, get your revenge on your enemies. Jesus says to show love toward them, something the world would never tell us to do. In this political season, when many people do not believe as we do and are happy to let us know it, our response must be to love them, not yell back at them.

  1. What, if anything, is the difference between letting someone wrong you and letting someone wrong others?
  2. How can we be merciful to our enemies the way God is toward His?
  3. What act of pure kindness could you perform for someone who is your enemy?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–October 4, 2020

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Download “In the World” for October 4, 2020 here.

INTERVENING FOR A STRANGER

Last month, when 18-year-old Waterbury, Connecticut resident Justin Gavin saw a flaming SUV roll past him with a little girl looking out the window, he sprang into action. “I’m yelling, ‘Stop the car! Your car is on fire!’” Gavin recalled, but the driver couldn’t stop. He ran after the vehicle as flames began to consume it and started unloading the three children in the back. This included a 1-year-old baby in a car seat. He then got the mother out just as the fire engulfed the SUV. The police chief awarded Gavin with a “Challenge Coin” medal, one of the highest civilian awards the city gives, hailing the young man as a hero. “I just felt like if I was in that situation,” Gavin said, “I would want somebody to help me out. I guess my instincts took over.”

INTERVENING FOR A FRIEND

As King Saul began his mental and spiritual descent, he gave orders for the execution of young David. The young man had recently saved the nation of Israel by defeating Goliath in single combat. Saul’s son, Jonathan, had developed a friendship with David. So when he heard his father’s irrational command, Jonathan interceded for David. He reminded Saul of how David had helped the kingdom and done the king nothing but good. Saul rescinded his order, and Jonathan brought David back to Saul’s court as before.

  1. When have you been in an emergency situation, and what did you do?
  2. How have you interceded for someone (or how has someone interceded for you)?
  3. What do you think prompted King Saul to give the order for David to be killed?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–September 27, 2020

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Download “In the World” for September 27, 2020 here.

BUILDING TRUST IN A FAMILY

When Tony Hudgell was one month old, his parents intentionally caused such great injury to him that he had eleven fractured bones, multiple damaged organs, and sepsis, all of which led to both of his legs being amputated below the knee. Tony, from King’s Hill, Kent, UK, was placed with an adoptive family and is now six. Tony recently walked more than 10k on his new prosthetic legs to raise $1.2 million for the hospital that saved his life as an infant. The boy’s bubbly personality and loving adoptive family illustrate that God’s love is redeeming his past hurts.

BUILDING TRUST IN THE LORD

Though Joseph’s brothers felt great remorse for how they had betrayed Joseph when he was 17, Joseph himself had a different perspective. He saw God’s hand in it, as their act of cruelty sent Joseph to Egypt where he could interpret Pharaoh’s prophetic dream—a development that resulted in Joseph’s own family being saved. God uses even the worst kinds of human sin to bring about His plan. Nothing can stand in the way of God’s will being done.

  1. How has God redeemed something painful in your own life?
  2. When have you seen kindness or love turn someone’s life around?
  3. How else have you seen God transform tragedy into triumph?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–September 20, 2020

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Download “In the World” for September 20, 2020 here.

LATE REMORSE FOR WHAT HE DID

Last month, Joseph DeAngelo, the infamous Golden State Killer, was sentenced to twelve life sentences plus eight years, without parole. DeAngelo had pleaded guilty to thirteen murders and dozens of rapes committed during the 1970s and 1980s. Throughout the trial and sentencing, he had not shown remorse for his actions. But on the day of sentencing, after receiving statements from victims and their families, DeAngelo said to the courtroom, “I’ve listened to all your statements, each one of them, and I am truly sorry to everyone I hurt.”

GREAT REMORSE FOR WHAT THEY DID

In Egypt, Joseph’s brothers are brought before him to purchase grain for their families suffering in the famine. They do not recognize Joseph, who is now grown, dressed as an Egyptian high official, and using an interpreter to speak with them. He accuses them of treachery and spying, and they express to each other their belief that this is God’s way of punishing them for how they had treated Joseph. Their deep remorse over their actions, overheard in secret by Joseph, causes him to embark on a course that will lead to their great blessing.

  1. How does it feel when someone wrongs you without remorse?
  2. When have you seen true remorse restore a broken relationship?
  3. What is the role of remorse in the Christian life?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–September 13, 2020

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Download “In the World” for September 13, 2020 here.

INSTRUCTIONS FROM A DOCUMENTARY

Ten-year-old Raviraj Saini, of Leeds, England, was swept out to sea while playing in the surf with his dad in Yorkshire last month. The boy is a fan of the BBC2 television documentary series Saving Lives at Sea, which covers rescues by the Royal Navy Lifeboat Institution. The show instructs viewers, if they’re ever in trouble in the water, not to thrash or swim vigorously but to float on their backs, spread-eagled, to conserve energy and to cry out. During his hour in the bay before being rescued, Raviraj remembered this advice and followed it, and it saved his life. “We’re very much in awe of this incredible lad,” said Lee Marton, Coxswain at Scarborough Lifeboat Station, “who managed to remain calm and follow safety advice to the letter in terrifying and stressful circumstances. Had he not, the outcome might have been very different.”

INSTRUCTIONS FROM A SLAVE

In slavery in ancient Egypt, Joseph was called from prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. God gave him the interpretation, and Joseph outlined instructions that the nation must follow to heed this warning and save the people from the ensuing famine. Pharaoh, believing that his kingdom’s very existence depended on it, followed the instructions of a lowly slave, whom he raised to high office. Heeding these instructions brought about the salvation of the nation and advanced God’s master plan.

  1. When have you followed instructions that led to someone’s safety or rescue?
  2. What factors go into your decision to heed or ignore instructions?
  3. How has obeying an instruction from God led to blessing for you or others?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–September 6, 2020

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Download “In the World” for September 6, 2020 here.

INNOCENT OF FAVORITISM

Last month, Pueblo, Colorado Mayor Nick Gradisar was accused—and quickly cleared—of favoritism. The city has been allocating $5 million in COVID-19 relief funds to keep businesses from shutting down, and two local establishments that received grants had connections with Gradisar. A taxpayer wrote to the city council pointing out that $10,000 went to TickTock, a coffee shop owned by the mayor’s niece, and $4,000 went to Stiletto Hair Salon, which the mayor partially owns. The letter accused Gradisar of conflicts of interest. However, “This did not rise to the level of an ethics problem,” said Pueblo City Council President Dennis Flores. The actual decisions were made by an evaluation committee. Flores called the city’s process for distributing aid “squeaky-clean.”

GUILTY OF FAVORITISM

Jacob could have done well with a bit more of a squeaky-clean reputation, himself. Instead, he clearly played favorites with his children. He preferred the “baby,” Joseph, so far above his other children that they hated Joseph—to the point where they couldn’t speak a kind word to him. Conflicts of interest in business can be devastating. Conflicts of interest in families can be deadly.

  1. How have you been touched by favoritism—for you or against you?
  2. What can be done to correct or prevent conflicts of interest?
  3. What do you think was behind Jacob’s favoritism for Joseph?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–August 30, 2020

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ADVICE FROM BELOW

As schools in the West head toward reopening for the fall semester, they would do well not to take the advice that proved harmful in Israel. With the first wave of COVID-19 cases trending nicely downward, the counsel from the government, including the prime minister himself, was to be smart but otherwise “Go out and have a good time.” When schools began, windows were kept open to improve fresh air circulation. But when it got hot outside, the government exempted everyone from wearing masks for four days and allowed schools to shut their windows. The decision was disastrous, as the nation had its largest outbreak of the coronavirus and had to close schools and businesses across the country. The advice that came from humans, especially based on comfort, sounded good but resulted in calamity.

WISDOM FROM ABOVE

James tells us that the wisdom that comes from above—that is, from God—is pure, promotes peace, and results in mercy and good fruit. Wisdom from below produces strife, envy, competitiveness, and selfish ambition. Our world produces advice that is focused on exalting the individual, and this leads to strife. God’s wisdom is focused on exalting God and loving others, and this leads to blessing.

  1. When have you taken advice that sounded good but resulted in disaster?
  2. What’s an example of worldly wisdom that results in conflict or harm?
  3. How have you seen wise advice lead to peace and love in your life?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–August 23, 2020

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Download “In the World” for August 23, 2020 here.

HE SHOULD NOT SPEAK RECKLESSLY

In Ghana this month, a politician was reprimanded in the media for making what his opponents called reckless comments. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, accused military officers conducting traffic stops in the Banda Constituency region of being “drunkards” who “looked like rebels on drugs.” Opponents condemned Asiedu Nketia’s remarks, reminding him repeatedly that he should know better. In this culture, as a person ages, he is expected to gain mastery over his tongue. “He is an elderly man,” said one detractor, “and so he should not talk recklessly.”

WE SHOULD NOT SPEAK RECKLESSLY, EITHER

James reminds his readers how important it is to speak wisely, as well. The tongue is the conduit for both praise and cursing, and though the tongue can be harder to tame than a wild beast, still the wise man will tame it. Reckless words can set the whole course of one’s life on fire.

  1. What consequences result from speaking carelessly?
  2. Why is it sometimes difficult to hold our tongue?
  3. When have you seen how powerful words can be to build someone up?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–August 16, 2020

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DOING SOMETHING ABOUT CHILD TRAFFICKING

Renée Brinkerhoff (age 64) is founder of Valkyrie Racing and its sister organization, Valkyrie Gives. She does cross-country road rallies in her classic Porsche 356. Renée realized years ago that road rallies gave her a platform, and she believed she had been called to raise awareness and funds to fight child trafficking around the world. Valkyrie Gives has now raised over $190,000, 100% of which has gone to vetted projects helping children and women at risk of trafficking. She has raced on every continent except Antarctica, which she plans to do this winter. “The world is full of people who want to see trafficking end,” says Matt Parker of Exodus Road, which rescues children who have been trafficked. “But I wish it was full of people like Renée who will actually do something about it.”

DOING SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR FAITH

James knew that talk is cheap. We can say the right things about the Christian faith, but the things we do show what we really believe. He knew that our actions are a much better revealer of our beliefs than any words that might come out of our mouths. Faith can be expressed by our words, but genuine faith spills out into our deeds.

  1. When have you said you believed one thing but found yourself doing something different?
  2. What is the difference between not living up to one’s ideals and deliberately misleading with words that do not match actions?
  3. What new action could you take to live out one of the core beliefs of Christianity?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–August 9, 2020

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HEARING BUT NOT DOING IN AUSTRALIA

According to a recent survey by two universities, teen boys in Australia are less likely than other groups to observe social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Max Sandler (age 12) of Armadale, a suburb of Perth, worries about this because classes resumed there last month. He is concerned that his peers understand the warnings but don’t think they apply to them. “People do know they should be social distancing,” he says, “but it’s like with a cigarette, you know, ‘Oh, one more won’t hurt’ type of thing.” Teen boys are statistically more likely to push limits and test authority. The survey showed that they are also more likely than teen girls to believe someone of their age who doesn’t follow the COVID safety rules is “cool” for doing so.

HEARING BUT NOT DOING IN THE BIBLE

James warned his readers about the dangers of hearing the wisdom of God but not applying it. It’s good to know God’s Word and to agree with it, but it’s something else entirely to actually do it. It is beautiful when someone who claims to love others proves through action that this is truly so. Our actions are the outworking of what we really believe.

  1. What’s an example of when you or someone else ignored a warning and suffered a natural consequence?
  2. How does it feel when you are observing wise restrictions and others are not?
  3. When have you been able to see what someone actually believed by what they did or did not do?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–August 2, 2020

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Download “In the World” for August 2, 2020 here.

INNOVATION IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP

Minneapolis-area restaurant owners Brian and Sarah Ingram had to shut down their restaurants and send all their workers home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Faced with this hardship, they pivoted and innovated out of love. They teamed with fellow restaurateur Justin Sutherland and began offering free meals outside to any who had need. “At one point,” said a chef working for the group, “we were making almost 500 meals a day to send to hospitals.” In addition to the food, they offered prayer cards and the freedom to send personal requests via e-mail or text. Requests and needs flooded in, as did support and food from the community. Business is booming, but this new way of working came about because of hardship.

WISDOM IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP

James wrote to encourage believers who were undergoing great hardship and trial. He urged them not only not to panic, but to actually consider the calamity as an opportunity for joy. He saw the testing of their faith as the chisel with which God wanted to carve perseverance into them. To be able to pivot in our attitude, not seeking to end the pain as soon as possible but to allow it to complete its good work in us, is the height of wisdom.

  1. What other example can you give of believers serving their community in new ways because of the pandemic?
  2. When has a negative development caused you to find a positive innovation?
  3. Why does God ask us to consider difficulties and trials as opportunities to rejoice?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–July 26, 2020

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Download “In the World” for July 26, 2020 here.

THE WISE DECISION TO STAY BEHIND

Major League Soccer took a four-week suspension due to COVID-19. Earlier this month, the league resumed play with a closed-door event called the “MLS Is Back Tournament” in Orlando. To play, teams had to arrive in Florida and remain sequestered while they were tested for the corona virus. But one player made the decision to skip the tourney and stay home rather than travel with his team, the Los Angeles Football Club. Carlos Vela, the league’s reigning MVP, elected to remain at the side of his wife, who is pregnant. “I would like nothing more than to be with my teammates in Orlando,” Vela said in a statement released by the team. “However, it is in the best interest of the health of my family to stay home and be with my wife during what is a risky pregnancy.”

THE WISE DECISION TO FOLLOW

On the night Jesus was betrayed, He told His disciples that He was the only way of access to His Father. The disciples were confused by much of what the Lord said that night, so Jesus urged them to connect their faith in God to their faith in Him. When they understood that Jesus was in the Father and the Father was in Him, they saw that the wise decision was to follow Him. Indeed, He is the only way.

  1. What’s a decision you made based on your understanding about what was wise or prudent?
  2. When did you not heed godly wisdom, and what happened?
  3. How do you respond when someone says it’s “intolerant” to claim that there’s only one way to God?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–July 19, 2020

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HOW A REFUGEE SHOULD BEHAVE

Majeda Khouri became a refugee from Syria in 2017 after speaking out against the regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. She has made her home in London for now, arranging for her children to be reunited with her from Syria. But rather than adhere to the expectations she feels about what people think a refugee “should” be, she has remained outspoken about her nation’s situation and has become a business owner, opening a catering business. She even catered an event at which she herself gave a speech. The mayor of London expressed surprise at this, and Majeda said, “Yes, I can talk and I can cook!”

HOW A LOCAL BOY SHOULD BEHAVE

Early in Jesus’ ministry, He returned with His disciples to Nazareth and taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath. But the locals who had seen Him grow up wondered where these miracles and this wisdom had come from. They had formed their opinions about Him, and they had trouble seeing Him as something He had never been in their eyes.

  1. What have other people expected you to be that you are not?
  2. Who do you know who has broken the mold and defied expectations? How were that person’s actions received?
  3. Why were the people in Nazareth dismissive of Jesus when He returned to His hometown?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–July 12, 2020

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CORRUPTING DIVINE WISDOM

Hagia Sophia is an ancient cathedral whose name means “Church of Divine Wisdom.” It was built around A.D. 535 in what was then Constantinople on the orders of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. In 1453, when Ottoman forces conquered the city, now called Istanbul, Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque. But in the 1930s, it was made a museum. Last month, Turkish President Erdogan restated his intention to convert this house of the Father’s wisdom back into a mosque and to allow Muslim prayers and readings from the Quran inside its walls. So far, his efforts have been blocked.

DEVELOPING DIVINE WISDOM

Today’s lesson explores how the boy Jesus gained the wisdom He displayed when He questioned the religious teachers in the Temple at age twelve. Though Jesus most likely learned many great lessons in conventional wisdom from his earthly father’s house, He ultimately desired to learn Divine wisdom in His true Father’s house.

  1. What’s an example of wisdom you’ve learned from God?
  2. What’s an example of wisdom you’ve learned from a person?
  3. How much awareness do you think Jesus had as a very young boy that He was God’s Son?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–July 5, 2020

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Download “In the World” for July 5, 2020 here.

ACCEPTING THE WORLD’S WISDOM

Marijuana has now been legalized for recreational use in eleven states and the District of Columbia. The first states to so legalize it were Colorado and Washington (in 2012), followed by Alaska and Oregon (in 2014). The world’s wisdom had been that legalizing marijuana would free up law enforcement to focus on other types of crime, would help many people with medical needs, and would be a boost to personal freedom and choice. Last month, New York Medical College, Valhalla released a study examining the connection between legalized recreational marijuana use and traffic fatalities in the four states where it has been legalized the longest. The study found that traffic fatalities increased about twenty percent in those states. “Legislators in states considering legal commercial sales of marijuana should take the likelihood of increased deaths into consideration when drafting new laws,” says Russel Kamer, MD, who was involved with the study. The world’s wisdom led to many unnecessary deaths.

REJECTING GOD’S WISDOM

The world does not understand godly wisdom even when it sees it. When John the Baptist preached in his ascetic style, many rejected him as being demon-possessed. Yet when Jesus came in a less ascetic style, “eating and drinking,” many accused the Lord of drunkenness and gluttony. When people are turned away from God, godly wisdom looks like foolishness. But people turned toward God recognize godly wisdom in its many guises.

  1. When have you been swayed by the world’s wisdom on something you later realized was not God’s will?
  2. What’s a time when you saw the wisdom in reacting in a way that was contrary to how others were reacting?
  3. What teachings of Jesus seem especially contrary to our current culture’s mindset?

Additional Resources

  1. Music Video, Traditional: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” with Colin Raye
  2. Music Video, Multicultural: “I’m with You/Be Still” by Israel and Adrienne Houghton 
  3. Music Video, Contemporary: “Risen” by Tom Smith
  4. Guzik’s Commentary on Matthew 11
  5. Barclay’s Commentary on Matthew 11
  6. Coffman’s Commentary on Matthew 11

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–June 28, 2020

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A TREEHOUSE BUILT ON FAULTY ADVICE

A dad in South Carolina built a free-standing treehouse for his son this month but was unsure whether it was safe. He sent a note and video to Washington Post DIY columnist Tim Carter. The video is “filled with love and concern,” Carter said, “but it’s also filled with serious building errors.” Upon watching the video, he immediately e-mailed the dad and urged him to stop working on the treehouse and to await a video from Carter that would show how to make the structure safe for his son and friends to play on. This dad “either got very bad advice or, if he found great advice, he failed to follow it,” Carter said. “The Internet is overflowing with conflicting building advice, and if you don’t know what’s right and what’s wrong, it’s easy for you to go down the wrong path.”

A LIFE BUILT ON FAULTY ADVICE

Folly and Wisdom both set up shop in today’s passage from Proverbs. They both position themselves in the marketplace and call out to passersby. They urge people to heed their guidance and to eat the fruit of their very different messages. Advice of any kind is designed to lead the hearer toward a destination. Whereas Wisdom will guide you to life and understanding, death lies at the end of the road for anyone following Folly.

  1. What bad advice have you gotten, and what did it lead to?
  2. When have you ever given advice to someone that you later wished you could take back?
  3. Why do people sometimes ignore good advice and heed bad advice instead?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–June 21, 2020

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THE PURSUIT OF WISDOM IN INDIA

Last month, a bishop in India announced his plan to leave his church duties and live like the hermits of the ancient church. Jacob Muricken desires to lead an ascetic life devoted to God through prayer, meditation, Bible study, and writing. He will live at the top of a nearby hill at an existing monastery called Mar Thoma Sleeha in the Idukki district near the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. Muricken hopes his choice will not be seen as hating the world but as valuing the Lord, “teaching men to look at the world in the right way, fixing our eyes only on God.”

THE PURSUT OF WISDOM WHERE YOU ARE

Today’s passage reminds us, in our Western society and hectic lives, that we too can choose to value the wisdom of God over the desires of the world. Wisdom’s gifts—riches, honor, knowledge, prudence, discretion, and more—are far superior to silver, gold, or anything the world has to offer. We don’t have to step away from our lives to receive these gifts. But we do need to commit to trusting in the wisdom of God over all other competing voices.

  1. What’s an example of a time when you’ve had to choose between the wisdom of God and the world’s desires?
  2. How can God’s ancient wisdom be relevant in today’s troubled and complicated world?
  3. Which verses in Proverbs have proved to be helpful in your life?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–June 14, 2020

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VALUE THE WISDOM OF LEGENDARY PLAYERS

During the lockdown for COVID-19, professional NFL football players have been unable to meet with other players and coaches to prepare for the upcoming season (assuming we have one). This month, legendary quarterbacking brothers Peyton and Eli Manning had some sage advice for quarterbacks across the league. Eli urged the quarterbacks to take ownership of the moment and put in more work, calling extra Zoom meetings with other players. And Peyton affirmed the approach: “Instead of complaining about it, see it as an opportunity to really improve…. I think the team that wins it all this year is gonna be the team that’s really getting an edge during this time.”

VALUE THE WISDOM OF LEGENDARY SAGES

King Solomon was the primary author of the book of Proverbs, though Agur and Lemuel added their wisdom, as well. These keen counselors point out our need to seek wisdom from God. Wisdom has immense value in our lives, bringing joy, provision, safety, success, relational harmony, and the fear of the Lord. Happy is the person who searches for it as if it were treasure.

  1. What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?
  2. Who has been a terrific advisor in your life?
  3. If you were asked to pen a verse or two in the book of Proverbs, what would you write?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–June 7, 2020

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IGNORING WARNINGS LEADS TO DISASTER

On May 22, Pakistan International Airlines flight 8303 crashed in a residential district of Karachi, Pakistan. Ninety-nine passengers and crew were aboard, and all but two perished. Before the crash, air traffic control told the pilot to descend from 10,000 feet to 7,000, but he told controllers he was satisfied with his altitude. Air traffic control contacted the plane when it was nearer to the airport, again instructing the pilot to bring the plane from 7,000 feet down to 3,000, but he repeated that he was fine. When he attempted the landing, he hit so hard that the engines scraped against the ground and were damaged. The pilot took off again and circled the airport to attempt another landing. But the engines were not working properly, and the plane crashed.

IGNORING WISDOM LEADS TO DISASTER

The book of Proverbs is designed to warn and instruct us in how to live prudently. The consequences for ignoring its counsel can be deadly. It is pure folly to spurn its guidance, whether out of ignorance or pride. The wise person walks in the fear of the Lord and heeds knowledge and instruction.

  1. When have you ignored a warning and it led to trouble?
  2. What’s an example of a time when you heeded a warning that others ignored, to their undoing?
  3. How has the book of Proverbs proven useful and life-giving to you?

Additional Resources

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Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

Ideas for Using In the World in a Virtual Setting

By "In the World"

Maybe you have been using In the World in an online setting like Zoom or Google hangouts or a video stream. Maybe you’re using it as part of a phone conference session. Or physically mailing or emailing the lesson to people to read.

Whether you use In the World to prepare your group before you meet or to extend the learning into the week, here are a couple of additional ideas for using this weekly resource to enrich your virtual class—both during your group time and throughout the week.

Using In the World While You Meet

Whether you’re meeting in small in-person groups or online, these tips will help you get the most out of In the World.

  • Weekly Check-in: Before you start the lesson, allow at least a few minutes for a weekly check-in to help the group feel connected with each other.
  • Discuss the Current Event: Talk together about the top paragraph, where In the World features the modern-day story. You could also invite members to offer their own discussion questions. During your meeting, give the group time to discuss the article.
  • Discuss the Bible Event: Talk together about the second paragraph, which leads into the Bible lesson. Invite members to come up with some of their own discussion questions. During your meeting, give the group time to discuss the article.
  • How Does the Tune Fit?: Share your screen and play one of the suggested music videos. Talk as a group about how that song fits the lesson.
  • Worship Time: Have a lesson-themed time of worship during the lesson. Share your screen and play one of the suggested music videos. Give time for the group to respond in prayer.
  • Breakout Rooms: If you’re using a tool like Zoom and your group is comfortable with the technology, try sending small groups to different rooms for a short discussion time. Then bring everyone back together to summarize the discussion before moving on with the next part of the lesson. For information on using Zoom Rooms go to https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/217890563-Zoom-Rooms-Admin-Management

 

Using In the World During the Week

These ideas can be used to prepare your students before you meet or afterward to help reinforce the lesson.

  • Music Group: Create a text group or another social media group. Send out the music links throughout the week for people to use during their personal devotion times.
  • Daily Bible Readings: Send out the key verse along the with home daily Bible readings for the day to encourage regular Bible study.
  • Commentary Group: Create a text group or another social media group. Send out the link to one of the commentaries. Add a question at the end asking people what they learned in their reading. Encourage people to share their thoughts in the thread.
  • Coffee Time: Invite people to join in an online video discussion time during the week to talk more about the lesson. Ask everyone to brew and bring their favorite hot beverage!
  • Before your scheduled meeting time, send your group the text from the first paragraph of In the World, which features the modern-day story to your group. Include any of the discussion questions that match that part of the article. You could also invite members to offer their own discussion questions.
  • Send the Bible event text—the second paragraph of In the World—to your group before you meet. Include any of the discussion questions that match that part of the article and invite members to come up with some of their own discussion questions.

This article, while focused on children’s ministry, offers several suggestions you might add to your own personal teaching-virtually-tool set.

In the World–May 31, 2020

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THE PRODIGAL PRINCE

In January, Britain’s Prince Harry announced that he and his wife, Meghan, would be stepping down from their role as senior members of the Royal Family. They moved first to British Columbia and then to Los Angeles to pursue a more private lifestyle as they raise their one-year-old son, Archie. While this caused an international furor and sold many magazines, the fallout from their departure may not be as negative as many predicted. Queen Elizabeth is reported to be quite fond of Prince Harry. Last month, the queen expressed that she fully expected the couple to return to the fold one day, and she stands ready to welcome the royal prodigal with open arms.

THE PRODIGAL PEOPLE

Though God’s people rebelled in a much more serious way, God nevertheless still loved and pursued them in their unfaithfulness. In today’s Scripture, the Lord considers the sins of His people and His plan to reconcile them. Like a loving Father, He pleads with them to put away their idols, do justice again, and return to His loving arms.

  1. When have you or someone close to you turned away from love—or even from a life or future that had been planned out?
  2. What can cause someone to return to a person or place they’d once rejected?
  3. How can a person be a prodigal son regarding the Lord?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–May 24, 2020

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RESCUE THE ORPHAN FROM DISEASE

Last month, an orphanage for children with developmental disabilities in Belarus was hit hard by COVID-19. The conditions are so crowded that there is no ability to enforce social distancing. This resulted in dozens of infections among the staff and orphans. It has also made it difficult to recruit new staff. A Christian charity in Ireland, which supports the orphanage, issued an appeal to the public. The response was massive, and over $60,000 was raised. Money and supplies were donated by companies and individuals from around Ireland and beyond. Earlier this month, the charity shipped thousands of masks, gloves, gowns, hand sanitizer, and other personal protective equipment to the orphanage. It is good in the Lord’s eyes to care for the orphan and the marginalized.

RESCUE THE ORPHAN FROM INJUSTICE

The Lord commanded the prophet Jeremiah to go to the palace and urge the people to repent of their idolatry. He commanded the king to execute justice for the marginalized in the nation. If he did extend justice to the orphan and the widow, God promised to maintain the palace and the line of David in glory and security. But if the king miscarried justice against the weak and defenseless, God would send invaders who would bring the palace to ruin.

  1. What encounters have you had with orphans, foreigners, widows, and those who are marginalized?
  2. Who do you know who is currently being overlooked or forgotten by God’s people?
  3. How could you personally help bring justice to the weak and marginalized?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–May 17, 2020

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JUSTICE WHILE RACING TIME

In 1943, Friedrich Karl Berger enlisted in the German military and became a guard in the Neuengamme concentration camp complex near Meppen, Germany. After the war, Berger emigrated to Canada and then in 1959 moved to the United States. He eventually settled in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where he laid low as he raised his children and grew old. But this year, with Berger now 94, the U.S. Department of Justice finally caught up to him, and an immigration judge has ordered him to be returned to Germany for potential prosecution. The U.S. government is determined to do justice for the victims of the Holocaust while there is still time to do so.

JUSTICE WHILE FACING DEFEAT

Time was running out for Judah. God’s justice and judgment were catching up with the people and their leaders for their long-standing idol worship and their refusal to listen to God’s prophets such as Jeremiah. Even on the verge of destruction by the hands of the Babylonians, there was still time for the leaders of Judah to act. They could administer justice and stand for the oppressed in accordance with the teaching of God’s prophets.

  1. When have you seen time run out on the chance to bring earthly justice to someone?
  2. Under what conditions would you consider pursuing justice on a matter that others would rather forget?
  3. What purpose might God have had for demanding the leaders continue to administer justice even after declaring that the city was about to fall?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–May 10, 2020

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RESCUED ON A DIFFERENT BEACH

A few weeks ago, New Zealander Eli Smith, 39, went missing. He’d been hunting in the dense bushland of Stewart Island, also called Rakiura, off the southern coast of the South Island. He’d gotten lost because a knife in his pocket had interfered with his compass, resulting in incorrect bearings. At last understanding what had happened, Smith made his way to a beach—but it wasn’t one he recognized. He could hear the rescue helicopter in the distance, but he was far from where they were searching. He carved “HELP” on the beach and stayed put until he was finally found. When rescue arrived, peace flooded over him. “I was not going to die in the bush, that’s for sure.”

RESCUED IN A DIFFERENT WAY

God promised the prophet Zechariah that the people of Jerusalem would be rescued from the countries where they had been taken. He promised that the elderly would safely sit in the streets and children would be free to play beside them. God declared that He would treat the remnant of Israel differently from how He’d treated His people in the past, when He had brought punishment upon them. God’s promise of restored blessing brought great peace to the people of Jerusalem and Judah.

  1. When have you been lost and frightened? How were you found?
  2. How do you treat people after you have punished them?
  3. What is it like to receive correction from the Lord? What is it like to receive blessing?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

 

In the World–May 3, 2020

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EXILES RETURN HOME AMIDST VIOLENCE

In recent years, war in the African nation of Mali has displaced over 140,000 of its citizens. These refugees have fled to neighboring countries, with nearly 25,000 crossing into Burkina Faso. However, this year, violence against refugees in Burkina Faso has caused many Malian refugees to make the hard decision to return to their home country. But continued unrest there prevents them from returning, leaving them displaced, vulnerable to attack and oppression from all sides. Only peace in the land will allow the Malian refugees to return home.

EXILES RETURN HOME BY GOD’S HAND

The northern kingdom of Israel had fallen to the Assyrians a hundred years before Zephaniah prophesied to the nation of Judah. Ten tribes of Israel had been dispersed from their homeland—and the worst was yet to come. Jerusalem would be destroyed and the people of Judah exiled. But the prophet foretold that God’s punishment would not last forever. One day, the Lord would gather the exiles, lead them home, and restore their fortunes.

  1. What experience, if any, do you have with refugees?
  2. What’s the most painful or risky decision you’ve ever had to make?
  3. How have you been (or how would you like to be) delivered by God and allowed to return to a place or relationship you abandoned?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–April 26, 2020

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Download “In the World” for April 26, 2020 here.

MOST-FAVORED NATIONS EXEMPTED FROM TARIFFS

With the global economy disrupted by the coronavirus, President Donald Trump recently granted a ninety-day exemption from tariffs for most-favored nations. The goal is to allow non-U.S. companies to retain money that would have normally been paid to the American government during shutdowns connected to the pandemic. A country is granted most-favored nation status by becoming a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which requires that any member government abide by certain criteria. WTO rules include such things as easing customs procedures and reining in tariffs that would reduce imports.

MOST-FAVORED NATION STATUS IN THE EYES OF GOD

In today’s Bible passage, the Lord grants most-favored nation status to Israel, saying He will make an everlasting covenant with them. God chooses nations for His own reasons, and the criteria He gave for honoring Israel in this way was His own truth and faithfulness. He set one nation above all as a light to draw the others and to bring glory to His name.

  1. When has favor come upon you in some way (winning something, for example)?
  2. When have you felt as if God has favored you?
  3. In light of this passage, how might ancient Israel have viewed itself compared to other nations?

Additional Resources

  1. Music Video, Traditional: “Nearer My God to Thee”
  2. Music Video, Multicultural: “Living Proof” by David & Nicole Binion + Steffany Gretzinger
  3. Music Video, Contemporary: “Praise the Name (Ancient Doors)” by Thrive Worship
  4. Guzik’s Commentary on Isaiah 61
  5. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Isaiah 61
  6. JFB Commentary on Isaiah 61

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–April 19, 2020

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Download “In the World” for April 19, 2020 here.

INJUSTICE AMID CORRUPTION

Earlier this month, an injustice was committed in Pakistan. Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheik, the mastermind behind the kidnapping and gruesome murder of journalist Daniel Pearl (in 2002), was acquitted of murder and had his sentence reduced to kidnapping only. He is likely to be released soon for time already served. Three other violent Islamists who had been convicted in the same crime likewise had their convictions overturned in a move that a source said “reeks of corruption.” Hopefully, those who have spoken out against such corruption will continue to do so.

JUSTICE DESPITE CORRUPTION

In the days of Queen Esther, the Jewish exiles in Babylon faced the very real threat of extermination because of the machinations of Haman. Esther relied on wisdom, intelligence, charm, and the prayers of many to gain the king’s favor enough to expose Haman’s plot. With only days to spare, justice prevailed, and Haman was executed on the apparatus he had constructed to kill Esther’s cousin Mordecai. Despite the evil intentions of man, God can bring about justice to His people.

  1. When has injustice touched someone you care about?
  2. What injustice have you seen corrected in your life?
  3. How might you have been placed by God “for such a time as this” as you walk through this current pandemic?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2020 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–April 12, 2020

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LIGHT FOR THE BLIND

Pastor Phillip Dunn of West Virginia went blind fourteen years ago due to macular degeneration and cataracts. He learned to prepare for his sermons by listening to the Bible on audio. Without ever seeing them, he met new church members and became friends with them. He attended his daughter’s wedding but could not see it. He had never laid eyes on his grandchildren. Always, this pastor hoped God would restore his vision. Dunn developed a sharp pain in his left eye: the cataract in that eye had ruptured. His doctor operated to try to save his eyeball. Days after the surgery, Dunn removed the patch. Not only could he see light through that eye, somehow he could literally see. God saved this pastor from his darkness just as Jesus’ resurrection saved all believers from the darkness of sin and death.

LIFE FROM THE DEAD

There is no greater example of light penetrating the darkness than the resurrection of Jesus Christ. With the incarnation, God was invading our realm with salvation. With the crucifixion, God was conducting the great work of atonement. But as we see from Paul in today’s lesson, all our preaching and even our faith would be useless if it were not for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Our bodies are sown in weakness, as we know all too well. But because of Christ, the believer’s body is raised in power.

  1. What experience do you have with blindness or a deep darkness?
  2. How has the resurrection of Jesus changed your life?
  3. Who do you know who needs Christ to bring light to their darkness?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–April 5, 2020

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Download “In the World” for April 5, 2020 here.

A LIGHT FOR BUS DRIVERS

Last month, a school district in Batesville, Indiana, received a grant to provide strobe lights to attach to the backpacks of students waiting for school buses. The initiative was born in 2018, after three students in another town were struck and killed by a bus because the driver did not see them. “We don’t know the situation,” a Batesville safety authority said of the bus driver. “But if an extra $1.80 light could have caught the corner of her eye, there might be three kids alive.” Lights flashing in the darkness are protecting precious lives in Batesville today.

A LIGHT FOR THE NATIONS

The Lord told Isaiah that He would raise up His servant and put His Spirit upon Him. This servant was Jesus Christ, who was still yet to come. Isaiah received the prophecy that this servant would be a light to the nations and would open the eyes of the blind. The servant of God purchased lives for God across all time and all humanity. He still opens eyes today.

  1. What new technology could be developed to help save lives?
  2. In what way has Jesus opened your eyes or ended your blindness?
  3. Do you know someone who still walks in darkness and needs to see this great light? If so, how could you help shine the light of Christ to that person?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–March 29, 2020

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Download “In the World” for March 29, 2020 here.

CORRUPT NATIONS IN THE WORLD

Every year, an organization calling itself Transparency International ranks nations in its Best Countries report. They rank 73 countries based on surveys from more than 20,000 global citizens, arranging countries on multiple categories, such as citizenship, adventure, and heritage. They also rank nations on a Corruption Perceptions Index, which gives negative scores for countries that encourage “the misuse of public power for private benefit.” This year’s index puts Columbia, Mexico, and Ghana as the three most corrupt nations in the world.

CORRUPT RELIGIOUS LEADERS

The Old Testament prophet Malachi brought God’s dire warning against the corrupt religious leaders of Judah. Instead of proclaiming truth and justice, the priests were perverting justice and showing partiality in matters of law. God said these legal experts were themselves going to be put on trial. He would swiftly bring justice against them if they did not remember the fear of the Lord and judge rightly.

  1. In what ways have you ever been tempted to misuse resources for private benefit?
  2. If you were ranked in a transparency survey, in what categories (such as kindness, forgiveness, etc.) would you rank high or low?
  3. In what situations have you been a good example for God? A not-so-good example?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–March 22, 2020

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Download “In the World” for March 22, 2020 here.

INJUSTICE BASED ON FEAR

This month, as fears of COVID-19 spread across the world, violence against Asians has surged. Some people have taken to blaming Asian people indiscriminately. A man from Singapore was beaten on the streets of London, with the attackers crying, “We don’t want your coronavirus in our country.” Never mind that the man was not Chinese and hadn’t traveled to China. A Vietnamese art curator was uninvited from appearing on a panel at an exhibit. The organizers feared that her presence would indicate that anyone going inside would contract the virus. Fear leads to injustice and hate.

INJUSTICE BASED ON SIN

The prophet Micah witnessed atrocious injustice within Israel. Its leaders were apparently condoning violence and corruption against the people of God. Leaders miscarried justice for a bribe and prophets gave “good” fortunes for pay. And yet the leaders felt they remained under the blessing of God. Injustice will be punished by God, no matter who commits it. Micah warned them that if they wanted to avoid God’s wrath, they must turn back to carrying out God’s justice and walking humbly before Him.

  1. What fear have you or others felt because of the coronavirus?
  2. How have you or someone you know behaved irrationally because of fear?
  3. How can a good God punish His people for sin and utterly destroy their country?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–March 15, 2020

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Download “In the World” for March 15, 2020 here.

PLOTTING THE RUIN OF HOMEOWNERS

A Maryland man posing as a lawyer told multiple homeowners he would fight mortgage companies to lower their monthly payment. He instructed the owners to pay his fees and then to cease paying the mortgage or opening mail from the loan companies while he “worked things out” for them. The loan institutions eventually foreclosed on the homes, and the owners received eviction notices—because the mortgage payments had not been made and warning letters hadn’t been responded to. Then the man offered to purchase the distressed properties for pennies on the dollar. He was arrested in January.

PLOTTING THE RUIN OF WHOLE PEOPLES

The prophet Habakkuk received God’s word about how the Babylonian ruler had built his kingdom on fraud, violence, and injustice. Man’s reign will last for a short time, but the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will fill the earth and last forever. God’s justice will bring to ruin those who establish their kingdom upon bloodshed and a miscarriage of justice. God expects all people, from slaves to kings, to deal rightly with one another.

  1. What example of a scam or scheme have you encountered?
  2. How can we protect ourselves or each other from those who would take advantage of others?
  3. In what ways can we help the knowledge of the glory of God to fill the earth?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–March 8, 2020

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Download “In the World” for March 8, 2020 here.

A LONG WAIT FOR MAN’S JUSTICE

On January 15, 1980, Helene Pruszynski, a 21-year-old college coed, got off a bus in Colorado but never made it home. The next day, her body was found dumped in a field, having been stabbed to death. For forty years, the case was unsolvable, and justice could not prevail. But new technology and old-fashioned detective work led investigators to Helene’s killer. Last month, the man pleaded guilty to the crime. After a long, uncertain wait, during which most of Helene’s close relatives died, justice was finally done.

A LONG WAIT FOR GOD’S JUSTICE

The prophet Habakkuk had to wait a long time for justice to be done, and he cried out to God to bring it about. He expressed amazement that God—the author of justice—refused to bring an end to the violence and injustice Habakkuk saw continually. In God’s forbearance, He sometimes withholds punishment of the wicked, and His people may have to endure the consequences of the delay. But His justice is sure, and the day of judgment is coming.

  1. What instance of injustice causes you to cry out to God?
  2. What example of justice being done causes you to thank God?
  3. Why do you think God doesn’t punish every wrongdoer as soon as he or she commits injustice?

Additional Resources

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–March 1, 2020

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Download “In the World” for March 1, 2020 here.

PRETENDING SAFETY WHILE A VIRUS RUNS RAMPANT

Back in December, in the earliest days of the coronavirus in China, Dr. Li Wenliang and seven other doctors were reprimanded by state officials for warning people about the outbreak. Dr. Li, who was 34, used social media to tell friends about the emerging threat. Police rebuked Li and the other doctors, asserting the government’s official position that there was no danger at all. The disease became a worldwide epidemic, and last month, Dr. Li died from the coronavirus he warned about.

PRETENDING RIGHTEOUSNESS WHILE INJUSTICE RUNS RAMPANT

In our text today, the prophet Amos delivers God’s judgment on Israelites who pretended righteousness while injustice and sin ran like a virus through the whole community. They preferred the official position that their sacrifices exhibited pure hearts, but God exposed the acts as empty rituals. They were making God sick because their false beliefs allowed corruption to thrive among them.

  1. What was it like when you or someone else battled a frightening illness?
  2. How can pretending that something is untrue harm ourselves and others?
  3. What can be done when you feel that your heart isn’t truly right before God?

Additional Resources

  1. Music Video, Traditional: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
  2. Music Video, Multicultural: “Friend of God” by Israel Houghton
  3. Music Video, Contemporary: “The Same Jesus” by Matt Redman
  4. Guzik’s Commentary on Amos 5
  5. JFB Commentary on Amos 5
  6. Coffman’s Commentary on Amos 5

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–February 23, 2020

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Download “In the World” for February 23, 2020 here.

A FARMER’S PERSISTENT REQUEST

Subsistence farmers in northern South Africa are suffering a tremendous drought. No rainfall means no water or vegetation with which to keep their few cattle alive. Farmers with herds of 17–20 cattle have lost 10 or more, and unless the situation improves, “we will soon have carcasses of animals strewn all over the place,” says one farmer. The farmers have formed a forum with their neighbors to petition the South African department of agriculture, their last and only hope, for aid. Other areas hit by the drought are receiving government assistance, but so far, not much has come to this area. The farmers have no one else to turn to, so they continue crying out to the government for help.

A FRIEND’S PERSISTENT REQUEST

In our passage today, we hear Jesus’ parable about the friend who comes to a house at midnight, desperate to receive aid in caring for a guest who has arrived unexpectedly. Jesus urges his listeners to persist in prayer the same way the man persisted in requesting help from his neighbor. In Jesus’ command to ask, seek, and knock, we get the picture of someone who fervently explores a variety of approaches to get his friend’s attention and help. Christians are to come to God, their only hope for the relief they need, and to persist in requesting help. If even humans will get up and help their friends, though they don’t want to, how much more will our heavenly Father—who does love to help his children—arise to give them aid?

  1. What’s something you’ve been convinced to do because someone was persistent?
  2. When have you been in a situation in which only one person or group could help you and you desperately needed their help? What did you do?
  3. We know that God knows all our needs, so why does Jesus command us to pray and to be persistent in prayer?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–February 16, 2020

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Download “In the World” for February 16, 2020 here.

IN LIFE AS IN THOUGHTS

Statistics tell us that, by the second week of February, more than 80% of people have abandoned their New Year’s resolutions. One article says that this happens in part because people do not come up with a plan for how they are going to bring about their resolution. A failure to envision how the plan could go from mere words or an idea in the mind to a reality in life will contribute to failure.

ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN

Jesus taught His disciples to pray that realities in heaven could become realities in their actual lives on earth. To translate God’s will in heaven so that it’s done more and more on earth is ever the Christian’s prayer. We have the great opportunity to live as citizens of God’s kingdom even as we walk in this life, declaring God’s resolution to come to earth to provide salvation to humankind.

  1. How are you doing on any resolutions you made this year?
  2. If you’ve ever followed through with a New Year’s resolution, what was it, and what helped you bring it about?
  3. What’s an aspect of God’s will that you’d love to see carried out on earth as it is in heaven?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–February 9, 2020

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Download “In the World” for February 9, 2020 here.

GIFT FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR

At Valentine’s Day, we think about expressing our affection for others, and perhaps to that one special someone. Some people might even receive something from a secret admirer. But one person took anonymous philanthropic giving to a new level in 2018. This person, identified only as “Pine,” had made a fortune in bitcoin and decided he or she had more money than could ever be spent, so Pine started giving million-dollar gifts to non-profit organizations in the health sector. Over the course of a few months, this anonymous donor gave away over $55 million. To this day, the person’s identity is unknown to those who received the gifts.

GIFT FROM AN ANONYMOUS GIVER

In Jesus’ day, the priests and Pharisees were hardly anonymous in their giving. They called attention to their supposedly pious acts, all but begging for applause and glory. Jesus taught His disciples to seek the favor of God rather than of people. By letting their giving be between themselves and God and not for show, they would obtain reward from God, a reward that would last. This was far better than receiving fleeting honor among people and nothing at all from God.

  1. What’s your favorite Valentine memory?
  2. Have you ever had (or been) a secret admirer? What was that like?
  3. Why does God dislike good works when they are showy?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–February 2, 2020

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Download “In the World” for February 2, 2020 here.

PREPARED FOR ARMED CONFLICT

When Marine Corps recruits go through basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, they endure obstacles and challenges one after another. The drill instructors move recruits through a crawl/walk/run approach, preparing them for the rigors of deployment and combat. They embody the Navy SEAL saying, “The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle.” Recruits experience firsthand the effectiveness of their gear, such as when they remove gas masks in a chamber filled with tear gas. Such training and testing infuse a sense of confidence in the recruits’ future success as United States Marines.

PREPARED FOR SPIRITUAL CONFLICT

Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness was the first great challenge of His ministry. It was an intense test that probed the depths of His character and the singlemindedness of His obedience to His Father. But much greater tests lay in His future. Through this challenge, Jesus perhaps gained confidence in His own strength against temptation. The tests that come our way today, in “training,” are preparing us so we don’t “bleed” and suffer when the greater challenges come.

  1. What difficult test have you endured that prepared you to succeed when another test came later?
  2. In what ways, if any, have you sensed your confidence in God growing when He carries you through some large test of your faith?
  3. How did each of Satan’s temptations test Jesus, and how was Jesus tested in each of these same categories at a later time?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

 

In the World–January 26, 2020

By "In the World"

Download “In the World” for January 26, 2020 here.

BIRDS TURNED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Scientists found that European robins, when taken out into the country in cages, would orient themselves toward the direction they should be migrating. But when the robins were back in the city, they could not detect the proper direction. The scientists theorized that electromagnetic radiation might be interfering with the birds’ sense of direction. So they placed robins inside a Faraday cage (which blocks electromagnetic radiation). Though the birds were still in the city, they immediately turned in the correct direction. When the troubling interference was removed, they knew where they should go next.

HEARTS TURNED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

At the end of Solomon’s dedication of the temple, he stood before the whole assembly of the people and prayed that God would always show them what they should do next. The king asked that the Lord would keep the hearts of the people turned ever in His direction. He recounted God’s faithfulness to Israel in the past and at the present time, and he prayed that all interference would be removed so that in the future they would continue to be pointed toward their Redeemer.

  1. How is your sense of direction, and how has that helped or hindered you in your life?
  2. What sort of “interference” can sometimes disrupt our spiritual compass?
  3. When you contemplate the future, where do you expect your praise to arise from?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–January 19, 2020

By "In the World"

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HEARING WORDS OF LOVE

Andrea Diaz had been mostly deaf since birth. Following surgery to install a cochlear implant, an audiology technician switched the implant on to see if Diaz, now a young woman, could hear clearly. Immediately, she began to laugh and cry as sounds flooded into her mind. In the audiology room with her was her boyfriend, who seized his moment. He went to one knee and produced an engagement ring. “I wanted to make one of the first things you hear be me asking you to marry me.” He proposed and she accepted, saying, “I love you. I can hear your voice.”

HEARING WORDS OF PRAYER

When Solomon stood before the altar with the people to dedicate the temple to God, one of his chief prayers was that God would hear all the prayers made in and toward the temple. He hoped the temple could serve as a gateway to God, a place where one’s requests could have special volume and effectiveness in God’s ears. In this temple, Solomon prayed that God would hear their voice—and forgive.

  1. What would you say is the best sound in the whole world? A newborn’s cry? Classical music? The roar of the ocean?
  2. What’s something you have built, installed, or purchased so you could hear more clearly?
  3. How do we know that God hears all prayers?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

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Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–January 12, 2020

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A PROMISE MADE TO THE PEOPLE

Last year, we celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. President John F. Kennedy launched that effort in a famous speech before the people gathered in the Rice University stadium in Houston on September 12, 1962. He made the vow that America would put astronauts on the moon and bring them home safely within the decade of the 1960s. It was a promise that was kept, though he who made the promise did not live to see it fulfilled.

A PROMISE KEPT BEFORE THE PEOPLE

King David had wanted to build a temple in Jerusalem, but God, though pleased with his desire, gave the honor to his son Solomon. David’s vow was fulfilled by someone else. When Solomon was dedicating the temple, he addressed the people to praise God for how He had kept His promise to David, to Solomon, and to Israel.

  1. If you remember the space race of the 1960s, how confident were you that President Kennedy’s vow could be accomplished?
  2. What is the most significant promise that someone has kept with you?
  3. Why are some promises made before other people?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

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Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–January 5, 2020

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CHANGING THE VENUE FOR A WEDDING?

This past October, wildfires raged in the California Wine Country, threatening the dream wedding of a couple who had planned the event for over a year. With firefighting vehicles all around, the fire marshal ordering evacuations of the area, and the air quality dropping by the minute, the couple refused to change venues, and the nuptials went on as scheduled. The wedding photographer posted to social media a photo of the couple in their wedding attire—with the addition of surgical masks—standing in a vineyard backlit by a smoky sunset. The photo went viral and their “unforgettable” wedding became just that.

CHANGING THE VENUE FOR THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

King Solomon contemplated and executed a change of venue in an event long-planned, as well. He’d made thorough preparations to transition the ark of the covenant from its temporary home in the tabernacle to what he hoped would be its permanent home in the temple. When the transition had been accomplished, a smoky cloud of the glory of God filled the temple, and the king knew God was pleased.

  1. Have you ever been forced to evacuate for any reason, and what were your emotions?
  2. Would you say you have ever encountered an overwhelming sense of the presence or glory of God? If so, what was it like?
  3. In what ways does this Old Testament event foreshadow the coming of Christianity?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

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Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–December 29, 2019

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LOOK BACK AND LOOK AHEAD ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

Tuesday night is New Year’s Eve, and people will be having parties, watching fireworks, and making resolutions left and right. Articles will round up the top news stories of 2019 and pundits will declare 2020 the year of something. We’ll start hearing about the new year’s fashions, technology, colors, trends, and predictions. January—named after the pagan god Janus, often depicted with one face looking back and another face looking forward—is a great time to take stock of your life. Look backward over 2019 to remember what happened and look forward to what you hope will happen in 2020.

LOOK BACK AND LOOK AHEAD ABOUT GOD’S WORK

In our passage today, David took stock of his relationship with God. David looked back into the recent past to recall that God had promised to establish his kingdom forever, and he looked further back to recall God’s faithfulness to Israel. Then he looked ahead and prayed that God would carry out His promise in the future.

  1. What were the high and low points of 2019 for you, and what do you hope for in 2020?
  2. What’s a New Year’s Eve or Day tradition you like to observe or would like to resurrect?
  3. As you take stock of your spiritual life, what are the high and low points in your past, and what is your prayer for 2020?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–December 22, 2019

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TWO WOMEN WHO CHANGED HISTORY

On October 18, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch performed the first-ever all-woman spacewalk. The pair went outside the International Space Station to replace a faulty battery, and in the process made history. “For us it’s just coming out here and doing our job today,” Meir said during the spacewalk. “At the same time, we recognize that it is a historic achievement.”

TWO WOMEN WHO CHANGED ETERNITY

In our passage today, we look at Elizabeth, who was pregnant with John the Baptist, and Mary, who was pregnant with the Son of God. These women were handpicked by God to bear two of the most important baby boys ever born. John readied Israel for the Messiah and Jesus atoned for humanity and opened the way for eternal relationship with God. Through the women’s shared task—to bear and raise their sons—they helped change the course not only of history but of eternity.

  1. Who are some heroines in your life and throughout history, and why do you admire them?
  2. What benefits do you see resulting from women taking on tasks that were historically men’s work?
  3. What qualities and character attributes can you detect about Elizabeth and Mary from today’s passage?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–December 15, 2019

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A JOYFUL PLAN FOR A BOY

William is a young boy who was born with only half a working heart. Despite multiple surgeries, at a tender age he had to face the reality that many of his most cherished dreams are forever beyond his reach. One of these is to be an airline pilot. But one airline and one wish-granting foundation worked together to give this brave boy a three-day simulation—right down to custom-made pilot’s uniform, hat, and aviator’s sunglasses—of what it would be like to be a pilot. He got to fly the simulator, ride in the crash fire truck, deploy a plane’s emergency exit door, and more. What they did for him was much better than what he would’ve otherwise received.

GOD’S BETTER PLAN FOR A MAN

King David’s most cherished dream was to build a Temple for the ark of the covenant and for the Lord. But God told him he was not the person for the job. However, the Lord had a better plan for him than he had for himself. He wanted to build a temporary temple, but God wanted to establish David’s throne forever. Indeed, David’s bloodline ran directly to Jesus Christ, whose reign will never end. Sometimes even our highest aspirations fall far short of God’s intent.

  1. If you had the power to grant someone’s wish, who and what would it be?
  2. What’s something you wanted that you were later glad you didn’t get because what you ended up with was far superior?
  3. What lesson can we draw from seeing that David’s focus was on an earthly structure and God’s eyes were on the future?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–December 8, 2019

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PROCLAIMING THE ASCENSION OF AN EMPEROR

Earlier this fall, a man of royal birth named Naruhito proclaimed himself emperor of Japan. His father had previously abdicated the throne, and now his son, next in line in the world’s oldest hereditary monarchy, took his place. “I hereby proclaim my enthronement,” Naruhito said, promising to fulfill his responsibilities to the people of Japan. Thousands of guests attended the ceremony, shouting the traditional cheer that means “10,000 years.”

PROCLAIMING THE GOODNESS OF GOD

After David had led the people to properly bring the ark of the covenant into its tent in Jerusalem, he wanted the celebration to continue. He commissioned a certain musician, Asaph, to create a new song that would proclaim the everlasting goodness of the Lord. The song reminded Israel of God’s graciousness to them throughout their 2,500-plus-year history and urged them to proclaim their gratitude to Him.

  1. People often proclaim the major milestones in their lives, such as engagements or the birth of a first child. What have you proclaimed in your life?
  2. Why is it important to remember that God is our king?
  3. What would you like to proclaim today about God’s everlasting goodness?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–December 1, 2019

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PREPARATION AND PLAY

In October of this year, two pro basketball teams traveled to Mumbai for the first-ever NBA game in India. Years of preparation had gone into the visit, and the teams got to enjoy visiting the Taj Mahal and other cultural sites. But when the time for the preseason game came, they turned to the serious business of preparing for the regular season. In the preparation there was work and joy, and in the main event, there was also work and joy.

PREPARATION AND WORSHIP

Before David was willing to move the ark of the covenant from its temporary site to its new home in Jerusalem, he did much joyful preparation. The Levites were carefully instructed and everything was made ready. But when the time came to bring the ark into the city, David turned to the serious work of worship that would prepare the ark and the people for the work and joy of ministry in the Tabernacle.

  1. How do you see preparation being connected to worship?
  2. What could happen if proper preparations aren’t made prior to worship?
  3. How do you feel when you see people worshiping the Lord more exuberantly than you do?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–November 24, 2019

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AVOID SPOILAGE

Throughout history, people have used techniques such as curing, smoking, or drying to preserve meat and escape the corruption that would otherwise ruin it. Today we use freezing and refrigeration to stave off the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold. Yet this Thanksgiving, the US Department of Agriculture meat and poultry hotline will receive hundreds of calls from people worried that their turkey has spoiled or will make their guests sick. Even in our modern age, food spoilage is a lingering problem. We still have to watch out for things that corrupt—physically and spiritually.

AVOID CORRUPTION

Peter wrote to Christians who, like us, found themselves surrounded by all manner of corrupting influences. The world, our flesh, lust, and evil desires would work together to bring spoilage to us. So we must cultivate godly habits and emulate the example of Jesus. The Lord called Christians the salt of the earth, and one meaning of that is that salt preserves things that would otherwise go bad. Let us pursue the things that keep us fresh and unspoiled in the world.

  1. What are your best and worst Thanksgiving memories?
  2. In what ways do you see culture working to “spoil” Christians?
  3. What’s a godly habit you could develop that would help you and others escape the corruption of the world?

Additional Resources

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In the World–November 17, 2019

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FOCUSED ON TRAINING

Last month, American gymnast Simone Biles became the most decorated gymnastics athlete, male or female, of all time. She dominated the World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, winning five gold medals in six events. Biles hopes to add to her medal total in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo next year. Observers credit her “laser-like focus on training” as part of what has led to her incredible success.

FOCUSED ON HOLINESS

In his first epistle, Peter wrote to people living under hostile conditions. He urged them to bring some focus of their own onto purity and holy living. He knew the dangers of conforming to the desires they had before they came to faith in Christ. He charged them to focus on living in a holy way because the one who called them to Himself is holy.

  1. What’s something you became highly focused on to achieve or attain?
  2. Which aspects of your life can steal your focus from holy living, if you’re not careful?
  3. Who do you know whose focus on purity or holy living has been an inspiration or a challenge to you, and why?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

  1. Music Video, Traditional: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
  2. Music Video, Multicultural: “Journal” by Casey J
  3. Music Video, Contemporary: “I Don’t Have Much” by Mission House
  4. Guzik’s Commentary on 1 Peter 1
  5. Barnes’ Commentary on 1 Peter 1
  6. Commentary on 1 Peter

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–November 10, 2019

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AN INSPIRATION TO DADS EVERYWHERE

In October, a young dad posted a video of himself and his toddler son dancing to celebrate that the boy was 11 months cancer-free. The son has Down syndrome and was later diagnosed with leukemia, but none of that stopped him and his dad from cavorting for the camera. The video had 13,000 views and counting. The dad is a motivational speaker, and he said of the video that if he and his son can beat cancer, others can do great things, as well. Perhaps the most inspiring part is seeing this dad so obviously loving and having fun with this very special little boy.

AN INSPIRATION TO CHURCHES EVERYWHERE

The Christians in Thessalonica were likewise inspirational to Paul and to churches throughout the Roman Empire. The gospel came to them with power, and they immediately became imitators of Paul and his companions. Despite suffering, their faith flourished, and this devotion set an example for every other church Paul interacted with.

  1. What’s the most motivating story you’ve ever heard?
  2. Who has been a role model or example to you personally?
  3. How do you think churches reacted when Paul told them about the example of the Thessalonian church?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–November 3, 2019

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EXAMINATION INVALIDATED

California authorities recently invalidated the licensing test scores for more than 1,400 pharmacy students, after it was revealed that some of the test questions had been leaked online. Officials defended the move, saying they want to be sure that their pharmacists are competent to take care of patients. But for the majority of students who did not cheat, their futures are put on hold, some have missed out on job openings, and none know how they performed in the assessment.

EXAMINATION REQUIRED

In our passage today, Paul urges Christians to assess themselves when it comes to their faith. Those who pass this self-exam are able to restore and encourage each other through God’s power. Such people don’t mind if they score low in human strength, because this allows God’s power to be strong through them.

  1. What’s the hardest test or exam you’ve had to undergo?
  2. How does it make you feel when you read that Paul asks us to examine ourselves in the faith? Nervous? Confident? Unsure?
  3. When has your faith been most sorely tested? What happened as a result of that test?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–October 27, 2019

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KINDNESS INSPIRES KINDNESS

Three years ago, a couple in Hull, England, delivered a stillborn baby girl. On the day little Willow would’ve been 3, the couple went to a local park to spread kindness to others in the name of their daughter. They placed flowers, chocolates, and a card with Willow’s story on benches and cars to delight others in her memory. A teenage boy found the chocolates and note, and was moved to take it to school. His compassion caused the teacher to devote a day to having the class write notes of kindness and encouragement back to the parents. The parents’ random act of kindness led to kindness in return.

EXTRAVAGANCE INSPIRES EXTRAVAGANCE

A woman of Judea, whose sins were many, was forgiven by Jesus. His extravagant kindness led her to perform an extravagant act of her own. Weeping, she poured perfume from an alabaster jar onto Jesus’ feet. In Jewish culture, this was improper on a number of levels, but she didn’t care. He had saved her, and her gratitude spilled out into an act of pure love.

  1. When has someone’s act of kindness inspired you to perform an act of kindness to someone else?
  2. What is it about kindness (or the opposite) that generates the same in us?
  3. What is one way you could express love to someone else because of the extravagant love Christ has given you?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

  1. Music Video, Traditional: “To God Be the Glory”
  2. Music Video, Multicultural: “Whisper His Name” by William McDowell
  3. Music Video, Contemporary: “Kerosene” by ASDN
  4. Guzik’s Commentary on Luke 7
  5. Coffman’s Commentary on Luke 7
  6. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Luke 7

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

 

In the World–October 20, 2019

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SURPRISED BY KIDS

In Roseville, California, last month, a woman with dementia wandered from her care facility, and the police posted a notice on Facebook. Many people took to the streets to look for her—including a group of local kids aged ten and younger. They got their bikes and went riding around their neighborhood. They did find her, and they called the police, who came and took her safely home. The police dispatcher was very surprised to hear that it was a group of kids who had found the missing person.

SURPRISED BY FAITH

On the streets of Capernaum, Jesus also found himself surprised by what he heard. He was walking to a Roman centurion’s home, where a servant lay sick. While he was on the way, the centurion sent word that Jesus didn’t need to come to the man’s house. He wasn’t worthy for Jesus to enter, he said. What was more, his faith in Jesus’ ability to simply command an illness away, even from afar, excelled the faith that Jesus had seen among the Jews … to the point that Jesus marveled.

  1. What’s something that surprised you lately?
  2. When was a time when you were surprised by someone’s faith (or lack of faith), including your own?
  3. What aspects of this episode from Jesus’ ministry do you find surprising?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–October 13, 2019

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A RISK IN IRAN

The nation with the fastest-growing church in the world is, surprisingly, Iran. According to Frontier Alliance International, God is moving powerfully in Iran, leaving some mosques empty and people leaving Islam in droves. The ayatollahs have brought persecution, which the leaders (mostly women) of the Iranian church say did the church a favor by driving away halfhearted believers. “When we walk outside,” one Iranian Christian said, “we really don’t care if we get arrested, we are not upset if we get arrested. What is 50 years in prison compared to eternity with Jesus?”

A WIDOW’S RISK

When Elijah told the widow of Sidon to trust that the God of Israel would provide miraculously for her and her son, he was asking her to risk everything. Her situation was so destitute that she had despaired of life and was preparing for death. But Elijah challenged her to have faith in a God she did not know. If she risked herself and He did not uphold His promise, she would lose everything. But she did trust, and He did uphold His promise.

  1. What can we learn from the faith of persecuted Iranian Christians?
  2. When has it been the hardest time in your life to maintain your faith in the Lord?
  3. How are trust and risk a crucial part of your faith?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–October 6, 2019

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WHEN LAWS ARE BROKEN, PEOPLE DIE

Late in September, a school of 800 students in Nairobi, Kenya, collapsed, injuring dozens and killing at least seven children. The non-enforcement of building codes contributed to this tragedy, allowing shoddy workmanship, greed, and a lack of oversight. Residents demanded resignations, arrests, and criminal charges over the laws that were broken and the lives that were ended.

WHEN LAWS ARE OBEYED, PEOPLE FLOURISH

Moses addressed the children of Israel and recounted how God had been faithful to them in the wilderness by providing for them and by giving them His Law. If they would obey this Law, they would inhabit the Promised Land and thrive, gaining a reputation for being people of wisdom with a great and approachable God. But if they disobeyed the Law, destruction and death would surely follow.

  1. What’s an example of a law that, if broken, could result in great tragedy?
  2. How can the balance be maintained between public well-being and private liberty?
  3. How does obeying civil laws help everyone?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

  1. Music Video, Traditional: “All Creatures of Our God and King”
  2. Music Video, Multicultural: “Rain” by Noel Robinson
  3. Music Video, Contemporary: “Pieces” by Sarah Kroger
  4. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Deuteronomy 4
  5. JFB Commentary on Deuteronomy 4
  6. Guzik’s Commentary on Deuteronomy 4

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–September 29, 2019

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UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES OF CARRYING A KNIFE

Four years ago in England, 15-year-old Sadam Essakhil grabbed a kitchen knife “for protection” and went out onto the streets of Handsworth, Birmingham, looking for trouble. He says he had no intention of drawing the weapon, yet Essakhil ended up using it to kill another young man. Now he is paying the consequences of his actions. In a video released from behind bars this month, Essakhil intercedes for other youth, pleading with them not to arm themselves with knives even if they think they won’t use them.

UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES OF NOT BELIEVING GOD

When the children of Israel rejected God’s promise that He would lead them victoriously into the Promised Land, they had no idea what the consequences might be. God was so angry with them that He told Moses He would destroy them with a pestilence and raise up a new people from Moses. Had Moses not interceded on their behalf, an entire population would’ve been decimated because of their lack of faith in God.

  1. What’s an action you took that had unintended negative consequences?
  2. Has there ever been a time when you interceded on behalf of someone else—or someone else stood in the gap for you? What happened?
  3. How would the biblical story have been different if Moses hadn’t interceded for the people?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

www.standardlesson.com/category/in-the-world
Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
All rights reserved. Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World–September 22, 2019

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FAITH IN THE GUIDANCE OF THE TOWER

In Australia this month, a 29-year-old student pilot found himself flying solo on just his third training flight. An hour after takeoff, the man’s instructor fell unconscious. The student did not give in to fear. He radioed the tower at the airfield in Perth, and personnel began talking him through how to land. He paid very close attention to the instructions from the voice on the ground, and he managed a perfect landing.

FAITH IN THE GUIDANCE OF THE LORD

When the children of Israel stood on the threshold to the Promised Land and heard the report of the spies, they had a similar decision to make. Would they trust the instructions from the voice on the mountain, or would they give in to fear? Despite the efforts of Caleb and Joshua, they chose to cease listening to God’s guidance and instead listened to their fears. God punished them with decades in the wilderness and the death of all those adults who did not trust Him.

  1. When have you had to choose between trusting God or succumbing to fear?
  2. Why does it seem more difficult to trust God when our situation feels fearful and uncertain?
  3. If you played a game in which you were blindfolded and had to cross a room full of obstacles based only on instructions from someone else, would you trust the voice guiding you? Why or why not?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

  1. Music Video, Traditional: “Praise to the Lord the Almighty”
  2. Music Video, Multicultural: “Glory” by Nashville Life Music
  3. Music Video, Contemporary: “Come as You Are” by David Leonard
  4. Guzik’s Commentary on Numbers 13 and Numbers 14
  5. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Numbers 13 and Numbers 14
  6. Coffman’s Commentary on Numbers 13 and Numbers 14

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In the World–September 15, 2019

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HOARDING IN THE FACE OF A HURRICANE

This month, Hurricane Dorian made its slow, menacing approach to Florida and the eastern seaboard, leaving death and destruction in its wake. In its predicted path, people rushed to stores, quickly buying out the fresh water, canned food, batteries, and gasoline. People also hoarded things they knew they didn’t need, purchasing them “just in case” because of the fear they felt in the face of an uncertain future.

HOARDING IN THE FACE OF A WILDERNESS

In the wilderness of the Sinai Desert, the children of Israel also faced an uncertain future. The people walked through an environment infamous for its inability to support life. And despite how God had repeatedly proved that He would provide for them, they nevertheless hoarded even the daily manna God miraculously gave them. But what they saved from the previous day was eaten by worms. God wants us to trust Him to provide every day, because we always live in uncertain times. We are His people, and He is our provider and protector.

  1. What’s an impending disaster or uncertainty you had to prepare for?
  2. What would you say to someone who says we shouldn’t work or prepare at all but should just trust God?
  3. Why is it sometimes hard to trust God when fearful possibilities loom?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

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In the World–September 8, 2019

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FROM LIFE-GIVER TO BARREN

Fires have raged for weeks in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest. The Amazon is earth’s largest and most fertile rainforest. It is responsible for generating 20 percent of the world’s oxygen, earning it the nickname “the lungs of the planet.” The fires, which may have been caused or at least helped by deforestation in the region, have left two million acres smoldering in barren ruin. What has been life-giving has suffered harm, and hopefully will become fertile again.

FROM BARREN TO LIFE-GIVER

Hannah was Elkanah’s first wife, but she lived in grief and pain because she was infertile. Though Elkanah honored Hannah with his love, he took a second wife to bear children to his name. Perhaps Hannah wondered if God were punishing or cursing her by closing her womb. She cried out in prayer at the site of the Tabernacle, making a vow to God if He would make her fertile. Eli the priest heard her and added his blessing to her request for a child. Soon thereafter, her barrenness and her grief were taken away, and she brought forth a son.

  1. Have you lived through grief and pain similar to what Hannah went through?
  2. What might you say to someone who feels that God is punishing or cursing them?
  3. What story or event can you recall in which someone’s shame was turned to honor?

Additional Resources

 These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

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In the World–September 1, 2019

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FAITHFUL DESPITE SHARKS

Last month, a fisherman in California hooked a shark as long as the fisherman was tall. He tried to get the hook out of the shark’s mouth, but it lunged at him and sank its jaws into his thigh, piercing an artery. The man called out, but the nearest human help was over a hundred yards away. However, Darby—the man’s year-old pit bull waiting in the car nearby—leapt from the window and came to his master’s aid. He sank his own teeth into the shark and eventually pulled it off, and they got the shark back into the water. The fisherman recovered, but things could’ve been much worse if not for the courage of a faithful dog.

FAITHFUL DESPITE SIN

In today’s lesson, we read of the extreme evil of the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah in the time of Abraham and Lot. Yet despite their great sin, God remained faithful to His own, providing a gracious way of escape for Lot and his family. Though the culture was deeply corrupt, still God remembered His promises to His people and made sure they were safe.

  1. When has a faithful companion (human or otherwise) given aid that prevented you from coming to great harm?
  2. Why is it difficult (or is it difficult) to remain true to a promise when the other person has been involved in some sin or misdeed?
  3. How should we respond if we find ourselves in corrupt and sinful surroundings?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 25, 2019

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SACRIFICIAL LOVE FOR ORPHANS

As young parents on a mission trip to Mexico, Jeane and Paul Briggs, of West Virginia, encountered a blind orphan boy whose story tugged at their hearts. They adopted him and have been adopting girls and boys ever since. For each child, “We’d hear of a child, pray about it and then felt like we should bring him home.” Their family now includes 32 previously orphaned children from various countries. The couple opened their lives and their home in radical, sacrificial love to so many children in need.

SACRIFICIAL LOVE FOR OTHERS

Our passage today has often been misread and sometimes abused to force wives to submit to their husbands, no questions asked. But Paul is saying that all Christians are to love and submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)—husbands and wives, wives and husbands, and everyone else—in the same way Christ loved us. His way is never to force someone to submit to Him. His way is to give Himself wholly and sacrificially to even His enemies, and certainly His children, in love.

  1. How does the adoption of orphans reflect Christ’s sacrificial love?
  2. What view of this passage does your church or congregation have?
  3. Why should marriage be a covenant of mutual love?

Additional Resources

These videos and materials are for your personal use. If you show videos in class, be sure to have the necessary rights to do so.

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In the World–August 18, 2019

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BREAKING FROM WEDDING TRADITIONS

Weddings are becoming more individualized and focused on what the couple wants rather than following convention. For instance, one trend in 2019 is to have a traditional ceremony and a second wedding event—as much as six months later—that is more of a party. The reception, which used to feature more or less the same traditional elements, has become more mix and match to suit a couple’s desires. One event planner advises, “Don’t have the evening regimented by protocol with a three-course meal and choreographed dances. You can do that if you really want to, but it would be a shame to fall back on conventionality in that way.”

HONORING WEDDING TRADITIONS

The story of Ruth approaching Boaz to take her as his wife is all about “falling back on conventionality.” Ancient tradition held that the nearest male relative of a deceased Jewish man must marry his widow in order to bear children to be the dead man’s heirs (see Deuteronomy 25:5–6; Ruth 4:10, 13; Mark 12:19; Luke 20:28). This week’s story, about Ruth covering herself under Boaz’s blanket, is odd to us, but it is a picture of two people carefully honoring cherished Jewish tradition.

  1. What’s the strangest wedding you’ve ever heard of or been to?
  2. What wedding tradition do you love most? Which one do you wish would go away?
  3. If you know of some unusual traditions or laws, which is your favorite?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 11, 2019

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I’LL HELP BECAUSE YOU SHARE MY VALUES

An experiment in Germany studied whether or not people would help an immigrant. An actor in the experiment dropped a paper cup on the ground at a park, and the other actor (a woman dressed as an immigrant) either ignored the trash or chided the man until he threw his trash away. Then the woman dropped her own groceries, and the sociologists watched to see if bystanders would come to her aid. Germans are notorious sticklers for cleanliness. The procedure, done more than a thousand times, showed a significant statistical increase in people coming to the woman’s aid if she had first shown that she shared German values by making the man clean up.

I’LL HELP BECAUSE YOU SHARE MY SAVIOR

Today’s story is about how Ruth, a woman from Moab, committed to staying by the side of Naomi, her deceased husband’s mother. She did this despite their differences in background, ethnicity, and religion. Ruth put her faith in the God of the Bible, and both King David and Jesus Himself trace their lineage to her. It’s important to form relationships with Christians from different backgrounds, especially for times of crisis or need. The Christian may have more in common with another Christian in a faraway nation than with a non-Christian neighbor next door.

  1. What’s an American value that a refugee could demonstrate that would make you more inclined to help him or her in need?
  2. In what ways, if at all, do you find yourself naturally inclined to reach out to people from other ethnic groups or different cultures?
  3. How might you form a new relationship with a Christian from a different background?

Additional Resources

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In the World–August 4, 2019

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A FRIENDSHIP THAT SAVED THE UNIVERSE

On July 20, Avengers: Endgame became the highest-grossing movie of all time, earning $2.7892 billion globally. The film surpassed James Cameron’s Avatar, which had topped the list (for non-inflation-adjusted films) for ten years. The Avengers movies feature a group of superhero friends who band together to fight off a parade of supervillains and their hordes. Though the heroes sometimes disagree and even fight one another, in the end, they put aside their differences for the common good.

A FRIENDSHIP THAT HONORED GOD

David and Jonathan are perhaps the best-known friends in the Bible. David had been anointed by the prophet Samuel to become Israel’s next king. Jonathan, as King Saul’s son and heir to the throne, had every reason to be jealous of David, but he was not. The hearts of the two became knitted together, and they solidified their friendship with a covenant. That covenant was tested as Saul sought to kill David. But Jonathan honored God by upholding his word to protect his friend.

  1. If you could cause one movie to be the highest-earning film of all time, which would you pick, and why?
  2. When has your friendship with someone been sorely tested? What happened?
  3. What was it about Jonathan that caused him to not be angry or threatened by David, even knowing that David’s presence meant Jonathan would never be king?

Additional Resources

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In the World–July 28, 2019

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A BLIND RAGE

This month, a man in Milwaukee didn’t like how another motorist was driving, so he pulled out a gun, fired several times into the other car, and drove away. The other car was driven by a young mother with her four children in the back, aged 1, 2, 3, and 4, out for a drive on a Saturday morning. The three-year-old girl was shot and killed. An expert on road rage says that “denial and loss of objectivity” are a contributing factor in the person who becomes enraged. “We tend to overlook our own faults and place blame on others.” No doubt this driver had serious issues before the incident, and they flared out murderously over someone else’s trifling error.

A BLIND EYE

Jesus warned us against overlooking our own serious issues and letting them flare out against other people’s trifling errors. We may have a beam- or plank-sized sin in our own lives, but what often gets our attention is the mote or speck of a sin in someone else’s life. We must maintain a healthy mindfulness of our own imperfections—or risk inflicting horrifying harm to another. An awareness of our own tendencies to sin causes us to have mercy on others and to approach their failings with humility and patience.

  1. What was an incident of road rage that impacted you or someone you know?
  2. In addition to road rage, what are other ways in which people can magnify someone else’s sin and turn a blind eye to their own faults?
  3. What’s an example of a failing in your own life that has caused you to be slow to condemn others for their failings?

Additional Resources

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In the World–July 21, 2019

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A SHIP FOR A SHIP

British Royal Marines recently boarded and detained an Iranian oil tanker off Gibraltar on suspicion that it was breaking international sanctions by taking oil to Syria. Shortly afterward, in a case of “eye for an eye” retaliation, three Iranian paramilitary boats attempted to divert a British Petroleum supertanker into Iranian territorial waters as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz, with the likely aim of seizing the ship. A British navy destroyer deterred the Iranian vessels, but the Iranian government has promised “repercussions” for seizing their ship.

AN EYE FOR AN EYE

Jesus addressed “eye for an eye” retaliations in the Sermon on the Mount. It’s true that an equal and restrained revenge is better than escalating responses: “You take my eye, so I take your life.” But Jesus turns the whole situation upside-down, as He does so often, by telling His followers to take no revenge at all. And if the command of zero vengeance weren’t hard enough to bear, He also commands us to love and even pray for the good of those who mistreat us.

  1. In the complicated and explosive tensions of the Middle East, should “an eye for an eye” be the diplomatic strategy? If not, why not?
  2. When someone wrongs you without provocation, how naturally do you seek to love and pray for that person?
  3. Why do you think Jesus asks Christians to behave this way to those who harm us?

Additional Resources

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In the World–July 14, 2019

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WORKING HARD TO MAINTAIN PEACE

On the world stage, some nations are strong allies and some are outright enemies. In between are nations that have to work very hard to remain civil with one another. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently traveled to North Korea to encourage their often-stubborn ally to work to decrease nuclear tensions with the United States and to improve conditions for its own people. South Korea weighed in, saying that China’s efforts helped bring stability to the Korean peninsula. All parties have to work diligently and show great restraint to prevent unthinkable outcomes.

WORKING HARD TO MAKE PEACE

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called us to work just as hard and show just as much restraint regarding our personal conflicts. There are few things more difficult than surrendering the urge to lash out when we’ve been wronged or to make sure someone doesn’t “get away with” an offense against us. We’d much rather strike back, and sometimes we do. But Jesus told us to integrate our thoughts and prayers with our actions. If we wish to have peace with God, we have to do the hard work of making peace with the people around us, especially those whom we have offended. We don’t know how long it will be before we all stand before the Judge.

  1. What conflicts on the world stage concern you the most right now? How might the parties move toward defusing the conflict?
  2. What family members, co-workers, or acquaintances have you had to work very hard to maintain even a semblance of a relationship with? Why is it sometimes so difficult?
  3. When have you swallowed your pride or surrendered your desire to get even and instead pursued peace? When has someone made the first move to seek reconciliation with you?

Additional Resources

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In the World–July 7, 2019

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A VARIABLE LIGHT

If you go outside one night this week, you may be able to spot Saturn in the sky. On July 9th, it will be in “opposition” to us, meaning that the earth is directly between Saturn and the sun, showing the ringed planet at its brightest. In technical terms, its apparent magnitude will be as high as –0.55, which will make it brighter than all but two stars in the night sky. But as both planets continue their orbits around the sun, Saturn’s perceived luminosity will drop. At its farthest from earth, its apparent magnitude dips to +1.17 (in this scale, a higher number is less bright). Saturn’s visibility rises and falls with time.

A RELIABLE LIGHT?

Jesus called Christians the light of the world and compared us to a city set on a hill. If you’ve ever driven at night and seen a community or even just a single house on a hill, you can picture what He meant. It’s visible for miles around and functions as a reliable guide for those trying to find their way in the dark. But as individuals and as the global church, our apparent luminosity to the world can seem to dim with time. The people living in darkness need to continue seeing the great light.

  1. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to view Saturn through a telescope, what was your reaction to its appearance?
  2. What factors make the church—either worldwide or perhaps a local church—more or less reliable as a light guiding people to Jesus?
  3. What’s something a church, denomination, or ministry has done that made it a bright light for the lost?

Additional Resources

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In the World–June 30, 2019

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UNKNOWN CAUSE OF POWER LOSS

On June 16, more than forty million people in Argentina and Uruguay woke up without electrical power. Local outages are not uncommon, but this was a massive failure of the power grid. The only part of Argentina that wasn’t without power was Tierra del Fuego, a mostly unpopulated archipelago off the southern tip of the mainland because it has its own electrical system. Not only lights but elevators, refrigerators, trains, subways, and more were without power for more than twenty-four hours. Argentina’s energy agency did not know what had caused the outage to be so widespread but speculated that it might have to do with recent storms.

UNEXPECTED SOURCE OF POWER GAIN

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is full of unexpected reversals, and the Beatitudes are especially surprising. In Jesus’ system, people who are low are actually lifted high by God’s power. The ones who are disrespected by the world are greatly honored by God. The ones who appear least in this world seem to be especially beloved by the Father. God’s ways are rarely our ways, and even today, it is almost unheard of to give mercy, to not seek revenge, or to value the overlooked. And yet this is what we will do to emulate the Lord and partake in His blessing and power.

  1. What’s the most serious effect you’ve ever encountered because of a power loss?
  2. Which of Jesus’ Beatitudes seems most countercultural in the world today?
  3. What do you think it means to be poor in spirit, and how can we do a better job of being this way?

Additional Resources

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In the World–June 23, 2019

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PUT AWAY THE SOCIAL MEDIA AND GO DEEP

Many young people today (along with many adults) spend a surprisingly large amount of time on social media sites such as Instagram. Students often feel that if they don’t read notifications and respond right away, they will miss out on something. They see their peers showing only their best side online, and this can lead to negative self-comparisons. A recent article associates all this with drastically increased anxiety and depression in young people, to the point that one expert calls this a “mental health tsunami.” Some schools bring in comfort dogs or yoga teachers in attempts to help students put away false messages about who they are—or aren’t—and become “grounded.”

PUT AWAY THE FALSE TEACHING AND GO DEEP

The church in Colossae needed to put away false messages as well. Paul wrote because false teachers were feeding his readers misinformation that was leading to a drastic increase in anxieties and a rift in the church. These believers were trying to understand whether Jesus really had accomplished everything claimed, or whether there were secrets that Christians needed to receive (from the false teachers) in order to have the best spiritual nourishment. Paul urged them not to be deluded by this teaching but to remember that they had been firmly rooted in God and that in Christ they had been made complete.

  1. Describe a time when you received information that made you almost forget what was true about yourself—what did you do to regain your balance?
  2. How can false teaching increase anxiety in the heart of a Christian, and what can be done to remember that he or she is firmly rooted and complete in Christ?
  3. How can false teaching divide a church, and what can be done to knit hearts back together in love?

Additional Resources

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In the World–June 16, 2019

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A SACRIFICE TO END HITLER’S REIGN

Last week marked the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing in Normandy, still the largest amphibious operation in history. Around 156,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches and began fighting their way across France, with the goal of marching into Berlin and bringing down Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime. The D-Day landing was a great victory and is considered the tipping point in World War 2, but 4,414 Allied troops gave their lives on that one day. The total casualty count for both sides (not counting civilian deaths) in the months-long campaign to liberate France and topple Berlin is estimated at 425,000. The cost of freedom is very steep indeed and is sometimes paid in blood.

A SACRIFICE TO END SIN’S REIGN

Jesus offered His own blood to pay the cost of freedom for all people. In the Jewish sacrificial system, no forgiveness was granted without the shedding of innocent blood. The High Priest would offer annual sacrifices for his own sins and for those of the people, but that ritual had to be performed every year. On the cross, Jesus served as both High Priest and blood sacrifice, providing His blood to cleanse and redeem us—not with a sacrifice that had to be repeated every year, but for all time. The cost of freedom for humanity was the death of God’s only Son.

  1. What connection, if any, do you have with D-Day or World War 2 in general? Tell about someone you know who has given his or her life in the effort to bring freedom to others.
  2. How would you, in your own words, explain the significance of Christ’s death on the cross?
  3. Last week, we commemorated the sacrifice of those who fought and died on D-Day; how can we commemorate the sacrifice that Jesus made for us?

Additional Resources

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In the World—June 9, 2019

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BLEW THE ROOF OFF

Recently, more than one hundred suspected tornados formed across the central and eastern United States, causing countless millions of dollars in damage and taking several lives. One Ohio man heard the tornado warning and moved to an interior hallway. Seconds later, the front room of his house was blown apart. “I was hit by debris in my head,” he said later. “I looked up and I no longer had a roof.” It took only twenty seconds to take what had been a solid barrier and make it a portal open to the sky.

TORE THE DOOR IN HALF

When Jesus hung on the cross, and for centuries before, there hung a heavy veil over the opening to the Most Holy Place in the Temple (and in the Tabernacle, before the Temple). This was a solid barrier to separate mankind from the holy presence of God. But when Jesus breathed His last and gave a great cry, that veil was supernaturally torn in half from top to bottom. Now the door between people and the Most High wasn’t opened so much as shredded, granting direct access to God. Today, the Holy Spirit lives inside Christians, and believes live in the very presence of the Lord. Jesus’ death opened the door to come to God.

  1. Have you or someone you know ever lived through a tornado (or hurricane or earthquake)? If so, tell that story.
  2. Why was the Most Holy Place in the Temple blocked off by a heavy veil?
  3. Is there any sense in which doors still stand between people and God? Explain. What doors blocking access to God might Jesus want to tear apart today?

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In the World–June 2, 2019

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A (PROBABLY) TRUSTWORTHY COVENANT

A recent survey found Amazon.com to be the second most trusted institution in the United States (behind only the military). Americans believe in an unspoken agreement that Amazon is trustworthy and will treat them fairly. Some people—including some Amazon shareholders—believe the company is in danger of violating that unwritten covenant by selling its proprietary face recognition technology to governments or law enforcement. Some are concerned that this would be a violation of confidentiality and privacy that could lead to bias against certain categories of shopper.

A (COMPLETELY) SUPERIOR COVENANT

When Jesus instituted the New Covenant, He made an agreement between God and man that is built on “better promises” (Hebrews 8:6) than the Old Covenant was. The bread and cup of Communion are symbols of God’s trustworthiness and reminders of the superior covenant He entered into with those who will receive it. In this week’s lesson, we will understand the meaning of the New Covenant and how it impacts our lives.

  1. In the information age, when big companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Google are watching our behaviors and even our facial expressions, how can we be sure we can trust what they’re doing?
  2. What are some examples of tokens or symbols of good faith that people have used to increase trust that a contract or agreement will be upheld? (Example: Earnest money payment.)
  3. Do you have a covenant or agreement you have made with God? If so, describe it.

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In the World–May 26, 2019

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DYING SACRIFICIALLY

On May 7, two students armed with guns entered a school in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. This could have been another school massacre. However, three students, who were willing to sacrifice their lives, tackled and disarmed the shooters. One of the heroic students, Kendrick Castillo, was killed while helping to stop the assailants. Brendan Bialy and a third student joined Castillo in subduing the attackers. All three were hailed as heroes for putting themselves at risk in order to save others. Bialy is in a Marine Corps training program. He put into action what his recruiter had taught him: Put service before self.

LIVING SACRIFICIALLY

Self-centeredness is not a Christian virtue. While some may be called to make the ultimate sacrifice in their service to others, all Christians are called to sacrifice themselves in other ways. In today’s passage, the apostle Paul teaches that we are to live as sacrifices offered to God (Romans 12:1). We are called to put service to God and others before self. Whatever gifts we have, whether showing leadership in the face of evil or encouraging others or extending mercy, Paul says that using our gifts to benefit others is one of the ways we worship God.

  1. What causes some people to act heroically when others do not?
  2. How is it worshipping God if we live sacrificially in the ways the text mentions?
  3. Share some examples of people who lived sacrificially by using their spiritual gifts to serve God and others.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World–May 19, 2019

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“BETTER” PEOPLE?

Fifty celebrities, coaches, and other individuals have been charged in a college admissions scandal in recent weeks. This week, actress Felicity Huffman, one of the best known among the accused, pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud in paying $15,000 for someone to cheat on her daughter’s SAT test, thus giving the daughter a better chance to get accepted at an elite university. Another parent pleaded guilty to the same charge, admitting he had agreed to pay $250,000 to get his son a water polo athletic scholarship at the University of Southern California, even though the son doesn’t play the sport. Apparently, these people wanted to have their children (and themselves) seen as better than they were.

“BETTER” CHRISTIANS?

It seems to be a universal principle that people wish to be seen as better than they really are—and better than others around them. Sometimes, we think we are justified in looking down on entire people groups. The apostle Paul alludes to such a situation in the early church. Some Gentile Christians apparently thought they were better than Jews (even Jewish Christians) because Israel had, as a people, rejected Christ while many Gentiles had been open to the gospel.

  1. How does the college admissions scandal illustrate the evil of human pride?
  2. Have you ever been tempted to think you were better than others, including other Christians? On what basis? How did you overcome the temptation?
  3. How does the Christian view of people contrast with the world’s view?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World–May 12, 2019

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DISQUALIFIED

A racehorse named Maximum Security led this year’s Kentucky Derby from beginning to end. However, the horse was charged with pushing War of Will out of its lane, causing it to bump into Country House. Country House showed great spirit, recovering from the incident to finish second. Although Maximum Security’s rule violation may have been unintentional, officials disqualified the horse on the basis that it could have injured several horses and their jockeys. As a result, Country House, a 65-to-1 underdog, was awarded the win.

WINNING GOD’S WAY

Many people who are considered winners by the world trust in their natural abilities to succeed. But when the competition is fierce, they sometimes bump aside others who get in the way. Other people who are disdained by the world as losers live by the Spirit, trusting God to bring the victory, and persevere through the bumps of life. The apostle Paul assures us that such people can recover from life’s blows to win the prize at the end of the race.

  1. Tell of someone you know who surmounted obstacles placed in their path (perhaps by their flesh or the devil) and found victory in the life of faith.
  2. What can we do to ensure that we don’t “bump” someone else and cause them to stumble?
  3. How can we be sure that we are being led by God’s Spirit and not by our flesh?

—Charles R. Boatman

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We Apologize!

By "In the World"

We’re very sorry that “In the World” for May 5 wasn’t available for your use this weekend and apologize for any inconvenience that caused. We experienced a technical glitch with scheduling, but we’ll be sure that “In the World” is available to you on time in the future.

In the World–May 5, 2019

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AN EVIL VIEW OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Suicide bombers blew up three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Islamic State representatives claimed responsibility for the terrorist acts. These bombings show us what human attempts to create righteousness, according to one set of extremist religious views, can lead to. It should not surprise us that human attempts to be righteous turn into legalism and judgment that sometimes produce evil results.

THE ONLY RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT COUNTS

As Christians, we also may be tempted to focus on an external appearance of righteousness. Legalism prompts us to develop lists of supposedly righteous acts and beliefs that elevate us above “ordinary sinners.” But according to the apostle Paul, this demonstrates the pride that can infect even the good that we do! In today’s background text (Romans 3:10), Paul tells us that no human can be righteous on his or her own. Only Jesus, the Righteous One, can make us pleasing to God, and that happens when we come to Him through faith in Christ and His righteousness, not through pride in ourselves.

  1. How can one’s thinking get so twisted as to think that God is honored by committing murder in His name?
  2. What does Paul’s life before meeting Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9) suggest about this?
  3. In what ways have you struggled with a focus on the appearance of external righteousness?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World–April 28, 2019

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WILL IT BE RESTORED?

Much of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris was destroyed two weeks ago. The magnificent building, which had withstood 850 years of revolution, peace, and wartime peril, fell victim to fire. French President Emmanuel Macron quickly promised the cathedral would be rebuilt in 5 years. However, architectural experts predicted the project could take as long as 20 years. At this point, no one really knows the time involved, the cost, or even whether the building suffered more damage than can be repaired.

YES, BUT IN A DIFFERENT FORM

We’re looking at Notre-Dame’s future the way the apostles looked at the future of their faith after Jesus’ death. Someone of great value to them had been destroyed (or so they thought). Even after the resurrection of Jesus, their question to Jesus shows that the apostles still believed that Jesus had an earthly kingdom of the Jews in mind (see Acts 1:6). However, God’s vision for His kingdom was greater than theirs. Their vision would include the Jews, but God’s restored kingdom would be open to people of every ethnicity. The timing and nature of the restoration might be unknown, but the fact of it is certain beyond doubt!

  1. Do you see any parallels between the destruction at Notre-Dame and the dilemma the apostles were facing? Explain.
  2. Does uncertainty over the timing of Jesus’ return trouble you? Why or why not?
  3. In what ways might our view of God’s kingdom be limited (as the apostles’ view was)?

—Charles R. Boatman

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Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family.
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In the World–April 21, 2019

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A CAREER RESURRECTED

Tiger Woods was once a brilliant young star in the world of professional golf. But scandals in his personal life and physical injuries took Woods’s game away. He had not won a major tournament since 2008, and many golf fans believed his career was over, or “dead.” Two years ago, Woods was bedridden; even he questioned his future as a professional golfer. However, last Sunday, Woods won the Masters Tournament in Augusta, GA. It was the fifth of his career. Sports writers are calling the win “a comeback for the ages” and his fans are hoping for a resurrected career.

HUMAN HOPES RESURRECTED

On what we call Palm Sunday, Jesus was a rising star with fans praising Him as their long-hoped-for Messiah. Though He entered Jerusalem humbly, on a donkey instead of a warhorse, we do nevertheless call it the Triumphal Entry. Then, just a few days later, Jesus was executed as a criminal. With their anticipated Deliverer lying lifeless in a tomb, the disciples’ hopes had been dashed. Three days later, on that first Easter, Jesus rose from the dead, and with Him were resurrected the hopes of all the world for victory over evil and life beyond the grave.

  1. Should a Christian rejoice when tarnished celebrities succeed in their careers? Why or why not?
  2. How would you explain to an unbeliever how the Resurrection gives you hope in this life?
  3. Tell the class about a time when you were crushed by life’s circumstances, yet you had hope because of your faith in the resurrected Christ.

–Charles R. Boatman

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In the World–April 14, 2019

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COMPETING VALUE SYSTEMS

Nipsey Hussle moved beyond his gang-affiliated youth in South Los Angeles to become famous as a rap artist. As a rich entrepreneur, he became a model for many in the poorer areas of L.A., where he became a successful businessman. Nipsey encouraged his community to make long-term plans for success in life. On March 31, 2019, Nipsey was killed by gunfire, allegedly from an aspiring rapper who had had a disagreement with him earlier in the day. The suspect’s own rap music exhibited a different value system, one that glorifies guns, violence, and murder.

QUESTIONING A WOMAN’S VALUE SYSTEM

When the disciples condemned the woman’s actions in anointing Jesus with expensive perfume, they were questioning not only her value system, but also her value as a person. They condemned her for not using her expensive gift as they might have. They were also questioning Jesus’ values for accepting the woman’s “wasteful” act.

  1. How does a person’s lifestyle express the values they live by?
  2. Did the disciples’ objection to the woman’s act have any validity? Explain.
  3. Have you ever felt the same as the disciples did about another person’s “extravagant” lifestyle? Explain the rationale for your judgment. How might Jesus respond to your criticism?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World–April 7, 2019

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HEALTH CARE AT WHAT COST?

How to provide healthcare for Americans is part of an ongoing debate in Washington, DC, these days. Opinions on the matter vary across the political spectrum, from 100% coverage free for everyone to no coverage except that which an individual can afford to buy. This week, the US Justice Department filed a suit asking the courts to strike down “Obamacare.” Some candidates in the 2020 presidential run for the White House are taking positions at the opposite extreme.

HEALING FREE TO ALL

In Jesus’ time, there was no such thing as health insurance and nothing like medical care as we know it. Thus, when Jesus came healing the sick and casting out demons, He was meeting a need that couldn’t be filled otherwise. When He called and sent out His apostles, He gave them authority to engage in a healing ministry similar to His.

  1. Does the healing authority Jesus gave to His twelve apostles apply to Christians today? Why or why not? If so, to what extent?
  2. Do you know of situations in which a Christian has exercised (or claimed to exercise) the gift of healing? If so, how was the gift authenticated?
  3. If Jesus’ will regarding healthcare were perfectly enacted in our country today, what do you think that would look like?

—Charles R. Boatman

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Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family. All rights reserved.
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In the World–March 31, 2019

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FOLLOWING THE PARTY LINE . . .

 In May 2017, Robert Mueller was named special counsel in a widely publicized US investigation. A summary of Mueller’s report was made public last Sunday. The report found no collusion between Russia and the 2016 Trump election campaign. This outcome infuriated some and delighted others. Reactions pretty well followed political party lines. Even well-meaning Christians are divided over whether the investigation was a political “witch hunt” or a coverup of possibly illegal deeds.

. . . OR FOLLOWING JESUS?

When Jesus called the four fishermen of Galilee to follow Him, His call was divisive too. He asked these two sets of brothers to leave their families, their jobs, and their homes and throw in with this itinerant rabbi. It’s possible that the families didn’t appreciate having their primary wage-earners taken away from their work. Evidently, these men were able to resolve at least some of the dissension and became followers of Christ (see Mark 1:29). No matter where we stand politically, Christians can be united in making Jesus our highest priority and seeking to love at all times.

  1. How can Christians avoid creating dissension in the church (or online) over political hot topics, such as the Mueller investigation?
  2. Why do you think Matthew places Jesus’ call to repentance (4:17) in the same context as His call to follow Him (4:19)?
  3. Does the way in which you discuss political and social issues indicate that you are a follower of Jesus? If yes, in what way? If not, what do you need to change?

In the World–March 24, 2019

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THE PAIN OF PAYING TAXES

On April 15, our 2018 income tax returns and payments will be due. Does anyone actually love paying taxes? We all use and appreciate the public services and other benefits our taxes pay for, but we know there’s much waste and we hate to see our tax dollars going to causes we don’t agree with. Every April, the call arises for a reduction to taxation, an end to taxation, or serious amendments to the tax system. In the end, most of us will grumble about it all . . . and then pay up.

A TAX-COLLECTOR’S CHANGE OF HEART

We don’t know whether Jesus said anything to Zacchaeus regarding the sinful way he went about his job. However, it is clear from Zacchaeus’s response that Jesus’ words or actions pricked the chief tax collector’s conscience regarding his conduct. From what we know about the way Rome collected its taxes, we are safe in saying that Zacchaeus’s approach to his job was to enrich himself, regardless of how it affected the poor and powerless.

  1. Do you think the American system of taxation is more fair than Rome’s was? Why or why not?
  2. On one occasion, Jesus answered a question about paying taxes to Caesar by saying we should give to “Caesar” what is due (Mark 12:17). How does this apply to Christians today—in the realm of taxation and beyond?
  3. What does Zacchaeus’s extravagant example of repentance say about how we should show repentance? Can repentance be real without a tangible demonstration of it? Explain your response.

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World–March 17, 2019

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NONE DESERVE FORGIVENESS . . .

There’s a lot of sin in the news. For example, a rash of politicians have recently felt the need to apologize for past actions and statements that were not in keeping with today’s politically correct stance on now-sensitive issues. Where harm has been done, it’s understandable that some may press for accountability, but there’s a danger of causing more harm in the process. There’s also a trend in social media toward so-called “cancel culture”—stopping books from being sold or TV shows from being aired because someone feels offended. There seems to be a vigilante culture looking to convict and carry out punishment, and there is very little talk about forgiveness.

. . . BUT IT’S OFFERED ANYWAY

How different was the father in Jesus’ parable (See Luke 15:11-24)! Both of his sons disappointed him. Neither one deserved forgiveness. However, the father’s love was greater than his sons’ offenses. The parable speaks powerfully to our relationship with our heavenly Father.

  1. Should we punish past actions or attitudes that were once considered acceptable behavior? Why or why not?
  2. Do you correct (or “call out”) someone who is acting or speaking in a way that offends you? What might be some Christlike ways to do so?
  3. Which of the characters in Jesus’ parable do you relate to most? Do you see yourself in more than one of them? In what ways?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World–March 10, 2019

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IN MEMORIAM

On Saturday, March 2, our dear friend and colleague Jim Eichenberger died unexpectedly from complications following emergency surgery. Jim was a valued member of the Standard Publishing editorial team for many years. Editing “In the World” was one of the ways he served the Lord. He said “Yes” to the call of Jesus and followed willingly wherever the Lord led him.

Whether you knew Jim for years or only minutes, you were touched by his humor, his intelligence, and his generosity. Jim was extremely passionate . . . about Jesus, studying and knowing Scripture, loving his family (and bragging on his kids and grandkids), and cheering for the Chicago Cubs. Jim cared about the purpose of his work, the people he was working alongside, and those who ultimately would read his work. Jim never ran out of ideas or energy, but he would take mental breaks, whipping out his harmonica to play a whimsical tune.

When Jesus began calling His disciples, His simple invitation was “Come, follow me.” They knew not where their decision to follow would take them, nor did they know the kind of sacrifices they would endure. However, in that moment, their lives changed—and history began to change too. So it is with Jim and with all of us who follow the Lord’s call. May Jim’s example of faithfulness to his calling be a challenge to us all.

  1. What place does your faith have in your reaction to news of a friend or loved one’s death? Does a sudden death such as Jim’s change the equation? Explain.
  2. When a person such as Jim is suddenly taken in the prime of life, some people might question God’s fairness. How do you answer them?
  3. How does the radical decision of the disciples to follow Jesus challenge you in answering His call in your life?

—Charles R. Boatman

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Copyright © 2019 by Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family. All rights reserved.
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In the World—March 3, 2019

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SEEKING ATTENTION?

On January 29, TV actor Jussie Smollett reported that he had been physically attacked on the streets of Chicago. Smollett claimed that two men draped him with a noose, cursed him with racial and homosexual slurs, and gave him the impression that they were supporters of President Trump.  The media immediately ran with this story, often commenting that the attack illustrated an increase in intolerance during the past two years. The actor, once known to relatively few, was thrust into the spotlight.

RECEIVING DETENTION

But soon the story took an unexpected turn. The Chicago Police Department thoroughly investigated the matter and arrested Smollett! Police announced that Smollett had perpetrated a hoax. Evidence surfaced that the actor paid the attackers with a personal check for $3,500 and gave them the script for the slurs. The Department further alleged that Smollett’s motive was to advance his career and to fight intolerance. If this is indeed the case, it seems that a case for tolerance would have better been made by a life of quiet service rather than by seeking fame.

  1. At first, this incident was reported as evidence that the election of President Trump in 2016 encouraged those who harbored prejudices to act out with violence. As evidence mounts that Smollett perpetrated a hoax, how has it affected your attitudes about the media, politics, and law enforcement?
  2. In our text today, Jesus said that those seeking to exalt themselves will, in the end, be humiliated. Tell about a time when you found that to be true.
  3. We would all like the work of our church and the power of Jesus to be exalted in our community. What does this text seem to prescribe as the best way of accomplishing this?

   —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—February 24, 2019

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PREYED UPON

Travis Kauffman has become famous recently. On February 4, he was running on a mountain trail in Colorado when he was attacked by a mountain lion. Before he knew it, the 50-pound cat had locked its jaws around the arm of the lanky 5-foot-10, 150-pound Kauffman. The 31-year-old runner fought back and eventually suffocated the animal by putting his foot on its neck. When recounting the incident for the press, Kaufman recalled that his first reaction when attacked was trying to protect his face and crying out in sort of a “barbarian yell.”

PRAYING WHEN PREYED UPON

The Psalmist speaks of crying out in a different way when preyed upon. His prayer of praise and trust in God acknowledges that God will enable us to trample on the lion and serpent. Kauffman responded by yelling. The Psalmist reacted with faith in God who can protect and deliver. Kauffman recalled that the experience taught him to “have awareness of the environment.” The Psalmist encourages us to remember that our environment includes a mighty God!

  1. How can Kauffman’s experience with the lion be an allegory for our lives? Describe a situation in which you felt you were being violently and unexpectedly attacked.
  2. How can you become more aware of your environment—situations that can put you in danger? How can trust in God help you fend off an ambush from the Tempter in such situations?
  3. How do the promises in verses 11 to 16 strengthen your trust in God?

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World—February 17, 2019

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THE POWER OF NATURE

In the past weeks, we’ve continued to see the power of nature in a weeks-long weather pattern. Heavy rains and massive mudslides have plagued California. A polar vortex has created blizzards and record deep freeze temperatures in the Upper Midwest and the Eastern U.S. Ice storms have struck the Midwest and South. When extreme weather brings havoc-creating conditions accompanied by massive destruction of property, insurance companies call these events “acts of God.”

THE POWER OF GOD

Most of us would argue that God should not be blamed for these highly destructive events. After all, human decisions are often the immediate reason for the accidents and other calamities associated with the weather. Regardless of how we might argue those issues, today’s text presents a different sort of evidence of God’s power. God is the Creator of the natural world. But he is also the powerful Restorer of the human spirit and the One who blesses those who revere him.

  1. In what ways have you experienced (and expressed praise for) the evidence of God’s creative power in the natural world? How do you answer those who turn against God because of the existence of natural evil?
  2. Tell the class of a time when you have said to someone (as the psalmist did), “Let me tell you about what God has done for me”? Give the class an example of how God has “kept your feet from slipping.”
  3. In what respect do you see God “watching the nations”? What does this phrase mean to you?

 —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—February 10, 2019

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A NOT-SO-SUPER BOWL

The Super Bowl elicits an almost religious devotion season after season. Advertisers willingly pay an average $5.25 million for a 30-second commercial to reach rabid football fans. A lot of superlatives are used to describe the game: the bestteams in football, the most talentedplayers in the game, the funniestTV commercials, etc. Nevertheless, the most common superlative given to last Sunday’s Super Bowl LIII was “one of the most boringin Super Bowl history.” At the end of the third quarter, the score was still only 3-to-3. Post-game TV ratings were at a 10-year low for the game.

SEARCHING FOR SUPERLATIVES

When the Psalmist describes the Lord in today’s text, he searches for appropriate superlatives. Unable to find one that effectively expresses God’s greatness, the Psalmist uses the superb character of the city of Jerusalem as a means of declaring God’s glory. Jerusalem is more “super” than any other shrine or location because it is the physical place where God makes himself present to the people of Israel. Thus, the metaphor expresses the superlative nature of Israel’s God.

  1. What, if anything, does the cost of a Super Bowl commercial suggest to you regarding our culture’s values? In what way is a sporting event a way of describing what our culture values?
  2. What contemporary image would you use to describe the glory of God? Explain. Does God have a “holy mountain” today? Explain your answer.
  3. What dangers do you see, if any, in thinking of a specific place (such as a church building or shrine) as the place where God dwells?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—February 3, 2019

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SETTING ASIDE THE PAST

Partisan wrangling led to the longest federal government shutdown in our nation’s history. It finally came to an end last week—at least for a few days. The president and the Congress agreed to give themselves until February 15 to work out a deal that will keep the government in operation after that. The question is whether our representatives in the House, the Senate, and the White House can move past the invectives and posturing that have characterized their political shouting matches for so long.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Putting the past behind is hard for us. We see it in the political divide that caused the government shutdown. We see it in the cultural divide over poverty, race, gender, and so many other issues. For Paul, he once was separated from the church because of his strict adherence to religious ritual. He learned, that although his past accomplishments in Judaism were significant, his future lay in his relationship with Jesus.

  1. How would you, as a Christian citizen, advise our representatives in Washington to move forward from the current impasse? What shared hopes for the future could convince both sides to put the past aside?
  2. What place does personal, corporate, or even religious pride play in keeping us tethered to the past? What challenges to leave the past behind have you encountered? How did you overcome them?
  3. When a church or Sunday School class experiences a decline in membership, what help in facing the future does today’s text provide? Considering such a situation, suggest some practical steps for trusting in God’s righteousness rather than in our own.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—January 27, 2019

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“THERE’S NO ‘I’ IN ‘TEAM’”

Coaches tell their players, “There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’.” In other words, no matter how valuable any one player may be, the goal is for the team to excel. Nevertheless, one individual’s performance canmake the difference between winning and losing. This may have been the case when officials failed to call pass interference on an L.A. Rams player in last Sunday’s NFC playoff game. Very near the game’s end, the New Orleans Saints were closing in on the goal line when a Rams defender interfered with a pass reception that could had given the Saints the winning touchdown. Officials failed to make the call. The Rams went on to win in overtime and are now headed to Super Bowl LIII. The Rams player later admitted he committed a foul and an official admitted that he missed the call.

THERE IS AN ‘I’ IN ‘CHRISTLIKE’”

During the uncertain time of his imprisonment, Paul wrote to the church in Philippi. The unity of the church, according to Paul, did not depend on his situation, but rather on the extent that believers followed the example of Jesus. Sometimes life’s rules seem not to have been fairly enforced and our lives take a grievous turn. Do we then shift from being a loyal team player to focusing on our own needs? Or do we take a more Christlike approach and subjugate our personal satisfaction to the greater good of what God may be doing?

  1. A missed call in the NFC playoff game may have had great consequences. As Christ followers, what can we learn from that? How have we learned that life is not always fair?
  2. If there is such a thing as a superstar Christian, we would have to consider Paul to be one! But Paul refused to be bitter about the unjust circumstances of his imprisonment and encouraged the church at Philippi to be other-centered rather than self-centered. What was the basis of his reasoning?
  3. In what ways does our culture encourage us to think, “It’s all about me”? What helps you resist temptations toward selfishness and conceit?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—January 20, 2019

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IMMOBILIZED BY WINTER STORMS

Heavy rains drenched mudslide-prone California hillsides last weekend at the same time as a fierce blizzard was sweeping through the Midwest. As the snowstorm moved toward the east coast, it left nearly two feet of snow in its wake along with many fatalities, thousands of collisions and multitudes of drivers stranded on snowy and icy roads. In many states, schools and businesses were forced to close. Many people tried to lay up food and supplies before they would be forced to hole up in their homes, awaiting normalcy to return. More stormy weather was predicted for this weekend.

RESPONDING TO THE STORMS OF LIFE

Could any possible good be mixed in with the problems caused by such severe weather? Centuries earlier, the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians about figurative storms he was weathering in his life. He had developed the grace to see that, regardless of what harm might come to him, others could benefit from it. The trials he faced were part of the process that God was using to mature him spiritually.

  1. When the “blizzards” of life make your personal plans grind to a halt, how do you make something good out of the situation?
  2. Tell the class of a time when the Spirit of Christ worked in you, helping you to see his provision for yourself or someone else.
  3. Has someone for whom you have prayed told you of the blessing your prayers have been to them? Explain.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—January 13, 2019

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THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

The newly Democrat-controlled House of Representatives is at odds with the White House. A partial federal government shutdown is one result. The media make the stalemate appear to be all about funding the barrier the President wants to complete along America’s southern border. That’s surely a part of it, but as with most things political, the real issue is power. The ones being hurt by loss of income or government services and potential victims of an insecure border are the real pawns in the game.

A MORAL SHUTDOWN

James gets to the heart of the issues that divide America politically (and in most other areas of life as well). Acting purely out of self-interest is the culprit. We quarrel with one another, each seeking what we want. According to James, when our desires run counter to what others want, a brawl can be the result. Usually the fight is metaphorical as it is currently in the government, but sometimes it becomes physical. People get hurt either way.

  1. Do you agree with the premise that the basic struggle in Washington is over who has the power? Why or why not?
  2. In your experience, does the description James gives explain what struggles in the church are usually about? Explain. What about conflicts at home or on the job?
  3. What is your personal strategy as a Christian for seeing that pride does not become a factor in your relationships?

 —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—January 6, 2019

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A LESSON FROM A SHOOTING

Brendan Kelly is a 22-year-old Marine from Thousand Oaks, California. This week he flies to Afghanistan for his first tour of duty. He was at the concert in Las Vegas in 2017 when a gunman massacred 59 people. He was also at the bar in Thousand Oaks on November 7 when another gunman killed 12 people. Two of the dead were among Kelly’s closest friends. To memorialize them, he had their names tattooed on his back. He also wears a tattoo with the words spoken by a friend as they left Vegas: “In this game of life, no one makes it out alive.”

APPLYING THE LESSON

Standing on the threshold of the new year, it’s good to be reminded of the fact that none of us will “make it out alive.” That is today’s biblical reminder. Obedience to God should be first on our daily agenda. Love for others and faithfulness to scriptural teaching should be the defining characteristics of our lives. The importance of heeding this lesson is increased by the wickedness about us in the world, including society’s increasing disdain for truth.

  1. Is the tattoo on Brendan Kelly’s back simply fatalism, or is there a spiritual truth contained in it? Explain.
  2. Does prayer guarantee that we will be spared from the works of evil people? Why or why not?
  3. How does “walking in the truth” look in your daily life? How do you test ideas to see if they are deceptive?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—December 30, 2018

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UNCONSTITUTIONAL?

U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor has ruled that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional after Congress repealed the provision that individuals must buy health insurance or pay a penalty. Critics of the ruling say it may negatively affect insurance rates and the stock market. A common concern voiced is that altering or abolishing the ACA puts those with preexisting conditions (often falsely equated with chronic conditions) in peril. The ruling will surely be appealed to a higher court. America is still debating whether we are doing enough to provide health care for all who need it.

UNCOMFORTABLE?

Jesus said God’s judgment will be based on whether we have fed and clothed the needy, cared for the sick, visited the imprisoned, and done other acts of mercy. If we are honest, many of us have trouble with Jesus’ words. They call attention to our lack of enthusiasm for showing concern for the less fortunate in society.

  1. Do Jesus’ words indicate we shall be judged on our works? Explain how what he says can be reconciled with what the apostle Paul says about justification by faith (Romans 5:1,2).
  2. Do you think the actions of the average Christian indicate that we take Jesus seriously? Why or why not? Assisting which type of need Jesus speaks of challenges you the most? Why?
  3. What excuses do we sometimes hear for not performing the acts of mercy Jesus speaks of? How might Jesus respond to our excuses? How does God’s judgment mesh with his love?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—December 23, 2018

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AWAITING A ROYAL BIRTH

The American press seems as fascinated with births to the British royal family as the British are, even though Americans have no royalty as such. Prince Harry and Princess Meghan recently announced the expected birth of their first child in Spring 2019.The tabloid press and the Internet are heating up just as they did when Prince William and Princess Kate were awaiting each of their three children.

ANTICIPATING A DIVINE BIRTH

In contrast to the above, when Jesus was born, most people seem to have been unaware of and unconcerned with the birth of Jesus. However, one man was different from the rest. Simeon waited with great anticipation for the coming of the Messiah. In fact, God promised him he would live until the divine pregnancy was completed. When Simeon finally saw the anticipated Child, his life’s great hope was fulfilled, and he could die in peace.

  1. What makes people so interested in royal births, even in America?
  2. Why do you think God singled out Simeon for the promise the Holy Spirit made to him? How was Simeon’s prophecy to Mary and Joseph fulfilled? Do God’s blessings always come with “strings attached”? Explain.
  3. What hope do you have which, if fulfilled, would satisfy your deepest longings? Explain. Do you see any parallels between ancient unconcern for Jesus’ coming and the way Christmas is celebrated today? Explain.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—December 16, 2018

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PRAISE FOR THE DEAD

Just over a week ago, many of us watched the memorial service for George H. W. Bush, the forty-first president of the United States. As is customary on such occasions, those who spoke praised President Bush. They spoke of his dedication to principle, his humility, his service to his country, and his faith in God. We tend to discount such remembrances somewhat, because we know that they often stretch the truth a bit—even while we secretly hope that our friends will do the same for us at our own funerals!

PRAISE FOR THE LIVING GOD

How different are the praises which David, the psalmist, offers for the living God! God is completely worthy of the superlatives David uses to describe the goodness and greatness of God. Compared to the temporary nature of our lives, God is not bound by time. Thus, God is the eternal One who blesses us physically and spiritually, both now and for eternity.

  1. What are the pros and cons of praising people at their funerals? Are we wrong to hope people will remember us kindlier than we deserve? Why or why not?
  2. In what ways have you experienced God’s goodness in the terms David uses? In what ways have you found that some of the items David mentions are not as true in your life as you wish they were? How do you reconcile the difference between your own experiences and what David says?
  3. Restate in your own words what David says about God’s goodness so that an unbeliever might understand.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—December 9, 2018

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HOPING TO EVADE THE LAW

Two weeks ago, the long-awaited caravan of Central American immigrants reached the San Diego/Tijuana (Mexico) border crossing. For weeks, they had been moving northward toward an imagined promised land. They found the border checkpoint closed in both directions. For several days now, 6,000 refugees have waited for a resolution of their situation. They have been living in makeshift tent villages, sometimes in cold and driving rain. Hoping to evade the law, some of the would-be immigrants broke past Mexican federal police officers and ran toward the wall. U.S. immigration officers fired tear gas, driving them back. Some Americans see the issue in simple terms: legal vs. illegal immigration. Others also see it simply, but from a different perspective: compassion for refugees vs. lack of humanitarian concern.

COMMANDED TO KEEP THE LAW

When the Israelites approached their Promised Land, Joshua unequivocally made plain to them God’s requirement that they obey his law. At the same time, he reminded them that they were immigrants coming into the land God was giving them and that prosperity there was contingent upon their obedience.

  1. Do you see the issue at the border in terms of legal vs. illegal or as compassion vs. unconcern? Why? On what biblical principles do you base your view?
  2. Joshua predicated blessing in the Promised Land based on Israel’s obedience to God’s law. Was this a matter of faith or works? Explain. How does the issue of obedience apply to our relationship with God through Christ?
  3. Does God’s blessing indicate his approval of how we are living? Why or why not? Does teaching our children the way of the Lord guarantee their later faithfulness? Explain.

   —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—December 2, 2018

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SEPARATION OF POWERS

The latest example of the perennial tension between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal government hit the news last week.  President Trump publicly criticized what he called “Obama judges” in the federal judicial system. In response, Chief Justice John Roberts openly rebuked the president, asserting the necessity of an independent judiciary. This kind of infighting is nothing new. Not many alive can remember President Franklin Roosevelt’s frustrations with the Supreme Court for its rulings against the New Deal legislation he was promoting. FDR attempted to pack the Court with six additional justices more in line with his thinking.

UNIFICATION OF POWER

Just as the Constitution is discussed and interpreted by our system of courts, the people of Israel were commanded to discuss among themselves the meaning of God’s law in their lives. However, this discussion of the law was not to be done in a way that negated what God had said. God was Lawmaker, Judge, and King. His people were to obey his law regardless of their opinion about it or interpretation of it.

  1. What values do you see in the separation of governmental powers? In what ways are our Constitution and God’s law alike? How do they differ?
  2. How are the instructions in Deuteronomy 6:1-9 applicable to the practice of our faith? Which of these commands should be taken literally, and which are meant to be taken figuratively?
  3. How does teaching God’s commandments to our children tie in with loving God with our whole being?

   —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—November 25, 2018

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NOT WHAT THEY BARGAINED FOR

For decades, people streamed into the aptly (or so it seemed) named town of Paradise in California’s Sierra foothills. The beauty of the hills beckoned people to build their homes far into the heavily wooded countryside. Two weeks ago, strong, dry winds made the drought-stricken land a tinderbox. When the inevitable fire started, it could not be stopped. Scores of people died as their heavenly surroundings in Paradise rapidly turned into purgatory! Being caught in the most devastating fire in California history was not what Paradise residents had bargained for.

MORE THAN THEY BARGAINED FOR

Several of the people in today’s lesson got more than they bargained for. Formerly childless Rachel was blessed with a son. Laban, a schemer who took advantage of his son-in-law, prospered greatly as Jacob cared for his flocks. And Jacob, whom we’re tempted to think of as having been a schemer all his life, prospered even more than Laban. All of them got blessings they had not expected.

  1. Why do you think this California town was named Paradise? Do you think that people were more likely to thank God for the blessings of the town of Paradise at its best or question God for the destruction of it in the past weeks? What does that say about human nature?
  2. How do you determine whether a blessing or disaster is of divine origin or due to human activity? Does it matter? Explain.
  3. How much is coincidence a factor in life? Or are all the things that happen to us the result of God’s actions? What experiences in your life indicate that God was actively working for your benefit?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—November 18, 2018

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PROMISES, PROMISES

The 2018 midterm elections have come and gone. Americans decided to give Democrats control of the House of Representatives as Republicans retained a majority in the Senate. Shifts in power took place all down the line through state and local elections. Numerous ballot measures required citizens to evaluate issues which would affect them in the near future. Party affiliation determined the votes of many, but the promises of candidates and proponents of referendum issues were a major factor for many voters. For the next two years, we will live with the consequences of those promises and our decisions about them.

A QUESTION OF KEEPING THEM

As we all know, campaign promises are not always kept. We also know that we don’t always keep the promises we make to God in times of stress or distress. Jacob’s dream caused him to promise allegiance to God if he were blessed by God. To help him remember the experience, he built an altar at that place.

  1. Why do so many people place little trust in political promises? Why are such promises made, and why are so many of them broken?
  2. Describe the turmoil occurring in Jacob’s life that preceded his encounter with God in this text. Why do so many people promise faithfulness to God in times of great emotion and not so much when life is going smoothly?
  3. Have you ever had a spiritual awakening such as Jacob experienced? What was your reaction to it? How did it change your life? What steps did you take to help you remember that experience?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—November 11, 2018

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A GAME OF MAKE-BELIEVE . . .

Two weeks ago was Hallowe’en, a day significant in church history. In 1517, on All Hallows Eve (as it was then called) Martin Luther made public a lengthy list of his theological grievances against the Roman Catholic Church. Since then, however, October 31 no longer has any religious significance for most people. For two-thirds of adults from ages 18 to 45, it’s party time with an average of $50 spent on costumes. An increasing number of adults are playing make-believe on Halloween, sometimes in costumes meant to be sensually alluring.

. . . AND ITS CONSEQUENCES

When Jacob deceived his father to gain the blessing of the birthright, he also engaged in a game of make-believe. He wore a costume that fooled his blind father into believing he was his older brother, Esau. This was no mere game. There were significant consequences for his family and for the Hebrew people for many generations to come. Animosity between the brothers would last for decades. Despite the deception, Jacob’s family line would become the one through which the Messiah would come.

  1. Dressing up for Halloween is widely viewed as an activity of harmless fun for children. Do you think the same is true for adult involvement in masquerade activities? In what ways might adults and children view wearing a costume differently? What criteria might a believer use to judge whether a costume is appropriate for a child? for an adult? Explain.
  2. Try to define the terms masquerade, dressing up, cosplay (“costume play” at a comic book convention, for example), and impersonation. Which best describes what occurred in today’s Bible text? Explain. Why do you think God allowed Isaac’s blessing to stand?
  3. In what kind of figurative masquerades or impersonations do Christians participate? What blessings might we be seeking by doing so? What can be the consequences?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—November 4, 2018

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SOCIETAL STRIFE

Sometimes our strife is political. Recently, over the course of several days, a radical partisan sent bombs to numerous members of the political left around the country. Sometimes, racial or ethnic prejudice prompts someone to violence. This occurred when a gunman killed eleven people last Saturday in a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh. And this week in North Carolina, a bullying incident in a school hallway escalated into a fight which left one student dead.

FAMILIAL STRIFE

God’s prediction to Rebekah concerning the strife which would characterize the lives of her sons proved tragically true. From the womb, they struggled against each other, and it continued throughout much of their lives. When members of the same family cannot get along, it should not surprise us that members of the human family-at-large experience strife also.

  1. What do you think tips people “over the edge” so that they commit the kind of violence we have seen recently? Does the history of interpersonal strife since biblical times tell you that we can expect no better of humanity? Explain your answer.
  2. Did God’s prediction of the struggle between Jacob and Esau predetermine the course of their lives? Why or why not?
  3. When you have struggled with another person, how did your faith help you to resolve the matter? How does being a Christian help you to prevent negative relationships with others?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—October 28, 2018

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A WEDDING PREVENTED

Jamal Khashoggi was a critic of the Saudi government—a fact that led to his self-imposed exile. Nevertheless, he entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey on October 2 to get the papers that would enable him to marry his fiancée, Hatice Cengiz. Khashoggi never left that Istanbul consulate. Evidence seems to be mounting that he was murdered at the embassy and his dismembered body secretly removed by Saudi officials. It took nearly three weeks for the Saudi government to explain his death. There are widespread doubts about the truth of the account.

A WEDDING ARRANGED

When Abraham’s servant arrived in Haran to arrange a marriage for Isaac, the servant was met with gracious hospitality. This was a significantly different welcome than Jamal Khashoggi received! And unlike Khashoggi’s posthumous departure from the Saudi consulate, Rebekah left her home freely, with the blessing of her family. There was one other difference. God’s hand was in what transpired with Rebekah.

  1. Jamal Khashoggi had fled his native Saudi Arabia, but chose to enter sovereign Saudi territory (their embassy in Turkey). Explain his reasons for doing so. Why do you think he would believe that the risk he took was worth it?
  2. What are some marriage customs in our culture that require risks—or at least leaving one’s comfort zones? Why do you believe taking chances for a future spouse is worth it? What part does a faith in God play for believers when they make such commitments?
  3. What do you think prompted Rebekah to accept the marriage offer and leave home for the rest of her life? Leaving home for a far country is a common thread in the story of Abraham and his family. Would you be willing to respond to the call those people received? Explain.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—October 21, 2018

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HOPING FOR RELEASE FROM PRISON

Andrew Brunson, a Christian pastor, has been imprisoned for two years in Turkey. He was charged with spying and aiding terrorists. Supporters have said the charges were without merit. Through an email campaign, they have encouraged American Christians to pray for Brunson’s release. Their hope was that this would put pressure on both American and Turkish governments to work toward setting him free. The President, Vice President, and several members of Congress have all become active in the cause. This pressure—and some accompanying incentives—resulted in Brunson’s release on October 11.

HOPE FOR RELEASE FROM CHILDLESSNESS

Sometimes our hope is rewarded only after a long wait. For Andrew Brunson, it was two years. For Abraham and Sarah, it was ten years. Sometimes we may give up hope, as Sarah apparently had. Her disbelieving laughter when divine messengers promised Abraham their long-hoped-for son would be born within a year indicates this. When she became pregnant a few months later, her hope surely began to grow. But perhaps even then, it might have seemed so surreal as to cause lingering doubts.

  1. Which, if either, do you think were more important in getting Brunson released: the prayers of Christians or the diplomatic efforts? Explain your answer.
  2. Some Christians seem to rely solely on prayer; others rely primarily on human activity. What would you say to Christians in either group to help them have a more balanced view?
  3. Does Sarah’s laughter indicate a lack of faith and/or hope? If your life circumstances were like hers, how would you have responded to the promise? Why?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—October 14, 2018

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A CHANGE IN PHILOSOPHICAL DIRECTION?

Brett Kavanaugh was confirmed as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court last week by the narrowest margin since Stanley Matthews was confirmed in 1881. Motivating the highly partisan Senate’s actions were the fears of some and the hopes of others that the Court will be moving in a new direction philosophically. Such a change may determine the kind of nation America will be in the future. The intensity of emotion involved in the matter was evident in angry statements made by many Senators and enraged demonstrations that took place as the hearings proceeded.

A CHANGE IN SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?

When God called Abram, he was also concerned about the future: What kind of world would this become if the sinful direction of humanity continued unchecked? Abram’s task would be to change the course of history by acting on his faith in God. He was called to father a new nation—a family which would grow into a worldwide people whose lives were characterized by faith.

  1. In a nation angrily divided over the views of what it should become, how should Christians act?
  2. What does Proverbs 15:1 suggest about how God wants us to behave in such circumstances? What part does praying for our leaders (2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 Timothy 2:1, 2) have in helping to turn our nation toward God?
  3. How does Abram’s response to God’s call challenge you to be more faith-filled? In what way have you answered God’s call to faithfully step out in a new direction in your life?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—October 7, 2018

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SAVED FROM THE WATER

An Air Niugini airliner crashed just off the Pacific island of Weno a week ago. During heavy rain and with low visibility, the plane fell short of the runway as it was landing on the small island in Micronesia. As the plane began to sink, local fishermen and other boatmen rushed to the site. An accident that could have brought death in the ocean had an unexpectedly happy ending. Forty-six passengers and the crew were saved; only one person was reported missing.

SAVED BY THE WATER

God told Noah to build a huge boat. In this ark, Noah and his family could be saved from the flood that was coming. Perhaps even more significant is the New Testament commentary on the event. Peter says that the eight people who took refuge in the ark were saved by means of the waters of the flood (1 Peter 3:20). By destroying the sinful society in which Noah’s family lived, the waters of the flood saved them from their culture’s path of self-destruction.

  1. The Micronesian plane crash was caused by a severe storm and an inability to see where the plane was heading. How do those two factors figuratively describe reasons for many societal problems today?
  2. Is the world less evil today than it was in Noah’s time? Why or why not? Why do you think God hasn’t acted more recently to destroy human wickedness as he did in the days of Noah?
  3. The culture of Noah’s day was completely corrupt, yet Noah stood out as righteous despite the unrighteousness all around him. Do Christians today offer the same contrast to culture as Noah did? Explain.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—September 30, 2018

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TWO PEOPLE SINNED

When Adam and Eve ate forbidden fruit, they set in motion a series of circumstances that still control the world. By disobeying God, they twisted their relationship with him and distorted their relationship with each other. Not only that, the whole creation was changed for the worse. Paradise became polluted with the effects of their disobedience. It’s apparent that what we see in the news daily is both a replication of that first sin in a myriad of forms and the consequences of it.

HOW MANY ARE SINNING NOW?

The confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh illustrate the point. Questions abound: Did a drunken 17-year-old Kavanaugh attack a classmate? Is now-university professor Christine Blasey-Ford either mistaken or lying about what happened long ago? What motivated Senator Feinstein to withhold the information in the professor’s letter until the hearings were all but over? Are Senators of both parties more interested in partisan power than in truth? Is the press selectively reporting the matter, each network from its own bias? When/if it’s a matter of “he said, she said,” how do any of us know what to believe?

  1. Thinking of any of the various scenarios that may play out, how do you think these hearings will affect future nominations for the Supreme Court? Explain.
  2. Supposing the behavior of both Kavanaugh and Blasey-Ford in the incident thirty-five years ago was as alleged, how does this relate to immature, impulsive decision-making in all lives?
  3. The existence of splintered relationships can certainly be seen in today’s partisan divides. How can we work to heal such divides rather than making them deeper?
  4. How does the sin of Adam and Eve affect us personally? In what ways is their sin like your sins and mine?

   —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—September 23, 2018

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ARTIFICIAL FAMILIES

Many childless couples have been enabled to have a family by fertility therapy. This process uses donated sperm or eggs and implants an embryo in a woman. Last week’s news raised a question about fertility therapy. DNA testing has revealed that 54 people who are now between 1 and 21 years of age are all related, having the same father—Donor #2757. One of them, Kianna Arroyo, is on a quest to contact her half-siblings in this artificial family. She says, “We have a connection, [but] it’s hard to explain.” It is hard to explain, since shared DNA is the only connection any of them have with one another.

NATURAL FAMILIES

When Eve was created, God began the process of bringing families into the world naturally. He told the first couple to “be fruitful and multiply,” and they followed the divine instructions. We have done so ever since. But the 20th century added new means to create families artificially. To be sure, not all natural families are pictures of familial bliss. Adam and Eve’s family certainly wasn’t. But Christians are challenged to strive for God’s ideal in family life.

  1. Is the process of fertility therapy in keeping with God’s intent? Why or why not? What limitations, if any, should be placed on the process?
  2. Do you believe that adoption is a better way to create a family than fertility therapy? Why or why not?
  3. What makes a family? Is it common DNA or some other factor or a combination of both?
  4. What was God’s purpose in creating the family? What can the church do to help families of every kind to fulfill God’s purpose?

In the World—September 16, 2018

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NOT VERY GOOD

TheNew York Times reported last week that a highly-regarded doctor in the world of breast cancer research has committed a breach of ethics. He has published dozens of research articles in magazines like TheNew England Journal of Medicine, but has allegedly failed to report his connection to pharmaceutical companies that paid him millions of dollars to push their cancer-fighting drugs. The Times article said this is a common ethical failure, and it implied collusion between the industry, journals, and researchers.

VERY GOOD

When God brought human life into existence, he pronounced it “very good.” Sin turned that equation around and that verdict was no longer an apt description of human life. It is now apparent that even people who work in the noble field of trying to cure the diseases that came because of sin may not be as untainted as we would like them to be. The same can be said of people who work in every field. This includes ministry, as recent revelations of clergy sexual abuse are indicating.

  1. What problems can arise when a doctor fails to reveal his relationship to pharmaceutical companies? How can research be tainted by such a relationship?
  2. Collusion occurs when two or more people or groups who are supposed to be checking on each other secretly work together. What examples of collusion can you cite in other professions?
  3. What similar ethical temptations might affect us as individuals? How do you protect yourself from allowing self-interest to interfere with fulfilling ethical obligations?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—September 9, 2018

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TIME AND DEATH . . .

Two Americans died recently, one famous and the other scarcely known. John McCain, 81, was a Senator, honored Vietnam War veteran, and former presidential candidate. He was lauded by many at his funeral. Relatively few people had heard about Claire Wineland, an inspirational speaker. She was 60 years younger than McCain when she died at age 21 on Monday. She was one of 30,000 Americans who have cystic fibrosis, a terminal genetic disease. At age 13, she started Claire’s Place Foundation to assist families living with the disease. Claire became an inspirational speaker who said, “Life isn’t just about being happy. It’s about what you’re making of your life and whether you can find a deep pride in who you are and what you’ve given.”

. . . AND LIFE

John McCain survived some of the worst abuse that humans can administer. Claire Wineland fought valiantly against debilitating disease. Both clung tenaciously to God’s gift of life, but in the end, death won. When God began his creative work, a dead world came to life. The beings he created continue to be fruitful and multiply. Eventually, death comes to us all, but God’s sustaining power is still at work bringing us toward everlasting life.

  1. What do the deaths of McCain and Wineland at significantly different ages suggest to you about life and death? How do their responses to their trials speak to you?
  2. What does God’s revelation of his creative work in terms of time imply about our use of time?
  3. How do you show your appreciation for God’s gifts of life and time? What difficulties do you find in trying to use time effectively? Be specific.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—September 2, 2018

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NATURE’S DESTRUCTIVE FORCE

The island state of Hawai’i sits amid Earth’s largest expanse of water, the Pacific Ocean. Most of us think of Hawai’i as an idyllic place, but things changed last week when Hurricane Lane struck the islands. Eventually Lane was downgraded to a tropical storm, but three feet of rain fell in some places, bringing with it flash floods, landslides, and power failures. The harbor in Honolulu, the lifeline for most of the state’s commodities, was closed. Shortages of some goods were expected.

GOD’S CREATIVE POWER

Genesis begins by describing the whole earth covered with water. There is a brooding sense of an awesome power hovering over this vast expanse, about to do something that had never happened before. God caused land to rise out of the water and light to overwhelm the darkness. Instead of destroying everything in its path, this power was about to turn that primordial waste into a paradise more beautiful than the Hawai’i we usually picture in our mind’s eye. Bringing order from chaos is what God has been doing ever since.

  1. Does nature’s destructive power cause you to reflect on God’s creative power? Explain. How does the volcanic chain of islands that is Hawai’i help you appreciate God’s action in creating the world?
  2. What spiritually destructive forces do you see at work in the world today?
  3. How can Christians help bring order to the chaos of others’ lives, e.g., homelessness, poverty, or addictions? What other examples come to mind?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—August 26, 2018

By "In the World"

Download In the World for August 26 here.

AN ANGRY AMERICA

Americans are deeply divided as we head toward the midterm elections that are two months away. The President is angry at his critics and much of the news media, and the same is true in reverse. Partisans are angry about the Mueller investigation into alleged collusion of the Russians in the 2016 election. The hearings passed the one-year mark this past week with some questioning whether justice will ever be served. A few people have been indicted, and some of them have admitted lying under oath. With all the shouting and charges/counter-charges being made, some people must be lying. Cynics would say everyone probably is!

A PEACEFUL PEOPLE

In contrast, Christians are to be a peaceful people. The apostle Paul tells us that we are to shun anger, lying, evil desires, greed, and other attitudes and behavior that can be summed up in the word, idolatry—placing anything else before God. We are to replace these vices with a gentle and humble spirit that promotes justice and peace in our relationships with others.

  1. Can you foresee a time when Americans will be less angry? What would it take to create such a change? How do the sins Paul names interfere with justice in society?
  2. In our conversations with other Christians who disagree with our political opinions, how do we practice the virtues Paul commands? Is it possible for the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts if we engage in heated arguments over socio-political issues? Explain.
  3. What means have you found helpful in controlling your earthly nature in the various ways it manifests itself?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—August 19, 2018

By "In the World"

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LIGHTING FIRES

Wildfires have been burning in much of the country for weeks. The “Holy” fire in Southern California (named for the creek near which it started) burned out of control for more than a week. It has threatened several communities, forced thousands to evacuate from their homes and businesses, endangered lives and property, and covered the region with smoke and ash. Authorities have arrested the suspected arsonist who lives in one of several cabins in the area—the only cabin which did not burn. Police said the suspect was feuding with neighbors. Just before the fire he had sent an email saying, “this place will burn.”

FIGHTING FIRES

The fires of the human temper can be as damaging as physical fires, although sometimes in different ways. In today’s text, Paul offers us several principles which, if put into practice, will help us fight those fires so they don’t consume us and others. Two of those principles summarize all the rest: genuinely love others and overpower evil with good.

  1. If the charges against the accused arsonist are true, what are some possible explanations for his act?
  2. Is it possible that his estranged neighbors might have calmed the situation down before it reached this point? If so, how? Explain.
  3. Tell of an experience you have had in which you were able to overcome evil with good attitudes and/or behavior.
  4. Which of Paul’s instructions do you find easiest to practice? Why? Which gives you the most difficulty? How do you try to overcome it?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—August 12, 2018

By "In the World"

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THE LEAST ARE LAST TO PROFIT

Poorly educated workers are traditionally the ones most affected by layoffs in a declining economy. They are also usually the last to be hired when the economy begins to recover. Last week’s report on job growth in July put the unemployment rate at historic lows. Of special interest was the fact that people without college educations were increasingly among those being hired in America’s burgeoning economy.

THE LEAST SHOULD BE FIRST ON A CHRISTIAN’S LIST

As usual, the politicians are arguing about who should get the glory for the strong economy. More important is what the Bible says about Christians’ responsibility to care for their fellow Christians who may be suffering from economic difficulties. The biblical concept of aid doesn’t depend on a growing economy to create jobs and thus lift people out of poverty. Rather, it relies on individual Christians to follow the example of Christ in giving of himself for the sake of others.

  1. Should Christians be concerned about who gets the credit (or blame) for what happens to the economy? Explain.
  2. Since governmental agencies provide (to some degree) a safety net for people caught in economic troubles, do we have the same obligation to help others today as Christians did in Paul’s time? Why or why not?
  3. Does your church have a program that ministers to those in need? If so, give an example of how it has helped someone. If your church doesn’t have such a program, is there a need for it, and how might you help to get it started? What are some factors that inhibit us from being generous, and how can they be overcome?

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World—August 12, 2018

By "In the World"

Download In the World for August 12 here.

THE LEAST ARE LAST TO PROFIT

Poorly educated workers are traditionally the ones most affected by layoffs in a declining economy. They are also usually the last to be hired when the economy begins to recover. Last week’s report on job growth in July put the unemployment rate at historic lows. Of special interest was the fact that people without college educations were increasingly among those being hired in America’s burgeoning economy.

THE LEAST SHOULD BE FIRST ON A CHRISTIAN’S LIST

As usual, the politicians are arguing about who should get the glory for the strong economy. More important is what the Bible says about Christians’ responsibility to care for their fellow Christians who may be suffering from economic difficulties. The biblical concept of aid doesn’t depend on a growing economy to create jobs and thus lift people out of poverty. Rather, it relies on individual Christians to follow the example of Christ in giving of himself for the sake of others.

  1. Should Christians be concerned about who gets the credit (or blame) for what happens to the economy? Explain.
  2. Since governmental agencies provide (to some degree) a safety net for people caught in economic troubles, do we have the same obligation to help others today as Christians did in Paul’s time? Why or why not?
  3. Does your church have a program that ministers to those in need? If so, give an example of how it has helped someone. If your church doesn’t have such a program, is there a need for it, and how might you help to get it started? What are some factors that inhibit us from being generous, and how can they be overcome?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—August 5, 2018

By "In the World"

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BEING JUDGES

Paul Manafort was then-candidate Trump’s campaign chairman in the 2016 election. He went on trial this week on charges of conspiracy, tax evasion, and bank fraud. Beneath the surface of those charges (to which Manafort has pleaded not guilty) lie the allegations by prosecutors that he worked as a paid advisor to the government of Ukraine which has ties to Russia. This may be relevant the Mueller investigation of alleged Russian involvement in the 2016 election. Manafort has already been judged by many people in the court of public opinion, and the president’s lawyer has speculated that President Trump might pardon Manafort, if he is convicted.

BEING JUDGED

All of us are guilty at times of being judges, often without complete knowledge of the facts. In today’s text, the apostle Paul reminds us that we can be guilty of the same kinds of sins for which we condemn others. This places us under God’s judgment. In a way, our judgmental attitudes show contempt for God’s grace, a factor which should lead us to repent of our own sins rather than to judge the sins of others.

  1. Do you think we are quicker to judge others who differ from us (religiously, politically, racially, or culturally) than those who are like us? Explain.
  2. Is “hypocrite” too strong a word for our tendency to judge others for sins like our own? Explain. How does judging others show contempt for God’s grace, as Paul says?
  3. What has helped you resist the temptation to show favoritism in your relationships with others?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—July 29, 2018

By "In the World"

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OUTSIDERS TAKING OVER?

The 2016 election shifted the ground under both major political parties. Donald Trump’s victory caused a split in the Republican party, with many of its members disavowing him. On the other side of the aisle in Congress, fifty-three winners in the 2018 Democratic primaries have been outsiders challenging establishment incumbents. For example, the June primary in New York saw Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an avowed Democratic socialist defeat Joseph Crowley, the number four Democrat in the House. Mainstream leaders in both parties are being replaced by a younger generation that is starting to take their places at the table.

OUTSIDERS DEFINITELY INVITED

It’s an axiom of human nature that the elite, the powerful, and the rich have always found ways to stay in control. When that control is threatened, the result can be anger, chaos, and even revolution. In Jesus’ parable, when the chosen guests refused the host’s invitation, the new invitees were people whom those invited first would have considered undesirable.

  1. Is the current phenomenon of outsiders challenging the political/cultural status quo something new, or has you seen it before? Explain. Have you ever seen similar struggles for control in the church? What happened?
  2. Should church fellowship be parallel to the great banquet of which Jesus spoke? . . . in what way?
  3. What lessons do you see in Jesus’ parable for the church today? What classes of people would be in the second group invited to the feast? Do you welcome outsiders into your congregation? Are there any changes that need to be made in this regard? Explain.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—July 22, 2018

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MEMBER OF A SMALL FRATERNITY

Modern modes of transportation enable us to speedily travel with ease from east to west and north to south. A week ago, President Trump had tea with Queen Elizabeth of England, giving him membership in a small fraternity which many people would be happy to join. This week, the president met with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, again a meeting of a small, elite group. This visit caused great “gnashing of teeth” from many sources. The media had a feast on their disagreements with Mr. Trump’s behavior and comments in his meetings with both leaders.

MEMBERS OF A WORLDWIDE FRATERNITY

When Jesus promised a great feast in heaven, he spoke of a few elite guests—the patriarchs and prophets of the Old Testament. But he also said that (without the need for modern technology) a great host of guests from all over the world would be present for the event. His promise should be reassuring to those of us who are “nobodies” that even though the world discounts our importance, God has reserved a place at his table for us.

  1. Why are people so interested in who gets to “have tea with the Queen,” so to speak? What does this tell us about the world’s values?
  2. Does the “narrow door” Jesus mentioned refer to limited access or the difficulty of entry, or both? Explain. On what basis will God refuse entry to “his house”?
  3. What is your reaction to knowing that you can have a place at God’s table? How can we be certain we will be invited?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—July 15, 2018

By "In the World"

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PRAY AND NOT GIVE UP

On Wednesday in Thailand, twelve boys and their soccer coach were rescued after having been trapped nearly two miles into Tham Luang cave. They had been there since May 23, when storms flooded the cave after they entered it. At one point, rescue seemed to be impossible. The head coach (who had not entered the cave) said, “All I can do is to send my prayers and support to the children and rescuers.” Those were the sentiments of people around the world. None of the boys were swimmers, and the rescue involved a six-hour trip via a dangerous underwater route.

PRAY AND THANK GOD FOR ANSWERS

The widow in Jesus’ parable must have felt that her situation was also impossible. But what we don’t know is how God may manage an “impossible” situation and how he may work on the recalcitrant hearts of oppressors. Another question is how God may work on the hearts of those who believe in him.

  1. In what ways are prayers effective in crises such as the one in the cave in Thailand? Does the fact that the coach led the boys in Buddhist meditation rather than Christian prayer make a difference in your thinking? Explain.
  2. Have you ever been in “impossible” circumstances from which God rescued you? Explain.
  3. What makes it most difficult for you to “always pray and not give up?”
  4. How would you answer someone who says, “I no longer believe in God because I prayed, and my prayer wasn’t answered?”

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—July 8, 2018

By "In the World"

Download In the World for July 18 here.

 “UNJUST” AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS?

The furor over immigrant families has been building for several weeks, but it gained new heat last week with calls to abolish ICE, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Many are saying this, but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s call got the most attention. She is a young activist who last week overthrew a 10-term representative in New York’s Democratic primary. Her win was, in effect, a statement charging the leadership in both parties in Washington with being unjust in the way immigration policy is being enforced.

UNJUST IN PERSONAL DEALINGS

Many Americans find the justice issue perplexing in terms of what we want our leaders to do. However, Jesus makes the matter more real to us when he talks about how we as individuals must practice justice, whether we are leaders or citizens. Each of us can find some area of personal hypocrisy; each of us can admit that making justice, mercy and righteousness part of our daily conduct can be a challenge.

  1. What do you think would be the result of abolishing the agency entrusted with enforcing immigration laws? Can you offer a better solution to the problem?
  2. How do you understand the terms, “justice, mercy and righteousness” to apply to actions and attitudes in your personal life?
  3. Why do we find it so easy to tell others how to live their lives (as the Pharisees did), but so difficult to avoid hypocrisy ourselves?
  4. Why do we focus on simple outward acts to prove the validity of our faith, but neglect the attitudes of the spirit? What is the remedy?
  5. How would you apply Jesus’ teaching on this matter to church leadership?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—July 1, 2018

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IS MERCY DESERVED?

California Representative Ted Lieu and New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez played audio recordings of crying immigrant children in Congress last week. Their purpose was to persuade President Trump to change the federal policy that separated children from parents who are trying to enter the country outside of legal immigration channels. The call for mercy for the children was followed by the President’s act of rescinding the separation policy. However, demonstrations continued around the country as the current zero-tolerance policy for adults crossing the border illegally remains in effect.

MERCY IS NOT DESERVED!

The argument over how to deal with illegal immigration will continue indefinitely. When the question is whether we deserve mercy from God because of our sins, the answer is “No!” Yet, Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant reminds us that God has given us undeserved mercy in abundance. Considering that, we must not withhold mercy to others. How that plays out in the complicated scenarios of real life is where we often disagree.

  1. How can mercy be extended to immigrant children in American immigration policy? Should we offer forgiveness to their parents who place them in this situation? Why or why not?
  2. What are some other circumstances in which you struggle with whether to forgive someone?
  3. Tell of a situation in which forgiveness had a positive effect on someone’s relationship with another person. How has God’s grace to you affected the way you deal with difficult people and situations?

   —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—June 24, 2018

By "In the World"

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DEMANDING JUSTICE

The #MeToo movement has drawn America’s attention in recent months. Women who say they have been the victims of a culture in which powerful men could, with impunity, treat women inappropriately have demanded justice. The movement has caused many men in the media, the entertainment industry, and business to lose their jobs. Many fell quickly, having been found guilty in the court of public opinion. Others denied their guilt, and the matter has moved slowly through the legal system.

JUSTICE RECEIVED

Often in this life, justice is never received. However, Jesus’ parable promises that God will eventually even the score. The long-suffering beggar’s death set him free and gave him blessed comfort. In death, the rich man found that his privilege and ease in this life were stripped from him, never to be returned. His lot was made even more painful by the fact that he could not warn his brothers to change their ways before it was too late to do so.

  1. Has the #MeToo movement performed a valid service? Has it, like many other social movements, been guilty of excess? Defend your thoughts.
  2. What other incidents of injustice do you see in our society? In what ways has the church been an agent for correcting injustices? Have Christians contributed to the problems of injustice in any way? Explain.
  3. What biblical principles have helped you to treat others justly, as Jesus would?

   —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—June 17, 2018

By "In the World"

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CONFRONTING INJUSTICE

The world eagerly watched this week as President Trump and North Korea’s leader, Kim Jung Un, met for several hours. The two leaders left the meeting with mutual promises to work for the resolution of differences. Some items on the table in this difficult, lengthy process will be the injustice and human rights violations which Kim has used to maintain control. He has kept his people in abject poverty, orchestrated the murder of relatives who threatened his power, and imprisoned numerous American visitors to the country. All the while, Kim was developing nuclear warheads with missiles capable of delivering them to the American mainland.

JUSTIFYING INJUSTICE

As Jesus said, evil people justify their injustice to others—including their own family members—by blaming others for their actions. They may even claim it is for a greater good, even twisting God’s Word to justify injustice. Such injustice is easy enough for us to see in our enemies such as Kim. It’s more difficult to recognize when we are the ones acting unjustly.

  1. What do you think will be the eventual results of the President’s meeting with Kim? What injustices in North Korea do you believe must be righted for an agreement to last?
  2. President Trump has recommended the adoption of a capitalistic economic system to make North Korea a more prosperous and just society. Do you see injustices coming from such an economic system in our own country? Explain. How do the words of Jesus help you to see the solution to such injustices?
  3. What is the relationship between spiritual purity (which the Pharisees claimed) and honoring God’s commands? Jesus’ words spoke to the personal vices of the Pharisees. What personal application can you see in his words for yourself?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—June 10, 2018

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PULLING UP WEEDS

Roseanne Barr is an often caustic and sometimes crude comedienne and television personality. The return engagement of her very-highly-rated ABC-TV sitcom, Roseanne, was cancelled recently. ABC pulled the show because Barr had posted a demeaning racist comment about a former top aide to President Obama on social media. Some people are calling this an example of leftist media censorship since Barr supports the current president, and the object of her scorn is a liberal. Regardless, the news media are predicting Barr will soon find a home on alternative outlets.

THE POWER OF YEAST

One might argue that ABC was acting in the spirit of the servants in Jesus’ parable who wanted to pull up the weeds—an idea Jesus rebuked. On the other hand, Jesus’ parable about the power of yeast could be applied to the coarseness that has overtaken both entertainment and conversation in our culture in recent years.

  1. Which of Jesus’ parables should we apply to the Roseanne controversy? Why?
  2. Is there any justification for Christians to support Barr for her political stance when her mode of expression has often been less than Christian? Why or why not?
  3. What elements of our culture do you think Jesus might call “weeds” if he were here teaching among us today? Explain.
  4. Suggest some specific ways in which Christians can act positively as yeast in our society.
  5. Is the crudeness of some public figures a cause or reflection of the growing vulgarity of society? Do Christians ever contribute to the problem? Explain.

   —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—June 3, 2018

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FREED BY TECHNOLOGY

DNA testing of evidence in crimes has given freedom to many falsely convicted people in recent years. Because of this fact, two weeks ago, California Senator Kamala Harris called upon Governor Jerry Brown to order DNA testing in the case of Kevin Cooper, convicted of a quadruple murder in 1983. Nine years ago, five federal appeals court judges signed an opinion stating that Cooper was “probably innocent.” Many people familiar with the case now believe Cooper was framed, but the sheriff’s office in the locale where the crime took place is opposing the test.

FREED BY COMPASSION

Sometimes the law works for good, sometimes not. Often, it is not the law which is at fault, but our interpretation and application of it. Such was the case when Jesus and his disciples were accused of breaking the Sabbath law. Jesus showed that compassion for people showed greater justice than a strict (mis)application of the law. To drive the point home, Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath who had been “imprisoned” by his crippled hand.

  1. In what way, if any, does DNA technology’s role in overturning convictions affect your view of the criminal justice system? Why might a sheriff object to DNA testing?
  2. Is there a place in the Christian system for close observance of scriptural requirements, i.e. legalism? Why or why not?
  3. In your understanding of the Bible, do you lean toward the law or the grace side? Why?
  4. What damage in the church have you seen caused by an overemphasis on either strict interpretation or on grace?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—May 27, 2018

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RESTORED TO JERUSALEM?

On May 14, the U.S. government officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem. The move angered many Palestinians and their allies, who believe that Jerusalem should be the capital city of a future Palestinian state. On the other hand, many believe opening the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem simply accepts reality. Jerusalem has been recognized as Israel’s capital for 3,000 years, and Israel has long maintained its main government offices there. In 1995, the U. S. Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act, which required that the U.S. embassy be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Presidents of both parties have pledged to do so, but it has not happened until now. Some (but far from all) evangelical and fundamentalist Christians believe that restoration of Israel’s capital to its biblical location has end times significance.

RESTORED TO JERUSALEM!

We’ve lived with occasionally misguided end time prophecies for thousands of years. So the theological implications of our government’s action are open to interpretation. What we do know, from today’s text and others, is that God is Lord over history and will protect and provide for his people even in times of great distress. The actions of governments may help or hinder Christians, but we look forward to the New Jerusalem God has promised where his order will be restored forever.

  1. Do you think the new American embassy in Jerusalem has prophetic significance? What is the scriptural basis for your opinion? Is Christian activism in Israeli politics good or bad? Why?
  2. How does hope for living in the New Jerusalem strengthen you?
  3. What practical advice can you offer about “taking refuge” in God in times of distress? How has God brought restoration to you personally, either physically or spiritually?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—May 20, 2018

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GETTING AWAY FROM HOME

Many older Americans have fond memories of the road trip in the family car that was a staple of their childhood family’s summer vacation plans. Getting away from home and going back to the family homestead was the theme as they jammed themselves into the car and headed off to visit Grandma and Grandpa. Just 10 days ago, the travel industry announced the expected vacation destinations of Americans for Summer, 2018. Topping the list of domestic destinations is Orlando, the perennial favorite with its entertainment-oriented theme parks. These visits are typically for amusement purposes, and usually are not intended to be a meaning-filled visit to the ancestral home.

GOING BACK HOME

For ancient Israelites, every fiftieth year was a Jubilee Year, with a divinely commanded “vacation trip” in which the family would return to their ancestral home and their kin. There, they would be reminded of who they were as a family. Jubilee was also a time for the earth to get a rest: neither planting nor harvesting were allowed, so the Israelites could spend their time contemplating their nation’s historical relationship with God.

  1. What values might we rediscover it if were possible to observe a Jubilee Year in our culture?
  2. What factors would keep us from celebrating a Jubilee Year?
  3. What features of Jubilee might help Christians improve their relationship with God?
  4. Do you think the sabbath-rest commandment is for Christians today? Why or why not?
  5. How do you personally manage to implement the sabbath-rest principle in your life?

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World—May 13, 2018

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EXPECTING SILENCE

Stephanie Clifford (aka exotic dancer/porn star Stormy Daniels) announced a few weeks ago that she and Donald Trump had an affair in 2006. The big news about the alleged relationship in recent days has been the $130,000 said to have been paid to her by Mr. Trump’s lawyer before the 2016 election. There are conflicting reports on whether the President did or didn’t know about the payment, when he first knew about it (if he did), or whether he perhaps authorized it. Regardless, nondisclosure agreements are a sort of “first fruits” offering, with the “harvest” being the silence of the recipient, a quid pro quo—if you do this, I’ll do that.

EXPECTING A BLESSING

A two-way expectation also existed when the Israelites made their first fruits offerings. First, God expected the best gift, one without defect, from his people. Second, the Israelites made the gift in expectation that a bountiful harvest would follow. This was also, to some extent, a quid pro quo.

1. What other kinds of quid pro quo arrangements exist in life? Are such arrangements necessarily bad? Explain.

2. What kind of offering might a Christian make to the Lord that would be comparable to the first fruits offering? How might first fruits offerings differ according to one’s life circumstances?

3. What has been your experience in being blessed because of your giving?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—May 6, 2018

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A TARNISHED GIFT

Bill Cosby gave America a gift in the 1980s and ‘90s. As Cliff Huxtable, he was the affable father of an upper-middle-class African American family. In presenting this image, The Cosby Show intimated that the American dream was accessible to all regardless of race. However, in recent years, allegations of numerous sexual attacks by Cosby began to tarnish our memories of this gift. Last week’s guilty verdict in three charges of sexual assault further stained the gift he had given us.

AN UNSULLIED GIFT

The gifts God required of Israel were to be untarnished by ulterior motives. God wanted their gifts to be made willingly, by “hearts that were moved.” In a similar fashion, the New Testament reminds us that God loves for us to give willingly and cheerfully. Our gifts are not to be made to satisfy a selfish appetite of any kind.

  1. How can we evaluate the good a person has done when his other actions seem to invalidate it? Explain.
  2. Do we all have “skeletons in our closets?” If so, is it fair for us to criticize others’ sins? Can we be perfectly pure in any of our actions? Explain.
  3. Do you ever give from less than cheerful motives, such as when giving to a homeless person? Describe your feelings in such a situation.
  4. How do you make sure your giving is motivated by a willing, cheerful spirit?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—April 29, 2018

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SAVIOR OF HIS COUNTRY?

North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, announced last weekend that he was “retiring” his policy of nuclear weapons development, since he can now “defend his country.” From this point on, he says he will focus on rebuilding North Korea’s economy. He has agreed to talk with South Korea and America, raising hopes in nations with which he has long been at odds. Basking in the glow of his new-found status, Kim seems to be turning his back on China, his long-time source of political power and sustainer of his poverty-stricken nation.

SAVIOR OF THE WORLD!

Only time will tell whether the praise for Mr. Kim’s new initiative to save his people from the poverty he has forced on them will endure. All human praise is subject to that same uncertainty. However, as the apostle John describes what he saw in the heavens, there was no question about the honor the Lamb of God shall receive. Throughout eternity, innumerable hosts of angels will declare his praise as Savior of the world.

  1. What differences do you see in Kim Jong-un’s quest for temporary adulation and the reasons for which Jesus will receive eternal praise?
  2. What difference, if any, do you see between church worship today and the worship the angels will offer to Jesus? What changes, if any, do you think are needed in our worship?
  3. Do you think there be a difference in the power and dominion Jesus exercises in eternity and now? Explain. What do you think John means when he says that “every creature” regardless of location will praise the Lamb?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—April 22, 2018

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THE DESTROYERS

President Bashar al-Assad of Syria has a history of using nerve gas to annihilate his opposition in the long-running Syrian civil war. The West has threatened, and sometimes attempted, to destroy Assad’s ability to conduct such activities. Last week, the United States, Britain, and France sent missiles to Syria, obliterating three of the facilities suspected to be crucial to Syria’s chemical weapons program. Humanity has great creative abilities, but we often use those abilities to create means of destruction, regardless of which side we are on in our various conflicts with each other.

THE CREATOR

Conversely, the Bible presents God as the One whose very essence is the Creator. In the beginning, he made all things (Genesis 1), and even today, he continues to sustain everything by his powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). Today’s text reminds us that even more amazing sights await us than those we can see in God’s present creation!

  1. What rationale might a leader have for using outlawed weapons on his own citizens? Can you think of parallels to Assad’s recent actions?
  2. Why do you think human creative powers are so often used for destructive purposes?
  3. When a human creation has the potential of being used for both good and evil (nuclear power, for example), on what basis should we decide to proceed with it (or not)?
  4. Can you think of biblical examples of God using his power for destructive purposes? How do those examples align with the view of God as Creator, not destroyer?
  5. What implications for everyday life do you see for us as the children of God to act as creators rather than destroyers?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—April 15, 2018

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A RELATIONSHIP TAINTED

Facebook promotes its service as a boon to relationships. However, its relationship with its subscribers became tainted with the news that 87 million of its users had their data shared with a political consulting firm in 2016 without the subscribers’ permission. Last week, Facebook admitted that the public profile information of “most” of its 2 billion users may have been “harvested.” Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO, was scheduled to testify before Congress this week. He has already expressed contrition and taken personal responsibility for his company’s lapse in integrity. Whether this will restore the public’s trust is uncertain.

A RELATIONSHIP RESTORED

When Peter denied Jesus before a small crowd in Jerusalem, that act shared some personal data about his moral and spiritual character—that he was willing to compromise his convictions to save his own life. However, by repentance and the gracious forgiveness of Jesus, Peter’s relationship with the Lord was restored. The restored relationship demanded that Peter turn from self-preservation to a life of selflessness, nourishing the Lord’s sheep.

  1. If you’re a Facebook user, what are your feelings about your information being misused? What will it take to restore your faith in Facebook?
  2. Is our responsibility to forgive a corporation that has offended us the same as forgiving an individual? Why or why not?
  3. How has the Lord’s forgiveness changed your life? How has forgiveness (either offered by you or received by you) made a difference in your relationship with someone?
  4. In what ways has Jesus called on you to feed his sheep?

   —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—April 8, 2018

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FROM EUPHORIA TO DESPAIR . . .

The Dow Jones Industrial Average peaked at 26,616 on January 28, but within little more than a week, it fell by more than 10%. From that January high, it’s been a bumpy ride for investors with multiple corrections up and down in the two months since. The last two weeks have seen continuing large fluctuations, with investors showing anxiety over the troubles of Facebook, Tesla and other tech companies. Fears of a trade war with China have also created uncertainty about the future. With the stock market, there are no guarantees.

 . . . AND BACK AGAIN

Jesus’ ministry peaked (at least by human standards) with his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In the next few days, his “stock” crashed with his arrest, trial and crucifixion. Then came another high: the resurrection. But after that roller-coaster ride came another emotional low. Uncertain about their future, some of the disciples went back to their comfort zones—their careers as fishermen. But then Jesus appeared to them again. From that point on, they began to see the future more clearly.

  1. What parallels do you see between the turmoil in the stock market and everyday life? What are some highs and lows you experience?
  2. Why do you think the disciples vacillated between hope and despair despite the miracle of the resurrection?
  3. The disciples failed to recognize Jesus standing on the shore. Tell about a time of personal despair during which it was difficult for you to recognize Jesus’ presence in your life.
  4. How does recalling how Jesus worked in your life in the past give you comfort and courage during difficult times?
  5. What are some ways you can encourage a fellow Christian who is experiencing doubt or despair?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World—April 1, 2018

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TURNING LIFE INTO DEATH

Deadly school shootings have headlined the news in recent years. In February, a gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The focus of this crime seems to have shifted, however, from the act itself to reaction to it. A week ago, crowds of people turned out at gun control demonstrations across the nation. Some proponents of the rallies called them spontaneous student-led events. Skeptics saw them as adult manipulations of youth whose opinions tend toward simplistic answers.

TURNING DEATH INTO LIFE

With human beings, life always turns into death, whether by natural causes, calamities, or by human violence. At the crucifixion, an anger-fueled crowd was demonstrating for death. In the resurrection, God was the only demonstrator, and he turned it all around. The resurrection of Christ is God’s statement that death can turn to life. New life is given to all who accept God’s redemptive action.

  1. Is demonstrating moved by grief and anger a helpful way to spur the government to action on this or other social problems? Name some demonstrations and marches of the past few years. What has resulted because of them?
  2. The disillusioned disciples on the road to Emmaus had hoped Jesus would redeem Israel. Why did they give up on that hope? How do political battles today reveal that we are often blind to how God is addressing problems in our world? Explain.
  3. Is saying that sin is the root of the problems in our society too simplistic? Why do you think responses such as stricter legislation, better education, or addressing financial disparity inevitably fall short of eradicating society’s deepest issues?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—March 25, 2018

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BREAKING FEDERAL LAW

California has declared itself a sanctuary state, officially taking a position against the national policy of deporting people who have entered the country illegally. Early this month, the mayor of Oakland warned residents of her city of a coming federal agency raid to arrest people living there illegally. California and other states have taken similar positions regarding marijuana laws. Such actions have heightened the level of anger on both sides of each issue and focus attention on the question of whether federal law takes precedence over state and local laws.

KEEPING GOD’S LAW

The divine promise to bless Solomon and his nation was based on whether they would keep God’s statutes and ordinances. Along with the promise came a warning that failure to be faithful to God would bring exile and destruction. As we know, Israel failed to obey God, and both national exile and destruction of the temple became historical fact. Failure to keep God’s law had dire consequences.

  1. Whether we are considering immigration, drug, or any other laws, should states and cities be free to ignore or violate federal law? Why or why not? What should be the consequences for such violations?
  2. Does God bless or punish nations today when they keep or violate divine law? If so, how does he do it? Give an example or two.
  3. Have you ever had the sense God was blessing you for keeping his commands? Explain.

   —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—March 18, 2018

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CELEBRATING NEW JOBS

“The Economy Is Looking Awfully Strong” was a New York Times headline when the government’s February “jobs report” came out recently. The national workforce increased by 313,000 in February, and this year’s average job growth is nearly 100,000 over the monthly growth in all of 2017. The percentage of Americans in their prime working years (25-54) is at a ten-year high. So celebration seems to be in order, but we all know that economic trends such as this one will eventually reverse themselves, sometimes bringing great hardship to those who lose their jobs.

CELEBRATING GOD’S STEADFAST LOVE

As King Solomon dedicated the temple altar, the nation joined with him in thanksgiving, a celebration which had a more stable source than the ebb-and-flow-prone indicators of a nation’s economy. The Israelites thanked God for their national prosperity that had enabled Solomon to build the magnificent temple, but there was more to it than that. They thanked God not just for “being good,” but because “his love endures forever.”

  1. How should Christians react to news of the fluctuations in the nation’s economy? Why?
  2. Is it proper to thank God when economic indicators are positive? Should we blame him when they are bad? Why or why not?
  3. How do sacrifice and thanksgiving tie together for Christians?
  4. What sacrifices are a part of your relationship with God?
  5. What does it mean to you personally that God’s “love endures forever?”

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—March 11, 2018

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THE BEST FILM

The Oscars were awarded last Sunday. In a score of categories ranging from picture to director to editing, “the best” was named. This year’s best picture as judged by the Academy was The Shape of Water, the fanciful story of a romantic relationship between a woman and a fish-man. As often happens, box office receipts have told a different story. Voting with their dollars, the film-watching public flocked to see The Greatest Showman, a film panned by several critics.

THE ONLY GOD

In contrast, awarding the title of ruler of the universe is not a popularity contest. The God of the Bible is the only God. Solomon cited historical evidence that God—unlike any other god—is a covenant-making and promise-keeping God. This recognition is not based on what so-called experts say, nor even on what the public says. It is based on the testimony of Scripture in what it reveals to us about our Creator and Sustainer.

  1. In what areas of life beside the arts do we see critics and the crowd sometimes disagreeing? How does that affect your thinking?
  2. What is wrong with the view the Jews sometimes expressed in the Old Testament that their God was “the best God.” Do we sometimes advocate the Christian faith this way? Explain.
  3. Is it appropriate for Christians to find affirmation for their faith in the fact that Christianity has more adherents worldwide than any other religion? Why or why not?
  4. In your own life, how have you experienced the promise-keeping power of God? How has this affected your Christian walk?
  5. How would you explain to an unbeliever what a difference it makes to be in a covenant relationship with God?

In the World for March 4, 2018

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FAITHFUL

Last week, Billy Graham died at 99 years of age. He was confidant and counselor for most of the U.S. presidents in the last half of the 20th century. He preached to over 200 million people in 185 nations—more than any other preacher in history. He was on Gallup’s list of “most admired men and women” 60 times—every year the company conducted its poll. His career in ministry was characterized by faithfulness to the historic Christian message at a time when many high-profile Christian leaders were watering down the gospel. His faithfulness to Ruth, his wife of 64 years, stood in sharp contrast to many high-profile ministers who lacked such faithfulness.

FAITH-FILLED

Romans 4:11 calls Abraham “the father of all who have faith.” Our text today provides one of several examples that led to his reputation for being faith-filled. Whether answering the call to leave his homeland or to sacrifice the son of God’s promise, Abraham was faithful to what God asked him to do.

  1. Why do you believe Billy Graham had a high reputation, even among those who did not agree with his Christian faith? How do you think Graham avoided the moral failures of some of his contemporaries?
  2. What are the great challenges to faithfulness among followers of Christ today? How does faith in Christ help us be faithful in all areas of life?
  3. Review the lives of Abraham, Graham, and other faithful leaders of the faith. How do their examples help you to be faithful? Be specific.

   —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—February 25, 2018

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AN EVIL FIGHT

Last week, the federal investigation into Russian interference in our 2016 elections resulted in the indictment of 13 Russian individuals and three companies. The individuals posed as American citizens, using stolen identities. Pretending to be (among other things) Christian political activists and advocates of various political perspectives, they used social media and other means to promote dissension among Americans and destroy trust in the American electoral process.

THE GOOD FIGHT

Political dirty tricks are nothing new. We should not be surprised by them. When Christians do good in fighting the good fight of faith, we shouldn’t be surprised by that either. However, that doesn’t always happen. That’s why Paul insists that Timothy set an example in pursuing what is good and turning away from evil and falsehood. In using the word “fight,” Paul implies what we all know: we sometimes must struggle against the temptation to do evil.

  1. How is Russian interference in our elections dangerous to America? How does this compare to American attempts to influence elections in various countries? Explain.
  2. In what ways do Christians sometimes fail in doing good in their public lives? How can this influence public opinion about the church?
  3. List some of Paul’s instructions to Timothy. Which of these can help us be a positive witness to our fellow citizens in public life? Which of these have you found to be helpful in your struggles against various temptations?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—February 18, 2018

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SENTENCED TO DEATH

The 2018 Winter Olympics has gripped our attention this week. Nevertheless, the Olympics has been in the news for months. In December, Larry Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor, was sentenced to 60 years in prison on child pornography charges. In January, more than 150 women and girls testified in court that, over the course of 20 years, he had used the privacy of the medical exam room to sexually abuse them. At the close of the abuse trial, the judge sentenced the 54-year-old discredited doctor to 40 to 175 years in prison, saying, “I’ve just signed your death warrant.”

RESTORED TO LIFE

When Peter came to the home where the body of Dorcas lay, he found her body surrounded by mourners. In that culture, grieving was often done loudly, so Peter sent the mourners out of the room. In the privacy of the now-quiet room, he prayed for her and then commanded her to arise. God answered his prayer and Dorcas was restored to life.

  1. What factors in society enabled Dr. Nassar to get away with his crimes for so long?
  2. Character has been described as how one behaves when no one is looking. Contrast the actions of Dr. Nassar and Peter in the private rooms where these stories unfolded. What does this say about their respective integrity?
  3. How should a belief in the future resurrection of the dead affect the way we grieve?
  4. Can we expect the Holy Spirit to use us today (as he did Peter) to raise the dead? Why or why not?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—February 11, 2018

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THE POWER OF THE OFFICIAL WORD

With 2:21 left in last Sunday’s Super Bowl LII, the outcome hung on the official word. Philadelphia Eagles player Zach Ertz caught a 12-yard pass from quarterback Nick Foles. Ertz took two steps before being tripped by the defender and then fell into the end zone. There on the ground, he bobbled the ball before gaining control of it. Was Ertz a pass receiver who did not have control of the ball when he crossed the goal line, or was he a runner who fumbled, but regained control of the ball? The play was reviewed, and the official word was that Ertz was a runner. The touchdown call stood, and the New England Patriots could not regain the lead.

THE POWER OF OUR WORDS

We may think our words are inconsequential, since most of us never speak in any “official” capacity. Yet when we say something hurtful or false or foolish, our words have power. We realize this when we are on the receiving end of such words, but we sometimes minimize their importance when we speak in ways we shouldn’t. James reminds us how evil our tongues can be. But the problem isn’t the tongue. It’s the mind and will that refuses to be led by the Spirit of God.

  1. Official review of football plays has changed the game; how might such a review change the way we speak? Be specific.
  2. Share with the class an example of how you have been hurt by the power of words. Share an example of how you have been helped by the power of words.
  3. What trends do you see in our society that demonstrate the power of words, either positive or negative?
  4. What is the difference between having self-control and being controlled by the Holy Spirit? How can you know whether your words are being directed by the Spirit?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World for February 4, 2018

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JUDGING OTHERS

We have recently seen political figures, show business and sports personalities, and media figures fall under charges of sexual immorality. Last week, it happened in another venue—Washington’s National Gallery of Art. The museum announced it would postpone indefinitely an exhibition of paintings by Chuck Close, one of the 20th century’s most honored portrait artists, because of charges that he harassed his models. Other museums in New York, London, and Paris are questioning what to do with his portraits. The problem for museums is that many great artists are reputed to have been harassers, rapists, even murderers. Should art be judged by the morality of the artist?

JUDGING OURSELVES

The current glut of charges being leveled against people who once held the public trust can make us smug. We say, “Look how bad they are,” implying that we are virtuous by comparison. James, however, wants us to turn the spotlight on ourselves. We must ask, “Does my public identity as a Christian align with my faith as I actually practice it?”

  1. One museum curator said, “If we removed the paintings done by immoral people, the walls would be bare.” Does an artist’s immorality invalidate his or her artistic gifts? Why or why not?
  2. There have been times when someone who has won many people to Christ is caught in immorality. Would a person who became a Christian because of that person’s preaching have a valid reason to question his or her own salvation? Why or why not?
  3. What are some ways that a Christian’s character flaws inhibit his or her effectiveness in presenting the gospel?
  4. What safeguards do you have in place to ensure that your actions do not contradict your profession of faith?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—January 28, 2018

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FAITH IN THE STOCK MARKET

On Monday night, the president signed legislation passed earlier that day, funding the government for three more weeks. This allowed federal workers to return to work after a three-day shutdown. For days, the news media projected a frenzied tone over the anticipated event, even though shutdowns have taken place dozens of times before. As if to demonstrate that the public has greater faith in America’s economic might than the media does, the stock market rose to record high levels day after day.

FAITH IN GOD

The strength of Daniel’s faith in God was of a different sort than the public’s faith in America’s economic might. For one thing, God’s strength never waivers and those who place their faith in him can take life’s ups-and-downs with assurance that God is faithful. On the other hand, the stock market in which Americans are currently rejoicing will occasionally crash precipitously, as we have all experienced.

  1. “If it bleeds it leads” is an axiom that explains media focus. Do you think that’s the case in the media’s concern about the government shutdown? Explain.
  2. Americans have traditionally been an optimistic people, but today many are pessimistic. What do you think are the reasons for either perspective?
  3. What was it in God’s words to Daniel that made him feel weak? What was it in God’s words that gave Daniel strength?
  4. What do you find in today’s passage (and elsewhere) that gives you a sense of spiritual strength?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—January 21, 2018

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A NEED FOR REPENTANCE

Recently, the moral failings of humanity have topped the list of bad news. The #MeToo movement has brought to light the problem of sexual assault/harassment, but now some women are saying it infantilizes women and causes an anti-feminist overreaction. On another front, political chatter is divided over whether President Trump is a racist based on a crude term he allegedly used to describe poor countries in a closed meeting last week.  Furthermore, a federal budget may not get passed because of congressional in-fighting over immigration issues. And so it goes!

A PENTINENT PLEA

Daniel was very much aware of the sins of his people. However, instead of stirring them to argue about who among them was worse, he prayed on their behalf. He confessed their corporate sinfulness and the shame they had brought on themselves and on God’s name. His heartfelt plea was that God would forgive his people for his own sake, if not for theirs.

  1. Do you think the sins of America bring shame on God’s name as the sins of Israel did? Why or why not?
  2. What might happen if Christians prayed as Daniel did? To what extent should Christians personally repent for society’s sins? How would you phrase such a prayer?
  3. In Daniel’s prayer, how did thankfulness tie in with shame and repentance?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World for January 14, 2018

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FIRE AND FURY

Discussion of Michael Wolff’s book, Fire and Fury, dominated the news this week. The book is aptly named. It generated a fury from within the Trump White House, including a legal move to prevent the book’s release. It fanned the flames of criticism from Trump opponents. Some of those foes even argued that the book provided evidence that President Trump should be removed from office due to inability to perform his duties. Furthermore, the truth of Wolff’s work itself was called into question. The “talking heads” on the news media and the chatterers on the social media argued all week about the authenticity of the book’s claims.

FIRE, BUT NO FURY

King Nebuchadnezzar was furious over the defiance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He wanted to do more than remove them from their government jobs. He ordered them to be thrown into a fire so hot that it consumed the soldiers who placed them there! But when the fire did not destroy his enemies, the fury of Nebuchadnezzar abated. For a time at least, the king’s hostility toward these three Hebrews and all that they stood for cooled.

  1. Do you think any of the very personal attacks against the president are directed against the policies he is seeking to implement? Explain.
  2. Can you recall times when disagreements about values and policies have degenerated into ugly name-calling? What do you believe are some appropriate responses when that happens?
  3. The White House responded to Wolff’s book with further name-calling and threats of legal action. Compare that response to the way Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego responded to Nebuchadnezzar.
  4. Part of the appeal of President Trump for many is his willingness to fight fire with fire. Imagine yourself being a political strategist. Craft some advice for responding to politically motivated attacks by referring to this famous Bible account.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—January 7, 2018

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FEASTING . . .

For most of us, the period from Thanksgiving Day through the end of the year is a time of feasting and celebration. Indulgence is the name of the game. Then, when the football games and parades of New Year’s Day are over, we face the time of reckoning. We realize we need to deal with those extra pounds and inches we have gained while we feasted. The second week in January sees more health club memberships purchased than any other week in the year, but within one month, 80% of the New Year’s resolution crowd has dropped out.

. . . AND FASTING

Daniel had been invited to perpetually feast at the king’s table, but he realized that a life of indulgence was not good for his health. However, it was more than a matter of not eating food which might harm him. The text says Daniel did not want to “defile” himself—a term that implies he saw a spiritual element to the king’s demand that he was not willing to accept.

  1. What is your experience with New Year’s resolutions to improve your lifestyle? Have you succeeded? For how long?
  2. Why do you think most people fail in their resolve to improve their eating and exercise habits, whether in January or at any other time?
  3. Is proper diet and exercise a matter of honoring God? What biblical passages contribute to your opinion?
  4. Does lack of good health habits indicate a spiritual problem? Why or why not?
  5. Have you ever experienced a demand such as Daniel did which placed your life-situation in jeopardy? Explain.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—December 31, 2017

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DIVIDED

As a new year begins, the news media offers a retrospective of the old year’s events and trends. This year, Time magazine’s Person of the Year was “The Silence Breakers,” the women who forced us to look at the divide between men and women in culturally tolerated behavior. Donald Trump’s inauguration, the subsequent political battles over a Supreme Court nomination, and tax and health care reform all pointed out America’s political divide. Mass murders by terrorists in London, Las Vegas, and in a Texas church reminded us of another divide—the one between violent attempts to change society and more civilized means.

UNITED

The Christian answer to bridging these divides is stated in today’s text. The call for us to practice unity is not based on human schemes, political or otherwise. We are to practice unity because it is the nature of the God who created us in his image. Enabled by the Holy Spirit, we gain Christian maturity to the point at which unity becomes a reality in our relationship with God and others. No wonder the world is divided! It rejects how unity can be found.

  1. What good is end-of-year retrospection when, each year, the bad news seems to be most prominent?
  2. From your perspective, what was the most important news in 2017? Why? How does that news show our world’s need for Jesus?
  3. What are some specific things Christians can do to work for unity in church and society?
  4. What can we learn from today’s lesson about human divisiveness and the Spirit’s role in creating unity?
  5. Describe one positive step you plan to take in 2018 to bring unity to your small part of the world.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—December 24, 2017

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A DISTURBED AMERICAN CAPITOL

The path of destruction continues to widen in the whirlwind of charges regarding sexual intimidation in Washington, D.C. Most of us are wondering who will be the next powerful and previously respected person in politics, entertainment, or news media to fall. In the last two weeks, new rumors of President Trump’s past actions have circulated, fueling renewed calls for him to resign. The situation disturbs many Americans, regardless of their political leanings.

A DISTURBED JUDEAN CAPITOL

The citizens of Jerusalem also had reason to be disturbed. King Herod was tyrannical and malicious. When his power was threatened, fear seized the hearts of those whom he governed. The news that a new king had been born was brought by the Magi. This was obviously perceived as a threat to Herod, but he clearly misunderstood what kind of king Jesus would be.

  1. What, specifically, should we find most disturbing about the growing number of harassment charges against cultural leaders? If an accusation such as those we are hearing these days were brought against someone you know and love, what would be your response?
  2. What specifically, do you think troubled Herod about the news of Jesus’ birth? What would you have said to him?
  3. In what ways does the public perceive Jesus to be a threat to them? Is it a philosophical issue or a lifestyle issue? Explain.
  4. How can we help non-Christians see that Christ’s coming into their lives brings freedom rather than limitations?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—December 17, 2017

By "In the World"

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A RECURRING HARDSHIP

Wildfires raged across southern California last week from Santa Barbara County to San Diego County. More than 200,000 people have been forced to evacuate as some 300 square miles have been scorched. Most of the fires have been brought under control, but the one in Ventura County was still growing early in the week. One family lost a home in that fire after already having lost a home to a wildfire in October in northern California. Californians are now being forced to recognize that “fire season” is a year-round hardship.

OVERCOMING HARDSHIPS

As persecution followed Paul and Barnabas from town to town on their missionary tour, they concluded that multiple hardships were the natural consequences of proclaiming Jesus. To confirm the faith of those who had come to Christ through their preaching, the apostles courageously returned to the scenes of their persecution to encourage the new converts.

  1. Certain natural disasters are more common in some areas than they are in others. What reasonable precautions should one take when living in an area prone to such recurring hardships?
  2. What hardships do people in different parts of the world face as natural consequences of proclaiming Jesus? What hardships do people in this country face for attempting to live out their faith?
  3. Note Paul and Barnabas’s approach to dealing with hardships they faced when proclaiming Christ. What can we learn from them when we face similar difficulties?

 —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—December 10, 2017

By "In the World"

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CAUGHT IN SIN

Deceitful use of power has been very much in the news recently. Previously respected and powerful men in the media and government have admitted to using their power for sexual gratification. President Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, acknowledged a different form of deceitfulness. Flynn admitted to lying to the FBI about the investigation into Russia’s alleged role in the 2016 elections. The chief investigative reporter of a major news network quickly abused his power to falsely report that Flynn was prepared to testify that, as a candidate, Donald Trump directed him to contact the Russians. It is no wonder that confusion as to where the truth is to be found is rampant.

PAYING FOR SIN

Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet, deceived others with false information about the apostles. He tried to turn people away from Jesus when they were seeking the truth. He paid dearly for his sins, being struck blind for a time. Modern deceivers may not pay in the same way as he did, but it appears that the sins of many are catching up with them.

  1. What are the effects on society when powerful—and apparently respectable—people are charged with, and then admit to, bad behavior?
  2. What causes people of importance to believe they can get away with abusing their influence? What should be their punishment?
  3. Does the punishment for the sin of Elymas, a powerful government advisor of his day, indicate that his sin was worse than our sins? Explain. How do you protect yourself from sins of deceitfulness?

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World—December 3, 2017

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FAITH IN THE WRONG PERSON

The notorious Charles Manson died in prison on November 19. Claiming to be Jesus and Satan in one person, he collected a group of impressionable followers that became known as the “Manson Family.” He preached about “Helter Skelter” (a term he took from the Beatles’ song of the same name) to describe an impending apocalyptic race war that his followers would incite. This pitiable group of people placed their faith in Manson as their “messiah.” They succumbed to his demented ideas and followed his instructions to commit the infamous Tate-LaBianca murders in southern California during the summer of 1969.

LACK OF FAITH IN THE RIGHT PERSON

Peter’s strong words to his audience delivered a guilty verdict for their complicity in the death of Christ. They were guilty because they followed false teachers and failed to recognize in Jesus the one whom God had sent to be their leader. This pattern has continued throughout history. People have turned to evil leaders and away from the true author of life.

  1. What is lacking in people’s lives that causes them to become disciples of people such as Charles Manson? How might faith in Jesus have prevented people from being pulled into Manson’s circle of influence?
  2. What causes Christian leaders to become cultish in their leadership style? What examples can you think of? How does following misguided leaders and giving them control over our thoughts and actions dishonor Christ?
  3. Peter mentions the ignorance of the Jewish people and their leaders. Is ignorance ever an excuse for doing evil or failing to do what is right? Explain.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—November 26, 2017

By "In the World"

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A COVENANT OF THANKSGIVING

Ever since President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day during the Civil War, Americans have observed it—just as we did this past Thursday. For those of us who are Christians, our feasting each year is the continuation of a covenantal act first engaged in nearly 400 years ago by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe at Plymouth. At that feast, the two groups united in a covenant of friendship that lasted for more than a half-century.

THANKSGIVING FOR A COVENANT

When Jesus met with his disciples to observe the Passover, he was preparing them to remember a covenant which he would institute just a few hours later in his sacrificial death on the cross. Jesus’ death initiated a covenant of friendship unique in all human history—friendship between God and humanity. In giving thanks for the elements of the Passover meal, Jesus taught us to give thanks as we share in the simple feast that has united Christians for 2,000 years.

  1. Does the historical context in which Lincoln made his proclamation (a country torn apart by civil war) seem strange to you? Explain. How can giving thanks unite people in a divisive climate even today?
  2. How is Thanksgiving Day (as Americans celebrate it now) similar to the way the Pilgrims observed it? What are some differences?
  3. List some things for which you offered thanks to God this past Thursday.
  4. Which of the blessings for which you gave thanks were unique to Americans? . . . to Christians?
  5. How does the Lord’s Supper help you give thanks for God’s covenant with us through Christ’s death?

Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—November 19, 2017

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ARE THINGS GETTING WORSE?

Is America becoming increasingly immoral? We frequently hear about sexual sins by previously respected people. Roy Moore, former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and now candidate for the U.S. Senate, is but one example.

Moore has been respected by many Christians for his rulings in support of the Ten Commandments and his public stands against homosexuality. Recently, however, Moore has been the subject of rumors of sexual impropriety with teenage girls. We wonder who will be the next cultural idol to be charged with immorality and abuse of power.

THINGS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER!

On the other hand, some things have greatly improved. Since God initiated his New Covenant through Jesus Christ, humanity is living in a much better kingdom than before. The Old Testament law, which no one could keep and which created a fearsome picture of God, has been set aside by the death and resurrection of Christ. We now live in hope of salvation despite our sins.

  1. How should Christians respond when someone is charged with sin, sexual or otherwise? Does it matter if the one being charged holds political positions like our own? Does it matter that some on the other end of the political spectrum have committed similar offenses without consequence? Does it matter if the behavior being revealed happened decades ago and seems to be released now to gain political advantage? Explain.
  2. How should the New Covenant through Christ affect our conduct, our attitudes, and our way of looking at the sins of others? Does the New Testament image of God as a loving Father invalidate the image of God as the Judge of humankind? Explain.
  3. In what specific ways can we Christians, through the power of God, make things better in this world?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—November 12, 2017

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PLACING THE BLAME ON OTHERS

We keep being reminded of the pervasiveness of evil. On October 31, a terrorist who claimed inspiration from ISIS killed eight bicyclists in New York City by driving a truck down a cycle path. Then, last Sunday, a man who had recently sent threatening texts to his mother-in-law went into the church in Texas where she attends and killed 26 people. He is said to have had a history of violence, having been dishonorably discharged from the Air Force five years ago for assaulting his wife and child.

PLACING BLAME WHERE IT SHOULD BE

The social covenant on which our society relies is being torn to shreds. We have no idea when an aggrieved soul will (in Jeremiah’s words) “destroy and bring disaster.” With God’s permission, evil nations had overthrown Israel and Judah, but Jeremiah announced that God would henceforth be using his power to build and plant. Perhaps just as important at a personal level, no one could any longer blame external forces—whether ISIS or a mother-in-law, for example—for his sinfulness.

  1. How can these violent events give us a “wake-up call,” an opportunity to consider the nature of evil and destructiveness of sin? Explain.
  2. Explain the “teeth on edge” proverb of Jeremiah’s day. What are some similar ways we explain suffering without confessing our own guilt today?
  3. Consider the terms of the Old Covenant. Where was the law written and whose responsibility was it to know and keep it?
  4. How does having God’s law written in your heart affect the way you live as a follower of Jesus? Give specific examples.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—November 5, 2017

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RUMORS OF MISDEEDS

Allegations have been circulating for months about Republican attempts to involve the Russians in last year’s election. Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller is investigating the charges. A week ago, the tables turned, with the New York Post reporting that Mueller is expanding his probe to include Tony Podesta, the brother of the Clinton campaign chairman. He and his firm are now the subjects of a criminal investigation. The Post is further alleging the Russians were given approval from the previous administration to buy American uranium. Then things turned again on Monday when the Mueller probe began handing down indictments on the Russian election-tampering issue.

PROVEN SINS

Much of the above has yet to be proved, but each party is trying to convince us that the other is guilty of significant political misdeeds. In Israel, the case of Hophni and Phinehas was different: there was no question about the nature of the evil they had been involved in. What made it even worse was that they were religious leaders. Their blatant misuse of the privileges of the priesthood caused God to bring them to an early death.

Yet not all priests were guilty. Earlier, Phinehas son of Eleazar was praised for his zeal and faithfulness. And although Hophni and Phineas (sons of Samuel) would be judged, God promised that he would raise up a faithful priesthood in their place.

  1. Does it seem to you that American politics has reached a new low? Explain. If not, what evidence can you offer that there are faithful leaders seeking to do right?
  2. What can we learn from the unfaithfulness of Israel’s religious leaders? What is the relationship between faithfulness and the receiving of blessings in a covenant with God?
  3. Describe what faithfulness to God and zeal for his commands look like in our lives today.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—October 29, 2017

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ENSLAVED IN THEIR OWN BODIES

Yesterday, October 28, was National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Its purpose was to provide a convenient way to get rid of prescription drugs, as well as to educate people regarding the dangers of overusing medications. The previous “take back” day (in April this year) netted 450 tons of drugs. An estimated 6.5 million Americans abuse controlled prescription drugs, most getting them from friends or family members. In America, 20,000 people die each year from abusing prescription painkillers. Four of five new heroin users shift from prescription drugs to heroin because it is cheaper and easier to get!

ENSLAVED IN THEIR OWN LAND

Nehemiah led a nation which was enslaved in the land God had given to them. The cause of this situation was that their leaders and ancestors had forsaken God and become addicted to their sins. Nehemiah called the Jews to repentance. Under his guidance, the people and their leaders—including those who were entrusted with spiritual oversight of the nation—entered into a covenant to return to godly ways.

  1. To what extent, in your opinion, is the epidemic of substance abuse in America a spiritual problem? Explain.
  2. Can someone be a sincere Christian and yet have a drug abuse problem? Why or why not? How do our addictions to various behaviors and attitudes affect (or reflect) our relationship with God?
  3. What responsibility do leaders have for encouraging or facilitating the enslaving sins of their people? Does Nehemiah’s blaming his nation’s slavery on the decisions of its kings and religious leaders have an application to America today? Explain.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—October 22, 2017

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LEAVING A LEGACY

Barack Obama considered the Affordable Care Act (AKA “Obamacare”) the most significant domestic legacy of his presidency. President Trump has indicated numerous times that he wants “Make America Great Again” to be the theme of his legacy. Replacing the ACA seems to be a foundation stone of that quest. Obama and Trump are not the first leaders of nations to focus on which of their accomplishments they will be remembered for. The ego that drives such people to seek high office seems to guarantee it.

 A DIVINELY PROMISED LEGACY

David wanted to be remembered as the king who built a “house for God to dwell in.” It seemed like a noble desire, since David couched it in terms of the irony of himself having a house, although God did not. However, God told David he was misguided in his quest. The legacy God would give him would be greater than any building project, no matter how grandiose it might be. David’s divinely promised legacy would be an eternal spiritual kingdom.

  1. How might leaders’ focus on their legacies be detrimental to their performance in office?
  2. Is it overly harsh to say that human leaders are too focused on the legacies they leave? Why or why not?
  3. Should any of us be concerned about our legacy? If so, what kind of legacy should it be?
  4. How much time must pass before one’s legacy may be properly evaluated? Give an example to substantiate your view.
  5. To what extent does this discussion apply to church leaders? Explain.

    —Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—October 15, 2017

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CULTURALLY TOLERATED BEHAVIOR

Harvey Weinstein is a film producer who is also famed for his contributions to liberal causes such as the women’s movement. Last Sunday, he was fired from his own company after revelations that he has a decades-long history of sexually harassing actresses and female employees and making payoffs in exchange for silence. His first response to the allegations

was to apologize for his sinful behavior (although that was not how he described it.) Then, this week, he has threatened to sue for defamation.

DIVINELY PRESCRIBED BEHAVIOR

The actions that Weinstein has admitted have traditionally been a part of corporate culture, especially in the film industry. When God spoke to Israel from Sinai, he was announcing that the people’s cultural background was no longer an excuse for sinful behavior. Their idolatry would not be tolerated, but if they obeyed God, they would be blessed.

  1. For a long time, the type of behavior Weinstein is accused of has been tolerated by our society. Does this lessen his responsibility for his actions? Explain.
  2. Is fear of God or others ever a valid stimulus for good behavior? Why or why not?
  3. Have you seen sinful attitudes or behavior tolerated or excused in the church? What was the result? How should it have been dealt with?
  4. How do you personally resist some of our culture’s idolatrous beliefs and activities?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World—October 8, 2017

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DEATH FROM ABOVE

From a window high in the Mandalay Bay hotel last Sunday evening came burst after burst of death and destruction. A lone gunman, in a well-planned attack, fired on a country music festival, killing nearly sixty concert-goers and wounding over five hundred more. The violence reignited the perennial American debate over terrorism, guns, mental illness, and whether there is any way we can prevent such evil acts.

LIFE FROM ABOVE

As Moses prepared to ascend Mt. Sinai, thunder, lightning, fire, smoke, and loud trumpet blasts accompanied God’s presence on the mountain. God told Moses to warn the priests and people not to ascend the mountain, or else death would come from on high. However, God’s purpose was to bring life, not death. On the mountain, God would give Moses the commandments which, if Israel followed them, would bring both spiritual and physical life to the nation.

  1. Does Las Vegas’s reputation as “Sin City” have anything to do with the shooter choosing it as a venue for his actions? Explain.
  2. To what extent do you think the violence in our culture is the result of our nation turning away from God’s commands? Explain.
  3. Why was God so concerned that not even the priests of Israel should approach the mountain?
  4. How can we translate God’s demand for reverence into our lives? . . . into the public life of our nation?
  5. Is there anything in modern church life that doesn’t show proper reverence for God? How would you correct the problem?

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the Word — October 1, 2017

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WORLDLY CONDEMNATIONS

Last Sunday, taking a knee during the national anthem to protest perceived racial injustice grew into a massive movement. President Trump entered the debate via social media, condemning players who refused to stand for the anthem. Two teams, the Titans and Seahawks refused to go on the field until after the anthem was sung. When a third team, the Steelers, boycotted the anthem, one player broke with his teammates. Alejandro Villanueva, an Afghanistan war vet, took to the field alone. Other NFL players and some team owners condemned the president’s words. Soon the controversy spilled over into other sports.

DIVINE COMMENDATION

God’s repeating His covenant promises to Abram of innumerable descendants and a land in which they would dwell stressed His faithfulness. The divine covenant demonstrated a significant difference between God’s promises and human contracts. Not all human contracts, such as a government’s promise of justice for all citizens, are kept perfectly. The covenant to Abram, in contrast, would be kept by God for centuries—throughout all Old Testament history and beyond.

  1. Is boycotting the national anthem an effective way to protest perceived injustice? Why or why not? What alternative(s) do you believe would be more effective?
  2. The protests suggest that the U.S. government has failed to live up to its promises to provide universal justice. What evidence is cited that this social covenant has been broken?
  3. Abram was concerned that God had not yet kept his promise to give Abram descendants. Have you ever experienced what seemed like excessive delays in God’s response to your requests? Explain.
  4. How does God’s faithfulness in keeping His covenant with Abram give you a special reason for hope? Explain.

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the Word — September 24, 2017

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A DYSTOPIAN FUTURE

At last week’s Emmys, The Handmaid’s Tale was a big winner. Set in the near future, Christian fundamentalists assassinate the President and most of Congress, suspend the U.S. Constitution, establish a totalitarian theocracy, and systematically enslave women to be breeders to provide children for an oppressive male ruling class.

The series is based on a novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood written in the 1980s. It is meant to be a cautionary tale warning against the growing involvement by Christians in American politics, especially those who want to limit abortion on demand.

A FUTURE BLESSED BY GOD

The Handmaid’s Tale pictures the influence of a Bible-based morality as a threat to freedom. Old Testament history tells another story. Judah’s government had lost its godly direction, had become corrupt and immoral, and had lost its freedom.

Ezekiel paints a different portrait of Judah’s future than what Handmaid portrays for America. The people of Judah will return with pure hearts to their land. It will be a land of plenty which God will bless if Judah responds to the moving of God’s Spirit in their hearts.

  1. Have you watched The Handmaid’s Tale? If so, do you believe it depicts a plausible future? Explain.
  2. The TV series has recently been cited in political discourse to explain a so-called war on women and the recent defeat of a female presidential candidate. How do we respond to this critique of Christianity and the pro-life movement?
  3. In The Handmaid’s Tale, the fictitious Sons of Jacob staged a revolution to create a theocracy that was based on many of the laws of the Old Testament. How does that compare with those who call for a greater influence of Bible morality in America today?
  4. Do God’s promises to a repentant Judah also apply to America if our nation repents? Explain. What differences do you see between a theocracy and a nation of people with “new hearts?”

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the Word — September 17, 2017

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NO RESPITE FROM BAD NEWS

For weeks, we’ve heard news of 100 or so wildfires burning throughout the West, taking lives and property with them. Then an 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck southern Mexico, accompanied by eerie lights in the sky and killing scores of people. Hurricane Harvey created disaster in Houston and spawned tornados as it moved inland. After Harvey came Irma, which decimated numerous Caribbean islands before coming ashore in Florida last weekend. The parade of natural disasters is starting to seem never-ending! The prospect of unabated bad news tests the human spirit.

SO WHERE’S THE GOOD NEWS?

It seems as if there’s no respite from bad news, but the millennia-old Sabbath command still stands as good news, helping us weather the storms of life. On a week-by-week basis, a day of rest brings refreshment and restoration to both body and spirit, allowing us time to reflect on God’s care for us. Our Maker knows about the storms we face. He also knows that our fallen human nature will fear that crises will come unabated. A weekly day of rest strengthens our bodies and renews our faith.

  1. From your perspective, how does an overwhelming spate of bad news affect the human spirit? How do fears of “more to come” compound the problem?
  2. In what way does Sabbath-keeping help us whether storms, both real and imagined?
  3. How do you practice the Sabbath principle? Have you had a bad experience from failing to keep a Sabbath? Explain.
  4. Some people use Bible passages such as Mark 13:7, 8 and Luke 21:25, 26 to support a view that the recent events mentioned above are signs of the end times. How can you tell whether such interpretations are legitimate and which are just another example of “the sky is falling” fear of the future?

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – September 10, 2017

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WHAT IDENTIFIES AN AMERICAN?

On Tuesday, President Trump announced an executive order rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order that was put in place by President Obama. In doing so, President Trump gave Congress six months to move forward in dealing with children who were brought into the country illegally by their parents. DACA delays deportation actions against such youth. Trump’s action is seen by some as a simple legal matter, reversing an executive order issued by his predecessor. Others view it as a question of what should identify someone as “American.”

WHAT IDENTIFIES A CHILD OF GOD?

God commanded that Abraham and his male progeny be circumcised as a sign that they were in a covenant relationship with God. Circumcision was a physical symbol identifying who was to be considered a member of the Jewish people. However, as is true with many such matters, there is more to one’s identity than a legal code; there is a spiritual component, as well.

  1. What makes a person an American? By your definition, should children of undocumented immigrants be considered to be Americans? Explain.
  2. Do you see any parallel between legal documents for one’s entry to America and circumcision for Abraham and his descendants? Why or why not?
  3. How does the New Testament deal with the matter of circumcision as a sign of one’s relationship with God? See Romans 2:28, 29; Galatians 5:1-6.
  4. What should be the sign of a covenant relationship with God for Christians today? How should we treat “undocumented believers,” those professing believers who do not bear those signs?

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – September 3, 2017

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A FLOOD . . .

Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Texas coast last weekend as a Category 4 storm, bringing torrential rains that were forecast to total 50 inches in some places. One local official predicted the storm would go down in history as “an 800-year flood” as it moved through Texas and into Louisiana. Federal officials estimated that 30,000 people would need temporary shelter before the storm subsided. The military released water from two reservoirs to prevent even more massive destruction in central Houston, though increasing the risk of flooding in other areas.

 

. . . FOLLOWED BY A PROMISE

The flood in Noah’s time was immeasurably greater than the flood in Texas this past week. It is hard to imagine how Noah and his family coped with their circumstances while the waters rose and then subsided. However, their faithfulness was rewarded with an amazing promise from God: “Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.” Then God gave the rainbow as a sign of the promise.

 

  1. Do storms such as Harvey come as retribution for human sin? Explain your answer.
  2. Do floods like this one in Texas represent a failure of God to keep his promise? Why or why not?
  3. Why does God still send rainbows even though massive destruction by floods still occur?
  4. Does it ever seem to you that God isn’t keeping his promises to you? Which ones? How do you resolve the matter?
  5. How do God’s promises help you to cope when life sends you “floods”?
  6. How do you show your gratitude to God when he saves you from calamity?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World – August 27, 2017

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A VISION IN THE HEAVENS

On Monday, the “great American eclipse” got the attention of a nation that has been focused for months on political rivalries and racism—prejudices that die hard. However, last weekend, millions of Americans were united in a singular quest: to find a way to view the August 21 eclipse in which the moon’s shadow traced a path from Oregon to South Carolina. For a time, and for at least some of us, the struggles and riots fomented by various prejudices took second place to a vision in the heavens.

 

A VISION FROM HEAVEN

The gloom of moral darkness also cast its shadow across the Roman world. The great eclipse of ethnic and religious prejudice could have prevented the church from extending beyond the Jews. Peter required a vision from heaven to convince him that, in God’s eyes, the barrier between Jews and Gentiles had been removed. God considers none of us “unclean,” and thus we are all equally included in God’s call to become a part of his fellowship through the church.

 

  1. What lesson, if any, do you see in the fact that a solar eclipse “eclipsed” the other earthly concerns of Americans for at least a short time?
  2. Why did it take an eclipse to join us together when the well-being of our nation was not sufficient cause to make us more inclusive in our attitudes?
  3. Likewise, why did it take a dramatic vision for Peter to be more inclusive in his attitudes?
  4. In what matters should the church be inclusive? Are there matters in which the church should be exclusive? If so, explain.
  5. Would some people assume they wouldn’t be welcome in your church? If so, what could be done to change that?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – August 20, 2017

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A CLASH OF VISIONS

Charlottesville, Virginia, erupted in violence last week in a clash of visions. The riots came in response to the city’s plans to remove the statue of a Confederate general from a city park. Individuals variously referred to in the media as white nationalists, white supremacists, neo-Nazis, and members of the alt-right gathered to protest the city’s intentions in what was called a “Unite the Right” rally. A large group of counterprotesters also gathered, and soon racial taunts and name-calling turned into a riot. Tragically, a young man drove his car into the crowd of counterdemonstrators, killing one and injuring 19 others.

 

A SINGULAR VISION

The purpose of the vision God gave Ananias was to heal, not to hurt. He was called to heal the blindness of Saul, a man who was committed to destroying the church. Initially Ananias balked, sensing a great risk to himself, but he obeyed the divine call. In so doing, he played a key part in the apostle Paul’s conversion and subsequent preaching that helped to heal the division between Jews and Gentiles.

  1. What purposes do our society’s memorials serve?
  2. Does our worldview as Christians call for viewing those purposes differently? If so, in what way?
  3. Paul was converted from being a violent persecutor to being a peacemaking preacher. How can that transformation inform and inspire us in light of cultural tensions today?
  4. Have you ever experienced God calling you to follow a life-changing vision as Paul did? Explain.
  5. What vision is God giving you now in regard to being an agent of change in our mixed-up, polarized society?

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – August 13, 2017

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REFUSING TO HEAR

North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un, has been claiming for months that his nation can now deliver nuclear bombs to the US mainland. His increasingly sophisticated missiles indicate his claims may well be correct. Kim has been unresponsive to warnings from the United States and other countries. Last week the UN Security Council unanimously voted to impose sanctions that will likely reduce North Korea’s export revenue by $1 billion a year. In response, Kim threatened that “the US mainland will sink into an unimaginable sea of fire” for “brandishing its nuclear and sanctions clubs.”

 

WANTING TO HEAR

None of us like to be told that we need to change our ways. The result of such an encounter depends heavily on how open we are to change. Unlike North Korea’s leader, the Ethiopian official was ready to heed a message that would change his life. When Philip crossed his path, the Ethiopian actively sought to hear Philip’s advice; and then he incorporated the good news he heard into his behavior.

 

  1. Do threats and sanctions work against leaders like Kim Jong-un? What other options would you suggest?
  2. Are Kim’s reactions typical of a person whose behavior has been challenged? Explain.
  3. When you are challenged about your ideas or behavior, do you wish your typical response would be different? If so, in what way?
  4. In your daily life, how do you find yourself challenging/encouraging others toward positive change?
  5. How do you compare with Philip in your willingness and ability to share the gospel, especially with someone who is different than you?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World – August 6, 2017

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CAN THE TESTIMONY BE TRUSTED?

O. J. Simpson was recently granted parole. He was convicted of armed robbery and kidnapping nine years ago. Prior to that he gained notoriety for his alleged role in the 1994 murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman—and his acquittal in the subsequent high-profile trial. Simpson was found culpable in a later civil suit, resulting in a $33.5 million judgment against him. In all of these trials, the testimony was mixed and seemingly contradictory.

 

YES, THE TESTIMONY CAN BE TRUSTED

The first church in Jerusalem had a different kind of testimony problem, yet the question was the same: Can the church be believed in its claim to be a new kind of society—caring for all, with Christ’s love evident to every observer? One way to answer the question is to look at how an individual, organization, or society treats those who are least able to care for themselves. Mixed and contradictory testimony is not acceptable.

 

  1. What factors made O. J. Simpson’s trials so polarizing to the public?
  2. To what extent do you think contradictory testimony affected people’s opinion of the verdicts?
  3. How big of a problem does the church have in regard to its testimony to the world? What are the causes of this problem?
  4. Who are “the least” in our society whom the church should care for?
  5. What is the testimony of your church in this regard? What would you do to improve it?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – July 30, 2017

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DEATH IN A FOREIGN LAND

Last weekend 10 immigrants died after being locked in a truck that was found in a San Antonio parking lot. The victims were being transported by human traffickers. Many other victims were hospitalized for extreme dehydration and heatstroke. Such events provoke strong debate, with members of the Sanctuary Movement saying the incident is evidence of a need for change in immigration policies, while others say the event calls for stricter law enforcement. Either way, more than a score of people suffered or died in a land not their own.

 

A PREDICTION OF CAPTIVITY AND DEATH

Although Amos denied that he was a prophet, he responded to God’s call and delivered a message of doom for Israel. He proclaimed that both Israel’s king and its people would be taken captive and die in a foreign land. Unlike illegal immigrants who seek a better life in the United States, the Israelites would be transported to a strange land as exiles who were paying with their lives for their idolatry and sinfulness.

 

  1. Where should the blame be placed for the deaths in San Antonio?
  2. What other types of human trafficking are you aware of? How would you solve this problem as it appears in its many guises?
  3. What guidelines does the gospel offer to Christians for determining their attitudes and actions regarding this situation?
  4. What do you think Amos would say to America today?
  5. How might God be calling you to speak to our culture’s evils?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – July 23, 2017

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EATING THEIR WORDS

“Eating your words” is an expression used when people have boasted about what they will do but later discover that they are unable to accomplish it. When that happens, those words can have a bitter taste. We see a current example of the phenomenon in Washington. Unfulfilled campaign promises can plague members of either party, but right now it’s the Republicans’ turn. They are finding it difficult to deliver on their preelection boast that they would immediately repeal and replace Obamacare, and they are facing the ire of some of their most ardent supporters.

 

EATING GOD’S WORDS

God’s command to Ezekiel to eat a scroll symbolized the idea of making the word of God an integral part of our being. For the prophet, the scroll tasted as sweet as honey, because he was faithful to the Lord. However, if the people of Israel failed to listen to the words of God, those words would be bitter to them.

 

  1. What is there in our psychological makeup that makes us willing to believe the promises of politicians seeking our votes?
  2. In what areas of life, other than politics, do we see this same phenomenon? Give examples.
  3. In what ways have you found God’s words to be like honey to you?
  4. How can we ensure that others will find our words “as sweet as honey”?
  5. Specifically, what can you do to prevent “eating your words”?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – July 16, 2017

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WHAT WILL HE SAY?

Thousands of anti-capitalist anarchists descended on Hamburg, Germany when leaders of the G-20 industrialized nations met. They did not come to hear what anyone had to say; they came to create havoc. However, most people wanted to know what Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin would say to each other. Another question was whether President Trump would soften his voice on the US withdrawal from the Paris climate-change agreement.

 

THIS IS WHAT HE WILL SAY

God’s call to Jeremiah left little doubt as to what his message would be. It might seem like an anarchist message to some. God would overthrow established orders and ruling powers—but not for the sake of causing chaos. Jeremiah would speak God’s words in order to restore a reign of godliness. The prophet would be tempted to fear his audience, understandably so in light of the content of the messages God gave him.

 

  1. Why were the media so enthralled with the Trump-Putin face-off and the climate-change issue? Of what concern should those matters be to Christians?
  2. Do you see any value in the protesters’ presence during the G-20 meetings? Why or why not?
  3. Was God’s call to Jeremiah really a call to incite anarchy? Explain.
  4. How much effort should we expend to understand those with whom we disagree?
  5. Do you fear speaking out for God in our post-Christian culture? What would give you more confidence to do so?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World – July 9, 2017

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CALLING EACH OTHER NAMES

“Liar, liar, pants on fire!” We’re all familiar with this childhood taunt. Unfortunately, that seems to be what political discourse in America has become. It is the nature of partisan debate on many issues. President Trump and his critics have taken up this kind of interchange. Last week the president tweeted harshly about the cohosts of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show. When the tweets raised a firestorm of protest, deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended the president, essentially saying that when he gets criticized, he replies in kind.

 

CALLED BY GOD

When Isaiah was called by God, the seraphim didn’t shout “Sinner!” And Isaiah didn’t defend himself, as we all tend to do when criticized. Instead, as Isaiah stood in the presence of God, he recognized God’s holiness and admitted his own sinfulness. So it was that when God called him on a mission, Isaiah responded, “At your service!”

 

  1. What remedies would you recommend for the baseness of public discourse in America?
  2. Although we like to blame our leaders for our problems, how do we common citizens contribute to the harshness of public debate?
  3. How should awareness of God’s holiness affect the way we respond to criticism when it is unfair? . . . when it accurately points out our sin?
  4. How do Matthew 5:39 and Colossians 4:6 apply to this situation?
  5. How should God’s call to us as Christians determine the nature of our conversation with others?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – July 2, 2017

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FIRES THAT CONSUME

A week ago the West was on fire . . . figuratively. A week-long extreme heat wave brought 125 degrees to Death Valley, 122 degrees to Palm Springs, 111 degrees to Burbank, and even 96 degrees to Seattle! Las Vegas and Phoenix also suffered from the intense heat. As this past week began, the heat wave had moved eastward, but literal fire began to consume the West. Seven Western states were being ravaged by more than 20 wildfires that were destroying large areas and forcing thousands of people to flee from their homes.

 

A FIRE THAT DID NOT CONSUME

We don’t know if Moses had ever seen a wildfire, but the fire he saw on “the mountain of God” was stranger than anything he had ever seen. A bush was on fire but was not being consumed. As we would expect, Moses’ curiosity was aroused. Drawing near to the bush, Moses discovered that God was calling him to the greatest challenge of his life. When Moses tried to refuse the call, God promised to give him extraordinary power to accomplish what he was being called to do.

 

  1. Is God speaking to us through extreme weather conditions? If so, what is the message?
  2. Does God still use unusual physical circumstances to call people to serve him? Why or why not?
  3. Did Moses react to the burning bush and to God’s call the way most people would? Explain.
  4. Was Moses’ hesitancy due to insecurity or a lack of faith?
  5. Have you ever been in an unusual situation through which you perceived God to be speaking to you? Explain.

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – June 25, 2017

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NOT AS HE SEEMED

The sexual assault trial of Bill Cosby ended a week ago with a hung jury. From 1984 to 1992, Cosby played the role of lovable Cliff Huxtable, named by TV Guide as the “greatest television dad.” In contrast, the comedian was portrayed by the prosecution in the trial as a sexual predator. Although Cosby has admitted to being an unfaithful husband in real life, he denied the charges against him during the classic “he said, she said” trial.

 

EXACTLY AS THEY SAID

When the angel told Manoah’s wife that their child was to be a Nazirite, they agreed to raise him according to that command. Their words were followed up by parental actions congruent with their promise. What they said was what they did. Unfortunately, Bill Cosby’s show-business portrayal of a good father did not mesh with the flawed person he was in real life.

 

  1. We may have opinions about the Cosby trial verdict, but is it appropriate to make judgments about his guilt or innocence (as many are doing) when we did not hear the evidence personally? Why or why not?
  2. How could Cosby play the role of Cliff Huxtable in good conscience when his personal life as husband and father did not measure up?
  3. If Cosby was otherwise a good father in real life, do his admitted serial infidelities diminish his stature as a father?
  4. Is Cosby different than the rest of us when it comes to having proverbial skeletons in the closet? Explain.
  5. What place, if any, do “vows” like Samson’s mother made have in parenting today?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – June 18, 2017

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LOYALTY, LEAKS, AND . . .

Former FBI director James Comey, who was fired by President Trump, testified in a highly anticipated congressional hearing last week. He claimed the president demanded loyalty from him in January, during their first meeting. Comey said he promised “honesty” instead. Comey also alleged Trump requested, during a private meeting in the Oval Office in February, that he drop investigations into former national security advisor Michael Flynn’s interactions with the Russians. Characterizing Trump as a liar, Comey admitted that his mistrust led him to ask a friend to leak information about their conversations.

 

. . . LEADERSHIP

Jephthah mistrusted the leaders of Gilead. His half-brothers had driven him from his home in Gilead because Jephthah’s mother, a prostitute, was not their mother; and Jephthah considered the elders complicit in this indignity (see Judges 11:7). Now these leaders were pleading with him to lead the Israelites into battle against the Ammonites. Jephthah challenged their fickleness and agreed to become their head only if they would vow their loyalty to him before the Lord.

 

  1. How do we determine truth and falsehood in what is happening in Washington these days?
  2. How would you rank political loyalty versus honesty? Why?
  3. Give examples of how these values might compete. Give an example of a life situation in which loyalty and honesty should be complementary.
  4. Was Jephthah justified to insist on loyalty from the leaders of Gilead? Why or why not?
  5. Is it appropriate to demand loyalty from people during serious negotiations today? In what ways do we do this?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – June 11, 2017

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FRUSTRATION

Last Saturday night, Britain suffered a third Islamist attack in three months when terrorists drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge and then stabbed many victims in the nearby restaurant district. Seven were killed and dozens wounded. Theresa May, Britain’s prime minister, gave a strongly worded response. However, government efforts to restrict incitements to terror have been frustrated by free-speech impediments in British courts, creating a sense of impotence in dealing with such threats.

 

IMPOTENCE

Gideon may have felt a similar sense of impotence when called to deliver Israel from the Midianites. He found a number of excuses to resist God’s call: God’s current actions in Israel’s behalf weren’t as bold as they had been in the past, Gideon was from a weak clan, he was least in his family, he needed a divine sign, etc.

 

  1. How can a society which values privacy and the freedoms of speech, association, and religion protect itself from those who abuse those freedoms to destroy that society?
  2. Should temporary security measures such as those used in wartime be put in force to protect us today? Why or why not?
  3. Have you ever felt, as Gideon did, that God isn’t working in behalf of his people as he used to? Explain.
  4. Have you ever felt you were inadequate for what God called you to do? How did you deal with such feelings?
  5. When we are unsure of God’s will for us, should we seek signs? Why or why not?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – June 4, 2017

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ONE ASCENDANT WOMAN

In Europe a week ago, President Trump attended a NATO summit and a G-7 meeting of economic leaders. Historically, America’s president has been the leader at such meetings, but things changed this time. Angela Merkel, Germany’s “iron chancellor,” emerged from these meetings as the apparent new leader based on her fearless public criticism of Trump’s stated positions on climate change, trade, Russia, and NATO. Some might see irony in the fact that Merkel, a woman, had gained ascendancy—at least in the eyes of European delegates—over a strong-willed American president.

 

TWO VICTORIOUS WOMEN

Deborah was the only female among Israel’s judges. She delivered the news to Barak that God had chosen him to the lead the Israelites in their fight against Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army. Barak’s unwillingness to go into battle against the Canaanites unless Deborah was at his side called out a demonstration of her toughness. She warned Barak that even though the Israelites would win, the honor of victory would go to a woman. We find out later that this woman would be Jael, who killed an exhausted Sisera while he was asleep.

 

  1. In politics, does it matter whether men or women are in leadership? Why or why not?
  2. What character traits make a good leader, whether male or female?
  3. Do you think God chose Deborah to be judge because no competent men were available, or for other reasons? Explain.
  4. There seems to be some irony in Deborah’s response to Barak. Do you suppose she enjoyed it? Would it have been right for her to do so?
  5. What principles from this biblical incident, if any, can we apply to leadership in today’s world?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World – May 28, 2017

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A QUESTION OF VALUE

Jean-Michel Basquiat was once a graffiti painter. Now his work is celebrated by art collectors. On May 18, Basquiat’s graffiti-like painting of a skull, titled “Untitled,” brought $110.5 million at auction. The purchaser, Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, beat out three other bidders. Last year Maezawa paid $57.3 million for another Basquiat work, also titled “Untitled,” in which the artist portrayed himself as a horned devil. About last week’s auction, one art collector gushed, “It’s a really historical moment.” However, many people outside the rarified air of the art connoisseur’s world find Basquiat’s work less remarkable.

 

A QUESTION OF VALUES

Jonah’s anger about God’s refusal to destroy Nineveh reflects a self-centeredness that prevented him from rejoicing in the work God was doing. He placed greater value on his own desire to see his message of divine retribution come true than he did on the 120,000 citizens of Nineveh whom God wanted to save.

 

  1. How might a person rationalize spending $110.5 million on a painting when there are so many worthy and needy causes in the world?
  2. Assuming you had the money, how would you spend $110.5 million?
  3. At a much lower level of expenditure, what questions come to your mind about the values we Christians express by our purchases?
  4. God questioned Jonah’s values on the basis of compassionate concern for others. How does that speak to our values?
  5. Does our response to current social issues ever mirror Jonah’s expression of self-centeredness? Explain and give examples.

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – May 21, 2017

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THREATENING DESTRUCTION . . .

North Korea’s capricious leader, Kim Jong Un, engaged in saber rattling again this week. Kim boasted North Korea’s apparently successful missile test Sunday proves that his backward nation can now deliver “a large scale heavy nuclear warhead” and that the US mainland is in its “sighting range for strike.” Kim has long sought international recognition through military power rather than by more positive means such as developing economic strength to benefit his impoverished people.

 

. . . BUT PROMISING SALVATION

God threatened Nineveh with destruction, but not to boost his own fragile ego. Instead, God’s message through Jonah was intended to save the city’s residents by persuading them to turn from their sinful ways. Thus, the divine threat was a means of making the Ninevites aware of their need for salvation. Unlike so many human leaders, the king of Nineveh used his position to bring spiritual prosperity to his people.

 

  1. What differences do you see between Kim Jong Un and the king of Nineveh?
  2. What causes political leaders to put personal prestige ahead of the welfare of their people?
  3. Why are Christian leaders sometimes subject to similar temptations?
  4. The people of Nineveh needed threats of punishment before they would repent. Is this a universal human condition? Explain.
  5. How can we keep ourselves from needing to be threatened with punishment before we repent of sin?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – May 14, 2017

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KIDNAPPED AND HOPELESS

It was three years ago that Boko Haram, the extremely violent ISIS-related terrorist group, kidnapped 276 girls from a school in Nigeria. Some of the students escaped soon after they were kidnapped, and others have escaped or been released in the past year. Last Sunday, 82 of the girls were traded for five terrorist commanders, leaving 113 still missing. In what seems like a hopeless situation, Boko Haram has abducted thousands of people in the last few years, using them as sex slaves, human bombs, or bargaining chips in negotiations.

 

DESPERATE, BUT HOPEFUL

Jonah was also in a hopeless situation, all because of his refusal to answer God’s call. Sinking in the Mediterranean Sea, Jonah felt as if he was “deep in the realm of the dead.” But he cried out to God in hope of being saved, trusting that once again he would be able to praise God in his temple.

 

  1. What are the pros and cons of trading hostages for terrorists?
  2. How did Jonah’s desperate situation differ from that of the girls abducted by Boko Haram?
  3. How did Jonah’s failure to obey God mesh with his expression of hope that God would save him? In what ways are we like Jonah?
  4. What other apparently hopeless “hostage” situations exist in our modern world? Are you aware of any ministries committed to setting such people free?
  5. Are you acquainted personally with someone who was set free from some form of bondage? How did trust in God figure into their escape?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World – April 30, 2017

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DISTORTED LOVE

On March 13, Tad Cummins, a 50-year-old school teacher, and Elizabeth Thomas, his 15-year-old former student, disappeared from Culleoka, Tennessee. There had been reports of a romantic relationship between them, and they apparently fled as the investigation into the affair developed. The pair’s location was unknown for five weeks, but they were finally found in an isolated cabin in northern California. Police were able to arrest Cummins without resistance. Elizabeth was safe and has been returned to her family, while Cummins faces several state and federal criminal charges.

 

SELFLESS LOVE

We humans find numerous ways to twist life circumstances so that our relationships become distorted into something outside of God’s will for us. Jesus spoke of how thieves try to steal the sheep, as opposed to the good shepherd who loves them and cares for them. Jesus does this even to the point of giving his life for them, as opposed to using them for selfish purposes, like a thief would.

 

  1. What can society do to prevent the kind of situation that developed between Tad Cummins and his student?
  2. What should the consequences be for Cummins?
  3. How can Christians be God’s agents in bringing healing to people like Cummins, Elizabeth Thomas, and their families?
  4. How can we avoid fooling ourselves into thinking our sins are OK?
  5. If you have experienced others trying to use you, can you express how Christ has cared for you in spite of your experience?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – April 23, 2017

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AN UNEXPECTED GIFT

Cayla Chandara moved from California to Hawaii to go to college. But then the 21-year-old dropped out and took on two waitress jobs to pay down her student loans before hopefully returning to school. Recently she served a friendly couple from Australia who were interested in hearing about her life and future dreams. Their bill was $200. After they left, Cayla discovered they gave her a $400 tip! The couple had mentioned where they were staying, so Cayla left a thank-you letter for them at the hotel’s front desk. The next evening, the tourists returned to the restaurant and gave Cayla $10,000 to pay off her loans and help her get back into college. Cayla said, “They have truly changed my life, not only financially but in the way I look at things.”

 

AN UNDESERVED GIFT

We occasionally hear about someone who donates a kidney or a portion of their liver to keep some worthy person alive. We don’t expect people to risk their lives for an undeserving person. But that’s what Jesus did for us—the godly died for the ungodly! In the process, he made us right with God, something we could not accomplish by ourselves.

 

  1. What do you think prompted the couple to give these gifts to Cayla, a person they had just met?
  2. Are you aware of other stories like this?
  3. Have you ever been moved to offer a generous gift to a deserving person? What moved you to do so?
  4. Have you ever refused even a small donation to someone you felt was “unworthy” of your help? Does Jesus’ gift make it more difficult to justify such a decision?
  5. How has Christ’s gift changed the way you approach life?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – April 16, 2017

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SEVERELY DESTROYED . . .

Early on April 4, bombs bearing poisonous gas fell on Khan Sheikhoun, Syria, killing dozens of civilians. US intelligence determined the planes involved flew from a Syrian government airbase. Two days later, US warships in the Mediterranean fired 59 Tomahawk missiles at the base. Initial reports from the Pentagon asserted that 58 of the 59 missiles “severely degraded or destroyed” their intended targets. But the Kremlin contended that only 23 of the missiles reached the base. Within a couple of days the Syrian government, which claims not to even use chemical weapons, said it had resumed using the airbase.

 

. . . BUT ALIVE AGAIN!

Jewish and Roman authorities thought they had destroyed Jesus and dealt a death blow to the movement he had started. The evidence three days later, however, showed they were wrong. The tomb the authorities had made as secure as they knew how (Matthew 27:65) was empty. No body was found because Jesus was alive and observed by many witnesses. The heartbreak of the disciples had turned to inexpressible joy.

 

  1. Do conflicting accounts of events like the attack on the Syrian airbase cause you to be skeptical about the reliability of news reports? Why or why not?
  2. Whether Gospel accounts or current news reports, what factors go into your decision to believe them or not?
  3. Critics of Christianity deny the truthfulness of the “news reports” in the Gospels about Jesus’ resurrection. How would you respond to their skepticism?
  4. Have you ever discussed your faith in the resurrected Christ with a nonbeliever? What discussion points did you use? What was the result?
  5. What does Peter’s encouragement in 1 Peter 1:3-9 suggest about how we can witness to a culture that no longer believes in objective truth?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – April 9, 2017

By "In the World"

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FINDING NEW LIFE

Every spring for more than three-quarters of a century, March Madness has struck America. College-basketball fever infects the nation for a few weeks, as 68 teams enter into a single-elimination tournament. Last year the University of North Carolina lost the championship game to Villanova. Ever since then the Tar Heels talked about “redemption.” Monday night North Carolina found new life, beating Gonzaga for the 2017 crown. It was only the fourth time a team has won the national championship after losing the title game the previous year.

 

GIVEN NEW LIFE

Sports fans live for “next year,” hoping their team will experience a championship “rebirth.” Sometimes the difference is found in a team’s spirit. However, winning such a prize comes to only one team each year. The glory of the gospel is that the number of “winners” is limited only by the unwillingness of individuals to accept God’s gift of new life. Nicodemus, focusing on the flesh, had difficulty understanding this. Jesus redirected his attention to the realm of the Spirit.

 

  1. Can the church learn anything from March Madness in regard to creating excitement about the gospel? Explain.
  2. What dangers do you see in trying to learn from the secular world?
  3. Do you get as excited about your faith as you do about your other interests in life? If so, explain your passion.
  4. If not, how might Jesus’ teaching about the new birth be the remedy?
  5. What does “being born of the Spirit” mean in your life?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – April 2, 2017

By "In the World"

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SUDDEN DEATH

Last Wednesday Americans Kurt and Mellissa Cochran were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary in London, walking on the Westminster Bridge, when a terrorist drove his car into them. Kurt and one other person were killed on the bridge before the assailant drove to the Parliament grounds, where he killed a policeman with a knife. The attacker was shot and killed by police, but not before he injured 50 other victims. ISIS has claimed that one of their “soldiers” was the assassin, and several suspected accomplices have been arrested.

 

ABIDING COMFORT

When unexpected evil suddenly strikes us, we are challenged to discover whether the resources of our faith can withstand the blow. Christians needing comfort often read Psalm 23 in such situations. This passage of Scripture is among those most commonly read at funeral services. A significant reason for the psalm’s popularity is the psalmist David’s claim to have no fear of evil, even when he was walking through life’s darkest valleys.

 

  1. How do you react when you hear that another Islamic terrorist has struck innocent victims far from the Middle East?
  2. Should we react differently than what you just expressed? Why? If so, in what way?
  3. How does David’s promise of God’s care in Psalm 23 help you live in an age when terror of more than one kind can strike at any moment?
  4. What does it mean to you that God prepares a feast for you in the presence of your enemies?
  5. Share with the group how Psalm 23 has brought you peace during a difficult time in your life.

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – March 26, 2017

By "In the World"

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A PASSIONATE DEBATE

Conservative justice Antonin Scalia’s death last year left the US Supreme Court divided 4-4 on many issues. This week, the Senate passionately debated the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the court. Many see the Senate hearings as a battle for the spirit of the nation. The dream of conservatives is that a court with the 49-year-old Justice Gorsuch on it would bring more traditional rulings for decades to come. Liberals have visions of a court more attuned to what they might call the spirit of our times.

 

A PROPHETIC CALL

The prophet Joel lived in and prophesied to the nation of Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, during a time when the country was devastated by a locust plague. He viewed Judah as a nation whose supreme judge was God and whose national spirit was formed and guided by the Spirit of God. The Lord promised to restore Judah to a place of honor among the nations and to make Jerusalem a place of deliverance and salvation.

 

  1. Why do both sides of the Senate view the stakes of the Gorsuch nomination to be so high?
  2. Is it better for the Supreme Court to “tilt” to the left or the right? On what issues and why?
  3. Regardless of which direction the court moves, do you see a need for America’s spirit to be restored to what it was in a previous era? Explain.
  4. Does Joel’s call to return to the Lord (Joel 2:13) speak to us today? If not, why not? If so, how?
  5. Does Joel’s promise that Judah would not be an object of scorn (Joel 2:19) offer you hope for the Christian faith to be more highly regarded in our nation? Why or why not?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World – March 19, 2017

By "In the World"

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THE COST OF HEALTH CARE

One of President Trump’s campaign promises is currently being tested by Congress as it struggles over a replacement for the Affordable Care Act. The debate is largely along partisan lines, but Republicans are far from united about what the outcome should be. The challenge seems overwhelming: What can be pruned from the ACA to save the government money while still providing a reasonable and fair level of medical care for citizens without costing them more than they can personally afford?

 

THE COST OF LOVE

At the heart of the ACA-replacement debate is the question of whether the government should pay (or at least subsidize) the cost of health insurance for all its citizens. Obeying Jesus’ words to “Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12) is difficult enough for us individually. How much more difficult to do this as a society, especially when it demands sacrifice by some to benefit others!

 

  1. Is legislating universal health care a possible, appropriate, or reasonable way for a nation to “love” its citizens?
  2. Should Jesus’ command to love others have any effect on the way Christians think about societal issues such as health care? Why or why not?
  3. What personal challenges do you face in regard to loving others?
  4. Jesus speaks of the pruning activity of our loving heavenly Father. In what way have you seen this at work in your life?
  5. How does knowledge of Jesus’ love for you “make your joy complete” (John 15:11)?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – March 12, 2017

By "In the World"

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IT’S THE LAW . . .

President Trump announced a new executive order regarding Middle Eastern and African immigrants on Monday. The White House insisted that the new ban was country-based, not religion-based. On another immigration front, national policy regarding immigrants already in the country illegally remains a point of contention. Critics of the administration continue to call for looser immigration policies. Overall, the issue seems to be whether immigration policy should be strictly a matter of law or whether some grace should be extended in individual cases regarding deportation decisions.

 

. . . BUT SHOULD GRACE BE EXTENDED?

Law versus grace is an age-old issue. Jesus’ opponents criticized him for not keeping the Jewish law, even though he said he had come to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). Today’s text makes it plain that trying to achieve salvation by works—i.e., by keeping the law—only brings death, because none of us (unlike Jesus) can do that successfully. The glory of the gospel is that God’s grace through Christ brings us from spiritual death to everlasting life.

 

  1. Should immigration policy be strictly a matter of law? Why or why not?
  2. Should grace have any role in enforcement decisions? If so, in what situations? If not, why not?
  3. Do passages such as Leviticus 19:34 and Luke 10:25-37 apply to this issue? Explain.
  4. In what ways do our transgressions and sins make us “dead”?
  5. What should the effects of God’s grace be in our lives?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – March 5, 2017

By "In the World"

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HATEFUL ACTIONS

On Monday, 20 Jewish community centers and schools in 12 states received bomb threats, for a total of 89 this year. The day before, about 100 headstones in a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia were knocked over. A week before that, more than 150 headstones were toppled in a Jewish cemetery near St. Louis. In the latter case, a Muslim activist group initiated a crowdfunding campaign that raised $55,000. In January, a mosque in Texas burned, and Americans contributed more than a million dollars to repair it.

 

LOVING ATTITUDES

The human race finds the command to love one another difficult to obey. Desecration of religious sites and cemeteries is one of the most hateful ways this fact is demonstrated. Such attacks have caused Jewish and Muslim communities in the United States to express increasing fear in recent months. On the other hand, John says loving others is the way we know that we live in Christ and he lives in us. And God’s perfect love casts out fear.

 

  1. Why do you think we are seeing an outbreak of threats and actions against Jewish and Muslim sites?
  2. Are the contributions to repair the damaged sites an indication of a basic goodness in Americans? Why or why not?
  3. How can we love people who hold to a religion in which some adherents have proved to be a violent threat to our way of life? Explain.
  4. If you discovered that Christians had desecrated the cemeteries and mosque, what would be your attitude toward those persons?
  5. What helps you love people whom you find unlikeable?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – February 26, 2017

By "In the World"

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DECAY . . .

A decaying national infrastructure is in the news. In California, the problems at Oroville Dam recently caught the public’s attention. Water in Flint, Michigan has been polluted for years with lead, E. coli, and dangerous levels of many chemicals. Texas roads, dams, flood control, and drinking water get a D or D– grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers. So it goes around the country. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that an investment of $3.6 trillion will be needed by 2020 to rectify the situation. Many say Americans have been selfishly spending money for years to make ourselves comfortable, though unwilling to allocate funds to keep us safe and well.

 

. . . AND GROWTH

Paul’s instructions to the Galatians emphasize the fruit of the Spirit—character traits that are directed to enriching the lives of others first and ourselves incidentally. The apostle warns us that we eventually “get what’s coming to us,” as the old saying goes. The principle seems to apply to societies as well as individuals.

 

  1. Do you think America’s infrastructure problems prove that “we reap what we sow,” to use Paul’s terminology? Explain.
  2. Beyond that, to what extent do you think the nation’s social problems are the result of “the acts of the flesh,” to use another of Paul’s phrases?
  3. Is reluctance to tax ourselves for the common good an indication of national selfishness?
  4. What have you found in your own life to be the benefit of cultivating the fruit of the Spirit? Give some specific examples.

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – February 19, 2017

By "In the World"

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WHEN THE LAW IS GOOD . . .

Law enforcement authorities ordered more than 180,000 people in northern California to evacuate several towns last Sunday night. Some people did not evacuate, thinking they could save themselves. Authorities feared that the 770-feet high Oroville dam—the tallest in the country—was in danger of failing due to recent heavy rains. The main spillway had already been damaged, and Sunday the reservoir reached its capacity and overflowed the emergency spillway. That’s when authorities used the power of the law to force the evacuation. If the dam had failed, their order could have possibly saved countless lives.

 

. . . AND WHEN IT ISN’T

In Galatia, Christians had found spiritual freedom by trusting in the grace of God. Later, many of them were persuaded to retreat from faith. They began to trust in the law’s commandments and their own ability to fulfill those commandments as the means to gain God’s favor and love. Paul reminded them that the law could not save them and neither could they save themselves.

 

  1. Are the edicts of civil law always good? Is religious “law” always bad? What exceptions can you cite?
  2. What parallels do you see between people’s refusal to obey the evacuation orders and some Christians’ rejection of the gospel?
  3. Why did the Galatians turn back from the gospel to the law?
  4. In what ways are Christians tempted to do the same today? Give examples.
  5. Do you struggle with this issue in your spiritual life? Explain.

 

—Charles R. Boatman

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In the World – February 12, 2017

By "In the World"

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FAKE NEWS

“Fake news” has become a hot topic recently. We’ve heard politicians and journalists charge others with promoting “alternative facts.” Of course, that concept has been with us for a long time. We called it propaganda in the Cold War era. In recent years, postmodern thinking has called into question whether anything is really “true.” The validity of Christian teaching is now widely questioned, and America has been inundated by the advocacy of “alternative lifestyles.”

 

REAL NEWS

The new Christians in Galatia had heard “real news” when the apostle Paul visited them. Literally, it was good news—the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, they later began to listen to—and believe—fake news. False teachers beguiled them into forsaking their freedom in Christ for a return to the slavery of adhering to the Old Testament law.

 

  1. To what extent does our culture’s acceptance of the postmodern “your truth” and “my truth” notion plays into the fake news issue?
  2. If real truth does not exist, how does this affect our faith in Christ?
  3. How should Christians confront our culture’s denial of ultimate truth?
  4. Tell the group about a conversation you’ve had with someone regarding whether the teachings of Christianity are true. What were their objections? What was the result of the conversation?
  5. How does the legalism the Galatians fell into show itself among Christians today?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – February 5, 2017

By "In the World"

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SHARPLY DIVIDED!

Two marches took place in Washington recently. The unifying theme of the Women’s March on January 21 seemed to be opposition to newly inaugurated President Trump. It also touted a multitude of causes spread over a wide spectrum of concerns, including climate change, immigration, LGBT rights, and “women’s health issues.” The last topic was also addressed by the March for Life on January 27. Some in the conservative media called this “the real women’s march,” as it was “pro-life” rather than “pro-choice.”

 

TOTALLY UNITED?

The two marches demonstrate the distinct difference between the way we function in secular society and how God expects us to function in the church of Jesus Christ. Secular society is rife with division over many issues, but Christ calls us to recognize that all believers stand on level ground before the cross, with neither ethnic, social, nor gender discrimination taking place. The question for us is whether we are living up to the divine call!

 

  1. Do competing marches, such as those in Washington recently, serve a valid function in America? Explain.
  2. To what extent is the church contributing to unity between races? In what ways does the church fail?
  3. Is our modern social-class system an appropriate lens through which to view the “neither slave nor free” concept? Explain.
  4. How has your church handled the “neither male nor female” issue in terms of leadership and service roles?
  5. How can Christians experience unity in Christ if we disagree on these significant issues?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – January 29, 2017

By "In the World"

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DIVIDED PERSPECTIVES

Last week we saw once again how divided America is. Although throngs of people converged on Washington to witness Donald Trump’s inauguration (the size of the crowd eliciting its own controversy), large demonstrations followed the inauguration. It was estimated that hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated in Washington, New York, Chicago, and other cities. Demonstrations also took place in over 600 cities around the world. Behind the anxiety is distrust of the new administration and fear of how unknown policies will affect trade, human rights, the economy, immigration, and other matters. On the other hand, many Americans are happy to see change taking place.

 

UNDIVIDED PRAISE

The psalmist draws a picture of unity when he speaks of creation’s praise for God. Not only the created “things,” but humans of every age and classification, join in this undivided praise of God. The reason behind this outpouring of adulation is that God is consistently good in his governing of the universe. We may safely trust both his wisdom and his power, something we can never be sure of regarding any human authority figure or force.

 

  1. What do you think is the most significant reason for the strong reactions in so many places against the inauguration of President Trump?
  2. Do you think the psalmist overstates the case for all of creation offering undivided praise to God? Why or why not?
  3. How would you answer people who contend that God isn’t good and offer examples of what they think proves it?
  4. How do you make sure that you are consistently praising God?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – January 22, 2017

By "In the World"

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CONTINUING CRITICISM

Donald J. Trump became the 45th president of the United States on Friday. One week earlier, a media feud developed between Trump and Congressman John Lewis. Lewis called Trump’s election “illegitimate,” and Trump fired back a tweet that was harshly critical of the longtime Georgia congressman. In the aftermath, a growing number of Democratic members of Congress vowed to join Lewis in protesting Trump’s election by not attending the inaugural ceremonies. The animosity of the election campaign is continuing as the new administration takes office.

 

CEASELESS PRAISE

What is happening in Washington stands in stark contrast to what Psalm 104 says of God’s reign over the universe. Without contradiction, God’s creation speaks with ceaseless praise of his greatness. The heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the creatures speak of God’s power.

 

  1. What do you see as your Christian responsibility regarding the divisive attitudes displayed in Washington and around the country at this time?
  2. Have you been able to develop a more charitable attitude toward the candidate(s) you voted against? If so, how?
  3. How are you praying for the new president (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1, 2)? How are you praying for his critics?
  4. How does creation express praise to God?
  5. Why do you think humans so often fail to do the same?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – January 15, 2017

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WATER BRINGS SADNESS

Perhaps in the form of torrential rains or blizzard-like snow conditions, the first week of January brought challenging, wet weather to most of the United States. In the drought-stricken West, multiple storms filled recently empty reservoirs to overflowing. California’s famous Pioneer Cabin sequoia tree—believed to be 1,000 years old (and having a car-sized hole carved through it in the 1880s)—fell because of the rain. In the South, severe flooding spread from Texas to Florida. Meanwhile, the North and East experienced heavy snowfall that blocked roads and caused numerous multivehicle crashes.

 

WATER BRINGS GLADNESS

The psalmist speaks of God as the source of water that does us good: enriching the land, bringing forth a bounty that blesses us and causes us to sing joyfully. The fact that some of the water with which the earth abounds at the present brings suffering and sadness may sometimes cause us to question the way God works through the natural forces he has put in place.

 

  1. In response to destructive natural phenomena like we have seen recently, how would you answer the question, “Why does God allow such things to happen?”
  2. Are such events really “acts of God,” as they are sometimes called? Explain.
  3. Have you ever experienced loss through a flood, blizzard, or another weather event? How did your faith help you cope with the situation?
  4. Should we praise God for tragic events? Why or why not?
  5. Would you prefer to phrase question 4 differently? If so, how does that help you deal with difficult circumstances?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – January 8, 2017

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A NEW YEAR

A week ago today, we celebrated the beginning of a new year. Most people found the year past was—as usual—a combination of good and bad circumstances and experiences. In hope of making their lives better, many people start the new year by making resolutions . . . and soon after breaking them! Surveys show that the most common broken resolutions include efforts to 1) lose weight and get fit, 2) quit smoking, 3) learn something new, 4) eat healthier and diet, 5) get out of debt and save money, 6) spend more time with family, 7) travel to new places, 8) be less stressed, 9) volunteer, and 10) drink less.

 

A NEW SONG

Psalm 96 provides a different focus for us. Rather than urging us to resolve to work at improving ourselves, it commands us to “sing to the Lord a new song.” That is, self-improvement starts with having a new attitude toward God: praising—and obeying—the one who gives us salvation. Without turning to God, our own efforts to be better people will achieve limited success.

 

  1. What do you think causes most New Year’s resolutions to be abandoned?
  2. Do you make such resolutions? With what kind of resolutions have you found the most success?
  3. What spiritual resolutions do you think Christians should make?
  4. How does praising God fit into your self-improvement agenda?
  5. This year, if you were to focus on one new praise to offer to God daily, what would it be?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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In the World – January 1, 2017

By "In the World"

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THE POWER OF PEOPLE’S WORDS

The year just completed provided numerous examples of the power of words. In 2016, political campaigns from local to national demonstrated how words can stir people to support a candidate they dislike (or perhaps vote for a different candidate whom they dislike less). In some states, words persuaded the electorate to legalize the use of marijuana, either recreationally or for medicinal purposes. Across the nation, words incited violence against various ethnic groups and against law enforcement officers. In short, we saw how words can be used to divide and destroy.

 

THE POWER OF GOD’S WORDS

On the other hand, as we read in Psalm 33, God demonstrated the positive, creative power of words when he spoke the universe into being. From the stars that fill the highest heavens to the creatures in the deepest seas, God spoke, and they came into existence. What is more, he has given to us the privilege—and the command—to speak his praise and create good with the words we speak!

 

  1. From all the reports you saw and heard in 2016, what words demonstrated the greatest power to divide our nation? . . . to unite us?
  2. From your personal experience last year, give examples of words that either hurt or healed. What were the circumstances, and what were the results?
  3. How would you compare the creative power of God’s words with the power of our words to either create or destroy?
  4. How can Christians “speak peace” to a divided and warring world?
  5. What changes in your speech will you be making in 2017? Have you made resolutions to that effect?

 

—Charles R. Boatman

 

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