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In the World – August 13, 2017

By August 8, 2017"In the World"

Download In the World for August 13 here.

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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Andrew Sloan

Author Andrew Sloan

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