Bible Lesson

The lesson this morning was not as usual. My son and his wife came in to class. It was their first class since returning from their Honeymoon. We were the only three in class and Chuck came in - late. I spoke to him and he grunted back. He almost turned around and walked out. Later Stephen C. came in and then Alex M. and some others. I did not use the lesson I had planned - because it was so late when the majority of the class arrived.

We talked about a girl from our city (Jeff & Kathy's child) that was about their age that passed away on Friday. I told them about seeing the Obituary in the Times and on the same page another girl about their age had won an award. We talked about how people are at different stages of life and something Randy O. had once said people are either 1. going into a storm 2.) in the middle of a storm 3.) coming out of a storm.

We also talked about Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Phone vs. Bible

I was cleaning out my email and found this. I think I may use it in class this Sunday.

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
What if we used it as we traveled?
What if we used it in case of an emergency?
What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to worry about our bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!

Bible Lesson - Favorite Verses

Last week we talked about the Phone vs. Bible - what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?

This week I want to talk about how the Bible speaks to us. We all have favorite Bible verses or stories that have either gotten us through a difficult time or that means something special to us.

A while back I asked you to tell me your favorite verse. I hope it is ok to share this with others and to discuss what the verses mean to us and how they have helped us daily and especially when we are dealing with difficult situations or even happy occasions.

Favorite Verses

John 3:16-17
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
- Stephen C.

Philippians 4:13
13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
-Stephen C.

Isaiah 40:31
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
-Chuck

1 Corinthians 10:13
13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
-Liz

Philippians 4:6
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
-Jared

I Corinthians 13 - Love
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
– Nicole


Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
-N

Hebrews 11:6 (King James Version)
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
- D

Ephesians 4:32
32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
– JY

Matthew 19:26
26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
– T