In the World – March 4, 2012

Posted in: In the World by ron on February 29, 2012

Download In the World for March 4, 2012 here. (PDF)

WHERE’S THE WISDOM?

Just over a week ago, American soldiers in Afghanistan accidentally burned a pile of Korans, Islam’s sacred book, in a pit meant for burning garbage. America’s official apology for the incident has been rejected by many in the Arab world; massive, violent protests are the result. On Monday, an Afghan suicide bomber sought revenge by ramming his car into the gate of a NATO base, resulting in the deaths of nine Afghans but no Americans. An Iranian military commander said, “Nothing but burning the White House can relieve the wound” suffered by Muslims for the burning of the Korans. We wonder where was wisdom in all the actions and reactions!

HERE’S THE WISDOM!

Divine wisdom is always available to us, but we must choose to use it. God has made his wisdom available from the beginning, but pride in our own “wisdom” often blinds us to the availability of the higher, better wisdom. A humble reading of Proverbs 8, this week’s lesson, reminds us of the transcendent nature of God’s wisdom. It is a wisdom to be exercised at all times, in all places.

1. Without “getting political,” how could exercise of godly wisdom have prevented the latest unrest that we see in Afghanistan?

2. How should “divinely wise” Christians react if someone burns Bibles, accidentally or otherwise? How does Jeremiah 36:20-32 inform us in this regard, if at all?

3. Should “divinely wise” Christians show the same kind of fervent reverence to the Bible that many Muslims show toward the Koran? Why, or why not?

4. What is the best way to acknowledge the supremacy of God’s wisdom?

5. When was a time that godly, biblical wisdom helped you solve a problem in your life?

6. When was a time that you ignored godly, biblical wisdom in grappling with a problem? How did things turn out?

—Charles R. Boatman

http://www.standardlesson.com/what-you-get

Copyright © 2012 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved.

Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World – February 26, 2012

Posted in: In the World by ron on February 22, 2012

Download In the World for February 26, 2012, here. (PDF)

NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING . . .

Between next Tuesday and March 6, there are 13 Republican primaries and caucuses that will put up for grabs 518 of the 1,144 delegates needed to win that party’s presidential nomination. Chances are that we will continue to see the four remaining candidates flailing away at each other while boasting of his own qualifications to challenge President Obama in November. As in most political campaigns—whether between the two major political parties or within each party—it seems that attack ads, playing loose with the facts, and name-calling characterize the discourse. However, voters themselves are not guiltless, since polls show that attack ads really do work, even as many voters decry them.

. . . VERSUS POSITIVE LIVING

The fruit of the Spirit that we read about in today’s text seems to be largely absent in political contests. We may not find that surprising from candidates who seem bent on getting elected at any and all cost, but what about the Christians who are working in those political campaigns? Even after an election is over, Christians have been known to join the chorus of relentless negative attacks on elected officials. For Christians who participate in the political process this way, we may wonder how it is possible for them to “honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17)!

1. How can we account for the fact that negative, attack ads really do work, even as many voters claim to dislike them?

2. Given what seems to be required to get elected, is it possible for a Christian to be successful and effective in politics while exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit? Why, or why not?

3. How can Christians use their influence to contribute “light” rather than “heat” to the dialogue of a political campaign?

4. How has manifesting the fruit of the Spirit helped you “reap what you sow” in a positive sense?

5. What have you found to be a key for developing the fruit of the Spirit in your life?

—Charles R. Boatman

http://www.standardlesson.com/what-you-get

Copyright © 2012 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved.

Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World – February 19, 2012

Posted in: In the World by ron on February 15, 2012

Download In the World for February 19, 2012, here. (PDF)

GREATNESS CUT SHORT

Whitney Houston’s death at age 48 brought to an end a stellar career and a troubled life, just before the music industry celebrated its annual Grammy awards on Sunday. Her death immediately raised suspicions that her past troubles with drugs had returned to destroy her, although toxicology results have yet to confirm or deny that speculation. What is not in doubt, however, is that her history of substance abuse—alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and prescription drugs—had sullied her reputation long before her death. The popularity of singing contests such as American Idol reveal the desire of many to have the greatness of a Whitney Houston; but it’s safe to say that no sane person desires the kind of end she experienced.

GREATNESS FOR ETERNITY

Today’s lesson tells us about the kind of greatness anyone can and should have: to be an heir of God through Christ. God’s promise allows us to realize our position as his children as it breaks our bondage to sin. We are no longer its slaves; in fact, we are dead to sin (Romans 6:2). As spiritual descendants of Abraham, God allows us to share in the greatness of that man’s faith. We have no need to look to the dead-end, death-dealing satisfactions of this world.

1. Why do those who are blessed with talent such as Whitney Houston’s seem so susceptible to the destructive forces of sin?

2. What lessons should we learn from the downfalls of people who embrace the world’s acclaim and adoration?

3. When thinking of gifted Christians who have fallen, under what circumstances can we say that their giftedness contributed to their downfall, if any?

4. How has God’s great promise through Christ helped you break your bondage to “the elements of the world” (Galatians 4:3, KJV)?

5. Would it be fair to say that Whitney Houston had enslaved herself to the “elements” of Galatians 4:3? Why, or why not?

—Charles R. Boatman

http://www.standardlesson.com/what-you-get

Copyright © 2012 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved.

Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World – February 12, 2012

Posted in: In the World by ron on February 8, 2012

Download In the World for February 12, 2012 here. (PDF)

LIMITS OF THE RULE OF LAW

The violence in Syria continues, and about 6,000 protesters have been killed since the beginning of the uprising in March 2011. Syrian president Bashar al-Assad remains determined to quash the protest being waged against his government. A few days ago, President Obama stated his desire for Syria to return to the rule of law. But on the same day, the U.N. Security Council failed to pass a resolution condemning the Syrian government’s crushing of dissent. Even if the resolution had passed, it is unlikely that passing a “law” would end Syria’s strife. The Syrian government could merely point out that it has indeed operated under the rule of law since 1963: the country’s so-called Emergency Law, which effectively denies constitutional protections for citizens in favor of the security forces’ broad powers to arrest and detain.

POWER OF THE RULE OF THE SPIRIT

The Judaizers in Galatia worked under the illusion that strict adherence to the Law of Moses was essential for Christians. That law is good (Romans 7:7, 16), but it cannot save. Outward behavior may change if punishment for lawbreaking is severe enough, but the key to wanting to do right is found in changing the human heart. That change comes about by the presence of the Holy Spirit’s working in a faith-filled believer.

1. Is it realistic to expect power struggles such as the one taking place in Syria to be resolved through diplomacy? Why, or why not?

2. In what areas of life do you find it hardest to live by the rule of the Holy Spirit? Why?

3. What are some examples of how modern Christians seek to be justified by works of law?

4. What was a time when you sought to improve your relationship with God by performing good works rather than through faith? What was the result?

5. In the process of rejecting the extreme of legalism, how do we keep from going to the other extreme of license in relation to God’s law? (See Jude 4.)

—Charles R. Boatman

http://www.standardlesson.com/what-you-get

Copyright © 2012 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved.

Each download is for the use of one church only.

In the World – February 5, 2012

Posted in: In the World by ron on February 1, 2012

Download In the World for February 5, 2012 here. (PDF)

THE ABSENCE OF GRACE

On Sunday, a Canadian jury handed down first-degree murder convictions to Mohammad Shafia, his second wife in a polygamous marriage, and their son. The three had been charged with killing the man’s other wife and his three teenage daughters under the concept of “honor killing” in Islamic law. The teen victims were said to have brought shame on the family by defying a strict dress code, dating, socializing, and using the Internet. After the verdict, Canadian Justice Minister Rob Nicholson characterized honor killings as “barbaric and unacceptable in Canada.” Apparently, there is no concept of grace within the honor-killing system.

THE TRIUMPH OF GRACE

Christians in Galatia of the first century had been saved by accepting the grace of Christ in God’s plan of salvation, just as all other Christians are. However, Judaizers intervened and demanded strict adherence to the Old Testament law and Jewish traditions. In effect, the Judaizers claimed that the way into the church passed through the synagogue. The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, judged this viewpoint as unacceptable. Then as now, the freedom in Christ that grace brings must be defended.

1. What are some tensions that religious people face when living under secular laws?

2. When have you seen legalism displace grace in a church? What was the result?

3. Under what circumstances is the Christian obligated to obey God in defiance of governmental authority (Acts 4:19; 5:29)?

4. How should Christian parents deal with a situation in which their children are not living up to the moral and ethical ideals of Christianity?

5. Was there ever a time when you sought to be right with God through your good deeds (works of law) instead of through the grace of Christ? If so, how did things turn out?

—Charles R. Boatman

http://www.standardlesson.com/what-you-get

Copyright © 2012 by Standard Publishing, Cincinnati, OH. All rights reserved.

Each download is for the use of one church only.