Is it still an assembly when the believers do all the right things, but don

Is it still an assembly when the believers do all the right things, but don’t have love?

How much better if no assembly ever gave reason for such a question to be asked!

To be fair, not everyone expresses his love in the same way. Sometimes a believer perceives a lack of love in others because he expects others to express love in the same way he does.

To be honest, a lack of expressing love in an assembly is not a deciding factor in whether it continues to be an assembly. Believers must love one another or they are not demonstrating that they have divine life (1 John 3:14)." TARGET="_blank">1 John 3:14). The absence of expressing love for one another is an evidence that the Spirit is grieved in that believer (Eph 4:30;" TARGET="_blank">Eph 4:30; Gal 5:22)." TARGET="_blank">Gal 5:22). When the Spirit is grieved, what is to hinder that assembly from losing its devotion to Christ and subsequently its lampstand (Rev 2:4-5)" TARGET="_blank">Rev 2:4-5)?

David Oliver

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Should a Christian wife work outside the home?

Is it right for a wife to be employed outside of the home?

Some have taken the expression, "keepers at home" (Titus 2:5)" TARGET="_blank">Titus 2:5) to mean staying at home. M. R. Vincents "Word Studies in the New Testament" disagrees with this and indicates it means of the household." There is support for translating the expression "workers at home." The other words in this series of descriptions are moral characteristics: discreet; chaste; good. The verses surrounding it are primarily the same. Rather than a command for a woman to stay at home, Paul seems to be addressing her character. In a similar setting in 1 Timothy 5:13, 14," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:13, 14, where young women are to "guide the house," this responsibility is a preservation from idleness, wandering from house to house, and being a busybody. Wholesome character in a young wife will keep her focus on her responsibilities in the home. The principle of 1 Timothy 2:15" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:15 likewise directs a sister to her domestic cares. If, therefore, a sister manages her home (1 Timothy 5:14)" TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 5:14) and cares for her children (1 Timothy 2:15)," TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 2:15), working outside her home does not violate the teaching of these passages. Her industriousness is commendable. She is carrying on the traditions of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31" TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 31 and joins that noble sister who with her husband, was a tentmaker.

On the other hand, a sister who places equal or greater value on her career than on her home and family has stepped outside Scriptural guidelines.

D. Oliver
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who are the three shepherds of Zecheriah 11?

Can we know from the Scriptures who are the three shepherds of Zecheriah 11:8?

It would be too much for anyone to affirm that there is no light in the Scripture on any point mentioned therein. All anyone can say is that he has no light. The incident of the three shepherds forms part of a prophetic Scripture, referring to the closing days of Israel’s history. As shepherds they would be responsible rulers of Israel, but their names are not indicated here, but no doubt this prophecy will shine out clearly when it is fulfilled. In the meantime students of prophecy, as has well been said, are not called to try to be prophets.

W.H.

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What kind of unity did the Lord pray for in John 17?

What was the Lord requesting in John 17:21-23" TARGET="_blank">John 17:21-23?

Most trusted teachers believe Lords words, "that they all may be one," anticipate the unity that will be displayed at the Rapture. I humbly, hesitantly suggest an alternative.

John 13:31" TARGET="_blank">John 13:31 through 16:33 is the Lords "Ultimate Disclosure," finally bringing His disciples into eternal counsels, truth uniquely for the Church, the Body. This disclosure is predicated on His being glorified in heaven (John 13:32)," TARGET="_blank">John 13:32), rather than Peters Jewish expectation of the Son of Mans being glorified on earth (13:37). Instead of an earthly prospect, they were to wait for His coming to receive them to heaven (14:1-3). The Lord then disclosed the Spirits coming from heaven (14:16, 17; 16:7), thus embodying the unique provisions of this age.

In Chapter 17, following His delightful pattern in John, the "Revealer of Secrets" requests the Father to accomplish these revelations: the predication of His disclosure (His glorification, 17:1-5); its prospect (the Rapture, 17:24); and its provision (17:21-23). I take this to be accomplished in the Spirits descent at Pentecost (Acts 2)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 2). "I in them" (verse 23) points to our past, not our future. Pentecost made believers one with Christ (17:21b; 14:20) and made Jews and Gentiles one Body (17:21a, 23; 10:16).

Whether we interpret this request as being fulfilled at Pentecost or to be fulfilled at His coming, we must conclude that the unity of John 17:21-23" TARGET="_blank">John 17:21-23 is not external, but spiritual. Since it is compared with the eternal relationship of the Father and the Son in each verse, this unity cannot be effected or destroyed by men. Only God can produce this unity.

D. Oliver
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Is the subject of homosexuality a necessary part of an assembly

Is the subject of homosexuality a necessary part of an assembly’s teaching?

This lifestyle is flaunted on the streets. The public media paints this as part of the mainstream of living. The brunt of the effort to change society’s thinking assails the young especially. They are particularly susceptible to the pressure of peers, the usual curiosity of maturing, and the onslaught of prurient literature and web sites.

The Bible addresses this subject. To be fully equipped to live as believers and testify effectively in this world, we need "all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:27)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:27). Paul assures us that the Scriptures equip us for every need (2 Timothy 3:17)," TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 3:17), and his letters exemplify the application of truth to current needs.

This is an emotional subject, so we may tend to avoid it, overreact to it, or fail to understand the devious nature of the attack. As comfortable or appealing as it may be to either avoid the subject or handle it with a "hit and run" approach, an assembly must provide guidance and teaching on the many issues relevant to this subject.

D. Oliver
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How can the content of gospel messages be made interesting?

How can the content of gospel messages be made interesting?

Of first importance is the spiritual power of the message (1 Corinthians 2:4)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 2:4). Second is its clarity (1 Corinthians 14:8,9)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:8,9). For a message to reach an unbeliever, it must capture and retain his attention. Since the gospel is for the benefit of believers (Ephesians 4:12)," TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:12), they also deserve an interesting presentation of this beloved message.

True and relevant illustrations develop interest and fasten truth in the memory. They are supplements, however; Scripture is central. Variety is important, but that doesn’t require novel passages. The power of a passage is not in what is forced into it, but in what is found within it (Hebrews 4:12);" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 4:12); preaching communicates that power. The New Testament is the primary resource for a New Testament gospel. Many gospel principles and helpful illustrations come from the Old Testament, but their power is in their relationship to New Testament truth. The parables of the Lord and His miracles are rich resources. His interviews with individuals are instructive. The messages in Acts provide rich material for preaching. Great gospel texts, in both the Old and New Testament, are a staple for preaching. Preaching on Ephesians 2:8, 9," TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:8, 9, for instance, could take various forms: illustrated by the uplifted serpent or by David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9);" TARGET="_blank">2 Samuel 9); viewed from the standpoint of the Ephesians who first heard it; developed from the three major words of the text (grace, faith, saved); unified with all the Bible by tracing the thread of "grace" which runs through the New Testament or the entire Bible; compared to the Lord’s conversation with the rich, young ruler. The Bible’s living truth should be vibrant in our lives and our preaching.

D. Oliver
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Was it justice that Elijah killed soldiers sent to arrest him?

How can we reconcile with human ideas of justice the destruction of the two captains and their fifties?

Were they not only doing their duty in carrying out the orders of their king? Why should they be destroyed with lightning for that? (see 2 Kings 1" TARGET="_blank">2 Kings 1: ).

The key to this difficulty is found, I believe, in ver. 1, in reference to the third captain, who was spared. “Go down with him,” the angel said, “be not afraid of him.” It seems clear from this that Elijah did well to be afraid of the other two captains and their companies, who would have exceeded their mandate, which was simply to bring the prophet to the king, by killing him themselves :—lynching him in fact. Elijah thus acted in his own defence in the spirit of a prophet of judgment, enforcing the law and its penalties. What was fitting for him was not so for James and John, the servants of the Saviour of men, for they were “of His Spirit.”

W.H.

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What the bible says about loaning money to family

What the bible says about loaning money to family

There are some Biblical principles about lending money to friends, family, fellow-believers and business accociates. First, a general principle about debt is "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave"(Proverbs 22:7)." TARGET="_blank">Proverbs 22:7). In a family, people should be treated as brothers rather than masters. Perhaps you could avoid straining a relationship with a family member by getting money from a bank instead of a family member.

Loaning Money to Unbelievers

In the Old Testament, the law prohibited the Jews from charging money to each other. "You shall not charge interest to your countrymen: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned at interest" (Deuteronomy 23:19)." TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 23:19). You may charge interest to a foreigner, but to your countryman you shall not charge interest, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land which you are about to enter to possess" (Deuteronomy 23:20)." TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 23:20).

Collecting Bad Loans

Christians should be willing to release money if the loan goes bad. Ask your questions BEFORE loaning money. What is the loan for? How will it be paid back? Is there a guarantee collateral? Once the money is out of your hands, you no longer have control of it. With a Christian relationship on the line, the Bible says "Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?" (1 Corinthians 6:1)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:1). We are told that it is better to be defrauded than to lose our witness by suing one another (1 Corinthians 6:7)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 6:7).

Christian Attitudes toward People

The Christian standard of exacting money shows our attitudes toward relationships. People are more important than possessions and relationships with others should be preserved even at the loss of personal belongings.

Luke 6:34" TARGET="_blank">Luke 6:34: "If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive back the same amount."

Luke 6:30-31," TARGET="_blank">Luke 6:30-31, "Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way."

A gift as an alternative to a loan

If your friend or family member is asking for a loan and has a legitimate need, that means he needs help. A loan is a nice way of giving people short-term help in a real way. However, if you have a healthy relationship that you don't wish to put into jeopardy, consider giving him a gift instead. Philippians 2:3" TARGET="_blank">Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

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What is the relationship of a full-time worker to his home assembly?

What is the relationship of a full-time worker to his home assembly?

He is one of the brothers in the assembly. While he is a servant of Christ and not of men (Galatians 1:10)," TARGET="_blank">Galatians 1:10), he is as accountable to the assembly’s elders as are any others in the assembly (Hebrews 13:17)." TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 13:17). Epaphras, a "servant of Christ" was "one of you," identified with all the believers in the Colossian assembly (Colossians 4:12)." TARGET="_blank">Colossians 4:12). The worker’s labors are an extension of that assembly’s interests, not merely his own private enterprise. Because of this, the assembly shares a prayerful interest in his work. He may have a good knowledge of the Word and may therefore be a helpful resource for the overseers, but their work has not been entrusted to him. The ideal is that elders and full-time workers esteem one another highly for their work’s sake (1 Thessalonians 5:13)." TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:13).

D. Oliver
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Sunday School Curriculum

How to use the Sunday School Curriculum

This Sunday School Curriculum was created to provide a Sunday school teacher the direction for 3 years of lessons without repeating Bible stories.

The sunday school curriculum is found in the Sunday school lessons section of this site.

It's purpose of Sunday School Curriculum is to support the creativity of a teacher by giving him/her a framework to follow. It works as a guide for teaching the entire Bible and God's workings with people of every part of the globe and from every walk of life.

You will see that there are more stories in the Sunday school curriculum than could be covered a single Sunday School year. The typical school year for the Sunday School Cirriculum lasts fifty two weeks, but churches sometimes have special weeks for their Sunday School such as a program or some Sundays could be utilized for guest teachers who teach a lesson to the entire group. The Sunday school cirriculum is designed to be generalized enough so that various age groups can be accomodated.

Emphasis for each age group.

K to middle school

Teachers using the Sunday School Cirriculum with the youngest students should emphazie what the Bible says about God's Character and Person and His Personal Interest in each of us. The early years are the critical time when we form our first opinions of God.

Teenage Classes

Those who use the Sunday school curriculum for middle and high school students may wish to emphasize how people of the Bible obeyed God and followed sound advice. During this critical time of life, it is important that the students learn how to apply the Scriptures to personal decisions and needs.

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How to use the Sunday School Curriculum