We want our food fast—and our downloads faster. We want new smart phones and new computers because new means faster. We want to watch our favorite movies and TV shows “on demand.” We want Amazon and FedEx and UPS to deliver our stuff by the next day—or better yet, today. And the boss needs that […]
Week 11 Study | The People Gave Thanks to God
Giving thanks makes for a busy life. The busiest travel days in the United States occur around the Thanksgiving holiday. Airports are crammed and highways look like parking lots. Even so, Bob Russell says that Thanksgiving is the one holiday that has not suffered extreme commercialization (Bob Russell Ministries Blog, Thanksgiving—My Favorite Holiday, November 19, […]
Week 11 Application | Who Will Applaud First?
Clapping hands is a nearly universal way to express approval, honor, and celebration. Kids sing, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.” Fans clap at ball games, audiences applaud musical performances, voters put their hands together in support of political candidates, and party-goers clap after singing “Happy Birthday” to a friend. The […]
Week 11 Mission | Jesus, a Relational Messiah
If God came down to earth for a few years, what would he spend most of his time doing? Jesus’ life answers that question: he would invest in relationships. Specifically, he would devote himself to a small group of men, his disciples. Jesus had big plans for The Twelve. They would be the initial messengers […]
Week 11 Character | Living Gratefully
“We’re hungry,” they cried, and awoke to find bread on the ground, food they did not have to prepare. “We need meat,” they cried, and quail came to the camp. “We’re thirsty,” they cried, and water came from the rock. “How will we get across the Red Sea?” they asked, and a dry path was […]