By Bob Hightchew “If you would have just told me the truth about what you did and why you did it, you may have avoided being punished!” Have you ever heard these words before? The answer is probably a resounding yes. As an adult and a father, I now understand what my dad was […]
Community of Confession–The Uniform Lesson for August 11, 2013
By Sam E. Stone Today’s lesson comes immediately after last week’s text (Nehemiah 8:2, 3, 13-18). Following the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles, the people had a single day off. Then their feasting turned to fasting. James B. Coffman points out, “A very important revelation of this chapter is that it was the […]
Where You Live — for August 4, 2013
By Dan Lentz 1. What was the last event you participated in about which you can honestly say, “I had a great time”? Explain why you felt that way. Read Nehemiah 8:2, 3, 13-18. 2. For the returning exiles, the Feast of Tabernacles was a time to get away from the norm […]
Feast of Tabernacles–The Uniform Lesson for August 4, 2013
By Sam E. Stone Nehemiah went to Jerusalem in 444 BC. Ezra had been there 13 years at the time of today’s text. Ezra served as a priest, however, while Nehemiah came as the civil governor to rebuild the wall and restore Jerusalem as a fortified city. The opening chapters of the book that […]
Eat, Drink, and Be Wary–Luke 12
By David Faust The apostle Paul debated Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in first-century Athens (Acts 17:18). These two groups held contrasting philosophies. The Stoics faced life grimly with a stiff upper lip, while the hedonistic Epicureans considered pleasure the highest good. To be fair, Epicurus argued for reasonable restraint, not unbridled self-indulgence. For example, […]