By David Faust The first time I saw Mike, he stayed a safe distance away—not just from me, but from everyone who attended our church that Sunday. I was part of a team of leaders planting a new church in an urban neighborhood near the University of Cincinnati. We rented a community center for $50 […]
Where You Live — for December 30, 2012
By Dan Lentz 1. Ask group members to share pictures from their purse, wallet, or phone of a person or event that’s been meaningful to them recently. Ask, “What made you take this picture or keep the picture with you?” Read Ephesians 5:18—6:4. 2. What does it look like in practical terms […]
Christ’s love for the church–The Uniform Lesson for December 30, 2012
By Sam E. Stone Key passages from the book of Ephesians have been considered this month, following the theme, “Victory in Jesus.” Chapter 5 contains guidelines for Christian behavior in a pagan world. Today’s background Scripture begins in v. 15. Even before this, however, Paul warned about dangers such as sexual immorality, impurity, greed, […]
How do you make a good man better?–Job 42
By David Faust Oswald Chambers said, “The surf that distresses the ordinary swimmer produces in the surf-rider the super-joy.” Hardship can make us wiser and deeper, but it feels like a high price to pay. “The testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:3), but honestly, most of us would rather apply that lesson to […]
The Lesson and Life — for December 30, 2012
By Garth Whewell It is that time again. It happens every year. We look back on our year and we resolve to do better. So let me make this resolution. I resolve to eat more beef jerky. After all, that is probably the only resolution I can honestly stick to. What’s yours? Study the […]