By Dan Lentz 1. Distribute sheets of paper and ask group members to draw a series of stick figures representing the various people groups they routinely come in contact with (children, the elderly, Caucasian, Hispanic, wealthy, poor, and so on). Then ask group members to show and explain their papers to the rest of […]
By Sam E. Stone Early in Jesus’ ministry he reached out to those ignored or snubbed by others. The Samaritans were such a group. Considered “half-breeds,” these were the children of Jews who had intermarried with pagans. Many from the Northern Kingdom were exiled years before, but some remained in the land. They married […]
By David Faust Psalm 84 Who are some of the most important but least-heralded people in your church? The greeters. They are the friendly individuals who shake your hand and welcome you when you arrive for worship. As they hand you a bulletin (and maybe a copy of the lookout), you sense that […]
By Alan Ahlgrim Jesus shocked a Samaritan woman by speaking directly to her. This was a remarkable, even unthinkable, departure from the social rules of the culture. No honorable man, much less a respected rabbi, would ever risk his reputation by doing such a thing. Relationships Trump Rules Clearly, for Jesus relationships trump […]
By Christy Barritt One in Five Adults Had a Mental Illness in 2010 A survey funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration showed that in 2010, 20 percent of American adults had some form of mental illness. That’s more than 45 million people. Reporting the most disorders is the 18- to […]
