Dangers on the Safe Side (Part 1): Avoiding Controversy

Text: Galatians 2:11-14 This is the first lesson in a series about dangers that exist “on the safe side.” This phrase means “avoiding danger, with a margin for error” (definition). Sometimes this is fine or even wise, but there is a difference between wisdom and safety. Sometimes they overlap, but not always. At times, staying “on the safe side” is […]

A Right Way and a Wrong Way to Learn

Text: Proverbs 1:5 Most people understand the importance of learning, but not everyone goes about learning the same way. There is a right and wrong WAY to learn. There are right and wrong THINGS to learn. In this lesson, we will consider what the Scriptures teach about LEARNING; particularly, learning that is of a religious nature […]

More Important Than Numbers

Text: Matthew 7:13-14 Some churches are so focused on numbers they will do almost anything to boost their attendance, membership, conversions, etc. We would certainly all prefer to see an increase in these numbers, but not at all costs. The New Testament shows that there are things that are more important than numbers. Favor of God […]

Why Would Christians Follow Diotrephes?

In John’s third letter, he warned about a man named Diotrephes. We often talk about his desire for preeminence, his rule over the church, and the trouble he caused; but we don’t usually talk about his followers. In this lesson, we are going to consider the followers of Diotrephes and why they would follow him. How […]

Burdens of Teaching the Bible

Text: James 3:1 The previous lesson focused on the blessings of teaching the Bible. We need to look at the “rest of the story” – not to discourage us from teaching, but we must recognize that there are burdens/responsibilities that come with this. So in this lesson, we will consider the burdens that come with teaching the […]

The Blessing of Autonomy

Text: 1 Peter 5:1-2 One characteristic of the Lord’s church that makes it different from most churches of men is autonomy. Why did the Lord design the church to be this way? We can look to the Bible to see what has been revealed that would show at least some of His reasons. So in this lesson, […]

Preach the Word

Text: 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Paul charged Timothy with the task of preaching the word. What Timothy was told to do is the responsibility of every gospel preacher. This lesson examines Paul’s charge to Timothy to see what every preacher must remember. Accountability to God (v. 1) This is a solemn charge – not to be taken lightly […]