These are such good articles I had to share! The Plan of Salvation (PS) chain topic is so good to have ready at a moments notice to study with anyone anywhere! Get a good set of Bible marking pens and go to work!
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"And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred." (Mark 4:13-20) This is the interpretation of the parable of the sower. You can find the parable in vs. 2-9 as well as being recorded in Matthew and Luke. I wanted to share with you just a couple random thoughts I've had about this verse recently.
1) Notice that every seed sown in good grown brought forth fruit. Some more than others. So, as Christians we will multiply ourselves by teaching the word and creating more Christians. This should be our goal! So, get busy and go sow the seed! 2) Then, recently, I was teaching my 4th and 5th graders and I had a different thought. We are to bear fruit. The Bible defines the Christian's fruit this way: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) So, if we think of our fruit as being this type of fruit – based upon our actions – then think for a minute about fruit. Each fruit has within itself a seed. Every time we show love, joy or any of these others, we are planting a seed of faith in others. So, next time you have opportunity, TEACH and show those fruits of the spirit! Let's be fruitful and multiply!!!!! This is a short and sweet lesson I gave at ladies' class this month. Reaching out to the lost: Jesus and Personal Evangelism Dawn Pasley This site has been under construction and they recently unveiled it! World Video Bible School was begun 1986 by some kind-hearted individuals. I have met these folks personally and they are genuine Christians trying to spread the Gospel. WVBS offers a school for preachers, material for learning and teaching Bible classes and now has produced a full-length movie which is due out in September. One of their teaching materials is "Searching for Truth." This is a DVD with lessons for teaching the lost. Workbooks that accompany the DVD are also available. Check out this website for some wonderful material for learning the Word!
World Video Bible School "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20) Somewhere along the line, we have forgotten the teaching that we should be teaching. If Jesus told the eleven disciples to go out and teach others everything they have been commanded, then teaching is one thing they should teach others to do. Teaching is a command and one we should take as a serious responsibility. But, let's face facts, going out and teaching one on one is difficult. Just because something is difficult to do, doesn't mean that we shouldn't do it. In today's world there are many avenues we can have to teach others. I believe everyone should try to reach out and teach their own friends and loved ones, but let me present to you an additional option. International Bible Teaching Ministries has a wonderful website. I have been a teacher there now for a little over a month. The way it works, is that someone comes to the website (you can direct them there and they can request you for a teacher) and takes the intro course. If they don't offer a name of a teacher then there is a rotation and they'll be given to the teacher at the top of the list. You grade their lessons and provide feedback. If they have questions they turn to you for guidance. You offer them Bible verses, or links to materials to help them with their questions. My suggestion to you is this: Go there and take all the courses yourself. Ask questions about things you are unsure about yourself. When you are finished, offer to be a teacher. You won't regret it!
Our congregation is completing a Fishers of Men training class today. This is really a great class and if you can get one going where you are, DO IT!
"Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him." (Mark 1:16-18) Are you letting Him make you to become a fisher of men? |