Be Like a Tree Planted by the Water In the Sunshine by Linda L. Linn - HTML preview

P Prrrro P P o o ollllo o o og g g gu u u ue e e e

Jeremiah 17:7,8, Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and

whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the

waters, that spreads out its roots by the river, and shall not care when

heat comes. But its leaf shill be green, and it will not be troubled in

the year of drought, and will not cease from yielding fruit.

In the fifth novel, Brad is a reporter living for a short time in the Visitors’ Cabin of Mercy Valley Ranch, where he is working on a story about the ranch. He went horseback riding with Evan and Candy Beckett and their four foster girls, Kate, Bonnie, Flora, and Reba. Reba had one leg that was shorter than the other one and had to wear a lifted shoe. But she still walked with a limp. Two other girls, Stella and Liz, who, were also on this ride, noticed her. They both realized that the same Holy Spirit who was in Jesus when he was on earth is now living in them and that Jesus could heal through them like he did when he was on the earth so long ago.

After the ride, while they were putting the saddles back in the tack room, Liz shared her testimony and asked Reba if they could pray for her leg. With Reba’s permission they prayed for Reba as she sat on a chair so all could see that the short leg grew longer to match the other leg. Reba got up and walked as naturally as any girl her age. After their amazement quieted down, Liz and Stella thanked Jesus for what he had done and reviewed the Good News those girls had already heard at home. All four girls and Brad, who was also in the tack room, prayed a prayer aloud, separately, to accept Jesus as their Savior.

Now they could start reading, commenting on, and asking questions about the new believers booklet, titled “Your New Life.” Evan and Candy, the foster parents of those four girls on the ranch family, let Brad join them in their studies, since he was living on the ranch for a while at the time.

 

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1. “Y Y Y Yo o o ou u u urrrr N N N Ne e e ew w w w L L L Liiiiffffe e e e”

 

Colossians 3:9b,10, … we have, put off the old man with his deeds,

and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of him who created us.

E E E Ev vv va a a an n n n s ss sa a a aiiiid d d d,,,, ““““S S Siiiin S n n nc cc ce e e a e a allllllll four of you girls and Brad accepted Jesus as a

your Savior on the same day, we can all read part of this little booklet, called ‘Your New Life.’ It is about new believers, and it, along with the other little booklets we will read later can help you learn how to live for Jesus now that he is your Savior. This book can be part of our Bible studies.”

Kate asked humbly, “How can we do that? It’s not a Bible is it?”

“No, it isn't a Bible, but it talks about the Bible and it also has a lot of Bible verses in it,” Candy answered. Since Brad already had one, she gave each of the girls a little booklet and said, “You can make notes in the margins and other places for notes. It would be a good idea for you to save each booklet so you can review it later and study the verses and especially the parts about how to live your new life as a believer in Jesus.”

Evan continued, “I have a PDF copy of this little booklet up on these two computer monitors so we can all see it at the same time and stay together better. So who would like to read the title and introduction out loud?”

Kate volunteered, “I will, now that I understand how it can be part of our Bible study.” So she read, “This booklet is called, ‘Your New Life.’ Introduction: This booklet will help you understand what you did when you accepted Jesus as your Savior and help you to learn some ways you can live your new life for Jesus. You can read it aloud with people who can answer your questions as you go, or you can write your questions on paper and get answers later.” Then Kate stated, “I like the idea of having us take turns reading it aloud so we can get our questions answered as we go.”

The other girls and Brad nodded in agreement.

“Good,” and then Evan explained, “you can interrupt the reading with a question or comment when the reader reaches the end of a sentence.”

They all nodded and Bonnie read next, starting on page one. “You are a new believer because you read or listened to Bible verses telling you the Good News about Jesus, who is and what he did. Some of those verses might have been the same as some of the following ones printed here as this author’s paraphrase of The King James version of the Holy Bible.”

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John 3:16,17, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but that the world might be saved through him.”

Candy inserted, “People need Jesus to save them from their sins because sin separates us from God, and there is no other way to God except through Jesus.”

Brad and the girls nodded again and then Brad read the next

verses, “Romans 3:10 says, there is none righteous, no not one. Romans 3:23 says, For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 2:8,9 says, For by grace you are saved, through faith; and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Flora asked, “Why shouldn’t people boast?”

“I think,” answered Evan, “that if people could do enough good works to save themselves then they would be proud and conceited and could boast, but not give the glory to God.”

“So then,” Flora suggested, “since the other verses state that all have sinned, and nobody is righteous, they could not ever do it by themselves anyway.”

“Exactly,” agreed Candy, “the next verses tell us what Jesus did for people. Would you read next Reba?”

Reba nodded and took her turn to read, “Philippians 2:7,8 says, Jesus, made himself of no reputation and took on himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Being found in the form of a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Candy observed, “The next verses in the booklet tell who Jesus is. In these verses Jesus is called the Word. Go ahead and read them.”

So Reba continued reading, “John 1:1-4, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God and all things were made by him and without him was not anything made, that was made. In him was life and the life was the light of men.”

Then Reba asked, “But what do these verses mean?”

Evan explained, “These verses are talking about Jesus, God’s Son, who was with God and was also God. In Genesis chapter one it tells how the triune God created the world. John 1:14a says the Word became flesh and lived among us. Jesus was born into the world through Mary, on the first Christmas, so he could be God and man at the same time. He did this so he could live a perfect life without ever sinning. This is the only way he could give his life to pay the penalty for all the sins men have committed. God raised him from the dead on the third day and he lives in Heaven.”

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“Thank you,” said Reba. “It makes more sense now.”

Brad inserted, “I agree. That was a good explanation.”

Flora read next, “In John 1:11,12 it says, Jesus came to his own but his own did not receive him, but to as many as did receive him and believe in his name, he gave power to become the children of God.”

Flora inserted, “I remember Stella and Liz explaining what these verses mean. People who will believe in Jesus and what he did can be God’s children. Jesus helps us live our lives for him now on earth, and gives us the hope of living in Heaven with him for eternity.”

Brad and the other girls nodded, remembering what they had heard in the tack room the other day. Then Flora continued reading. “Acts 16:31a says, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. And Romans 10:9,10 says, If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Then Kate declared, “We each did what those verses said to do, and now we are God’s children! This booklet gives us a good review of what we did.”

“Yes it does,” agreed Flora and she went on to finish that section of the booklet. “This next paragraph contains a prayer that we could repeat. But we already prayed something like it in the tack room. It says, ‘God, I realize that I am a sinner. I confess these sins to you. Name the ones you think of. … … Please forgive me. Thank you that you already paid the price for my sins by dying on the cross, and that God raised you from the dead. I believe in you and ask you to be my Savior. Thank you very much. Amen.’ It’s a good review also.”

Candy commended them, “Thank you, girls and Brad, for your good reading and comments on this part of the booklet. We can continue from here during our next Bible study time.”

F F F Fo o o orrrr tttth h he h e e n e n n ne e ex e xx xtttt B B B Biiiib b blllle b e e s e ss sttttu u u ud d d dy yy y time on the ranch, Evan began by reading the first paragraph of the next section in the “Your New Life” booklet. “Here are some things you ought to do now that you believe in Jesus as your Savior. Continue to thank God when you remember what Jesus has done for you. You can look back at some of the verses we read yesterday to get some ideas of what to thank him for and also read Colossians 1:12-14, Give thanks to the Father who has made us able to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and has taken us into the kingdom of his dear Son in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”

“What’s the power of darkness?” inquired Bonnie.

 

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Candy responded, “When I looked it up on the web, I understood that the power of darkness is like the opposite of Jesus and his light and love. And since we believe in Jesus we are delivered from that power. Even if we sin again all we have to do is confess it and ask to be forgiven, and request help to do better.”

Then Evan went on reading, “2 Corinthians 5:21 gives us some other ideas, God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be sin for us so that we could be made the righteousness of God in Jesus. These are good things we can be grateful for when we thank God.”

Flora read next “Now you are a part of God's family, with the full assurance that since you believed in God's Son, you will have eternal life, starting now and lasting through eternity.”

Reba asked, “What makes us part of God’s family?”

Candy answered patiently, “Look back a couple pages and read John 1:12 again for the answer.”

“Oh yeah,” realized Reba after reading it, “I remember now, thank you. And also John 3:16 tells about everlasting life, and it means the same as eternal life.”

Flora continued reading, “Nothing and nobody can take you out of Jesus' hands.”

Kate mentioned, “I remember hearing about that in the story about Jesus being the Good Shepherd.”

“Right,” agreed Even, “and that story is in John 10, and verse 29 uses most of those same words.”

Flora went on reading, “Your life on this earth will be different now and there are many things you will need to learn. The best place to learn these things would be in something called a ‘new believers small group.’ Those groups have new believers in them and usually meet once a week. They start by answering questions about this little booklet. Later they have time for singing, praise reports, teachings and a prayer times. In that group you will learn even more about how to live and about water baptism, and why it is important.”

Candy explained, “You girls are already in a class taught by Karen Spencer, and it is somewhat like a small group. Also, in this family group, we can cover other things they would cover in a new believers small group.”

Bonnie read next, “The Bible is a very important book for you now that you are believers. It would help you a lot if you would read some of it every day, so you can learn how God wants you to live this new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. The Bible, will tell you what your new life will be like here on this earth, and it will also tell you some things about what your eternal life will be like when you go to heaven.”

Kate commented, “Both of those sound interesting.”

 

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Brad read next, “Feelings come and go, as you've learned in this life. We cannot live our lives by feelings. But you have joy and peace now, and they're not just feelings. They are part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. He produces them in you. Galatians 5:22,23 say, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering or patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control; against such things there is no law. Read those verses over again to yourselves and think about them. This valuable fruit of the Holy Spirit will start to become more and more a part of your lives as you surrender your will to him.”

Flora questioned, “How do we surrender our will to him?”

“Good question, Flora,” Evan answered, “I think we can start by doing what Jesus said to pray in Matthew 6:9b,10,… Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed (or sacred and holy.) May your kingdom come and your will be done in earth as it is in heaven.”

Candy continued, “Yes, surrendering to him and doing God’s will are a process in the believers life. We will study more about your good question in the third little booklet about the Holy Spirit, so we can learn more about how to do it.”

Flora nodded and then Reba took a turn reading, “The Christian life is not all trouble-free with nice feelings, although we will also enjoy good feelings when we have them. There will be trials, and some things will seem to go wrong. This is why Jesus told people to count the cost when they wanted to follow him. But he says he will always be with us and will help us. Many times we won't feel happy and elated, but we live by faith. Faith is what you used when you believed in Jesus and asked him to forgive you and be your Savior. Faith is what you will continue to use the rest of your life. You'll believe by faith that God will work all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose, as is says in Romans 8:28.

Flora commented, “I like what that verse says.”

Kate agreed, “I do also,” and then it was her turn to read, “Since the Holy Spirit is living inside of us now and is producing his fruit, we can believe by faith that we can still experience his peace and joy even when things don't go the way we desire. We can love and be patient with difficult people in our lives by faith that the Holy Spirit is producing that fruit in our lives. We can be self-controlled and gentle instead of angry, by faith with the Holy Spirit's help. It won't all happen at once. Change takes time and sometimes our own will gets in the way, but we can confess when we fail, and he promises to forgive, as it says in 1 John 1:9, If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Brad inquired, “You mean we can still sin?”

 

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“Yes,” Evan responded, “we will still sin from time to time. Maybe you've heard the saying, ‘Christians aren’t perfect; they're just forgiven.’ I don't know who said that but it’s true.”

Flora had another turn to read. “It will help you to not sin if you do what Ephesians 4:22-24 says,… Put off … the way the old man lived… Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and … put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness… Don’t be too hard on yourselves, and don’t expect yourself or others to be perfect. The only one who is perfect is the triune God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You'll learn more about the Trinity and many other things as you study the Bible and go to church.

Bonnie commented, “I like the picture of putting off the old man and putting on the new one. We have to do it, because it doesn’t just happen, and nobody else can do it for us.”

“Very true, Bonnie,” and then Candy asked, “Brad would you read again?”

Brad nodded and read, “Here is a summary of some actions of the old man that we should put off in verses 25-31. Put off lying, sinning when angry, giving place to the devil, stealing, using corrupt speech, bitterness, anger (and all its synonyms,) and evil speaking. In this summary and paraphrase of Ephesians 4:1b-3, Paul pleads with believers to walk worthy of being called believers, with lowliness, meekness, patience and bearing with one another in love and trying to keep unity and peace.”

Reba stated, “What a complete list of things to get rid of in our lives and good things to do! I hope I can do it!”

“Good news, Reba,” declared Evan, “Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Jesus who strengthens me.”

Bonnie said, “It’s a good promise. Now I’ll read again. Here are some other new things to put on. Ephesians 4:32 says,… be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you. Then the next two verses in Ephesians 5 add Be therefore followers of God as dear children and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and has given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God… The rest of the chapter lists many other bad things believers should not do and some good things to do. This could make a good study for you to do on your own at another time.”

Candy agreed with what Bonnie had read, “Yes it would.”

Then Evan said, “I’ll read the last paragraph. The Bible teaches us how we need to live now that we believe in Jesus. Colossians chapter 2 has some other verses that will help us. Verse 3 states that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Jesus. Therefore, verse 4 says, do not let anyone beguile you with enticing words. Verses 6-8a continue, You have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him, established in the

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faith as you have been taught. Abound in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone spoil you through philosophy (beliefs) and vain deceit (proud or useless lies.) Now it’s getting late, so I think we should continue from here the next time.”

B B B Be e e effffo o orrrre o e e e tttth h h he e eiiiirrrr n e n ne n e e ex xx xtttt s ss sttttu u ud u d d dy yy y ttttiiiim m m me e e e,,,, E E E Ev vv va a a an n n n e e e ex xx xp p p plllla a a aiiiin n n ne e ed e d d, “This part of the first d booklet called ‘Your New Life,’ will be a good Bible study of parts of Ephesians 1-3, so bring your Bibles with you and find the first chapter in Ephesians.”

Candy and Evan and Brad were already seated near the computer monitors with their Bibles open. Their four girls came quickly and found Ephesians 1 so they were ready also.

Candy instructed, “Read the first seven verses.” When they finished she said, “Now look here at the monitors and see how the author personalized, paraphrased, and summarized those verses. Reba would you please read the first paragraph for us?

Reba nodded and read, “You already read Ephesians 1:1-7, to yourself and now, you will read the way this author summarized from verse 3b, and made it personal. I praise and thank you Father because you blessed me with all spiritual blessings, you chose me to be holy and blameless for you, adopted me to be your child, according to your will and grace, by which you made us accepted in Jesus. In him I have redemption and forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. Now read verses 11-14 to yourselves.”

They looked up when they finished, and Evan asked Brad to read next. Brad read, “This is another personalized summary. Since I trusted in Christ, I have obtained an inheritance in Jesus by God’s will and I will be to his praise. I am sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise as a down payment of my inheritance, to the praise of his glory.

Evan inserted, “I like the way the verses in Ephesians chapter 1 repeat being to the praise of God’s glory. God gave us his grace and forgave our sins when we believed and trusted in Jesus, plus he sealed us with the Holy Spirit. All of this brings praise to God. Now try personalizing and summarizing verses 17-20 and write them in these new Bible study notebooks.”

Candy and Evan handed them each a pen, plus a notebook in different colors so each one could keep track of it easily.

When they finished, Kate read what she had written, “Father of Jesus, please give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation and understanding so I can know the hope of your calling, the riches of the glory of your inheritance for us, and what is your exceedingly great power for us who believe. It is like your power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at your right hand in heaven.”

“Good job, Kate,” commended Candy, “you included all the important parts of that prayer. I’m sure the rest of you also did well, so now you know one way to make Bible studies relate to you. Now

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I’ll read this next part in Ephesians 2:1-3. It reminds us about what we were before Jesus saved us. This is how I summarized and personalize it. God made us alive when we were dead in our sins, when we walked according to the world and the prince of the power of the air, who is the spirit working in the children of disobedience. We used to live like them … fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, so we were by nature the children of wrath, like the others were. When Flora reads the next part, you’ll see that the author has personalized and summarized Ephesians 2:4-10 for us.

So Flora read, “God is rich in mercy and has great love. He made me alive with Christ when I was dead in sins. He raised me up to sit with Christ in heavenly places, so he could show the surpassing riches of his grace by his kindness to me through Jesus. I am saved as a gift from God, by grace through faith, not of myself or works, so I can’t boast. I am God’s workmanship, created in Jesus to do good works already ordained by God. These verses make it clear that salvation is a gift and that we should do good works now.”

“Right,” agreed Bonnie, “I get to read next. Parts of Ephesians 2:12-22 say, I need to remember that I used to be without Jesus and was a foreigner and stranger to the covenant of promise and I had no hope and was without God. But now I have been brought near by Jesus blood, because he is my peace and he reconciled me to God by the cross. Through Jesus I have access by one Spirit to the Father, and therefore I am no longer a stranger. … Now I am being built together with the other saints to be a dwelling for God. Those verses say a lot about who I am now that Jesus saved me.”

“Yes they do,” Evan concurred. “I'll read next, Here is a summary of Ephesians 3:6-12 as it relates to me. Because of the gospel, I am a fellow heir with Israel, a member of one body, and I can share in the promise in Christ. … In Jesus we have boldness and can approach God with confidence. This is a great privilege.”

Candy nodded emphatically. “Oh, good, I get to read the personalized prayer included here in verses 16-19. Father, please grant me according to the riches of your glory, to be strengthened with power by your Spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith, and I can be rooted and grounded in love. May I understand with all the saints how wide and long and deep and high the love of Christ is, and be filled with all the fullness of God. This would be a good prayer to pray often.”

“It definitely would be!” Evan declared. “And now let’s all praise God by reading verses 20,21 the way they are in the Bible. Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

 

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Then Candy explained, “The last part of this little booklet is for people in other cities looking for a church and small groups they can attend. We’ll read it to you, so you girls and Brad can see that Grace ‘n’ Faith Church in Pine City a very good church, which is like the one mentioned here. We and all the other families on this ranch attend it.”

The following paragraphs are what that part of the booklet said.

Evan read, “If you are interested in finding a good church, try to find a church that believes in the Bible as God's inspired Word and God's plan of salvation. That includes what Jesus did while he was on earth, living a perfect life so he could be the sacrifice to pay for the sins of men. After his crucifixion, God raised Jesus from the dead and now Jesus is alive and in Heaven interceding for us. He has sent the Holy Spirit to believers to empower them to serve him. Jesus will return some day and take believers to be with him in Heaven.”

Candy read the rest. “The church is made up of believers who have Jesus’ Holy Spirit in them. They now live like Jesus as a lifestyle, not just go to church on Sundays. Jesus works through them by the Holy Spirit, giving power and guidance to do his will in evangelism, solving problems, and edifying each other. The Holy Spirit distributes his gifts according to his will to do his work.

“The church is Jesus' Body functioning on earth to do what Jesus himself did and would do, but not just in one time and place but also through many churches around the world. That doesn’t all happen in just one service on the weekend. It needs small groups and pairs or teams of believers who are sent out to minister by Jesus through the Holy Spirit. You will be learning more in other little booklets about the Holy Spirit and small groups and ministries.”

To finish this Bible study Evan had each girl and Brad look up the definition of one term apiece that they would be hearing in the church services, in small group meetings and when they would read the Bible. Those terms included: believer, Christian, grace, follower, disciple. Candy handed them a Bible dictionary so they could pass it around and take turns looking up one apiece. Plus there are many other terms connected to the life of a believer that they would need to look up later.

 

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2 2.... ““““W 2 2 W Wa W a a atttte e errrr B e B B Ba a a ap p p pttttiiiis ss sm m....””””

Colossians 2:12, we are buried with Jesus in baptism,

and are also risen with him through faith in God

who raised Jesus from the dead.

E E E Ev vv va a a an n n n iiiin n nttttrrrro n o od o d d du u u uc cc ce e ed e d d d tttth h h he e e eiiiirrrr next Bible study time, by holding up another little booklet with the title, “Water Baptism.” He said, “Now we’re ready to learn about this topic from this booklet and the Bible verses in it.”

Brad and the girls looked totally puzzled and Flora finally asked, “What is water baptism?”

“This little booklet will explain it,” answered Evan, “scoot up closer to the computer monitors and I’ll bring up a PDF copy of the booklet on each one so we can take turns reading and following along like we did with the ‘Your New Life’ booklet. And remember you can make notes like you did with the first booklet.” They all nodded and followed his directions.

Candy began the reading today, “In this booklet, you'll be learning more about water baptism. That topic was also mentioned in the first booklet, but this booklet will add to what it said. This one contains teaching about what water baptism means, why it is important, and how it is done. In other words it is about the what, why, when, where, and how of water baptism. Since you can read this, it won’t be like so much overwhelming information as if you would hear all at once in a meeting or with another group. It even has the floor plan of the baptismal area, dressing rooms, and showers.”

Evan read next, "Let's talk about what water baptism is. John the Baptist did a water baptism that was different from the water baptism for believers. John was getting people ready to meet Jesus by having them repent of their sins and be baptized publicly to show they had repented.”

“Where is John the Baptist found in the Bible?” Kate inquired.

Candy responded, “Both Matthew and Luke tell his story in detail.”

So they read about him in Luke chapter three and understood better about him. Kate wrote Luke 3 in the margin of her little booklet.

Then Evan continued to read, “When believers are baptized, it is in obedience to Jesus, who said in Matthew 28:19 for his disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And Colossians 2:12 says that we are buried with Jesus in baptism, and are also risen with him through faith in God who raised Jesus from the dead. Colossians 3:1 states: Since you are risen with Christ, seek those things, which are above, where Christ sits on the

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right hand of God.” Then he asked, “Bonnie, would you please continue reading from there?”

"Yes,” said Bonnie, “Romans 6:3-6, says, When we were baptized into Jesus Christ, we were baptized into his death. Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we are like him in his death, we shall also be raised like his resurrection. Knowing that our old man is crucified with him … so we no longer serve sin. Skip to verse 11. Likewise consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Candy commented, “Like we learned in the first booklet, those verses do not mean we'll never sin again, because that won't happen until we get to heaven. But when we do sin, we do as 1 John 1:9 says, If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The girls nodded in understanding and Brad read next, "Here is the reason why water baptism is so important. Water baptism is a representation of being buried with Jesus when we go all the way down under the water, and of being raised with him when we come up out of the water.”

Reba questioned, “Does this mean that we have to go clear down under the water, and get totally wet?”

“Yes it does,” replied Evan patiently, “because it symbolizes being buried. We have to go all the way under before we can be raised up.”

“Oh,” she acknowledged, “it just seemed rather strange.”

“I agree,” then Brad finished the paragraph. “It is also a public testimony to the people we know, that we have decided to believe in, follow, and obey Jesus for the rest of our lives. Besides that, it is something we can look back on. When we remember what it means, it can help us to live our lives for Jesus.”

“Right,” inserted Candy, “I often reminded myself in middle and high school that my water baptism meant I would continue to follow and obey Jesus. It helped me to resist when some of my former ‘friends’ tried to talk me into doing something bad.”

Evan nodded and then explained, "Since you girls and Brad probably haven't seen a baptism in process, I'll show you a video clip of two people, a man and then a woman, being baptized in our church. By seeing it, you will be able to understand how it's done." He showed the clip and then asked, "Did you notice that the people put their hand up to gently squeeze their noses shut? This will help to keep the water out of your nose. Be sure to keep your mouth closed as well."

Flora continued reading from there, "If any of you wear hearing aids, or anything else that should not get wet, be sure to take them off in the dressing room. Also, if for any reason your doctor has told you

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to not go swimming or be immersed in water, tell us and we'll arrange to do your baptism an alternate way.”

Evan wondered, “How many of you can swim under water?” They all raised their hands and smiled, so he knew they could be baptized by immersion. So he instructed, “Go ahead and read some more, Flora.”

So she did, "It is very important that you take a shower before coming to the church. Wear clean dark colored clothing that cannot be seen through when it's wet, but it should be light-weight, so it won't weigh you down when it gets wet. You noticed their clothes in the video. We shower and wear clean clothes because we need to keep the water clean since all twelve of the churches sharing the church building will be using the same water all week. Two or three of the churches will be joining you on your day.’

Reba read next, “After you are baptized, you can take another quick shower before you dress in dry clothing. Be sure to bring your own towels and dry clothing for this purpose, and especially to dry your hair. Ladies, don't worry about trying to curl your hair before or after, and please don't use hair spray or makeup before you're baptized because it will get into the water. Be sure to bring everything you need with you, and arrive here at the church a few minutes before 7 PM so you won't miss any of the songs we'll sing. Be prepared to tell all the people watching that you believe in Jesus as your own personal Savior. Please keep your testimony short, because we have a lot of people to baptize that night.”

Candy suggested, “Let's tour the dressing rooms, showers, and baptismal area right after church this coming weekend. Kate, would you please read the rest?”

“Yes, Mom,” she answered, “As you can see in the floor plan, on both the ladies and men's sides, there are four small private dressing rooms and four showers with enclosed dressing areas to dry off and get dressed after showering. There are also two small restrooms and a large waiting area with chairs while waiting for a turn in the dressing rooms, and a turn to get baptized. There are outlets for the ladies to use their own hair dryers after being baptized and showering, so you won’t get chilled, especially on winter nights. There are stairs leading up to the baptismal reservoir, which will be filled with warm water, and steps leading down into the water with hand rails so you will be safe. When finished, you’ll turn around and go back up the stairs where a helper will assist you down the stairs and to a shower. The nice, warm water of the shower will make you feel warm again.”

Flora remarked, “This little booklet was shorter than the first one we read, but it did a good job explaining about water baptism.”

Brad concurred, “Both of these booklets are very well written.”

“I agree,” said Kate, “and now it doesn’t seem so strange since we saw the video.”

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Bonnie shared, “I think it sounds rather exciting, but I am nervous about having to say something to the audience.”

Reba declared, “I’m so grateful to Jesus for healing me and then saving all of us, that I look forward to telling everyone about it!”

“What a great way to feel, Reba,” Candy complimented and then recommended, “Bonnie, if you write what you plan to say, you can practice it before the special service and it will help you to not be as nervous.”

All four girls and Brad followed Candy’s suggestion and practiced their short testimonies enough so they were ready for the special service. Their baptisms were very meaningful to them because of all they had learned during this study about water baptism.

E E E Ev vv va a a an n n n a a a an n n nd d d d C C Ca C a an a n n nd d d dy yy y Beckett with their four excited girls, arrived at the church sanctuary at 6:45 so they would be early for the 7 PM special baptismal service. Many other families were already there also, but they were able to sit in their usual area. The girls had remembered to follow all the directions in the booklet and had brought the necessary things with them.

They had time to look up the songs they would be singing in the hymnal and read the scriptures that went with them. Bonnie whispered, “Kate the first verse of this first song, ‘I’ll Live for Him,’ really goes well with the first booklet called ‘Your New Life.’ Let’s look up the scripture.”

Kate nodded and then read, Titus 2:12b, … we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world… Yes, and it even goes with my testimony.”

Meanwhile, Flora quietly said, “Reba, the second song we will sing is a good reminder about how we new believers should live. It’s called ‘O Jesus, I Have Promised.’ Please look up the verses for it.”

“OK,” replied Reba, “Hebrews 6:9b,11b,… Do the things that accompany salvation, … show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end… The stanzas in the song and the scriptures go well together.”

When it was time to sing the songs, the girls sang and paid extra attention to the lyrics and what they meant. One of the other churches was dismissed to go get ready for their turn. Then the scriptures sounded very forceful the way the pastor read them. In just a few minutes the first person stepped down into the water. These four girls were glad they would get to see some others baptized before it was their turn. They noticed how the people held their nose closed and kept their mouths shut as their pastor said, I baptize you, as in Matthew 28:19b, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Brad had brought his things with him and had ridden to the church with Ben and Mindy. Unice, the nurse practitioner and vet, plus the

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rest of the ranch families had also come to be supportive and rejoice with those being baptized.

Their church was the next one to go and Candy went with the girls to help if they needed anything. The other girls had already asked Reba to go first and she gladly consented. She had even gotten permission to give a longer than normal testimony. When she stepped down into the water she wasn’t even nervous. She was grateful that Pastor Don held his hand to steady her as she came to stand beside him.

He introduced her and she smiled at the audience before she said, “I'm so grateful to Jesus for all he has done for me. I was rescued from abusive parents and put into a very nice family on Mercy Valley Ranch with my new parents Evan and Candy Beckett. They, and Karen, the Bible teacher, taught me a lot about Jesus. My left leg was about one inch shorter than the right one, so I had to wear a lift in my shoe. But I was still slow and I limped, so many kids at school made fun of me and called me a cripple. But Jesus changed that for me, because two nice girls from another family on the ranch prayed for me and asked Jesus to make my leg grow as long as the other one so I could walk normally. And he did it right then! And then best of all, I believed in Jesus and he saved me! Now I desire to serve him the rest of my life.”

Flora was next, “When I saw what Jesus did for my roommate, I knew the things I had been taught about Jesus were true, so I also believed in Jesus and asked him to be my Savior. Now I will do what Hebrews 6:9b says,… Do the things that accompany salvation, with Jesus’ help.”

When it was Kate’s turn she stated, “I was also convinced about Jesus when I saw the miracle Jesus did. So I prayed a prayer much like they did and now I’m a new believer. Jesus please help me to live as it says in Titus 2:12b, … live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world…”

Bonnie was the last of the girls. “I was so happy to see Reba be able to walk normally and I listened very carefully to those two girls as they explained the Good News again. Then I repented and asked Jesus to forgive my sins and be my Savior. Now we four girls are sisters two times. We’re foster sisters in a wonderful family and we are also sisters in God’s forever family.”

Brad came next because of when he was saved. “I was privileged to also get to see the miracle of that short leg growing long enough to match the other one. Even though I didn’t have the benefit of much teaching about Jesus, I believed when the other two girls explained the Good News. So I also asked Jesus to forgive me and be my Savior. It’s my desire to live the rest of my life to serve him.”

These five people hurried with their showers and dressing so they could get back into the sanctuary and hear the rest of the testimonies.

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Then they listened as one of the pastors gave a very clear teaching about the Good News and then he led those who would like to accept Jesus as their Savior in a prayer they could repeat after him silently. He said a part of it and then paused so they could have time to say it in their minds. Jesus, I realize I am a sinner. … I confess these sins to you. They named silently the ones they remembered. … Please forgive me. … Thank you that you already paid the penalty for my sins, … when you died on the cross, … and God raised you from the dead. … I believe in you and ask you to be my Savior. … Amen.

Many visiting people prayed that prayer and went to receive the little booklet the pastor offered them. There was much rejoicing and thanking God for all those who had just become new believers.

 

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3 3 3 3.... ““““T T T Th h he h e e H e H H Ho o o olllly yy y S S S Sp p piiiirrrriiiitttt IIIIn p n n n Y Y Y Yo o o ou u u u””””

Ezekiel 36:27, I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walk in

my statutes and you shall keep my judgments and do them.

A A A Afffftttte e e errrr tttth h he h e e s e ss sp p pe p e ec e cc ciiiia a a allll b b b ba a ap a p pttttiiiis p ss sm m ma m a a allll service, Evan reminded the girls and Brad that Candy had said earlier, “Surrendering to him and doing God’s will are a process in the believers life. We will study more about your good question in the third little booklet about the Holy Spirit, so we can learn more about how to do it.”

Evan continued, “Therefore our Bible study today is on this topic and it’s first lesson in ‘The Holy Spirit In You,’ which is the title of this next little booklet we get to read. Since we all became believers in Jesus, he made a change in our spirit that was dead, but now is made alive. And he wants us to renew our mind, and learn that our body is now the temple of the Holy Spirit. So we will be changing in those three areas of our lives.”

Candy added, “Yes those are three areas of our lives we need to surrender. So first let’s find the definition of surrender.” She entered it into the computer’s search engine and Brad and the girls read it silently. “Now write the definition in your own words in your notebook, and add two synonyms to it.”

Evan instructed as he put two verses from the booklet up on the monitor, “Now copy these next two scripture verses in your notebooks and underline the synonyms for surrender.”

They followed his directions and it looked like this: Romans 6:13, summary, Do not yield yourselves to sin, but yield yourselves to God. Be instruments of righteousness. James 4:7, Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Bonnie observed, “Yield and submit are the two synonyms I had chosen, so I could put surrender in their places in those verses and they would mean the same thing.”

Reba mentioned, “It’s good to have the definition and synonyms. Now I understand the word better.”

“Good job,” Candy complimented them, “copy the next verse and underline two reasons for submitting.”

The verse they copied looked like this. 1 Corinthians 6:19,… your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit of God, who is in you and you are not your own.

Brad remarked, “Since the temple was the house of God in the Bible, I can think of my body being the house of the Holy Spirit.”

 

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“Good idea,” then Evan reflected, “I think it is interesting that Paul states in Acts 17:24, that the God who made the world and everything in it doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands. We know that God is present everywhere, like Proverbs 15:3 says, The eyes of the LORD are in every place… And we know he can live in believers by his Holy Spirit.”

Candy added, “Ephesians 2:19-22 has another picture of where God dwells by his Spirit. Let’s look it up.”

Brad requested, “May I read it aloud?”

After she nodded he read, “ Now … you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. You are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. In him all the building is fitly framed together into a holy temple of the Lord. In him you also are built together for a dwelling place of God through the Spirit.”

Candy thanked him and went on, “Notice how the next verse in the booklet tells us how to surrender. Romans 12:2 says, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so you may prove, or show, what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

“It is a very good verse,” Kate stated, “because now we know how to submit or yield.”

Then Evan continued, “I think so too. The next verses tell the results of doing God’s will rather than our own. Read them silently and then write them in your notebook as your own personal prayer.” What they wrote might look something like the following. Colossians 1:9b-12,… I pray that I might be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that I might walk worthy of you, Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of you, God, and be strengthened with all might, according to your glorious power, unto all patience … with joyfulness. I give thanks to you, Father, who have made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light…”

Flora commented, “This was a good Bible Study. I feel like I understand yielding to God’s will better now.”

“I’m glad it helped,” responded Candy, “and I like all those verses we read.”

Evan agreed, “Likewise, so now let’s pray the verses we just made into a prayer by reading them together aloud from our notebooks, as a closing for this Bible study. And it doesn’t matter if each of us worded it a little differently. Just pray it for yourself.”

C C C Ca a an a n n nd d d dy yy y a a a an n n nd d d d E E E Ev vv va a a an n n n ffffo o ou o u un u n n nd d d d s ss so o o om m m me e e hymns and spiritual songs to go with e the third little booklet, “The Holy Spirit In You.” They started the Bible study time by singing out of the hymnal, accompanied by an SD card

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in a boom box, “Open My Eyes That I May See.” And they read Psalm 119:18, Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

Candy explained, “This hymn and the scripture verse are both a prayer to see truth in the Bible, to hear truth from good Bible teachers and to be able to share truth with others who need it. The person who is praying, is wanting to see, hear, and do the will of God as the Holy Spirit shows it. So we sang it as our opening prayer.”

Brad noticed, “This hymn goes very well with the Bible study we did the other day about surrendering and doing God’s will.”

“It certainly does,” agreed Evan, “and it’s a good one for these lessons about the Holy Spirit. This lesson begins with other names of the Holy Spirit and examples in some verses where the names are found.”

Reba read first, “The Holy Spirit has other names that are used in the Bible. Here is a list of some of them. Spirit of God as in Genesis 41:38b, Pharaoh said that Joseph was a man in whom the Spirit of God is.”

Kate mentioned, “We heard the story about Joseph in Karen’s Bible Study Group. It was interesting.”

“Yes it was,” agreed Reba and then she continued to read. “The Spirit of the LORD is in Isaiah 40:13, which asks the question, Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or has been his counselor and has taught him?”

Candy informed them, “This is a rhetorical question, since it has an obvious answer. And the answer is ‘Nobody,’ because no human or other being is great enough to teach God!”

Bonnie thanked her for the explanation and then she read next. “The next name is the Spirit of Christ, in 1 Peter 1:11, The prophets were searching for what the Spirit Of Christ which was in them meant, when he told beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that would follow.”

Flora was the next reader. “He is also called the Comforter, as in John 14:16,26, Jesus said, I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever… The Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance that I have said to you.

Evan commented, “Jesus said all this to his disciples shortly before he died on the cross for them and all the people in the world. This is another reason it is good to read the Bible, so the Holy Spirit can remind you of what it says.”

“Yes,” Candy inserted, “Comforter can also mean Helper or Advocate.”

Kate nodded and went on with the reading, “The Spirit of Truth, in John 15:26, When the Comforter has come, whom I will send to you

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from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, who proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me…”

The next reader was Brad and he read, “John 16:13a says, when the Spirit of Truth has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he shall not speak of himself… and verse 14a says he will glorify Jesus.”

“Good job, everybody,” and then Evan added, “There are other names used for the Holy Spirit, like Counselor, and Teacher, but he is one Spirit as it says in Ephesians 2:18, For through Jesus we have access by one Spirit to the Father.”

“Right,” agreed Candy, “now that you have been introduced to some of the other names for the Holy Spirit, let’s read John 14:15 and 17, together.” Jesus said, if you love me, keep my commandments. The Comforter, is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because… it does not know him … but he shall be in you.

Then they sang the hymn “The Comforter Has Come.” The chorus of this hymn is a joyful reminder that the Holy Spirit is the Comforter sent from the Father as Jesus had asked.

“Next we’ll sing ‘Blessed Quietness,’ because it’s another hymn, which also goes well with those same verses,” Evan stated. “It has a beautiful melody and tells of the joy, the fruit of righteousness, rest, assurance, peace, and gladness the Holy Spirit brings because he lives in trusting hearts.”

After they finished singing it, Candy said, “This is a good place to close our study for today. We’ll plan to go on from here tomorrow.”

F F F Fo o o orrrr tttth h h he e e e n n ne n e e ex xx xtttt B B B Biiiib b b blllle e e e study using “The Holy Spirit In You” booklet, Evan went back and read from the introduction. “This booklet is about the Holy Spirit and his role in our lives and in the life of the church. First we’ll read some verses that help explain the Trinity, which means we have one God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. They are always in perfect unity and agreement, like when they created everything in the beginning as it tells about in Genesis chapters one and two. The word ‘Trinity’ is not in the Bible, but the concept is there.”

So they looked up and talked about the following verses.

Brad read Genesis 1:26a, “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… I noticed that God said us and our, showing that he wasn’t there by himself.”

Flora agreed and was next with 2 Corinthians 13:14, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. This verse names all three but in a different order than you said, Dad.”

“You're right,” Evan agreed, “and it doesn’t matter in what order their names are written.”

Kate read half of Matthew 3:13-17 and Bonnie read the other half. Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.

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But John forbade him, saying “I have need to be baptized by you, why do you come to me?” Jesus answered, “Let it be so now, for this way we will fulfill all righteousness. Then he let him. When Jesus was baptized, and came up out of the water, the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. A voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”

When she finished Bonnie observed, “It took a lot of verses to show that all three persons of the Trinity were involved in Jesus baptism.”

“Yep,” and Kate added, “and I noticed that John recognized and acknowledged that Jesus was better than he was. This was an interesting happening in Jesus’ life here on earth.”

Reba agreed and then finished this set of verses with Matthew 28:19. “Jesus said, ‘ Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in he name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’ Jesus named himself in the middle of this list.”

“Yes he did. The next part of our study today includes all the stanzas of a hymn about the Trinity,” Candy remarked, “so we will look at ‘Praise Ye the Triune God.’ First read all the stanzas to yourselves and notice how each one tells something about one of the three persons.”

Flora noticed, “The first stanza says we praise God the Father for his loving kindness and how he cares for us his children.”

“In the second one,” Kate continued, “Jesus is called the Savior, who had great compassion and cares for the people he chose.”

Bonnie added, “The third one says that the Spirit is the Comforter and was sent from the Father.”

“I like the way the third one tells us to praise all three,” Reba observed,” and it finishes with the title of the song and Amen, which we learned from Karen means we agree or so be it.”

“Yes,” and then Brad observed, “The next part of the booklet on the monitor is some more about the Spirit. It says, sometimes the Spirit of God, or the Spirit of Jesus, or Christ, or the Holy Spirit or Spirit, are used interchangeably like in these verses in Romans chapter 8. Verses 9 and 10 say, You are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if the Spirit of God dwells in you. If any person does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not of Christ. But if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

Reba commented, “Those verses help me understand better how Jesus can live in my heart. He lives in me by his Holy Spirit.”

“Same here,” said Bonnie and the others nodded.

Then Evan read, “Verse 14 continues, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, are sons of God. And 15b explains that we received the Spirit of adoption and we can cry Abba, Father.” and he explained, “Abba is a word that means a lot like our word ‘Papa.’

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One Bible translation used the word ‘dear’ instead of ‘Abba.’ We can say ‘Abba Father’ because the Spirit shows us we are God’s children. So we have that privilege.”

“Right, and he is so much better than any father here on earth.” then Candy stated, “I’ll read the next two verses, 16, 17a, which have all three people in the trinity. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Since we are children, then we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. So these verses go well with the hymn we read earlier.”

Kate exclaimed, “It’s so good to read all these verses and learn all these helpful facts right from the Bible and see them in a song!”

Everyone agreed with her and then they finished the lesson by singing that hymn with the music on the boom box.

C C C Ca a an a n n nd d d dy yy y b b b be e e eg g g ga a a an n n tttth n h he h e e eiiiirrrr n n ne n e e ex xx xtttt s ss sttttu u u ud d d dy yy y time, “Yesterday we read some more scriptures about the Holy Spirit and the Trinity. So today we will continue in the booklet after we sing ‘Breathe on Me, Breath of God,’ which is a prayer asking for help to love what God loves, to have a pure heart and do God’s will, and to endure.”

“I like that song,” stated Evan after they finished singing. “It goes well with the next verses in the booklet, which are John 20:21,22, Jesus said to them…, ‘Peace be unto you. As my Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’ Jesus said this to his disciples after his resurrection and before he had ascended to heaven. On the day Jesus ascended to Heaven after his resurrection, he told them in Acts 1:8, you shall receive power, after the Holy Spirit fills you, and you shall be my witnesses.”

Candy added, “Then the Holy Spirit came and filled them on the day of Pentecost as we can read in Acts 2:1-37a. She read those verses aloud to them.

Then Brad read 37b-39, … What shall we do? Then Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

Then Evan read, “The disciples and others who believed, had repented and were baptized, so they had the Holy Spirit, also called the Spirit of Jesus, living in them, like Jesus told them in John 14:20, I am in you. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. They were sent out to preach and teach in His power as in Mark 16:15 and 20, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to everyone … And they went and preached everywhere. The Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word with signs following.”

 

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Kate was the next reader. “Jesus, by his Spirit, does his will and work through believers who are filled with the Holy Spirit when they believe in him, and are willing to serve Jesus in his church, the body of Christ. All believers all over the world are what Paul calls the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:12,13a it says, for as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles. All believers are doing Jesus work all over the world because he is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance as it says in 2 Peter 3:9b. But it's up to each person to repent and believe. It is a wonderful privilege and responsibility to serve Jesus!”

Reba read next, “Not all people will speak in tongues or prophesy as they did in Acts chapter 2. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not about experiences or feelings. Those are not the important things. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, his fruit is also the result, as it says in Galatians 5:22,23, The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering or patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control; against these things there is no law. Plus his power can work through us as we all yield to him to do as he wills.”

Then Flora read, “It is important to learn about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how to listen and follow his guidance. In the church, the Holy Spirit distributes graces or gifts to people as he determines. Ephesians 4:11-13 says, Jesus by the Holy Spirit gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the perfection of the saints and for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ until we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, and the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Bonnie asked, “What do those verses mean?”

Candy explained, “Grace or gifts are given to us by the Holy Spirit who lives in us and knows what gifts are the best for us to use. The purpose of the gifts is to edify or build up the body of Christ, which means the church. The goal is to know and become like Jesus.”

“Thank you for explaining this,” then Bonnie read, “Another list of the gifts is in this summary of I Corinthians 12:7-12, The gifts of the Spirit are given to each man to the profit of all. The same Spirit gives the word of wisdom or knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, different tongues and the interpretation of them. These are all from the same Spirit, given as he wills. For the body is one and has many members that make it up. It is the same with Christ. Then I Corinthians 12:31 says, but earnestly desire the best gifts (and learn that love) is the most excellent way, as the next chapter says.

Reba read, “In it Paul makes it clear that the gifts are worthless if they are not done with love. Read verses 4-8a aloud together.”

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1 Corinthians 13:4-8a. Love is patient, love is kind; it does not envy or boast and is not proud. It does not behave rudely, is not selfish, is not easily angered, and does not think evil. It rejoices in the truth, not in iniquity. It bears and believes and hopes and endures all things, and it never fails.”

Then Flora went on with the reading, “We know that we are filled with the Holy Spirit because of the verses we have read. Knowing that the Holy Spirit is in us is a great comfort and help. John 7:37b-39a, If any man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me as the scripture has said, out of him shall flow rivers of living water. This is a summary of verse 39a, He spoke this because the people who believe in him would receive the Holy Spirit.”

The next reader was Bonnie. “This next scripture is like one we read in the last lesson. Galatians 4:6 says, Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying, Abba Father. This verse has another name that is used for the Holy Spirit. He is called the Spirit of God’s Son. It also repeats the privilege believers have of crying, Abba Father.”

Brad continued by reading, “And Ephesians 1:13,14, say You trusted in Christ after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. After believing in Jesus, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the down payment of our inheritance until the redemption of our bodies, to the praise of his glory.”

Evan commented, “Since we know the Holy Spirit is in us, we can practice asking him to help us listen for his guidance as we read the Bible, as we are quiet and wait for his guidance, and then we trust and follow his directions. At one time it was hard for me to understand how Jesus, a grown man, could live in our hearts as some songs say. But the Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of God and The Spirit of Jesus, so Jesus lives in believers by his Holy Spirit, like we learned last time.”

“Yes, and it helped me understand it better!” Kate declared and she was the last reader for this day, “In addition, Romans 8:26,27b are a wonderful promise,… the Spirit helps our weakness, for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us… and he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Bonnie exclaimed, “I really like those verses!”

“So do I!” Candy agreed. “This was a very good lesson!”

E E E Ev vv va a a an n n n b b b be e e eg g g ga a a an n n tttth n h he h e e e lllla a a as ss stttt lllle e e es ss ss ss so o o on n n n in the booklet about the Holy Spirit by reading the first paragraph in that section. “It is very important for you to learn to watch out for songs and even parts of some hymns or what some teachers might say, that are not in accord with what the Bible says. The pastors in all the Grace ‘n’ Faith churches have all been trained to only teach what God’s Word says. So you don’t have to

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worry about what they say, but you do need to be careful if you go somewhere to a seminar or listen to teachers on the radio or TV or the web.”

Brad read next. “This next scripture will help you know more about the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 11:2 says, The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him (here the word ‘him’ means Jesus), the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.”

Next he read 1 Corinthians 2:10b,11b,12… “ The Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. The Spirit knows the things of God. We did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit of God, so we might know the things that are freely given to us by God…”

Evan explained, “One thing the Holy Spirit does for us is to help us understand what God is saying in the Bible. 2 Peter 1:20, 21 tell us, Know this first. No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy did not come … by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. For that reason it would be a good idea to ask him to help you learn what he wants you to learn each time you read in the Bible.”

Bonnie asked, “Does that mean we can pray to him like we do to the Father and Jesus?”

Candy answered, “I think it does, and it is something he came into this world to do. The next part of the booklet repeats two verses we read parts of earlier. In John 16:13,14, Jesus said,… when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth, for he shall not speak of himself, but whatever he hears, he shall speak, and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine and shall show it to you.”

“Wow!” Reba exclaimed. “Those verses go very well with his name, Teacher!”

Everyone agreed and Kate read the next part of the booklet. “We stress this very important admonition: all the gifts should be done with love and to bring glory to God, NOT to the person or to the church. Many times one or more people might come to Jesus for salvation because of a gift being used. People who have just witnessed a miracle are usually very open to hearing the Good News and believing in Jesus for salvation.

Flora agreed, “Yes, it was that way for all four of us girls and Brad after Jesus made Reba's leg grow as long as her other one. We were amazed and easily convinced that everything Liz and Stella told us was true.”

Bonnie nodded and read the next section in the booklet. “First Corinthians 14 tells about how to use the gifts in order to avoid confusion. “Verse 1 tells us to desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy because verse 3 says, prophecy is for edification, exhortation and comfort to build up (the church.) Verse 13 says

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those who speak in an unknown tongue need to pray that they may interpret (translate.) This is so the people listening can know what was said. Verse 26b again stresses to let all things be done to edify or build up. And verse 40 says, Let all things be done decently and in order. God is not a cause of confusion. Instead he gives peace.”

“All of those sound like very good ideas,” observed Kate.

Reba stated, “They sure do.” Then she read, “The Holy Spirit also helps us as we share God’s Good News with others. In Matthew 10:20 Jesus had told the disciples, it is not you who speaks, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. He said this to the disciples after telling them about persecution that sometimes results from telling others the Good News. In the book of Acts the disciples did get in trouble for speaking about Jesus, but Acts 4:31 tells us that the Holy Spirit helps us speak the word of God with boldness, even if we might be persecuted.”

Flora read to the end of the booklet, “This is a summary of the verses in 2 Timothy 2:20-23.. In a … house there are vessels of gold, silver, … wood and clay. Some are to honor and some to dishonor. Cleanse yourself from dishonor and you shall be a vessel of honor, sanctified and fit for the Master’s use, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful cravings and follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they cause conflict.”

Evan prayed, “Father in heaven, please make us all into vessels of honor so you can use us to do your will in our world.”

And then they read in unison, Romans 15:13, Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. And to finish the lesson they sang “Channels Only.” The lyrics include praise to Jesus our Savior for all he did for us, including making us a cleansed vessel he could use to give his living water to others.

This finishes the first three booklets.

Before he left that day, Brad thanked the family for letting him join their group and for all the things he had learned. He would be leaving the ranch soon to go back to Pine City with his completed story about Mercy Valley Ranch. The people on the ranch had come to like Brad and were sorry to see him leave.

 

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4 4 4 4.... ““““S S Sm S m m ma a allllllll G a G Grrrro G o ou o u u up p ps p ss s A A A Arrrre e e tttth e h he h e e e C C Ch C h hu h u urrrrc u cc ch h h IIIIn h n n A n A A Ac cc cttttiiiio o on o n n n....””””

T T T Th h h he e e e w w w we e ee e e e ek kk ke e e en n nd n d d rrrriiiig d g g gh h htttt a h a a afffftttte e e errrr Brad Decker moved back into Pine City from Mercy Valley ranch where he had stayed for about a month, he obtained the next two booklets from the church office right after church. The fourth one was titled “Small Groups Are the Church In Action.” When he got to his apartment after church he started reading it right away.

The introduction stated that parts of the following booklet have been rewritten as if it is being read aloud, with comments and some questions and answers, by people who attend the church. These parts have been assembled to make the booklet more enjoyable to read and to answer frequently asked questions as it goes along.”

The first note Brad wrote in this new booklet said, “Good, this sounds like it will be a lot like when I read the first three books with Evan, Candy, and their four foster girls.” Then he continued reading in the booklet, where Sam was talking to a friend he had just led to Jesus, who asked, “What’s a new believers small group?”

Sam answered “It’s a number of people who meet together in a group, which is started by the pastor and his wife. The group is started because some people just asked Jesus to save them, and they want to learn more about how to live now. My parents told me they had helped lead several small groups for new believers. They answered questions about the first three little books, which taught about how to live as a believer, about water baptism, and about the Holy Spirit.”

Brad wrote a comment, “I realize that my new believers small group was with Evan and Candy and their girls.”

Sam’s friend remarked, “It sounds like a lot to learn. After that, are they ready to just go ahead on their own?”

“No,” replied Sam’s ministry partner, “The people in the new groups are encouraged to continue attending the group they are in, and it usually becomes a continuing small group for the rest of the year. Then the people would go into other groups in January, where they could meet new people and make new friends and keep learning.”

Sam explained, “The church will soon start another new believers small group and get the people ready for the special baptismal service in a couple weeks. By then they will have read the first booklet called ‘Your New Life,’ and will have gotten their questions answered.”

“Right,” his partner agreed, “so then their next meeting would teach them about Water Baptism. After that they would learn about

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the Holy Spirit and they would get little booklets for each of those topics. Then when they were ready, the facilitator would explain many other things about small groups to them and give them a little booklet about small groups.”

And so that person, who had just accepted Jesus, learned that new believers small group meetings were different from the other small groups in the city since all the members would be new believers. Many times a new group would be started as a result of a baptismal service where the service ended with a pastor explaining the Good News and people invited by those who were baptized prayed with him to accept Jesus as their Savior.

They would go up front to talk to the pastor and receive the little booklet he had offered. He was ecstatic and told them how glad he was for them. The booklet had a little card inside that said, “Please fill me out and bring me back to church and give me to the pastor next week if you would like a visit from the pastor or would like to join a group especially for new believers.” It had a place for name, address, and phone number.

The pastor explained to them, “If you would like to get into a small group especially for new believers, fill out the card and bring it with you to the church you will attend this coming weekend. You can give it to the pastor after the service is over. New believer groups will be started to teach you how to live the Christian life, and most of them will continue as regular small groups. Your lives on this earth will be different now and there are many things you will need to learn. The best place to learn these things would be in a new believers small group.”

The group members for these new groups usually arrive close to on time, and the meetings go very well. Many people in the group have questions about things in the booklets. Pastor Don and Anita and the co-facilitators take turns answering questions so the group can be accustomed to the co-facilitators when they will take over facilitating the group on their own in a couple weeks.

One time just before refreshments, Don said, “We'll meet again next week, and it will be at the church, so you can see the baptismal facilities there. We'll talk about water baptism, cover some other topics and answer any other questions you might have.”

Then he handed out booklets about water baptism. And he reminded them about how important it would be for them to continue attending the new believers small groups. “There's so much to be learned, and it's very helpful to be able to listen to each other and ask questions. We'll have one more meeting for this group with co-facilitators and then Anita and I might need to start other small groups if you all go out and witness and bring more new believers to the church! You'll continue in these groups until January, when all the individuals and couples in all the small groups of our church will be

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put into new groups containing people you probably won't know yet. It is a very good way to meet and make new friends in the church. Come now and join us for a few refreshments and a time of visiting.”

Brad wrote, This part of the book explains a good way to get a new group going. If I had been living in the city, I would have been in one of those, but the way I did it worked well for me.” He took a break while he fixed himself a meal.

T T T Th h h he e e e n n n ne e e ex xx xtttt s ss se e ec e cc cttttiiiio o o on n n n Brad read in the booklet about small groups was about another situation that happened in Pine City. Sara and Kim had been in a foster home at Mercy Valley Ranch. They had their graduation party and then their nineteenth birthdays, so they moved from the ranch into an apartment in Pine City.

Sara mentioned, “I’m glad we asked Pastor Don to find a small group you and I could be in together. Plus I’m very thankful for the little booklet about small groups that Karen gave us in the special meeting she had for the ranch graduates.”

“So am I,” and Kim went on, “in this booklet, it says that the groups meet at least once a week and have time for singing, praise reports, teaching on some topic related to living for Jesus, and a conversational prayer time instead of prayer requests. Some people take notes during the prayer time, so they can continue praying at home about a topic. Often during the prayer time someone will ask the Lord a question or for guidance and another person will have a prophecy or a word of knowledge or wisdom from the Lord that answers it. After the prayer time, there's usually time for fellowship and refreshments.”

Brad stopped reading while he wrote, “I’ll take a notebook to the group meetings so I can write the names of the songs, take notes on the teachings, and write topics to pray more about in it.”

Sara agreed with Kim, “Yes, and it goes on to say that the meeting typically lasts about two hours and is usually after supper on a week night in the home of one of the members, as it says in part of Acts 2:46, And they continued daily with one accord,…and from house to house, … with gladness and singleness of heart.. People take turns being the host, and there are facilitators for each group.”

Kim asked, “What if no home is available? Oh, the answer is in the next paragraph. The group meets in the lunchroom of the church annex building. Some members have only studio or very small apartments with one bedroom that aren't large enough for a group of 10 to 16 people, but they want to take a turn as host so they bring refreshments and set the lunchroom up for a small group meeting using chairs from the sanctuary so people don’t have to sit on the benches for the lunch tables."

 

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“This is a good idea!” Sara declared. “Maybe we can do it for this small group since our apartment is so small. I’m looking forward to attending our first small group meeting this coming week.”

Brad wrote several comments after reading what Sara and Kim had commented about as they read the booklet. “I’ll try to remember to write the things that I should pray about at home. And I’m glad I already know about prophecy and a word of knowledge or wisdom from the booklet about the Holy Spirit. Also I’m glad these booklets have spaces for us to write our comments and questions. I’ll need to ask about how to get to the annex building and its lunchroom so I can see what it looks like and plan to host a meeting there.”

The following section of the booklet is from the first meeting of a small group of believers where Don and Anita Ross were the facilitators.

Don welcomed everyone and stated, “We'll begin with each of you introducing yourself. Include your first and last names, where you work, and how long you've been living in Pine City. You might want to take notes now, and later we will have a list of names and phone numbers for each individual or family.”

When they finished the introductions Anita explained, “We keep the singing part of our meeting simple like we do at church and use recorded music on an SD card in this little stereo boom box.”

They used hymnals like were used at church, and sang some psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs as it says in Colossians 3:16, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Brad wrote a comment, “I like singing and using a hymnal. The music at church is always so pretty.”

When they finished singing Anita mentioned, “I would like to encourage you all to reread the words of the Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs we sing on Sundays and in these small groups, because many of them have meaningful teachings in them and they can also be a way for you to have praise times at home. If any of you would like to buy a hymnal we have used ones for sale right here, or you can buy new ones at either of the Christian bookstores in town.”

So Brad wrote, “Buy a used hymnal at the end of the first meeting that I get to attend.”

The next paragraph in the booklet explained, We usually don't see gifts of the Spirit in action in the Saturday or Sunday services because of so many people and so little time. That's the reason we need small groups where there is more time and fewer people so we can follow Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 14:26,31b,33,40, … when you come together, one or another has a psalm, a doctrine, a tongue, an interpretation, a revelation; let all things be done for edification, … in order that all may learn, and all may be comforted. … For God is

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not the author of confusion, but of peace … let all things be done decently and in order. We often see some of these gifts operating during the conversational prayer time of a small group.”

Then the booklet went on to say, “Very seldom, a person might invite someone who is an unbeliever to a small group meeting, but if they do, they will give the leader a note so he can present the gospel as the pastor does in church. And if that is the case, the format of the group will change for that meeting so the invitee won't be confused by gifts of the Spirit in action.”

Brad wrote, “What a good idea!” and then continued reading.

“We believe the church is Jesus' Body functioning on earth to do what Jesus himself did and would do, but not just in one time and place but also through many churches around the world. That doesn’t all happen in just one service on the weekend. It needs small groups and pairs of believers who are sent out to minister by Jesus through the Holy Spirit like they did in the Gospels and in Acts.”

Brad put the booklet down, so he could finish it another day. He realized how much faster it was to read it silently and write his comments than it had been to read and comment aloud with Evan and Candy’s family on the ranch.

T T Th T h he h e e n e n n ne e e ex xx xtttt d d d da a a ay yy y B B B Brrrra a a ad d d d read about how “Small Groups Are the Church In Action” explains the Lord’s Supper and how important it is to be saved before partaking of it. Most small group members are already believers, especially in the new believers small groups.

The little booklet included the following information. During the week before Easter / Resurrection Day, all the small groups were having communion in place of the teaching time to honor and remember Jesus and what he did for us. They started by singing the hymn, "One Day." The lyrics include details about Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, that he is in heaven now, and he will come again to take us home to be with him in heaven.

Then Pastor Don asked the group to open their Bibles to Luke 22:7-9,14,19,20. They followed along as he read. Then the day of unleavened bread came, when the Passover must be killed. He sent Peter and John saying, "Go and prepare for us the Passover, so that we may eat it." … When it was time, Jesus sat down, and the twelve disciples were with him. … Jesus took bread, and gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them saying, "This is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me." Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

Next Don and Anita passed out the little pieces of unleavened bread and read verse 19 again before everyone ate the bread, remembering Jesus. Then they passed out little cups of grape juice and Don read verse 20 again. They all drank it and bowed their

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heads, remembering all that Jesus had so willingly done for them. It was a very precious and meaningful time for them all. After that, they sang the hymn, "One Day" again and it meant even more to them this time.

Many of them felt grateful and kept thanking Jesus silently. Don summed it up for them all when he started the conversational prayer time with, “Jesus, we are so grateful for your great love and all you did for us by willingly taking our place and making our salvation possible, and for this season on our calendars, which focuses on that time in your earthly life.”

Anita added, “We're also very thankful that you didn't stay dead, but were resurrected the third day and appeared to so many of your followers who wrote about it in the Gospels and Acts so that we could read and believe, be saved, and have eternal life with you.”

“Yes, and thank you for this new small group where we can, in unity, take communion in such a meaningful way,” Tony said.

When they arrived home from that meeting Julie stated, “Communion with the small group was so much more meaningful than the ones we've had in the other churches we've attended. I think the words of the songs and the fact that it's Resurrection Day tomorrow had something to do with it, and being in a small group helped also.”

Another day, Brad read in the same booklet, the following quotes about small groups that were made by people at various other times.

“I think small groups are an extremely good idea. There’s no time before or after the church services to get to know anyone, but being in a small group makes up for the lack of time. I’ve learned a lot from the ones I’ve attended since my salvation.”

“Our church small group meetings are very special.”

“The small group for new believers has been a great help to us. We're learning so much,”

“I like the fact that Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there in the midst of them.”

“Yes, I also like the conversational prayer time. I didn't know what to expect, but it's just like everybody was talking to God like he was a part of the group, and they added to what was just prayed or changed the subject as needed.”

Lora commented after supper one day, “I thought our small group last night was extra special. The songs were some of my favorites.”

“Same here,” said Vern, “and I always like to hear the scriptures that go with the songs.”

“So do I,” Mindy added, “and I’m glad the three of us get to attend the small groups as a family. Plus I like the way the teaching time goes so well with the songs and Bible verses.”

 

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Another man said, “We probably won’t be in the same small group, in January because they change all the groups the first week.”

Somebody else mentioned, “They will announce the special baptismal service at church next Sunday for those who would like to attend, especially if they know any of the people who will be baptized. Any small groups that meet on the same day are welcome to come to the service in lieu of their regular small group meeting."

Brad wrote another comment, “That’s why there were so many people in the congregation for the special baptismal service where I was baptized.”

Next are some random happenings connected with small groups.

At their small group meetings two weeks before Easter, people in small groups would receive little notes that invited people to come to church on Easter. They could pass the notes out to friends, acquaintances, and even just people they saw in stores. This happened for all twenty-four churches and it was a great outreach idea that really worked!

Jeff and Karen spent Friday morning cleaning the house and finding their extra folding chairs so there would be enough places for everyone to sit during the small group meeting the next morning. Then Karen left Jeff to finish setting up the chairs and went to bake a couple dozen each, of two kinds of cookies for refreshments. Jeff and she could enjoy some of them for their lunch today before they went to their respective jobs.

Tony desired to be friends with Ted and remembered he had Ted's phone number on the list that Anita had handed out at the small group meeting, so he could call him some evening as soon as he got home from work, or at his supper break time, which would be even better, than calling so late in the evening after he would get home.

One evening, Jason was thinking about all the things he had learned at the new believers small groups and even by listening to the testimonies at the baptismal service. The church services also added to his knowledge, plus now he was able to understand the Bible when he read it at home every day. The words to the hymns and songs that were sung at church and small group meetings were also significant to him. He had bought a hymnal so he could read them over at home. He read some of the other hymns in it also, and learned several more things from them.

In his notebook Brad wrote, “I will start reading the hymnal I will buy and see what I can learn from some of the hymns in it.

A A A An n n no o o otttth h h he e e errrr d d d da a a ay yy y B B B Brrrra a a ad d d d read the following is a Bible study about the LORD and his goodness, which is like the ones used in new believers small groups. This lesson can catch you up if you were not in a regular new believers small group.

 

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The facilitator began by saying, “When you understand who God is and who you are in Jesus, your life can take on new meaning. So in our teaching time today I’m going to hand out some scripture references for some of you to look up and be ready to read and comment on if you have a comment. If you’d rather not read out loud just shake your head when I come to your place.”

He handed out slips of paper with references on them, and let the people have time to find and practice the verses.

Then he instructed, “Put the piece of paper in the place where your verse is in the Bible and listen to the other verses that will be read.”

He put up a poster he had made explaining the name, LORD. The poster said, “Who God is: Exodus 3:14,15, God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM. And he said, this you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you. And God also said to Moses, tell them the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever and this my memorial to all generations.”

Then he explained, “The people in the old testament wouldn’t say the one name of God that meant I AM, because they felt it was too sacred. In writings they would use only the letters YHWH, but not pronounce it. Most translations use the word ‘LORD’ with all capitals, to mean that name, and you’ll see it many times in the old testament. Listen for the name, LORD, in the following old testament scriptures.”

Next he had the people read their scriptures and they talked about each one as it was read.

“Isaiah 43:10,11 says, You are my witnesses, says the LORD, … that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and beside me there is no Savior. This verse makes it very plain that he is the only god who can use the title LORD.”

A member of the group suggested, “This might be a good verse to memorize or have marked in my Bible to show to some of my former friends who believe there are other gods as good as the one spoken about in the churches.”

The next reader said, “I agree. Isaiah 44:6 says, Thus says the LORD the King of Israel, the redeemer, the LORD of hosts, I am the first, and I am the last, and beside me there is no God. This is another good verse to prove there is only one God.”

The people in the group nodded their agreement and the next reader continued, “Psalm 145:8-11 is pretty long, The LORD is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works. All your works shall praise you, O LORD, and your saints

 

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shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and talk of your power. These verses tell many of God’s good attributes.”

Another member remarked, “I really like those verses, because I was always taught God was mean and to be feared. I’ll use them to replace those wrong teachings.”

The next person exclaimed, “What a good idea! Psalm 103:8-12 is another long one and also has many things we can praise and thank God for, because it says, The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always reprimand, neither will he keep his anger forever. He has not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

A member declared, “Wow! Those are good verses! I can use those to counteract the feelings of guilt that plague me at times. Plus, I like Lamentations 3:22,23 a lot. It is because of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions do not fail. They are new every morning, great is his faithfulness. This verse is a great promise for us to claim.”

The facilitator agreed, “It definitely is. In fact my wife and I have those verses done in calligraphy and I put it in one of those plastic protective covers and mounted it beside our bathroom mirror.”

A different member observed, “It sounds like it would be a good idea to read and think about all these verses often.”

The facilitator nodded emphatically and then said, “Our last verses for today are Hebrews 1:1-3, In various ways and different manners, God spoke in the past to the people of Israel. Then he spoke to us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things and by whom also he made the worlds. His son is the brightness of God’s glory, and the express image of his person. He upholds all things by the word of his power. When he had by himself cleansed our sins, he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high…

“To me these verses are saying that the LORD spoke in many ways in the Old Testament and finally in the New Testament by his Son, Jesus, who is equal with him. Jesus made the way to bring us back to God, and because he sits at God’s right hand, he intercedes for us there as it says in the last part of Romans 8:34.

“I prepared a printed page with all these verses you and I read today on it. You can take it home and use it regularly as part of your devotions or Bible study times to remind you who God is and praise him for all he has done for you.”

This ended the small group booklet.

Brad wrote, “I’m definitely looking forward to attending a small group here in Pine City!”

 

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5 5 5 5.... ““““IIII C C C Ca a a an n n D n D D Do o o”””” o

Colossians 1:10,… walk worthy of the Lord… being fruitful

in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…

B B B Brrrra a a ad d d w d w w wa a a as ss s a a a as ss ss ss siiiig g g gn n n ne e e ed d d tttto d o o tttth o h h he e e s e ss sm m m ma a allllllll group facilitated by Walt and Betty a Evans after he moved back into Pine City. His membership brought the group up to 16 members, like many others in the city. Sometimes the group got together for a time of doing fun things together on the weekends when the children also joined in the fun. The group especially enjoyed picnics in the parks.

As soon as Brad joined the group, Tony and Maria talked to him about the booklets for small groups and ministry teams.

Brad told them, “I obtained both of those booklets from the church and I read through the one about small groups before I attended my first meeting of this small group. I was impressed!”

“It is a good booklet,” Tony agreed and then asked, “Brad would you like to join our ministry group? We can answer any questions you have about the other booklet.”

When he said yes, Tony and Maria invited Brad to come to their house for supper one evening so they could all read and talk about the “I Can Do” booklet after eating and clean-up.

Maria explained, “The title for this booklet is taken from Philippians 4:13, which says, I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me.”

“It makes a good title from the first part of that verse,” Brad said and then commented, “I like the verse under the title also. And then he read the introduction. “The main reason for believers being on this earth is to do what Jesus said to do in Mark 16:15,16a,… Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every person. Those who believe and are baptized shall be saved…”

Tony continued reading, “In this booklet you’re going to learn about the ministry most of the small groups are doing. When new believers small groups are ready they will be taught about two by two ministries and go over the material in the “I Can Do” booklet. They have already learned about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and how to listen and follow his guidance. We build the foundation in new groups and then it's time for a new group to get started doing what Jesus told seventy of his followers to do in Luke 10:1,2. Jesus said for them to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers out into his harvest, and for them to go two by two. In verse 9, he told them to heal the sick and to say that the Kingdom of God is near. In

 

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a summary of Matthew 10:8, he added cleanse lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons, and to do it free of charge.”

Maria read next, “He said other things for them to do that don't relate to us. We probably won't encounter lepers either. These disciples were to go into cities before Jesus would come there, and this would get the people ready to hear him. Sometimes when you are doing this ministry together, a miracle of healing might take place and it could be a catalyst for the salvation of many people.”

“Exactly!” Brad exclaimed. “This is just what happened on the Mercy Valley Ranch while I was there. Two girls prayed for another girl whose leg was shorter than the other. Jesus made it grow to match the other one, and she, her three foster sisters and I all accepted Jesus after the two girls explained the Good News to us!”

Tony exclaimed, “Praise the Lord! How wonderful for you! Now I’ll read some more. There's no way to know how many, or if any will be saved when we pray and then go out listening to what Jesus, by means of the Holy Spirit tells us to do, and then doing it. It is important to do what we are told to do immediately. Timing is of the essence. If a person waits too long, the opportunity might be gone. Now it’s your turn to read again, Brad.”

“OK.” said Brad, “This is new information for most of you and probably sounds intimidating. With practice, you'll learn. Moreover, you won't be alone. You'll go with someone who knows how, so you can learn by watching, like the disciples watched Jesus as it says in Acts 10:38,39a, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power and he went around doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We disciples are witnesses of all the things he did…”

After reading that part Brad stated, “I’m grateful the two of you asked me to join your couple’s ministry so I can watch and learn.”

Maria responded, “We're glad we can help you. Now I’ll read some more. I especially like this verse that goes with this part of the booklet. It’s Romans 10:15b, How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! This is what we get to do together. The reason to go in groups of two or more is so we can agree in prayer. Also the other person or people need to be there to help answer questions and add credence to what has been said. But you won't always need two or more people to witness to others.”

“Like when?” Brad asked. “Can you give me an example?”

Tony answered, “Yes, like maybe you would talk to a friend about what happened to you at the ranch. He might ask questions and you could answer the questions and witness about Jesus to him.”

“Oh now I understand,” then Brad continued reading. “Here are some more scriptures to help explain why we go to minister. 2 Corinthians 5:14,15 says, The love of Christ compels us, because we

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judge that if one died for all, then all were dead. He died for all so that those who live should not continue to live for themselves, but for him who died for them and rose again. John 4:35b says: Look at the fields. They are ready to harvest. Matthew 9:13b says: I came to call sinners to repentance. Colossians 3:24b reminds us that it is the Lord we serve.”

Maria explained, “These ministries and the ‘I Can Do’ booklet go very well with the vision the pastor of the Grace ‘n’ Faith church #1 has for all the churches with that same name but with a different number. His goal was to teach believers to desire to live for Jesus because they love him and are grateful for what he did for them, and because lost people need him. Then they go out in teams of two or more to tell others the Good News, answer their questions and invite them to accept Jesus."

“Exactly,” Tony agreed and then said, “Now I’ll read some more. Next, We must remind you that whenever you serve the Lord and do things to bring others to him for salvation, the devil will oppose you in numerous ways, but our victory is guaranteed. Read 1 John 5:4,5 aloud. Whoever is born of God overcomes the world, and faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Who overcomes the world? He who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. The devil is ruling the world right now, so we overcome him by our faith. If we are persecuted or even martyred, we know that for us to live is Christ, and to die is gain, as it says in Philippians 1:21.”

“It’s good to know those things ahead of time,” commented Brad, and then he read again. “Ephesians 6:10-12 says, Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, the rulers of darkness is this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. This part sounds rather alarming to me.”

“I used to think so also,” admitted Tony, “but verses 13-18 show us how to be prepared. I’ll read them. Therefore, take the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand in the evil day. … Stand therefore, having the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet covered with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, with perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

Maria stated, “We need this armor on all day, every day, no matter what we're doing, but especially when we go out to do battle for the souls of people.”

Brad nodded and then exclaimed, “Oh look, they gave us some homework to do. Here it is on the next page. The directions say to

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draw a picture of a first century Roman soldier in his armor with each piece labeled, like it says in those verses. Then you can put it in one of those protective clear plastic holders to keep it clean and dry and hang it in your bathroom by the mirror. Then you can go through the list each morning as preparation for the day, and consciously put the armor on every day.”

“Maria and I have the picture we made in our bathroom,” remarked Tony. “And now I’ll read 1 John 4:4. We are of God … and have overcome … because greater is he that is in (us) than he that is in the world. And in John 16:33b, Jesus said, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. At the end of Matthew 28:20b it says that Jesus would be with them always, even to the end of the world. He is the one who works through us to accomplish his will. Besides, we can claim God’s help. Ephesians 1:19,20, God’s power for us who believe is like his mighty power, which he used when he raised Christ from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in heaven.”

Maria nodded emphatically and then continued reading, “Plan to go at least one time each week into the world and as you go, ask Jesus by his Spirit in you to guide and tell you what to do. Go out in groups of two or more, for accountability and usually with at least one male in the group for the safety of the women. We suggest that the ladies walk ahead, with the men following to be sure they are safe, and for both pairs to look like they are conversing, but they are really praying for the people they see and asking the Holy Spirit to guide everything they say and do. Married couples go out together two by two, but any time another couple needs training, they should go with a couple who has experience. It is not a good idea for unmarried couples to go alone. They need to have at least one more male or female, preferably another couple to keep them accountable to each other.”

“Those are good ideas,” said Brad and then took another turn reading. “There are many and varied ministry possibilities like praying while walking around in a park or neighborhood, or down a street in the business part of the city, all the while being alert for any opportunities to begin a conversation with one or more people. Or possibly you could offer to help someone who is in some obvious need. It is usually best to try to develop rapport with the people before offering to help. But always follow the Holy Spirit's leading and do what he says to do.” He put the booklet down and observed, “It doesn’t sound too hard so far.”

Tony agreed and then took his turn reading. “If you see somebody in a wheel chair, there could be an opportunity to pray for their healing, but as stated before, you need to develop rapport with them before offering to pray. You could easily offend someone otherwise. Handicapped people usually like to think they're doing the best they can and want to feel confident of being as independent as

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possible. Many of them don't want sympathy, or even offers to be helped. It is best to treat them as much like normal people as you can.” He looked up at Maria and Brad and stated, “These are really positive and useful things to know. Many people would never realize them on their own.”

“I’m sure I wouldn’t,” said Brad nodding. “I’m very thankful for the booklets the church has on so many subjects. It is especially valuable to have all the information in print so we can review it later as needed. I could never remember all these things if I just heard a lecture or teaching on it.”

Maria nodded her agreement and remarked, “And here’s another exciting point in the booklet. When there has been an obvious healing, be sure that Jesus receives all the glory for it and try to lead the conversation to the gospel message and encourage them to let Jesus heal their souls and spirits as well. If there have been other people watching and listening, include them in the conversation. This is where and when the evangelism opportunity is the greatest.”

“It does sound exciting,” and then Brad read again. “Try to go out once a week, but stay alert when you’re out doing other things or errands. The idea is to be listening and looking for opportunities wherever you are, even if you’re alone inside a store doing some shopping. You might think of it as lifestyle ministry.”

“That's kind of what Jesus did when he was here on earth,” explained Tony, “now he works through believers who go out in teams of two or more to let Jesus lead them and work through them to do miracles and tell the Good News to people so they can repent, confess their sins, and believe in Jesus to forgive them and give them eternal life. Another good thing to remember is to not be pushy, because it could turn people away.”

"I get it," said Brad. “This makes good sense, and it isn't just a once in a while project, but something you're ready for all the time." Then he asked, "What do we need to bring with us? Oh, I see the answer in the next paragraph. It would be good to have a small Bible along with you in case they ask any questions you might need to look up. It is a good idea to be ready to explain the gospel and know how to lead a person to Christ for salvation. You might want to practice that before you go. Plus, you should always carry some of those little booklets and cards like Don gives out to new believers at church in case some of them do decide to believe.”

Then Tony read the closing paragraph, “Always remember to pray before you meet together and also when you are together. The reason is because we can use all the help we can get. After your ministry time, be sure to have a debriefing session about the ministry time and pray about anything that needs to have God’s help. Choose a day would be the best for everyone on your team to go.”

This ends the “I Can Do” booklet.

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Brad commented, “This was kind of a long booklet to read aloud and talk about in one evening, but I’m glad we were able to complete it and now I understand the process better.”

After some discussion, they decided that Sundays would be a good time for all three of them to go out and do this ministry together for Jesus. Since they all enjoyed bike riding, whenever the weather permitted, the three of them rode their bikes in the parks and were ready to minister to people they saw. Brad got so he was also good at listening for guidance and doing what Jesus said to do.

 

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6 6.... ““““T 6 6 T T Th h h he e e IIIId e d de d e e ea a a a L L Liiiis L ss stttt””””

These are ministry ideas in addition to the ones already mentioned in the “I Can Do” booklet. I admit that I do not have enough suggestions to make Little Booklets for the ideas on the lists that might need them, so I have just made a list with some of the ideas expanded for ministry times. I tried to add details and other ideas so people could use them to try it themselves. You can add many more of your own, plus ideas from your small groups and other believing friends.

Remember, the guidelines in he “I Can Do” booklet. Choose as many as you can do with Jesus help. Make them part of your own lifestyle ministry.

If you are doing laundry at a Laundromat, be friendly and visit with the people there. Grab opportunities to plant seeds about the Good News. This works best when you are not in a hurry.

In a park or mall, notice people who are sitting alone on a bench looking despondent. Pray for them, ask Jesus what to do. Follow his leading and if you get to converse with them, be a good listener also.

You might be able to witness to another couple as you all walk together in the park. If they make fun of you at first, instead of reacting in anger, be gracious. Pretty soon the couple might start asking questions really wanting answers instead of ridiculing. If you answer questions and explain the gospel to them, they might accept Jesus as their Savior.

Take a trash bag to pick up trash as you walk along the paths in the park, praying for the people you see and looking for opportunities to start conversations about the gospel.

New believers, invite some of your friends to come see you be baptized and listen to your testimony. They will also hear the ones of other new believers and hopefully a salvation message also.

When shopping for groceries or in department stores, look for people who might need help or who look discouraged. For example do your grocery shopping and combine it with your couple’s ministry.

As a couple you could offer to help carry purchases for someone to their car and look for an opportunity to share the Good News.

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The next five ideas are from Patrick and Glenda in the fourth novel. Patrick suggested, “When we’re shopping for groceries or other things, we could put tracts up on public bulletin boards if the stores have them. Plus here’s another thing we could add to the list. I’ll be willing to stop doing yard work in order to carry on a conversation that might lead to a chance to plant gospel seeds.”

“Excellent,” declared Glenda, “and when we go walking and notice people in their front yards we could stop and chat for a while, since privacy fences are too high to allow neighbors to visit over the fence in the back or side yards.

Patrick added, “Precisely, and since my job at The Garden Shop is part of my lifestyle, I’ll ask Ernest if I can interrupt my task to talk to a customer if it’s appropriate.”

“Great,” she concurred, “and we can show pictures of our grandkids on our phones to people we stop and talk to, and have it lead into how thankful we are for our families and how good our God has been to us.”

When walking or jogging or running or biking for exercise, be looking for opportunities to plant gospel seeds.

Read big format books or tell flannel graph stories about the Good News in a park or shopping mall to children. You could build a storytelling booth that folds down for transport.

You could plan to become friends and then witness and share the gospel with your coworkers. After you are friends, try to introduce the topic of dying, which is something most people dread. After they have each made it clear that they definitely do dread it, You could state, "This may surprise you, but one thing I can look forward to is dying." Then use Philippians 1, and a summary of the apostle Paul’s life before and after he met Jesus, to explain why he thinks dying would be gain. Include 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 also. Then tell them the Good News, and invite them to accept Jesus.

Or you could use the following scriptures one or two at a time and be ready to answer questions you coworkers might have. Romans 6:23, Hebrews 2:14b,15, John 3:36, John 14:1-6, John 11:25, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8, Philippians 1:21,23,24, 3:21a.

Wednesday after school Bible Story Groups are for younger children, and they need big books or flannel graph stories. Bible Study Groups are for older children, and they need some videos that explain what the Bible is about. First you would need to go door to door in your neighborhood to find interested children and agreeing parents. The children like cookies and something to drink before they go home.

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Wednesday Bible study and story groups take perseverance and time. Be ready to help them pray to accept Jesus. Continue to pray for those who are doing that ministry, since prayer and encouragement to keep going are very helpful.

After School Places keep the kids off the streets or from being home alone when school lets out. It can include tutoring, or help with homework after they play a few active games to give them a break from school work. Decide what age level or mixed age group you would prefer.

You could get started by going door to door asking parents if they would like to have their children go to a neighborhood home after school where they could get some exercise, have time to do homework and get help with it, if needed, and also learn something about the Bible each day. It would be a good idea to talk to the parents at that time about a weekly fee they could afford to pay so the children will feel more obligated to keep coming. Try to have many ideas of things to do with the children, and get materials to use for doing this project. If you have children of your own, try to get them involved in helping with the ones that come.

Teach your children how to do evangelism in the public school. Each child should prepare and write his own story of how he received Jesus to be his own personal Savior. They should practice it and be ready to share it, plus learn other ways to share the Good News. Have them make friends with their classmates before sharing. Buy them New Testaments with a list of scriptures to use and maybe a diagram about how Jesus is the bridge to God.

When your children get to high school get them into a youth group with a leader who will obtain many copies of “The Life Book” from Gideons International, so they can give them to their friends in the high school. It can also be downloaded as a PDF file by going to the web site thelifebook.com and following their directions. But the little printed books might be more appealing.

Do RV travel evangelism for sightseers and have it be another ministry you could do as a couple or family. Turn your traveling into a ministry to serve Jesus. Choose state and national parks or monuments where you might be able to minister. Plan ahead and make reservations in campgrounds where you can have meetings at your campsite to sing hymns and share the Good News, answer questions, and invite people to accept Jesus. While you are hiking or going to view points be observant and take every opportunity to steer conversations to talk about God, The Creator, The Bible, Jesus…

 

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Do travel evangelism as a business worker, like sales people, pilots, flight attendants, tour guides, army, navy, air force, and marine chaplains, others in the service, truck drivers, geologists, and teachers who teach English in foreign countries, plus many others. Always be ready to share your faith whenever you can.

Parents help your kids have a lemonade stand as a ministry where you only need to charge enough to pay your expenses. Choose a time that works best for you and your kids. Be ready with tracts, which are little pamphlets that tell the Good News, to give if people want them. Your kids can answer questions and witness when it’s appropriate.

Have a yard sale with little pamphlets that tell the Good News available for people to take one free if they will read and think about it. Be ready to answer questions.

Raise one or more foster children. Teach them about the Bible and Jesus and the Good News so Jesus can save and restore them. Use “Keys for Kids for young children and “Unlocked” for teens, which are devotionals. Read the book, “It Couldn’t Just Happen,” by Lawrence Richards, with them and talk about it.

Babysit with the children of a believing couple so they can go do couple’s ministries without having to take their little ones with them.

Do day care for families in your church or your neighborhoods who want to keep their preschool age little ones out of public preschools and have them learn Bible stories and songs and ways to get along with others. Some moms might team with another mom or older woman with no kids at home to do day care, which could be like a preschool, and they could use a bible based curriculum. They could rotate houses or just use the mom’s house who has kids of her own.

With two adults they could care for more children than two moms could by working alone and they could divide the money they earned. It would lessen the work each would have alone and give them a chance to take a little break when necessary during the day. This way the kids would never be left alone. They could team teach or each teach her own area of expertise.

Some couples might try out this idea, which is to pray for those people who go door to door to get people to join their religion. When the doorbell rings, be ready with an appropriate little pamphlet, which you take with you out on the porch and say, “We'll listen to what you believe, if you will first read this pamphlet out loud to us and ask questions if you have any.”

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Ask another family who has no relatives in your area to join you for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Make friends and when it’s appropriate, share the Good News with them.

If you have a dude ranch, or large farm or cattle ranch with homes for workers to live in change those homes into Caring Foster Homes. Maybe even consider building more homes if you have the room and finances.

Open a Coffee or Tea Chat Room in your restaurant, or other appropriate business, where you can start conversations with people, get them talking about spiritual matters and answer their questions.

Try visiting an older lady or man in an assisted living apartment as a ministry you could do on weekends as a single person.

Practice singing together as a family and if you get good enough you might figure out a way to use it as a ministry. Learn new songs and some more scripture verses to use in ministry times. Use many scripture verses you already had memorized to tell the Good News and answer many of the questions people asked. Here are some verses to use.

Acts 16:31, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved. John 3:36a, He who believes on Jesus, the Son, has everlasting life. Acts 4:12, Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven among men by which we can be saved. Romans 10:9, If you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.

Visit museums or zoos and be ready to share the Good News with others. If the museum has fossils be ready to tell what, and why you believe about how they were formed and also tell the Good News.

If there is an inside shopping mall, set up a nativity scene with tracts or people there to tell the real reason for the Christmas season.

Two couples who like to sing as a quartet for their ministry times could have music to accompany them on a small boom box. They could practice together and memorize scriptures that go with the songs. Then they could sing for people in the parks and start conversations about the songs and the Good News.

Do family ministry times together in the park or stores or in nursing homes.

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Make friends with a Jewish person and later decide together to memorize scriptures out of the Old Testament, especially Psalms. Check each other as they are said and encourage each other, plus tell why the scripture is liked. Then show how some Old Testament scriptures go with Mew Testament ones about Jesus being the Messiah. Possible scriptures include: Psalm 33:6,8, 9, Psalm 32:1,2 with Romans 4:6-8, Matthew 26:23 goes with Psalm 41:9, Psalm 27:12b goes with Mark 14:56. There are several that go with Psalm 22: Matthew 27:39,43, Matthew 27:35, Matthew 27:46c, John 19:37b. Psalm 34:20 goes with John 19:36. Be ready to tell them the Good News when they are ready to listen.

Write creation story booklets for each age level, including preschool, elementary, middle, and high school. Each book would contain explanations and photographs of different parts of creation, proving that only God, the Master Designer, could be the Creator. Include the story of Jesus and the Good News in each one.

Practice guitars as a family and learn new songs to use in your ministry times inside the shopping mall or in city parks.

Do movie nights for unbelieving family or friends with videos like “The Jesus Film,” or “Magdalena,” or other videos that tell the Good News. Be sure to watch the video yourself first so you can answer questions about it. When you invite people, tell them what kind of movie it is and entice them with the promise of all the popcorn they can eat. Just one family or a small group of people who are already friends will work best.

Find pictures of lighthouses you can show on a large computer monitor or display some from a calendar. Go to a place like in a park or an inside shopping mall where people can gather to look at the pictures. Sing or play a recording of the song “Jesus Is the Lighthouse.” Listen to their comments, answer questions, share the Good News and invite them to accept Jesus as their Savior. Do this as a team who works well together answering questions and presenting the gospel. Repeat the project for several weeks, but on different days and hours so you could reach people who might come at various other times.

 

S S S Stttta a arrrrtttt a a a a a h h h ho o o ou u us u ss se e e c e cc ch h h hu u urrrrc u cc ch h h o h o o orrrr p p plllla p a a an n ntttt a n a a c a cc ch h h hu u u urrrrc cc ch h h.... h

Maybe you have desired to start a house church, like the ones you can read about in the book of Acts in the Bible, or plant a church,

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either where you are living now, or in another city or town that needs one. If so, the little booklets and short books included in this volume could be used to teach the new believers who would result from your own ministry ideas or ones you could use from The Idea List, which is in this book.

Here is a short summary of how the church in the Sunshine Series of novels was started. The pastor’s goal or objective was to teach believers to desire to live for Jesus because they love him and appreciated what he had done for them, and because lost people need him.

While the pastor was in seminary he heard a song called “Go Right Out,” sung by the Cathedrals. It’s message was that somebody ought to go tell the good news of salvation to the people who are lost in sin, so they can repent, confess their sins, and believe in Jesus to forgive them and give them eternal life.

He realized that every believer is a somebody.” So he teamed up with another believer and they brought in one more and then more, until they had enough for teams of two or more to continue bringing more in as believers. They grew until they had enough for a house church and then grew some more until they could rent a church for meetings on Saturdays. The church continued to grow and they collected enough money to build their own building. But the building was not his goal. His goal was to bring the wanderers in and have them become believers who were then taught how to live for Jesus and go out in teams of two or more to bring in more, who would continue the cycle.

Later, the church sent church planting group of ten couples to cities they knew needed a good church. They did a great job.

H H H He e errrre e e e a e a a arrrre e e s e ss so o om o m m me e e s e ss stttte e e ep p p ps ss s tttth h ha h a atttt c a cc co o o ou u u ulllld d d d b b be b e e u e u u us ss se e ed e d d d tttto o o o p p plllla p a an a n ntttt a n a a a c cc ch h hu h u u urrrrc cc ch h h.... h

Choose a pastor and his wife who know and agree that they will have to support themselves with a job and be a pastor also, because that is the best way church plants can work. They will lead a group of about ten couples or families including his. Choose a city that needs a church like the one described in the first little booklet, called “Your New Life.” Then select the people who will volunteer to move there with him. Volunteers need to pray and wait for God's clear guidance and be committed.

They will become a small group that will learn and plan together. The group will take all of the little booklets and short books in PDF format to either make copies to give to people, or send as PDF files to their email’s so they can read them on their monitors and also they could make copies for themselves if they so desired.

The booklets and short books are a way to teach the new believers who result from their efforts. Then the new believers can go

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out and bring in more believers and continue the cycle of teaching them how to live for Jesus and go out and win more. As the cycle is repeated, the Good News is spread more rapidly. One couple might be able to get a church started, but it is much faster with a church plant group, led by a pastor and as many people as he wants to have in the group.

Those volunteers would sell their houses and get moved to the new city and get jobs. They would continue meeting as a small group in their homes, and start going out in teams of two or more to share the Good News and invite people to believe in Jesus as their Savior. As they would start to grow they would divide into more small groups and continue to meet in homes.

For united weekend services they would meet in a large home. When the congregation would get too big for a home, they would meet in a park if the weather would permit. For baptismal services they would use private home pools or even public swimming pools.

Other outreaches could be done, such as the Wednesday children's groups, workers who stock shelves being alert to catch and redirect shoplifters and gang members, and have Caring Foster Homes for those children who need them. The pastor and his congregation would be alert to other needs in the community and try to provide for those needs.

When there would be enough people, they could rent a sanctuary from another church for a unified Sunday or Saturday service, whichever day and time would be available. Then if it looked like the congregation was getting too large for that sanctuary, it would be time to consider other options like, renting a larger sanctuary, dividing into two groups and having two services, or sending church plants to other cities.

For families with preschool children in the group, women who don't work outside the home could do daycare using a Bible based preschool curriculum. As the congregations of the church would grow, and if there would be enough children later for Kindergarten through third grades, other women could do daycare and use a good Bible based curriculum for each of those grades. This is also a good way to take care of children in the church while other parents are working. By doing this, no school buildings would need to be built.

All the people would need to continue to cooperate and work together to make the church plants operate the way they are intended to work. A summary of Philippians 2:2-5 says to, Be like-minded, … have love, be of one accord, of one mind. … Do nothing through strife or with boasting, but in humility, esteem others and care about them. Let the mind of Jesus be in you. And in John 17:21, Jesus prayed for all believers, that they all may be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I am in you, that they also may be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

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New believers would need to be taught in small groups, so members would need to volunteer and be trained to be facilitators of new believer small groups. Every person going with the church plant group would need to agree with the plans and be willing to work very hard. It would not be just moving to a different city and getting new jobs. It would be doing everything possible to make the church plant a success and see many people brought into the family of God. In essence, it would be a missionary project. The main reason to have church plants is to do as Jesus commissioned his followers to do in Matthew 28:19,20, Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you… I am with you always even unto the end of the world.

They would be very successful, because Jesus would be right there helping every person do his best to cooperate, encourage each other, and work together to win as many people to the Lord as possible. They would follow the instructions in Romans 15:5b,6, which says, Be like-minded toward one another according to Christ Jesus, so that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

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7 7.... ““““B 7 7 B B Be e e ec cc co o o om m m me e e H e H H Ho o o on n n no o o orrrra a a ab b b blllle e e e P P P Pe e e eo o o op p p plllle e e e””””

Colossians 1:10,… walk worthy of the Lord… being fruitful in every

good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…

Introduction: Many of the scenes and ideas in this short book are copied with the author’s permission, from novels in the Sunshine Series, by Linda L. Linn. In that series, William Beckett and Karen Spencer and others wrote a book with teachings on how to grow up to be honorable men and women. Karen Spencer was the Bible teacher for the foster girls on the Mercy Valley Ranch, and William Beckett taught the foster boys on Mercy Valley Farm. This book includes scenes for boys and for girls in order to make it interesting to both groups.

The book they wrote in that series included many of the lessons

they had taught on the farm and the ranch. Most of the lessons also included the comments and questions of the students in the classes, because they used recordings of their Bible classes on the farm and on the ranch. First, they had gotten permission from their students to use what they had said during the classes. These lessons were brought into book five of the Sunshine series. To do this, the author added comments to each lesson, made by a family on the farm who used them for devotional or Bible Study times. The family is Greg and Oralie Iverson and their own son, Cory, who moved to Mercy Valley Farm to raise four foster boys. Their names were Kevin, Daniel, Levi, and Max. So their comments are also included in this volume.

One of the prerequisites for becoming honorable man or woman is to believe in Jesus, the Son of God, and all he did when he lived on Earth so many years ago. Therefore some of the teachings were about the Good News.

B B B Be e e ec cc ca a a au u us u ss se e e e C C Co C o orrrry o yy y w w w wa a as a ss s d d d de e etttte e e e errrrm m m miiiin n n ne e ed e d d to become an honorable man, he d had showed his parents the two short books William Beckett had given to him. Then his parents had read the books. After they finished reading them, Cory had told them more about the books, “William told me these are for young men and young ladies and they were written by William Beckett, and Karen Spencer, and others. He explained to me that they had used recordings of their Bible classes on the farm and on the ranch, after they had gotten permission from their students to use what they had said during the classes.”

Oralie commented, “It sounds like a unique way to write a book.”

 

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Cory nodded “Yes, and I think it will make the books more interesting.”

Another day he asked, “Dad and Mom, do you think my little brothers are old now enough to listen as you would take turns reading sections of those two books? And if so, would you start reading the first of the two books to my brothers and me?”

“We’ll be glad to, Cory,” answered Greg, his dad. “We’ve already read them once, silently, and they are both very good books. Your mom and I will take turns reading them to all five of you boys and you can all make comments or ask questions as we go.”

Cory added, “Thank you and perhaps it would be best if we don’t say I’m the one who got these books so I can just be one of the boys.”

“What a good idea!” Oralie declared. “We'll just tell them who the authors are and how they wrote the books.”

So for their next family Bible study time Greg and Oralie explained to the boys about the book called, “Become Honorable People,” and that they planned to read a section of the book out loud to them from time to time. There would be time for comments and questions and answers at the end of the reading time. Then he let the boys choose the color they wanted for new notebooks and pens in all different colors, so each boy had his own matching colors to use during those times.

Greg explained, “Now you can write notes or comments about the lessons, and it will be easier to remember them later. We’ll also have the book as a PDF file so you can read it or parts of it again.”

Here is the first section that Greg read to them.

On the farm William was teaching some of the foster boys about patience and how it contrasts with temper and anger. “Let’s read Proverbs 14:29 together, He that is slow to get angry has great understanding, but he that is hasty exalts folly.” Now find and read Proverbs 19:11, The discretion of a man defers his anger, and it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”

Hugo asked, “What is discretion?”

“Since the dictionary isn’t here today,” answered William, “I’ll tell you that I think it means carefulness or caution.”

Luis said, “So a careful or cautious person postpones his anger.”

“Yes,” William agreed, “Besides, many times when we delay our anger, it goes away without hurting anyone, which is what the rest of that verse indicates.”

Jose questioned, “So is it better to not show anger, but instead ignore the offense or wrong done to us?”

“Most of the time it is,” responded William. “If we can be slow to get angry or postpone it, we can think more clearly. Then if we need to talk to the person about the offense, like if it keeps happening, then we can get advice from our parents or a counselor who can help us

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know the best way to confront the person. On the other hand it might be best to not confront. There are times when might be better to not associate with that person any longer instead.”

Pedro shared, “In a case like that it would be best if that person never saw your anger. Some people just like to do things in order to see someone get angry.”

“That’s a great point, Pedro, and it leads right into our next set of verses. Listen as I read Colossians 1:9b-12, We pray that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you may walk worthy of the Lord, pleasing him and being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might according to his glorious power, unto all patience and endurance and joyfulness, giving thanks unto the Father who has made us able to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”

“Those verses are amazing!” exclaimed Luis. “Who prayed that prayer?”

William replied, “Yes they are! Paul, the apostle, and Timothy who wrote this letter, prayed it for the believers in the church in Colossae. Read the verses again to yourselves and see how it might help you to have patience instead of anger.”

When they finished Jose shared, “Since I accepted Jesus, his Spirit is in my heart. We learned earlier that in Jesus are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, so when his Spirit is in us we have access to those treasures and he can help us.”

Luis continued, “The rest of the verses say if we have wisdom and knowledge we can be pleasing to God.”

“Plus,” exclaimed Pedro, “God will strengthen us with his power, resulting in patience!”

Then Hugo admitted, “I don’t know why I’ve waited so long to accept Jesus like you did, Jose. I’ve seen how much he’s helped you because you’re my roommate. Will you please help me pray the way you did that day?”

“I'd be very glad to,” said a joy filled Jose. “You don’t have to use the exact words I said, but what I prayed was: Jesus, I realize I'm a sinner and I’m sorry for my sins. Please forgive me for sinning. Please be my Savior. Thank you for loving me enough to die and pay the penalty for my sins. Help me to change the way I live so I can live for you instead. Amen.”

So Hugo bowed his head and prayed something very similar, but in his own words. When he opened his eyes he smiled the happiest, joy filled smile in his whole life, and exclaimed, “Thank you, Jesus for being my Savior!”

Pedro, Luis, and all the other boys in that age group took turns praying their version of the prayer and by the end of the class time,

 

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there were eleven new believers! The angels in heaven and Jose and William had a wonderful time rejoicing.

William closed the meeting by reading the Colossians verses again and saying, “Now that all of you are believers, Jesus will answer that prayer for your lives, like he has been doing for Jose.”

Then he found the song on the web, “It Is No Secret (What God Can Do),” sung by Jim Reeves and played it, while the boys followed along with the words on the monitor. They were nodding and smiling, and even sang along with the ending.

Hugo exclaimed, “This song is so true! God just did for us boys what he had already done for Jose!”

“That’s for sure!” agreed Luis.

And Pedro added, “Exactly! Thank you William for teaching us about the Bible and God and Jesus!”

The rest of them agreed as they left the room so the next group could come in for a lesson.

Greg mentioned, “This is the end of the first section.”

Kevin stated, “I liked hearing how those boys prayed to accept Jesus.”

“So did I,” agreed Daniel, “because each of us younger boys accepted Jesus right after that boy in the wheelchair was healed on the farm.”

Cory nodded and tacked on, “And I accepted Jesus the same day he healed my legs in the park when I was in second grade. Also in this lesson, I liked hearing about a good way to handle anger. It might come in handy some day.”

“For sure,” and Levi continued, “I think those verses in Colossians would be good ones to memorize.”

“Same here,” said Max, “but I think I’ll need some extra time since it’s so long.”

The whole family joined in on that project and the verses became a prayer each of them prayed often.

G G G Grrrre e e eg g g rrrre g e e em m ma m a a arrrrk kk ke e e ed d d d, “As soon as we have all our chores done, we’ll go out and practice some more ball skills, and then when we come back inside I’ll read another segment of “Become Honorable People” for our evening devotional time.”

All the boys cheered, did a good job on their chores, and had fun outside. They came with their Bibles, notebooks and pens, and were ready to listen as Greg read to them.

William did a Bible Study about mercy especially for the boys who were twelve years old on the farm, since the ones who were ten and eleven had already accepted Jesus. They already had a different lesson on another day for new believers.

“All of you boys know that this is Mercy Valley Truck Farm. It’s called that for at least two reasons. First, it’s in the valley containing

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Mercy Stream, and second, it reminds us of God’s mercy. Find and read with me James 5:11b, The Lord is very compassionate and of tender mercy. Someone look up the first term and tell us what it means.”

One boy did and responded, “Compassionate means to feel or show sympathy and concern. A few synonyms are: caring, loving, understanding, merciful, and kind.”

“Thank you, said William. “In the Greek language of the New Testament, it means to suffer together and do something to relieve the other person’s suffering. Now hand the dictionary to the boy next to you so he can look up mercy.”

The other boy said, “Mercy is a noun and means forgiveness is given instead of punishment. It has synonyms like leniency, grace, compassion and pity.”

“Yes,” agreed William. “So mercy is what makes it possible for God to give us forgiveness even though we don’t deserve it. Find Micah 7:18 and read aloud with me. Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity?… and he does not remain angry forever because he delights in mercy.”

A boy mentioned, “I’ve heard awful stories about gods in ancient times having no mercy and doing horrid things.”

“Exactly,” William concurred, “and that’s why this verse is so meaningful to us today. But God’s compassion and mercy aren’t automatic. We have to do our part.”

Another boy asked, “What’s our part?”

William responded, “The next two verses we’ll read together have the answer. Proverbs 28:13, He who covers up his sins shall not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy. And Isaiah 55:7, Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Do you see the answer?”

The boy replied, “Yes, it’s just like you have told us before. We need to confess that we sin, be willing to not do those sins, and ask God to have mercy on us and forgive us.”

“You’re completely right,” responded William. “Both of those verses are from the Old Testament. Who remembers what God did in the New Testament to pay the penalty for all sins and be able to forgive all who do what?”

A different boy answered, “God sent his Son, Jesus who lived a perfect life and willingly died to pay the penalty, and what each person can do is to believe in Jesus, confess his sins, and ask Jesus to be his Savior.”

“I understand now!” exclaimed the other boy. “I'll do it right now!” He bowed his head, closed his eyes and sincerely prayed the sinners’ prayer including things he had just learned.

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Each one of the other seven boys in the group took turns praying their own prayer and asked Jesus to be their Savior, followed by a time of thanksgiving and praise.

Karen did the same lesson for the girls who were eleven and twelve years old on the ranch. All eight of them were also saved!

“Wow!” Max declared, “This was a very powerful lesson and resulted in a lot of boys and girls being saved!”

Kevin agreed, “Yes, and I’m glad there are such good Bible teachers on the farm and the ranch.”

“Same here,” and Cory added, “especially since those who were older when they came to the farm and the ranch didn’t get to attend the church school.”

Daniel stated, “I’m glad we get to listen to some of the lessons,

since we didn’t go to those classes.”

“So am I,” said Levi, “we could use some of those verses with kids in the public school when they are willing to listen.”

The boys wrote Levi’s suggestion in their notebooks and later they practiced with each other.

O O O Orrrra a a alllliiiie e e e e e e ex xx xp p plllla p a aiiiin a n ne n e e ed d d d, “This section of ‘Become Honorable People’ is something we all know how to do now, but it will be a good review for us anyway.” So she read it.

Karen and William taught all their Bible Study and Bible Story groups how to memorize Bible verses. They used short easy ones for the younger children and longer ones for the older boys and girls after learning how with a short verse.

Karen started by saying, “Today you’re going to learn how to memorize a verse from the Bible. Please look up Psalm 119:11.”

When all of them had found it, they read it out loud. “ I have hidden your word in my heart so I won’t sin against you, LORD.” Then they sang the song that goes with it.

Karen said, “Good job.” She had the verse written on a chart in

the front of the room. She had them read it again from the chart.

Emma asked, “Why do we need to memorize what it says in the Bible when we could just look it up and read it?”

Lisa answered her, “Because maybe we won’t have a Bible with us when we’d want to say the verse.”

“Oh, that’s true. Thank you, Lisa,” said Emma.

Hanna continued, “This verse gives us another reason also: it’s so we won’t sin against God.”

“Good thinking, girls,” Karen commended them. “Now we’ll memorize this verse. The first step was to read it out loud together. Next we looked at what the verse meant. Hanna told us part of the meaning. I’ll help with the rest. What do I hide?”

Stella answered, “God’s word, which is the Bible. Wow! Does that mean we need to memorize the whole Bible?”

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All the girls looked worried and started to get restless.

Karen relieved their minds by responding, “That’s a very good question, Stella. No, we do NOT need to memorize the whole Bible. I don’t know anyone who has ever memorized the whole Bible, but I suppose it could be done. I think we need to memorize the parts that will help us.”

Liz commented, “This verse will help us to not sin.”

“Right, Liz,” said Karen. “The next question is where do we hide God’s word?”

All the girls said together, “In my heart.”

“Correct,” acknowledged Karen, “and in this verse, it’s not the organ that pumps our blood but it’s the central part of who we are, what we desire, how we feel, what we plan to do, … There have been many books written about what the heart is. Right now we want to think about it as a place to hide God’s word. So we could add the word ‘memory’ to the list.”

Ellie shared, “I think the memory is part of the brain where we put things we want or need to remember.”

“Exactly,” Karen agreed. “The easiest way for me to memorize is to divide the verse in half or smaller parts if it’s a long verse. This verse is easy to divide in half.” She underlined the first part and had them say it over and over. Then she covered it up and had them repeat it without looking at it.

Lisa jokingly remarked, “No fair looking at the verse in the Bible!”

Nan replied, “OK, I’ll close mine.”

“I agree,” stated Karen, “let’s all close our Bibles so we won’t be distracted. Good, now everyone say the first half again.”

Most of them did it correctly, so Karen had them learn the last half of the verse. They said it several times and then she had them put the parts back together and say the whole verse. Her timer went off and she exclaimed, “Oh! Our time’s already gone. Next time we’ll say this verse again and learn another one, so review this one at home and bring this paper with you next time,” she instructed as she handed out a page to each girl.

“This is the end of today’s section,” said Oralie.

Levi commented, “I learned how to memorize at the church school, while I was in first grade.”

“So did I,” and Max remarked, “You were right, Mom. It was a good review, especially about the reasons we need to memorize God’s word.”

“Yes, and I think that lesson must have been taught very soon after the girls came to the ranch to live,” stated Daniel.

“I agree,” and Cory mentioned, “A few of those girls are in some of my classes in the high school, so by now they have been on the ranch about the same amount of time as we have been on the farm.”

 

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“I would imagine they have learned a lot of memory verses by now and that the verses help them, like they help us,” Kevin reasoned.

O O O Orrrra a a alllliiiie e e s e ss sa a aiiiid a d d,,,, ““““N d N N No o o ow w w w IIII g g g ge e e etttt to read the next section of ‘Become Honorable People.’ This lesson continues teaching how to memorize God’s Word.”

The next meeting Karen had with the girls at the ranch, she had them repeat Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden your word in my heart so I won’t sin against you, LORD.”

Karen continued, “Now we need to learn to say the reference every time, before and after the verse. It’s like the address of the verse. We do this so other people will know where to find it.”

After they did it correctly several times, Karen explained, “It’s best to memorize the Bible verse exactly as it is in our Bible, so when you copy a verse to memorize, be sure to do it correctly. Today you’ll get to choose the next verse you’ll memorize.”

The girls smiled about it, maybe planning to find a short one.

“I chose three short ones for you to pick from, so please look up Philippians 4:4 and read it with me. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Now put a bookmark in this place, and find Colossians 3:20a and read it with me. Children, obey your parents in all things… Put another bookmark here and find Proverbs 15:1a. Read it with me. A soft answer turns away anger.”

They looked up at her and she instructed, “Now read each of these three verses to yourself and think about which one might help you the most. Maybe you’re sad a lot. Which one would help you with your problem? Or it might be hard for you to obey, or you might have a habit of answering in anger. Choose the one you think will help you the most so you can memorize it.”

It was very quiet while they were reading and thinking. When it looked like they were ready, Karen said, “Okay now copy it correctly on the paper under the first verse we memorized.”

They finished, and she had them stand up with their papers, and went on to say, “You’ll be working in groups to memorize the verse you chose. If you chose Philippians 4:4, go sit in the chairs at your right. If you chose Colossians 3:20a, go sit in the chairs at your left, and if you chose Proverbs 15:1a, go sit in the chairs at the back of the room.”

They followed those directions and she told them, “Now, follow the steps on this chart: Say the reference before the verse, divide the verse in half, and say the first part over and over until you’ve learned it. Then say the second part and the reference again. Say the whole verse over and over with the reference before and after it until you feel ready to have someone in your group listen to you and help you if you get stuck. Be helpful and encourage each other.”

 

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By the end of the meeting time each girl had learned another Bible verse and it would help her with a problem she had.

For the next meeting Karen handed out a list of verses they could choose from to continue on their own. They’re listed here. Philippians 4:8, Isaiah 32:17, 2 Corinthians 1:20-22, Psalm 34:1-9, Hebrews 6:17-19, Jude 1:24,25, Psalm 31:19,20, 1 John 5:2-5, Hebrews 11:1,3,6, Colossians 3:12-17, Isaiah 26:3,4, Jeremiah 17:7,8, 1 Timothy 6:6,8, Philippians 4:13, 2 Peter 1:5-7, 1 John 3:1-3, Hebrews 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24, 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Romans 11:33-36, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

She added, “You can find others as you read the Bible. Here’s an idea you could try. Instead of writing the verses on notebook paper, you could use little three inch by five inch file cards and keep them in a little file box. The verses will be easier to review that way, especially if you rotate through them in an orderly fashion. If you neglect to review the verses, you will probably forget them and need to start over. Before you go, let’s sing ‘Thy Word,’ which is Psalm 119:105 set to music, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

“The end of this part,” said Oralie. “I like that song.”

Kevin agreed, “So do I, and we all know how to play and sing it with our guitars. The second part of it also goes well with Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them, for the LORD your God goes with you. He will not fail you, nor forsake you.”

“Indeed, what a good verse!” Then Daniel requested, “Mom, would you please put that list of verses up on the computer monitor so I can check through it and look up the ones I haven’t learned yet?”

“What a great idea!” Levi exclaimed, “I can look at it at the same time and choose some more for myself.”

Cory mentioned, “Karen’s idea of file cards in a little file box is the same way we do ours, and it works very well.”

“For sure, and this was another good lesson,” stated Max. “Thanks for reading it, Mom. I like your good expression.”

Dad and the other boys added their thanks and Mom responded, “You’re all very welcome. I enjoy reading out loud.”

G G G Grrrre e e eg g g p g p p prrrre e effffa e a a ac cc ce e e ed d d d h h hiiiis h ss s reading of this section of “Become Honorable People,” by saying, “This section is long and has some very good scriptures in it.