By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 8:4-9, 19-22 I Samuel, chapters 8-11, provide the account of how Israel transitioned from being led by judges into a monarchy led by a king. Judges were used by God as national leaders for the 12 tribes of Israel. However, there came a time when they wanted to be like the nations surrounding them. They demanded a king. Samuel
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 6:25-34 We often hear people say, “Don’t worry about it.” We have all heard those words. They are easy words to say, but hard to put into practice. It is amazing that we worry about the same things that people worried about 2,000 years ago. People worried about their finances (Matthew 6:19), about food (Matthew 6:25a), fitness or
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 5:1-6; 6:11-16 God was working to reveal His holiness and power to the people of Israel. The house of Eli had been rejected as God’s priests. Times were changing. The Philistines were attacking. Chaos and confusion were the order of the day. Israel was losing a battle with the Philistines. They brought the ark of the covenant into the
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 6:19-24 This section of the Sermon on the Mount deals with wealth and possessions. Possessions are important to all people of all ages. Jesus warns to invest in things that will last. Life is too short and eternity too long for us to seek fool’s gold and imitation pearls. In vv. 19-21, we are told to be careful
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 6:9-15 Jesus reminds us of the importance of prayer. He warned not to pray as the hypocrites do, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Now Jesus shows us the proper way to pray and this prayer is often called, “The Model Prayer” or “The Lord’s
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 3: 1-10, 17-21 Samuel was a boy of about 12 when he heard God’s call. Youth is the best time for a person to hear God’s voice. As a boy, he ministered to the Lord in the tabernacle by helping Eli, the old priest (I Samuel 3:1). He probably swept the floors or did other chores. When children are
Editor’s Note: The first paragraph of this lesson was incorrectly edited when it first appeared. The following version is now correct. By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 1:10-18, 26-28 Elkanah had two wives. Hannah had no children, while Peninnah had several (vs. 1-2). Every year Elkanah and his wives would travel from their home town to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Interestingly,
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of the importance of three spiritual disciplines: giving, praying, and fasting. Some spiritual leaders in Jesus’ day were using these spiritual disciplines to draw attention to themselves rather than using them as an act of worship. These important acts of worship can be used for
By Ken R. Speakman Member, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory Focal Passage: Acts 12:7-12, 16-19 In the first century, the most evil family in the civilized world was known as the Herods. They held the highest political offices in the land, influenced kingdoms, and conquered empires. Herod the Great reigned for 40 years and was on the throne when Jesus Christ was born. When he learned the Wise Men
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Acts 8:26-35 God always puts people, places, and events together to serve His purposes. We see this in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip was involved in a revival at Samaria that God tremendously blessed. Many people were coming to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Suddenly God decides to lead Philip out into the desert
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 8:4-9, 19-22 I Samuel, chapters 8-11, provide the account of how Israel transitioned from
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 6:25-34 We often hear people say, “Don’t worry about it.” We have all
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 5:1-6; 6:11-16 God was working to reveal His holiness and power to the people
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 6:19-24 This section of the Sermon on the Mount deals with wealth and
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 6:9-15 Jesus reminds us of the importance of prayer. He warned not to
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 3: 1-10, 17-21 Samuel was a boy of about 12 when he heard God’s
Editor’s Note: The first paragraph of this lesson was incorrectly edited when it first appeared. The following version is now correct. By Al R. Hodges
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks
By Ken R. Speakman Member, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory Focal Passage: Acts 12:7-12, 16-19 In the first century, the most evil family in
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Acts 8:26-35 God always puts people, places, and events together to serve His purposes.