If your group prefers the sort of disciplined study that includes in-depth investigation of Scripture, verse by verse, the Uniform Series can help. It follows the International Sunday School Lessons plan allowing teachers and learners to supplement their study with a wealth of additional resources that follow the plan.

Archive for "June, 2012"

CURRENT EVENT – JULY 8, 2012

Since everyone is motivated differently, being a leader requires a careful blend of a leadership characteristics and leadership skills. The kind of leader you are depends on your personality traits and characteristics.

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR – JULY 8, 2012

Our verses this week emphasize what a good leader King David was. He had his ups and downs, yes, but nobody’s perfect. And the best leaders admit that they’re not perfect. In fact, the best leaders are pretty humble.

REFERENCE SHELF – JULY 8, 2012

This poetic oracle is self-designated as “the last words of David,” but there is no other reason to assume that the wisdom it conveys should be associated with the latter part of his life. Indeed, the content suggests a time nearer to 2 Samuel 7 and Nathan’s oracle declaring Yahweh’s choice of David’s house to become an everlasting dynasty in Israel.

DEVOTIONAL – JULY 8, 2012

When I was a teen reading a biography of Nathan Hale, a young man hanged as a spy by the British during the Revolutionary War, I was awed by his last words, recorded for history: “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” A patriot to the end, his last thoughts were for the country he had served.

CURRENT EVENT – JULY 1, 2012

Midland County, Michigan, officials have seen the devastating effects that come from illegal and prescription drug addiction. And they have seen the number of people battling this problem grow in recent years.

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR – JULY 1, 2012

Our story this week from 1 Samuel 7 is an exciting one. It’s like the climactic scene of a movie. A group of people (Israel) decides they don’t like the way their life is going, so they get together and ask their leader (Samuel) how to do better.

REFERENCE SHELF – JULY 1, 2012

This unit of text stands alone and is significant for several reasons. The ark narrative ends with 7:1, and the account of Israel’s transition to a monarchy begins with 8:1.

DEVOTIONAL – JULY 1, 2012

A couple years ago, I attended a Sunday school convention with a friend. We are both a little directionally challenged. Still, we thought we could find the church.

CURRENT EVENT – JUNE 24, 2012

Federal prosecutors showed jurors a check Wednesday that they said was one of several bribes a South Texas lawyer paid to a judge in exchange for favorable rulings.

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR – JUNE 24, 2012

I like the note that Moses mentions near the beginning of our text this week. He starts our verses by asking, “And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you” (Dt 10:12).

REFERENCE SHELF – JUNE 24, 2012

The almost stream-of-consciousness logic of this section makes it difficult to establish clearly the boundaries of its constituents. The vocative “And now, O Israel!” unmistakably indicates a new beginning, but no similar markers occur in the following sequence of admonitions and declarations.

DEVOTIONAL – JUNE 24, 2012

For me, today’s passage and others like it are examples of Old Testament Hebrew faith at its highest and most noble. The writer is stressing the truth that there is a direct link between faith and ethics.