01) Next Man Up (Exodus 3-4)
2019 January 13
Football has an expression for what happens when a key player is injured and a substitute must enter the game to play for him. The next man up is the one who must come in and do everything expected by the coach so that the team can succeed. Unfortunately, too many Christians are sitting on the bench and are not ready (emotionally!) to get in the game. Moses provides an example of a man who was eager to save God’s people but ended up removing himself from the service of God and when told by God to go is full of reasons why he shouldn’t go. What is keeping you from getting into the game. (Bonus: the analogy is flawed!)
02) Why Am I Lukewarm? (part 1) (Revelation 3:15-16)
2018 February 3
Jesus warns us about the danger of lukewarmness in his later to the church in Laodicia. In this lesson, we’ll look at some reasons why we so easily default to lukewarmness and see how to overcome it.
03) Why Am I Lukewarm? (part 2) (Revelation 3:15-16)
2019 February 10
Jesus warns us about the danger of lukewarmness in his later to the church in Laodicia. In this lesson, we’ll look at some reasons why we so easily default to lukewarmness and see how to overcome it.
Did You Lack Anything?
2019 March 3
Luke 9:1-6; 10:1-12; 22:35-38
When Jesus sends out his disciples and the 72, He teaches them that in spite of the risk, they need to trust in God to care for them and be zealous for the good work he has sent them to do.
The Zeal of Jehovah
2019 April 7
Jehovah describes himself as a Jealous God, the same word is often translated zealous. God’s jealousy for his people is a good thing and He is jealous of his people today.
The Zeal of Jehovah: Visiting Iniquity
2019 May 5
Jehovah’s zeal for his people in dealing with their iniquity and their hate is vividly seen in His response to their refusal to enter the land He promised them. In their rebellion, they dismissed His salvation, leadership and provision, promise and Him. This instructs us to fear Him, and hope in Him for our redemption. It reminds us to examine our lives to see if we have similar iniquity and hate in our hearts.
The Zeal of Jehovah: Steadfast Love
2019 June9
Jehovah’s Zeal as seen in his steadfast love for his people is not just about the good things he does for us each day, though those are vital to remember. It’s also seen when he fights for his people against foes and especially in sending his son for our salvation.
The Zeal of Jesus (Luke 2:13-17)
2019 July 14
Jesus’s zeal for God and God’s people is memorably demonstrated when he drives those who were making money in the temple out. Jesus’ zeal is not merely anger, but a desire to correct what is wrong so that the right things may done. Being the temple of God today, the church must be careful that we don’t fall into the same patterns as the Jews did.
Do Not Quench the Spirit: What the Spirit Does for Me
2019 September 8
Before we can understand the warning not to quench the Spirit, we need to have a clear understanding of what the Spirit does in our lives. Here are six important aspects of His Work: 1) Deity and Fellowship; 2) Guarantee: Assurance; 3) Helps our Weakness; 4) Dwells in Us: Strength; 5) Holy in our bodies; and 6) Unity with Brethren.
Do Not Quench the Spirit – Part 1 (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
2019 September 15
Samson reminds us that no matter the purpose and preparation God has given us, nor how much he fills us with his spirit, we can quench the Spirit in our lives. We can quench the Spirit in all the ways that he should be helping us: in our relationship; losing hope; lack for real prayer; strength in myself; sin and quarrelling.
Do Not Quench the Spirit — Part 2
2019 September 22
Do Not Quench the Spirit — Part 3
2019 October 13
We can quench the spirit of our brethren, and God takes this very seriously. Two examples from the Israelites demonstrate the danger of discouraging our brethren from accomplishing his will. Discouragement leads to evil and the destruction of the people.
Do Not Quench the Spirit — Part 4: Unbelief
2019 October 20
Four ways that the Israelites discouraged their brethren: they were unbelieving when they should have been trusting; fearful when they should have been confident; murmuring when they should have been praising; and sitting when they should be doing. This lesson considers the first of these.
A People Zealous (Titus 2:14)
2020 January 5
A zealous God desires his people to be zealous and trains us to be zealous.
Slackers (Proverbs 18:9)
2020 March 1
Jehovah encouraged Asa to not have weak hands in the tasks that he faced of bringing God’s people back to Him. In this lesson we’ll look at why our hands become weak, we’ll consider the consequences of slacking, and the joy we find when Jehovah is in our midst so that our hands can be strong.
Be Zealous Like Phinehas (Numbers 25 & Joshua 22)
2021 January 10
Phinehas is commended by God for his zealous action done in righteousness. In this lesson we see that his zeal originated with God’s zeal for his people, obeyed God’s authority carefully, acted quickly when necessary, and was righteous in God’s eyes. We are also reminded Phinehas’ zeal is not a license for violence as it has often been misappropriated
Be Zealous Like Phinehas (But Not Like the Pharisees)
2021 January 17
Romans 10:1-4: Using Saul as a typical Pharisee, we are given an instructive example of improper zeal. He was zealous for God, but didn’t know God; he was zealous for the law, but made his own righteousness, and he was zealous for the traditions of his father thus breaking God’s commandments.
The People Offered Themselves Willingly
2021 February 7
Judges 5:2: Deborah, Barak, the people, and Jael provide powerful examples of obeying, serving, and working for Jehovah. When God’s leaders lead and his people are willing works, there is great victory and light.
No King Like Him
2021 March 7
2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35
Important lessons are seen in the actions of Josiah. When young, we need to seek God and spend time in his word. We need to help God’s people cleanse the kingdom and rebuild it so that it follows Jehovah wholly. And we must help others to celebrate the joys of serving Jehovah.
Elijah’s Zeal
2021 March 14
1 Kings 17-18: Elijah shows us that being zealous for God is not what it is often made out to be. Elijah reminds to pray fervently, obey following Jehovah, and turn hearts to Jehovah.
Elijah’s Struggle
2021 April 18
1 Kings 19: In this lesson, we see the struggle Elijah faced when threatened with death and failure. We are reminded that these are emotions that sometimes God’s strongest children deal with.
How Jehovah Helped Elijah
2021 April 25
1 Kings 19: When Elijah was struggling, Jehovah helped him to get back to service by providing strength, sending him on a journey, questioning Elijah’s actions, showed himself to Elijah, give him purpose and corrected his assumptions. When we are struggling, it’s vital that we talk honestly with God, take time to be alone with him, see Him at work, and find work to do.
How God Helps Us to Overcome Our Fear and Be Zealous
2021 July 18
Judges 6-9: Gideon and the people of Israel are in dire circumstances. Jehovah chooses Gideon and helps him to overcome his fear and be zealous to deliver Israel,
Doing the Little Things (They Aren’t Little)
2021 September 19
2 Corinthians 12:9: Our Father knows our abilities and trusts us to use them in his service faithfully. These “little things” demonstrate our zeal for being like our Father so we must be merciful, holy, righteous, devoted, and a sower.
Zeal That Honors God
2021 November 7
Romans 10:1-4: Zeal can easily be misdirected as seen in King Saul, the Sadducees, the Pharisees, and Saul. Paul reminds us that zeal which honors God requires knowledge, humility, and faith.
I Stand at the Door
2021 December 19
Revelation 3:14-22: The saints in Laodacia were complacent. In His letter to them, Jesus provides solutions for their lukewarmness. It begins with remembering Jesus’ efforts for us: He loves us, he’s at the door and wants to eat with us. We must repent, open the door, buy from Him and eat with him. This passage urges us to look at our spiritual health and revitalize our relationship with the Shepherd of our souls.