Could your parents really know what they are talking about?

VERSE:

Proverbs 1:8-9

8 Listen, my son [daughter], to your father's instruction
and do not forsake your mother's teaching.

9 They will be a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.

LESSON:

When it comes to giving you advice, could your parents really know what they are talking about? This verse seems to be saying "yes". It calls sons/daughters to listen to their father's instructions and not to forsake their mother's teachings. Why? It is promised to be as beautiful as garland (a ring of flowers) and as valuable as a chain to adorn your neck (yes...like gold bling for your neck). Not too shabby.

Does a true friend tell you what you need to hear, or just what you want to hear?

VERSE:

Proverbs 27:6

6 You can trust a friend

who corrects you,

but kisses from an enemy

are nothing but lies.

LESSON:

Does a true friend tell you what you need to hear, or just what you want to hear? This verse tells us that "...you can trust a friend who corrects you..." It also warns us "...but kisses from an enemy are nothing but lies...". I think that this verse is really telling us a number of things. First, I think that it is telling us that if you surround yourself with "Godly Friends", they will often provide you with valuable feed-back...and not just tell you what you want to hear. Sometimes we need someone to give us an unbiased opinion of things that we say or do. Godly friends will provide you with good advice or assessments, that others may not be willing to share with you. It also tells us that we must be careful not to listen to the opinions or advice of those who are not truly our friends...those people who do not really have our best interest in mind. How do we know the difference between these two types of persons and the opinions and advice that they offer? Ask yourself this question, do I think that this "friend" is a "Godly person"?

All one big happy family?

VERSE:

Galatians 3:28

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

LESSON:

All one big happy family? Unfortunately in life (whether at school or at work), you may sometimes feel that you just "don't fit in". Other around you may not include you, because you are not "just like them". You are different, individual, just the way God made you...and loves you. This verse reminds us that regardless of our human variations..."...you are all one in Christ Jesus...".

Who do we try to emulate (imitate)?

VERSE:

3 John 1:4 and 3 John 1:11

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

LESSON:

I have taken two verses from the same chapter...in order to make a point...and to keep you from having to read more than you may have time to read. We as parents (each of your moms and dads), do take great joy in knowing that each of you are Christians...and are active in your faith. We are joyful not because we are proud of anything we my have said or done to bring you to your faith today...but joyful because you are Christians and do have strong faith, which throughout your life will be a blessing to you. A word of advice now that you are on your own and away from home...keep the faith...and do not allow yourself to be influenced by those who are without faith. This verse cautions us "...do not imitate what is evil but what is good...". Carefully analyze what others around you say and do to discern whether he/she does what is good or what is evil. This verse instructs us that "...Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God...". Think about these Biblical statements. They are simple, but direct, and perhaps in our culture today, slightly "politically incorrect", but they are entirely true.

Can we "go it alone" in our Christian life?

VERSE:

Romans 12:4-5

4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

LESSON:

Can we "go it alone" in our Christian life? Yes we can...but why would you want to? This verse compares our being part of the Christian community to the various parts of our body. They each have different functions...but they all need each other...and are dependent upon each other. They "belong" with and to one another. So to, do we as Christians...belong to the greater "Body of Christ", his church. And I do not mean one church on a particular corner of a particular town. We all should find a "Church Home", even if we are "away from home". As Christians...we need each other to encourage, support and challenge us. When you are away from home (say at college or in a new city with a new job), I strongly recommend finding a church or youth group that you would like to be a part of...as soon as you can. Believe it or not...you will soon find that you all belong to one another.

Hey...you want to celebrate?

VERSE:

Zechariah 9:17

17 How attractive and beautiful they will be!
Grain will make the young men thrive,
and new wine the young women.

LESSON:

This verse comes from a chapter:verse that talks about how God will save Israel. It talks about how good things will be on that day. It will be a day of celebration. I am using this verse a bit out of context for the point that I want to make to you. But, here goes. It may seem "attractive" and "beautiful" to celebrate with friends using "grain" (Beer, Whiskey, Gin, Vodka) or "new wine" (yes...wine). We are all human...and we ALL like to "celebrate". My caution to each of you is that there is a good way and a bad way to celebrate. I hope that you will always choose Chick-Fil-A with Dr. Pepper or Sweet Tea if you want to celebrate!!!

So, what are you worrying about?

VERSE:

Matthew 6:34

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

LESSON:

I bet that you already feel stressed. It is your 1st week at school. So many things to do...so many things to see. So many things to remember. So many new places and faces. It can be overwhelming. Try to keep this verse in mind...if you find yourself laying awake at night...thinking (perhaps worrying) about all of the things that may happen to you tomorrow. This verse reminds us "...do not worry about tomorrow...". This is the Biblical reminder. For an earthly reminder...remember what Pappy use to answer us when we would ask him how he was doing today. Pappy would say..."Well...I just take it one day at a time".

What should guide us in our daily life...our "sight" or our "faith"?

VERSE:

2 Corinthians 5:7

We live by faith, not by sight.

LESSON:

This very short verse is only a part of a larger lesson about the differences between our earthy (worldly) nature...and our heavenly (eternal) nature. If that interests you...turn your Bible to 2 Corinthians 1:1...and begin reading. For today's lesson...I just wanted to give you this short "sound bite". Try to memorize the words...and the Chapter:Verse number. There will be days in your school life when knowing this verse may come in handy. The question of the day that this verse asks us is: Should we live our lives by the example of those whom we see [by sight] around us...or should we try our best to live our lives [by Faith] in what we have been taught by Jesus and by God? [How the Bible tells us we are to live]. Think about it for a short minute. You already know the answer in your heart. We are to live by faith.

Where do we gain "Understanding"?

VERSE: Job 32:8

8 But it is the spirit in a man, [or woman]
the breath of the Almighty, that gives him [her] understanding.

LESSON:

I am sure that you will be accumulating great knowledge, and learning (teaching) many facts this year in school. But, please never forget where the original source of wisdom and discernment comes from. It comes from God. (In this verse..."the Almighty") This is the true source of your "understanding" of the things that you will learn and the things that you will teach in school.