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Practical Gentleness - Contemporary Example
When we reflect on Psalm 23:1-6, we see the rich tapestry of gentleness woven throughout the Lord's guidance. “He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul.” In this promise, we find not only divine care but also a...
Practical Kindness - Contemporary Example
Imagine a woman named Sarah who works as a nurse in a bustling city hospital. Each day, she encounters patients at their most vulnerable, experiencing pain, fear, and uncertainty. One day, a young mother comes in, distraught, her child undergoing...
Practical Self-control - Teaching Material
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). This truth resonates deeply in our lives, especially when we consider the various ways we express our faith through worship, community, and...
Putting Into Practice: Goodness - Contemporary Example
Friends, as we reflect on Jeremiah 29:11, we are reminded of God’s promise: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and...
Applying Courage - Teaching Material
As we reflect on 2 Timothy 1:7, where Paul tells us that “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline,” we see a profound invitation to embrace courage rooted...
Living Out Compassion - Teaching Material
As we reflect on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we see that love is more than a feeling; it is a conscious choice and a daily practice. The Apostle Paul describes love as patient and kind, devoid of envy or pride, and...
Real-World Forgiveness - Contemporary Example
Forgiveness can feel like climbing a mountain, especially when we've been hurt deeply by someone we trusted. But as we reflect on Jeremiah 29:11—"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord—let's remember that part of God’s...
Practical Salvation - Teaching Material
As we reflect on Matthew 28:19-20, we recognize the profound call to make disciples. This isn't merely a duty; it’s an invitation to engage deeply with the lives of others, rooted in the *agape* love that Christ exemplifies. Imagine for...
Living Out Forgiveness - Contemporary Example
As we reflect on John 3:16, we are reminded of God’s profound love for each of us—a love that calls us not only to receive grace but to share it abundantly in our relationships. This is the essence of forgiveness:...
Living Out Hope - Illustration
As we reflect on the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, we are reminded of Christ’s command to go forth and make disciples, yet this call is intertwined with the profound promise of His presence: "I am with you always." This...
Putting Into Practice: Peace - Teaching Material
"Be still, and know that I am God." This powerful command from Psalm 46:10 invites us into a sacred pause, a moment of divine intimacy that transcends our chaos. Here, God is not merely asking us to stop our frantic...
Putting Into Practice: Understanding - Contemporary Example
Imagine a small community garden, where each person has a unique role that contributes to the whole. One person tends to the tomatoes, another nurtures the herbs, while yet another focuses on the flowers. It’s a beautiful tapestry of effort...
Practical Gentleness - Teaching Material
Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit that often gets overlooked in our fast-paced lives. In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists gentleness alongside love and humility as vital expressions of the Holy Spirit working within us. Imagine a potter at work,...
Putting Into Practice: Justice - Illustration
Imagine for a moment a community garden, flourishing not just because of the sunlight and rain, but because of the hands and hearts invested in it. Each seed sown represents a person’s act of justice and love—a neighbor who shares...
Practical Faithfulness - Teaching Material
As we reflect on Jeremiah 29:11, where God assures His people, “For I know the plans I have for you,” we recognize that His plans are rooted in His love and faithfulness, even amid uncertainty and change. This promise was...
Scriptural Insight: Grace - Commentary
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) This passage calls us into a profound relationship with God,...
Applying Self-control - Teaching Material
We often think of self-control as simply the ability to resist temptation or to manage our impulses. Yet, in the light of Ephesians 2:8-9, we see a deeper, more profound understanding of what it means to live within the grace...
Putting Into Practice: Salvation - Illustration
When we reflect on Romans 8:28, we are reminded that “all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” This promise isn’t just a warm sentiment; it is a profound truth...
Practical Hope - Contemporary Example
As we reflect on Romans 8:28, where Paul assures us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him,” let’s consider the profound hope we find in this promise, especially in our own lives and...
Living Out Faith - Contemporary Example
Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works, so that no one can boast. This profound truth lays the foundation for our lives, emphasizing that our worth is not tied to our...
Practical Redemption - Illustration
Picture a young woman named Sarah, standing at a crossroads in her life. She’s faced with uncertainty, feeling burdened by past mistakes and the weight of unmet expectations. One day, as she walks through the local park, she notices a...
Living Out Humility - Contemporary Example
The Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, reminds us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). This is a beautiful, liberating truth, particularly in our Anabaptist tradition where community...
Putting Into Practice: Gentleness - Illustration
Picture a small community garden, a patch of earth lovingly tended by neighbors. Each person brings their unique talents — some carefully plant seeds, others water the plants, and a few offer gentle words of encouragement when the weeds threaten...
Scriptural Insight: Love - Commentary
As we ponder Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” we catch a glimpse of God’s character—a divine love that empowers and enables us. This verse isn’t just a declaration of personal strength; it's a...