It is good to once and a while pause and reflect – to take a personal inventory of where we stand in various areas of life. Professionally we have regular reviews and evaluations. An annual physical keeps our health in check. But what about our spiritual life? Do you take time to stop and reflect on how you are doing.… Read more →
Category: Wrap Up of the Lesson
Nice Start, Let’s Get Going – Lesson 2 Wrap
I celebrated my 60th birthday last week. Instead of being discouraged, I’ve resolved to build on my Axiom mindset of “Nice Start, Let’s Get Going.” Let me unpack that for a second. Over the years I’ve learned a lot. I wish like crazy I could rewind the clock to my 20’s but with the insight, wisdom and knowledge I have… Read more →
Speckled, Spotted and Streaked – Lesson 17 Wrap
Jacob was a tireless worker. Even when his employer (who was his uncle Laban) was dishonest in his dealings with him, Jacob kept working hard while his less-than-ethical uncle kept prospering. When Jacob had had enough of this abuse, he asked Laban if he could take his family and leave. At this point Jacob had 11 children, 2 wives, a… Read more →
Three Hundred Men – Lesson 16 Wrap
At its core, the story of Gideon told in Judges 7:1-8:35 is about how God calls people who are not ready in the world’s view, but who are willing to follow in faith. Gideon was a farmer. In his own words he states, “My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Judges 6:15).… Read more →
Twelve Year Old Jesus – Lesson 15 Wrap
One of the biggest questions surrounding this passage is “Why do we have only one story from the childhood, youth and young adult years of Jesus’ life?” Is it an issue of focus? – God wants the focus to be on the three adult ministry years? Was his childhood intentionally secret? Was the rest of His childhood and youth somewhat… Read more →
Sun Standing Still – Lesson 14 Wrap
In the hustle and bustle of today, it is so easy to forget something as we are pulled between the roles of husband, father, son, brother, worker, manager, leader, etc. We have emails, calendars, both digital and paper, memos, texts, and post-its to keep us on track. This past week, we studied “Focus” through the story of Joshua making the… Read more →
Speak to the Rock – Lesson 13 Wrap
Last week we dealt with a story on failure. It was from the near end of the Israelites wondering in the wilderness. Yes, they were complaining but the failure wasn’t by the community, it was their leaders, Moses and Aaron. God told Moses to address the Israelites complaining by speaking to a rock to bring forth water. Moses, however, expressed… Read more →
Paying the Temple Tax – Lesson 12 Wrap
We can relate to the necessity of the temple tax for maintenance of the place of worship as we do today for our churches. God’s provisions for expenses of the buildings, staff, and upkeep rely on our tithes today. Our gifts back to God for the church. In this story, Christ sets the example of paying the tax as a… Read more →
Winning Back His Disciples – Lesson 10 Wrap
Have you ever felt that your faith didn’t match up to someone else’s or that you were stuck in your faith and demanding more of God? Ever felt confused as to how to live out your faith and in figuring out what God wanted you do? Or have you ever felt ashamed because your faith has let God down—much to… Read more →
Jonathan’s Victory – Lesson 9 Wrap
1 Samuel Chapter 13 sets the stage for Jonathan’s victory in Chapter 14. Jonathan goes out on a limb in faith and scores a small victory which leads to the Philistine’s ultimate downfall. Have you ever decided to go out on a limb to see if God will show you His favor? Jonathan did here. He says, “Perhaps the Lord… Read more →