September 26--Practical Teaching

Class Fellowship and Swimming Party
Thanks to all of you who were able to join us for the class fellowship and swimming party after church. We had a great time visiting, watching the kids swim, and snacking on picnic foods.

During our Sunday School lesson, Andy Stanley addressed one of the five things that he has identified that God uses to grow big faith. The first topic to be addressed in detail was "Practical Teaching." Andy pointed out that most people who talk about their spiritual journey will make reference to their initial exposure to someone or some group through which they were taught Biblical truths in a practical, life-impacting way. The reason this is important is that such teaching makes the Bible meaningful, practical, and applicable to everyday life. Mr. Stanley refers to Matthew 7:24-28 in which Jesus uses the parable of the man who built his house on a solid foundation as compared to the man who built his house on a foundation of sand. He compares the man who built his house on a solid foundation to one who hears the words of Jesus and puts them into practice--applies them. The man who hears the words of Jesus and fails to apply them in his life is compared to the house that was built on sand. When the winds came and the water rose, the house with a flimsy foundation collapsed. Likewise, you and I will be unable to stand up when the winds of life and the rains of conflict strike if we have not learned the words of God and then applied them in our life.

Remember, the teachings of the Bible have the power to be soothing and disturbing in our lives, depending on the circumstances and situation in which we find ourselves. However, the most important thing for us is to be sure that we make application to our lives of the Biblical truths that we hear and lean from practical teaching. I hope we will all seek practical teaching of Biblical truths in our lives and that we will apply those truths when we learn them.

Next week, we will look at "providential relationships." See you in Sunday School next week.