Finding Hope Through Discovery in Bible Study

September 26, 2009 Larry R Evans [There will be no additional Class Notes this week.] Reflective Introduction A “power struggle” is true to its name. It is a conflict that is often not about the topic being discussed, argued or debated. Personalities, egos and positions of those in disagreement can easily cloud the issue being addressed. Stephen Covey’s maxim to “seek first to understand then be understood” is right on but difficult to practice in a power struggle. It is difficult because the focus is intensely about being right, maintaining one’s position or keeping others “in their place.” We sometimes call this “turf protection” and “turf” can take many different forms. There are different reasons people struggle for power but the results are often the same. The work of the organization, be it secular or sacred, is hindered. In his third letter John speaks of an issue that is hindering the growth and health of the church. Diotrephes (3Jn. 9) “loves to be first,

September 19, 2009 Larry R Evans Reflective Introduction There is anger in the land. Some see it as racial and some do not, but there is anger—intense anger. The political scene in America is not what this week’s lesson is about but the Church is fixed within a culture at war with itself. It really doesn’t matter if one is a Democrat, a Republican or an Independent, anger is knocking at the door. We’ve been conditioned to this over decades by personal and corporate abuse at all levels. The emails I get are not only about politics. They cover frustration all organizations—wherever there are more than one living or working. Nothing, it seems, escapes the accusation that some kind of conspiracy plot is underway. Personally I have no time for speculation. I simply don’t have the time or energy to trace down all conceivable theories and many are just that. There are endless guesses what this or that could mean. I do not find such suggestions very helpful. What we do know

September 12, 2009 Larry R Evans Reflective Introduction It has been said that “a bit of carbon in iron makes powerful metal; a bit of truth in a lie makes powerful deceit.” Lies would never stand a chance of being believed if there weren’t something seemingly rationale or true in them. Often times it is perspective that makes all the difference and lies have a perspective all their own. Paul speaks about those who chose to exchange “the truth about God for a lie.” They ended up worshipping and serving “the creature rather than the Creator” (Rom.1:25). This week’s lesson is all about truth, choices, acceptance and denial. There comes a point when we need to be quiet long enough to let God speak. Let Him reveal truth. We have a tendency to speak our opinions before truth has a chance to become known. Truth about God, Jesus, our nature and the future do matter. Our understanding of these shapes who we are, how we approach the world and what kind of hope we will have.

September 12, 2009 Larry R Evans Reflective Introduction It has been said that “a bit of carbon in iron makes powerful metal; a bit of truth in a lie makes powerful deceit.” Lies would never stand a chance of being believed if there weren’t something seemingly rationale or true in them. Often times it is perspective that makes all the difference and lies have a perspective all their own. Paul speaks about those who chose to exchange “the truth about God for a lie.” They ended up worshipping and serving “the creature rather than the Creator” (Rom.1:25). This week’s lesson is all about truth, choices, acceptance and denial. There comes a point when we need to be quiet long enough to let God speak. Let Him reveal truth. We have a tendency to speak our opinions before truth has a chance to become known. Truth about God, Jesus, our nature and the future do matter. Our understanding of these shapes who we are, how we approach the world and what kind of hope we will have.

September 5, 2009 Larry R Evans Reflective Introduction What a difference a GPS makes! Wikipedia says this about the Global Positioning System: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. space-based global navigation satellite system . It provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to worldwide users on a continuous basis in all weather, day and night, anywhere on or near the Earth. For about two years we have had one. It has taken the fear out of traveling in unknown areas and seems to work well in all kinds of weather. As long as my GPS unit stays in contact with the satellite system I can have confidence that I will get to my destination, that is, as long as I listen to and follow the directions. When I miss a turn the words “Recalculating” interrupts any conversation that may be going on in the car to tell me that I’m headed in the wrong direction. It is sometimes a nuisance but an important one! This week’s Sabbath School lesson is all

September 5, 2009 Larry R Evans Reflective Introduction What a difference a GPS makes! Wikipedia says this about the Global Positioning System: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. space-based global navigation satellite system . It provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to worldwide users on a continuous basis in all weather, day and night, anywhere on or near the Earth. For about two years we have had one. It has taken the fear out of traveling in unknown areas and seems to work well in all kinds of weather. As long as my GPS unit stays in contact with the satellite system I can have confidence that I will get to my destination, that is, as long as I listen to and follow the directions. When I miss a turn the words “Recalculating” interrupts any conversation that may be going on in the car to tell me that I’m headed in the wrong direction. It is sometimes a nuisance but an important one! This week’s Sabbath School lesson is all a