Perry’s Scope: Christian sermons, lessons, and resources for teachers

When my daughter was young we often flew back from Texas to visit her grandparents in Tennessee and Kentucky.  On one flight, when the flight attendant gave her mandatory instructions, my daughter became upset. You see, the attendant told us that if we had need for oxygen masks, to put ours on first and then help our children.  In my daughter’s mind, she should be taken care of first.  In reality, if the adults take care of themselves first, they are more capable of taking care of their children.

That principle holds true in many situations.  Elders; Deacons; Teachers; HOME Group Leaders (etc.) need to take this to heart. As they lead groups, teach lessons, shepherd, and serve, they must not neglect themselves.  One of the best things church leaders can do for the church is to maintain a strong relationship with God.  The stronger they are, the more able they will be to lead and help others, especially in times of need.

Church Leaders, regardless of your capacity, let me encourage you to take the time to study God’s word - just for you.  Take the time to pray, not only for your others’ needs, but for yours as well.  Take time to practice spiritual disciplines.  Take the time to worship in spirit and truth.  You will be glad you did and so will your Church Family!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

This thought came to me early this morning. Here is a challenge with the help of my good friend, David Gross’ editing.

The Bible calls us to be like Jesus, and the most remarkable thing about Jesus is that he is so often serving (Matthew 20:28).  So, like Jesus, I need to give (Acts 20:35); I need to be humble (1 Peter 5:5-6); I need to wash feet (John 13), and serve in all of the other ways that we see Jesus serve.

However, serving is not the whole story about Jesus — the Bible also shows him receiving.  Jesus accepted the anointing and foot washing of a sinful woman (Luke 7).  In John 12 he received a meal service from Martha and the anointing of the pure nard by Mary.

Oddly, many Christians find it easier to serve than to receive. If we are to be like Jesus, we must be both a humble giver and a gracious receiver.

How did Jesus do this?  First, he kept his ego in check.  It did not offend or thrill him to serve or be served.  We are subject to the temptation to think we are more than what we are, but Jesus knew exactly who he was.

Second, he knew something we often forget:  that to receive another’s gift gives opportunity for their faith, hope, and love to grow as they exercise their spiritual gifts.  To reject another’s gift is to stunt their growth.  If giving is to be a blessing, it requires a gracious receiver.

God both gives and receives. He expects the same from us.  If we keep our egos in check and our hearts focused on benefiting others through the receiving, we become more like him.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Teaching the Bible is an integral part of Sunday School Classes and HOME Groups. However, the work of these programs does not end with teaching. People need instruction and relationships. God never intended for us to live the Christian life - alone.The Jerusalem church modeled community for us in Acts 2. They met together publicly and in homes. They continued in fellowship. If they needed it, we do, too.

As a class leader; teacher; or small group leader you know that your task is bigger than the Book. Your task involves the encouragement of your class or group members as well as Bible knowledge. People primarily attend a groups or a class because of who is in it. We either have friends in the group or think we can make friends there. So, how can we create a sense of community within our group or class?

• Communicate the Need for Community. Tell your members that in addition to Bible study, your Class/Group is going to help in building Christian relationships. Isn’t it exciting to know that the relationships we build in our church will last forever?
• Change up your Style of Teaching. The worst teaching style is the one we use all of the time. Lecture has its place and so does discussion. In developing relationships, open-ended questions help us express ourselves.
• Use Effective Ice-Breakers. I like to have groups answer one or two questions at the beginning of each lesson which help the group to get to know one another as well as set the stage for the lesson. As people reveal themselves to the group, we are more able to understand “where we are coming from.”
• Pray Together. Be sure to take prayer requests in your Group/Class. A good way to end the formal time together is prayer. Again, our prayer requests show our needs.
• Have a Party. Josh Hunt (joshhunt.com) encourages Groups to have monthly fellowship activities. In fact, he says to “invite every member and every prospect to every fellowship every month.” Fellowship builds relationships and becomes a tool for outreach at the same time.
• Be Open. As a leader, find opportunities to tell your story and encourage others to tell theirs. There is something very powerful about sharing the innermost parts of our lives.
• Minister. A huge way of building community is to serve together. Service can take any form and much good can be done for the served. The servers, however, always benefit more. One of the benefits is the unique tie that comes as a result of serving together.

These are a few ways to build community within adult groups. As community is built, people become more and more aware of one another. They learn to trust and be trustworthy. The unity that Jesus describes (John 17) is formed.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Here is an interesting observation about volunteers.

People serve:

1. Because they were asked;

2. Because it fits with their sense of mission; 

3. Because they like a challenge;

4. Because it helps them feel connected to God’s work;

5. NOT because of material rewards;

6. NOT to meet people!

The above list was compiled by Marilyn Nelson, Baptist Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA.

Isn’t it interesting that people serve out of high aspirations? It is also interesting that many people wait to be asked before volunteering their time. Maybe, when we are struggling to find volunteers for our ministries, it is a simple as what James said — “You have not because you ask not.” That applies to prayer AND finding servants for ministry.

Perry Greene

American churches are enamored with numbers. More is always better. As long as our count equals or exceeds the previous one, we are “successful.”

It is true that Luke records some numbers in the book of Acts. That seems to be something that a Physician/Historian would do. Certain numbers, like weight and temperature, can tell us things about the health of a patient (or a church body).

Think about the flipside. David took a census in Israel after he was told not to. He was punished for his disobedience. A danger was that the nation could have looked at their own strength in numbers instead of looking to God. It was not the best thing.

What if (I always like to think in terms of what could be) we stopped counting attendance? Would we stop feeling so secure in our numbers? Would we shift our attention to people? Would we check on absentees? Would we be better motivated to fill empty seats with new people? Would our source of security be our God?

How large was the church in Corinth? Ephesus? Philippi? Jesus gave some criticisms regarding the “Seven Churches of Asia” (which, by the way are no longer with us). Not once did he criticize them for low numbers — there are bigger issues.

My challenge is for us to see past the numbers. See the people. Look to our God. This is not just about, “How many?” it is about, “Who?”

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene (greene.perry@gmail.com)

We know that Adult Bible Classes are more than teaching a good lesson each week. There are many factors which contribute to the success of a class. The following are based on material from Towns’ Sunday School Encyclopedia by Elmer Towns (Mr. Sunday School).  To build an Adult Clas . . . .

1. The teacher must give the class a high spiritual priority.
2. Use the same room each week.
3. Get the members to decorate the room.
4. Conduct regular class prayer meetings.
5. Serve the Lord as a class.
6. Give the class a distinctive name.
7. Select a class logo.
8. Select a class motto.
9. Create a distinctive letterhead.
10. Distribute a class newspaper or newsletter.
11. Select class leaders and workers.
12. Balance evangelism and education.
13. Keep members tied to the worship services.
14. Use visual aids (overhead projectors, power point, etc.).
15. Provide refreshments.
16. Focus on the needs of class members.
17. Greet arriving class members and guests.
18. Use name tags.
19. Set goals for new visitors.
20. Be friendly!

Keep The Light Burning! Perry Greene

It has already started - even before Thanksgiving. The Christmas season is in the air.  This IS a special time of year! We hear the music everywhere we go. We rush to buy those special gifts for our special people. All the while we remember in the back of our minds the coming of the special baby, born of a virgin so many years ago.

Do you remember his special mission? That is, why did he come at all? The angel told Joseph that the purpose of his coming was to “save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1.21).

I have a riddle for you. What is over 750,000 miles long, reaches around the earth thirty times; and grows twenty miles longer every day?

Do you give up? It is the line of people on the earth who are without Christ.

As a Teacher or Small Group Leader, you have a special place in the mission of Christ. You have a hand in decreasing the line of the lost. You also have a hand at building up the lives of those in Christ. You have a unique role in reaching OUT and reaching IN while you encourage people to reach UP.

During this season and every season, keep the mission of Christ before you. Remember that you play a vital role in helping him fulfill it.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Recently I began a new work at the South Yukon Church of Christ in Yukon, OK (outside of OK City).  It is going to be an exciting work and I am anxious to get out of boxes and to the work.

Before we got there, however, we had to say good-bye to our former church.  I have always hated good-byes.  I grew up as a Navy brat and made frequent moves.  I usually had made a good friend or two about the time we had to move.  As a Minister, I have had a similar experience.  Hopefully I have learned a lesson or two from the last good bye.

One of the things that struck me so hard in our good-bye was the outpouring of affection we received.  You always think there is time to tell people how you feel about them and then suddenly time is up.  We received such warm regards that we could not believe it.  At the same time, we felt the need for reciprocation but were out of time.  This time I want to appreciate people and TELL them.  I may say it face to face, I may write a card or an e-mail but I intend to be sure I give honor to whom honor is due.

A second lesson that I want to learn and do is to invest in PEOPLE.  People are the only lasting parts of creation.  Jesus died for people, not the animals, not the earth, and not even the angels.  It is about people.  He spent at least three years investing himself in the disciples.  Look at the dividends of such an investment — the name of Jesus has been heard all over the world because of the commitment of the twelve, the 120, and then the 3000+. 

I want to follow the example of Jesus and teach the Bible to PEOPLE.  I want to be a Mentor to PEOPLE.  I want to make investments that matter in the eternal long run.

A third lesson that struck me is the value of encouragement.  Scott is one of my friends from my former church.  One of the reasons that I like Scott is because he is a constant source of encouragement.  He is a modern Barnabas.  Whenever I am around him, I feel better about myself.  I want to be that kind of friend to others.  I want to be their cheerleader and source of encouragement.  There is too much to pull us down in the world, I want to pick people up.

The church gave us a going away party the last Sunday we were in town.  The gifts were nice and appreciated.  What I will always remember is the love that was shown to me.  What I have learned is to love others the way Jesus did.

Keep the Light Burning!

Perry