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

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)

I bought a bag of oranges a few weeks ago, while Christmas shopping. That does not sound like a big deal, does it? Actually, it is not — I can pretty much buy a bag of oranges any time I wish. It was, however, Christmas time and I had a flashback to my youth. Every year I got an apple and an orange for Christmas, along with some assorted nuts.

The reason I got the fruit at Christmas was because my parents always got apples and oranges for Christmas when they were young. They grew up in a much less affluent time. Fresh fruit was a huge treat for them.

When my parents bought gifts for their kids, they included apples and oranges because it brought back happy memories of special treats. So, when I saw the oranges, I suddenly had a craving for the “old days” even though, fresh fruit is prevalent and not quite the treat of long ago.

We can do similar things in the church. Do we ever look back to the “good ol’ days” with fond memories? Don’t we want to recreate those things because those memories make us happy and secure today? Maybe those things originally had a particular purpose. Maybe “two songs and a prayer” gave us a sense of “order out of chaos.” Maybe the way we conducted a Bible Class was effective. Maybe a Visitation Program was fruitful.

One of the challenges about church work is finding successful methods in every generation without compromising the integrity of the gospel. There are lines we do not cross. There are truths we are to always uphold. But, “times are a-changin’.”

There is nothing wrong with my buying a bag of oranges for Christmas. There is nothing wrong with many of the things we have done in the past. Our challenge is to be able to be more efficient and effective in our methods of reaching and serving people — without compromising the gospel.

David had a group of men from Issachar who had, “understanding of the times” according to 1 Chronicles 12.32. What are the modern times teaching us? What methods can we use today to share the good news to people who hunger for it?

Your Bible Class may want to explore new ideas. Your Small Group may be a new idea in the making. What worked in the past may not work today. The souls of people matter too much to neglect the times and what is effective today.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene (perry.greene@southyukon.org)

Sometime ago, I read two surveys which give us an indication of the role of friendship in Americans’ lives. The first poll asked Americans to name the top two or three things for which they are most thankful. Family took the top spot at 61%. Others included Health (50%); Job (21%); all the way down to Friends (8%).

The second survey asked Americans to identify what they most wanted out of life. An overwhelming 75% indicated, “Having close, personal relationships.” Apparently, we want friends but we often fail to express our gratitude for them. Maybe expressing an appreciation for the friends we have will enhance our friendships and the making of friends.

When people come to our Groups and Classes, one of the things they are looking for is friendship. They may like the teacher and the topic of study, but they are there to make friends and find a place to belong.

Fellowship opportunities are important to the building up and maintaining of a Class or Small Group.  Josh Hunt encourages monthly fellowships in which we invite every member and every prospective member to attend. If we can get them to the party, they will come to class.

Take time for friendship-building opportunities.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene (perry.greene@southyukon.org)

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

I have had quite a journey into Education Ministry. I have to tell you that I am a huge Sunday School fan regardless of what form it takes. I did not start that way, however.

I did not grow up in a church of any kind. My parents had been burned out by abusive preachers and decided not to attend church when they left home. Occasionally, however they would send me to Sunday School or take me to services. I especially remember my mom taking me to the Naval base chapel when my dad was out at sea.

I remember that while we were attending the Chapel services they would send the kids out to a Sunday School class. I went into my age group class totaly out of place. The lessons that they taught us were based on information that a regular, church-going kid would have known. I was virtually ignorant of the Bible. I did not know the order of the books, whether Noah or Abraham came first or if Jesus and Moses were contemporaries. So, I felt out of place and hated going to class. I did, however. enjoy the worship services with the adults — very non-threatening and I could hide my ignorance.

Fast-forward to my conversion as a 19 year old (I may tell you that story later). I eagerly attended the worship services of the church — even on Sunday night! Yet, just like in my childhood days, I did not want to go to Bible Class, basically for the same reason — I did not know much about the Bible (I did not even know the jingle o put the books of the New Testament in order). I hesitantly attended class and even taught a time or two.

When I decided to go into MInistry, I focused on preaching and the worship services.  Class seemed to me to be a dull time of information sharing. It was an “information dump” to me.

As time and circumstances happened, I came to be an Education Minister (as well as wearing some other titles).  As a result, I have done a great deal of research and study in regard to Education Ministry. I see things far differently today.

Sunday School matters! In addition to sharing information, Sunday School (or “Bible School” or “Class” other titles) is the backbone of the church. Here is where relationships are formed and entrance into the church can easily be attained. Through class activities such as fellowship or ministry projects, people get to know one another and Christian bonds are made. This also occurs in the small group setting, which can also be built into Sunday School (see the Adult Bible Fellowship model).

Sunday School is a time to learn Bible. It is a time to develop our theology. It is a time of worship. It is also a time to build strong Christian relationships.

Enjoy Sunday School. Develop Sunday School. It makes a real difference. Sunday School matters.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene (greene.perry@gmail.com)