August 2009

08.03.2009

The Challenger. I was thinking recently about the name of our newsletter – Challenger. I have no idea who decided to call it that or why, but I did ponder a couple thoughts. Perhaps it was named in honor of the Space shuttle Challenger. Where were you on January 28, 1986, when the shuttle tragically blew apart?

Well no matter why it’s called The Challenger, I like the name because it really makes me think that our church should be challenged in regard to our lives and spiritual disciplines. Now let me explain.

As a student in Sunday School ~ you are attending a class are you not? First, if you are not regularly attending a Sunday School class, then let me say, “You have no class.” My challenge to you is to start attending. I’m going out on a limb here by saying you are free to visit different classes and find a class you like. For those of you who are upset that I just wrote that, let me challenge you by coming to grips with the fact that we’re all on the same team and it’s not about you. It’s about getting people into a class so they can learn, grow, and move into ministry.

Here is a challenge for everyone. As a student, when you sit in your Sunday School class, are you expecting to receive a Word from God? Teachers, are you preparing to deliver the Word of the Living God? You should be. I don’t want to say we’ve become complacent in our classes, although that is easy to do. Instead, I think we have either forgotten or have never learned that in our class we receive God’s Word. Notice that I didn’t write that we might receive, or that maybe God will show up… No, I wrote that we do receive God’s Word. So from now on when you are headed to church, come expecting to receive a Word from God in your Sunday School class.

May I challenge you in another way? Where are you in God’s Word? Let me challenge those of you who are not currently in a regular and systematic reading of God’s word. I challenge you to read Romans through Galatians before the next newsletter arrives at your home. That sounds like a lot! It is, but hey— that’s what a challenge is all about. In fact, if you ask me, I’ll partner with you to read it together, and we can encourage each other to keep on. Are you up for the Challenge? C’mon, what’re you waiting for?

Remember, we’re all in this together and I’m pulling for ya.

Until next month,
Danny Joe

Posted by arbc at 07:35 AM