Tag Archives: Sunday School

How to tell that Jesus has first place in a life

Last night I read the text of this morning’s Sunday School lessons in the upper classes in our congregation: Colossians 1:9-29. The title of the lesson is “The Preeminence of Christ.”

I had two basic questions:

  • How do I know — show, if you will — that Christ truly is preeminent in me?
  • How is Christ preeminent in my church? (What does that look like, as “they” say?)

Those give the same fundamental question different phrasing. I leave the question and its answers hanging here. Continue reading →

Faithfully carrying forward what Jesus began to do

Whom shall I send? (Isaiah 6:8)

Reading:

Matthew 10:1-15

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not” (Matthew 10:5).

Mark 6:7 says He began to do this — sounds like a new phase in their discipleship. In fact, check out Luke 10 and Acts 1:1,2 (at least).

They were not to go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans. Later He broadened the scope of their commission (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8).

“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7).

Continue reading →