Good Morning - Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Good Morning! 

 

Here is a follow up to something we discussed in class on Sunday:

 

Difference between an atheist and an agnostic:

 

agnostic:

 

1. 1. One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
   2. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
2. One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.

atheist:

 

One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.

 

The new unit for this week is  Unit 21, Opposition Along the Way   

 

Focus Scriptures for the Week:  

 

Matthew 5:10   

 

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

Ephesians 6:10-11

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.  Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil

 

Today's Scriptures:  Matthew 13:54-58

 

Today's Discussion: 

 

-- this short passage from Matthew, which tells the story of Jesus' rejection by his hometown, details some of the obstacles that Jesus faced in his ministry.  The people who knew him best, the people who had watched him grow up, just couldn't get their arms around the idea that Jesus was something more than the carpenter's son.  Today's lesson is mostly about how doubt -- the doubts of others and your own doubts -- can serve as opposition to your path.

 

-- we may have a similar situation in our own lives, in that as we try to be more faithful, those people who have known us for a long time may have a hard time believing that we are trying a more faithful path.  And that gives rise, not to opposition exactly from our long-time friends and family, but opposition from ourselves.  When we are questioned about a change in the way we live, the temptation is to step back from a more faithful path because of the questions from others.  We begin to question whether we are authentic in our beliefs, and whether we are a different person.

 

-- Jesus didn't suffer any of those doubts, and he strongly moved on in his ministry.  Wesley, in his writings for this week, or least the first few that I've read so far, had tremendous doubts, some of which were self-inflicted.

 

-- in both cases, the thing that made Wesley overcome those doubts was getting back to what he knew.  These kinds of doubts don't question your opinion, they question what it is you know.  And confidence in knowing what it is you know -- about your salvation, about the way you should live your life -- is the way to overcome doubt.

 

Question for Sunday:  

 

-- what are your doubts, and how do they challenge you in your journey to "move towards perfection."

 

Today's prayer request:    Saundra Aaron

 

Saundra is Valerie's brother's mother-in-law, and she has just found out last week that she has breast cancer.  They have decided to do surgery either tomorrow or Thursday.

 

Today's class member prayer: 

 

Nicole McKinney

 

Have a great day.

 

Jay