FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Giving Thanks
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. — 2 Corinthians 9:15 (KJV) (MEV)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Sister Debra Johnson – November 15 – Class 09/10
Evangelist Alfreda Dixon – November 15 – Introduction Class
Sister Carrie Verene – November 16 – Class 07/08
Call (641) 715-3378, access code 2597-48#; Reference 181# to listen to a review of these lessons.
For more information visit www.5ambiblestudyministry.org
Overview: God sacrificed His Son so that we could have eternal life. He has been generous to supply all our needs. Are we willing to share our plenty with someone who is less fortunate? If so, this act of worship will glorify God.
Out of a grateful heart for God’s great love for us, we should be eager to spend more time to get to know Him better. As a result, we will become more effective in our witness of God’s love to everyone we meet. The Holy Spirit who abides in us will guide us each day to freely share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the lost and destitute.
As we purpose to live our whole lives in the light of God’s presence through word and deed, we will experience the fullness of His joy. This is our reasonable act of worship. We must be mindful that when we serve God and others, there may be times that we ourselves need to be served. Let’s pray that our example of servitude will cause others to develop a spirit of humility and desire to serve us in our time of lack. However, we must be grateful and willing to accept their help. In doing so, this gives them an opportunity to show their love for God by serving His people.
***The Scriptures for this week’s lessons are taken from the MODERN ENGLISH VERSION (MEV). The Modern English Version (MEV) heralds a new day for Bibles with the most modern translation ever produced in the King James tradition, providing fresh clarity for Bible readers everywhere with an updated language that doesn’t compromise the truth of the original texts. The MEV maintains the beauty of the past, yet provides clarity for a new generation of Bible readers. The MEV is a translation of the Textus Receptus and the Jacob ben Hayyim edition of the Masoretic Text, using the King James Version as the base manuscript. The MEV is a literal translation. It is also often referred to as a formal equivalence translation. The Committee on Bible Translation began its work on the MEV in 2005 and completed it in 2014.
Principles for Translation:
Clear: The MEV is a literal translation (word-for-word), with capitalized references of God. The intent was to translate historical facts and events without distortion while translating in a way that readers of all backgrounds may understand the message that the original authors were communicating to the original audience.
Reverent: Every effort was made to ensure that no cultural or theological agenda was allowed to distort the translation.
Accurate: The goal was to translate Scriptureaccurately without loss, change, compromise, embellishments or distortions of the meaning of the original text.
The chief editor is James F. Linzey who conceived the MEV and is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary. The MEV is a modern translation by 47 translators from a wide range of denominations. To learn more, visit The Modern English Version.***
Monday, November 13, 2017 – Multiplied Generosity – 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
Focus: God has been generous to us through His Son. As we share our plenty to supply someone’s need, perhaps they will begin to do likewise. This generosity glorifies God.
Scriptures: Acts 2:42-47
Tuesday, November 14, 2017 – Great Love – 1 John 3:1-8
Focus: As an act of gratitude of God’s great love for us, we must be eager to spend more time with Him. Let’s be an example of God’s love to everyone we meet.
Scriptures: 1 John 4:7-8; John 1:12, 15-17
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 – How Much More! – Luke 11:5-13
Focus: God has given us the gift of His Son and the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us each day. How much more should we be willing to freely share the gospel with others.
Scriptures: Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Thursday, November 16, 2017 – In His Presence – Psalm 89:1-17
Focus: We must purpose to live our whole lives in the light of God’s presence daily. Whatever we do and say should be an act of worship.
Scriptures: Psalm 16:7-11
Friday, November 17, 2017 – Serve and Be Served – Philippians 4:10-19
Focus: As we freely give and serve others, they may develop a spirit of humility and desire to serve us in our time of need. We must be grateful and accept because this is an extension of their love for God.
Scriptures: Luke 22:26-27
Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson – Less Attitude, More Gratitude
A wise woman in Class 7 and 8 said one morning “I have no attitude but plenty of gratitude.” As we begin the Thanksgiving season, let this statement be in the forefront of our hearts and minds. Put away the attitude and pick up the gratitude.
- Be thankful that we do not have everything we desire. If we did, what would there be to look forward to?
- Be thankful when we do not know something, for it gives us the opportunity to learn.
- Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times, we grow.
- Be thankful for our limitations because it gives us opportunities for improvement.
- Be thankful when we are tired and weary because it means we have made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things, a life of rich fulfilment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Find a way to be thankful for our troubles and they can become our blessing. There will be no attitude but plenty of gratitude.