FOCUS OF THE MONTH
Always Give Thanks
SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: — Psalm 50:14 (KJV)
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, — Psalm 50:14 (ESV)
Wednesday Corporate Fasting Scripture – Isaiah 58 (ESV); Isaiah 58 (KJV)
Friday End of Week Scripture – Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
!!!! HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!
Sister Frances Lambright – November 29 – Class 03
Sister Magdalen Harris – December 1 – Class 06
Minister Robert Coleman – December 4 – Class 01
Sister Viola Freeman – December 5 – Class 03
Call (605) 475-4971, access code 455-862#; Select “#” to listen to the most recent Facilitators’ Tuesday Review Call OR listen to the Review below.
Here is this week’s Facilitators’ Tuesday Review
Don’t Leave! Here is last week’s Facilitators’ Tuesday Review
Open Invitation
Join the Introduction Class on 1-605-313-4831; access code 259-748#, whenever your Class Facilitator is absent
Did you miss your class today? Do you want an evangelism tool?
If yes — call or share the Introduction Class Instant Replay
1-605-313-4904; access code 259-748#
For more information visit 5ambiblestudyministry.org
Visit here to submit Prayer Requests
This Week’s Overview:
Sunday – Life can be a bitter sweet experience. However, at the marriage supper with Jesus, we can expect a brighter day.
Monday – In the meantime, consider the great things that God has done for us here and now. Let’s purpose to give Him our very best service today.
Tuesday – Our ministry is to build relationships while people are hurting and suffering. We may not fully understand the severity of their pain but we can quietly position ourselves to support them.
Wednesday – As difficult as life is, we can be confident that God is always with us. Let’s thank Him for the gift of His Son that drew us to Him. Now, let us also purify ourselves and live godly lives as we draw nigh to God.
Thursday – Keep in mind, prayer is paramount! We’ve been given the remarkable privilege to pray for those whom God has placed in our lives. Let’s plan to leave a lasting legacy of one who faithfully prayed and left an impact.
Friday – The time we have on this earth is crucial. Remember, we serve God when we serve those in need. Let’s willingly, joyfully and freely share the love of God by giving as God equips us to be a blessing.
***The English Standard Version (ESV) stands in the classic mainstream of English Bible translations over the past half-millennium. The fountainhead of that stream was William Tyndale’s New Testament of 1526; marking its course were the King James Version of 1611 (KJV), the English Revised Version of 1885 (RV), the American Standard Version of 1901 (ASV), and the Revised Standard Version of 1952 and 1971 (RSV). In that stream, faithfulness to the text and vigorous pursuit of accuracy were combined with simplicity, beauty, and dignity of expression. Our goal has been to carry forward this legacy for a new century.
To this end each word and phrase in the ESV has been carefully weighed against the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, to ensure the fullest accuracy and clarity and to avoid under-translating or overlooking any nuance of the original text. The words and phrases themselves grow out of the Tyndale-King James legacy, and most recently out of the RSV, with the 1971 RSV text providing the starting point for our work. Archaic language has been brought to current usage and significant corrections have been made in the translation of key texts. But throughout, our goal has been to retain the depth of meaning and enduring language that have made their indelible mark on the English-speaking world and have defined the life and doctrine of the church over the last four centuries.
The ESV is an “essentially literal” translation that seeks as far as possible to capture the precise wording of the original text and the personal style of each Bible writer. It seeks to be transparent to the original text, letting the reader see as directly as possible the structure and meaning of the original. More about the ESV translation philosophy….***
Sunday, November 29, 2020 – Sweet Again – Isaiah 25:1-9
Our Daily Bread Topic: Christ, return
Reflect & Pray
What makes you long for God to make what is bitter sweet again? While you wait for Jesus’ return, what are some things you can do to make others’ bitter experience sweet again?
God, as I witness and experience so much pain, suffering, ruin, and death, sometimes it’s difficult to believe You’ll make what is bitter sweet again. Help me to put my hope in You, the One who’s promised to give me beauty for ashes and joy for mourning.
Monday, November 30, 2020 – Giving Our Best – Malachi 1:8-14
Focus: Consider what God has done for us and purpose to give Him our very best service.
Scripture(s): Romans 12:1; Matthew 22:37; Proverbs 3:9-10
Our Daily Bread Topic: Living for Christ
Reflect & Pray
Why are you sometimes tempted to give God your leftovers or damaged goods? In what ways will you give Him your best today?
Mighty God, please help me place You first and give You my best.
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 – Being There – Job 2:11-13
Focus: We may not fully understand the severity of someone’s pain, but let’s quietly set ourselves in position to support them.
Scripture(s): Romans 12:15; Acts 9:26-28; 1 Samuel 28:23-25
Our Daily Bread Topic: Encouragement; Love for Others
Reflect & Pray
Who has been with you in difficult times? Who needs your presence today?
God, I thank You for being with me always—in good times and bad. Help me to offer that gift of presence to those You put in my path.
To learn more about helping hurting people, visit ChristianUniversity.org/CC205.
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 – Christmas Presence – Isaiah 7:10-14
Focus: Let’s thank God for the gift of His Son by drawing near to Him with a life of purity and He will draw nigh unto us continually.
Scripture(s): Hebrews 10:22; Isaiah 55:6- 7; James 4:7-10
Our Daily Bread Topic: Christ, birth; Christ, names
Reflect & Pray
What does it mean to you that God loves you so much He wants to be with you always? How will you draw near to Him today?
Loving God, thank You for giving Yourself to me through Your life on earth, death on the cross, and resurrection. Please help me to live for You today and forever!
Thursday, December 3, 2020 – The Privilege Of Prayer – 1 Chronicles 29:11-19
Focus: We’ve been given the privilege to pray for others. Let’s leave a legacy of one who faithfully prayed and left an impact.
Scripture(s): 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Job 1:4-5
Our Daily Bread Topic: Prayer
Reflect & Pray
How have someone’s prayers made a significant impact on your life? How might you encourage others with your prayers?
Heavenly Father, I bring my loved ones before You and ask that You would work out Your plans in their lives.
Read Talking with My Father: Jesus Teaches on Prayer at DiscoverySeries.org/HP171.
Friday, December 4, 2020 – Relentless Love – 1 John 3:16-18
Focus: We serve God by serving those who are in need. Show God’s love as He equips us to freely and joyfully give.
Scripture(s): James 2:14-17; Proverbs 11:24
Daily Bread Topic: Living like Christ; Love for Others
Reflect & Pray
As you notice the numerous needs of people around you, how can you show God’s love in a practical way? How does serving God help your faith to grow?
Father, fill my heart with the willingness to help when I see a need. Help me to give joyfully and serve You with gratitude.
Read Compassion: Learning to Love Like Jesus at DiscoverySeries.org/Q0208.
Saturday, December 5, 2020 – The Yard-Sale Christmas – 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19
Our Daily Bread Topic: Contentment; God’s love
Reflect & Pray
What are you thankful to God for today? How might you learn contentment?
Father, You’ve blessed me with so much. Teach me each day to give thanks.
Inspirational Thoughts from Sister Clovia Thompson
Depression
What do Job, Naomi, David, and Jeremiah have in common? The Bible says they all experienced depression:
Job suffered from physical pain and devastating loss.
Naomi lost her husband and sons, became a destitute widow.
David mourned over his sins.
Jeremiah was crushed by the suffering of his people.
The Bible has many examples of human sadness. In fact, we are instructed to weep with those who weep.
You might be thinking it feels wrong to be depressed during this time of year in spite of all the devastation that has happened this year. After all, the Bible says to be joyful in everything and to count it all joy when we experience trials.
Let’s never forget that we are made in the image of the Almighty God, our emotions can serve a holy purpose. May God give us the wisdom to respond to all of our emotions in a Christ-honoring way, even when that emotion is sadness and depression. Remember:
Life is short—live it.
Love is rare—grab it.
Anger is bad—dump it.
Fear is awful—face it.
Memories are precious—cherish them.
God heals the brokenhearted and binds up our wounds.
“My friends, make time for God every day because He always has time for you.” — Sister Clovia