I am not writing this blog because I believe television is intrinsically evil. It is not. Of course, there are certainly things on television that ARE evil, as well as some things that are good. Rather, I am writing this small booklet because television (and internet usage, and computer games) have become so pervasive in our society that I am not sure many people would know what to do without them.
Obviously, there are spiritual dangers in watching too much television. My primary concern however, is to warn you of one danger in specific—perhaps the worst danger of all: The danger of wasting one’s life in front of a meaningless screen.
For this reason, I challenge you to join me for one month of consecrated living. One month without the constant din of endless banter. One month without laugh tracks. One month without theme songs. One month without the ubiquitous “sales pitch.”
Many of the activities that I will recommend in these pages will be for families. I understand, however, that not every person who reads this booklet will be part of a multi-person home. Some are singles, widows, or divorcees. Please know, however, that you ARE still a member of the family of God. If possible, find some other persons with whom you may participate. If not, feel free to modify these suggestions to your individual needs. Each daily exercise ends with a suggested Scripture reading. Read these aloud together. By the end, you will have read the entire Gospel of Mark. Have fun!
Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church Christian Education…
Sunday Morning Adult Classes
Spring 2010
(January 10-April 25, 2010)
The Epistle to the Hebrews
Dr. Wilfred Bellamy
It is in the Epistle to the Hebrews that we find some of the New Testament’s best developed thought about the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ and salvation through him. The covenant made by God with Abraham, which is the root of the new covenant, finds its fulfillment in Jesus, the incarnate Son of God.
Hebrews demonstrates how Christ is superior and preeminent. He is greater than all who have gone before; the prophets, the priests, the patriarchs, even the angels. He is God’s ultimate Word to mankind, the fulfillment of all of God’s promises to His people. Nowhere more than here do we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit saying “this is the way, walk in it!”
But Hebrews is not only theologically profound, it is also practical. It contains, with essential truths, both exhortation and warning, and challenges the believer to learn what it means to have a deeper closer walk with God by faith, and to “run the race” with courage and determination. Hebrews is for the church. It calls for our determination to study while promising a rich reward for those who persevere.
A Little about our newest teacher, Dr. Bellamy….
Wilfred Bellamy was Educated in England at Westminster College in the University of London, where he completed his theological studies. Dr. Bellamy holds an M.A. in Curriculum Research from MichiganStateUniversity where he also completed most of his doctoral work. He received his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from SouthwesternUniversity.
Beginning his career as a schoolteacher he became a missionary to Nigeria, West Africa in 1958 where he served for fourteen years, prior to entering the United States to be President of Missionary Internship, a missionary orientation and training center in Farmington Michigan. Ordained a Minister in 1971 Dr. Bellamy has served churches in Michigan, Georgia, South Carolina and most recently North Carolina. Fifteen years ago he was called to be the Senior Pastor of the Thomson Presbyterian Church in Thomson, Georgia, from which charge he was appointed by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church to the responsibilities of Coordinator of General Synod until his retirement in 2008
He is married to Nancy. They have five children and ten grandchildren, and live in HernandoBeach (South) on the west coast of Florida.
PRACTICING THE FAITH- LIVING IN THE CULTURE
David Field
This class confronts a potpourri of topics that Christians face.It moves from God’s will, divorce, anger with God, to why Christianity is true and other religions and sects are not.How does the Christian deal with evangelism and politics and the church with the “it’s all about me” culture?Weekly there will be a presentation on a new topic followed by discussion.Class Topics include (but not limited to): Knowing God’s Will, Faith and Emotional Problems, Divorce and Remarriage, Forgiveness, A Lovers Quarrel with the Evangelical Church, Christless Christianity, Quitting Church, Why Men Hate Going to Church, Christianity and Politics- The Two Kingdoms, Bad Reasons To Believe, Why Christianity is True, The Resurrection, Why Doctrine?, Everyday Apologetics (World Religions, Islam), Everyday Evangelism
Why We Believe the Bible
Scott and Stephanie Knight
Why We Believe the Bible DVD series , featuring the high-impact teaching of John Piper, is designed to coordinate with the weekly assignments in the companion Study Guide to help the class explore why the Bible alone in worthy of our confidence as the book of books, pointing infallibly to the King of kings. Some of the teachings include: "What does the Bible claims for itself?" "What does it mean that the Bible is inerrant?" "How can we justify the claim that the Bible is God's word? And much more! With Scott and Stephanie facilitating this dynamic study, every participant is sure to leave with greater understanding of God’s Word and the tools to go out and live it!
