Teachng God's Word

Sunday School Preview

Teaching God's Word

Acts 18:1-11, 18-21a

For Sunday November 2 , 2015

by Frederick Wesley

Good afternoon and Happy Saturday. I consider it a privilege to be able to provide a preview of this week's Sunday School titled, Teaching God's Word. For those that do not know me I do a biweekly teaching for a blog titled Brand New week, Brand New Attitude. I attended Teacher's Training Class at Valley Kingdom Ministries International and after 40 weeks graduated to become a Sunday School teacher. My first assignment was with a Youth Sunday School Challenge which the team taught by 

myself and another teacher won first place. So when saying all of that I was given an assignment by the Superintendent of Rhema Word 2.0, to do the preview of the lesson last week but had to many other things such as school and work to take care of. Then I remembered that a Teacher of God's Word must be ready to teach at all times. And that is what this lesson will show about Teaching God's Word.

The lesson begins in Acts 18:1-9. In these verses we see where Paul has gone to the land of Corinth, which was the biggest city in the Greece. It was known for its many different cultures with Greeks, Jews, Asians, rich people and many slaves, and ruled of course by the Romans. The goddess of love Aphrodite was worshipped here and as many as 1000 prostitutes worked their trade in her temple. 

Paul gets help from several people including Aquila and his wife Priscilla, who helps him find work, Silas and Timothy who bring finances so Paul can focus on teaching The Way to others, and even after he was rebuffed by the Jews and took his message to the Gentiles, he was helped by Justus and Crispus continue the message. In the times that we live in today it is not easy to bring the gospel to others but Teaching God's Word will provide with people who can help you along the way.

As we continue this lesson on Teaching God's Word I go to Acts 18:9-11. In these verses we see where Paul gets a visit from Jesus who tells him to do not be afraid, continue to tell others of The Way, no one will hurt or attack him for Jesus is with him. And he stayed another six months. As a 

teacher of the Word of God I know that city I live in, Chicago and from people my age to the youth of today are not really into The Way like they used to be but I have to continue to teach and trust that Jesus is with me and to not be afraid and speak up about the gospel. I have to press forward and on.

In looking at the last few verses of the Sunday School lesson for this week of Teaching God's Word. Acts 18:18-21a we see where Paul has cut off his hair and sailed first to Syria and then to another Roman city filled with people who did not know anything about The Way, Ephesus. The people who 

heard his message about how Jesus changed his life, wanted him to stay but he had to do the will of God. In teaching the Word of God we had to listen to the voice of God and go where he wants you to teach his Word. It may not be in traditional places but where God leads us to teach his Word.

In conlusion by me not being obedient I may have not reached that one person or several people I was meant to reach. I did not rely on my friends to help me do what I was supposed to do. I let the opposition dictate to me instead of trusting that Jesus had my back. And I wanted to stay doing what I wanted to do instead of doing what God wanted me to do, and that is teach his Word, whenever. Now this is only a Preview of the Sunday School lesson, You can get a great teaching at 8am at Valley Kingdom East Location at 1102 E. 154th Street in South Holland or Valley Kingdom West at 5300 W. 151st Street in Oak Forest. Have a great weekend all. And look forward to the Review of this lesson next week. 

From Derbe to Philippi

Sunday School Preview

From Derbe to Philippi

Acts 16:1-5, 8-15

For Sunday October 25, 2015

by Brother Bremen Campbell

Jesus  promised that He would build his church and that the "gates of Hades" would not prevail against it. Paul had  set out his second time, around 51 AD to re-visit those churches that he had helped establish. He was very aware that is was not his responsibility to plant churches, or to maintain them, but he was just an instrument in God's eternal purposes. Paul needed to communicate the decisions of the Jewish Council that Gentiles were not expected to keep the Jewish Law in order to be part of the church.

Today's  lesson is an important reminder of the continued need for evangelism. Verse 9 stated what was in essence a  invitation. The request is simple: Come over into Macedonia and help us. Paul knows exactly what help is needed: spiritual help. All of Macedonia needs the gospel that Paul can bring. What do you think? Does the world still need missionaries to bring them the Word? What about your city? Your community and neighborhood? What about your family?

With all the poverty, crime and evil in the world, not only do we need worldwide evangelist missions, such as VKMI's recent mission to South America, our communities are still in need of the Word. It states in Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey

everything I have commanded of you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Remember that this is a great lesson for us all. See you Sunday November 15 @ 8am at Valley Kingdom East located at 1102 E. 154th Street South Holland Illinois or Valley Kingdom West

 located at 5300 151st Street Oak Forest Illinois.

Saved by Grace

Sunday School Review

Saved By Grace

Acts 15:1-35

For Sunday October 25, 2015

by Superintendent Liz Hope

This quarter we have studied much about the birth and the growth of the church in the book of Acts. You could say, this is where Sunday morning rituals got started. And just like in Acts, Peter faced differing opinions between Jews and Gentiles about how they should live out their beliefs. We do that today, we embrace religious rituals or denomination distinction, in how we live out our faith. We determine based on our denominational divide, who's got it right and who's got it wrong? But God does not? 

The good news is God is not looking for your denomination, He's looking for you! As Peter said in Acts 15:8a and 9a. God knows hearts... and puts no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. In other words, God wants to see your faith expressed in your life to impact your community and the world; and, not how well you can do your rituals. The church grew in the book of Acts because the community saw God work in the lives of the believers, in spite of their differences.

It is still important today for the community to see God work in our lives. It is more important to come together in faith, than to be divided by differences. You see we all can only be Saved by Grace.

The grace of God is what we must let shime to others to continue to keep the church growing. The church is the Boby of Christ, not the building you meet at every week.

Rest Area (A Provision of God)

Good evening and Happy Saturday. One of the things that we did when I was a child was to make those long road trips to the south. My Father's side of the family stayed in Mississippi and my Mother's side lived in Georgia. These trips were long and along the way we ate on the sandwiches that were made and the beverages that was part of the trip. There was not a penchant to want to stop to go to the bathroom but when did it was in a Rest Area. In this area you could use the bathroom, the vending machine and do a little research on how far was the rest of your trip. But the main thing it did was to give the driver some rest. On this the 311th day of the year some of the people of faith are loaded down with problems and are looking for a Rest Area ( A Provision of God).

The things of this world a saddles us down as if we are a horse. Our jobs seem to want more and more or downsizing to less and less. There is so many things that are youth are dealing with such as

violence, drugs and peer pressure. And all across the world there are conflicts that seem to never end. There seems to be an urgent need for us to go to God and seek a Rest Area (A Provision of God).

As we come into the Word of God for this teaching of Rest Area (A Provision of God) I to go to Exodus 33:12-14. In these verses Moses and the people of God are tired and looking for the presence

of God as they are tired and want to get to the Promised Land. God hears their cry and tells them He will be with them and give them what they needed, a Rest Area (A Provision of God).

As we continue this teaching of Rest Area (A Provision of God) I go to the Word of God and to 1st Kings 5:3-4. In these verses King Solomon is now ready to build a place of worhsip for God because

he now has rest on every side for there is now neither a nation that wants to harm them or even better that no natural disasters are happening. A Rest Area (A Provision of God).

As we come to the end of the Biblical portion of this teaching of Rest Area (A Provision of God) I go to Matthew 11:28-30. In these verses Jesus it talking to the people and tells them that by Him being

the Son of God that he is able to provide rest for all who burdened and heavy labored. God sent Jesus so he could be able to give all of us a Rest Area (A Provision of God).

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In conclusion there is a call from all over the world that we need a Rest Area from the unrest. We need a place to see the things that God has for us. We need a place to go to that is tension and drama free. We need that place where we can pull the car over and contemplate about the rest of our journey. All these things are what is called A Provision of God, that happens when you are connected to God. I come to you all today and come into what God has for you and accept Jesus as your Savior and have the Rest Area you diligently seek. I give God all the honor and credit for this teaching

Peter Defends His Actions

Sunday School Review

Peter Defends His Actions

Acts 11:1-18a

For Sunday October 25 , 2015

by Brother Robert Lee

In this lesson, Peter is having some issues with what is asked of him. God showed him in a vision, to go down to the pig pen and slay, what was considered an unclean beast, and make a Pork-chop sandwich. Peter said, no Lord. Now we have a problem. If He's our Lord; then you, and I say Yes! But Peter wanted to defend his upbringing, to not eat what they considered unclean.

But God has said, what I have cleansed... don't call it call it common or unclean! God had to run this down to Peter three times. Maybe like Peter God has to tell us more than one time what he has called us to do. 

When God cleanses us by the Blood of the Lamb, nothing and nobody, can undo that! God is inclusive and loves us all. Peter would have very little to do with us (the Gentiles). If it was up to him. At that time he believed that Gentiles were unworthy. At first he tried to defend his actions, but like Peter, we too can be changed. Each of us is a miracle of God's grace.

Peter wasn't afraid to say what he had to say, and to stand up for what he believed. Once he did what the Spirit said, he preached and people got saved. Can you imagine the people that could get saved,  

if you say something? Try it this week, defend Jesus and tell somebody about Him. If you and I don't do it, it won't get done.

Brother Robert Lee

Peter Defends His Actions

Sunday School Review

Peter Defends His Actions

Acts 11:1-8a

For Sunday October 25, 2015

by Superintendent Liz Hope

There are some true facts in life. One of them is that conflict will arise. As my Mother used to say, even your teeth and toungue fall out sometime. This week's lesson deal with conflict between the Jews and the Gentiles on what you would call Christian principles. The differing of their beliefs. There are times that we must deal with conflict because of our differences. But God never intended for the differences to hinder our ability to show others Christ.

Peter thought that defending his upbringing would get him out of what God purposed him to do. But it didn't, and neither will yours or mine. It does not matter where we started, or even how we got here. God wants you to reach across differences to reach somebody. Putting up your differences to say, no Lord won't fly with God. It's time to take Peter's example. 

When Peter changed, it caused growth, and revival. It is in the conflict that God can show through, as Luke 6:31 (NIV) tells us, Do to others as you would have them do to you.  The decision to act different in the midst of differences, can casue a different outcome in your situation too. Instead of defending what is expected, do something unexpected, don't defend the difference, do something that breaks down barriers for Christ. It's on you and me to get it done. That's another fact of life. God uses ordinary people.

Superintendent Liz Hope

Psalms-31:24

(Jesus) You Complete Me

Good morning and Happy Tuesday. One of my favorite movies of the past is one called Jerry Maguire. This movie came out in 1996 and it grossed over $250 million off a budget of $50 million and won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor which was Tom Cruise and Best Supporting Actor which was Cuba Gooding Jr. The movie had all kinds of memorable scenes but the one that I liked was when Tom Cruise told the love interest in the movie, Renee Zellweger, " You Complete Me. My life was once in shambles so much so that it did not matter to me what happened to me but I want to thank you. (Jesus) You Complete Me.

If you knew how I was in the past you would know what I am talking about. I smoked weed every day since I was a teen. I started drinking at age 13. I smoked cigarettes at 12. I ditched school and

tried to get someone pregnant at 14. I tried any and every kind of drug and way to get high except for shooting up. I became addicted to women, sex, money gambling and every kind of debauchery known to man. I came back to some one who I know who could make me better. (Jesus) You Complete Me.

In coming into this teaching of (Jesus) You Complete Me I begin in Luke 8:26-29. In these verses we see where Jesus is in Gadarenes and meets a man who has many demons and wants Jesus to leave 

him as Jesus begins to call out the demons. I loved getting high and cheating on my wife and the life of the world that I did not want Jesus to bother me but he did any way.(Jesus) You Complete Me.

As I continue with this teaching of  (Jesus) You Complete me I go back to the Word of God and Luke 8:30-35. In these verses Jesus asks the man his name, which is Legion for he had many demons, and

heals the man to the amazement of others. You see once I had fallen so far off track that I needed Jesus to take my addictive behaviors away and put in my right mind, which he did and those who knew me back then, are wondering how did I change. (Jesus) You Complete Me.

As I bring the body of this teaching of (Jesus) You Complete Me  to a conclusion I go to Luke 8:38-39. In these verses the man who once had many demons now has none and wants to be with Jesus.

Jesus tells him to go spread the great news to his household. I am now in a place in my life that  feel much better because the things of old are gone away. (Jesus) You Complete Me.

In closing I want to tell each and everyone about how Jesus can complete you. I was changed from the most negative person in the world to one of the most positive. My personal blog Brand New week, Brand New Attitude is allowing me to spread the gospel worldwide. People I come in contact with on a daily basis look forward to hearing an encouraging word. For those of you who do not know Christ as your personal Savior I am a witness he will Complete You. I give God all the glory and honor for this teaching. Please look forward to the Sunday School Preview and Review of this week of October 25, 2015. Have a great week all.

Fred Wesley is a Technology Teacher for Rhema Word 2.0 which is the Sunday School for Valley Kingdom Ministries International.

Be Strong and Do Something Courageous

Sunday School Review

Be strong and Do something courageous this week 

Acts 10:1-44

For Sunday October 18, 2015

by Superintendent Liz Hope

Assistant Superintendent Lois told us in the preview that Peter did a lot of firsts, and asked us, if we have gone where no man has gone before-to witness for Christ. We see in the lesson how Peter was able to put aside his traditional roles and open his heart to receive something new. In this case, the Gentiles, in our case, a new opportunity or new way to witness about Christ.

 Who in our immediate circle haven't we told about being changed in Christ? Who in our circle of influence have we felt like its for somebody else who will tell them, because I don't know them that well? Today's lesson reminds us that Peter had a purpose; and, that we have a purpose. God wants us to move in faith and courage to our purpose. He is depending on us to fulfill this purpose.

On this journey, there will be challenging times, hard times, good times and even some great times, but the good news is, he will be with us. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV tells us, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you, he will never leave your or forsake you." He wants is to know that we can live our dream and fulfill our purpose. Go on, be strong, do something courageous for the Lord this week See you next week in Sunday School.

Liz Hope 

Psalm 31:24.

Peter Preaches to the Gentiles

Sunday School Preview

Peter Preaches to the Gentiles

(In other words some things are about to change)

Acts 10:24-38

For Sunday October 18, 2015

by Assistant Superintendent Lois Armstrong

A glimpse of Peter's background shows he was one the first disciples to speak out. Yes sometines out of turn. He was the first to PREACH, on the day of Pentecost. Also just before his encounter with Cornelius, he was the first to speak life into a dead woman named Tabitha. In today's LESSON, we will find Peter doing another FIRST.  That is crossing the line no one else had yet crossed.

Preaching to the Gentiles, meant that Peter crossed the line of Jewish Law. In our society today, there are lines that we have been forbidden or afraid to cross such as the Mason Dixon Line, which dealt with slavery. Crossing long-established barriers requires courage. Peter was impelled to do what was needed to extend the gospel to the Gentile nation. My Question is: Isn't that our calling as well?  To go boldly where we have never gone before. (Matthew 28:19).

I believe God is sending out a cry to the believers today to go to Corneluis' house. You see in Cornelius' he has FAMILY, his FRIENDS, and his NEIGHBORS waiting to hear the GOOD NEWS!

That VISION that keeps coming to you, is not to demean you but to teach y0u a lesson in humility. Everyone who God created is in His own image, and likeness (Genesis 1:26). Therefore who are we to call ANYONE unclean or unworthy of receiving the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Join us in Rhema Word (Sunday School) as we dig deeper into the scriptures. Tell the person next, " I WANT TO BE A FIRST!"

Saul Begins to Preach

Sunday School Preview

Saul Begins to Preach

(In other words some things are about to change)

Acts 9:19b-31

For Sunday October 11, 2015

by Superintendent Liz Hope

This is clear case of the leopard spots being changed; Saul the persecutor is now the preacher (teller of good news). Notice I didn't say the leopard changed his spots, I said his spots were changed. This lesson reminds us that the saving grace of Christ is the changing power in our life. After we are changed, he deputizes us to become change agents.

But, if we don't believe that other people can be changed, we will not the share the news of God's changing grace to reach then. We are called to like Saul... after God changed him, he became the point man leading others into change, I would dare say, he was like the MJ for Jesus. He was good at it, because he believed that if he could be changed, then God could change anybody. 

Yet he ran into some opposition, and that is when he met his new best friend, Barnabas. Barnabas become his encourager for change. Yes, we are going to run into some opposition too. So let me be your Barnabus today. You can do it with God's help. Now go do it. Be someone else's encourager to change. In order for there to be a breakthrough for the kingdom we are going to have to make a change in our community, city, nation and even world. Remember its not just Paul (the converted Saul) who needs an encourager.

Jesus said in Mark 16:15 to each of us, his deputized change agents..."go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature". Preaching is just telling the good news that you too can be changed. Everybody needs a Barnabus (an encourager) to help them change, As deputies of God's righteousness, go ahead and change your world. Be sure to read the full lesson in Acts 9:19b-31

Valley Kingdom Ministries International
15300 W. 151st Oak Forest 

Call of Duty

Good afternoon and Wonderful Wednesday. One of the most popular games in the history of video games is named Call of Duty. These series of games have sold over 175 million copies and $10 billion in the United States alone. The game is played always in place where there is conflict and the player or players have to go through many different levels of play before the person(s) playing the game finally gets to the end. The online community who plays this game is huge. Even though many of may not know it, God has a Call of Duty for all of us.

In coming into this teaching I want to define the two words in the title, call and duty. The word call means as follows; to cry out with a loud voice, to command or request, to ask or invite to come. The

word duty means as follows; something that one is expected or required to do by moral or legal obligation. We as the Body of Christ have to answer the Call of Duty God has for us all.

As I come to the Word of God for this teaching of Call of Duty I go to Exodus 3:1-10. In these verses God has come to Moses as he was just minding his business and gave him a difficult assignment.

We like Moses at times question God when cries out to us to do the things that we are required to do. In order to be able to advance the Kingdom of God we must accept our Call of Duty.

As we continue with this teaching of Call of Duty I go back to the Word of God and to Isaiah 6:5-8. In these verses Isaiah is in the presence of the Holy One and does not see himself as to being worthy

at first but then tells God to send him, he will go. God is commanding and requesting his people to do something that will bring the gospel of Christ to the masses. God wants us to be in our Call of Duty.

As we come to the end of the Biblical portion of our teaching we go to Acts 9:10-18. In these verses Ananias has an assignment of going to minister to a man who has done harm to all who believes in

Jesus. God is asking and inviting all of us to do something morally and legally by offering Christ to others and giving them a chance to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Call of Duty.

In closing I want to say that God appreciates everything that we do for him. He loves the way we give him praise and the things that we do for him in the church setting. But there is much more than that as the people of God that we have to do. God is crying out to us in a loud voice, God is commanding and requesting to his people and God is asking and inviting the Body of Christ to do what is   expected or required to do and that is to bring the gospel of Christ to others. It is time that we all answer the Call of Duty God has for us all. I give God all the glory and honor for this teaching and ask him to bless each and everyone. Please join us later this week for a Sunday School preview of the lesson for Sunday 10-11-15 by Superintendent Liz Hope. Take care all.

Fred Wesley is a Technology Teacher for Rhema Word 2.0