Después del diluvio, la Tierra comenzó a ser repoblada por los hijos de Noé: Sem, Cam y Jafet. Abram nació 292 años después del diluvio. Era el hijo menor de Taré, quien era del linaje de Sem. Un hecho interesante es que Noé y Sem todavía continuaban vivos durante la vida de Abram. Abram nació en la ciudad de Ur. Se casó con su media hermana Sarai. Su padre Taré dejó Ur para ir a Canaán y llevó con él a su familia, incluido Abram. Se detuvieron en Harán, donde murió Taré, y quizás Abram se hubiera quedado allí. Sin embargo, Dios le habló a Abram y le dijo que dejara a su familia y se fuera a un lugar no revelado. Dios prometió hacer de Abram una gran nación y su nombre grandioso. Prometió bendecir a quienes bendijeran a Abram y maldecir a quienes lo maldijeran, y que todas las naciones serían bendecidas por medio de su simiente. Abram le creyó a Dios y, sin dudarlo, se fue de Harán.
Discusión:
Explique a sus hijos que el matrimonio entre parientes fue común en los primeros años siguientes al diluvio. Recuerde que, inicialmente, todos estaban emparentados estrechamente. Sin embargo, Dios prohibió tales relaciones posteriormente (Levítico 18:6–18).
Señale que las promesas de Dios a Abram fueron condicionales. Primero tuvo que obedecer a Dios. Recuérdeles que la obediencia siempre debe ser primero.
Abram ya era bastante rico; tenía criados y animales. Estaba cómodo así. Pregunte a sus hijos si pueden imaginarse a sí mismos dejando la comodidad del hogar para seguir lo desconocido. Señale que Abram tuvo que tomar una decisión muy difícil, pero lo hizo sin dudar.
Explique que la promesa de bendecir a todas las naciones por medio de su simiente indica que el Mesías vendría del linaje de Abram. Claramente Dios le enseñó a Abram el evangelio del Reino de Dios.
Memorizar y revisar:
Génesis 18:19
“Porque yo sé que mandará a sus hijos y a su casa después de sí, que guarden el camino del Eterno, haciendo justicia y juicio, para que haga venir el Eterno sobre Abraham lo que ha hablado acerca de él”.
Adán eligió el camino del conocimiento del bien y del mal, y toda su progenie siguió el mismo camino. El mundo se volvió totalmente corrupto; la vida estaba llena de violencia y maldad continuamente. Las cosas estaban tan mal que Dios lamentó haber hecho a la humanidad. Debido a toda esta maldad, Dios decidió enviar un diluvio sobre la Tierra para destruir a toda la humanidad junto con todos los animales. Sin embargo, en medio de toda esta oscuridad, hubo un solo hombre que continuó sirviendo al Eterno Dios. Se llamaba Noé. Noé caminó con Dios tal como lo había hecho su antepasado Enoc, y Dios dio gracia a Noé. Dios le contó a Noé Su plan y le ordenó que construyera un arca para que él y su familia pudieran salvarse. Noé inmediatamente comenzó a hacer lo que Dios había dicho, y Dios lo salvó porque Noé puso primero a Dios en su vida. Dios siempre recompensa a quienes lo buscan diligentemente.
Discusión:
Ayude a sus hijos a imaginar cómo sería vivir durante la generación de Noé. Él era la única persona en todo el mundo que trataba de vivir obedeciendo a Dios.
Pregunte a sus hijos si han estado en una situación en la que eran las únicas personas en el grupo que practicaban el estilo de vida de Dios. ¿Cómo se sintieron?
Explique a sus hijos lo que significa la frase “perfecto en sus generaciones”. Ningún ser humano ha vivido una vida perfecta excepto Jesucristo. La palabra hebrea para “perfecto” también puede ser traducida como “irreprensible”, así es como esta palabra es traducida en muchas versiones de la Biblia. Hable sobre lo que significa ser irreprensible (agradar a Dios y guardar sus leyes como una forma de vida, pero también estar dispuestos a arrepentirnos en humildad cuando pecamos).
Discuta lo que significa caminar con Dios. Utilice Amós 3:3 como punto de partida para la discusión.
Pida a sus hijos que busquen la palabra “gracia” en el diccionario. ¿Cómo se aplica la definición a Dios y a Noé? ¿Por qué Dios seleccionó a Noé para recibir Su gracia? Si Dios da gracia a los humildes ¿Qué dice eso sobre Noé? Pregunte qué significa ser humilde. ¿Pueden ellos dar un ejemplo de actos de humildad dentro de sus interacciones familiares?
Memorizar y revisar:
Génesis 6:9
“Estas son las generaciones de Noé: Noé, varón justo, era perfecto en sus generaciones; con Dios caminó Noé”.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/lucie-dawson-672961-unsplash.jpg11251500lcgadminhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pnglcgadmin2020-11-12 12:00:002020-11-11 14:38:11Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 2: Lección 9 “Noé encuentra gracia”
Con el paso del tiempo, Adán y Eva comenzaron su familia. Su hijo primogénito se llamaba Caín, y su segundo hijo se llamaba Abel. Los dos hermanos tenían ocupaciones diferentes: Caín era agricultor y Abel era pastor. También tenían personalidades muy diferentes. Dios ha diseñado a los seres humanos con diferentes personalidades, talentos y habilidades. En ese sentido, Dios no quiere que todos sean iguales; ¡Él ama la variedad! Tanto la agricultura como el pastoreo son ocupaciones necesarias y nobles. Dios quería que Caín y Abel usaran sus talentos para servirle a Él y a su familia, y Él quiere que nosotros hagamos lo mismo. En esta lección, veremos a los dos primeros hermanos sobre la Tierra: Caín y Abel.
Discusión:
Pregunte a sus hijos los nombres del primer y segundo hijo de Adán y Eva.
Hable sobre el estilo de vida agrario con hermosos pastos, animales pastando y campos de trigo. Pinte una imagen con palabras que sus hijos puedan visualizar.
Pregunte a sus hijos cómo creen que sería ser un granjero o un pastor.
Analicen el hecho de que Caín y Abel eran hermanos que crecieron juntos.
Recuérdeles a sus hijos que Dios le ha dado a la gente diferentes talentos y habilidades y que todos son necesarios. Dios nos ama a todos.
Memorizar y revisar:
Lucas 10:27
“Aquél, respondiendo, dijo: Amarás al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, y con toda tu alma, y con todas tus fuerzas, y con toda tu mente; y a tu prójimo como a ti mismo.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/02_Cain_Abel_1024.jpg7681024lcgadminhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pnglcgadmin2020-11-12 12:00:002020-11-11 14:37:53Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 1: Lección 9 “Caín el agricultor y Abel el pastor”
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all had a personal relationship with God. Moses saw God and talked with Him (Exodus 33:18-23, Deuteronomy 34:10). How can this be true when the scriptures state that no one has seen God at any time (John 1:18)? We can understand the answer to this question when we understand that there are two God beings in the God family. God, who was later known as the Father, has never interacted directly with mankind, and no man has ever seen or spoken with Him. The Word who became Jesus Christ was the God of Israel.
Discuss:
The Word had to empty himself of his divinity in order to be born as a human (Philippians 2:5-11). What does this tell us about what He is like?
Who is listed at the beginning of the genealogy of Jesus Christ in Matthew? Do you recognize any other people mentioned in the list?
Have a Luke at the genealogy in Luke 3 and compare it to the one in Matthew. How far back does the one in Luke go? What are some reasons the lists are different?
God carefully selected Jesus’ parents. What are some of the character traits Mary and Joseph must have had to be chosen for this honor?
Christ lived without committing a single sin for His entire life (2 Corinthians 5:21). Could we have access to eternal life if Christ had sinned?
Memory Challenge:
1 Corinthians 10:4
“…and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-3-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2020-11-12 12:00:002020-11-11 13:34:23Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 2 “The God of Israel”
Mary, Jesus’ mother, was going to a wedding! Jesus and some of His disciples were also invited. The wedding was being held in a little village called Cana. There were lots of people there having a good time when Mary noticed a problem. They had run out of wine. She came to tell Jesus right away. But what could He do about it?
Discuss:
Name a few famous Bible characters. Can you think of some ways God interacted with the people you named?
Can you name some important miracles the God performed for His people in the Old Testament? What miracle for the Israelites relates to the memory verse below?
Who gave Moses the Ten Commandments?
What did God give the Israelites to eat in the wilderness?
Why did God give Israel judges and prophets?
Who was the Being who became Jesus Christ?
Memory Challenge:
John 2:11
“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CL-feature-image-2-11.png6111651Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2020-11-12 12:00:002020-11-11 12:08:26Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 2 “Water to Wine”
Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education
Estimated Reading Time: 7 min.
Did you know that the prophet Jeremiah was thrown into a dungeon but was rescued by an Ethiopian eunuch?
Because Jeremiah faithfully prophesied the Babylonian captivity of the House of Judah and Jerusalem in 587/586 BC and urged surrender to the enemy forces, he was declared a traitor by his countrymen and punished. In my daily Bible reading not long ago I revisited this story, sparking an idea for this Digging Deeper. Regular readers of this column may remember my article, “A Lesson from the Ethiopian Eunuch,” from the Book of Acts. Today’s Old Testament story will add the second of these two Ethiopian eunuchs who displayed more spiritual sense and faithfulness than most Jews of their time.
“…Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God”
The scriptural references for this story are Jeremiah 38:7-13 and Jeremiah 39:16-18. As I checked a cross-reference from the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8, I was drawn to a particular prophecy from the Book of Psalms: “Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God (Psalm 68:31 KJV)”. These two stories portray the active response by Ethiopian Gentiles to the God of Israel. These Africans recognized the superiority of Israel’s God and wanted to loyally serve Him. The Old Testament makes plain that God intended His salvation message to reach non-Israelite peoples. These two Ethiopians, separated by several centuries, displayed courageous responsiveness that many of God’s elect nation did not.
Servant of the King
During the Babylonian siege of the House of Judah, the Jewish king, Zedekiah, acquiesced to some of his princes who requested that Jeremiah be cast into a dungeon (probably a cistern) for his pointed preaching (Jeremiah 38:1-6). The ESV Study Bible comments that “Cisterns were dug out of rock, had a small opening, and spread out at the bottom. Escape from such a place was virtually impossible, so perhaps only notorious prisoners were put there…(Tecarta Bible App)”. Because of the prolonged siege, the cistern may have had only mire (mud) and not water. Being left there with no food would induce Jeremiah’s slow, filthy death. Recognizing the threat to the prophet’s life, an Ethiopian eunuch came to the rescue (Jeremiah 38:7-9). This man’s name was Ebed-melech, which means “servant of the king.” The Expository Notes of Dr. [Thomas L.] Constable defines his origin: “He happened to be an Ethiopian or Cushite (from modern-day southern Egypt, northeastern Sudan, Eritrea, and northern Ethiopia) (e-Sword 12.2)”.
Ebed-melech is described as a eunuch. Most likely, this meant that he was an emasculated man who was placed in charge of the king’s harem, ensuring that he would not stealthily beget the heir to the throne. This extreme measure preserved royal bloodlines. The word later evolved in common usage to refer to a high court official (chamberlain), whether or not the man had been physically altered. Even into fairly modern times, this practice of castration of servants was common in royal courts. Notice this comment from The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary: “The eunuchs over harems in the present day are mostly from Nubia or Abyssinia (e-Sword 12.2)”. Physically mutilated men were forbidden from entering into the congregation of Israel (Deuteronomy 23:1). As a result, Ebed-melech served the king as his slave with a courtly position but was not a full Jewish convert. This office gave him frequent access to the king himself, enabling him to appeal to King Zedekiah for Jeremiah’s life (Jeremiah 38:8-9).
Who was Ebed-Melech?
The Pulpit Commentary, edited by H. D. M. Spence, D.D. and Joseph S. Exell, M.A. characterizes this man who came to Jeremiah’s rescue as
“(1) An alien. A negro, and not a Jew, and one from his office disqualified from participating in the benefits of the covenant. It is the more remarkable that none of Jeremiah’s countrymen interposed.
(2) A servant of a vicious king. The establishments of such princes are usually stamped with the same character, and their members are but the creatures of their masters. There is something doubly unlooked for, therefore, in such an advocate and friend. It is like a salutation from one of ‘Caesar’s household.’ [in the time of Paul in Rome]
(3) It is also probable that he was one called out by the occasion. No mention of him is made either before or after.” (e-Sword 12.2)
As a castrated male, Ebed-melech had no hope of becoming a Jewish proselyte to the Israelite faith. However, Ebed-melech had more spiritual sense than most native Jews during this tragic period. He recognized the injustice shown to one of God’s faithful prophets and was moved with compassion for Jeremiah. The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary, edited by Joseph S. Exell, explains that this Ethiopian eunuch was:
“1. Deeply affected by the miseries of God’s servant (Jeremiah 38:7). To hear of what was done troubled him. He had ‘a heart at leisure for itself to soothe and sympathise.’
2. Impelled by pity to attempt his help (Jeremiah 38:8). Not passive sympathy only; he set himself to aid his deliverance. ‘A little help is worth a deal of pity.’
3. Saw the wickedness of the cruelty shown to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:9). The inhumanity was shocking to his kind nature; but the sin of it was equally evident, for abuse of God’s messenger was defiance of God!
4. Dealt very tenderly with him in rescuing him (Jeremiah 38:12). His gentleness is touching. He realised how sick and weak the prophet must be through the horrors of his imprisonment, and from being deprived of food. A tender heart makes the hand gentle.” (e-Sword 12.2)
An Unexpected Friend
Robert Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary explains the significance of this act: “See how the Lord raiseth instruments, from the most unexpected quarters, for the deliverance of his people. Here was a stranger, and a Gentile, prompted to fly to the rescue of one of the Lord’s prophets, when all the people of the land were consenting to his death (e-Sword 12.2)”. This story portrays how impious and uncivil were most of the national and religious leaders of the House of Judah before its captivity to Babylon. Fausset’s Bible Dictionary draws out a lesson for us: “Often God raises friends to His people from quarters from whence least they could expect it. Ebedmelech’s courageous interference in Jeremiah’s behalf, at a time when he might naturally fear the wrath of the princes to which even the king had to yield (Jeremiah 38:4-13; 39:16-18), brought deliverance not only to the prophet, but ultimately to himself as his reward from God (e-Sword 12.1).” Jeremiah was rescued from the dungeon because of the efforts of this merciful and brave Gentile (Jeremiah 38:10-13). For his faithfulness to Jeremiah, God protected Ebed-melech when the city of Jerusalem finally fell to the Babylonians, during which time thousands of Jews perished (Jeremiah 39:16-18). Ebed-melech had put his trust in the God of Israel (Jeremiah 39:18).
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Entire Bible summarizes the character of this faithful African: “Christ found more faith among Gentiles than among Jews. Ebed-melech lived in a wicked court and in a very corrupt degenerate age, and yet had a great sense both of equity and piety. God has his remnant in all places, among all sorts. There were saints even in Caesar’s household (e-Sword 12.2)”. Israelite genetics do not matter to God as much as responsive, faithful, and obedient hearts of those who desire to serve him. These two Ethiopians longed to serve the God of Israel as best they could. They were not granted all the privileges of God’s nation but they possessed the kind of responsive faith that God treasures. What a touching lesson may be drawn from this little-known story for believers of all nationalities today!
Kenneth Frank was born and raised in New Jersey, USA, and attended Ambassador College, graduating in 1973. He served in the Canadian ministry from 1973-1999, after which he returned to the USA to pastor churches in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina for 15 years. Having earned a BA degree from Ambassador College he later earned a MA degree from Grand Canyon University before being assigned to the Charlotte office to teach at Living University, now Living Education. Currently, he teaches the Survey of the Bible course to the on-campus students and writes the Digging Deeper column for our online Bible study program. He is married, has four children, and seven grandchildren.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Recommended-Read.png10801080lcgadminhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pnglcgadmin2020-11-11 13:30:002021-01-06 16:05:37Recommended Reads: Fruit of the Spirit
Author: Juliette McNair | Student, Living Education Charlotte 2020
Estimated reading time: 1 minute, 16 seconds.
What Are Your Pillars?
Mr. Wallace Smith is the Executive Editor for the Living Church of God. Mr. Smith asked us what pillars we use to support our worldview. We all use a particular perspective to process everything in life. But the edifice of our worldview is constructed upon fundamental beliefs. Like the columns of the Parthenon, our beliefs support our worldview.
Mr. Smith warned us that we often build our worldview subconsciously. He joked, “Sometimes, my thoughts have a mind of their own!” If we are not intentional about constructing our worldview, we will eventually find our columns to be cracking under pressure. Then we have to tear down those inaccurate beliefs. Mr. Smith told us that we need to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). If we have the right worldview, we can correctly process the many thoughts that flow into our minds. “Your worldview shapes the environment in which your thoughts flow.”
Some columns can crumble and the roof will not collapse. Others are so fundamental that when they break, the entire complex falls.
Mr. Smith gave us three pillars that we need to support our worldview:
God exists
Jesus is the Son of God
The Bible is the inspired word of God
On these three convictions, a Godly worldview is established. Mr. Smith inspired us to invest in these pillars now when we have the time and the resources. “In the future, if your pillars are strong, you can support others when their worldview crumbles.”
This post is part of our new series of student-written content for LivingEd-Charlotte. These summaries cover topics originally presented by our faculty and guest speakers in our weekly Forum and Assembly. For more Assembly-related content check out our Second Thoughts posts.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/hans-reniers-DELDTYAjPrg-unsplash.jpg10001500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2020-11-10 13:00:002021-02-16 17:20:49Assembly Summary: Invest in Your Pillars
Author: Juliette McNair | Student, Living Education Charlotte 2020
Estimated Reading Time: 3 min. 31 sec.
Have you ever taken one of those personality tests floating around online?
You can find out “Which Disney Princess Are You?” Or, in case you’re curious, you can also take the quiz “Which Vegetable Are You?” How about the Myers-Briggs personality test? These tests tap into a very human desire to want to understand ourselves. What makes me special? Why do I do the things I do? What, exactly, is personality?
Mr. Jonathan McNair asks this question in his Christian Living class. In the section “The Challenge of Being You,” we analyzed the dynamic between personality and character. Mr. McNair simplified a person into three main parts:
Disposition, Character, and Personality
“Disposition” is what I’m naturally disposed to be. How tall am I? What features has my DNA assigned me? Am I an emotional person? Even the environment in which I grew up and the one in which I now live plays a part in building me into who I am. It is the part of me that is, in many ways, out of my control.
On the other hand, “character,” Mr. McNair said in his lecture, “is knowing the right thing to do and doing it.” Character, unlike disposition, is a controlled response. It’s like the anchor. If disposition is largely personal and individually unique, the principles of character-building apply to us all. It is a common standard. Even more interesting, character tempers people’s different dispositions respectively so the end result is a unique personality.
Personality consists of experiences, actions, and attitude. It is who we are when our disposition influences our choices while our character grounds our narrow experiences with moral principles. If this is a more accurate understanding of personality, can we separate our personality from who we are, or are we that personality? If we choose to separate ourselves from our personality, are we using it as an excuse?
“Oh, that’s just my personality!”
There is a sort of group-identity struggle between extroverts and introverts. Extroverts might call introverts lazy for not participating enough, and introverts might accuse extroverts of hogging all the attention in a group. But it takes extraordinary effort for some to talk to a newcomer in the congregation. And for some of us, we have to learn to shut up and let someone else share. As an extrovert, my character is built every time I let someone else have the floor. And when introverts willingly introduce themselves to new people, are they not being led by their character, not their disposition?
How do I Raise My Personality to a Higher Standard?
The Apostle Peter is characterized by his boldness. In Matthew 16:13-19, we read Peter’s response, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter’s zeal is admirable, if misguided. When he swung his sword to defend Christ, I don’t think he intended to miss. But Peter’s disposition dominated his personality. Earlier, he even had the audacity to rebuke Jesus Christ. Eventually, his courage proved empty when he abandoned Christ to be crucified. So how did he become the servant God used to establish the Church that the gates of Hades would not overcome? God trained his personality to be led by character. His boldness became more than a natural trait; it became who he was to the core. Tempered by character, his personality grew to reflect a real courage. Ultimately, he defended Christ’s name with his life.
I am a collection of genes, experiences, and events, tempered by character. But maybe there can be more to me than who I am now. Perhaps God can create in me a better version of myself by weaving His mind into my character. Maybe, with God’s help, I can do a personality makeover. On second thoughts, it’s not just a maybe—it’s a must.
Juliette McNair is a student at Living Education Charlotte. She works in the Editorial Department transcribing sermons and proofreading transcripts. She also assists Living Education by writing Second Thoughts essays and Forum/Assembly Summaries for the website. Juliette recently graduated from SUNY Cobleskill in Upstate New York with an A.A.S in Horticulture, a B.T in Plant Science, and a minor in English with a writing focus. She loves playing soccer on the beach, getting up early to watch the sunrise, and playing piano with the lights out.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ben-robbins-S20PlUJRviI-unsplash.jpg10001500lcgadminhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pnglcgadmin2020-11-06 12:00:002021-09-03 12:35:46Second Thoughts: That’s Just My Personality
