Dios restauró la Tierra, creando el ambiente perfecto para la humanidad. Dios siempre hace las cosas de forma planificada, así que creó a un hombre, Adán, como el comienzo de Su familia. Dios hizo a Adán del polvo de la tierra, parecido a Él mismo y sopló la vida en él. Dios colocó a Adán en el Edén, un hermoso jardín, y le dijo que lo cuidara y lo mantuviera. Todo árbol hermoso y toda planta con semillas estaban en el Edén. Los animales eran mansos y juguetones. Fue un hermoso comienzo para la humanidad. Contrario a lo que enseñan los evolucionistas, Dios literalmente creó a Adán y a Eva y los colocó en un jardín físico, y de estos dos seres humanos vinieron todas las personas que han existido durante toda la historia de la humanidad hasta el presente.
Discusión:
Ayude a sus hijos a comprender que Adán fue el comienzo del plan de Dios para tener una familia.
Pregunte a sus hijos qué trabajo le dio Dios a Adán.
Hable sobre el hermoso jardín y los animales que eran mansos como lo son mascotas familiares.
Pregunte a sus hijos qué tipo de animal les gustaría tener como mascota si fuera posible. (Use esto como una oportunidad para hablar sobre el maravilloso mundo de mañana).
Hable sobre el vínculo cercano y la relación amorosa que Adán tuvo con Dios.
Memorizar y revisar:
Génesis 1:27 “Y creó Dios al hombre a su imagen, a imagen de Dios lo creó; varón y hembra los creó”.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/86892091_s-123rf-2.jpg377598lcgadminhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pnglcgadmin2021-04-15 09:30:062026-04-24 12:29:32Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 1: Lección 5 “Dios crea a Adán”
Dios creó un paraíso perfecto y dijo que era muy bueno (Génesis 1:31). Adán disfrutó viendo los animales. Vio que cada uno tenía una compañera; sin embargo, él no tenía una compañera. Dios esperó hasta el momento justo para crearle una compañera a Adán, una que fuera como él. La versión Reina Valera de la Biblia dice que Dios creó una “ayuda idónea” para Adán (Génesis 2:18), en otras palabras, una ayudante adecuada para Adán. Adán fue creado del polvo de la tierra, pero su ayudante fue creada a partir de la costilla de Adán. Adán llamó a su compañera mujer o “Varona”, que significa “tomada del hombre”, el nombre de ella fue Eva. Tanto Adán como Eva, hombre y mujer, fueron creados a imagen de Dios, y tanto los hombres como las mujeres tienen el potencial de ser parte de la familia de Dios.
Discusión:
Pregunte a sus hijos cómo creen que se sintió Adán al ser el único ser humano en el planeta.
Pregunte cómo piensan que se sintió Adán cuando Dios le presentó una compañera.
Explique a sus hijos lo que significa “ayuda idónea”.
Enfatice el hecho de que Adán fue creado primero del polvo de la tierra y luego Eva fue creada a partir de Adán.
Hable con sus hijos sobre cómo debió haber sido la vida de Adán y Eva en el hermoso jardín. Pregúnteles qué piensan de esto.
Memorizar y revisar:
Génesis 1:27 “Y creó Dios al hombre a su imagen, a imagen de Dios lo creó; varón y hembra los creó”.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Eve-from-Adam.jpg360480lcgadminhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pnglcgadmin2021-04-14 16:24:552026-04-24 12:29:15Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 1: Lección 6 “Dios crea una ayuda idónea para Adán”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/chris-lawton-9T346Ij4kGk-unsplash.jpg10001500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-04-14 13:30:002021-03-24 15:21:32Course Spotlight: The Death of James
Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education
Estimated reading time: 7 min.
Did you know that, when Jesus was nailed to a Roman cross, a placard called a superscription was placed over His head with the accusation laid against Him?
This sign is mentioned by all four Gospel writers and yet the words expressed differ one from another. You may wonder why they are different, how they can be reconciled, and what is the significance of this detail about Jesus’ crucifixion. This Digging Deeper will delve into this matter to reconcile our four accounts and explain the spiritual significance of this inscription.
Historical sources inform us that a placard naming the charge against a person to be crucified (who was called a cruciarius) was inscribed on a white tablet with red or black ink letters and hung around the person’s neck as they carried the cross beam to the crucifixion stake. According to John 19:19, Pilate wrote this superscription to be affixed to the cross. Matthew 27:37 says it was placed over Jesus’ head. Since the crucifixion was a public display, its purpose was to deter on-lookers from crimes against the state.
Historically, this sign above the cross has been called the superscription, inscription, or the title on the cross. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines superscription as: “That which is written or engraved on the outside, or above something else” (e-Sword 13.0). The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, edited by James Orr, explains the various biblical terms for this inscription: “The fullest description is that of Mark, ‘the superscription of his accusation’ (ή ἐπιγραφὴ τῆς αἰτίας ἀυτοῦ, hēepigraphḗtḗsaitı́asautoú) (Mark 15:26). Matthew calls it more briefly ‘his accusation’ (τὴν αἰτίαν αὐτοῦ, tḗnaitı́anautoú) (Matthew 27:37), while Luke styles it merely ‘a superscription’ (epigraphē) (Luke 23:38). In the Fourth Gospel it is called a ‘title’ (τίτλον, tı́tlon) (John 19:19)” (Ibid.).
The words of the superscription differ among the four Gospels:
“This is Jesus the King of the Jews” (Matthew 27:37)
“The King of the Jews” (Mark 15:26).
“This is the King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38).
“Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19).
The Scofield Reference Bible Notes (1917 Edition) reconciles these differences simply: “These accounts supplement, but do not contradict one another. No one of the Evangelists quotes the entire inscription. All have ‘The King of the Jews.’ Luke adds to this the further words, ‘This is’; Matthew quotes the name, ‘Jesus’; whilst John gives the additional words ‘of Nazareth'” (e-Sword 13.0). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of New Testament Wordsadds that: ” … the variation serves to authenticate the narratives, showing that there was no consultation [collusion] leading to an agreement as to the details” (Ibid.). Compiling the various Gospel accounts, this superscription read “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers explains these differences further: “But in part also they may reasonably be ascribed to the natural variations sure to arise even among eye-witnesses, and à fortiori among those who were not eye witnesses, as to the circumstantial details of events which they record in common. On grounds of ordinary likelihood St. John’s record, as that of the only disciple whom we know to have been present at the crucifixion (John 19:25), may claim to be the most accurate” (e-Sword 13.0).
A superscription in three languages
A display of the original language letters of these superscriptions is available to us. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible illustrates the original languages:
In Hebrew – ΕβραΐϚι:
ישוע נצריא מלכא דיהודיא
In Greek – ΕλληνιϚι:
ΙΗΣΟΥΣ Ο ΝΑΖΩΡΑΙΟΣ Ο ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΕ ΤΩΝ ΙΟΥΔΑΙΩΝ
In Latin – ΡωμαΐϚι:
IESUS NAZARENUS REX IUDAEORUM (e-Sword 13.0).
The difference in phrasing may in part be due to the arrangement and translation of words from these three different languages. Necessarily, the superscription must have been sizeable to contain the total content. ADictionary of Christ and the Apostles, edited by James Hastings, explains why it was displayed in more than one language: “The three languages of the τίτλος—Hebrew (i.e. Aramaic), Latin, and Greek—represent, as Westcott remarks, the national, the official, and the common dialects respectively. The true reading, therefore, preserves the more natural order. Bilingual and trilingual inscriptions such as this were naturally common in the East under the Roman Empire” (e-Sword 13.0). Another explanation declares the three languages were those of religion (Hebrew), of empire (Latin), and of intellect (Greek). Hebrew was the local language of the Jews, Greek was the universal tongue of the eastern Roman Empire, and Latin was the official language of the Roman government.
“I have written what I have written.”
The College Press Bible Study Textbook hypothesizes why Pilate directed these words to be affixed to Jesus’ cross (John 19:19-22): “Pilate may have ordered it nailed to His cross to clear his record with Caesar, since the basic charge of blasphemy for claiming to be the Son of God would not interest Roman jurisprudence” (e-Sword 13.0). The Jews condemned Jesus for blasphemy (Matthew 26:65). However, they did not have the authority to execute Jesus without Roman permission. They laid the political charge of insurrection on Jesus when they presented Him to Pilate. Being Roman governor, it was Pilate’s responsibility to investigate. He knew it was out of envy they falsely accused Jesus (Matthew 27:18). Pilate pronounced Jesus an innocent man (John 19:4, 6). The Jews in turn tricked Pilate into condemning this innocent man (John 19:12). Pilate had already been in trouble with the Roman emperor so he did what was expedient for his career by handing Jesus over for crucifixion.
The Jews wanted to change the superscription wording to state that Jesus claimed to be King of the Jews (John 19:21). Jesus never made such a claim. From his earlier conversation with Jesus, Pilate learned that Jesus was not threatening the Roman Empire when He explained ” … My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36 KJV). Others claimed Jesus’ kingship for Him (John 12:13). Inadvertently, Pilate formalized Matthew’s theme that Jesus was the King of Israel – i.e., He was the prophesied Messiah from the Hebrew Bible. Pilate publicized that the Jews had killed their King. Out of spite and revenge, he humiliated the Jews for their forcing him to concede to Jesus’ death. The Jews wanted Pilate to anathematize Jesus through the crucifixion. Instead, his inscription endorsed Jesus’ kingly office. Like Balaam, Pilate in effect blessed Jesus when the Jews wanted him to curse Him instead (Numbers 24:10).
Jesus of Nazareth: King
It is pertinent that when Jesus was born, Gentile wise men who traveled to the Holy Land to worship Him asked, “Where is He that is born king of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:2). During Jesus’ trials, Pilate, a Gentile Roman governor, proclaimed by this superscription “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Pilate ennobled Jesus to the rank of King of the Jewish people. More broadly speaking, Jesus is not merely King of the Jews but the Lord of the universe and King over all humanity (Matthew 28:18; Revelation 17:14).
To bring our study to a close, a comment by J.M. Gibson in The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary, edited by Joseph S. Exell, summarizes the spiritual meaning of this superscription: “A better inscription for the cross the Apostles themselves could not have devised. ‘This is Jesus,’ the Saviour—the Name above every name. How it must have cheered the Saviour’s heart to know that it was there! ‘This is Jesus, the King,’ never more truly King than when this writing was His only crown. ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews,’ despised and rejected of them now, but Son of David none the less, and yet to be claimed and crowned and rejoiced in, when at last ‘all Israel shall be saved’” (e-Sword 13.0).
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/2021/04/016-jesus-crucified.jpg360480Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-04-14 12:30:002021-09-03 11:42:48Digging Deeper: The Superscription on the Cross
Pasaje Destacado: Génesis 1:1; Juan 1:1–3, 14; Job 38:4–7; Hebreos 1:10, 13 y 14; Romanos 8:19
Antes que existiera el tiempo solo existía Dios. El habita la eternidad. Eran dos seres: Dios y el Verbo que también era Dios. Dios se propuso reproducirse creando una familia que fuera de su mismo rango divino, pero primero creó los ángeles que fueron seres espirituales mas no del mismo rango divino de Dios. Luego, Dios comenzó a crear el universo físico; en el instante en que el universo llegó a existir, comenzó el tiempo. ¡La habilidad creativa de Dios es realmente asombrosa! Todo el universo, todo lo visible y lo invisible, fue creado en preparación para los futuros hijos e hijas del Dios Todopoderoso.
Discusión:
Haga que estos versículos “cobren vida” haciendo preguntas a sus hijos sobre cómo debe haber sido antes de que Dios y Jesucristo (el Verbo) crearan algo.
Explique que Jesús fue el “Verbo” y que más tarde nació como el Hijo de Dios y se llamó Jesús.
Hable acerca de cómo Dios y el Verbo querían una familia y construyeron una creación para que la disfrutaran. Originalmente, eran solo ellos dos, el Padre y el Verbo, y querían una familia mucho más grande.
Ayude a sus hijos a comprender que Dios es el creador y que solo Dios puede crear, es decir, que por el poder de su Espíritu hizo lo que se ve de lo que no se veía.
Explique que Dios creó a los ángeles antes de crear el universo físico.
Pregúnteles a sus hijos qué cosas en la creación de Dios disfrutan más. ¡Ayúdelos a comprender, de una manera simple, que Dios creó todas estas cosas para nosotros!
Memorizar y revisar:
Isaías 45:18 “Porque así dijo el Eterno, que creó los cielos; él es Dios, el que formó la tierra, el que la hizo y la compuso; no la creó en vano, para que fuese habitada la creó: Yo soy el Eterno, y no hay otro”.
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Jesus Christ revealed to John things that would happen in the end times. He showed him that there would be a terrible time of tribulation coming on the whole earth. Thankfully, God promised that He will not allow the earth and all human life to be completely destroyed. Christ will intervene and return to the earth as King of kings to establish His kingdom and to teach mankind the way to peace and happiness. God promises that those who are called to follow Him now and who are obedient will get to be there to help Jesus Christ establish the kingdom. God has the best ending to His story!
Discuss:
What will happen to Satan at the beginning of Christ’s reign on earth?
Who will reign with Christ for one thousand years? The thousand year reign of Christ on earth is called the Millennium. What Holy Days do we keep that represent the Millenium? What are you most looking forward to in the Millenium?
When Satan is released at the end of the thousand years, what will he do?
Who will be a part of the second resurrection? Why is this such an exciting time to look forward to? Can you think of anyone who might be in the second resurrection?
What will happen to everyone not found written in the book of life?
Where will God’s headquarters be when all humans have become spirit beings?
How did John describe the New Jerusalem?
What blessing did Christ pronounce for those who do His commandments? What curse will fall on any who changes the revelation Christ gave to John?
Memory Challenge:
Revelation 22:20-21
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
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 McNair2021-04-14 09:32:002021-04-14 09:32:02Children’s Bible Program – Level 3: NT Lesson 20 “The Kingdom of God”
The Holy Spirit had revealed to Paul that when he went to Jerusalem, he would be taken prisoner. The brethren were sorrowful because Paul told them that they would not see him again. Some even pleaded with Paul not to go. Yet, after Paul had encouraged the brethren and warned the elders to be good shepherds of the flock, he set sail for Jerusalem to meet his destiny.
Discuss:
With whom did Paul and his traveling companions stay when they reached Caesarea? What was different about Philip’s daughters?
What happened to Paul at the temple when he arrived in Jerusalem? Who came to his rescue?
How did Paul react when he realized he had spoken against the High Priest?
What did Paul say that pitted the Pharisees and Sadducees against each other?
Who told the Roman commander about the Jews’ plot to kill Paul? What did he do when he found out?
Who was Felix? What did Felix expect to get from Paul?
What did Paul do to avoid going back to Jerusalem when the new governor, Festus, took over?
What did Paul do when he appeared before King Agrippa and the noblemen? What was the king’s response?
Why did Paul advise the Centurion not to continue on the journey from Fair Havens? What happened when they did not heed Paul’s warning?
What happened to Paul when he was bitten by a poisonous snake? How did the native people respond? What did Paul do for the people there?
What did Paul do while imprisoned at Rome in his rented house?
Memory Challenge:
Acts 26:17-18
“…I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”
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 McNair2021-04-14 09:31:562021-04-14 09:31:59Children’s Bible Program – Level 2: NT Lesson 20 “Paul Goes to Rome”
Pasaje Destacado: Juan 1:1–3; Génesis 1:26–27; Juan 4:24; Juan 3:16; Salmos 90:2; Colosenses 1:16-17; Isaías 46:9-10; 1Juan 4: 8
Es muy importante entender quién y qué es Dios. Podemos saber esto solo si Dios decide revelárnoslo, y lo ha hecho, por medio de la Biblia. ¿Cómo era cuando no existía nada físico? En esa era prehistórica, había dos seres espirituales eternos, poderosos, llamados Dios y el Verbo. Juntos, Dios y el Verbo planearon y diseñaron todo lo visible y lo invisible: Las huestes angélicas, las estrellas y los planetas, las plantas, los animales, y el hombre. El Verbo, fue quien se convirtió en Jesucristo, y Dios creó todas las cosas por medio de Él. Dios no es una “fuerza” mágica. No, ¡Dios es real! Él tiene forma y figura. Podemos saber cómo es Dios porque nos hizo a su imagen y semejanza. Dios es totalmente sabio, todo lo conoce, es todopoderoso y muy amoroso. Por su Espíritu, Él puede ver lo que está ocurriendo ¡en todas partes! Pero si queremos saber quién es realmente Dios, debemos conocer Su carácter
Dios es bueno, misericordioso, amoroso y lleno de compasión. Todo lo que Dios hace está motivado por el amor. Dios es amor.
Discusión:
Ayude a sus hijos a comprender que hay dos seres en la Familia Dios, Dios y el Verbo, a quienes ahora llamamos el Padre y el Hijo, Jesucristo.
Explique que Dios quiere que cada ser humano nazca en la Familia de Dios.
Explique que el Espíritu de Dios no es una persona separada, sino el poder con el cual Dios hace todo lo que hace.
Pida a sus hijos que describan qué piensan sobre cómo era la relación entre Dios y el Verbo antes de la creación.
Imagine con sus hijos acerca de cómo será cuando sean seres divinos. ¿Qué harán? ¿Qué parte del universo visitarían?
Memorizar y revisar:
Ayude a sus hijos a memorizar el siguiente versículo:
Isaías 46:9–10 “Acordaos de las cosas pasadas desde los tiempos antiguos; porque yo soy Dios, y no hay otro Dios, y nada hay semejante a mí, que anuncio lo por venir desde el principio, y desde la antigüedad lo que aún no era hecho; que digo: Mi consejo permanecerá, y haré todo lo que quiero”.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/vinicius-henrique-495773-unsplash.jpg15001162lcgadminhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pnglcgadmin2021-04-14 07:07:442026-04-27 08:41:25Programa Bíblico para Niños – Nivel 2: Lección 1 “¿Quién es Dios?”
Los reinos vegetal, animal y humano son clasificaciones de seres vivos en nuestro mundo material. El mundo espiritual también tiene seres vivos, y el reino angélico tiene diferentes clasificaciones de ángeles. Sin embargo, hay un Reino por encima de todos los demás, sea material o espiritual: El Reino de Dios. Dios está en un nivel de existencia que es difícil de entender para los humanos. Dios tiene vida inherente y es eterno. Dios fue, es y siempre será. Dios es el Creador de todas las cosas, sean espirituales o materiales, por lo tanto, Dios está por encima de todas las cosas. Como Dios creó y controla todas las cosas, no está limitado ni por las leyes físicas, ni por el tiempo, ni por el espacio.
Es por eso que Dios pudo evitar que el Sol se ocultara para Josué, y pudo devolver el Sol diez grados para Ezequías. También, por eso fue que Jesucristo pudo caminar sobre el agua y calmar el mar rugiente. La buena noticia es que el Reino de Dios es una familia, y todo ser humano que haya existido, tiene el potencial de ser miembro la familia de Dios. ¡Naciste para ser parte de la familia de Dios!
Discusión:
Hable con sus hijos sobre la grandeza de Dios, su poder y majestad. Señale algunos ejemplos y pídales que también den ejemplos.
Explique el hecho de que Dios no está sujeto a las leyes de la física (como la gravedad, el magnetismo, el movimiento de los planetas, etc.), lo que significa que puede hacer cosas milagrosas. Describa algunos milagros mencionados en la Biblia que desafían las leyes físicas.
Explique que Dios nos está ofreciendo vida eterna en su familia como hijos suyos. Seremos miembros de la familia de Dios (1 Juan 3:2).
Nuestra herencia es el universo entero. Quizás todos tengan su propia galaxia. Pregunte a sus hijos qué harían para heredar el universo. ¿Qué daría a cambio de la vida eterna? ¡Nada!
Memorizar y revisar:
Colosenses 1:16-17
“Porque en él fueron creadas todas las cosas, las que hay en los cielos y las que hay en la tierra, visibles e invisibles; sean tronos, sean dominios, sean principados, sean potestades; todo fue creado por medio de él y para él. Y él es antes de todas las cosas, y todas las cosas en él subsisten”.
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Author: Juliette McNair | Student, Living Education Charlotte 2021
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes, 9 seconds.
Mr. McNair introduced Mr. John Strain to the students, “Please help me welcome Mr. John Strain, the pastor of the Charlotte congregation.” Mr. Strain began, “It occurred to me last evening that I got to speak with you at the beginning of the school term… I mentioned at the very beginning that your time here would go rapidly. I would like to talk a little about what you are going to do now when this nine-month program is ended.”
Richard Driehaus was a businessman and philanthropist who became a leader in the investment management industry. He built an extremely successful investment advisory firm, which currently manages 13.5 billion dollars in assets. He also created the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and the Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Trust. On March 9, Driehaus died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 78.
Three Keys for Success
When Mr. Strain read Driehaus’s obituary, he appreciated the three principles Driehaus told the magazine, Chicago, he had learned early in life: “You have to continue to learn your whole life, you have to be responsible for your own actions, and you have to give back.” In his assembly, Mr. Strain encouraged the students to practice these three keys in their lives as they move forward after Living Ed.
Life-Long Learning
Continue to learn. First, Mr. Strain advised the students to continue learning in their chosen, specialized vocation. Many professional positions today have options for Continuing Education and/or requirements for current certification of skills every year or two. As a marketing specialist with IBM, Mr. Strain had to regularly renew certifications to verify his knowledge in his developing industry. “We should all strive to be good at what we do for a living.” Those who are masters at their job become what Mr. Strain’s son calls, “Untouchables.” These are the people who can pick their assignments or who are assigned tasks that solve problems on specific projects. Mr. Strain quoted his brother: “You shouldn’t want to be average. Being average means you’re the best of the worst and the worst of the best.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 reflects this value. Homemaking is a multi-faceted vocation—a homemaker is a cook, teacher, money manager, hostess, and much more. “In my opinion,” Mr. Strain said, “that should be considered a profession.” Another area of learning is general education. Reading is one of the best methods of life-long learning—historical accounts and biographies of notable people in history can teach readers valuable lessons.
“As young adults, it’s pretty much a given that you are going to have to make big decisions. Quite frankly, it was probably a big decision to come here.”
Be responsible for your own actions. “All too many people go through life viewing themselves as victims. All people are victimized to some degree by the world into which they are born but being a victim of an unfortunate circumstance doesn’t negate one’s responsibilities, actions, reactions, and choices. Mr. Strain noted, “We should all be evaluating what might be the results and consequences of our decisions.” He recommended the students use a “T-chart” when making decisions. The pros and the cons of an action are placed on both arms of the T, and each factor is weighted. Then, the advantages and disadvantages of the decision can be more objectively examined. With decisions that are not clear-cut in terms of right or wrong, Mr. Strain advised the students not to ask the wrong question: Is this okay? Instead, he told them to ask themselves, Is this wise? Consider 1 Corinthians 10:23, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful [expedient]….” Christians should accept responsibility for their choices.
“Use your opportunities to give back….”
Give back. “Giving back is not limited to those who are wealthy.” God’s firstfruits will have great opportunities to serve in the Kingdom, but Mr. Strain encouraged the students to give back now in three specific ways. First, he told the students to conduct themselves as Christians. “Wherever we go, we all have the responsibility to be a light and an example.” Secondly, “Serve the local congregation.” Finally, “Continue to support the Work.” At Living Ed, the students have done this directly, working in the different departments at Headquarters. As the students move on, Mr. Strain said, “You can pray, tithe, and serve based on your knowledge of what is being done here.”
Mr. Strain concluded his talk on Richard Driehaus’s three principles for success: “Looking back, things are much more condensed, because time passes rapidly… You have had a nine-month taste of true Christian culture—a streamlined education in theology and truth. As you go forward, think about how things are done at headquarters. Headquarters is not perfect, but it is where Christ is working and leading.” With just four weeks of classes left, the students are near the end of the Living Ed program. “I wish you, in your last few weeks, great success in what always turns out to be a busy few weeks—but not too busy to have fun.”
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/2021/04/keys-to-success-1.png6861030Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-04-13 13:30:002021-09-03 11:46:16Assembly Summary: Three Life Principles for Success
