Tag Archive for: Forum Summaries

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

As this year of Living Education-Charlotte comes to a close, the students were privileged to receive a final forum address from Mr. Gerald Weston, Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God. In Mr. Weston’s message, he discussed an individual in the Bible who became unusually successful on more than one front, and who shared some lessons we can draw from his life – the character of Joseph.

How Do You Count Success?

Mr. Weston began by asking the students this question. It’s easy to try and measure success by human metrics: money, popularity, status, or resources. But real success is measured by obedience to God and living according to His principles. In turn, God is the One who blesses us with more than we could ever imagine – even if we don’t always see how things will work out.

That is what happened to Joseph. Genesis 37:1 states that Joseph was merely 17 when his life began to change in some very dramatic ways. Joseph was young, and while clearly living according to a different standard of morality than some of his brothers, was at times a little too exuberant in his demeanor. His dreams angered his brothers, and his quickness to tell his brothers all about it led them to sell him into slavery.

Not the End of the Story

As Mr. Weston pointed out, if we didn’t know how the story ended, it would be easy to draw some rather reasonable conclusions and leave it at that. Here was a young man who, while trying to do the right thing, should perhaps have been a little more tactful, and here was a seemingly hopeless ending.

But the story doesn’t end with despair. In fact, it’s only the beginning. Proverbs 16:7 states that “when a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Even though he was in a foreign land, Joseph found favor with his new master, Potiphar – such that he was given responsibility over his entire house.

Joseph Excelled

Joseph distinguished himself among Potiphar’s other servants. He went above and beyond, and impressed Potiphar to the point of elevating him above the others. Mr. Weston pointed out that there was a noticeable difference between Joseph and the other servants, and that Potiphar was capable of recognizing it.

Even when faced with false accusations of misconduct by Potiphar’s wife, Potiphar may not have fully believed her. Instead of executing Joseph, he allowed him to live in prison, and even in those dire circumstances, Joseph did not lose heart. In fact, Joseph continued to find favor with the authorities in prison, and distinguished himself even in those difficult circumstances.

God Has a Time For Each of Us

It wasn’t God’s plan for Joseph to remain in prison forever – in time, He did release him. But even in a time of waiting, God did not leave Joseph to his own devices and forget about him – God was preparing him for a time when he would be in charge over all Egypt. Similarly, God allows us to go through times of blessings and times of difficulty in order to teach us lessons, as well as to prepare us for future roles and responsibilities. What we do in the meantime is just as important as what we do when it becomes our time.

Joseph could not have predicted that he would meet Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker, or the role they would play in his life. He could not have predicted that he would be released to meet Pharaoh. And he could not have predicted that God would allow him to be elevated to the station he would later fill. But even though he didn’t have a picture of what his future would be, Joseph never wavered in his faith or his principles. He still carried himself with intention and applied quality to his behavior – even taking the time to shave before meeting Pharaoh. Through all of it, Joseph gave credit to God for his success.

Lessons From Joseph

Joseph was a young man who distinguished himself among his peers because of his character, values, and commitment to living God’s way in spite of his popularity. He was hardworking and trustworthy, and was an excellent example of Proverbs 22:29: “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men.” God chooses to elevate or humble us depending on the lessons He wants us to learn – but regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, we should be grateful for His involvement in our lives, and we should strive to adhere to His principles faithfully. Like Joseph, we must do our part, strive for excellence in our conduct and the endeavors we take on, and stay focused.

Success can be measured in many ways – but our real goal should be to become part of God’s Family in the Kingdom. Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” While it’s not wrong to have earthly goals, we need to stay focused on what is important. It’s important for us to have a balance between keeping that focus, and trying to do well at what we have been given here and now.

When it comes to our own lives, we have the same choice Joseph did – how will we choose to conduct ourselves? If choose to live our lives like Joseph did, we’re staying committed to a way of life that is bigger than any earthly successes we could ever imagine.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

Mr. Jacob Hall is a pastor serving in the Edmonton, Alberta area. In his recent forum message to the Living Education-Charlotte students, Mr. Hall gave helpful advice on mastering the fundamental elements of our calling.

Mr. Hall was a former student of Living University, and remembered his time as a student. He reminded the current students that what they are doing now is setting a foundation that has the potential to change the trajectory of their lives. But it’s important to remember that what will keep us on the right path is maintaining a personal relationship with God.

How can we make sure we’re maintaining that personal relationship with God? Mr. Hall covered four fundamental tools to do so, and encouraged the students to evaluate how one is doing in each area personally. 

Bible Study

Mr. Hall reminded the students that it’s important to prioritize studying our Bible, and to strive to read it every day. John 6:57 tells us: “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.” In our Christian walk, we learn more about Christ and the Father through the inspired writings of the Bible, allowing us to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for who They are. 

Mr. Hall also pointed out that there is a great deal of uncertainty in life. We’re faced with hard decisions, and paths whose ends we can’t always see. But God’s word illuminates our path and gives us a framework through which we can navigate life. Making a priority of intense Bible study is a critical key to developing and maintaining a deep, personal relationship with God, as well as understanding how and what to do when things are unclear.

Prayer

Prayer is another crucial tool—do we take advantage of it? Having 24/7 access to God the Father’s throne is a gift, and we should use this opportunity to directly communicate with Him. God wants a relationship with us, and building this habit of daily, consistent prayer is deeply important to developing that relationship. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 admonishes us to “pray without ceasing”—an instruction we should take to heart and learn to develop as a habit.

Meditation

The tool of meditation is another important contributor to our relationship with God. Taking the time to reflect and consider His ways, laws, and blessings, as well as the lessons you’ve learned is deeply important. In doing so, we learn to orient our minds toward the way He thinks, and we set a pattern of thinking like Him. Mr. Hall pointed out that in order to take on godly character, we have to put continual effort into right, godly thinking.

Fasting

Fasting is a way to humble ourselves and draw closer to God. James 4:6 states: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” When we fast, we are allowing ourselves to become weak and rely on God, as well as eliminating distraction. It’s important to fast regularly and build a habit of humility before God. 

Master the Fundamentals

If we master the fundamental elements of our calling, we’re able to build on them and grow in our faith. Having a firm foundation in our faith and our relationship with God requires consistent effort, and making sure we don’t neglect the basics.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

Mr. Brent Mitchell is an area pastor serving in the New York and New Jersey congregations. In a recent forum addressed to the students of Living Education-Charlotte, he delivered sound wisdom on how to build trust.

Trust in Teams

Trust in an essential ingredient in teams—however, the absence of this important trait can lead to poor outcomes and ineffective communication. Mr. Mitchell heavily emphasized the importance of trust and trustworthiness as not only being important virtues to embody, but also the fact that trust is an outcome—it is the product of action and effort.

Foundation of Trust

It’s important to understand trust as an outcome—this dimension changes it from a static trait into an active result. It should also prompt us to ask: who do we trust? And who trusts us? How effectively do we embody trustworthiness? As Mr. Mitchell explained, we learn to do so by developing in character and competence.

Building Trust

Mr. Mitchell described seven key character traits that help us exhibit trustworthiness toward others.

1. Honesty – Being able to honestly express our feelings and opinions based on what you know. Honesty is a critical aspect of being truly trustworthy. Proverbs 12:17 states: “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.” If we want to be truly trustworthy, we should be completely free from deceit.
2. Courage – Being honest and trustworthy takes courage, especially when we face external pressure.
3. A Pattern of Good Works – Having integrity and a reputation of being upstanding and moral goes a long way. We should be striving not only to build good, godly habits, but to do good to others.
4. Dependability – Other people may rely on us, and we should strive to be dependable for those who need our help. Dependability drives trust.
5. Transparency – Sometimes it’s important to share our cards with others and to be transparent about our side. This is an important factor in exhibiting trust.
6. Kindness – Kindness is deeply important for building trust. Helping people know that they are cared for and looking out for their best interests is deeply critical to facilitating trust in teams and interpersonal relationships.
7. Authenticity – Having a clear conscience helps us have a positive alignment of our actions and beliefs. This means being genuine—not pretending to be someone you’re not.

Embody Trustworthiness

Mr. Mitchell encouraged the students to give people time and work at exhibiting trustworthiness. He also referenced the Parable of the Talents—with the tools and opportunities God gives us to build relationships and work in teams, especially in the Church, we should take full advantage and work hard to be trustworthy. If we want others to trust us, be trustworthy.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

Dr. John Cole attends the local Charlotte congregation, and as a licensed Property and Casualty Agent, has accumulated many years of experience in business strategy. In a recent forum message addressed to the students of Living Education-Charlotte, he shared several important tips and lessons for developing a solid business strategy for your own life.

SWOT Analysis

Dr. Cole encouraged the students to utilize the tool of a SWOT analysis when making important career decisions. SWOT stands for: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Making a list of what falls under these categories can help inform those important decisions. Whether you’re applying for a company or planning to be an entrepreneur, as you construct a strategy for your life and career, doing a SWOT analysis is an important tool.

Know What the Company is All About

What if you’re applying for a position at a company? Dr. Cole encouraged the students to research and understand what the company is all about beforehand, and to determine if working for that company would align with your values, as well as your long-term goals and overall business strategy.

This principle also applies to entrepreneurs starting their own business. If you’re going to create a company and market yourself, you should have a clear business plan and solid idea not only of what your company does, but what it’s all about. This will help your company’s success in the long term, as well as how it’s perceived by others.

Reputation

In learning to navigate the world of careers and entrepreneurship, it’s important to keep your reputation in mind. Employers and interviewers check up on applicants to see if they should hire the person. Dr. Cole reminded the students to guard their reputations—when ethical challenges or other situations arise that bring your character into question, you can have a clean conscience and even welcome the scrutiny that proves your character is solid.

Envision Success and Pray for Guidance

Dr. Cole told the students to assess whether they would want to climb the corporate ladders they might come into contact with. Make sure to embody trustworthiness and confidentiality, and to have an employable character. Take the time to envision the success of your business strategy, and put in the hard work to achieve it. And in any undertaking, always involve God in the process. We should always remember to pray for guidance as we pursue any endeavor and develop a strategy for our life.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.

Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education

These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.

Mr. Michael Brown is a pastor serving in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Western Ontario, and in a recent forum addressed to the students of the Living Education-Charlotte program, he delivered helpful advice on social interactions and developing confidence.

Commanded to Be Courageous

Joshua 1:9 says: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” God encourages us to be courageous in the face of adversity. Sometimes, those difficulties come in social settings. In Proverbs 29:25, we read: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” 

We all often face fear of men. We have a natural fear of judgment for the things we say or do. That fear prevents us from being courageous and speaking the truth—we’re worried about what people may say or think. 

Mr. Brown reminded the students that it’s important to remain courageous, and offered four keys to overcoming that fear—through the acronym of FEAR.

F — Framing

The first step to overcoming social fear is learning to frame narratives. In conversation, people often frame a narrative. We need to be able to recognize how someone else might be framing their side of the conversation and what they’re trying to say or build up to. It also means being intentional about how we frame what we say so that it is well-received and accurate. 

Sometimes people might challenge you or present a logical fallacy that is intended to trick you. In order to avoid affirming a false premise in an argument, be aware of conversational framing and what the person is trying to say. You can politely express your disagreement, ask for permission politely to disagree, and set boundaries for the discussion—when a conversation becomes uncivil, you have made it acceptable to politely exit the interaction because the other person has violated an agreed-upon rule.

E — Emotions

To be strong and of good courage, it’s important to rule over our emotions. Our worst decisions come when we’re feeling extremely emotional. Those different emotions can lead us to making snap decisions that ultimately have adverse consequences.

When interacting with someone, or listening or watching something, remember that what they’re saying may not necessarily be true. Some media are designed to attack your emotions—ask yourself if you should be reacting in this way. Furthermore, always remember to ask God to help you control your emotions.

A — Authority

There is often an authority figure in a social setting—even if the authority figure is not present in the conversation, the dynamic may still affect our interactions. We need to have a humble and accurate view of ourselves and how we may fit into a particular dynamic. How we view ourselves in relation to others, and how much authority we may or may not have to use, affects how we conduct ourselves.

This requires a healthy balance. If we have a measure of influence or authority, we should use it positively and not at the expense of other people. Conversely, while we should remain humble and teachable when we are not given as much authority as someone else, we should also not be dejected—our interactions and social confidence benefit from maintaining  confidence and assertiveness. We have the ability and the room to assert ourselves, even if we’re uncomfortable with it, and as we do this, it will become easier.

R — Righteousness

Proverbs 28:1 says: “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” Everyone wants to be bold and confident—no one wants to be insecure. Mr. Brown reminded the students that in order to not be insecure, you have to live righteously. 

In your interactions, if your intentions are honorable, pure, and righteous, it dispels that fear of judgment from our minds. We should pray to God to help us develop pure motives and to help us be a light to others. This changes the entire reason we assert ourselves or even interact at all—if it’s done out of a sense of wanting to preserve the relationship with the other person’s best interest at heart, it removes that insecurity from our hearts. If our motives are based in righteousness, we don’t truly have anything to be insecure about—we can hold our heads high and have confidence.

Do the Hard Thing 

Mr. Brown encouraged the students to do the hard thing. Applying these principles can cause some discomfort in social interactions—but the important thing to remember is that as you practice them more frequently, they will become habits that come far more naturally. Keep practicing, keep trying, keep doing.

When our motives are rooted in an outgoing, selfless sense of righteousness, we are naturally eliminating any room to be insecure. Keeping this in mind helps us qualify our relationships and interactions in a godly context, and gives us the confidence needed to keep practicing and improving in social settings.

David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.