Thought Starter
As Jesus called his first disciples and travelled through Galilee, people were talking. They were telling others what they had seen and heard: when Jesus came to town diseases disappeared, demons fled, and God’s kingdom was announced.
These were exciting times and the crowds flocked to hear and see what Jesus would do next.
One day, as Jesus looked around, he saw the crowd and knew a time to teach had come again. He went up a mountain, called his disciples together, sat down, and began to teach.
His teaching called the disciples and the crowds to think again about their lives. First, he taught them to look for the blessing of God in those moments when people and culture yell, “You are worthless, destitute, powerless.” Then, Jesus called them to choose God’s way when responding to life.
He told them, as he tells us: You are the light of the world. Live your life so that people recognize God’s light. Do good things and do them in ways that focus others’ attention on the glory to God and not your own.
Read the rest of the message on the mountain (Matthew 5–7) and ponder whether you are shining for God—or shining for yourself.
Information
The 2012 Christian Education Sabbath is scheduled for the Sabbath immediately following Labor Day (Sabbath, September 8, 2011).
The theme of this year’s Christian Education Sabbath is Nurture. This year’s support material includes a bulletin cover, bulletin insert (two thought starters), a children’s message, a responsive reading, a Sabbath Visitor, and a blank tri-fold which could be used to list the Christian Education opportunities in your church. These are designed to fit within a worship service that is emphasizing the importance finding ways to grow together in Christ.