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Matthew 22:29  Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God."

    As we come to the end of August, school will be in full swing before long.  Students will be given lessons, home work, and then tests.  And then some students will hear a teacher say, "You flunked the test because you didn't open your books."  Those words will be harsh but true.  Some of the students will get it and they will open those books to study for the next test. 

    Jesus was quite honest with the Sadducees when they couldn't answer the question that he asked.  If you want to know God, you need to study the scriptures.  That statement holds a truth for all times, for all people, but somehow we still don't get it.  We don't read or study the Bible regularly.  We don't spend time sharing the Bible stories with our children.  It's always amazing to me how I discover something different about a certain scripture each time I read it.  It shouldn't surprise me because after all the Bible is the living word of God.  It is alive, shaping and molding each one of us.

    As we prepare for the fall and winter months, we make plans for Sunday school.  And indeed we should.  Because like Jesus said, if we don't know the scriptures, we don't know the power of God.  We don't know the truth.  We shouldn't take preparing for Sunday school lightly.  As a church, St. Francis UMC needs to offer opportunities for all ages to learn anew about God.  God's living word shapes and molds us continuously into the kind of loving, caring people that God desires.  Our future as a church and as saved Christians depends upon how well we challenge people to make time for God in their busy lives. 

    I hope that each of you will think about these things.  What classes do we need to offer so that everyone from age 1 - 100+ can have the opportunity to study the word of God with others?  Who is willing to give of themselves either full time or part time to lead and teach these classes?  How do we invite and motivate children and adults alike to participate in these classes?

   By working together, we can make Sunday School a vital part of our church ministry so youth and adults alike will know the power of God.

Sharing the story,

Warren