Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
By Al R. Hodges
Retired IMB Missionary
Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 3: 1-10, 17-21
Samuel was a boy of about 12 when he heard God’s call. Youth is the best time for a person to hear God’s voice. As a boy, he ministered to the Lord in the tabernacle by helping Eli, the old priest (I Samuel 3:1). He probably swept the floors or did other chores. When children are in church, their heart is more apt to hear and obey God when He calls. [Read more…]
Editor’s Note: The first paragraph of this lesson was incorrectly edited when it first appeared. The following version is now correct.
By Al R. Hodges
Retired IMB Missionary
Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 1:10-18, 26-28
Elkanah had two wives. Hannah had no children, while Peninnah had several (vs. 1-2). Every year Elkanah and his wives would travel from their home town to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord. Interestingly, vs. 3 says “Also the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.”
Hannah’s experience in praying for a son provides inspiration for us even today. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” Hannah was desperate to have a son. The nation Israel had also fallen on desperate times. [Read more…]
By Gene Price
Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason
Focal Passage: Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18
In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of the importance of three spiritual disciplines: giving, praying, and fasting. Some spiritual leaders in Jesus’ day were using these spiritual disciplines to draw attention to themselves rather than using them as an act of worship. These important acts of worship can be used for the wrong reasons so Jesus warns those performing these disciplines to always have the proper motivation. Whether they are done publicly or privately, the desire behind them should be to bring glory to God and not to draw attention to ourselves. [Read more…]
By Ken R. Speakman
Member, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory
Focal Passage: Acts 12:7-12, 16-19
In the first century, the most evil family in the civilized world was known as the Herods. They held the highest political offices in the land, influenced kingdoms, and conquered empires. Herod the Great reigned for 40 years and was on the throne when Jesus Christ was born. When he learned the Wise Men had kept the discovery of Christ a secret, he slaughtered every Jewish boy who was 2 years old and under. His son and their sons were known as evil, immoral men.
Acts 12 opens with Herod Agrippa persecuting believers in the church, which pleased the Jews. He killed the apostle James, and Peter is in prison awaiting execution. An angel appeared and Peter’s chains fell off and the doors opened before him. When Peter realized he was not dreaming, he went to Mary’s house (v. 12). [Read more…]
By Gene Price
Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason
Focal Passage: Acts 8:26-35
God always puts people, places, and events together to serve His purposes. We see this in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip was involved in a revival at Samaria that God tremendously blessed. Many people were coming to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Suddenly God decides to lead Philip out into the desert to witness to the Ethiopian eunuch.
In Acts 8:26-27a, Philip is submissive to the will of God. An angel spoke to Philip and told him to go down from Jerusalem to Gaza and Philip arose and went. Philip was obedient to God and did not question God. Philip was so committed to God that he does exactly what God tells him to do. Many interpret “towards the south” as meaning that it was high noon when Philip was supposed to go to the desert. No one would be on a desert road at noon. Philip does not question God’s timing or the direction that God sent him. He simply obeyed God. God did not tell Philip what his next step would be, but to simply go to the desert. [Read more…]
By Ken R. Speakman
Member, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory
Focal Passage: Acts 10:9-15, 43-48
Chapter 10 records the salvation of the Gentiles. God has used Peter to open the door of faith for the Jews and Samaritans, and here he would be used to bring the Gentiles into the church (see Galatians 3:27-28; Ephesians 2:11-22). Chapter 10 must be seen as an entire unit. The drama that unfolds in this chapter can be divided into four scenes: (1) home of a Gentile seeker, (2) rooftop with Peter, (3) living room of Simon the Tanner, and (4) estate of the Roman centurion. [Read more…]
By Gene Price
Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason
Focal Passage: Acts 26:9-20
Throughout the book of Acts, we are introduced and exposed to the workings of the Holy Spirit. The focus of Acts is primarily on two individuals, Peter and Paul. For the study of this lesson, our focus will be on Paul. Paul was converted in Acts 9 and God’s purpose for Paul was mainly to take the gospel message to the Gentiles. In our text, Paul finds himself before King Agrippa and Paul shares his conversion experience with one of the most powerful men in the world. [Read more…]
By Ken R. Speakman
Member, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory
Focal Passage: Acts 9:36-43
As we continue our study of Acts 9, we find Peter performing two miracles – he heals Aeneas and raises Dorcas from the dead. During the events of Saul’s conversion, Peter has been engaged in an itinerant ministry with John (Acts 8:25), and finds himself visiting the believers in Lydda, a city close to Jerusalem. It’s possible this area had been evangelized by converts at Pentecost, or by believers who had been scattered during the great persecution. Philip could have ministered there when leaving the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:40). [Read more…]
By Gene Price
Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason
Focal Passage: Luke 22:54-62; Acts 4:8-13
At the Olympic Games every four years, 90 percent of the best athletes in the world do not win a medal. They try but they fail. Likewise, the Bible records many people who failed. Oftentimes we fail at the point of our greatest strength. The Bible says that Moses was a meek man, yet he lost his temper and struck the rock. Abraham was called the father of faith, but he lied twice, stating that Sarah was not his wife. David was called a man after God’s own heart, yet he commited adultery. [Read more…]
By Ken R. Speakman
Member, Tulip Grove Baptist Church, Old Hickory
Focal Passage: Acts 9:3-9, 15-20
In Acts, chapter 9, the Scripture focuses on a zealous young Pharisee named Saul. He is mentioned in chapter 8 as the young man who guarded the robes of those who stoned Stephen. Saul had studied under the brilliant Pharisee scholar Gamaliel. Gamaliel was convinced that the apostles should be left alone (5:34). Saul disagreed and considered them a threat to Judaism and felt they were a blasphemy against the God of Abraham. Saul felt Christians must be exterminated and “The Way” (the earliest designation for Christians) stamped out. Chapter 9 opens with, “Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.” [Read more…]
