Author: Yolanda Watt | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2021-22
Estimated Reading Time: 3 min.
For his assembly to the Living-Ed students, Mr. Stafford addressed the topic of stress.
He informed the students of some ways in which people show stress, such as headaches, crying, and irritability. He also stated that every human being is customized—none of us are “normal,” and we all experience stress differently. This being so, we each must be aware of what is stressful for us and learn to control how we react to those stressors.
25 Ways to Avoid or Manage Stress in Our Lives
Set priorities. What are the most important things in your life? Considering this question carefully and prioritizing what is important to us can keep us from letting unimportant things stress us out (Matthew 6:33).
Exercise. This is a hard habit to develop, but the effort is well worth the stress relief exercise has been proven to provide.
Always have a plan B. We are not certain of everything that is going to happen in this life, and our original plans, whatever they are, might not work out.
Smile and rejoice: No matter how tough life gets, there is always something to rejoice about.
Do everything in moderation (Philippians 4:5).
“Let go and let God.” Remember that certain things are out of our control. (Philippians 4:7; Hebrews 11:1)
Think godly thoughts (Philippians 4:8).
Have proper nutrition. For example, reducing unnecessary sugar in our diets can relieve stress. (Genesis 1:12; Daniel 1:12)
Avoid negative people (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Unclutter your life (1 Corinthians 14:33; Luke 8:14).
Forgive yourself (Matthew 6:15).
Be grateful for life. When we think about it, every day we spend being alive is a good day (Ephesians 5:20).
Whatever it is, do it today; don’t procrastinate (Isaiah 55:6; 1 Corinthians 14:40).
Focus on the positive (Philippians 4:8).
Be responsible for your feelings, rather than blaming others or considering yourself a victim of external circumstances.
Remember that you always have options. (Deuteronomy 30:15; Romans 8:28) It’s not what happens to us, it’s how we deal with it.
When appropriate, give hugs (1 Corinthians 13:13; James 2:8).
Remember that stress is an attitude, it’s a choice. Mr. Stafford suggests to examine what you’re stressed about, and ask yourself, “Does it matter enough to die?” (Deuteronomy 32:29)
Take everything one day at a time (Matthew 6:11, 34).
Have a supporting network of godly friends (Hebrews 10:25).
Don’t try to fix others (Philippians 2:12).
Don’t get too little sleep—or too much (Proverbs 3:24; 6:9).
Talk less, listen more (James 1:19).
Study the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15).
Pray (Romans 12:12; Luke 18:1–8).
If we apply these methods of dealing with stress, we can become able to manage the difficult situations that life presents. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, God will continue to teach us how we are to live and how to deal with whatever faces us.
Jésus-Christ enseigne à Ses disciples comment il faut se comporter dans cette vie. Après leur avoir donné des principes de ne pas s’inquiéter mais de chercher le Royaume et mettre Dieu à la première place, Jésus conclut Son message par un conseil très sage et très important pour tous les chrétiens. Il explique clairement que s’efforcer de suivre Dieu et Ses enseignements n’est pas une tâche facile, mais la récompense en vaut la peine !
Discussion :
Que signifie avoir une “poutre dans l’œil” ?
Comment une personne peut-elle demander, chercher et frapper ? Que promet Dieu à celles qui le font ?
Le verset 12 est souvent appelé la “règle d’or”. Qu’est-ce que la “règle d’or”, et comment peux-tu la mettre en pratique ?
Que voulait dire le Christ en parlant de la porte étroite et du chemin spacieux ? Comment peut-on entrer par la “porte étroite” ? Pourquoi peux-tu dire que cela vaut la peine de choisir la porte étroite et difficile, alors que l’autre voie est bien plus facile ?
Le Christ utilise l’analogie d’un loup déguisé en brebis pour décrire les faux prophètes. Comment a-t-Il dit que nous pouvions les démasquer ?
Que dit le Christ au sujet de ceux qui l’appellent Seigneur, mais qui n’obéissent pas à la loi ?
Quand le Christ nous dit de construire sur le roc, que veut-Il dire ? Comment s’assurer que l’on ne construit pas sa maison sur le sable ?
Mémorisation
Matthieu 7:13-14
“Entrez par la porte étroite. Car large est la porte, spacieux est le chemin qui mènent à la perdition, et il y en a beaucoup qui entrent par là. Mais étroite est la porte, resserré le chemin qui mènent à la vie, et il y en a peu qui les trouvent.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/CL-feature-image-3-11-1030x381-1.png3811030Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-11-03 15:45:462021-11-03 15:47:13Programme biblique pour enfants : niveau 3 – NT leçon 8 “La porte étroite”
Dans le message qu’Il a donné sur la montagne (appelé aussi “le sermon sur la Montagne”), Jésus encourage d’abord Ses disciples à développer les attitudes nécessaires pour être bénis et heureux. Ensuite, Il commence à parler de l’importance de respecter les commandements – en soulignant que les chrétiens doivent aussi respecter l’objectif spirituel de la loi, et pas seulement la lettre de la loi. Jésus-Christ poursuit Son message en parlant du quotidien des gens, et des préoccupations habituelles que cette vie nous apporte. Le Christ leur dit, ainsi qu’à nous aujourd’hui, que la solution aux problèmes de la vie consiste à mettre Dieu à la première place.
Discussion :
Que signifie “faire l’aumône” [ou “faire une action charitable”] ? Pense à ce que tu pourrais faire comme actions charitables.
Lorsque nous faisons une bonne action, devons-nous le dire à tout le monde ? Pourquoi ?
Que signifie jeûner ? Dans ce passage, quelles instructions Jésus nous donne-t-Il sur la façon de jeûner ?
Est-ce qu’il t’arrive d’être inquiet pour certaines choses ? Que dit Dieu sur les inquiétudes ? Quelles sont les solutions pour ne pas nous inquiéter ?
Que devrions-nous rechercher en premier, selon Dieu ? Qu’est-ce que la justice ? Comment pouvons-nous rechercher le Royaume et la justice de Dieu ?
Mémorisation
Matthieu 6:33
“Cherchez premièrement le royaume et la justice de Dieu ; et toutes ces choses vous seront données par-dessus.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/CL-feature-image-3-11-1030x381-1.png3811030Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-11-03 15:16:082021-11-03 15:46:33Programme biblique pour enfants : niveau 3 – NT leçon 7 “Mettre Dieu à la première place”
Dieu veut que nous Lui adressions des prières. Lorsque nous prions, nous nous présentons devant le magnifique trône de l’Éternel pour parler à notre Père céleste. Tu es peut-être curieux de savoir comment prier, et tu te demandes si tu le fais correctement. Pas de soucis ! Tu es en bonne compagnie ; les disciples aussi voulaient apprendre comment ils devaient prier (Luc 11:1). Jésus-Christ nous a laissé des instructions écrites dans Sa parole pour que nous sachions comment prier.
Discussion :
Que dit le Christ à propos des prières que des gens récitent pour attirer l’attention ? Selon le Christ, où devrions-nous aller pour prier ? Cela signifie-t-il que nous devons être dans un endroit précis lorsque nous prions ?
À quelle fréquence devrions-nous prier ? Peux-tu donner des exemples, dans la Bible, de personnes qui priaient régulièrement ?
Selon Jésus, à Qui devrions-nous adresser nos prières ?
Que signifie le mot “sanctifié” ? Comment pouvons-nous sanctifier le nom de Dieu ?
Pourquoi le Christ a-t-Il dit que nous devons prier pour que le Royaume de Dieu vienne ? Pour quelles raisons avons-nous besoin que Son Royaume vienne ?
Pour quels autres sujets devrions-nous prier régulièrement ? Pour chaque chose que tu as mentionnée, pourquoi, à ton avis, Dieu nous demande-t-Il de prier sur ces différents points ?
Pense aux gens avec lesquels tu es proche. Comment as-tu construit une relation avec eux ? Comment la prière nous aide-t-elle à construire une relation avec Dieu ?
Qui Dieu veut-Il que nous aimions ?
Mémorisation
Matthieu 6:6
“Mais quand tu pries, entre dans ta chambre, ferme ta porte, et prie ton Père qui est là dans le lieu secret ; et ton Père, qui voit dans le secret, te le rendra.”
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/CL-feature-image-3-11-1030x381-1.png3811030Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-11-03 15:04:272021-11-03 15:04:31Programme biblique pour enfants : niveau 3 – NT leçon 6 “La prière modèle”
The Diana of Ephesus was a goddess “whom all Asia and the world worship” (Acts 19:27). Diana was the Roman name for the Greek deity Artemis, the “goddess of the moon and the chaste and sister of the sun-god, Apollo” (Colliers Encyclopedia).
Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education
Estimated Reading Time: 8 min.37 sec.
Did you know that what many Christians call fellowship is not exactly what the New Testament writings had in mind?
Some consider common chit-chat over refreshments, social events, politics, entertainment, or sports as fellowship. However, the word used in the New Testament has a different connotation. This Digging Deeper discovers its meaning so Christians will gain a better understanding of what is required in this special relationship.
Our focus verse is: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42 KJV throughout). The Greek word koinonia, here translated fellowship, is the first of twenty occasions of this Greek word in our New Testament. In the King James Version, it is translated, depending on the context, as fellowship, communion, communicate, communication, contribution, and distribution. Vincent’s Word Studies provides a derivation of this Greek word: “From κοινός, common. A relation between individuals which involves a common interest and a mutual, active participation in that interest and in each other. The word answers to the Latin communio, from communis, common. Hence, sometimes rendered communion, as 1 Corinthians 10:16; 2 Corinthians 13:14. Fellowship is the most common rendering” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
David Guzik in his Enduring Word Commentary defines the word: “The Greek word koinonia has the idea of association, communion, fellowship, and participation; it means to share in something” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Additionally, James Hastings’ Great Texts of the Bible explains: “The word translated ‘fellowship’ (cf 2 χοινωνία) comes from a root which means literally sharing in common. The practical nature of the fellowship is very clearly seen by comparing the ways in which the same word is translated in other places in the New Testament. As a rule Scripture is its own best interpreter” (Ibid.).
It’s about sharing
The NET Bible associates it with relationships: “Fellowship refers here to close association involving mutual involvement and relationships” (e-Sword 13.0.0). This sharing is further defined in the Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: “According to its basic biblical meaning, fellowship is concerned…with people participating together in something. Fellowship is communion – having a share in something” (Ibid.). With other believers, we share a relationship through the fellowship of the Spirit (Philippians 2:1-2). Its focus is not so much social as it is spiritual.
The CARM Theological Dictionary illustrates this relationship: “There is no specific definition given in the N.T. But we are called into fellowship with one another (1 John 1:3), with Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:9), with the Father (1 John 1:3), and with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14). Fellowship implies sharing common interests, desires, and motivations. Fellowship requires that time be spent with another communicating, caring, etc. It carries with it a hint of intimacy. As Christians we fellowship with one another because of our position in Christ, because we are all redeemed and share an intimate personal knowledge of Jesus. We share a common belief (Acts 2:42), hope (Hebrews 11:39-40), and need (2 Corinthians 8:1-15)” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
The Bridgeway Bible Dictionary illuminates this common faith: “There is therefore a sense in which they have fellowship with one another, but again this fellowship is usually in someone or something that they have as a common possession (Philippians 1:7; Hebrews 3:14; 2 Peter 1:4). Their fellowship is a joint sharing in a common faith (Titus 1:4), in a common salvation (Jude 1:3) and even in their common sufferings (2 Corinthians 1:7; Revelation 1:9).” (e-Sword 13.0.0). David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary adds even more: “As Christians, we share the same Lord Jesus, we share the same guide for life, we share the same love for God, we share the same desire to worship Him, we share the same struggles, we share the same victories, we share the same job of living for Him, we share the same joy of communicating that gospel to others” (Ibid.).
Practical fellowship
In 1 Corinthians 10:16 the word communion is translated from this same Greek word. Through the centuries, many have referred to the ceremony of Christians memorializing Jesus’ death with bread and wine as Communion. However, The Preacher’s Homiletical corrects this notion: “…’fellowship’ was not used to mean communion in the Lord’s Supper before the fourth century” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Rather than refer to this ceremony as communion, Christians today refer to it as Christian Passover. What Paul meant by communion is that which Christians share in this sacred service—the sacrifice of Christ for their sins. It was not intended as the name for the service.
In a related matter, some claim that breaking of bread in Acts 2:42 refers to partaking of Communion or The Lord’s Supper. On the contrary, Ethelbert Bullinger explains in his Companion Bible that “This was the common meal” (e-Sword 13.0.0). We read examples of an ordinary meal during Jesus’ ministry in (Luke 24:30, 35). These new followers broke bread together.
Later in Acts 2, Luke described the new believers’ practical fellowship expressed by sharing their possessions with believers in need (Acts 2:44-45). On the Day of Pentecost, Jews had come from all over the Roman world. Many decided to stay in Jerusalem for a time after receiving the Holy Spirit. Resident Jews distributed their possessions with those who stayed there longer than expected. The NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible comments: “Luke depicts the Jerusalem church as a loving, caring, and supportive community” (Tecarta Bible App).
Later in our New Testament, Paul encouraged similar generosity using a related word: “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate [koinonikos]” (1 Timothy 6:17-18).
Sharing in suffering
Nowhere in the NT does fellowship refer to “fun times.” Numerous times it included hardship, persecution, and suffering. For example, Paul used the term when he was sitting under house arrest in Rome: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5). In the same book, Paul described his fellowship with Christ: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3:10).
Indeed, Paul did share Jesus’ sufferings throughout his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). The Bridgeway Bible Dictionary explains this aspect: “Fellowship with Christ means not only sharing in the blessings that come through his sacrificial death, but also sharing in the sufferings that he endured (Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:12-14; Revelation 1:9). But if people have fellowship with him in his sufferings, they will also have fellowship with him in his glory (2 Timothy 2:11-12; 1 Peter 5:1)” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
Have no fellowship with sin
What destroys fellowship in God’s family is sin. The Bridgeway Bible Dictionary admonishes Christians: “Sin spoils the believer’s fellowship with God. Those who think they can sin as they please and still have fellowship with God are deceiving themselves. By contrast those who live righteously will enjoy unbroken fellowship with God, because God in his grace cleanses the sins that they unknowingly commit (1 John 1:6-7)” (e-Sword 13.0.0). This demonstrates the need for continual repentance so that our fellowship remains unbroken.
To elaborate further, this source continues: “There are certain things that Christians are not to have fellowship with, not to share in, not to participate in. They are not to identify with others in a way that signifies a sharing in the wrongdoings of such people (1 Timothy 5:22; 2 John 1:10-11). Neither are they to share in marriage with non-believers (2 Corinthians 6:14-15) or in religious feasts where food has been offered to idols (1 Corinthians 10:20-21). They are to have no part, no share, in anything that is sinful (Ephesians 5:11; Revelation 18:4)” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
Examine your fellowship!
In Sabbath conversation, how often do Christians converse about spiritual things? Some are hesitant to do so. However, notice Malachi 3:16 “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” These believers communicated to each other about God.
James Hastings’ Great Texts of the Bible admonishes with this solemn note: “I fear this aspect of fellowship has been sadly lost in these days. How seldom we talk about God! We talk about anything—everything else—about leaders, teachers, sermons, books; but how seldom do we find the conversation, even among a party of Christians, centring round God; and yet one of the sweetest of the ‘precious and exceeding great promises’ is given to those who practise the habit of speaking about God, and the things of God” (e-Sword 13.0.0).
General chit-chat about work, sports, politics, shopping, entertainment, etc. does not satisfy these fellowship descriptions. After reading these rousing Scriptures, let us consider how we fellowship next time we gather with fellow believers: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Before our next worship service, let us pray: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
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.
Author: Ryan Price | Student, Living Education – Charlotte 2021/22
Estimated reading time: 2 min.
For the forum this week, Mr. Gaylyn Bonjour addressed the topic of the future, asking, “What are you going to do six months from now?
You don’t know, because you don’t know what the world is going to do.” We face an unknown future, and we don’t always have control over what happens in our lives—but when we involve God, He guides us in the direction we should go.
Mr. Bonjour used the story of Job as an example; he asked, “Do you think Job knew what was going on when he was going through all his trials?” What happens to us isn’t as important as how we handle it—that’s what really counts. Physically speaking, we can’t plan for much in this life. Yet, spiritually, we are gifted with an understanding of God’s plan, and with that, we can prepare for the time to come.
Life’s Unexpected Turns
Life will often take us in directions we don’t expect. Take Moses, for example; he didn’t expect to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. And look at David; he was just a simple shepherd, who couldn’t have known he would become the greatest king that Israel would ever have. Life happens, and we have to make the best of the opportunities that God brings us.
Mr. Bonjour read from an article entitled “Following Christ at Any Stage of Life”by Mr. Davy Crockett III: “Life passes through stages, and our activities and our understandings change with the seasons of life.” As we mature, our perception changes. Things that are important to us when we’re young will likely mean less to us when we’re middle-aged. We are constantly learning, and we are ultimately a product of what we go through. Mr. Crockett’s article continues, “At each stage of life, we learn new lessons that are unique to that phase of our existence. We understand things at age 30 that we could not grasp at age 20.”
Stick with God and Things will Work Out
Sometimes, bad things will happen to us even when we haven’t caused them. There are problems and disappointments in everyone’s life. Yet it’s been said that “character is built in the crucible of adversity.” God allows bad things to happen to us so that we can build His character. We are facing an unstable world, and none of us really know what next year might hold—but if we let God guide us, no matter which way the world goes, we can be confident in His perfect will.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/drew-beamer-xU5Mqq0Chck-unsplash.jpg10001500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-11-02 11:51:002021-11-03 11:51:54Forum Summary: The Future is in God’s Hands
He then went on to mention the prophecy given in Isaiah 3:12: “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people! Those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.” This serious warning is one of many prophetic scriptures about the fall of Israel at the end of the age.
This prophecy is descriptive of social conditions, and one of the issues it highlights is children being our oppressors. Mr. Wachowicz stated that children being our oppressors can be seen one of two ways—childlike or unwise leadership in society, or literal children oppressing society, such as children bringing their parents to court.
“Women Rule Over Them”
The other element of this prophecy addresses women ruling the nation. One of the things we see happening around us is the suppression of males in society. “Do Schools Discriminate Against Boys?” shows that Dr. Jim Dueck, former deputy minister of education for the province of Alberta, Canada, examined the marks of twelfth-grade students in a classroom setting versus the marks of the same students when they were graded “blind”. Dr. Dueck found that the marks given to the male students when thon those tests were generally higher than those given by teachers to the same students when they knew who they were. He also found that for female students, the opposite was true.
These results led him to the conclusion that female students’ academic marks are being deliberately inflated. Scholarship eligibility is based on teacher-given exams, and this leads to a disproportionate number of scholarships going to female students; women make up a sizable majority in universities, especially in professional facilities in North America.
The Bible prophesied these events over 2000 years in advance. Mr. Wachowicz drove his point home by showing a snippet of an interview by Mrs. Diane Watts titled “The History of Feminism and its Impact on Men,” where she explained the origin of the feminist movement. Interestingly enough, the feminist movement started as an effort to get women out of factories and back to their families—until Betty Friedan insisted that women in the home were living in “comfortable concentration camps” and that men were their oppressors.
How This Affects the Church
“Why is this significant to us in the Church of God?” Mr. Wachowicz asked. It is significant in terms of the people to whom we must preach the Gospel and give a warning. Many in modern Western nations have values and mindsets very different from those that were commonly held twenty years ago.
Mr. Wachowicz closed his lecture by stating that “perhaps prophetically, we are over the tipping point where it is very difficult for our society to recover, and only God can do that for us.” He left us with some questions to consider: How do we preach the Gospel to a population that is so influenced in this manner? Eighty percent of youth in Canada are unaware of any characters in the Bible and are even less aware of the Bible’s instructions. This is the environment that activists are striving to establish; they are seeking to eliminate knowledge of the past, so people will have no reference with which to analyze the present. This is the world in which God’s Church must preach the Gospel.
https://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/taylor-wilcox-4nKOEAQaTgA-unsplash-1.jpg9931500Jonathan McNairhttps://www.lcgeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/logo_basic-website-300x94.pngJonathan McNair2021-10-31 11:26:002021-11-03 11:53:34Assembly Summary: The Suppression of Males in Israelite Society
Author: Yolanda Watt | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2021-22
Estimated Reading Time: 5 min.
Mr. John Strain used his lecture to give us some books that would help us understand “what’s behind the pastoral information and things that we believe.”
He commented that the Living Church of God’s Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs represents what we believe, what we teach, and what we should be practicing. It also defines why we are in the Living Church of God and not somewhere else. Mr. Strain reminded us that though there are different Church of God groups and some think they are all alike, we do not believe all the same things. He challenged us to think about the question “Why are you here?”
Books Recommendations
1. Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstong, vol. 1
The first book Mr. Strain recommended for us to read was the first volume of the Autobiography of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. We are continuing the work that was started by Mr. Armstrong, and this book tells us how he was called and how he began the work as we know it today.
2. TheMystery of the Ages, by Mr. Herbert Armstrong
Mr. Strain commented that Mr. Armstrong wrote the book when he was about 93 years old. This book can serve to augment our beliefs in the Living Church of God, as it addresses seven mysteries that the world does not understand.
3. TheUnited States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy by Herbert Armstrong
Even though we have a booklet on the subject written by Mr. John Ogywn, because Mr. Armstrong wrote extensively on the subject and it is a part of our fundamental beliefs.
4. Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World by Niall Ferguson
We’ve heard the statement that the sun never set on the British Empire, and this book goes into details that reveal how this small nation became as dominant as it did. This book can help us understand the physical realities of the The United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy
5. The Coming Fury by Bruce Catton
This book deals with the American Civil War and its causes. American society has been torn apart by social constructs, and The Coming Fury illustrates the reasons behind this and gives a history of modern-day Manasseh. Mr. Strain believes that God allowed the American Civil War to happen so that the United States would not be permanently divided.
6. Lincoln by David Herbert Donald
President Lincoln was criticized for being undereducated but ended up with one of the most famous speeches ever written. We were advised to go back and read Mr. Lincoln’s speeches if we wanted to know how to communicate and stir people. Mr. Lincoln was well educated because of all the reading he did.
7. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
After Mr. Lincoln was nominated as the Republican Party’s presidential candidate, he unexpectedly won the presidency. William Seward was secretary of state under President Lincoln, who was convinced that America should buy Alaska. Alaska is a strategic location for protecting the United States, which makes it an important part of God’s plan. Salmon Chase, Edwin Bates, and William Seward were vying for the presidency at that time and were rivals. Once Lincoln won, he put all three men in his office because of their skills and knowledge that he did not have himself.
8. The Proud Tower by Barbara Tuchman
This book describes the events led to World War I, highlighting that the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand triggered the war. Describing the years leading up to Ferdinand’s assassination, this book details the social, industrial, and political structure that led to the war. The Balfour Declaration, stating that the Jews should have a homeland to return to, in turn led to them making enemies with the Arab nations. Britain prolonged the fulfilment of the declaration, which then led to World War II.
9. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William Shirer
A history of Hitler and the Nazi party, this book describes Hilter’s chancellorship, dominance during World War II, and the fall of the Third Reich. What struck Mr. Strain most about this book was that people who are passionate, even if they are passionate about the wrong things, can be very influential in a society.
10. O Jerusalem!by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre
This book details what the Jews did to prepare themselves when the last Jewish ship left Britain to depart to the Middle East. They knew that the surrounding nations did not want a Jewish nation, and would try to drive them into the sea. The Jews were ultimately successful in expanding their territory. Britain was able to declare the Jews deserving of a homeland due to General Allenby freeing Jerusalem in 1917. Britain was then the caretaker for Palestine and had command over what happened there.
Why Read?
“Reading gives you a chance to study things, draw your own opinions, put perspective behind what you know to be the truth of God,” said Mr. Strain. He recommended one final book that had been recommended to him by Mr. Weston, This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends by Nicole Perlroth, which is about cyber warfare affecting our world today. While the students are unable to read these books now, we are encouraged to do our own reading when we have time. We will have to manage our time in order to read. Mr. Strain said in closing, “Don’t let social media… dominate your life.”
Agrippa I was the grandson of Herod the Great, born about 10 B.C. and raised in Rome. Imprisioned for six months by Emperor Tiberius on charge of treason because of his exploition of relationships for wealth and power, in particular seeking the favor of Caligula. He persecuted the church in Jerusalem but may have been interested in Jewish roots.
