A Powerful SPS

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If you want your SPS to get attention, use these guidelines…

1. Always use ACTION VERBS in your SPS

  • Vague and general verb phrases result in a weak or non-existent SPS, while action verbs guide and define a strong SPS.
    • “About” is the most commonly abused passive verb phrase in speaking, leaving the audience (and sometimes the speaker) with no specific idea where the message is going.
    • For example: “Today, I’m going to talk about how to study the Bible.”
    • Exactly what do you mean?
    • While “How to Study the Bible” may be a topic, it is not an SPS.
  • Here are some examples of action verbs that establish a clear, strong SPS.
    • convince
      • My purpose is to convince my audience that we need to focus our minds on God’s Word more consistently.”
    • persuade
      • My purpose is to persuade the congregation to pray every morning.
    • inspire
      • My purpose is to inspire my audience to be more courageous in living God’s way.
    • explain
      • “My purpose is to explain meaning of the phrase “without form and void” in Genesis 1:2″
    • challenge
      • “My purpose is the challenge the audience to consider Matthew 7:3 and the ‘log in their eye'”
    • prepare
      • “My purpose is to prepare the congregation for challenges to their faith, by recounting the story of Abraham and God’s command to sacrifice his son.”
    • rehearse…
      • “My purpose is to rehearse Christ’s lesson about the laborers in the vineyard from Matthew 20.”

2. Create strong, connected support pillars

Ask yourself…

  • “Do each of my points clearly tie to my SPS?”
  • If they had to stand alone, would they clearly do so?

A three-fold cord is not easily broken, and three support points are hard to beat.  But every point should be able to be tied into the SPS in your own mind.

If you don’t have the connection clearly in mind, don’t expect the audience to do any better.

3. Remember that a QUESTION is NOT an SPS. 

  • A question can serve as a title.
  • A question can serve as a means to present the SPS.
  • A question can help the speaker to develop an SPS.

However, remember that an SPS is a Specific Purpose Statement.  What is the point that you are trying to get across to your audience?  What “statement” are you trying to prove, support, or explain to your audience?

A question is not an SPS!

Speak well!

Digging Deeper: Old and Grayheaded

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Author: Mr. Kenneth Frank | Faculty in Theology, Living Education

Estimated reading time: 6 min.

Did you know that a psalmist entreated God to not forsake him in his old age until he had proclaimed God’s truth to the next generation?

He accepted his mission seriously by asking God to strengthen him in his final years so that God’s truth would be perpetuated to future generations. Senior citizens have a responsibility by deed and word to convey God’s truth to younger people who look to them as mentors and role models. This Digging Deeper explores this sacred responsibility to discover how God continues to work with people no matter their age or physical condition.

Our focus verses are: “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come” (Psalm 71:17-18 KJV throughout). This verse parallels a previous one: “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth” (Psalm 71:9).

A song of the aged

Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible introduces this psalm thus: “It is a psalm of great value as describing the feelings of a good man when he is growing old, and is an illustration of what there has been occasion so often to remark in this exposition of the Book of Psalms, that the Bible is adapted to all the conditions of human life” (e-Sword 13.0.0). The Bible is written for people of all ages. G. Campbell Morgan’s Exposition on the Bible adds: “This is pre-eminently a song of the aged, and, like old age, it is reminiscent. The singer passes from memory to hope, and from experience to praise” (Ibid.). This psalmist explains that he has served the true God since his youth (Psalm 71:5-6). He then asks God to not abandon him now that he is older, as explained by Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: “Still keep me alive. Give me health, and strength, and ability to set forth thy praise, and to make known thy truth” (Ibid.).

The author understands he has a responsibility to teach the next generation about God and His plan, as explained by the NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible: “The psalmist knows that it was critical that the faith be passed down through the generations. God told the Israelites to teach their children of him at any time of day or night (Deuteronomy 6:7), and he stressed that each generation needed to enter into the covenant anew (Deuteronomy 5:2–3; 29:14–15; Joshua 24:25–27). It was not enough to be born an Israelite; each generation had to appropriate the faith for themselves, and it was the responsibility of the entire community to proclaim the faith boldly and to pass it down: parents, priests, and even the king (as here)” (Tecarta Bible App). This is the sacred duty of previous generations.

Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible explains how this conveyed instruction benefits civilization: “Society thus makes progress. One generation becomes wiser and better than the one which went before it, and the experience of all ages thus accumulates as the world advances, enabling a future age to act on the results of all the wisdom of the past. Man thus differs from the inferior creation. The animals, governed by instinct alone, make no progress” (e-Sword 13.0.0). Seniors are to pass along life lessons to younger people that will save them time, effort, and suffering.

Blessings and Responsibilities

The Scriptures abound with God’s promises to the elderly so that growing older should be a pleasurable time with a deep commitment to God, such as:

Psalm 92:12-14 “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. (13) Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.”

Psalm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

However, there are also exhortations to this senior population:

Titus 2:1-5 “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: (2) That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.  (3) The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; (4) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  (5) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Notice, that the elderly in a community, family, or congregation have an example to set and a duty to instruct younger folks with godly wisdom. However, it is equally important that the younger generation recognizes the value of instruction from their seniors, as explained by Henry Morris in his Defender’s Study Bible: “This is a worthy prayer for all elderly believers, as well as a reminder to younger Christians that the older generation still has much to contribute to the present spiritual conflict in terms of accumulated experience and wisdom…A concerned Christian should continue to serve the Lord, in prayer if nothing else, as long as he has breath” (e-Sword 13.0.0).

Leave a godly legacy

As people age, they may become resentful about limitations and infirmities associated with aging, leading to complaints to others and even to God. The ESV Study Bible addresses this matter: “The book of Psalms readily confesses that the believer’s life is full of many troubles and calamities and acknowledges that these are under God’s control (you who have made me see [v. 20]); and since God governs these troubles, he can also relieve them (hence the confidence of vv. 20–21)” (Tecarta Bible App). But they must not forget that God has some form of service assigned to every believer for the younger generation and those that follow in future generations. We all create a legacy. We must decide whether it will be a godly one. We have the potential to produce an abundant harvest if we have sowed the seeds of good fruit.

Joseph Benson’s Commentary of the Old and New Testaments provides us fitting food for thought in conclusion: “Those that have been taught of God from their youth, and have made it the business of their lives to honour him, may be sure he will not leave them when they are old and gray-headed, will not leave them helpless and comfortless, but will make the evil days of old age their best days, and such as they shall have reason to say they have pleasure in” (e-Sword 13.0.0). 

Recommended Reads: “The Great Influenza”, John M. Berry

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(Editor’s Note: This was originally published in the December 2015 Ministerial Bulletin, which makes it particularly interesting in light of the current Covid pandemic.)

Book Review
The Great Influenza
By Gene Hilgenberg

The Great Influenza, The epic story of the deadliest plague in history.
by John M. Berry
Penguin Group (USA), New York, 2004

I have always been fascinated about reports of the Spanish Flu of 1918. If it was so bad, why did we not learn more about in history? With the occurrence of a more severe than normal annual influenza this past winter I begin to research the 1918 pandemic Influenza and came across this book.

The author presents an in-depth study of the 1918 influenza from the condition of medical science at the beginning of the twentieth century, to a detailed trail that the pandemic took in three waves through the US and around the world. He spends a lot of time dealing with individuals that had the greatest effect on curtailing or extending the virus.

In the beginning of the book the author is baffled that the progress of Medical Science in the early 1900’s seemed to be far behind the other fields of science. He blames the lack of progress on religion. He feels that religion hindered the understanding of what caused disease and slowed the discovery of microbes. I contend that if he had been a student of the Bible he would have realized that God gave ancient Israel knowledge of what caused disease and how to prevent it.

According to the author, the 1918-19 flu pandemic killed up to 100 million people world-wide. His death estimate is significantly larger than earlier estimates, but one that is often quoted in contemporary articles. The description of how this virus infected and killed is quite graphic and provides the reader with a real sense of the suffering it caused.

A chapter is spent detailing the influenza virus pathology, what can cause it to become violent and deadly, and how it can spread so quickly. One interesting fact about pandemic influenza that it is normally a virus that first starts in either birds or swine. By crossing with a human strain of the virus it becomes a virus that no one has immunity to so that it then can spread quickly within a population.

Pandemics come around only about 3 or 4 times a century and modern medicine feels with some certainty that if an influenza virus like the Spanish flue would show up that it would be able to quickly develop a vaccine to limit its effect. But can a vaccine be developed in time? The author points out that in 1997 with the H5N1 Hong Kong virus it took scientists more than a year to develop a vaccine. In 1918 the flu infected so many people so fast that the hospitals were swamped. Many of the health staff became sick so were not able to help others.

This book was an eye-opener on how dangerous contagious diseases can be, even one as common as the flu. It is a well-written book, as long as you overlook the references to evolution and the negative approach to religion and God. After reading the book I have a greater understanding of how the coming pandemics that God prophesied could come upon modern day Israel and this world at the end of the age.

Course Spotlight: Condemnation for Blasphemy

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“What was the precise crime of crimes for which Jesus was tried at these two sittings of the council?” Learn about the powers of the Sanhedrin and the condemnation for Blasphemy.

Course Spotlight From The Life, Ministry, and Teachings of Jesus Christ: (Unit 4) Passover to the Resurrection
Learn More!

Assembly Summary: The War Against God

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Author: Yolanda Watt | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2021-22

Estimated Reading Time: 3 min.

In a recent assembly, Dr. Douglas Winnail told the Living Education students that in our world, behind the scenes, there is an ongoing war.

He stated that there are a lot of ideas floating around, such as the idea that the Bible is outdated and the idea that God is not relevant. He warned the students that we need to be careful not to get caught up in these ideas and beliefs. 

Thirty percent of young people are turned off by religion. It is very easy to do what is right and expected of us when we are in the Living Education program, but Dr. Winnail challenged the students, “What is going to happen to you when you go out there?” There is a spiritual war being fought, and we need to understand what it is in order to defend against it. Dr. Winnail offered the students some scriptures to assist us in our understanding of the following topics.

The War is Spiritual

Isaiah 14:12–14 Satan rebelled against God.

Revelation 12 Michael and his angels will fight a war in heaven against the dragon and his angels.

Revelation 13:7 The Satan-inspired beast will wage war against the saints.

Ephesians 6:12 We wrestle against evil spirits in high places.

Why the War?

John 6:44 Only those who are called understand the mystery of God’s plan.

1 Corinthians 1:2 Those in the Church are called to be saints.

Daniel 7:27 God’s Kingdom will be given to the saints of the Most High.

Revelation 5:10 The saints will reign in the Kingdom of God as kings and priests.

Revelation 20:1–6 Satan will be bound and will be replaced by the saints in the Kingdom of God.

Know Your Enemy

2 Corinthians 4:4 Satan is the god of this world.

Ephesians 2:2 Satan is the prince of the power of the air and influences our thoughts and actions.

2 Corinthians 11:4–15 False teachers spread Satan’s false ideas.

2 Peter 3:3 In the last days, scoffers will promote false ideas.

Prepare to Fight

Ephesians 6:10–18 We are to put on the spiritual armor of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 We must prove all things and hold fast to the truth.

Jude 3 We are to earnestly contend for the true faith.

1 Timothy 1:12 We are to fight the good fight of faith for eternal life.

Matthew 24:13 We must endure to the end to be saved.

There are many who ridicule God and the Bible, and Dr. Winnail reminded the students that the ideas being promoted are not new. There are lessons that we have to learn from this spiritual war. Our choices build character, and we must choose God’s way even though we live in Satan’s world. If we choose God, our ultimate rewards will be greater than we can imagine.

Forum Summary: The Purpose of Design

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Author: Yolanda Watt | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2021-22

Estimated Reading Time: 3 min.

For his assembly, Mr. John Robinson, Managing Editor of the Living Church of God’s printed publications, dove into the purpose of graphic design.

When an audience is reading something in print, such as an article or a magazine, the graphic design must clearly communicate the purpose, thought, and intent of the content it highlights. Mr. Robinson emphasized that the design matters much more than we might think it does. 

How a Tomorrow’s World Article is Designed

When a Tomorrow’s World article is first submitted for Editorial review, it is referred to as “raw” before it goes through its first edits. It is edited to ensure its spelling is correct, that punctuation marks are where they need to be, and that it matches the Editorial style of Tomorrow’s World. Once it passes this stage, it reaches the next, more involved stage of editing. This ensures that what the author wants to say makes sense and comes out clearly to the reader. However, quite a bit of effort goes into making sure that the article still retains the “voice” of its author. Once the article is edited, it moves to the next stage, which deals with finding a layout design that works with it. 

“Design can make or break what you are trying to communicate,” Mr. Robinson said. The design needs to be clear enough for the reader to understand what is being communicated. Having a design that uses too many bright colors or too many images may make the article harder to read. He demonstrated that even if an article is well written, the overall content can become poor if the design is subpar. Design includes using fonts that catch the eyes of readers. It also includes the use of color that works with the background and not against it. 

Once Mr. Robinson completes the layout of an issue of Tomorrow’s World Magazine, he sends it to overseas offices for translation into other languages. The articles also go through search engine optimization to make sure they are titled based on what people are searching for. For example, the booklet Your Ultimate Destiny was renamed What Is the Meaning of Life? based on what people are searching for. 

God Designs Our Lives

Mr. Robinson also encouraged us to remember that regardless of where we are in life, we should not feel as if we are stuck there, because God is probably preparing us for something else later. God has a master plan for us and will guide our experiences to prepare us for what He needs us to do. Throughout the Bible we see example after example of God preparing His servants before giving them the job He has in mind for them. 

Mr. Robinson assured us that though we might not always find ourselves exactly where we think we should be in terms of our career, we will find as we go through life that the experiences we have gained, even during the times when we felt stuck, will be beneficial as God reveals the roles He intends for us.

Forum Summary: Consider Your Time

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Author: Ryan Price | Student, Living Education – Charlotte, 2021-22

Estimated Reading Time: 3 min.

At the end of the first semester of Living Education, Mr. Gerald E Weston asked the LivingEd students a question: “How did you use your time this semester?”

It seems time is always in short supply, but it is important that we consider how we use our time, for time is our life. For the final forum of the semester, Mr. Weston addressed the fleeting nature of time and challenged the students to use their time wisely.

Time is fleeting

Mr. Weston began by telling the students that there is only so much time given to us, and the older we get, the faster it seems to go by. Productive use of our time will lead us to success, while poor use of it will lead to emptiness. Paul writes in Ephesians 5:10 that we should be “finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.” Is what we’re doing acceptable to God? Or even in physical terms, acceptable in leading a successful life? It’s important that we think about life and where we’re heading because before we know it, we’ll be asking ourselves, “Where have all the years gone?”

How do we use our time?

Mr. Weston then said, “Wisdom is often simple in nature, but it’s not easy to practice.” It can be hard to manage our time wisely, especially with all the distractions the world provides. Bad habits can develop that become increasingly hard to change the longer they are practiced. Habits determine what we do in the future; our choices today affect our choices tomorrow. Most set their goal in life to have as much fun as possible. To them, a happy life is a fun life. But if we look at King Solomon’s life recorded in Ecclesiastes, we can see that fun does not lead to lasting fulfillment or happiness. 

Life is made of choices, and in Deuteronomy 30:19 we see that making the right choices lead to blessings and life, and the wrong choices lead to curses and ultimately death. Similarly, how we use our time can give us either a life of fulfillment or a life of emptiness. For instance, we can waste a few hours watching television or playing video games, but will we really feel fulfilled afterward? Even in times of leisure, Mr. Weston encouraged the students to consider what they do to relax. Do we watch TV or read a book? Do we play video games or spend time with our family and friends?

The Proverbs promote diligence and condemn laziness. In much of the western world—especially the US—we see a golden opportunity. Anyone can get ahead if they are willing to work for it and the job market has never been better. However, it takes time to find success. There is no quick and easy route to a fulfilling life.

In closing, Mr. Weston asked the students to consider how they spent their time this semester, and more importantly, what will they do with the time ahead of them? Developing good habits now, thinking about where our time goes, being circumspect, and making good choices with our time will lead to lasting success, both spiritually and physically.