Articles : Sunday School by Yamasaki
Nov. 14, 2011 issue
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Why worry?
For Labor Day this year, one of the members of my congregation offered to write and direct a play on a work-related theme. I thought it was an ambitious project — a 20-minute drama to stand in place of a sermon, with four main characters and two smaller roles, with rehearsals taking place during the last weeks of summer, presented on the Sunday of a long weekend. Was that all doable? Could she and we really pull that off? I was excited to see what God would do!
I was glad to be part of the planning and praying, to see the script develop, the cast formed, and when the drama was finally presented, I found it an incredible experience. Even though I had read the script over several times, it was very different seeing it acted so well. It came across as theologically sound and thought-provoking as any sermon.
Nov. 7, 2011 issue
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True forgiveness
Earlier this year, as I was preparing for Maundy Thursday communion at my church, I chose a prayer of confession from Hymnal: A Worship Book. The words were addressed to Jesus, very personal, very real, exactly the right tone to prepare for the Lord’s Supper by candlelight — or so I thought.
Oct. 31, 2011 issue
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Nobody’s perfect
Earlier in Matthew 5, Jesus addresses murder and anger, adultery and lust, falsehood and truth telling, revenge and non-retaliation. Now he tells his followers to love not only their neighbors but also those who do not love them back, to greet those outside their own circle of family and friends, and to pray even for their enemies.
Oct. 17, 2011 issue
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The good life
What is your vision of “the good life”? Most of us are wise enough to know that it’s not about owning a bright red sports car with all the latest features. It’s not about a house with a pool plus staff to take care of everything inside and out. Or about having money enough to do whatever you want, or even making a large donation to charity. We know what really counts in life is not about having a big pile of money.
Oct. 10, 2011 issue
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A form of wisdom
As Wisdom Literature, the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are serious and practical, offering insights on human nature and encouraging readers to honor God. Over and over, Proverbs relates wisdom to the fear of the Lord (see 1:7, 9:10, 19:23). Ecclesiastes also repeatedly directs its readers to fear God (see 5:7; 8:12; 12:13).
Oct. 3, 2011 issue
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Before and after
I love Frank Laubach’s “Life Begins at 80.” I’ve seen it written as poetry, referred to as a short essay, heard it read at an 80th birthday party, received it as an email forward. The first lines set the positive tone: “I have good news for you. The first 80 years are the hardest. The second 80 are a succession of birthday parties.” Then with gentle humor, the middle lines describe what it’s like to be 80 — how everyone wants to carry your baggage and will readily excuse whatever you do because of your age, and treats you with respect just for living so long. So he concludes, “If you ask me, life begins at 80.”
Sept. 26, 2011 issue
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Study in contrasts
In my Bible, the heading for this section of verses is “Wisdom Superior to Folly.” It sounds like a fairly simple pairing of opposites, with wisdom on one side and foolishness on the other. But the contrasts are actually far more complex.
Sept. 19, 2011 issue
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More wisdom
One of the most common ways to read the Bible is to read it in short sections. So, for example, in my church the sermon is often based on a passage of Scripture that is read during our time of worship — perhaps just a few verses, or half a chapter, or very rarely a whole chapter of the Bible. Many daily devotional books feature a different passage of Scripture each day along with a few paragraphs of explanation. Today’s lesson is another short section of verses.
Sept. 12, 2011 issue
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Kings, commoners
In spring of this year, the wedding of Prince William of England and Kate Middleton was big news. She wore a gown with a train six and a half feet long, and a tiara loaned to her by the queen, who received it from her mother as an 18th birthday present. He wore a red tunic with a blue sash, and placed a wedding ring of Welsh gold on her finger, given to him by the queen shortly after Will and Kate had become engaged. The wedding ceremony took place in the historic Westminster Abbey, and afterward the newly titled Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kissed on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, watched by an estimated 2 billion people around the world.
Sept. 5, 2011 issue
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Good guidance
Years ago, as part of discerning my call into pastoral ministry, I tested it in confidence with my husband, the academic dean of the college where I was teaching, the area conference minister in our denomination, close friends who had known me since youth, several mature Christians whose judgment I respected, as well as other family members.
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