OceanSide church of Christ

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (79)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     The first recorded question that Jesus asked involved His mother.

1.       Mary and Joseph had left Jesus behind after attending a feast in Jerusalem (Luke 2:42-44).

2.       They returned and found Jesus in the temple “sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions” (Luke 2:46).

3.       When His mother questioned Him about His not being with them, He responded with two questions (Luke 2:49).

 

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me?  wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

 

4.       Luke 2:50 records their response to His questions.

 

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

 

B.      My prayer is that this is not the response you have to my answers to your questions.  We want you to leave with a better understanding of the things about which you have questions.

 

C.     Today is our Q&A Sunday.  

1.       We are a week late due to my being out of town. 

2.       We will be considering three questions in this lesson.

 

I.                   QUESTION #1:  Proverbs 23:7

 

A.     Stated:  Please explain Proverbs 23:7

 

B.      Answer:

1.       Proverbs 23:7

 

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:   Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

 

2.       We often only quote the first portion of this verse in order to establish a truth.  “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”  Let’s look at both verses 6 and 7 to see what the passage is teaching in its context.

3.       The wise man begins with a prohibition in verse 6.

 

Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats.

 

a.       Evil seeks to entice us with its apparent blessings:  bread and dainty meats.

b.      Evil men want us to be in fellowship with them by sitting at their table.

c.       The inspired writer warns us not to be enticed and do not partake of their goodies.

d.      This evil person wants us to think that he is concerned about us, that he is our friend, and that he will be there for us.

e.       Such is not the case.  His heart is much different than his actions.  NOTE:  His heart declares who he really is and how he truly feels about us.  He is not a friend.  He is an enemy.

f.        He exhorts us to eat and drink and be in fellowship with him, but “his heart is not with thee.”

1)      He is out for self.

2)      If the situation arises, he will turn upon you.

3)      If he needs to harm you in order to protect himself, he will.

g.       LESSONS: 

1)      The heart of an individual is the real measure of a person, not the outward appearance. 

2)      We must never be fooled by evil people.  They will promise you the world, but they will lead you to destruction

a)       Proverbs 1:10, 15-16

 

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not…My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:  for their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

 

b)      1 Corinthians 15:33

 

Be not deceived:  evil communications corrupt good manners. 

 

c)       Ephesians 5:11

 

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

 

II.                QUESTION #2:  Preacher Training Schools

 

A.     Stated:  Can you give us some idea how rigorous a preacher training school can be?

 

B.      Answer:

1.       A preacher training school is usually a 2-year program.

a.       Because it is only 2 years instead of 4, most think that it is not as involved as a four-year degree program.

b.      The reality is that it is really a 4-year program crammed into two years.

1)      When I attended Memphis State University, I was always out of class by 11:30 a.m.

2)      When I attended the Memphis School of Preaching, I attended classes from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. every day of the week.  That’s 6-1/2 hours of instruction every day.

2.       Each quarter, the student took 6 classes.

a.       Four classes on M-W-F.

1)      A 2-hour class and 1-hour class in the morning.

2)      A 2-hour class and 1-hour class in the afternoon.

b.      Two classes on T-Th. (2 3-hour classes, one in the morning and one in the afternoon)

3.       The norm for out of class study:  “For every hour in the classroom, the student needed to study an hour outside of the classroom.” 

a.       Thus, most students would study about 6 hours every night after completing their classes in the day. 

b.      There were times when we would study until 1 or 2 in the morning.

c.       On one final, we stayed up all night studying.  (NOTE:  Final consisted of 4 finals on one day and 2 finals another day).

d.      Most classes had one or two books assigned for reading and studying.

e.       Curriculum

1)      Every book of the Bible was covered.

2)      English the first year.  Greek the second year.

3)      The Preacher and His Work every semester

4)      Additional classes:  Bible geography, Premillennialism, the Holy Spirit, Denominational Doctrines, Apologetics, Hermeneutics, Church History, General Bible Introduction, Logic, Intertestament Period, Parables and Miracles of Jesus, and the New Testament church.

4.       The Grading:  95 to 100 was an “A.”

5.       The schedule for a day.

a.       08:30 a.m. to 09:00 a.m.          Chapel  (students conducted the chapel service)

b.      09::00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.         Class

c.       12:00 p.m. to 01:00 p.m.          Lunch

d.      01:00 p.m. to 04:00 pm.           Class

6.       There were about 240 memory verses required for each semester, 40 per class.  Each class usually involved the student having to say a memory verse when the roll was called.

7.       Classes involved taking notes, memorizing scripture, research, reading (usually read each book of the Bible being studied 3 to 5 times during the quarter), outlining books, term papers, sermons, and tests:  discussion questions, T-F, multiple choice, fill in the blanks, expositions of scripture, lists, refutation of error, memory work, etc.  Most of the time there were 3 or 4 tests per quarter per class.  Sometimes a teacher would also give pop quizzes.

8.       Between quarters, we often went on mission trips.  Finals on Friday.  Then, depart Saturday to go on a mission trip for the week.  We would knock doors during the day and have a gospel meeting at night.

9.       One summer session was required of students.

10.   Some of the students preached on Sundays while attending school.  I preached at a small church in Dell, AR from my second quarter until I graduated.

 

III.             QUESTION #3:  Jet Smith

 

A.     Stated:  Please give us some information about the work we will be supporting this month.

 

B.      Answer:

1.       During the month of October, we will be supporting Jett Smith.

 

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2.       Jett is a young man from Valdosta, GA who is attending a School of Preaching.

3.       Jett’s parents are Eric and Nadia Smith from Valdosta, GA.

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4.       Jett has spoken here one time in the past.  So, many of you know him.  There has been one major change in his life.  He is now engaged to Ashlee Jackson.

 

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5.       Jett is attending preacher training school in Warner Robins, GA.

 

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a.       The school is called the Georgia School of Theology.

1)      The first class began in 8.2.21.   The second year class started in 8.1.22.

2)      The first graduating class will be in 7.22.23.  Jett will be in this class.

 

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b.      It is under the oversight of the Warner Robins church of Christ.                      

 

           

c.       The mission of the school is set forth on their website

1.    Thoroughly prepare sound preachers, teachers, and leaders to meet the needs and challenges of the local church in Georgia and the Southeastern United States. GST teaches the skills needed to biblically-lead from the pulpit, in the classroom, and the home. Students will receive comprehensive instruction in the books of the Bible; its history; languages; public speaking; writing; teaching; counseling; and pastoral skills.

2.    Defend the Bible as God’s verbal, plenary inspired word against false teaching. Our instructors steadfastly affirm and teach the authority and inspiration of God’s word.

3.    Provide leadership training and support for the churches of Christ in GA and the Southeastern United States to meet the biblically mandated leadership expectations.

4.    Assist sound congregations with church planting to grow Christ’s Kingdom in GA and the Southeastern United States

d.      Director:  Dave Domingue

 

Georgia School of Theology Director

 

e.       The following men are instructors in the school:

Stephen Atnip

Terry Burress

David Decker

Mike Elledge

Eddie Fisher

Elliot Glasgow

Jeremy Green

John Gross

Gary Hampton

Neal Pollard

Dave Rogers

Phil Sanders

Norman Spain

Daniel Stearsman

Allen Webster

Dan Winkler

5.       They have four ministers who are part of an Advisory Board:  Phil Sanders, Dan Winkler, Mevin Otey, and Neil Pollard.

6.       One of the major differences between this school and other schools of preaching is the amount of time spent in class and taking on-line courses.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     In this lesson, we have considered three questions:

1.       The meaning of a Bible verse, Proverbs 23:7.

2.       An in-depth look at a work of the church, a preacher training school.

3.       The support of a student in a preacher training school, Jett Smith.

 

B.      When looking at different questions, time is always a factor.  Too, the question that is asked determines what is said.  In this lesson, we have been looking at some practical application of Scriptures when it comes to works we are called upon to assist.