Pastor Bill's Bits
Potatoes, Eggs, and Coffee
Once upon a time a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn't know how she was going to make it. She was tired of fighting and struggling all the time. It seemed just as one problem was solved, another one soon followed. Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Once the three pots began to boil, he placed potatoes in one pot, eggs in the second pot, and ground coffee beans in the third pot. He then let them sit and boil, without saying a word to his daughter. The daughter, moaned and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He took the potatoes out of the pot and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a bowl. He then ladled the coffee out and placed it in a cup. Turning to her he asked. "Daughter, what do you see?" "Potatoes, eggs, and coffee," she hastily replied. "Look closer," he said, "and touch the potatoes." She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Its rich aroma brought a smile to her face. "Father, what does this mean?" she asked. He then explained that the potatoes, the eggs and coffee beans had each faced the same adversity - the boiling water. However, each one reacted differently. The potato went in strong, hard, and unrelenting, but in boiling water, it became soft and weak. The egg was fragile, with the thin outer shell protecting its liquid interior until it was put in the boiling water. Then the inside of the egg became hard. However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were exposed to the boiling water, they changed the water and created something new. "Which are you?" he asked his daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a potato, an egg, or a coffee bean?" In life, things happen around us, things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is what happens within us.
Pastor Bill's past articles may be found here: Archived Articles
Sunday School - it's not just for kids anymore!
People sometimes ask, "Just why should I come to Sunday School? I don't have children to bring and besides, I can study my Bible at home." Truth is, there are several reasons for everyone, regardless of age to be a part of a Sunday School class.
First, it is true that you can study the Bible at home, but do you? And if you do, do you understand everything you read? We have gifted Bible teachers who bless us each week with their knowledge and passion for God's word. Maybe you can even share what God has shown you in your study at home.
Second, the best way to meet people and build relationships is through Sunday School. Statistics show that those who are not involved in Sunday School are five times more likely to leave the church than those who are involved. If you are serious about being a part of Tucker Swamp Baptist Church, it is imperative you become a part of Sunday School too.
Third, Sunday School provides everyone with a terrific opportunity to be involved in ministry to others. If you really want to make a real difference in other people's lives, there is no better way than with your friends in Sunday School.
November is Join Sunday School Month. If you are not already enrolled in a class, we encourage you to become involved now. You will never regret opening the door of possibilities. Just come in any door between 9:30 and 9:45 and a greeter will be more than happy take you to a class that fits your needs best.
Casting Your Vision
In a recent survey, evangelistic, growing churches said there was one planned program that was instrumental in reaching and keeping new people. Without exception, churches of all sizes ranked this revolutionary program just behind Evangelistic Preaching and Prayer as the main reason their church was growing. What is this innovative, ground-breaking program? Sunday School! That's right, Sunday School- our small group Bible Study classes! According to Effective Evangelistic Churches by Thom Rainer, 70% of churches similar to Tucker Swamp in size, with an average attendance of 300-499, said Sunday School was a "Contributing or Main Factor" to their churches evangelistic effectiveness, 29.4% said it was somewhat a factor, and only .6% said it was not a factor. No matter what other programs they were using, or had tried previously, they all agreed that small group Bible Study was still by far the most effective way of reaching and ministering to people in their community.
Do you have a passion for evangelism? How about a vision for the Sunday School ministry at Tucker Swamp? If so, I would like to invite you to be a part of our Sunday School care group leaders, and prayer warriors. Right now, you can be an "active" member of a Sunday School class. Remember:
"Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 20:18
Do you know how to study your Bible?
There's an old saying, usually attributed to Confucius that goes something like "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you've fed him for a lifetime." There's an important life lesson in that simple statement. We have many opportunities to hear God's word from gifted and exceptional teachers but we can never be complete disciples until we learn to study God's word for ourselves. Come and join us in the Sanctuary on Wednesday nights. Come learn how to feed on God's word for your lifetime.
Do you attend Sunday School?
If not, then why not? Sunday mornings here at TSBC are great for making new relationships but, more importantly, it's the perfect time to learn what the Bible has to say about your life. People, just like you, learn from teachers who have studied the scriptures, some of the following:
- Why you were born
- What your purpose in life is, according to God's plan
- What happens when you die
These and many other subjects are a part of the discussions that are happening every Sunday morning in our classes. We have preschool classes that teach our young children songs that help them learn who God is and what His Love means to them. We have classes for our children and young adults to help them know God in a personal way.