The Importance of Bible Class

When our children were small, we would read Bible stories to them, instruct them when opportunities arose in nature, drilled them on the books of the Bible, and took them to Bible class. They learned a lot in Bible class and they enjoyed the time with children their age.

There was a young girl who attended the Brady Street Church of Christ in Davenport, Iowa when I was worshipping there. She came because she was contacted during a door-knocking campaign. She was about 8 years old. Her parents were not Christians and, as far as I know, never became Christians. This young lady was picked up every week to go to Bible class and worship. Someone always brought her and she was always there.

Most of this girl’s Bible knowledge came from Bible class. This was certainly an evangelistic effort every week. This was probably the only teaching she received about the Bible as I am sure she never got any at home. She thrived on that teaching. She eventually was baptized, went to a Christian college and married a Christian man.

I was converted by my brother who was married and living in Council Bluffs when I was living in Davenport. When I came home from this wonderful experience of learning about Jesus and how powerful an impact the church has, I was alone. My parents were not members of the church and still aren’t. My mother, for some reason, was dead set against me going to the Church of Christ. Although, she never went to church I was previously sent to a Lutheran church.

The power of the Bible classes I attended was great! This was really the only place I learned about the Bible. I read it myself but the learning that went on during Bible class was invaluable to me. It was my only encouragement. I was even recruited to teach a Bible class after only six months (Randy Albers was in that class.) I learned a lot by teaching as well.

We must never underestimate the power of Bible class on our children. They are taught by someone other than their parents, which often has more power. They interact with other children from Christian families. They learn about God, Jesus and the Bible from cradle roll through high school classes and beyond.

There must be Bible teachers that are willing to devote their time and effort to teaching children about God, Jesus and the Bible. It is a necessity. Parents should be teaching their children at home but sometimes that doesn’t happen. If there are children at our building during Bible class times, we all must feel a need to educate them about spiritual things.

Any able-bodied Christian can help. There are many things that make up our Bible class program and we want you to be a part of it. Grandview needs Christians to help in many different age groups – from cradle roll to 6th grade. Please consider being a helper or teaching a class. We would be more than happy to help you if you don’t have experience. We have wonderful class material that gives a very good Biblical basis to our children’s education. Please talk to Debra Augspurger or Sandy Longfellow today and volunteer to help!

Sandy Longfellow

Prayer Requests

We offer our deepest sympathy to Nancy Anderson, whose father, Bob Hayes, passed away last week.

Ron Melvin’s nephew, Chase, age 19 months, has been diagnosed with fibromatosis, a benign soft-tissue tumor. Doctors will perform surgery to remove the tumor. Please keep Chase and his parents in your prayers.

Sherri Lange’s brother, Terry Bonnet, is home on leave from Kuwait for two weeks. Pray for his safety during the rest of his tour, and for his safe return home.

Bob McClaran’s cousin Buster‘s house near the Missouri border burned down this week. Buster escaped unharmed. Keep Buster in your prayers.

Please pray fervently for David Samuel, husband of Sarah Samuel, homeschooling friends of the Bailey’s. David has been diagnosed with a reoccurrence of cancer. He was treated for renal cancer 6 years ago. He has been in Mercy since Sunday, when he began coughing up blood. Doctors were able to stop the bleeding with daily doses of radiation. They have three young sons. Please hold this family up before the Lord.

Bob McClaran’s older sister, Kathleen McCleary, has inflammation of the lymph nodes, and a sinus infections, and is waiting for results of a biopsy. Please keep Kathleen in your prayers.

John Dulaney’s mother Mary, is doing much, much better. She has regained the use of her arms and legs, after being paralyzed on her right side, praise the Lord! An inner-ear infection is causing her some difficulties now-please keep her in your prayers.

Please continue to pray for:

• Preacher search, that God will send the right man
• Millie Buxton, continued problems seeing clearly due to spots
• Cristie Williams, Josh Mongan’s cousin, paralyzed below the arms
• Bob McClaran’s neighbor, Dan, who’s spinal cancer has gotten worse
• Kate Wurtz, Bob & Gene McClaran’s neighbor has terminal cancer
• Jorden Kuyrkendall, who had a blood infection
• Donna Butcher, Karen Belk’s sister, who has multiple health concerns
• Vicki Bennett, Jake Ferrell’s mother, has emphysema
• Pam Dorrell’s dad, recovering from a fall
• Gerri Phelps uncle, Marion Stark, recovering from West Nile
• Brenda Johnson’s mother, Rose Nichols has pancreatic cancer
• Steve South, Darin Thompson, Phil Blankenship searching for jobs
• Bob McClaran, recovering from a stroke
• Karen Carico, Karen Hardy, Bob Kunce, Kim Greer’s father, who have cancer
• Walter Meyer and Kimball Matkins, who have ALS
• Willetta Stafford, Betty Demi, Bertha Jones, Lou Kelley who are shut in
• John Singer and his health concerns
• Jackie Harp, who has bronchial fibrosis

News & Notes

Please join us today at Karen Acres as we praise our God in song at 2:00 pm. It’s a boost to the residents of Karen Acres, and you will receive a blessing by serving them as well!

Todd & Carrie Johnson are hosting the teens tonight at their home (weather permitting) tonight, Sunday 1/21. This may have to be delayed until next week if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Our plan is to play games and possibly watch the last quarter of the BEARS game (on tape-delay!!) Everybody bring the drink of your choice. Girls bring desserts. Guys bring chips.

Bible Teachers Needed: Please consider being a helper or teaching a Bible class. We have a need in Toddlers, 3&4 year olds, 1&2nd grade, and 3&4th grade. Our curriculum is very good and we can help you learn. Contact Debra Augspurger or Sandy Longfellow if you are interested.

The Valentine’s Banquet will be on February 16th at 7:00 pm at the church building. This will be for every adult who has or is someone’s Valentine. We need a count of how many will attend so there is a signup sheet in the Fellowship Hall. Babysitting is being negotiated so let us know how many children you might bring if we can arrange it. -Joe Longfellow, Deacon of Fellowship

News from Marshalltown: The Boone Street Church of Christ will begin broadcasting a Sunday morning radio program on February 4th. It will play at 7:45 am on AM 1190 for 15 minutes. You may or may not be able to listen to this broadcast, depending on where you live, but it’s encouraging to hear about the good work being done by the men of the Iowa Valley Evangelism Effort!

Blood Drive, Saturday February 24: You are eligible if you weigh at least 120 pounds and are over the age of 16. (If you are 16-18 and this is your first time to donate to the Blood Center of Iowa, you must have parental consent.) Other helpers are needed: Opportunities to serve include calling for appointment reminders, baking cookies, unloading equipment (nothing over 30 pounds), working at the canteen, and loading equipment at the end of the event. Sign-up on the bulletin board! Our goal is 36 donors. Please sign-up for an appointment time and we will see you at the drive!!

Central Iowa Missions: This week, Mike Melvin will speak in the morning, and Ron Melvin will speak in the evening. Next week, Art Wallis will speak in the morning, and Mike Mazak will speak in the evening.

TV · Radio · Web

In SEARCH of the Lord’s Way
TV: 8:00 AM Sundays on KDSM
Web: www.searchtv.org

Gospel Broadcasting Network
Web: www.gbntv.org

International Gospel Hour
Radio: 8:30 pm Sundays, 1520 AM
Web: www.gospelhour.net

Grandview Church of Christ
Web: grandviewchurchofchrist.org

AM Sermon

Mike Melvin – “Quality Assurance ”
Reading: 2 Peter 1:3-11

PM Sermon

Ron Melvin – “Making God Smile ”
Reading: Psalms 119:129-136

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Jan 23	Suzie Easter
Jan 23	Jim & Phyllis Mort
Jan 24	Ann Longfellow

For the Record

	 Giving	 AM	 PM	 Wed
Last Week	2138	112	37	83
5 Week Avg	2392	133	72	85
2007 YTD Avg	2306	120	70	82
2006 YTD Avg	3633	163	104	105

Calendar of Events (See also the Iowa Churches of Christ Calendar of Events)