LAST LESSONS #229 — RBS BOOK

What I want to tell you this week is really exciting. Rafiki is now printing the Rafiki Bible Study lessons in book form! We do not have all the books printed yet, but the Book of James is done as well as the Book of Joshua. The lesson books are really beautiful. They include the questions, the commentary (notes) and an extra sheet for personal notes for each lesson in a 8 1/2” X 11” cardboard covered spiral-bound book. I am truly impressed with these books.

At our last Rafiki board meeting, Karen Elliott and the board came to the conclusion that it would encourage participation if RBS lessons were in one place rather than in separate lessons given to group members each week. The books will still cost the same as the lessons separately ($1 per lesson). For instance, the Book of James, having 8 lessons will cost $8.

This news is really wonderful, BUT it will take time to make all 66 of these books, so please be patient if you order a book that is not done yet. Please check out Rafiki’s website (www.rafikifoundation.org) to order any of the 66 RBS studies. All of them are excellent. James will be displayed at our Enrichment time next week. I can’t wait to see the response to them by attendees!

Because of Enrichment, I will not be writing a blog next week.

LAST LESSONS #228 — REPEAT — ANGER

I wrote about anger more than twenty years ago in a little book I wrote called Living the Words of Jesus, but I think the thoughts are worth repeating now. There is so much to be angry about today. I am angry especially with the killing going on in the Middle East, with the abortions performed by the thousands, with the human trafficking, and with other wrongs in our world. The words I wrote years ago are the same words I would write today:

“God is angry with sin (war, abortions, human trafficking), and Jesus repeatedly expressed his anger over sin (Mark 3:5; John 2:14-17). I too may be angry at sin and over situations that arise as a result of sin, but I am not to be angry with my brother (Matthew 5:21-22).

How can I be angry with sin and yet not angry with the one who sins? I must realize that anger indicates a desire to destroy. Jesus rebuked people for their sins, but his purpose was never to destroy. Rather, his anger was always redemptive. Redemption, then, is the key. When my anger flares over someone else’s sin, do I want to destroy that person or do I want to turn that person from his or her sin? Destructive anger is wrong. Redemptive anger is Christlike.”

So that’s what I wrote, but today I wonder what I can do to have redemptive anger when I see the sins of war, abortion, and human trafficking? I feel so helpless, and I will admit that I want to destroy those who have, and still are, killing so many or ruining the lives of women and children. I must remember that Jesus forgave those who nailed him to the cross. Surely, I can do something about my desire to destroy murderers. In thinking about this I realize that there are some things I can do: I can pray, I can vote, and I can give to organizations that are combating these sins. But the greatest of these is prayer that those committing these horrendous sinful acts will turn to Christ.

LAST LESSONS #227 — RCA

I am eager to tell you about a wonderful experience I had recently. I went to the recitation (performance for parents) of our students in the Rafiki Classical Academy (RCA). The RCA is Rafiki’s demonstration school for the training of missionary teachers for Africa as well as for teachers who want to learn how to teach classically in schools in the USA. Our little RCA is located on the Rafiki property and is in its second year. We have pre-school through fifth grade now and next year we will have kindergarten through sixth grade.

What I heard at the recitation of these children astounded me! Besides a number of poems and hymns (all verses!) they had memorized, they recited something I wish someone had taught me as a child. They had memorized the Old Testament books (all 39 of them!) with a sentence or two describing what the book was about. For example: “Genesis—God created the world and made male and female in his image.” “Exodus—Moses led Israel out of Egypt and received the ten commandments.” These children went through the whole Old Testament in this way and didn’t skip a beat. Totally amazing!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all schools, at least all Christian schools, would teach children to learn what’s in the Bible, to remember for the rest of their lives?

The reason I am telling you all this is because I want to encourage you to get your church to use its facilities during the week for a Christian classical primary school or build a school next to the church (using the parking lot for both school and church). I’m sure you are aware of the need for better schools than the public schools in the USA. Our schools need to be Christian and classical to really give children the best education possible. And Rafiki can help you. We can provide the Christian classical curricula that you can use, and we can train your teachers in how to teach classically. Your school will support itself if you use “Step-up” funds that most states provide. Please pray about this and talk to your church. If you want more information on how to start a school call Rafiki at 352-483-9131and ask for Geri.

If you have been paying attention, you know that schools in the USA are almost at the bottom of the list in educating its children. Even with the closure of the federal Department of Education and providing the funds and management of schools to the states, states will not provide only classical schools and certainly not Christian schools for its children. It’s up to us Christians to educate our children well.

Please, please pray about this.

LAST LESSONS #226 — SIMPLY TRUTH — 8

Until I am told that there are other problems in Africa with false doctrine, this will be the last one on my blog. And for your information, we will send these 8 SIMPLY TRUTHs to our teachers and mothers in our Rafiki villages in Africa. Please pray that these doctrinal truths will help our children—and adults!

True: Christ is the head of the church

Colossians 1:18 says: “And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”

Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the head of the church. We believe it because this verse in the Bible clearly says so. The Apostle’s Creed that Protestant churches affirm also says so:

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Not true: Churches that have someone other than Jesus Christ are Christians.

There are churches that call themselves Christian, but the head of their church is someone other than Jesus Christ. For example:

The Roman Catholic Church has the Pope as their head.
The Mormons have Joseph Smith as their head.
The Christian Scientists say Mary Baker Eddy is their head.

Therefore:

Do not affiliate with churches that have anyone other than Jesus Christ as their head. It is wise when looking for a church to attend to ask for the church’s Statement of Faith.