A
Presentation by
Elechi
Udochi Alegua
During the 2015 Archdeaconry ACB Bible Study
Conference holding at St. Barnabas Ang. Church Igwuruta, Igwuruta Archdeaconry
on Sat. 25th July 2015
Introduction:
This split between the faith which many
profess and their daily lives deserves to be counted among the more serious
errors of our age. The Christian who neglects his temporal duties, neglects his
duties toward his neighbor and even God, and jeopardizes his eternal salvation.
Christians should rather rejoice that, following the example of Christ Who
worked as an artisan, they are free to give proper exercise to all their
earthly activities and to their humane, domestic, professional, social and
technical enterprises by gathering them into one vital synthesis with religious
values, under whose supreme direction all things are harmonized unto God’s
glory.
The cardinal area of discussion:
My God: the creator
and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the Supreme Being.
A superhuman being or spirit worshipped as having power over nature or human
fortunes; a deity.
My Book: a
handwritten or printed work of fiction or nonfiction, usually on sheets of
paper fastened or bound together within covers.
My Friends: a person
with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual
or family relations. People who are aware of how retarded you are and
still manage to be seen in public with you.
People who make you laugh and bring out the best in you. People who cry for you
when one of your special items disappear, when you don’t have enough money to
buy things they feel concerned, they chip in and who would never make you cry
just to be mean.
The essence of the study is to see how we can
blend the three together and yet remain rapturabe.
PRACTICAL
IDEAS FOR INTEGRATING THE THREE CARDINAL AREA OF OUR DISCUSSION:
1: Let love drive our
actions.
Agape, the Greek word for selfless love, is the magic elixir that should
drive our daily work activities. It is by acting in a selfless and charitable
way towards others and putting their needs before our own that people will
truly begin to see Jesus at work in us. It is so easy to focus on our own
desires and needs, but take up the challenge to make today about serving
others. Even the little acts of selfless kindness will have a dramatic impact
on the people around us.
2: Be a light
for Christ.
What does
being a light for Christ mean? How can it be manifested in us? “Jesus said to
his disciples: ‘You are the light of the world.’ The light of the disciple is
the light of the Master himself. In the absence of this light of Christ, society
becomes engulfed in the most impenetrable darkness. Christians are to
illuminate the environment in which they live and work. A follower of Christ
necessarily gives light. The very witness of a Christian life, and good works
done in a supernatural spirit, are effective in drawing men to the faith and to
God. Let us ask ourselves today about our effect on those who live side by side
with us, those who have dealings with us for professional or social reasons. Do
they see this light which illuminates the way that leads to God? Do these same
people feel themselves moved, by their contact with us, to lead better lives?”
3: Practice active stewardship.
Does your organization give back to the
community? 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each has received a gift, employ it for
one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” Get involved, make a
difference, and contribute. Perhaps if we lead, our company will follow. Look
for opportunities to reach out to the “Lazarus” in our lives today (from
the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19–31). Lazarus may be a
depressed or troubled coworker, a client who is dealing with personal tragedy,
or the homeless and hungry outside the walls of our office building. Consider 1
John 3:17: “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in
need, yet closes his against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” It is
important to remember that stewardship is more than writing a check or
donating heart against him, how does
God’s love abide in him?” It is important to remember that stewardship
is more than writing a check or donating in Church.
Title : My God, My Book and My Friends
Description : A Presentation by Elechi Udochi Alegua During the 2015 Archdeaconry ACB Bible Study Conference holding at St. Barnabas Ang. C...