WeChat ESL Class March 11 Beijing Time 8:00-9:00 AM

A. High-Lights of the Week
B. Short Essay: 

The Direction of Words There are many verses in the Bible that encourage me and fill my soul with hope. But then there are other verses that scare and sober me. Proverbs 18:21 is near the top of that latter list. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits" (ESV). I like how The Message summarizes it: "Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit — you choose." That verse compels me to wrap duct tape around my mouth. Why? Because my words - and your words, too - are never neutral. The Bible says that our words are either moving in a life direction, or they're moving in a death direction. What we say either builds up or tears down. There isn't any middle ground. I don't know about you, but I often speak as if my words exist in a happy neutrality. It's uncommon for me to think before I speak, "Is what I'm about to say in this moment going to bring life or bring death?" But the Bible says that every word we speak is moving in one of those two directions. So how should this spiritual reality change the way we live? I can see four ways: 1. Think more: Jesus says that we'll give an account for "every careless word" we speak (Matthew 12:36). That same Jesus will speak perfectly on our behalf on the day of judgement, but we still need to take the time to consider the direction of our words before they roll carelessly off our tongue. 2. Speak less: Proverbs 10:19 says, "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." In other words, the more you and I say, the higher the probability we have of bringing death and tearing down. Sometimes it's better to say nothing at all. 3. Rest in God: If you're anything like me, there will be many words that you wish you could take back. But God's timing is always right. He chooses to reveal these things to us at just the right moment, and he forgives every careless word we have spoken and will speak. 4. Forgive others: If we're going to rest in God for our own careless words, we need to give others the same grace that we've received. Be patient and forgiving as God reveals to others what he has revealed to you. May we take advantage of the grace offered to us and move our words in the direction of life! God bless Paul Tripp

Reflection Questions Identify some careless words you spoke yesterday. How could you have given those words "life" instead? Think of a time when it would have been wiser to stay silent. What was the result of you speaking? What do you regret saying, either recently or in the distant past? How can you preach the gospel to yourself about that regret? Who is currently agitating you with their careless words? How does the gospel inform and transform the way you respond to them? C. American Idiom Did you just have a massive fight with your friend? Did you fail your English finals? Did your team lose the final match? Did you lose your job? If you answered “yes” to any of the questions, then you’re probably feeling sad and a little depressed, right? In this situation, a supportive friend might tell you to keep your ______ up. When they tell you this, they’re showing their support for you, and it’s a way of saying “stay strong,” you’ll get through this. Don’t let these things affect you too badly. “Hey, Keiren, have you had any luck finding work yet?” “No, nothing, it’s really depressing, there’s nothing out there!” “Don’t worry, you’ll find something soon, keep your ________ up buddy and don’t stress.” If you’re really serious about learning English well and finding your feet with the language abroad, make sure you spend some time focusing on English idioms to make your transition and easier one. Good Luck and keep your __________up! D. Bible Lesson : John 13:1-17 Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet 13 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant[c] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.  Discussion Questions: What did Jesus do that surprised the disciples? Why was it strange for Jesus to serve His disciples in this way? How do you think the disciples felt when Jesus washed their feet? Why did Jesus serve His disciples? What does Jesus' example of washing feet mean to you? Why is it sometimes hard to serve others? Tell about a time you have served someone else.