WeChat ESL Class

A. Short Story:

the barber

-- Author unknown (used with permission by Servant Quarters)

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine loving a God who would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me."                                                                   

B. Bible Lesson:

Esther 1New International Version (NIV)

Queen Vashti Deposed

1 This is what happened during the time of Xerxes,[a] the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush[b]: 2 At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, 3 and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present.

4 For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. 5 When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed gardenof the king’s palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest who were in the citadel of Susa. 6 The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. 7 Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king’s liberality. 8 By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink with no restrictions, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished.

9 Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes.

10 On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas—11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.

13 Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times 14 and were closest to the king—Karshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memukan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom.

15 “According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?” he asked. “She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her.”

16 Then Memukan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. 17 For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ 18 This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.

19 “Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. 20 Then when the king’s edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.”

21 The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memukan proposed. 22 He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in their own language, proclaiming that every man should be ruler over his own household, using his native tongue.

Esther is the seventeenth book of the bible. The book of Esther is a gem to read and her name means star. Esther was a Jewish maiden who, as Queen of Persia, was used to deliver her people from massacre. The book of Esther can be divided into three parts: 1) Esther was chosen Queen, 2) Esther’s deliverance of her people, the Jews, 3) The Jews’ revenge upon their enemies. The author of this book is unknown. Listed below are questions on the book of Esther. These questions can be used for Sunday school or bible study to help all young converts study the scriptures and may God bless you always.

Esther Chapter 1

1) What is the background of this story in these verses of this book? (Esther 1:1-3)

2) Who attended the king’s banquet in these verses of this book? (Esther 1:3-5)

3) What events preceded the banquet that the king gave in verse four? (Esther 1:4)

4) How is the setting of the banquet described in these verses of this book? (Esther 1:5-8)

5) What motivated the king to summon the queen on the seventh day of the banquet? (Esther 1:10)

6) Why did the king want Queen Vashti to leave her own banquet to come to his in verse eleven? (Esther 1:11)

7) How did Queen Vashti respond to the king’s command in verse twelve of this book? (Esther 1:12)

8) How did King Xerxes react to Vashti’s disobedience in verse twelve? (Esther 1:12)

9) Whom did the king consult about what to do about the queen’s disobedience? (Esther 1:13-14)

10) What advice did the wise men give to King Xerxes in these verses of this book? (Esther 1:16-20)

11) What fear did the wise men have about the ramifications of Queen Vashti’s behavior? (Esther 1:17-18)

12) What impact did the wise men want the king’s decree to have in the kingdom? (Esther 1:19-20)

13) What did the king decide to do about Queen Vashti in these verses? (Esther 1:21-22)

14) How did Vashti’s actions affect all the women in the kingdom of verse twenty-two? (Esther 1:22)

WeChat ESL Class on September 23, 2017

A. High-light of the Week
B. Short Story:

C. American Idioms:

D. Bible Lesson:

WeChat ESL Class on September 16, 2017

A. High-light of the Week
B. Short Story:

A minister passing through his church
In the middle of the day
Decided to pause by the altar
And see who had come to pray.Just then the back door opened,
A man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
The man hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was shabby, old,
And his coat was worn and frayed.
The man knelt, he bowed his head
Then rose and walked away.
In the days that followed,
Each noon time came this chap.
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
With robbery a main fear.
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
"What are you doing here?"
The old man said he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time
For finding strength and power.
"I stay only moments, see,
Because the factory is so far away.
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is what I say:
I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP,
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM,
CHECKING IN TODAY."
The minister, feeling foolish,
Told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
To come and pray just anytime.
Time to go, Jim smiled, and said "Thanks."
He sped to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
He'd never done it before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
And met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
He repeated old Jim's prayer:
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP,
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME,
CHECKING IN TODAY."
Past noon one day, the minister noticed
That old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
He began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him,
Learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Jim was so glad
When no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up
And with a winsome smile;
"The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
That in here all the while.
Everyday at noon, He's here,
A dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
AND I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY,
SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS,
CHECKING IN TODAY.'"

C. American Idioms:

1. (have) egg on your face

Silvio had egg on his face after saying he was much better than all the other drivers, and then

 a. winning the race

 b. coming last in the race

 c. coming second in the race

2. (your) bread and butter

This job is my bread and butter, so

 a. I don't really need it

 b. I don't get paid for it

 c. I can't afford to lose it

3. a flash in the pan

The company hopes that their new computer game won't just be a flash in the pan, but that it'll

 a. be popular for a long time

 b. be unpopular for a very long time

 c. be very popular for a short time

4. do you the world of good

If there's one thing that always does me the world of good it's

 a. going to the hospital

 b. losing money on the stock exchange

 c. playing with my grandchildren

5. stick out like a sore thumb | stand out like a sore thumb

When Hector went to the dance club he stuck out like a sore thumb because he was the only person there who

 a. had a swollen thumb

 b. was over fifty years old

 c. was wearing brown socks

6. warts and all

The Kurt Cobain biography is good because it's a real warts and all account of his life, and it doesn't try to

 a. show the more disturbing parts of his life

 b. hide the more disturbing parts of his life

 c. show his weaknesses as well as his strengths

7. You are what you eat.

My doctor said, "The most important thing to remember is that you are what you eat," and then told me to eat more

 a. bacon, hamburgers and hot dogs

 b. fruits, vegetables and fish

 c. chocolates, sweets and cookies

8. if all else fails

We normally travel in business class, but if all else fails I guess we can go in

 a. first class

 b. economy class

 c. the baggage hold

9. keep abreast of

You can keep abreast of current affairs by

 a. reading old newspapers

 b. watching the latest movies

 c. checking out news websites

10. safe and sound

If you got somewhere safe and sound, you got there

 a. because it was easy to get there

 b. even though you got hurt on the way

 c. even though there was some danger on the way
D. Bible Lesson:

PhilemonNew International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

3 Grace and peace to you[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my sonOnesimus,[b] who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Questions:

1.) Who are the main characters in this letter?

2.) What is the issue or conflicts discussed within the letter?

3.) What are some ways that Paul attempts to resolve the conflicts?

4.) What do we learn about Paul in this letter?

5.) How can we apply this letter to our own lives?

WeChat ESL Class on September 9, 2017

A. High-light of the Week
B. Short Story:

C. American Idioms:

D. Bible Lesson:

Covfel ESL Class Sep. 13, 2017

A. High-light of the Week

B. Short Story:

feel good about who you are

-- Author Unknown

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?" "That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them." "For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

C. American Idioms:

Idioms Quiz 1

See if you can match the idiomatic expression used here with its real meaning!

Ellie was "feeling blue." What did that mean? She touched only blue things. She was freezing cold. She was feeling very sad. She was touching her favorite dog.

When he was asked why Arthur had not fought in the army, Jed replied, "That simple. He "was yellow." What did he mean? He was a coward; afraid to fight. He was sick to his stomach. He was Chinese. He had a jaundiced look.

George applied for a building permit and was shocked to find all the "red tape" involved. What did he mean? Tape used to outline where buildings are built. Everything had to be bound with a certain colored tape. There was lots of paperwork that to be filled out. A red tape recorder recorded everything.

Melinda turned "red as a beet" when someone mentioned Bob's name. Why did she do this? She was embarrassed. She got very angry. She was holding her breath. She stood too close to the heater.

Mrs. O'Leary says her neighbor, Jim, has "a heart of gold." What does she mean? He has a very valuable pacemaker. He has tattoos on his chest. He is a very kind, honest person. He is a selfish, evil person.

Edgar was "tickled pink" when he heard from his friend. What does that mean? A bunch of people got him down, tickled him and made him laugh. Tickling nearly made him have a heart attack. His friend likes to tickle him. He was delighted to hear from his friend.

When my uncle heard his neighbor bought a new car, he was "green with envy." Why? He had lots of money. He had a serious infection. He was very jealous. He had a mossy growth on him.

Mr. Jones said his business was "in the black" now. What does that mean? He bought some oil fields. It only runs at night. It is losing money. It is making a profit.

Carole has been told that her problem is that she looks at life through "rose-colored glasses." What does that mean? She needs glasses that are not tinted. She sees things as they are, not as they should be. She keeps peeking through goblets raised over her corneas. She sees things as they should be, not as they are.

Grandma told my mom she was feeling "in the pink". How was she feeling? She was sick to her stomach. She was feeling well. She was feeling dizzy. She was feeling like a lady.

D. Bible Lesson: Acts 12:1-19

Memory Verse: James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

Acts 12: 1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

Discussion Questions:

• What was the problem Peter had?
• Who was responsible for Peter being thrown into prison?
• Why were Peter's friends afraid that Peter might be killed?
• What did Peter's friends do to solve the problem?
• How did God answer their prayers?
• How did Peter's friends react when they heard that Peter was free?
• In James 5:16, what does it mean to be "righteous"?

          "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."