Wednesday, March 8, 2017

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.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

WeChat ESL Class on March 4, 2017 8:00-9:00 am Beijing Time

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

The Eyes of Love

A grandmother and a little girl whose face was sprinkled with bright red freckles spent the day at the zoo. The children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws.

'You've got so many freckles, there's no place to paint!' a boy in the line cried.

Embarrassed, the little girl dropped her head. Her grandmother knelt down next to her. 'I love your freckles,' she said.

'Not me,' the girl replied.

'Well, when I was a little girl I always wanted freckles,' she said, tracing her finger across the child's cheek. 'Freckles are beautiful!'

The girl looked up. 'Really?'

'Of course,' said the grandmother. 'Why, just name me one thing that's prettier than freckles.'

The little girl peered into the old woman's smiling face. 'Wrinkles,' she answered softly.

C. American Idioms

tongue-in-check
jump down someones's throat
go to the dogs
get in someone's hair
pull someone's leg
leave someone high and dry
on the line
horse around
feel like a million dollars
hang on

D. Bible Story: Luke 10:25-37

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.35 And the next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Memory Verse: Luke 6:31

"Do to others as you would have them do to you."

Discussion Questions:

Why did Jesus tell this story?
Why do you think the man asked Jesus to explain who his neighbor was?
Who did not treat the hurt man with love?
What reasons do you think they might have given for passing by?
Why was it strange for this Samaritan to help?
How did the Samaritan help the hurt man?
How did Jesus' story answer the lawyer's question?
How do you like friends and family to act toward you?
How do you like to be treated by someone who don't know you or who don't like you?
According to the memory verse, how should we treat others?

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

WeChat ESL Class on Feb. 25, 2017

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

The Wise Farmer's Donkey

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out a way to get him out. Finally he decided it was probably impossible and the animal was old and the well was dry anyway, so it just wasn't worth it to try and retrieve the donkey. So the farmer asked his neighbors to come over and help him cover up the well. They all grabbed shovels and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, when the donkey realized what was happening he cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down and let out some happy brays. A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well to see what was happening and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was shaking it off and taking a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he continued to shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, to everyone's amazement, the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off.

Will and Guy consider that the moral of this tale is: Life is going to shovel dirt on you. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Through applying wisdom every adversity can be turned into a stepping stone. The way to get out of the deepest well is by never giving up but by shaking yourself off and taking a step up.

The moral is what happens to you isn't nearly as important as how you react to it.

C. American Idioms

An arm and a leg
At the drop of a hat
Ball is in your court
Be glad to see the back of
Bite off more than you can chew
Blessing in disguise
Keep something at bay
Whole nine yards
Sit on the fence
See eye to eye

D. Bible Readiness:

What are some times when someone has said one thing, but done another?
How do you feel when someone says he or she will do something but then doesn't do it?
Think of a time you might have said one thing but acted another way. How did you feel when you realized what you were doing?
Do you believe what people say, or what people do?

E. Bible Study: Matthew 21:28-32

The Parable of the Two Sons

28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Memory Verse of the Week: 1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Discussion Questions:

What did the Pharisees think about the things they believed?
How did the Pharisees feel about some of the other people that came to the temple?
What did the Pharisees say that was right?
Which son were they like? Why?
What did Jesus want them to do differently?
How were the outcasts like the first son?
Which of the two sons did what his father asked?
Which son did what the memory verse says?

WeChat ESL Class on Feb. 18, 2017

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

The Worry Tree

Paresh, an Indian carpenter I once hired to help me restore my old farmhouse had just finished a difficult and hard first day on the job. A flat tyre on his lorry made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw packed in, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, Paresh sat in stony, thoughtful silence.

On arriving, Paresh, in the way of all Indian gentlefolk, invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
When opening the door to his home, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.

After a cup of tea, he walked me to my car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

'Oh, that's my trouble tree,' Paresh replied. 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again. Funny thing is', he smiled winningly, 'when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.'

C. American Idioms

Your guess is as good as mine
Taste of your own medicine
Last straw
Make a long story short
Miss the boat
Not playing with a full deck
Hit the sack / sheets / hay
Speak of the devil!
Every cloud has a silver lining
Give the benefit of the doubt

D. Bible Lesson: Matthew 18:21-35

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant[i] fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii,[j] and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,[k] until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Memory Verse of the week:

Luke 11:4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sings against us.

Discussion Questions:

What did the king do for his servant?

What did the same servant do when someone owed him money?

How did the king react to the way the servant treated this other person?

What kind of answer did Peter expect to his question about forgiveness?

How many times did Jesus say to forgive someone?

Why do you think Jesus wants us to keep forgiving?

According to the memory verse this week, who should we forgive?

Sunday, February 5, 2017

WeChat ESL Class Feb. 11, 2017

A Highlights of the Week

B. Short Article: Sleep at Night?

Ophelia was a night shift worker at a hospital. This meant that she worked late at night. Ophelia's work schedule was 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Ophelia would sleep during

the day while most people were at work. For the first year of work, Ophelia had a hard time adjusting to the schedule. She had trouble sleeping during the

afternoon. She was upset that she had to miss out on social events her friends hosted.

It's still hard for Ophelia to adjust, but she is better at it. When she comes back from work, she goes to the gym for a few hours. Then, she practices her knitting skills. Afterwards, she would make herself a healthy meal. Night shift workers often eat unhealthier than day shift workers. After lunch, she would watch her favorite TV show. After that, she would sleep.

The hospital informed the employees that they could send requests to change the time of their shift. Ophelia was excited about this and immediately sent in a request to change her shift. A couple of weeks later, the manager gave Ophelia a letter. The letter stated that her request was rejected. Ophelia was shocked. She went to her manager and asked him why. He said that many night shift workers who requested an earlier shift were elderly. Ophelia was only 25. The manager thought that the older employees needed an earlier shift more than Ophelia did. Ophelia was mad at first, but she thought about the older employees. Their bones were aching and they're tired. They do need it more than her.

C. American Idioms
1. (To be) On the ball

2. (To) Ring a bell

3. Rule of thumb

4. (To be) Under the weather

5. (To) Blow off steam

6. (To) Look like a million dollars/bucks

7. (To) Cut to the chase

8. (To) Find your feet

9. (To) Get over something

10. (To) Keep your chin up

D. Bible Lesson: Mark 2:18-28

A Question About Fasting

18 Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. 21 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

23 One Sabbath he was going through the grain fields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: 26 how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” 27 And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

WeChat ESL Class on February 4, 2017

A Highlights of the Week
B. Short Article: Drunk Driver Doesn't Fear Train

Charles, a 29‐year‐old painter, tried to beat an 83‐car freight train across the railroad tracks yesterday and lost. Fortunately for Charles and his two friends, the train hit the bed of his pickup truck. The force of the impact separated the rear of the truck from the front. The rear end of the pickup flew about 200 feet west of the front end. The train was traveling at 50 miles an hour through an industrial district. It was fully loaded with appliances and new vehicles from the east coast. There were no mechanical arms or flashing lights at the railroad crossing—only a stop sign on either side of the two‐lane road.

The accident occurred at 4:30 p.m. on a sunny afternoon. Charles and his two co‐workers had stopped at a neighborhood liquor store at about 3:45. There they had bought a case of bottled beer that was on sale for $9.95. By the time they got to the railroad crossing, they were all feeling good. They saw the train coming, and they heard the horn blowing.

When the police arrived, all three friends were sitting on the ground under a shade tree about 50 feet from the front end of the truck. None of them were even scratched. The train and crew suffered no damage or injuries.

"I was going to stop," said Charles. "But Tommy told me that the train wasn't even close. He said that if he was driving, he could drive over the tracks, make a U‐turn, drive over the tracks again, and then drink a whole beer before the train arrived."

The engineer just shook his head.

"They think it's exciting, but it's just stupid," the engineer said. "These guys might be in jail for a little while. But I guarantee you, within a year they'll be out drinking and driving and racing trains again."

The police charged Charles with driving under the influence, running a stop sign, causing an accident, reckless endangerment, and littering—broken beer bottles were all over the place. They charged his two friends with drinking in a moving vehicle and littering.

A city official said there are no plans to install flashing lights and mechanical arms at the crossing, partly because not enough accidents occur there and partly because the city does not have sufficient funds to pay for such safety equipment.

C. American Idioms

1. (To) Hit the books

2. (To) Hit the sack

3. (To) Twist someone’s arm

4. (To be) Up in the air

5. (To) Stab someone in the back

6. (To) Lose your touch

7. (To) Sit tight

8. (To) Pitch in

9. (To) Go cold turkey

10. (To) Face the music

D. Bible Lesson: Mark 2:13-28

Jesus Calls Levi

13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”