What Will You Get From The Gospel Meeting?
By Allan E. McNabb

Our meeting with Bill Fairchild starts today.  Our congregation has devoted this week, (Sunday - Friday) to studying God’s word in respect to the family.

This week’s topics are:

• Shade For Our Children
• Family Matters
• A Glimpse Into a Troubled Home of the Past
• The Awesomeness of Being a Father
• A Mother’s Mark
• Teaching Our Children Concepts of Wise Living
• Parenting Teenagers: Give Me Strength!
• Your Sons & Daughters: Can We Talk?

Warning: You Could Get Nothing From The Lessons
I’m confident everyone will be edified, encouraged, and strengthened by our special studies of God’s word.  But you should be aware that it’s possible to be present for every lesson, and get nothing from them.

Just like the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), some people got nothing from the apostles’ preaching and some learned the way of God resulting in salvation.  This week, you will either get nothing from the lessons or become a better Christian.

It’s About Your Attitude
Whether you become a better Christian by applying God’s word to your life, depends on your attitude.

If you accept God’s word for what it really is, it performs its work in you, because you believe (1 Th. 2:13).  Whether you become a better Christian this week, particularly in your family relationships, is a matter of attitude toward God and His word.

Although we trust that Bill will do a great job teaching the lessons, your progress as a Christian is not about a particular teacher doing a good job.  It’s about your attitude, longing “for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Pet. 2:2).

It Takes Work
Let’s not kid ourselves; it takes hard work to assemble with the saints and study God’s word for six days.  It’s especially difficult for young families with young children, who will be busier than usual and get less sleep than normal.

You still have to work, go to school, take care of daily chores, then go to church each night.  It takes a special effort to be attentive each evening, and learn the lessons that can help you as a Christian.

It’s Worth It
When it’s all said and done, putting forth the special effort to assemble and study these lessons will be worth it.

What’s more important than going to heaven?  What’s more important than becoming a better Christian?  How much work is too much, to learn important lessons from God?

It’s interesting to listen to comments at the end of a gospel meeting.  I’ve found that brethren, trying to be the best Christians they can be, appreciate the fact that they’ve been strengthened throughout the series.  They’re glad they put forth the extra effort — it was worth it!

What can you get from the meeting?
Many important and profitable lessons will come from our study during the meeting.

You can become a better Christian.  Many of the principles we apply to the family are applied in other relationships.  Whether you are young, old, single, married, or have children, the lessons will help you become a better Christian.

You can have a better family as you study godly principles whereby you interact with your family.  Husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, and children can rededicate themselves to do their part, and accomplish God’s will for their family, in their individual lives.

Parents can become better parents.  Every parent can do a better job raising children.  It’s one of the most difficult jobs you can undertake.  These lessons will remind you, and perhaps offer ideas you’ve not thought about, to improve your parenting skills.

Young people can better understand their parents and the things they do.  Sometimes it’s difficult for children to understand why parents act a particular way or make particular decisions.  These lessons will help young people understand their parents better, and hopefully appreciate them more.

Young people can learn the important lessons they’ll need to apply in the future, if they decide to marry and have children.  It’s never too late to begin learning God’s word as it relates to marriage and raising children.  The more you understand God’s word relating to the family, the better your life will be as you grow older and make decisions relating to marriage.

What will you get from the gospel meeting?
What you get from our gospel meeting depends upon you — your attitude toward God and His word.  You can get a lot, a little, or nothing.

I trust that you will put forth the extra effort to learn everything you can.  I know you will become a better Christian this week — you’ll become stronger, have better family relationships, and become a better person.  And all of this will be to the glory of God.