"My LIFE Since Leaving Facebook"

As stated in my very first blogs here, one of the reasons I "left" Facebook was because I was asked, rather suddenly, to begin teaching our Men's Sunday School class at church.  Recently I've had to contribute, for the first time, to our church's Annual Report and I thought I'd share the rough draft of what I submitted.  The document details what I've been doing with MOST of my free time since my exit...

Men's Sunday School Class- Chet Jelinski

 

2017 began with Mr. Williams continuing his excellent leadership of our  Men's Sunday School  Class.  We studied Scripture using Tony Evans's excellent book "Kingdom Man" as a guide, and the Lord's rich blessing was upon us!  In God's Providence, however, Mr. Williams unfortunately developed health problems last fall and I was asked to take his place.  I was honored but very humbled to accept this role, first on a 12 week trial basis and now as his permanent replacement.  Mr. Williams still adds his wisdom and insights to the class as an attendee, for which I am very grateful, and I am also thankful to Mr. Brooks and Mr. Williams for their constructive advice to this novice teacher. 

For the first 12 weeks, we studied 6 different parables that were assigned to me by Pastor Rittinger.

1.) "The Parable of the Sower and the Soils," Mark 4:1-20

2.)  "The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant," Matthew 18:21-35

3.)  "The Parable of the Good Samaritan," Luke 10:25-37

4.)  "The Parable of the Prodigal Son," Luke 15: 1-32

5.) "The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector," Luke 18:9-14, and

6.) "The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers," Matthew 21:33-45.

Though I made a few "rookie mistakes," the Lord was pleased to bless as we studied practical issues such as forgiveness, helping others in need, how to pray aright, how to witness, and so on from these Parables.  In joyfully teaching the classes, my ultimate authority, of course, was God's infallible Word but I also consulted commentaries by J.C. Ryle, Matthew Henry and Charles Haddon Spurgeon as needed.

We are presently involved in a thorough study of Dr. Evans's book "Watch Your Mouth" which is about how we can avoid sinning with our tongues and rather use them to edify others and glorify God.  I'm happy to say that my class has been putting these principles into practice, as we pray more and more as a group and had an "Only Praise" time recently in our class. God's Word is sanctifying us, in answer to Jesus' prayer (John 17:17)! All of the men who attend (we average about 20 per Sunday) are eager students of the Word, and we have Spirit-filled fellowship every Sunday!  We laugh together, we share concerns together, we pray together and, of course, we learn about how to live God's Word together.

The class is exploring social outings and new group ministry opportunities. Please continue to pray for us, that we would grow numerically and spiritually and if you're a man and inclined to join us, please do.  May the Lord Jesus be glorified, and may the men be edified, by all that transpires amongst us!

Respectfully Submitted,

Because of God's Grace Alone,

Chet Jelinski