Table Talk Volume 2 - Devotions: Bible Stories You Should Know

By Carl Frazier and Ben Simpson

Complementing Table Talk's Volume 1 programs, this selection of devotions brings the message home and allows participants to apply the session's message to their own lives.

Volume 2 presents the stories of The Beatitudes, The Least of These, The Great Commission, The Last Supper, Crucifixion, and Resurrection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abingdon Press
• Release date: Mar 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781426769603

Carl Frazier

Carl Frazier is the Lead Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Cary, North Carolina. He previously served as the Superintendent for the Elizabeth City District of the United Methodist Church. His senior pastorates have included Saint Luke United Methodist Church in Sanford, Hay Street United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, and Saint Francis United Methodist Church in Cary. He has served as a Delegate to the General Conference and Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church, and currently serves on the United Methodist Publishing House Board of Directors. Carl’s passion in ministry centers around preaching and teaching the Scriptures, vision casting with a congregation, and sharing with others on their faith journeys. His hometown is Cary, North Carolina.

Book preview

Week One

THE BEATITUDES

Matthew 5:1-12

1. LEARNING FROM THE TEACHER

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up a mountain. He sat down and his disciples came to him. He taught them.

(Matthew 5:1-2a)

Most of us have a favorite teacher. It may be someone from school or a coach. It may be a grandparent. It may be a friend. Excellent teachers help us to see in new ways, appreciate our world more deeply, and meet life's challenges. They change us, through example or a direct word. I remember fondly my greatest teachers, including my father. I am so thankful for their investment in my life.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus comes to us as a teacher. In the reading today, Jesus goes up a mountainside and begins to teach. Many people have come to listen. The words he offers change the world for countless individuals, for entire societies, and for all civilization. Jesus' teachings on this occasion, collectively known as The Sermon on the Mount, still challenge and instruct us today. If we listen carefully, we may place Jesus among our favorite teachers. He still changes lives, for he still changes hearts.

As you read Jesus' instruction in this great sermon, you will find that he addresses the most important questions about living a good life. Do you want to seek peace and justice? Listen to Jesus. Do you want to be generous with money and humble in serving others? Listen to Jesus. Do you want to be free from worry? Able to forgive? In constant communion with God? Listen to Jesus. His words are still relevant today.

Is Jesus your teacher?

English writer and philosopher G. K. Chesterton once observed, The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried.² It is true that Jesus' words are difficult to apply and challenging to understand. But you can do it. He will lead you. He will teach you. He will provide the power, supply the grace. Listen to his teaching. Ask him for help. To learn useful things from any teacher, one must first be teachable. Give him your everything.

Jesus, you have the wisdom to lead me in the way that brings life, true life! May I trust in you as my teacher; accept me as your student. Amen.

2. THE HAPPY LIFE

Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad. (Matthew