The Father's E-Business

Introduction

Jesus, as a twelve-year-old child, said to his earthly parents, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business." (Luke 2: 49 NKJ)

Because of the World Wide Web (the Internet), businesses of today have the opportunity to market their products to the world. This method of marketing products is often referred to as E-Business. The Internet is even being used successfully as a tool by those employed in the Father's business-the business of seeking and saving the lost. Tanner Church of Christ even has its own Web-site for that very purpose.

But the Father has a more basic E-Business for his followers. It is one that does not necessarily involve computers, but one that is nonetheless of the greatest importance. The successes of all human businesses will soon be forgotten; but successes in the Father's business will last through a blissful eternity. This lesson plan takes a look at "The Father's E-Business."

E-stablish (Inward toward self)

The first facet of the Father's E-business is described by the term E-stablish. This is the first of two actions that the Christian must direct inward. As Christians, we should desire to become more established in the faith. Our faith should grow more steadfast, firm, and steady as time goes by. The following scriptures teach us how to E-stablish our faith.

Romans 16: 25-27 (E-mbrace the good news of the gospel.)

I Thessalonians 3: 12-13 (E-xemplify love to all men.)

II Thessalonians 2: 15-17 (E-levate your life by good works.)

I Peter 5: 8-11 (E-ndure the suffering caused by the world.)

I Corinthians 15: 55-58 (E-ternalize your hope by abounding in the Lord's work.)

E-quip (Inward toward self)

The second facet of the Father's E-business is described by the term E-quip. This is another action that the Christian must direct inward. The Christian does not need to go into spiritual battle without being well equipped. We must make a conscious effort to be prepared, armed, trained, and disciplined for the battle. The following scriptures teach us how to E-quip ourselves for the Father's E-Business.

2 Timothy 3: 16-17 (E-ducate yourself in the Lord's Word.)

II Peter 1: 1-8 (E-nhance your faith by adding the "Christian Graces.")

Ephesians 4: 11-16 (E-xecute your God-given talents as a Christian.)

Ephesians 6: 10-18 (E-ngage the enemy using the Lord's armour.)

E-vangelize (Outward toward Others)

The third facet of the Father's E-business is described by the term E-vangelize. This is the first of four actions that the Christian must direct outward toward others. It is not enough to embrace the gospel for ourselves; we must also share it with others. The following scriptures teach us about our responsibility to E-vangelize.

Mark 5: 18-20 (E-ducate others concerning the life of Jesus.)

II Timothy 2: 1-2 (E-ntrust the teaching of Christ to faithful men.)

II Timothy 4: 1-5 (E-xhort believers to remain faithful.)

E-xport (Outward toward others)

The fourth facet of the Father's E-business is described by the term E-xport. This is the second of four actions that the Christian must direct outward toward others. It is not enough to share the gospel with our community. The message of life and peace must be taken (or sent) to the world. The following scriptures teach us how important it is for us to E-xport the gospel to the world.

Mark 16: 15-16 (E-nlighten the world with the gospel. E-mancipate those bound in sin.)

Luke 24: 46-47 (E-xpose the sin of the world and call sinners to repentance.)

Matthew 28: 18-20 (E-xtend the teaching of Christ to all nations. E-nlist disciples in the

Lord's service.)

E-dify (Outward toward others)

The fifth facet of the Father's E-business is described by the term E-dify. This is the third of four actions that the Christian must direct outward toward others. Our mission does not end when believers are baptized into Christ. We must continue to teach all believers so that the church might continue to grow. In the process of establishing and equipping ourselves, we must also establish and equip other Christians. The following scriptures teach us how important it is to E-dify others.

Romans 14: 19 (E-quip other Christians for service.)

I Corinthians 10: 23-24 (E-levate others above self.)

I Thessalonians 5: 8-11 (E-stablish others in the hope of salvation.)

E-courage (Outward toward others)

The sixth facet of the Father's E-business is described by the term E-ncourage. This is the last of the four actions that the Christian must direct outward toward others. Christians are not immune to discouragement and suffering. We should seek to relieve, comfort, refresh, and soothe our brothers and sisters as they have need. The following scriptures teach us how important it is for Christians to E-ncourage others.

Acts 2: 41-47 (E-mpathize with those in need.)

Acts 11: 22-23 (E-xhort others to continued faithfulness.)

Acts 16: 36, 40 (E-nthuse others with the Lord's successes.)

Acts 20: 2 (E-mbolden fellow Christians to greater service.)

Romans 1: 11-12 (E-levate others by your example of faithfulness.)

Philemon 20 (E-nhance others by showing selflessness.)

E-xalt (Upward toward God)

The seventh facet of the Father's E-business is described by the term E-xalt. The Christian must direct this action upward toward God. We must look inward to establish and equip ourselves. We must look outward to evangelize, export the gospel, edify, and encourage others. But let us never forget that we must look upward to exalt the God who has given us life and peace beyond measure. The following scriptures show our need to E-xalt the God of heaven.

Psalms 34: 1-3 (E-xalt the name of the Lord.)

Psalms 145:1-3 (E-xtol the Lord daily.)

John 4:19-24 (E-xalt with true and spiritual worship the Father who seeks your worship.)

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Acknowledgement: The basic outline of these study notes was taken from an editorial by John W. Dale in the October 27, 1999, issue of the "Glendale News and Notes" published by the Glendale Road Church of Christ in Murray, Kentucky.

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