God's Educational System is a deliberate process to transform His people into the image of Christ. It begins with basic teachings, progressing to complex challenges as believers mature through sanctification, ultimately leading to glorification. God conceals matters, revealing mysteries incrementally to the obedient who seek Him diligently, using coded scriptures and parables. His inductive approach encourages exploration through perplexing situations and annual rehearsals like removing leaven, fostering deep understanding. This education instills divine character, changes worldviews, and equips the church for responsibilities like overcoming human nature and preaching the gospel, ensuring they live by every word of God as part of His family, prepared for the Kingdom.

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Salvation: The Path to God's Kingdom (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

In the church, we are enrolled in an institute for higher learning under God's educational system. As we began, much like children in grade school, the teachings started with the basics, but as we mature, we face larger and more challenging problems to solve. Being justified and brought into legal conformity with God's law does not mean we are fully prepared; we are not yet perfect or spiritually complete. However, God is patient with us, granting time to learn and grow. Throughout the sanctification process, we are being transformed from new converts into the very image and stature of Jesus Christ. During this period, we are being saved from our human nature, the world's allurements, and satan's temptations. The process culminates in glorification, when we will be changed from physical to spiritual, becoming full-fledged members of the God Family, living and working as God and Christ do, ruling in righteousness forever.

Why Does God Keep Secrets?

'Ready Answer' by David F. Maas

God's Educational System reveals a deliberate and intricate approach to imparting knowledge and understanding to His creation. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, as seen in Proverbs 25:2, while the glory of kings lies in searching it out. Scripture shows that God keeps certain secrets, revealing them incrementally to His obedient offspring, as stated in Deuteronomy 29:29: The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Through general revelation, God's invisible attributes are clearly seen in the creation, as affirmed in Romans 1:20, so that mankind is without excuse. Yet, the carnal mind, prone to sin, remains at enmity with God and cannot fully grasp His intent without obedience and active seeking. God places a high priority on the exploratory aspect of human character, promising to reveal Himself to those who yield to His will and tirelessly seek Him, as supported by Paul's words in I Corinthians 2:10: But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. The Bible, often likened to a coded book or jigsaw puzzle, requires diligent effort to uncover its meanings, with clues scattered and connected through God's Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ Himself used coded parables, sharing deeper understanding only with His disciples, as noted in Matthew 13:11: Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. Solomon in Proverbs 2:4-5 urges seeking wisdom as one would hidden treasures to understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. God's pedagogical approach is inductive, starting with experiences and leading to generalizations, often through perplexing situations or forked-road decisions that foster reflective thinking. This method, though time-consuming, yields lasting results. By demanding exploratory behavior, God models effective instructive techniques, deliberately withholding answers to encourage deeper inquiry. Annual rehearsals of His plan, such as removing leaven or dwelling in temporary shelters, serve as learning activities to know Him more intimately and understand His ultimate purposes. To those who persist in these activities, God promises understanding and communion. James 4:7 assures that drawing close to God results in His nearness to us. Ultimately, as Jesus declares in John 16:25, the time will come when all figurative language will be replaced with plain speech about the Father, unveiling all mysteries to those who diligently seek Him.

Why Is God Doing This, This Way?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God's educational system is a profound and purposeful process designed to prepare His chosen people for a life of faith and service in His Kingdom. He strenuously educates the church regarding elements of character that reflect upon Him and His purpose, instilling qualities that set His people apart as royal, holy, and a special treasure. Through His divine intervention, He radically changes the world views of the members, transforming their minds to align with His will and enabling them to see Jesus Christ not merely as a historical figure, but as their Savior and King. He reveals the mysteries of His teachings to those He calls, providing spiritual understanding that distinguishes them from the world. This education includes specific responsibilities such as overcoming human nature and preaching the gospel, ensuring that His people are equipped to fulfill their unique roles. He makes certain that they know they are in Christ and that Christ is in them, a spiritual reality that nourishes and changes them from within, fostering a new creation with fresh values and motivations. Moreover, God adopts His people as part of His family, charging them to live by every word of God, emphasizing that none of His Word, from Genesis to Revelation, is done away. He ensures they understand their qualification to inherit the Kingdom and become citizens of it. Through this educational process, He provides a multitude of gifts to make living by faith possible, including reconciliation to Himself through Jesus Christ, and the confidence that He knows and loves them personally. If given the chance, He keeps His people humble and submissive to Him, safely in His arms, supplying all their needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. This comprehensive preparation underscores the uniqueness of the church, equipping them to live by faith in a way that glorifies Him and fulfills His eternal purpose.

Is Education the Answer? (Part 3)

Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Through forgetting God, the modern nations of Israel (America, Britain, Australia, United Kingdom) are following the same pattern that doomed their forebears.

Do You See God? (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

It is true that we cannot physically see the invisible God, but that does not mean that we cannot recognize His involvement in our lives. Here's how.

How Does God Help Us? (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus explains that the truth is the only thing that will set us free. A major player in our lives or spiritual journey is the truth and how we use it.

Do You See God?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Unless we acknowledge God's sovereign authority in our lives, following through with the things we learn from scripture, we, like atheists, will not see God.

A Unique Curriculum (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Gary Montgomery

Paul counsels us to use the gifts that God has given freely to the benefit of all. While our educational processes are individualized, we are all of one body.

The Purpose of the Ministry

Sermon by John O. Reid

The purpose of the ministry is to train members for service to God, edifying them, equipping them for their job, and bringing them to spiritual maturity.

The Spiritual Hard Hat Zone

'Ready Answer' by David F. Maas

Christian's lives are constantly under construction. It is this point of view that makes it easier for us to deal with both setbacks and progress.

Teaching Us to Think (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

God is putting His children through a demanding educational program designed to teach godly values and impart spiritual maturity. Learning is hard work.

Going On to Perfection

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Even though everything we need in this quest has been given to us, our spiritual growth depends on believing in the promises of receiving the divine nature.

The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We receive more of God's Spirit as we respond to His calling, drawing near to His presence and reversing Adam and Eve's fatal errors.

He Who Overcomes

Sermon by John O. Reid

Just as fighting to escape its cocoon strengthens the butterfly, our calling requires effort above what the world has to endure to become free of Satan's cocoon.