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Cincinnati, Ohio – Gambling and gambling addictions are affecting growing numbers of families. What biblical principles apply to the modern affliction of gambling addiction and to the gambling industry?

To provide support and practical help, the United Church of God has produced a new Bible Study Guide lesson “Gambling—Why It’s Wrong and How to Stop.” The new lesson addresses questions such as:

• How should parents teach their children about gambling? (Some researchers consider gambling the fastest-growing teenage addiction.)
• What about private gambling and gambling when losses are limited to a few dollars?
• How can I get the strength I need to overcome my gambling addiction?

The lesson concludes with helpful related resources and a link to the Gamblers Anonymous Web site.

Don Hooser, an ordained minister of the United Church of God, carefully and compassionately researched the biblical and practical aspects of gambling and gambling addiction. He writes, “Our attitude toward people with any kind of addiction is sympathetic, not condemning. We just want to help.”

Mike Bennett, UCG editorial content manager, said, “We want these lessons to be relevant, engaging and life-changing, and we welcome suggestions for future lessons or for improving the lessons.”

The site is frequently updated with new material, and so students are encouraged to sign up for the Bible Study Guides e-mail newsletter. E-mail subscribers will receive updates about all the new lessons, as well as other relevant Bible study material. It’s all totally free, and subscribers can cancel anytime they like.

About the United Church of God:

The mission of the United Church of God is to proclaim to the world the little-understood gospel taught by Jesus Christ—the good news of the coming Kingdom of God—and to prepare a people for that Kingdom. This message not only offers great hope for all of humanity, but encompasses the purpose of human existence—why we are here and where our world is headed. For more information about the United Church of God, see This Is the United Church of God.

Contact:

• Mike Bennett, editorial content manager
• United Church of God
• 513-576-9796
• http://ucgmikebennett.wordpress.com

Cincinnati, Ohio – The celebrated British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, “When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.”

Worry and anxiety affect us all, and at times can overwhelm us. Worry consumes huge amounts of time and energy that are totally unprofitable. However, the new lesson “Dealing With Worry” shows that the Bible provides effective tools for avoiding worries as well as responding to feelings of anxiety when they occur.

The Bible gives real-life examples and practical advice to help us cope with this common challenge. This lesson on worry answers questions such as:

• What is the core problem with worry and anxiety?
• What did David, Paul and Jesus Christ do when they faced severe anxieties?
• How can we overcome anxious worry?

The lesson concludes with an “Apply Now” section and links to helpful related articles.

“Dealing With Worry” was written by David Cobb, a talented young writer and member of the United Church of God in Indiana.

Mike Bennett, UCG editorial content manager, said, “We want these lessons to be relevant, engaging and life-changing, and we welcome suggestions for future lessons or for improving the lessons.”

The site is frequently updated with new material, and so students are encouraged to sign up for the Bible Study Guides e-mail newsletter. E-mail subscribers will receive updates about all the new lessons, as well as other relevant Bible study material. It’s all totally free, and subscribers can cancel anytime they like.

About the United Church of God:

The mission of the United Church of God is to proclaim to the world the little-understood gospel taught by Jesus Christ—the good news of the coming Kingdom of God—and to prepare a people for that Kingdom. This message not only offers great hope for all of humanity, but encompasses the purpose of human existence—why we are here and where our world is headed. For more information about the United Church of God, see This Is the United Church of God.

Contact:

• Mike Bennett, editorial content manager
• United Church of God
• 513-576-9796
• http://ucgmikebennett.wordpress.com

Cincinnati, Ohio – People often worry they will say the wrong thing when trying to comfort a sick person. The Bible does highlight the problem of “miserable comforters” in the story of Job, but it also gives many tips and principles that can assist all of us in helping and encouraging those who face heath problems.

“How to Help and Encourage Someone With a Health Problem” shows readers how to follow Jesus Christ’s example and His teachings about how to love, reassure and serve those who are suffering.

Don Hooser, an ordained minister of the United Church of God, carefully and compassionately researched the biblical and practical aspects of helping and encouraging those suffering health problems.

The lesson uses modern and biblical stories and scriptures to provide relevant and helpful answers. The lesson also includes a practical “Apply Now” section and links to five helpful related resources.

Mike Bennett, UCG editorial content manager, said, “We want these lessons to be relevant, engaging and life-changing, and we welcome suggestions for future lessons or for improving the lessons.”

The site is frequently updated with new material, and so students are encouraged to sign up for the Bible Study Guides e-mail newsletter. E-mail subscribers will receive updates about all the new lessons, as well as other relevant Bible study material. It’s all totally free, and subscribers can cancel anytime they like.

About the United Church of God:

The mission of the United Church of God is to proclaim to the world the little-understood gospel taught by Jesus Christ—the good news of the coming Kingdom of God—and to prepare a people for that Kingdom. This message not only offers great hope for all of humanity, but encompasses the purpose of human existence—why we are here and where our world is headed. For more information about the United Church of God, see This Is the United Church of God.

Contact:

Mike Bennett, editorial content manager

United Church of God

513-576-9796

http://ucgmikebennett.wordpress.com

Cincinnati, Ohio – The Bible has a lot to say about health, healing, coping with suffering, learning lessons from our trials and learning to rely on God and even other people. A new Bible lesson on “Dealing With Health Problems” strives to explore these and related subjects in a hopeful and helpful way.

The lesson begins with the story of one woman’s excruciating trial with “frozen shoulder” and what she has learned from it. The lesson then touches on natural and divine healing, conventional and alternative medicine, as well as intercessory prayer. It concludes with the promise of hope and peace of mind that God offers even when we are suffering.

Don Hooser, an ordained minister of the United Church of God, carefully and compassionately researched the biblical and practical aspects of dealing with health problems for this lesson. He also wrote the related lesson about “How to Help and Encourage Someone With a Health Problem.”

The lessons use modern and biblical stories and scriptures to provide relevant and helpful answers. The lessons also include a practical “Apply Now” section and links to related resources.

Mike Bennett, UCG editorial content manager, said, “We want these lessons to be relevant, engaging and life-changing, and we welcome suggestions for future lessons or for improving the lessons.”

The site is frequently updated with new material, and so students are encouraged to sign up for the Bible Study Guides e-mail newsletter. E-mail subscribers will receive updates about all the new lessons, as well as other relevant Bible study material. It’s all totally free, and subscribers can cancel anytime they like.

About the United Church of God:

The mission of the United Church of God is to proclaim to the world the little-understood gospel taught by Jesus Christ—the good news of the coming Kingdom of God—and to prepare a people for that Kingdom. This message not only offers great hope for all of humanity, but encompasses the purpose of human existence—why we are here and where our world is headed. For more information about the United Church of God, see This Is the United Church of God.

Contact:

Mike Bennett, editorial content manager

United Church of God

513-576-9796

http://ucgmikebennett.wordpress.com

Cincinnati, Ohio – “When you love someone, you become vulnerable to the sorrow that comes from losing that person,” writes Don Hooser, the author of a new Bible lesson on “Dealing With the Death of a Loved One.” Mr. Hooser begins the lesson with the story of the traumatic loss of his younger brother and how it shaped his life.

In writing the lesson, Mr. Hooser, a longtime minister of the United Church of God, draws on personal and counseling experience as well as careful research of the biblical, emotional and practical aspects of dealing with the loss of a loved one.

The lesson uses modern and biblical stories and scriptures to provide relevant and helpful answers. The lesson also includes a practical “Apply Now” section and links to related resources.

Mike Bennett, UCG editorial content manager, said, “We want these lessons to be relevant, engaging and life-changing, and we welcome suggestions for future lessons or for improving the lessons.”

The Free Bible Study Guides site is frequently updated with new material, and so students are encouraged to sign up for the Bible Study Guides e-mail newsletter. E-mail subscribers will receive updates about all the new lessons, as well as other relevant Bible study material. It’s all totally free, and subscribers can cancel anytime they like.

About the United Church of God:

The mission of the United Church of God is to proclaim to the world the little-understood gospel taught by Jesus Christ—the good news of the coming Kingdom of God—and to prepare a people for that Kingdom. This message not only offers great hope for all of humanity, but encompasses the purpose of human existence—why we are here and where our world is headed. For more information about the United Church of God, see This Is the United Church of God.

Contact:

Mike Bennett, editorial content manager

United Church of God

513-576-9796

http://ucgmikebennett.wordpress.com

Cincinnati, Ohio – In Western societies there has been an epidemic increase in three eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and compulsive overeating. Eating disorders are an extremely destructive type of addiction. Of those whose eating disorders get reported, it is estimated that 20 percent will die!

Rachel Quast, M.A., an eating disorder counselor, begins the new lesson on “Eating Disorders” by telling her own story and looking at four factors that contribute to the trend: biology, sociology, culture and trauma. The lesson then looks at some underlying emotional and spiritual factors that need to be considered.

“An eating disorder is a symptom of a storm that is ripping through a person’s heart. To conquer the eating disorder, there must first be healing of the storms within. Part of the healing must be spiritual. The spiritual hole in your heart must be filled with God’s love and truth.”

The lesson uses modern and biblical stories and scriptures to provide relevant and helpful answers. The lesson also includes a practical “Apply Now” section and links to related professional and biblical resources.

Mike Bennett, UCG editorial content manager, said, “We want these lessons to be relevant, engaging and life-changing, and we welcome suggestions for future lessons or for improving the lessons.”

The site is frequently updated with new material, and so students are encouraged to sign up for the Bible Study Guides e-mail newsletter. E-mail subscribers will receive updates about all the new lessons, as well as other relevant Bible study material. It’s all totally free, and subscribers can cancel anytime they like.

About the United Church of God:

The mission of the United Church of God is to proclaim to the world the little-understood gospel taught by Jesus Christ—the good news of the coming Kingdom of God—and to prepare a people for that Kingdom. This message not only offers great hope for all of humanity, but encompasses the purpose of human existence—why we are here and where our world is headed. For more information about the United Church of God, see This Is the United Church of God.

Contact:

Mike Bennett, editorial content manager

United Church of God

513-576-9796

http://ucgmikebennett.wordpress.com

Cincinnati, Ohio – Though many modern illegal substances, like methamphetamines, heroin and cocaine, were unknown to the writers of the Bible, the Holy Scriptures do have a lot to say about alcohol abuse and related subjects that can be applied to today’s substance abuse problems.

The new Bible Study Guide on “Understanding and Overcoming Substance Abuse” addresses this challenging subject from a hopeful and helpful perspective. The lesson explains:

“For anyone struggling with substance abuse or addiction, there is reason for great hope! God created us and gave us His Word, the Bible, with the essential keys for overcoming and spiritual growth. With that foundation and the strength that comes from God, plus professional advice and counseling, you can win the victory over substance abuse!”

Judy Markley, a counselor in Oregon, contributed her professional expertise to this lesson, along with Don Hooser, a longtime minister of the United Church of God.

The lesson uses modern and biblical stories and scriptures to provide relevant and helpful answers to issues such as addiction, shame, relapses and recovery. The lesson also includes a practical “Apply Now” section and links to related resources.

Mike Bennett, UCG editorial content manager, said, “We want these lessons to be relevant, engaging and life-changing, and we welcome suggestions for future lessons or for improving the lessons.”

The site is frequently updated with new material, and so students are encouraged to sign up for the Bible Study Guides e-mail newsletter. E-mail subscribers will receive updates about all the new lessons, as well as other relevant Bible study material. It’s all totally free, and subscribers can cancel anytime they like.

About the United Church of God:

The mission of the United Church of God is to proclaim to the world the little-understood gospel taught by Jesus Christ—the good news of the coming Kingdom of God—and to prepare a people for that Kingdom. This message not only offers great hope for all of humanity, but encompasses the purpose of human existence—why we are here and where our world is headed. For more information about the United Church of God, see This Is the United Church of God.

Contact:

Mike Bennett, editorial content manager

United Church of God

513-576-9796

http://ucgmikebennett.wordpress.com

Cincinnati, Ohio – Loneliness is a challenge that we all face to some extent, and many people have experienced deep and painful loneliness. The new Free Bible Study Guides lesson “Coping With Loneliness” looks at the answers and comfort the Bible gives for dealing with loneliness and the depression that too often goes with it.

Ron Kelley, an ordained minister of the United Church of God, carefully and compassionately researched the biblical and practical aspects of loneliness and wrote this lesson to give hope and help to the many who suffer from it.

The lesson uses modern and biblical stories and scriptures to provide relevant and helpful answers. The lesson also includes a practical “Apply Now” section and links to related resources.

Mike Bennett, UCG editorial content manager, said, “We want these lessons to be relevant, engaging and life-changing, and we welcome suggestions for future lessons or for improving the lessons.”

The site is frequently updated with new material, and so students are encouraged to sign up for the Bible Study Guides e-mail newsletter. E-mail subscribers will receive updates about all the new lessons, as well as other relevant Bible study material. It’s all totally free, and subscribers can cancel anytime they like.

About the United Church of God:

The mission of the United Church of God is to proclaim to the world the little-understood gospel taught by Jesus Christ—the good news of the coming Kingdom of God—and to prepare a people for that Kingdom. This message not only offers great hope for all of humanity, but encompasses the purpose of human existence—why we are here and where our world is headed. For more information about the United Church of God, see This Is the United Church of God.

Contact:

Mike Bennett, editorial content manager

United Church of God

513-576-9796

http://freebiblestudyguides.wordpress.com

I found some great reminders in this interesting blog post:

This week I started reading Proverbs, the words of wisdom passed down to us by King Solomon, wisdom which was granted to him by God. In the New Living Translation the heading at the beginning of Proverbs 8 is "Wisdom Calls for a Hearing." In this chapter, Wisdom stands on the hilltops and at the crossroads calling out for all to listen. 4 I call to you, to all of you!       I raise my voice to all people.  5 You simple people, use good judgment. … Read More

via Linda Kruschke's Blog