Yembiyembi believers apply lessons
Yembiyembi parents in Papua New Guinea are shocked to hear God’s method for training children.
"I want to be an elder in the church someday," said one of the men, "but I know my training of my children needs a ton of help. When it was first taught to me I laughed, thinking that’s not really possible. But all things are possible with God!"
Missionary Tim Shontere taught through Ephesians, 1 Corinthians, 1Timothy and Titus and is now beginning to see some changes in believers’ lives.
"It is so awesome to see some of our fellow believers apply these truths," wrote Tim.
Each lesson in those epistles had some references on how to train children and the believers are applying those principles as they discipline their children. The former method among the Yembiyembis was to publicly harangue and spank their children.
One young married woman said, "That is something all of us young mom’s deal with. We do need to discipline our children in the right place with the right talk. We’ve been doing it wrong for so many years."
Recently one of the older ladies shared her struggle with the teaching in Titus 2 about being an example to the younger women: "I know I should be that example, but I still choose to sin. I know I have God’s Spirit in me, and I don’t have to listen to that old part of Adam anymore. I have made bad habits over the last 30 years of my life that are hard to break."
She is struggling with the new principles taught in Titus but acknowledges that anything is possible with God’s help.
"The other day when I got real mad at my husband … I stomped down the ladder and shouted some things I am ashamed to speak of now, but as I walked away these thoughts came to me, "Stop -- go back -- you’re wrong, apologize.
"God’s Spirit was right -- I was wrong. So I went and bought some pig meat from a guy that just killed one the night before and I cooked a nice meal for everyone to show how sorry I was. But see, there is change. It sure is slow coming though."
Pray for Tim as he shepherds and disciples the believers. Pray too that the Yembiyembis will continue to apply God’s principles to their hearts.
"I want to be an elder in the church someday," said one of the men, "but I know my training of my children needs a ton of help. When it was first taught to me I laughed, thinking that’s not really possible. But all things are possible with God!"
Missionary Tim Shontere taught through Ephesians, 1 Corinthians, 1Timothy and Titus and is now beginning to see some changes in believers’ lives.
"It is so awesome to see some of our fellow believers apply these truths," wrote Tim.
Each lesson in those epistles had some references on how to train children and the believers are applying those principles as they discipline their children. The former method among the Yembiyembis was to publicly harangue and spank their children.
One young married woman said, "That is something all of us young mom’s deal with. We do need to discipline our children in the right place with the right talk. We’ve been doing it wrong for so many years."
Recently one of the older ladies shared her struggle with the teaching in Titus 2 about being an example to the younger women: "I know I should be that example, but I still choose to sin. I know I have God’s Spirit in me, and I don’t have to listen to that old part of Adam anymore. I have made bad habits over the last 30 years of my life that are hard to break."
She is struggling with the new principles taught in Titus but acknowledges that anything is possible with God’s help.
"The other day when I got real mad at my husband … I stomped down the ladder and shouted some things I am ashamed to speak of now, but as I walked away these thoughts came to me, "Stop -- go back -- you’re wrong, apologize.
"God’s Spirit was right -- I was wrong. So I went and bought some pig meat from a guy that just killed one the night before and I cooked a nice meal for everyone to show how sorry I was. But see, there is change. It sure is slow coming though."
Pray for Tim as he shepherds and disciples the believers. Pray too that the Yembiyembis will continue to apply God’s principles to their hearts.