[Joyce is the one who authors the Thought Starters posts each week for Sabbath School teachers.]
I’m sorry I missed contributing to SSNET this week. My computer died. It was not a natural death but was caused by my moving it to a better part of the house. After a few days without a working computer, it has been taken care of, and I’ll be back next week. I think this is the first time I’ve missed a deadline for SSNET, [...]
[Thought questions for Christ, the Law and the Gospel May 28, 2014]
1. Memory text. Does the word “but” in the memory text (John 1:17) trouble you in any way? (…the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth…through Jesus Christ…) Could you explain to someone that this does NOT mean that the law has no place in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Does law contradict grace in any way? What is the end result of the law–and grace–in our hearts?
[Thought questions for The Law of God and the Law of Christ May 21, 2014]
1. The law of God and the law of Christ. Are we guided by two laws? One the law of the God eternal and almighty, the other of Christ the Saviour? If you think so, what is different about these two laws? During Jesus’ ministry on earth, which law did He follow and preach? Why?
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
2. The relevance of the Ten Commandments. [...]
[Thought Questions for Christ, the End of the Law May 14, 2014]
Intro. Read the title of this week’s lesson again. What does it mean that Christ is the “end” of the law? Hasn’t the law existed forever? Don’t we love God’s law in the same way the psalmist David did? Doesn’t the law reflect the character of Christ? Then how can Christ be the end of it? Take a long hard look at this week’s lesson because there are blessings around [...]
[Thought questions for Christ's Death and the Law May 7, 2014]
Intro. Are you like me in that you dread reading or hearing about how cruel people were to the kindest Being in the universe? If Jesus had gone around beating people up and knocking them around, that would be one thing, but did He ever do anything that wasn’t an expression of love? Love for all? Love all the time? Was there ever a more gentle Person than Jesus? Why, oh why [...]
[Thought questions for Christ and the Sabbath April 29, 2014]
1. Introduction. Do you know someone who keeps the first day (Sunday) the same way Adventists keep (or believe we should keep) the seventh day (Saturday) as the Sabbath? Have customs and traditions other than those concerning which the day of the week is Sabbath caused changes in Sabbath worship? On what day of the week do you start looking forward to the Sabbath? Why do you think most people worship on Sunday? Why don’t they [...]
[Thought questions for Christ and the Law in the Sermon on the Mount April 23, 2014]
Image © Justinen Creative from GoodSalt.com
1. Destroy or fulfill? If you make a promise and keep it, does the promise still exist? Or has it vanished? Since the law points to our errors and mistakes, what is there to love about it? Do you love the law? Are you relieved when you see traffic laws such as speed limits and traffic lights? What about God’s law? [...]
[Thought questions for Christ and Religious Tradition April 16, 2014]
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
1. Intro. We like to think that “other” churches teach the doctrines of men while “our” church believes in doctrines that are 100% from God. Is it possible for “our” church members today to prefer hand-me-down beliefs to the clear Word of God? Is it wrong to have religious traditions in our homes? If not, what sort of religious traditions do you believe would be most helpful [...]
[Thought questions for Christ and the Law of Moses April 9, 2014]
Image © Steve Creitz from GoodSalt.com
1. Introduction. What is your attitude toward the Mosaic law? When you read the Bible through, how do the descriptions of feasts and sacrifices and other rituals as described in the Old Testament affect you? Are you ever tempted to skim past those chapters and “get on with” the rest of the Bible? Why did Jesus and His earthly family follow the requirements [...]
[Thought questions for Laws in Christ's Day April 2, 2014]
Image © Frank Gampel from GoodSalt.com
1. The law offends the evil one. What is there about the divine law that Satan hates so much? Since he can’t do away with it, how does he treat God’s law? How far into our daily lives does the law of God extend? Is everything that is sinful defined in God’s law? Everything? Why can’t God’s law exist without love?
2. The instinctive law. Do the words of [...]
