Read for This Week’s Study: Heb. 8:1-5; Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:24-25; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 9:23; Acts 3:19-21. Memory Text: “ ‘Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must … Continue reading –>
Read Ministerial Association of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, chapters 22, 23, in Seventh-day Adventists Believe; Miroslav M. Kis, “Christian Lifestyle and Behavior,” pp. 675-723, in Raoul Dederen (ed.) Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology. “Acts of generosity and benevolence were designed by God to keep the hearts of the children of men tender and sympathetic, and … Continue reading –>
Beyond the family, the Christian has other social and professional involvements – a clear recognition of the biblical view that Christians are in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-18). Consider the following three areas of daily life and discuss the Christian’s responsibilities in regard to lifestyle and behavior: 1. Employer/Employee Relations (James 5:4-6, Eph. 6:5-9). Apart from regarding … Continue reading –>
Humans are social beings. At home and work, and in public and civic places, people are involved in all kinds of relationships. Responsible Christian behavior ought to be evident at all these levels, and the Bible has relevant principles by which to guide these relationships. Study the following Bible passages in order to come up with … Continue reading –>
Jesus tells us very clearly that “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt. 22:39). A very interesting text in light of the idea that we often look at love for self as the height of all that is opposed both to Christianity and to the idea of disinterested selflessness. What did Jesus mean by this … Continue reading –>
“And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes:and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. For the children of Israel and the children . . .” (Neh. 10:38, 39). Think about your life; … Continue reading –>
When we think about salvation translating into service to others, we cannot avoid the Christian concept of stewardship. The Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia defines ‘stewardship’ as “the responsibility of God’s people for, and use of, everything entrusted to them by God – life, physical being, time, talents and abilities, material possessions, opportunities to be of service to … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Deut. 8:11-17; Phil. 2:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Rev. 22:1-5;Matt. 22:39; Gen. 2:21-25. Memory Text: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16, NKJV). Key Thought: Anyone can call himself or herself a Christian. What, though, does that mean in practical … Continue reading –>
Read Ellen G. White, pp. 140-146, in A Solemn Appeal; “God’s Law Immutable,” pp. 433-450, in The Great Controversy. “God would have us realize that He has a right to mind, soul, body, and spirit – to all that we possess. We are His by creation and by redemption. As our Creator, He claims our entire service. As our … Continue reading –>
In the final question of yesterday’s lesson, we looked at both Exodus 20:11-12 and Deuteronomy 5:15. What we see here is the Sabbath pointing us toward two ideas: Creation and Redemption, two concepts that are very powerfully linked in the Bible. God is not only our Creator, He is also our Redeemer; and both these important spiritual truths … Continue reading –>
As we saw in Monday’s lesson, many Christians still believe in the binding nature of God’s law. Again, as long as one accepts the reality of sin, it’s hard to see how anyone could believe anything else. Yet, as we know so well, the whole issue of the Christian obligation to the law suddenly gets … Continue reading –>
Though many understand that the Ten Commandments remain binding in the lives of Christians, the role that they play in the plan of salvation can get confusing. If we’re not saved by the keeping of the law, then what is its purpose? How do the following texts help us to understand the role of the law … Continue reading –>
Most Christians claim that the Ten Commandments are God’s universal moral code. This view is seen, for instance, in various legal battles in the United States, in which Christians have sought to have the Ten Commandments posted in various public places, especially public schools. Years ago, Alabama was involved in a legal battle involving a … Continue reading –>
The word torah is a commonly used Hebrew word in the Old Testament and is often translated as law. The New Testament uses the Greek, nomos, (law) to translate torah. Torah means ‘direction’ or ‘guidance’. Because the Bible is a record of God’s relationship with humans, law in the Bible generally refers to all of God’s instructions to His people. Because God Himself … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Ps. 19:7-8; Exod. 23:1-9; 1 John 5:3; Rom. 3:19-20;Exod. 20:11-12; Deut. 5:15. Memory Text: “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4, NKJV). Key Thought: God’s entire moral law … Continue reading –>