Though Mary, the mother of Jesus, has been the subject of an intense amount of religious interest through the centuries, most of that interest is tradition derived from a host of sources that are not rooted in Scripture. Nevertheless, in the question of Christ’s coming to earth, Mary played a crucial and pivotal role: in … Continue reading –>
A TRUE STORY A few weeks ago I saw a strange and brilliant display of color and watched for a minute or two as lovely pastel colors floated in perfect circles in a row across my vision. Most of my vision was blocked by the display except for a slice along the bottom portion. I … Continue reading –>
In a previous post I commented on three types of worship, including personal worship, and some have asked me to expand on the latter. Personal worship has come under some scrutiny recently with the rise in interest in “spiritual formation.” The topic is quite relevant to the lesson on Conformity, Compromise and Crisis in Worship because … Continue reading –>
Before we take this week’s lesson title (Conformity, Compromise and Crisis in Worship) as an excuse to proscribe forms of worship that we do not like, we need to consider worship in its wider context. There are three aspects of worship (Yes I am well aware that my classification is not the only one but … Continue reading –>
Make Your Own Music The psalmist David loved music. Maybe he played the drum or blew on a horn. Or maybe he sang in a sweet tenor voice. The Bible doesn’t tell us. But the Bible tells us clearly that David played a harp. David learned to express his deepest feelings in music. Have you … Continue reading –>
The following questions may be helpful to you in presenting the lesson to a class, at home, or alone. They are provided with the hope that they stir you to think and pray and not just react. Each set of questions corresponds to a section of the SSNET Lesson Guide, for this week Lesson 5. … Continue reading –>
“I liked that joke the pastor told in the sermon this morning,” Rolly said during lunch at home after the church service. “Didn’t you?” He shot a look at his dad and then his mom. “Joke?” repeated Dad. “I didn’t hear a joke.” “Honey, you were late getting to the sanctuary today,” Rolly’s mom said. … Continue reading –>
“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.” Matthew 27:51-52, NIV Have you ever told someone that you were spiritual but not religious? Or … Continue reading –>
Rosalie H Zinke, the lesson author of Worship, the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide for the third quarter of 2011, previously authored Sabbath School lessons for the fourth quarter 1983 entitled Songs of Experience and the first quarter 1991, called Crisis, Change and Challenge on the book of Samuel. (You will find the author … Continue reading –>
Timothy was sitting in a fifth grade general science class at an Adventist school when a thought struck him like a bolt from the blue. He waved his hand at the teacher. “Yes, Timothy?” “Did you say that God created the world in seven days?” “That’s what the Bible tells us.” “Well, I don’t think … Continue reading –>
Several teachers at an African secondary school were visiting one afternoon when one of them picked a stone carving out of his pocket and handed it around. “This is an idol,” he said. “My yard boy gave it to me. He thinks this piece of rock has a lot of power.” The head missionary in … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: True reverence for God is inspired by a sense of His infinite greatness and a realization of His presence. With this sense of the Unseen, every heart should be deeply impressed.. 1. Have a volunteer read Exodus 3:4, 5, 12-15. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea … Continue reading –>
“Do not come any closer, God said. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5, NIV The opening chapters of the book of Exodus represent a low point in the history of God’s people. From calling upon the name of the Lord in the early chapters of … Continue reading –>
Some Bible stories seem to indicate that God’s will was done by ignoring one or more of His commandments. What does this say to us? I would like our readers to suggest some answers. In response to the lesson plan for “Two Classes of Worshipers,” one of our readers concluded (in an unpublished comment) that … Continue reading –>
Key Thought:True worshippers in Genesis centered their devotional activities on what God had provided to deliver them from sin. 1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 3:8-13. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is. B. Why were Adam and Eve evasive in their answers to … Continue reading –>