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 –>
During the Billy Graham era, while the evangelical movement retained the flavor of modernism, the preaching emphasis seemed to my young adult mind to be “getting right” with God. During that time I became a Christian and then a Seventh-day Adventist. Everything felt right. I got right with God, began worshiping on the right day, … Continue reading –>
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Soviet Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, the author of Tortured for Christ, suffered terribly for the Lord. Yet he said that even while in prison, he saw fellow Soviet believers … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : The Christian is to use the gifts of personal and material resources God has given them to reflect His benevolence. [Teaching plan for The Christian Life December 10, 2012] 1. Have a volunteer read I John 3:16. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of … 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 –>
I’m a young single young adult, and I live with my parents. Recently some Adventists held meetings in my neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya. I heard some young people talking about the meetings. They said that I could hear some good preaching and see movies about Jesus. I decided to go. The pastor’s message touched my … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for The Law and the Gospel December 5, 2012] 1. The law and the gospel. Do the words “law” and “gospel” seem somewhat contradictory? Why? Does the concept of “love” belong to both the law and the gospel? Under all circumstances? Under any circumstances? When you’re in love, deeply in love, with someone, … 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 –>
It was my first Christmas season in Florida. Shortly after Thanksgiving, a father showed up to our Bible study, very discouraged. It was his daughter’s 11th birthday, and due to finances at home he did not have a single dime to buy her a gift. Several days later, I was surprised when his daughter called … 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 –>
Have you ever seen those dogs who can go outside with their people and they don’t need a leash or a fence? They just stay right in their yard or beside their person. We had a dog like that once. He was a border collie and his name was Shadow. He knew exactly where our … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : God’s entire moral law reveals our sin and need of a Savior. The law and the gospel are inseparable. [Teaching plan for The Law and the Gospel December 3, 2012] 1. Have a volunteer read I John 2:3,4. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of … Continue reading –>