“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17, NIV). How does this text help to set the foundation for a biblically based concept of stewardship? We often tend to think of stewardship in terms of money. As we’ve seen … Continue reading –>
As we have seen throughout this quarter, God’s original Creation was “good,” even “very good.” Everything and everyone came forth from the hand of the Creator in a state of perfection. There was no sickness, no disease, no death. Contrary to the evolutionary model—in which disease, sickness, and death are part of the very means … Continue reading –>
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil…Isaiah 5:20 I occasionally hear people, both single and married, tell demeaning jokes about marriage. For example, a Three Stooges fan told me about an episode where Moe asked someone, “Are you married or happy?” That’s a sad joke. While many of us are happily single, we … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : Creation reveals that God made humankind to nurture and care for this world, not exploit and pillage it. [Teaching plan for Stewardship and the Environment March 4, 2013] 1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 1:28. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text … Continue reading –>
As we have seen, the concept of stewardship, in the context of the way in which we take care of the planet, is tied directly to the Creation. Our views on Creation will influence our views on the way in which we should relate to the Creation. For some, the Creation is to be exploited, … Continue reading –>
“For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills” (Ps.50:10). What in this text touches on the topic of our stewardship of the earth? Read Revelation 4:11. How does this text contrast radically with the common atheistic notions of a creation without a creator, a creation that comes into being purely by … Continue reading –>
According to Genesis 1:26, Adam’s dominion extended to all other created entities—in the sea, on land, and in the air. Dominion includes the idea of ruling or having power over these creatures. Nothing is said about dominion over the forces of nature themselves but only over the creatures. And, according to the text, this rule was … Continue reading –>
Read for This week’s Study: Psalm 8, Gen. 2:15, Rev. 4:11, Exod. 20:8-11, 1 Cor. 3:16. Memory Text: “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’ … Continue reading –>
In many ways, a proper understanding of morality, especially sexual morality, is clearly tied to a proper understanding of our origins. For example: evolutionary philosophy does not provide an objective basis for any link between sexual activity and morality. Animals have many different types of “mating systems.” Some species are polygamous, many are promiscuous. A … Continue reading –>
Part of our mission offerings are set aside to fund specific small outreach projects around the world. These are separate from the larger Thirteenth Sabbath Offering funds. Two recipients report on how they used these special project funds to reach out to their communities. Egypt has fewer than 750 Adventists among a population of more … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for Marriage: A gift from Eden February 27, 2013] 1. Marriage in Eden. Can you imagine a more ideal setting for a young couple to establish their home than the Garden of Eden? Where did the floral arrangements come from? Who presided over the wedding ceremony? Who pronounced Adam and Eve husband and … Continue reading –>
It is well-known among students of the Bible that both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament marriage is used as a symbol of the relationship between God and His covenant people. That’s why, for example, on numerous occasions the Bible uses the image of an unfaithful woman to symbolize the apostasy and … Continue reading –>
It must have been fall when she first heard him sing, because she remembers how his tenor soared among the fiery maple leaves one hundred feet above ground as she sat by her window. It made her breath come in gasps, as if she was doing the singing. She saw him from a distance many … Continue reading –>
Back in college, I remember friends who spent long hours debating whether or not, in a wedding ceremony, the individual candles that were used to light the unity candle should be blown out after lighting said unity candle. They wanted to make sure the symbolism was just right. It was a few years before all … Continue reading –>
One of the greatest examples of God’s love for humanity can be found in human sexuality. It is truly a wonderful gift from God. Yet, as with all the gifts that we have been given, it doesn’t come unconditionally. That is, it’s not something we can just do with as we please. God has set … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : Marriage is a blessing when the Divine principles are understood and followed. Marriage guards the purity and happiness of humanity, provides for our social needs, and elevates the moral nature. [Teaching plan for Marriage: A Gift From Eden February 25, 2013] 1. Have a volunteer read Genesis 2:21,22. A. Ask class members … Continue reading –>