1. Apparent contradictions—possible reasons. Have you ever heard someone say, “The Bible. Oh, it’s hard to understand.” What about errors, mistakes, confusion? What are some reasons for errors or apparent errors in the Bible? If errors are present because the Bible is a book written by and for human beings, how are you and I as fellow mortals supposed to understand what the Bible really means? Can we tell the difference between minor errors and those that can turn some of God’s word upside down?

2. Dealing with difficulties honestly and carefully. Have you ever come across texts from the Bible that were just too hard for you to understand? Do you have an example you can share with your class? When you come across a text or a passage that is too hard for you to understand, what do you do? In the haste of living from day to day, do you ever conclude that you just don’t have the time or the wisdom to solve the puzzles that seem to be hiding in Bible passages? Can you defend Sabbath keeping, belief in the Second Coming, lifestyle choices and other teachings of the SDA church that seem to be “hidden” in the Bible? Are they really hidden? How can you and I “unhide” them?

4. Determination and patience. “What we obtain too easily we often esteem too lightly.” Is that true in your Bible-based Christian experience? Have you ever been tempted to shrug your shoulders and say, “Oh, well. I just don’t get it” when you come across a passage or a text in Scripture that seems to be beyond human comprehension? Does God want all of us to understand all of the perplexities presented in the Bible? How do you think He feels when we struggle to comprehend the difficult passages in the Bible? The lesson for today ends with the encouraging word that there are others of our faith who have studied diligently to understand Scripture. What can we learn from them? Are you ready to load your lunch bucket, fasten your shoes, and head for deeper and richer rewards in studying the Word of God?
5. Deal with difficulties scripturally and prayerfully. Maybe it’s the best advice from our Sabbath school lesson guides all year: Use the Bible to understand the Bible. Two things we need from the Lord to understand more clearly and accept more deeply the Word of God. 1. The best posture for understanding God’s word: _________________. 2. The best topic to bring to the Lord over and over to help us know what He wants us to know: _________________________.

Even as the pandemic rages around the world, God’s love doesn’t wane. Let’s pray to the ultimate Source of all that is good that there will be people who will come closer to God because they found Him in the turmoil of a sick and restless world. 

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