Alongside Gabriel’s prediction (Luke 1:17) and Jesus’ confirmation of him as the predicted Elijah (Matt. 11:14; Matt. 17:12-13), the Gospel writers affirm that John the Baptist was the “messenger” who would prepare the way of the Lord (Matt. 11:10, Mark 1:2, Luke 7:27; compare Mal. 3:1). Note the main aspects of John’s message. In what way was his message one of “heart-turning”? Matt. 3:2, Matt. 3:8; Matt. … Continue reading –>
Read 1 Kings 18:20-45. Write out on the lines below what essentially this whole episode is about. Though the context is totally different, how can the principles seen in this story apply to family life? On Mount Carmel, Elijah longed for covenant renewal on the part of his nation, a turning back to the faith of … Continue reading –>
The introduction of Baal worship into Israel by Jezebel, the Sidonian wife of King Ahab, hastened the nation’s downward moral slide. The teachings of God that uplifted marriage, family, and sexuality were overshadowed by such practices as incest, prostitution, and other sexual perversions. Into this arena of conflict over worship stepped Elijah, whose very name, … Continue reading –>
Compare the prediction of the coming of Elijah with New Testament references to this event. Mal. 4:5-6; Matt. 11:14-15; Matt. 17:10; Mark 6:15; Luke 1:17. In the days of Malachi, God’s appeal to the nation, “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” met with the arrogant response, “In what way shall we return?” (Mal. 3:7, NKJV). The frustrated prophet announced … Continue reading –>
Read for this Week’s Study: Mal. 4:5-6; Matt. 11:14-15; Matt. 17:10; 1 Kings 16:29-17:24; 1 Kings 18:20-45; Matt. 3:2. Memory Text: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; … Continue reading –>
Praising God With HIV By Andrew McChesney Maria Samo has HIV and is praising God. Maria was born into a Seventh-day Adventist family in the village of Nicuadala, Mozambique, and got baptized at the age of 7. Her village had no high school, so she moved to Quilimane, a 30-minute drive to the south, to … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “A Powerful Christian Witness”, pages 35-39; “Attitude Toward an Unbelieving Companion”, pages 348-352, in The Adventist Home; “Ministry of the Home”, pages 349-355, in The Ministry of Healing; “The Ambassadors From Babylon”, pages 340-348, in Prophets and Kings. The power of the home in evangelism. “Far more powerful than any sermon that can be preached is the influence … Continue reading –>
Compare biblical references on hospitality with actual incidents in the homes of several Bible families listed below. Isa. 58:6-7, Isa. 58:10-12; Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:9. Note the attributes of hospitality that are demonstrated. Abraham and Sarah (Gen. 18:1-8) Rebekah and her family (Gen. 24:15-20; Gen. 24:31-33) Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9) Hospitality meets another person’s basic needs for rest, food, and fellowship. It is a … Continue reading –>
In the following verses, trace the New Testament uses of the words “follow” (KJV) or “imitate” (NIV). What do they tell us about the process of becoming and growing as a Christian? What do you think they suggest about the relationship between modeling and witnessing? 1 Cor. 4:16, Eph. 5:1, 1 Thess. 1:6, Heb. 6:12, Heb. 13:7, 3 John 11. The New … Continue reading –>
What counsel does the New Testament have for marriages divide by religion? 1 Cor. 7:12-15; 1 Pet. 3:1-2. The blessing of being a Christian partner. In 1 Corinthians Paul responds to converts’ concerns that staying married to an unbelieving spouse might be offensive to God or bring defilement upon themselves and their children. Not so, says Paul. The … Continue reading –>
