8: Unity in Faith - Discussion Starters

1. Unity in faith. How long ago was 1888? 130 years, and that’s long enough to stir up debates that went nowhere and hard feelings that traveled everywhere. How dangerous is a little squabbling or difference of opinion in a church? What can result? True or False: Ellen White saw the problems that were

stirring and quickly turned the church away from all bickering. Why was she so sure that we Adventists should NOT agree on everything? Or think alike?What was her concern?

2. Salvation in Jesus. You’ve been invited to share your thoughts about unity in the church to a group of members of

another church. What key points will you emphasize? Why do you think we place more value on the “everlasting gospel” proclaimed in Revelation 14 than other Christians do? What contribution does belief in the “three angels” messages have to our church’s purpose in these last days?

3. Second Coming of Jesus. How often in a typical day do you think about the soon coming of Jesus? Are you satisfied that we Adventists spend as much time as we should looking forward to seeing Jesus in person? Why do you think God doesn’t tell us the date and year when He is coming? Doesn’t He know? In a few words share what you think was the basic difference in the parable about the ten virgins between those who kept looking earnestly for the soon arrival of Jesus and those on the verge of giving up.

4. Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. What does the heavenly sanctuary have to do with God’s priestly ministry on our behalf? Our lesson guide points to intercession, forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. What about sacrifices offered as part of the sanctuary service in the Bible? Are there, or should there be, sacrifices of animals in heaven as there was on earth at the time of sacrifice? Explain.

5. The Sabbath. Wednesday’s lesson presents a comprehensive summary of what the early church thought about the Sabbath every week and how the sacredness of this weekly day reminded them of the power of salvation over sin. Think for a couple of minutes about the deliverance of God’s people from sin as demonstrated by the Sabbath and share with the class what Sabbath can mean to all of us as we work for Jesus in this world of sin.

6. Death and resurrection. Many don’t accept this, but what do Seventh-day Adventists believe about how our lives end? Are we immediately whisked away to heaven when we breathe our last? What happens instead? What are some of the values you can see in death as a time of quietness that exists beyond our comprehension?