Read Hebrews 11:32-12:4. What do these verses say to you, personally, about the cost and the reward of discipleship? Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com What a powerful concept this passage reveals, especially in the verse that says: Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might … Continue reading –>
Corporations explore the viability of proposed projects through cost-benefit analysis. Do specific proposals contain the ingredients necessary for bringing successful returns on investments? Does benefit outweigh outlay? Another frequently used measurement is durability. Does the proposal offer sustainable returns? The rewards of discipleship may likewise be measured through comparison with costs. Those costs may include … Continue reading –>
Analyze the following passages: Luke 14:31-33, 1 Cor. 9:24-27, Heb. 12:1-4, 2 Pet. 1:5-11. What are these texts telling us about the life of a disciple? How have you, yourself, experienced the reality of what the Bible tells us here? The cost of discipleship involves discipline. Every impulse, every imagination, every ambition, and every desire … Continue reading –>
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:27). Discipleship means accepting Christ as Savior and Lord. Following Jesus means that you are ready to undergo the same suffering that Christ did. Thus, we must be honest in the way in which we present our message. Certainly … Continue reading –>
Study Luke 12:49-53; 14:25-26; Matthew 10:37. In what way are we to understand these strong words? What is Jesus telling us here? Modern television newscasters would have concocted a prominent scandal from these words. Today, celebrated religious leader Jesus of Nazareth advocated familial hatred during His afternoon address. Analysts are comparing these current pronouncements with … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 12:49-53; Deut. 21:15; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Matt. 18:8-9; John 14:1-3; Heb. 11:32-12:4. Memory Text: Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:7, ESV) Throughout history, nameless millions willingly sacrificed their lives … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for The Harvest and the Harvesters March 19, 2014] 1. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit.” Imagine us wretched creatures of this earth glorifying God the Father of all! He doesn’t see us as wretched at all, but as fallen sinners that He is ready to glorify and lift to the courts … Continue reading –>
“If you insist on joining another church, you will no longer live with me,” my auntie told me firmly. After my parents died, my brother and I lived with our aunt. She had sent us to an Adventist school so we’d have a Christian education. But she didn’t expect me to become an Adventist. I … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, The Last Journey From Galilee, pp. 488-496; Who is the Greatest? pp. 436-440; in The Desire of Ages. The Training of the Twelve, pp. 17-24; The Great Commission, pp. 25-34; Pentecost, pp. 35-46; The Gift of the Spirit, pp. 47-56; in The Acts of the Apostles. The disciples felt … Continue reading –>
Through teaching and personal example, Jesus taught His disciples to associate with sinners, even notorious ones such as prostitutes and tax collectors. How else would they disciple the whole world? His teaching often focused on these sinners. His characterization of them as lost demonstrates how merciful Christ was. He might have characterized them as rebellious … Continue reading –>
