Wax on… wax off. Wax on… wax off You might recognize that phrase from the 1984 hit movie, “The Karate Kid.” A young student is expecting to learn karate but his teacher, Mr. Miyagi, gives him seemingly mundane jobs that are unrelated to karate. Daniel, the young star of the movie, is given the task … Continue reading –>
It is of no small interest and importance that in choosing leaders, Jesus picked from among the humbler, less-educated class of people. Christ did not choose the learning or eloquence of the Sanhedrin. Passing by the self-righteous teachers, the Master Worker chose humble, unlearned men to proclaim the truths that were to move the world. … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 6:20-49. In what ways are both knowledge and experience revealed in these texts? That is, how are they blended here in a way that shows why both are needed, not only in our own walk with the Lord but in disciple-making, as well? Spiritual knowledge is indispensable for spiritual transformation. Christ Himself was … Continue reading –>
Information was an irreplaceable component of Jesus’ message. Information alone cannot transform, but every transformation includes information. Certainly, concepts possess no inherent power for initiating change; God’s Spirit, however, working through human hearts, constitutes the irreplaceable element necessary for conversion. Read John 16:7-14. What is Jesus saying here that helps us to understand how limited … Continue reading –>
Christ’s earthly sojourn was relatively brief. Therefore, the training of disciple-makers was imperative. Whom should He select? How many should He choose? Jesus’ disciples doubtless numbered in the hundreds. Should everyone undergo mass education? Christ understood that leadership was cultivated effectively within small groups, not mass-produced through lectureships. Limited numbers would be chosen for Christ’s … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 6:12-16, John 16:7-14, Luke 6:20-49, Jer. 50:31, Isa. 57:15, Acts 1. Memory Text: Now it came to pass in those days that those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His … Continue reading –>
The central Sofia Seventh-day Adventist Church in Bulgaria had a vision to record Sabbath school lessons and sermons to upload on the Internet for anyone to watch. They had purchased the camera and other basic equipment to operate the studio, but they needed a few more pieces of equipment. Where would they get the money … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, The Great Commission, pp. 25-34; Pentecost, pp. 35-46, in The Acts of the Apostles; In the Outer Court, pp. 621-626, The Good Samaritan, pp. 497-505, in The Desire of Ages. “A certain Samaritan, in his journey, came where the sufferer was, and when he saw him, he had compassion … Continue reading –>
Read Romans 15:12; Acts 1:7-8; John 11:52-53; Matthew 28:19-20. What’s the essential message here, and how does this message fit in so well with the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14? God’s final work is incomplete until the eternal gospel expressed in the message of the three angels found in Revelation 14 has crossed every … Continue reading –>
Read John 7:35, 8:48, and Luke 10:27-37. In what way do these verses show why regional, ethnic, and other barriers should have no place among Christians as they seek to make disciples among all nations? Some of the leaders’ contempt for Jesus knew no bounds. Again, the terrible irony was that those who should have … Continue reading –>
