Further Study: For more information on this week’s topic, read Ellen G. White, Tradition, pp. 395-398, Woes on the Pharisees, pp. 610-620, in The Desire of Ages. Also read Matthew 23. Let all who accept human authority, the customs of the church, or the traditions of the fathers, take heed to the warning conveyed in … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : While tradition has its place in the church, no human has the authority to create religious traditions and elevate them to the level of Divine law. [Lesson plan for Christ and Religious Tradition April 14, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read Matthew 15:8,9. a. Ask class members to share a thought on … Continue reading –>
Although the scribes and Pharisees sat in Moses’ seat, their source of authority for religious instruction extended beyond the Old Testament. The law that the Pharisees utilized consisted of biblical interpretations of leading rabbis. These interpretations were not intended to replace the Scriptures but to complement them. At first they circulated orally; later the scribes … Continue reading –>
Straining to reach through the crowd, a nameless woman refuses to lose her opportunity for healing. Just beyond the crowd was her miracle. Just beyond the crowd was the start of a new life. It would not be an easy task, but it was worth any discomfort to achieve the desire of her life. The … 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 –>
Key Thought : Spiritual gifts are given for nurture and outreach. The question we have is what are my gifts and how can I use them? [Lesson plan for The Harvest and the Harvesters March 17, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read John 4:28-30. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the … Continue reading –>
Compare the following passages: Mark 6:7-13, Matt. 16:14-19, 18:17-20, 28:18-20, John 20:21-23. What do these verses tell us about the kind of authority that Jesus’ disciples had? What does this mean for us today? Peter had expressed the truth which is the foundation of the church’s faith, and Jesus now honored him as the representative … Continue reading –>
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 –>
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 –>
Martin Pröbstle has another brief introduction to this week’s lesson on Vimeo and on Youtube. You can review previous lessons at Sanctuary Lessons on Vimeo or on The Youtube Bogichannel (also in German). And you can watch the full hour-long, inter-active study of the lesson for the week by the Hope Sabbath School class led by … Continue reading –>
