Current Lesson

1. The crisis. How long can a crisis last? Consider the crisis in the Garden of Eden when our destinies were set in turmoil for thousands of years to come. In this quarter’s lessons, we look at the plight of human beings who deal with constant crisis. Were crises faced during Jeremiah’s service caused by attacks of brute forces from neighboring countries or corrupt heathen rulers? Or by turmoil within the hearts of the people of God? Sin was staining the priesthood, but did that mean that the Children of Israel couldn’t keep their individual hearts clean? Then why didn’t they?
2. Trouble began early. How was it that the new generation, children who grew up in the Promised Land, wasted no time turning their lives over to wicked habits and ways of life? Do we ever see problems with our children not paying attention to what is valuable about worshipping God? What was it about Solomon’s rule that drew the adoration of God’s children away from heavenly values? What were some of the dire consequences that followed Solomon’s rebellious reign? Is it automatic that bad habits and poor thinking lead to trouble? What are some tips you would give to members of your church who are struggling to find the right paths in following God but keep running into detours and obstacles?
3. The two kingdoms. One nation, one purpose, one background, one divine Leader. Suddenly split into two. What happened? Which half (Israel or Judah) suffered the most during the first decades of a split nation? What happened as a result to the half that was called Israel? What did Judah’s kings do that was wrong, wrong, wrong, but that it seems they couldn’t resist doing to their people? What did Jeremiah have to do with all of this? How do you think he kept his loyalty on the side of God even as those around him rebelled?
4. The two evils. Is it possible that God’s people could have overcome their spiritual problems and avoided the evils that haunted them? Aren’t you glad you live in a time when spiritual problems have all been solved? You don’t live in a time like that? Explain. What were the two evils the people of God accepted that dragged them down into apostasy? Is it possible that today, with technology at a peak, we have even more temptations than before? How does the sin of vanity manifest itself in our lives or in the life of our church? What can we do about it?
5. The Babylonian threat. Trace the rise of Babylon against the fall of Assyria. What happened that blocked Egypt’s conquest for victory? How did the people of Judah feel about being placed under the power of Babylon? Why do you think God allowed Babylon to exert its power over His own people? Imagine being a member of the half of God’s people we call Judah. Would you have seen some value in dodging the impact of God’s messages of warning? Wouldn’t God save them from any problem that might arise? Do we ever presume we have protection when we have turned away from God the source of our lives?
6. Swearing falsely. How much walking would you have to do in a major shopping center or public park to find a truly honest person? How common is “stretching the truth” or “slipping a lie” among our Adventist believers? Or are you and I more likely to “live a lie” by breaking the Sabbath or by taking from God the tithe and offerings we don’t  provide? As long as you feel okay about your general Christian life, isn’t that all that matters? Is belonging to the Sabbath-keeping, commandment-honoring Seventh-day Adventist church enough to whisk us to heaven when the time comes?
7. Good for bad. Are there leaders in public society who twist the truth and give a wrong opinion about issues that affect us? Should we pay any attention? Or just ignore it because “everybody does it”? How can the Ten Commandments help us settle the basic fundamental principles of living an honest Christian life?

Current Lesson

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