We all belong to and are part of a particular culture or cultures. We are all influenced and shaped by culture, too. None of us escapes it. Indeed, think about how much of the Old Testament is the story of ancient Israel’s being corrupted by the cultures around it. What makes us think that we … Continue reading –>
Scripture is always the key—or is it? How does disregard for what the Bible says affect you? Millions of honest, true-hearted, loving Christians don’t accept the Bible Sabbath. Does that upset you? Should it? Here are the five sources the lesson guide assures us that have the final authority over how we understand what God … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: The role and authority of Scripture in theology is not the same in all churches. Five influences impact our interpretation of Scripture: tradition, experience, culture, reason, and the Bible itself. April 25, 2020 1. Have a volunteer read Mark 7:1-13. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point … Continue reading –>
Read Romans 2:4 and Titus 3:4-5. How do we experience the goodness, forbearance, forgiveness, kindness, and love of God? Why is it important that our faith be not just an abstract, intellectual knowledge, but something we actually experience? At the same time, in what ways can our experiences conflict with the Bible and even mislead us in our … Continue reading –>
Tradition itself is not bad. It gives recurring acts in our daily life a certain routine and structure. It can help us to stay connected with our roots. Hence, it is no surprise that tradition also plays an important part in religion. But there are also some dangers connected with tradition. What does Mark 7:1-13 teach us … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Mark 7:1-13; Rom. 2:4; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor. 10:5-6; John 5:46-47; John 7:38. Memory Text: “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20, NKJV). There is no Christian church that does not use Scripture to support … Continue reading –>
There is a joke I like to tell whenever anyone mentions the dictionary. I tell people, ” I tried reading the dictionary, but I could not follow the plot”. It brings chuckles because, of course, there is no plot. The dictionary is simply a collection of definitions and facts with no plot or story line. … Continue reading –>
Potluck Wins Hearts By Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission On Sabbaths, vacationers flocked to the Seventh-day Adventist church in Russia’s popular Black Sea resort city of Gelendzhek. The visitors from Siberia, the Ural Mountains, and other far-flung Russian regions reminded the pastor, Andrey Prokopev, of something special he had learned while studying at Advanced International Institute … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “As a Child”, pages 68-74, and “The Temptation”, pages 114-123 in The Desire of Ages. “Men consider themselves wiser than the word of God, wiser even than God; and instead of planting their feet on the immovable foundation, and bringing everything to the test of God’s word, they test that word by their … Continue reading –>
The New Testament writers approach the Bible the same way that Jesus does. In matters of doctrine, ethics, and prophetic fulfillment, the Old Testament for them was the authoritative Word of God. We find nothing, anywhere, in what these men say or do that challenges either the authority or authenticity of any part of the … Continue reading –>
Jesus taught that the Bible is the Word of God in the sense that what it says is synonymous with what God says. Its origin is found in God and, therefore, contains ultimate authority for every aspect of life. God worked through history to reveal His will to humanity through the Bible. For instance, in Matthew … Continue reading –>
Preview. Don’t miss the introductory paragraph for this week’s lesson. Do you see in religious writings of today the belief that the Bible is a collection of writings giving man’s view of God and not a document presenting God’s view of man? If that is how we consider the Bible, how can we possibly respect and … Continue reading –>
