[I am late posting the discussion starters this week because I am not in a good location for access to the Internet. Apologies to Joyce Griffith and to our readers. Maurice Ashton] “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;” Does that sound like an insurmountable challenge? Yes, … Continue reading –>
In John 17:3, Jesus said that eternal life is to know God. Read 1 John 2:3-6. What does it mean to know God? How do we demonstrate our knowledge of God in our daily lives? Generally, while people in society today wish to call themselves law-abiding citizens, these same people often will downplay the biblical obligation to … Continue reading –>
Read Mark 9:38-41 and John 10:16. What does Jesus’ response to the apostle John teach us about exclusivism and quick judgments about who is a true follower of Jesus? Seventh-day Adventists have tended to understand Jesus’ prayer in John 17:1-26 as directly applying to the unity of their church denomination. We must be united as a church to … Continue reading –>
Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Amos 3:3 NKJV Amos asks how two people can walk together unless they are agreed. Does this mean they have to agree about everything in order to walk together? I think the New Living Translation helps to clarify the question: Can two people walk together without agreeing … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Jesus prayer in John 17 reveals His great desire for His followers to represent God’s nature and character to the world. Christian unity is indispensable to this goal. Lesson 3, October 20, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read John 17:14-18 a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important … Continue reading –>
After Jesus prayed for His disciples, He broadened His prayer to include “those who will believe in Me through their word” (John 17:20, NKJV). Read John 17:20-26. What was Jesus’ greatest wish for those who would later believe in the Gospel message? Why is it so important that this prayer be fulfilled? As the Father and Son … Continue reading –>
Read John 17:9-19. What is Jesus praying specifically about in regard to His disciples? Jesus prays next for His disciples, who are in grave danger of losing their faith in Him in the days ahead, when He, Jesus, will no longer be with them in the flesh. Thus, He commits them to the care of His … Continue reading –>
The high-priestly prayer is divided into three parts. First, Jesus prays for Himself (John 17:1-5), then for His disciples (John 17:6-19), and finally for those who would later believe in Him (John 17:20-26). Read John 17:1-5. What is the essence of His prayer, and what does it mean for us? Jesus intercedes first for Himself. In preceding events in … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: John 17:1-26, 1 John 5:19, John 13:18-30, John 5:20-23, Mark 9:38-41, Rev. 18:4, 1 John 2:3-6. Memory Text: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Ellen G. White, “The Rending of the Kingdom”, pages 87-98, in Prophets and Kings; “A Message of Warning and Entreaty”, pages 298-308, in The Acts of the Apostles. “The Lord desires His chosen servants to learn how to unite in harmonious effort. It may seem to some that the contrast between their gifts and the gifts of a … Continue reading –>
By Elvis Dumitru I am a pastor because my grandfather, a lifelong Orthodox believer, endorsed the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As my grandfather was growing old, he spoke to my father in their home in Ratesti, a small village in Romania. “If you ever want to belong to the only true Christian church, you have to … Continue reading –>
“Uh, Houston, we’ve had a problem.” Those were the alarming words of astronaut James Lovell alerting Mission Control that their spaceship was in the middle of a crisis. 48 years ago, streaking 200,000 miles from earth, The Apollo 13 spacecraft had just experienced an explosion that put the lives of all on board in serious … Continue reading –>
