Life is complicated, and that’s because, as humans, we are complicated. Imagine-creatures made in the image of God, the Creator of the universe, who then corrupt themselves. No wonder that our potential both for good and for evil can reach remarkable levels. And it isn’t just that some people attain great levels of “goodness” while … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Sam. 17:43-51, 2 Sam. 11:1-17, 1 Kings 18:21-39, 2 Kings 19:21-34, Esther 3:8-11, Nehemiah 1. Memory Text: “And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, ‘Let … Continue reading –>
The Bible is known for not glossing over human sin, human evil. If it did, how could it, and portray accurately the state of humanity? An especially sharp depiction of human evil is found in 1 Samuel 2:12-25, when the sons of Eli are presented in contrast to the young Samuel. 1 Samuel 2:12 reads, … Continue reading –>
Why did God need to make peace with heaven? (1 Col 1:19-20) This verse may help us understand just how real the war in heaven was: For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth … Continue reading –>
We have a full cast of characters to study this week. Deborah, Gideon, Sampson, Ruth and Samuel. Each found themselves in pivotal positions at times of conflict and crisis. God used them to do extraordinary things. These are heroes of the Bible, but all heroes are first ordinary people just like you and I. Let’s look at … Continue reading –>
What does the beginning of the book of Samuel have to do with the great controversy? There is no obvious threat to the created order, and there are no vast armies at the border. The attack of evil is more subtle but no less real. Read 1 Samuel 2:12-25. How do we see the reality … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “Conflict and Crisis” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson outline from the HopeTV Sabbath School … Continue reading –>
Rather than talking about vast enemy armies that threaten God’s people, the story of Ruth speaks about something smaller: a family almost dying out but, instead, being revived. While it includes two larger themes-God’s creation being destroyed and His people being under threat-Ruth also tells of the great controversy on a personal level, where it … Continue reading –>
The Judges. What comes to mind when you think of the time when God’s people were ruled not by ministers or prophets or kings but by judges? Insurrection? Devotion? Rebellion? Isn’t it true that some of the judges were righteous? What can we learn from them? The time of the judges was negative in some ways, … Continue reading –>
The battle lines between good and evil are blurred in the story of Samson. His life starts in impressive fashion with an announcement from the Angel of the LORD that he is to be a Nazarite from birth. The Angel instructs Samson’s parents how to prepare for their special baby. The mother is told not … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : Judges teaches us that God responds to human cries for help using feeble humans who themselves are in need of salvation. Conflict and Crisis: The Judges January 16-22, 2016 1. Have a volunteer read Judges 41-7. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this … Continue reading –>
Read Judges 6:1. What is happening here? See Judges 6:10. After Deborah, the land enjoyed peace for the next 40 years, but soon they were back in the hands of oppressors. This time it was the Midianites, who, with their allies, would enter Israel and destroy all the newly planted crops and steal the livestock … Continue reading –>
