As every literature evangelist knows, very often those who have the least are willing to sacrifice the mostto buy Christian books. Well-to-do neighborhoods tend to be tough territory to sell books in, because the people who live there may be content with what they have and so very often do not feel their need of … Continue reading –>
Thursday’s section of this week’s Sabbath School lesson asks: Have you ever messed up really badly and when you expected only condemnation and judgment, you were given mercy, grace, and forgiveness instead? Peter vowed to follow Jesus even if it cost him his life. When Jesus was arrested, Peter whipped out his sword and swung at … Continue reading –>
Read James 2:1-4. It is, among other things, a study in contrasts. One person is rich, well dressed, and, apparently, important, while the other is poor, shabbily dressed and, apparently, a nobody. One receives the utmost courtesy, the other disdain. One is offered a comfortable, prominent seat; the other is told to stand off to … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: James 2:1-13; Mark 2:16; Lev. 19:17-18; Rom. 13:8-10; John 12:48. Memory Text: For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13, NASB). We know the story well; the question is, How well has it sunk in? First a priest, then a … Continue reading –>
Ismael Serrano Medellín is a large city in the heart of Colombia. While the city has a reputation as the drug capital of the world, it is also known for its beauty, and its citizens are known for their hard work and love of learning. Colombia Adventist University (Corporacion Universitaria Adventista, UNAC) is located in … Continue reading –>
Further Study: Ellen G. White, The Test of Discipleship, p. 59-63, in Steps to Christ. The law is God’s great moral looking glass. Man is to compare his words, his spirit, his actions with the Word of God.-Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 935. “Instead of releasing man from obedience, … Continue reading –>
Friday’s section of this week’s Sabbath School lesson asks, “What do you say to those who claim that because of the grace of Christ, they are free from the law? What do they often really mean by that, and how would you answer them?” I have heard Christians tell me not to worry about keeping the … Continue reading –>
What does it mean to keep oneself unspotted from the world? (James 1:27, NKJV). How could that even be possible? See also 1 John 2:15-16; 2 Pet. 1:4. Some people seem to think that if only they could move far enough away from the world, they could avoid most of its temptations. Though there’s some … Continue reading –>
[Thought Questions for Being and Doing October 21, 2014] 1. It’s not enough to be able to see and hear. Do you think it would be harder to follow Jesus if you were deaf? or blind? Didn’t have much intellectual understanding? Does a thorough knowledge of God and His plan of salvation earn you a place in His eternal kingdom? What did the … Continue reading –>
Read James 1:26-27 and compare it to Matthew 25:35, Matt. 25:36, Matt.25:40 and Romans 12:9-18. In light of these passages, how would you define true Christianity? If Jesus, James, and Paul emphasize anything, it is the importance of being a useful Christian. By lovingthe least of these (Matt. 25:40), by taking the time to visit … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: When we are saved by grace, we will be doers of God’s Word, because we have placed our faith in Him. He leads us to become new in the Spirit. [Lesson Plan for Being and Doing October 20, 2014] 1. Have a volunteer read James 1:22-24. a. Ask class members to share a thought … Continue reading –>
Read James 1:25. What does he say about the role of the law? James echoes the Psalms in calling God’s law perfect (Ps. 19:7) and a way of freedom (Ps. 119:45). But notice that the law in James cannot save us and certainly cannot cleanse us. It shows us God’s ideal, but it cannot make … Continue reading –>
