Maria grew up in Poland. As a teenager Maria searched for God, but she didn’t find what she was looking for. Eventually she returned to her parents’ church and immersed herself in its practices, hoping for spiritual fulfillment. As she read the Bible, she discovered many texts that raised questions in her mind. The book … Continue reading –>
[Thought questions for The Christian Life December 12, 2012] 1. The Christian. What is a Christian? By that definition, are you a Christian? Are you saved by your faith as a Christian? or by your works? What did the apostle James think about faith compared to works in the Christian life? Was he a legalist? … Continue reading –>
Beyond the family, the Christian has other social and professional involvements – a clear recognition of the biblical view that Christians are in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-18). Consider the following three areas of daily life and discuss the Christian’s responsibilities in regard to lifestyle and behavior: 1. Employer/Employee Relations (James 5:4-6, Eph. 6:5-9). Apart from regarding … Continue reading –>
Humans are social beings. At home and work, and in public and civic places, people are involved in all kinds of relationships. Responsible Christian behavior ought to be evident at all these levels, and the Bible has relevant principles by which to guide these relationships. Study the following Bible passages in order to come up with … Continue reading –>
During the Billy Graham era, while the evangelical movement retained the flavor of modernism, the preaching emphasis seemed to my young adult mind to be “getting right” with God. During that time I became a Christian and then a Seventh-day Adventist. Everything felt right. I got right with God, began worshiping on the right day, … Continue reading –>
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Soviet Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, the author of Tortured for Christ, suffered terribly for the Lord. Yet he said that even while in prison, he saw fellow Soviet believers … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : The Christian is to use the gifts of personal and material resources God has given them to reflect His benevolence. [Teaching plan for The Christian Life December 10, 2012] 1. Have a volunteer read I John 3:16. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of … Continue reading –>
Jesus tells us very clearly that “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt. 22:39). A very interesting text in light of the idea that we often look at love for self as the height of all that is opposed both to Christianity and to the idea of disinterested selflessness. What did Jesus mean by this … Continue reading –>
“And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes:and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. For the children of Israel and the children . . .” (Neh. 10:38, 39). Think about your life; … Continue reading –>
When we think about salvation translating into service to others, we cannot avoid the Christian concept of stewardship. The Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia defines ‘stewardship’ as “the responsibility of God’s people for, and use of, everything entrusted to them by God – life, physical being, time, talents and abilities, material possessions, opportunities to be of service to … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Deut. 8:11-17; Phil. 2:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:51-52; Rev. 22:1-5;Matt. 22:39; Gen. 2:21-25. Memory Text: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16, NKJV). Key Thought: Anyone can call himself or herself a Christian. What, though, does that mean in practical … Continue reading –>
Read Ellen G. White, pp. 140-146, in A Solemn Appeal; “God’s Law Immutable,” pp. 433-450, in The Great Controversy. “God would have us realize that He has a right to mind, soul, body, and spirit – to all that we possess. We are His by creation and by redemption. As our Creator, He claims our entire service. As our … Continue reading –>
