We love titles, even in Christian circles. Whether it is Pastor, President, Professor, or Pope, titles are common currency in the church’s vocabulary. Inherent within some of those titles is the concept of hierarchy, authority and very often, privilege. The obvious or unseen but well-known underbelly of titles is church politics. A classic example of … Continue reading –>
A surprise inside the cover “What a surprise that is!” Susan held the lesson guide above her head. “There’s a surprise in the lesson guide for the final quarter of the year?” “Yes, dear, there is.” “Do we get a balloon or a lollipop?” “No, it’s not that. It’s just that when I saw the title to this … Continue reading –>
“Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He … Continue reading –>
“ ‘And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, … Continue reading –>
In order to have victory over sin, we must properly define sin. I believe the sin defined in John 16:9 is the cause of the sin in 1 John 3:4. Thus we must deal with the sin of unbelief in John 16:9 as our primary definition of sin. As we take a look at this … Continue reading –>
If you looked carefully at yesterday’s study, you would have seen a progression of how God manifested Himself and His truth in the midst of the great controversy. God worked through the patriarchal and Israelite sanctuary services, through Christ’s sacrificial atoning death, through the church, and through Christ’s own ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. Satan, … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : The great conflict between good and evil has affected every life in the universe. The essential issue centers on each person’s choice between God and Satan. [Teaching plan for “The Great Controversy: The Foundation” October 1, 2012] 1. Have a volunteer read Revelation 12:7-13. A. Ask class members to share a short … Continue reading –>
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15). In what way is the great controversy revealed in this text? The cryptic language of Genesis 3:15, in which the controversy is here predicted, gives us a … Continue reading –>
Although the Bible does not explicitly tell us the issues involved in the controversy between God and Satan, they can be inferred from some pertinent scriptural passages, such as Isaiah 14:4-21 and Ezekiel 28:12-19. In their original settings, these passages represented pagan kings of Tyre and Babylon; but, when read carefully, they provide details that go beyond these … Continue reading –>
All throughout recorded history, people have sensed that humanity is in some sort of battle, a warfare, a struggle between competing forces. The poet T. S. Eliot wrote, In all of my years, one thing does not change. However you disguise it, this thing does not change: The perpetual struggle of Good and Evil.” -T. S. Eliot: The Complete Poems … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 3:15, Rev. 12:1-17, Isa. 14:4-21, Ezek. 28:12-19, Isa. 53:6, Rom.1:20-28, John 16:2. Memory Text: “ ‘And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel’ ” (Genesis 3:15, NKJV). Key Thought: The great controversy motif is the overarching concept that gives … Continue reading –>
“The Thessalonian believers were greatly annoyed by men coming among them with fanatical ideas and doctrines. Some were ‘disorderly, working not at all, but . . . busybodies.’ The church had been properly organized, and officers had been appointed to act as ministers and deacons. But there were some, self-willed and impetuous, who refused to … Continue reading –>
