Lesson 10 - Study Helps

Lesson 10 December 2 - 8

Like Father, Like Son

Memory Text: (Prov 17:22 NIV) A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Sabbath Afternoon

(Prov 17:22 NKJV) A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

(Prov 16:32 NKJV) He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

(Prov 20:22 NKJV) Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

(Prov 24:29 NKJV) Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

(Prov 11:23 NKJV) The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

(John 3:16-21 NKJV) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. {17} "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. {18} "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. {19} "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. {20} "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. {21} "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

Sunday

Happy, Healthy, Holy

(Prov 17:22 NKJV) A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

(Prov 18:14 NKJV) The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?

(Prov 12:25 NKJV) Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.

(Prov 15:15 NKJV) All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast.

(Luke 12:23 NIV) Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

(Luke 12:23 NKJV) "Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

(Mat 5:3-12 NKJV) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {4} Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. {5} Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. {6} Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. {7} Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. {8} Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. {9} Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. {10} Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. {12} "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Monday

Anger, Strife, And Revenge, Part 1

(Prov 13:10 NKJV) By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom.

(Prov 17:19 NKJV) He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

(Prov 22:10 NKJV) Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; Yes, strife and reproach will cease.

(Prov 26:20 NKJV) Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

(Prov 30:33 NKJV) For as the churning of milk produces butter, And wringing the nose produces blood, So the forcing of wrath produces strife.

(Prov 6:16 NKJV) These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

(Prov 6:19 NKJV) A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

(Prov 16:7 NRSV) When the ways of people please the LORD, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.

(Prov 16:7 NKJV) When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

(Mat 5:21-24 NKJV) "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' {22} "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. {23} "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, {24} "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

(Mat 5:44 NKJV) "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

(Prov 14:17 NKJV) A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated.

(Prov 14:29 NKJV) He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

(Prov 19:19 NKJV) A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

Our High Calling, p. 131

Chap. 125 - Seek God with All the Heart Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee. Zech. 9:12 {OHC 131.1}

We need to educate the soul to lay hold, and hold fast the rich promises of Christ. The Lord Jesus knows that it is not possible for us to resist the many temptations of Satan, only as we shall have divine power given us from God. He well knows that in our own human strength we should surely fail. Therefore every provision has been made, that in every emergency and trial we shall flee to the Stronghold.... We have the word of promise from lips that will not lie. . . . We must individually cherish the faith that we receive of Him the things He hath promised. {OHC 131.2}

God will be to us everything we will let Him be. Our languid, half-hearted prayers will not bring us returns from heaven. Oh, we need to press our petitions! Ask in faith, wait in faith, receive in faith, rejoice in hope, for everyone that seeketh findeth. Be in earnest in the matter. Seek God with all the heart. People put soul and earnestness into everything they undertake in temporal things, until their efforts are crowned with success. With intense earnestness learn the trade of seeking the rich blessings that God has promised, and with persevering, determined effort you shall have His light and His truth and His rich grace. {OHC 131.3}

In sincerity, in soul hunger, cry after God. Wrestle with the heavenly agencies until you have the victory. Put your whole being into the Lord's hands, soul, body, and spirit, and resolve to be His loving, consecrated agency, moved by His will, controlled by His mind, infused by His Spirit. {OHC 131.4}

Tell Jesus your wants in the sincerity of your soul. You are not required to hold a long controversy with, or preach a sermon to, God, but with a heart of sorrow for your sins, say, "Save me, Lord, or I perish." There is hope for such souls. They will seek, they will ask, they will knock, and they will find. When Jesus has taken away the burden of sin that is crushing the soul, you will experience the blessedness of the peace of Christ. {OHC 131.5}

Tuesday

Anger, Strife, And Revenge, Part 2

(Prov 20:22 NKJV) Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

(Prov 24:29 NKJV) Do not say, "I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

(Prov 16:32 NRSV) One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.

(Prov 16:32 NKJV) He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

(Prov 20:22 NIV) Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

(Prov 20:22 NKJV) Do not say, "I will recompense evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

The same danger still exists. Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life. They have not believed and loved it, therefore they have not received the power and (p. 310) grace that come through sanctification of the truth. Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world. {DA 309.3}

The righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of heart and life to the revealed will of God. Sinful men can become righteous only as they have faith in God and maintain a vital connection with Him. Then true godliness will elevate the thoughts and ennoble the life. Then the external forms of religion accord with the Christian's internal purity. Then the ceremonies required in the service of God are not meaningless rites, like those of the hypocritical Pharisees. {DA 310.1}

Jesus takes up the commandments separately, and explains the depth and breadth of their requirement. Instead of removing one jot of their force, He shows how far-reaching their principles are, and exposes the fatal mistake of the Jews in their outward show of obedience. He declares that by the evil thought or the lustful look the law of God is transgressed. One who becomes a party to the least injustice is breaking the law and degrading his own moral nature. Murder first exists in the mind. He who gives hatred a place in his heart is setting his feet in the path of the murderer, and his offerings are abhorrent to God. {DA 310.2}

The Jews cultivated a spirit of retaliation. In their hatred of the Romans they gave utterance to hard denunciations, and pleased the wicked one by manifesting his attributes. Thus they were training themselves to do the terrible deeds to which he led them on. In the religious life of the Pharisees there was nothing to recommend piety to the Gentiles. Jesus bade them not to deceive themselves with the thought that they could in heart rise up against their oppressors, and cherish the longing to avenge their wrongs. {DA 310.3}

It is true there is an indignation that is justifiable, even in the followers of Christ. When they see that God is dishonored, and His service brought into disrepute, when they see the innocent oppressed, a righteous indignation stirs the soul. Such anger, born of sensitive morals, is not a sin. But those who at any supposed provocation feel at liberty to indulge anger or resentment are opening the heart to Satan. Bitterness and animosity must be banished from the soul if we would be in harmony with heaven. {DA 310.4}

The Saviour goes farther than this. He says, "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be (p. 311) reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." Many are zealous in religious services, while between them and their brethren are unhappy differences which they might reconcile. God requires them to do all in their power to restore harmony. Until they do this, He cannot accept their services. The Christian's duty in this matter is clearly pointed out. {DA 310.5}

(Eph 4:26 NKJV) "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

(Rom 14:13 NKJV) Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 47

Religion should dictate and guide you in all your pursuits, and should hold absolute control over your affections. If you yield yourselves unreservedly into the hands of Christ, making His power your strength, then will your moral vision be clear to discern quality of character that you may not be deceived by appearances and make great mistakes in your friendship. Your moral power must be keen and sensitive, that it may bear severe tests and not be marred. Your integrity of soul should be so firm that vanity, display, or flattery will not move you. {3T 47.1}

Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 47 (continued)

Oh, it is a great thing to be right with God, the soul in harmony with its Maker, so that, amid the contagion of evil example, which by its deceitful appearance would lure the soul from duty, angels may be sent to your rescue! But bear in mind, if you invite temptation, you will not have divine aid to keep you from being overcome. The three worthies endured the fiery furnace, for Jesus walked with them in the fiery flame. If they had, of themselves, walked into the fire, they would have been consumed. Thus will it be with you. If you do not walk deliberately into temptation, God will sustain you when the temptation comes. {3T 47.2}

Wednesday

The Wrath Of The Almighty, Part 1

(Prov 11:5 NKJV) The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

(Prov 11:23 NKJV) The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

(Mat 25:46 NKJV) "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

(Heb 12:14 NKJV) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

(Rev 20:9 NKJV) They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.

(Rev 20:15 NKJV) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

(Exo 34:5-7 NKJV) Now the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. {6} And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, {7} "keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation."

Thursday

God’s Moral Response To Sin

(Gen 6:5-7 NKJV) Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. {6} And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. {7} So the LORD said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them."

(Gen 6:11-13 NKJV) The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. {12} So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. {13} And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

(Gen 18:32 NKJV) Then he said, "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten."

(Gen 19:24-25 NKJV) Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. {25} So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.

(Exo 11:4-7 NKJV) Then Moses said, "Thus says the LORD: 'About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; {5} 'and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals. {6} 'Then there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as was not like it before, nor shall be like it again. {7} 'But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the LORD does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.'

Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 22

God is Himself the source of all mercy. His name is "merciful and gracious." Exodus 34:6. He does not treat us according to our desert. He does not ask if we are worthy of His love, but He pours upon us the riches of His love, to make us worthy. He is not vindictive. He seeks not to punish, but to redeem. Even the severity which He manifests through His providences is manifested for the salvation of the wayward. He yearns with intense desire to relieve the woes of men and to apply His balsam to their wounds. It is true that God "will by no means clear the guilty" (Exodus 34:7), but He would take away the guilt. {MB 22.1}

The merciful are "partakers of the divine nature," and in them the compassionate love of God finds expression. All whose hearts are in sympathy with the heart of Infinite Love will seek to reclaim and not to condemn. Christ dwelling in the soul is a spring that never runs dry. Where He abides, there will be an overflowing of beneficence. {MB 22.2}

To the appeal of the erring, the tempted, the wretched victims of want and sin, the Christian does not ask, Are they worthy? but, How can I benefit them? In the most wretched, the most debased, he sees souls whom Christ died to save and for whom God has given to His children the ministry of reconciliation. {MB 22.3}

The merciful are those who manifest compassion to the poor, the suffering, and the oppressed. Job (p. 23) declares, "I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out." Job 29:12-16. {MB 22.4}

(John 14:9 NKJV) Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

(2 Pet 3:5-6 NKJV) For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, {6} by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

(Heb 13:8 NKJV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

(Heb 10:30 NKJV) For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people."

Friday

Read Genesis chapter 37

Read Deuteronomy chapter 11

The Desire of Ages, pp. 298 - 314 (not included with lesson help)

The Adventist Home, p. 28

God Is Honored by a Christian Home.--Fathers and mothers who make God first in their households, who teach their children that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, glorify God before angels and before men by presenting to the world a well-ordered, well-disciplined family--a family that love and obey God instead of rebelling against Him. Christ is not a stranger (p. 28) in their homes; His name is a household name, revered and glorified. Angels delight in a home where God reigns supreme and the children are taught to reverence religion, the Bible, and their Creator. Such families can claim the promise, "Them that honour Me I will honour." As from such a home the father goes forth to his daily duties, it is with a spirit softened and subdued by converse with God. {AH 27.3}

The presence of Christ alone can make men and women happy. All the common waters of life Christ can turn into the wine of heaven. The home then becomes as an Eden of bliss; the family, a beautiful symbol of the family in heaven. {AH 28.1}

Read Exodus chapter 15

(Exo 32:18-19 NKJV) But he said: "It is not the noise of the shout of victory, Nor the noise of the cry of defeat, But the sound of singing I hear." {19} So it was, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So Moses' anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.

(2 Chr 20:21-24 NKJV) And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: "Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever." {22} Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. {23} For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

{2 Chr 20:24} So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.