Author Topic: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 9--4th Quarter 2020--The Church and Education  (Read 1873 times)

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Richard Myers

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LESSON 9 *November 21–27






The Church and Education






Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon




Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 9--4th Quarter 2020--The Church and Education
« Reply #1 on: November 24, 2020, 03:45:37 PM »
Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 10:30–37, Matt. 5:14–16, Luke 4:18–23, Jer. 29:13, Matt. 7:7, 1 Thess. 2:6–8.

Memory Text: “Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor [yet] of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:6–8

Since the earliest times in which the faithful have gathered to worship God—in synagogues, homes, and churches—the Bible reveals people who, through their study of the Scriptures and through their worship, long to know God and to understand His will for their lives. The Bible also repeatedly reveals that the church is a place where serious and relevant discussions should take place and where people can grow in their knowledge of God and His will for their lives. Sometimes we are afraid of asking questions. However, in the Bible we often find that questions are used to bring people to a clearer understanding of God. In a similar manner, stories are used throughout the Bible to create opportunities for people to rethink their commitments. Jesus was particularly focused on this type of education with His disciples and followers.

If the church is to be a place of education, it must provide the space for genuine dialogue to occur. Just as we were repeatedly told as students in school, “There is no dumb question,” we must provide within the church a safe environment for each person to grow in grace and in understanding of God and His plan for their lives.

Amen! There two groups at least in our churches. Those who are church members and those who are not. Do we look at them differently? And, there are tares growing with the wheat, do we treat them differently? What is a safe environment? Do we treat people differently depending where they are in their experience in the church?

Jesus told some of His disciples something that caused them to leave and never return? He gave them no safe environment because they were going to hinder the experience of others. What did Jesus say to these disciples that He knew would cause them to leave and never return?


* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 28.

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 9--4th Quarter 2020--The Church and Education
« Reply #2 on: November 24, 2020, 04:09:42 PM »
SUNDAY November 22
True Christian Education


The story is told of a rabbi who looking into the sleepy eyes of the young men who sat in his classroom, asked: “Students, when does one know when the night is ended and the day has begun?”

Several of the students cautiously raised their hands. “Rabbi,” one asked, “is it when you can tell the difference between a fig tree and an olive tree?”

“No.”

Another student raised his hand: “Rabbi, is it when you can tell the difference between a sheep and a goat?”

After listening to a host of answers, the rabbi announced, “Students, one knows the night has ended and the day has begun when you can look at a face never before seen and recognize the stranger as a brother or sister. Until that moment, no matter how bright the day, it is still the night.”
Read Luke 10:30–37. What was the point that Jesus was making with this story? And what should this tell us about what must be part of any true Christian education?

As Seventh-day Adventists, we have been blessed with an abundance of doctrinal light and truth (the state of the dead, the Sabbath, 1844 and the judgment, the great controversy, to name a few teachings) that even most of the Christian world still doesn’t understand. And yet, however crucial these truths are, what good do they do us if we are not kind to people, if we display prejudice against others, and if we allow the cultural and social biases of our environment to cause us to treat others as inferiors?

True Christian education, if nothing else, must cause us to rise above these human foibles and evils and see others as Christ sees them, beings for whom He died, beings whose sins He bore on the cross, beings for whom He paid an infinite price. If we uplift the cross, as we must, then we will see the value and worth of every human being and, ideally, treat them as they truly deserve, in keeping with the value that God has placed on them. Christian education must include this teaching or else it is not worthy of the name “Christian.”
What prejudices does your culture and society teach, either subtly or even openly, that, as a Christian, you must rise above?

That is a great question. It was not "does you society teach prejudice?" but what prejudices does it teach? That presumes that all cultures teach some kind of prejudice. If that is mostly or even slightly true, then this whole demand for diversity is injurious to a society knowing some teach prejudice and other lowly things. Germany in WWII is a good example. Thank you, but no thank you! Keep your idea that all cultures have something good so seek them.

A true Christian does not have to be told to rise up against hating someone. A true Christian loves even his enemy. If not, then what is the problem? Why do we see racial divides even among Christians? Because they are Christians in name only. That goes for all no matter what color their skin. This hypocrisy is clearly seen even by those who are not Christians. It is what keeps many out of the church.
Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 9--4th Quarter 2020--The Church and Education
« Reply #3 on: November 24, 2020, 06:43:43 PM »
MONDAY November 23
Called to Live as Light


Everywhere we look, it seems as though our planet is turning in upon itself, exchanging light for darkness. Yet, we also encounter darkness much closer to home as we consider our own experience in this difficult and challenging world. For we, too, understand the horrors that this life brings us as we struggle with illness, as we deal with the loss of loved ones, as we watch families succumb to separation and divorce, as we struggle to make sense of many of the evil things in our society and culture.

We need not struggle to understand if we love God supremely and study the Bible. We know that the world is evil and that it would be as it was when God destroyed every person on this Earth except for those in the ark, just before the second coming of Christ. We also know that all who love God with the whole heart will suffer persecution. So, the suffering we endure now is preparing us for what is soon coming.


Yet, amid this landscape of moral bankruptcy and spiritual darkness, in the midst of all this external and internal noise, we hear Jesus’ words to each of us:

“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:14–16.

What do these verses teach us about how we are to live and how, as Christians, what we do impacts how others see God?

God leaves those who love Him supremely here on the Earth that the world would have a witness of the power of grace to transform sinners into saints.


Sitting by the Sea of Galilee that day under the hot sun, how would Jesus’ audience have understood His words? Those who heard His words knew all about light and darkness. Certainly they had much darkness to fear.

Perfect love casteth out all fear. If God be for us, who can be against us!


They lived under Roman occupation, in a militarized society that despite their lack of telephones and computers and the World Wide Web, in many ways was as efficient as our own, and in some ways even more terrifying.

The Romans were everywhere, reminding the masses on the hillside that those who insisted on making trouble quickly would find their way to the torturers—and to a naked death on a Roman cross.

And yet, here was Jesus, calling them to live as light. To be merciful. To be pure in heart. To be makers of peace. Christian education must, then, include teaching our students to be lights in the world, to be able to make choices and decisions that will reveal the reality and goodness of God to others.

How do we teach children to be "lights in the world," to be "pure in heart"?  What must I learn in order to be such a Christian? It is not good enough to say we can them, we must know ourselves how to become truly converted Christians with pure hearts and minds, not sinning against our God.


What are ways that we can, indeed, point others to the reality and goodness of God?

We can share our experiences and faith in God. Better yet, we can reflect the character of our God so that others will know there is a great difference between those who love God and those who do not.


Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 9--4th Quarter 2020--The Church and Education
« Reply #4 on: November 24, 2020, 06:44:53 PM »
TUESDAY November 24
Living as Disciples

If the church is serious about being a force for Christian education, it is imperative that we begin with Jesus. Jesus called disciples. He trained them to do mission by walking with them. Jesus provided opportunity for them to be involved in the lives of people whom they were to care for and to love. And daily Jesus challenged them by His vision of what this world could be when people begin to treat each other as brothers and sisters.

Read Luke 4:18–23.

 4:18   The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 
 4:19   To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 
 4:20   And he closed the book, and he gave [it] again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 
 4:21   And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 
 4:22   And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? 
 4:23   And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. 



What is Christ’s message to all of us, as His followers?

For three years the disciples watched as Jesus, their Teacher, lived out the ideals of the kingdom—ideals announced in His first sermon in the synagogue at Nazareth. Forgiveness, grace, and love walked hand in hand with loneliness, commitment, and hardship. If there was a lesson to be learned, it was the lesson that discipleship is not something one takes lightly. You are a disciple for life—not just for one day.

“The Saviour’s commission to the disciples . . . includes all believers to the end of time. . . . All to whom the heavenly inspiration has come are put in trust with the gospel. All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. For this work the church was established, and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows are thereby pledged to be co-workers with Christ.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 822.

As disciples of Jesus, we today must make certain that Jesus is always the center of both our fellowship and our worship. It is good to remember that it was Jesus who invented discipleship. Though the rabbis of His day attracted followers, it was Jesus who called men and women to follow Him. The rabbis could never have imagined a call so radical as to suggest that being with Jesus was more important than all of their commandments.

And, as disciples of Jesus, we not only have respect for all people but will work to provide the kind of place where all people can grow and develop.

"All" people will not grow and develop. Many are called but few choose to give up self and follow Jesus. They want to control their own lives. It is true we want to invite all into the church if they want to learn about God. But, if they do not, then better to leave them in the world and give them over to the devil until, if they still can, they change their minds.


Hence, all Christian education must include this sense of mission, of purpose, not just to earn a living but to do in our own sphere what Jesus calls us to do: to follow in His footsteps of ministering to those in need and to share with them the good news of the gospel.

Amen! We are seeking those who are seeking the truth, but we have no conviction to argue with those who are not seeking truth. We may minister to any, but if they do not want truth, then we are to seek others who are wanting the truth.

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

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Re:SDA Sabbath School Lesson 9--4th Quarter 2020--The Church and Education
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2020, 06:45:25 PM »
WEDNESDAY November 25
Seeking Truth


Albert Einstein, often regarded as the father of modern physics, wrote: “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.”

We do live in a world of mystery, don’t we? Modern science has shown us an incredible complexity that exists at pretty much every level of existence. And if it’s like that for mere physical things, how much more so for spiritual things?

What do the following texts teach about the search for truth, for answers? Jer. 29:13; Matt. 7:7; Acts 17:26, 27; Ps. 25:5; John 16:13; 17:17.

The Bible is full of stories of curious people very much like each of us—men and women who have questions, fears, hopes, and joys, people who, in their own way, are seeking truth, seeking answers to life’s most difficult questions.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end” (Eccles. 3:11, NKJV). What does Solomon mean here? Some translate the Hebrew word ‘olam as “eternity” and others as a “sense of the past and the future.” So then, according to this verse, God has placed in the human heart and mind a sense of the past and the future, eternity itself. That is, as human beings, we are able to think about what has been called “the big questions” about life and our existence in general.

And, of course, here is where Scripture plays the central role. Who are we? Why are we here? How should we live? What happens when we die? Why is there evil and suffering? These are the questions that seekers of truth have been asking since the beginning of recorded history. What a privilege, and what a responsibility, to be able to help point these seekers toward some answers now. What is Christian education if not pointing people to these answers, as found in the Word of God?

Why must the Scriptures play the major role in answering the big questions in life?

If not the Bible, then what? Go to almost any school of so called "higher education," and what do we find? Answers to where we came from, and that we are going to eventually end up on Mars. Most of the world does not look to the Bible for answers, but follow the teachings of so called "science." True science is in harmony with Scripture, unlike what is being taught in the schools of the world. How about your school? Does it teach doctrines in harmony with the Bible? If you are not studying daily, then how can you really know? Satan is an expert at deception. Look at what he did to Israel. Even the disciples of Jesus did not know on that last trip into Jerusalem that Jesus had to die that they might have eternal life. Such a deception!!

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44591
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 9--4th Quarter 2020--The Church and Education
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2020, 06:46:53 PM »
THURSDAY November 26
Sharing Our Lives


Read 1 Thessalonians 2:6–8. What is Paul saying here that we could and should reflect in our schools and churches?

Confronted by the breakdown of community in society, we live in an age in which the biblical understanding of the church has never been more meaningful. As Matthew 18:20 reminds us: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” The New Testament vision of what church and community is took shape primarily in the homes of believers. It was here that the community met in small groups, praying, singing, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, learning and sharing Jesus’ words with each other.

These worshiping groups also became the first church schools, as this was the place in which new members were introduced to the Bible and to this new life that was found in Jesus. Paul’s writings, such as Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (NIV), suggests that the church took this work of education most seriously.

Paul took the work of education that he was doing seriously. Paul was not taught by the church, but by God. Did the church in Israel take education seriously? They sure did, that is how they got the point of murdering their Messiah. Their teachers were false teachers, and by the time Jesus came to them, even John the Baptist did not know the "Lamb" had to die. Such a deception!

Does God's church take the work of education seriously? We have a lot of schools around the world, but we are closing many of them. Why? Why do we have teachers teaching evolution in some of our churches? If we are serious about our churches, then why are they patterned after the world in many of them?


These early believers soon discovered that it is in community that the gospel can best be lived out. In community, we have reason to sing louder, to pray more fervently, and to be more caring and compassionate. When we hear others speak of God’s goodness, we sense how good He has been to us; when we hear of one another’s struggles and hurts, we sense God’s healing in our own lives, and we experience a renewed desire to be instruments of His grace and healing.

In today’s passage, Paul is asserting that the gospel of God is everything: the power of the Cross, the resurrection of the Lord, the promise of His return. There was simply no better news in all of the world, and Paul spent his life abandoned to the challenge of first and foremost sharing the story of Jesus with the greatest integrity and commitment.

And what is the "power of the cross"?


Yet, here Paul suggests that the message of the gospel can best be understood, can best be experienced, through the act of sharing life together. We must never forget that people are closely watching to see if our lives illustrate the message of grace that is found in the Bible.
Think hard about how you live, and ask yourself: What kind of witness am I to those around me?

Amen! If I sin in front of others, what does that say about the power of the cross?  What kind of witness am I every time I sin? And what if no one sees me sin, is that a serious problem? God sees it, and every time I sin, it becomes a little easier to sin again, and again, and again. Where does it end?

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.

Richard Myers

  • Servant
  • Posts: 44591
  • Grace, more than a word, it is transforming power
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Re: SDA Sabbath School Lesson 9--4th Quarter 2020--The Church and Education
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2020, 05:53:41 PM »
FRIDAY November 27

Further Thought: “Christ disappointed the hope of worldly greatness. In the Sermon on the Mount He sought to undo the work that had been wrought by false education, and to give His hearers a right conception of His kingdom and of His own character. Yet He did not make a direct attack on the errors of the people. He saw the misery of the world on account of sin, yet He did not present before them a vivid delineation of their wretchedness. He taught them of something infinitely better than they had known. Without combating their ideas of the kingdom of God, He told them the conditions of entrance therein, leaving them to draw their own conclusions as to its nature. The truths He taught are no less important to us than to the multitude that followed Him. We no less than they need to learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 299.

Why is it that we must learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God? Did we not know the when we were baptized? If you  are a pastor, how many have you baptized without teaching them the foundation principles such as the requirements to enter the kingdom of God? What are the conditions of entrance? When you were baptized had you been taught the foundation principles of the kingdom? If so, what are they? What did Jesus say on the mount?


Discussion Questions:

    Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1850. Stevenson recounts how one night, as his nanny was getting him ready for bed, he slipped over to the window and saw a captivating sight. It was a lamplighter, going from one gas lamp to the next. With childish delight, he called his nanny over to him and said, “Look at that man! He’s punching holes in the darkness!” What role has God given you in bringing light and love to your community? If you are not sure, invite several church members to sit with you and discuss what you might accomplish together.
    If the church is to partner with God in reaching out to the world, we must embrace Jesus’ words and ministry. The very reality of the Incarnation—of God coming to us, to live in our world, to struggle and to laugh and to cry with us—reminds us that we are called to care for those around us. How will you do this? How might you employ the young people in your congregation to help with this work?

There are many ways, but first we have nothing to give if we are not filled with the Holy Spirit. How can we lead others to Christ if we are not fully surrendered and self is dead? We can't for self is seeking to take the glory to self, not to Christ. When we are truly in a converted state such as when the disciples walked out of the upper room the night that Jesus was captured, then we can reflect Christ and know what to share and when to share it. The church has been given great light in the matter of health. In the world today many are seeking light on health. Many are fearful of contracting the virus and dying. The light God has given to us on health is to be understood as the "right arm" of the gospel. Why? Because as we minister to the needs of those we are seeking to help, it will be easy for them to know we love them. After "plowing" the heart, they will then wan to know about our God. Jesus spent more time healing than preaching, so ought we.

    Think about the responsibility that we as Seventh-day Adventists have to teach others the wonderful truths that we have been given. How can and should the local church play a key role in teaching these truths to others? At the same time, how can the church be a safe place to discuss these truths with those who are asking hard questions about them? What can you do to create an environment in which serious questions can be addressed?
    In class, talk about the cultural biases of the society where you live. What are ways your church can teach others to rise above those biases and follow, instead, the teachings of the Scriptures?

It is not something you can teach. Giving your heart to Jesus is a personal matter that depends upon me trusting Jesus with my whole heart. We can point others to Jesus and tell them of His goodness, and the truth found in the Bible about the power of grace to transform the character. But, even in the church often we must deal with those who are not converted and it is better then to plow the ground first before speaking of doctrinal matters.

Jesus receives His reward when we reflect His character, the fruits of the Spirit......We deny Jesus His reward when we do not.