11: Longing for God in Zion – Teaching Plan

Key Thought: Zion represents God’s living presence among His people. Zion is a place of Divine blessings and refuge. Zion is interchangeable with Jerusalem and the sanctuary – the center of salvation.
March 16, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read Psalm 84:1-4; 122:1-9.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
Why does the psalmist long to dwell in the sanctuary? Who else can be blessed by the sanctuary?
Personal Application: What are some practical ways that we can strive for harmony among us as a people now? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of you relatives states, “In ancient Israel and even in today’s Jews in countries around the world, their focus, time, and efforts are in the synagogue. Should our focus, time, and efforts be in the church and our fellow believers more? How is our church worship similar and different from the Jewish synagogue and the tabernacle?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Psalm 87:1-7.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
What makes Zion such an esteemed place? Where are the glorious things that are spoken of in Zion?
Personal Application: How does Zion’s readiness to adopt all people fit in the church’s call from Christ to preach the gospel to every nation? Share your thoughts
Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why do you Adventists focus so much on the book of Revelation and the antichrist and the mark of the beast? Shouldn’t you just focus on the gospel and Christ’s love for everyone?.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Psalm 46:1-11.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
How is the world poetically depicted here?
Personal Application: How do we learn to have peace and to trust God amid a world that has so much turmoil? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “What doe God think about all the violence and destruction in the world? If He is a loving God, how can He let it go on so long? It seems like it is getting more and more frequent and intense.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Psalm 125:1-5..

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
How are those who trust God portrayed here?
Personal Application: How are the righteous tempted? What is the lesson for us here? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).