Daily Lesson for Wednesday 9th of October 2024

This long section of John 9:1-41 is the only portion of John where Jesus is not the main actor on the stage, though He is certainly the subject of discussion. Just as the question of sin started the story (John 9:2), the Pharisees think Jesus is a sinner because He healed on the Sabbath (John 9:16,24), and they will slander the healed man as “born in utter sin” (John 9:34, ESV).

Image © Kevin Carden at Goodsalt.com

A curious reversal occurs. The blind man comes to see more and more, not just physically but spiritually, as he is growing in his appreciation for Jesus and believing more strongly in Him. The Pharisees, in contrast, become more and more blind in their understanding, first being divided over Jesus (John 9:16) and then not knowing where He came from (John 9:29).

Meanwhile, his recounting of this miracle gives John the opportunity to tell us who Jesus is. The theme of signs in John 9:1-41 intersects with several other themes in the Gospel. John reaffirms that Jesus is the Light of the world (John 9:5; compare with John 8:12). The story also deals with Jesus’ mysterious origin. Who is He, where is He from, what is His mission (John 9:12,29; compare with John 1:14)? The figure of Moses, who is referenced in previous miracle accounts, also appears in this chapter (John 9:28-29; compare with John 5:45-46 and John 6:32). Finally, there is the theme of the response of the crowd. Some love darkness rather than light, while others respond in faith (John 9:16-18,35-41; compare with John 1:9-16, John 3:16-21, and John 6:60-71).

So scary here is the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders. A once-blind beggar can declare, “ ‘Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing’ ” (John 9:32-33, NKJV). And yet the religious leaders, the spiritual guides of the nation, the ones who should have been the first to recognize Jesus and accept Him as the Messiah—they, despite all the powerful evidence, cannot see it, or they don’t really want to see it. What a powerful warning about how our hearts can deceive us!

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-02-the-healing-of-the-blind-man-part-2/

Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and one of this quarter’s authors, Dr. Thomas R. Shepherd, as they provide additional insights into this week’s Sabbath School lesson, “The Beginning of the Gospel.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-signs-of-divinity-it-is-written-discussions-with-the-author/

View an in-depth discussion of Signs of Divinity in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris.
Click on the image below to view the video:

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-signs-of-divinity-hope-sabbath-school-video-discussion/

Key Thought : Though Jesus took upon Himself our humanity, He always had His Divinity. John used Christ’s miracles to point to Jesus’ Divinity.
October 12, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read John 6:14,15, 26-36.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. How did the people respond to His miracles, and how did Jesus use this to try to teach them who He was?
3. Personal Application: How can we avoid getting caught up in material things at the expense of the spiritual? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of you relatives states, “Why is it so important to believe that Jesus is God? Some believe He was a prophet, others believe He was the Son of God like we become the sons of God, others believe that He was the Son but that He didn’t exist from eternity because He is the Son. What difference does it make. Why is it so important?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read John 9:1-16.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What did the disciples think was the cause of his blindness, and how did Jesus correct them?
3. Personal Application: What should this story tell us about the danger of being blinded by our own beliefs that could cause us to miss important truths? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Is Jesus able and willing to heal today, instantly or gradually through direct miracles or simple remedies? How come we don’t see many miracles today?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read John 9:17-34.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What questions did the leaders ask, and how did the blind man answer?
3. Personal Application: Do you know anyone, despite powerful evidence of the Scripture and nature, who still refuses to believe that Jesus is God and our Savior? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “What are some of the things Christians believe that are “foolish” to the wise according to the flesh and that they mock and reject?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read John 11:38-44.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What did Jesus do to support His claim?
3. Personal Application: If anyone doesn’t believe Jesus raised Lazarus from being dead for four days, how can they believe Jesus is coming back to raise the dead to life eternal? Share your thoughts.
4. 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).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-signs-of-divinity-teaching-plan/

John has written what is possibly the most well-known Bible verse in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son” which has had many say 
Lord, I Have Made Thy Word My Choice – Hymn 273 and 
Give Me The Bible – Hymn 272. John writes of many people who turned to Jesus in this quarter’s studies. Here are two hymns from which to choose for your theme hymn this quarter.

Sabbath afternoon introduces us to Christ who “is the eternal Son, one with the Father”: 
Hymn 637 – Son Of God, Eternal Saviour. Overall, this week we are able to understand of the wonderful 
Love Divine – Hymn 191.

Our learning on Sunday reminds me, we are 
Redeemed – Hymn 337/338. The Passover time sees Jesus go up into the Mountain, just as Moses did: 
Hymn 147 – Christ Upon The Mountain Peak.

“The account of the feeding of the 5,000 provided the opportunity to illustrate that Jesus is the Bread of Life”: 
Bread Of The World – Hymn 398.

 Christ Is The Worlds Light – Hymn 234 and 
Christ Is The World’s True Light – Hymn 345 portray what John is reaffirming on Wednesday.

Good Christian Friends, Rejoice! – Hymn 173 is what happened when Lazarus was raised from his grave (Thursday). 

The crescendo of our learning is found on Friday when Ellen White states “Our spiritual life is sustained by the Word Of God” and we can sing this in 
O Word Of God Incarnate – Hymn 274. 

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless many others. 

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/ 

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given. 

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-signs-of-divinity-singing-with-inspiration/