1. Jesus came to show us what God is like. For four thousand years, God had revealed Himself to His people through miracles, visions, prophets and many other ways. But as marvelous as God’s revelations were, even the leaders of God’s people too often seemed oblivious to the nature and character of God. They wanted to do things their way.  Can you imagine an attitude like that in the people of God? Even today?
2. Mary’s song. Wouldn’t it have been enough for Mary to give birth to a baby whose coming was a miracle? How was Mary affected by the news that she was about to have a baby who was divine in every sense of the word? Do you think that her early childhood instruction in Biblical matters had anything to do with her breathless but confident acceptance of this blessing? In what ways was the kingdom Jesus was born to establish an “upside down kingdom”? How did Mary express the extraordinary characteristics of a divine rule that would offer salvation to all?
3. Why Jesus heals. True or false: Jesus won many friends with His healing miracles. Wasn’t this the primary purpose for His work as a healer and restorer of life? Or was there another reason for His miracles of healing? According to Matthew, Jesus “warned” His followers not to make Him known. Why not? Based on his healing ministry alone, could not Jesus have established His throne as the ultimate source of power and success? What overwhelming objective did He choose instead? 
4. Clearing the temple. Jesus, Master of tenderness and caring, snapping a whip and shouting at the rabble rousers in the temple to cease their activities. How does this picture of Jesus fit others that show Him to be gentle and loving? Your lesson hints that such demonstrations to oppose God’s work are invitations to stern action to defend it. What do you think we can do these days to pull our church away from actions of unwarranted anger and guilt?
5. The cross of Christ. Yes, the cross is a beautiful symbol of God’s love for us. But do you cringe at the very thought of the Master of the Universe, the Ultimate Expression of Love, suffering anguish and humiliation on the cruel cross while His enemies shout jeering insults? The Son of God, murdered for our sins, dying for us–what can we do to remember that Jesus, the One who died for our sins, our Substitute, loves us with everlasting love and looks to us to show those around us the depth and power of that love? 

Amen!(0)

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The memory verse gives us two hymns:
Hymn 378, “Go, Preach My Gospel” and Hymn 354, “Thy Love, O God”.

Compassion for the poor and oppressed is voiced in
Hymn 353, “Father, Help Your People” and
Hymn 352, “This Is My Will”. Are we ready to go and help?
Hymn 359, “Hark! The Voice of Jesus Calling”.

Jesus heals the sick in
Hymn 363, “Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service”,
Hymn 364, “O Jesus Christ, to You”,
Hymn 370, “Christ for the World”,
Hymn 475, “Balm in Gilead” and
Hymn 523, “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place”.

On Thursday there are many hymns from which to choose about Jesus going to the cross to pay for my sins:
Hymn 157, “Go to Dark Gethsemane”,
Hymn 156, “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”,
Hymn 158, “Were You There?”,
Hymn 159, “The Old Rugged Cross”,
Hymn 163, “At the Cross” and
Hymn 164, “There is a Green Hill Far Away”, to name just a few.

The Great Controversy excerpt on Friday reminds us that we are
“Redeemed” – Hymn 337/338.

Blessings on your week and the beautiful Sabbath Day of rest.

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.”

Amen!(0)

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