What would you do if you were a nurse and the patient in your care was dying of cancer? Edith Missah–Habaradas, motivated by the Holy Spirit, made a decision to do something that would lead to eternal consequences. For more information on this event or to sign up for updates, visit: calltoprayer.iiw.ca November 9 – 16, 2024 Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iX5zpEDF9c
Marco 1:35 – Apri la porta del tuo cuore
“Poi il mattino seguente, essendo ancora molto buio, Gesù si alzò, uscì e se ne andò in un luogo solitario e là pregava.” 📖 Marco 1:35
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💌 Apri la porta del tuo cuore
👉 Rubrica a cura di Anna Cupertino
🗣 Speaker: Alessia Calvagno Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69D-jphDyC0
7: Blessed are Those Who Believe – Singing with Inspiration
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.
The myriad of Bible texts we are given in the Sabbath Afternoon study tell the story of why:
I Do Believe – Hymn 486, I Know Whom I Have Believed – Hymn 511, leaving us at the end of the week to sing
Rejoice, Rejoice Believers – Hymn 599.
Our Bibles are full of those wonderful people who had such amazing faith and really believed:
Hymn 11 – The God of Abraham Praise topped off with
Hymn 304 – Faith Of Our Fathers. I would like to add from the pre-1985 hymnal
497 – Dare To Be A Daniel.
Faith is a strong part of believing which is shown to us on Wednesday by the quote from Ellen White at the end of the day’s study:
Hymn 523 – My Faith Has Found A Resting Place and then we can say
My Faith Looks Up To Thee – Hymn 517.
We have been blessed to have the Bible so we are able to read all the miracles of Jesus, and we can believe, even though those who witnessed the miracles still had uncertainty as to who Jesus was, and then we have all of history to view of what Jesus said would happen to our poor old world down through the ages to today:
Hymn 272 – Give Me The Bible. And, we can see that Jesus’ statement that the Gospel would go to all the world is happening right now:
Hymn 378 – Go, Preach My Gospel.
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.”
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-blessed-are-those-who-believe-singing-with-inspiration/
7: Blessed Are Those Who Believe – Teaching Plan
Key Thought: Jesus is the greatest witness to His own Divinity and mission, but also we have the witness of Mary, Pilate, and Thomas as well.
November 16, 2024
1. Have a volunteer read John 12:1-8.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
- What was the significance of Mary’s actions here? How was this a witness as to who Jesus was?
- Personal Application: Knowing that Jesus knows what’s in your heart, what should this tell us about the need of Christ as our righteousness? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of you relatives states, “Mary did a great sacrificial thing, and yet Judas had a negative response with different objects to her actions. But Jesus seemed to know each person’s motives. Why does it seem that the social outcasts are treated much worse than the rich and powerful?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read John 18:38, John 19:4-22
- Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- How is Pilate’s verdict connected to the theme of John’s gospel?
- Personal Application: How can we learn from Pilate’s example about allowing people to keep us from doing what we believe is right? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your friends states, “Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” How do we define truth and what does the Bible present as truth?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read John 20:19-31.
- Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- What can we learn from Thomas about faith and doubt? What mistake did Thomas make?
- Personal Application: How do you keep faith in challenging times? Do you need physical proof in order to be sure of your faith? Share your thoughts.
- Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Why are you a Christian; why do you believe Jesus is God and is the only way of salvation?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read John Matthew 24:2, 6-8, 14.
- Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
- What do we have today that those living in Jesus’ time didn’t have that should help us believe?
- Personal Application: Does the fulfillment of prophecy in Daniel help us have a stronger and more tangible belief in the Bible and in Jesus? 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).
(0)Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-blessed-are-those-who-believe-teaching-plan/
Lesson 7.Blessed Are Those Who Believe | 7.2 The Witness of Mary | THEMES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN | LIVING FAITH
7.2 The Witness of Mary
Mary’s Precious Gift as an Expression of Faith
What was the significance of Mary’s behavior here? In what way was this a testimony to who Jesus really was? John 12:1–3
Mary’s action in Simon’s house was a profoundly meaningful testimony of her gratitude and faith in Jesus. By using the precious ointment, she demonstrated that she recognized the uniqueness of Jesus as the Savior and the coming King. Her sacrifice was not merely a material gift but a demonstration of deep devotion and love that went beyond logical considerations. She was willing to sacrifice the most valuable thing she possessed for Jesus, reflecting her faith and understanding of Him as the Messiah.
Mary’s act was a stark contrast to Judas’ reaction. While Judas criticized the gift and hid behind apparent charity, Mary’s action showed pure love and an intuitive understanding that Jesus’ time on earth was limited. Her gift, which filled the entire house with its fragrance, became a testimony that was not hidden. John describes this fragrance as a sign that true faith and genuine devotion inevitably have an impact and can change the atmosphere.
Jesus protected Mary from criticism and honored her action as preparation for His burial. This showed that her devotion had a deeper spiritual meaning that she might not have fully understood herself but acted out of genuine faith and love. Her gesture was not only a loving act but also a prophetic testimony that honored Jesus as the true Savior and strengthened Him in the last days of His life. Mary’s action teaches us that true love and devotion to Jesus often go unnoticed or may even be misunderstood by others, but they are infinitely precious and meaningful in God’s eyes.
Jesus knew what was in the hearts of Mary and Judas. He also knows what is in your heart. What should this truth tell us about needing Christ as our righteousness, who transforms and also covers us?
The fact that Jesus knew what was in the hearts of Mary and Judas shows us that He also knows the deepest motivations, struggles, and longings in our hearts. This realization makes it clear that we need Christ as our righteousness because our own hearts are often imperfect, wounded, and fallible. Although we may outwardly show good intentions and deeds, Jesus sees the uncertainties, doubts, and tendencies that repeatedly lead us to make wrong decisions or rely on our own righteousness.
We need Christ not only to change us externally but also to transform our hearts and heal us from within. His righteousness is not merely a covering for our imperfections but also a power that renews us internally and makes us more like Him. This means that Jesus not only forgives us and covers us with His righteousness but also wants to shape our innermost inclinations and character traits so that we live in accordance with His will.
This truth calls us to be humble and recognize that we cannot be perfect by our own strength. Only through His grace and righteousness can we lead a life pleasing to God. Christ as our righteousness reminds us that we do not need to be perfect to be accepted, but that He Himself is our righteousness—and that this righteousness simultaneously changes us, making us increasingly like Him.
The story of Mary and her precious gift reminds us how our faith can be expressed in everyday life. Mary’s willingness to sacrifice the most valuable thing for Jesus shows that true faith is not only in words but becomes visible through bold and perhaps unexpected actions. Mary’s faith was so deep that it led her to honor Jesus in a way that seemed irrational or wasteful to others. This invites us to ask ourselves: Where do we invest our most valuable—whether it be time, love, or resources—as an expression of our gratitude and love for God?
In our daily lives, Mary’s example shows us that true devotion often means enduring criticism or misunderstandings from others because the value of our faith sacrifice is often fully understood only by God. Just as the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil, our acts of faith—whether big or small—can change the atmosphere around us and serve as a testimony of love and gratitude.
Mary’s action also indicates that our faith can sometimes be prophetic, revealing a deeper picture of God’s work in the world, even if we do not fully comprehend it ourselves. In a time that often emphasizes material values and self-interest, Mary’s faith invites us to consider the value of our devotion to Christ, even if it sets us apart from others. It is a living faith that is willing to make sacrifices and honor God because we know that He sees and understands our hearts.
In everyday life, this story reminds us that Jesus knows the needs, hopes, and weaknesses of our hearts and transforms us through His grace. Our faith in Him allows us to bring our fears and imperfections before Him while trusting that He heals our hearts, forgives us, and enables us to become more like Him.
