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.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. Why does the psalmist long to dwell in the sanctuary? Who else can be blessed by the sanctuary?
3. Personal Application: What are some practical ways that we can strive for harmony among us as a people now? Share your thoughts.
4. 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.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What makes Zion such an esteemed place? Where are the glorious things that are spoken of in Zion?
3. 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
4. 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.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How is the world poetically depicted here?
3. Personal Application: How do we learn to have peace and to trust God amid a world that has so much turmoil? Share your thoughts.
4. 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..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How are those who trust God portrayed here?
3. Personal Application: How are the righteous tempted? What is the lesson for us here? 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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The beautiful picture on the front of our lesson pamphlet brings us our theme hymn for this quarter with its two variations in melody:
Hym 552/546 – The Lord’s My Shepherd.

Psalm 9:11
“Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion!
Declare His deeds among the people.”

Zion that beautiful Heavenly place is found in 
Hymn 450 – Beautiful Zion which encourages us to keep 
Marching to Zion – Hymn 422.

“In Psalm 84 unparalleled happiness is achieved in relationship with God” (Sunday): 
Hymn 579 – ‘Tis Love That Makes Us Happy and this “consists of praising Him (Ps 84:12)”: 
Hymn 249 – Praise Him! Praise Him! “Strength increases the nearer they come to the sanctuary”: 
Hymn 629 – O Happy Band of Pilgrims.

The peace that is found for Jerusalem (Monday) says 
Jerusalem, My Happy Home – Hymn 420 where there is 
Wonderful Peace – Hymn 466.

The Safety and Peace of Zion (Wednesday) tells us “this is the great hope that Christians have, which will occur at the second coming of Jesus: 
Hymn 214 – We Have This Hope.

“Those who trust in the Lord are compared to Mount Zion, the symbol of steadfastness and strength”: 
Hymn 510 – If You But Trust In God To Guide You as ”the call for God’s people to remain immovable in faith and trust in the Lord…” Thursday).

Friday encourages us to “never accept this world” but to 
Take The World, But Give Me Jesus – Hymn 329.

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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