Key Thought: In whatever stage of our lives, we have struggles, worries, and fears. But we worship a God who knows what we face and will help us.

June 29, 2019

1. Have a volunteer read Malachi 4:4-6..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does it mean to turn the hearts of the fathers and children?
3. Personal Application: How does a restored relationship with God help us restore relationships in our family? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “I just came into the church. My children are grown now. I know I made a lot of mistakes parenting and the kids weren’t raised Christian. I think it is too late to try and get them to do the right things now.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Kings 16:29. 17:24, Luke 4:25,26..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What experience of Elijah helped overturn heathen beliefs and bring new life to
   families?
3. Personal Application: What are some family reunions that you are still waiting for? Are there promises of God you cling to give you the hope of that reunion? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What is your church doing in reaching out to missing members? Are your classes praying for them every week? Are they sending cards, letters, making phone calls, doing visitation?.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read John 1:35-37, 3:27-30.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What were the main aspects of John’s Elijah message?
3. Personal Application: If John the Baptist would step in your house, what do you think he would say to you? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “What is the relevance of Elijah’s and John’s message to us as Seventh-day Adventists? How can we help the church spread this message?”. How would you reply to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Luke 1:17.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What needs to change in the church and in your life to enable us to go out in the Spirit and power of Elijah?
3. Personal Application: What can you do in a special way to show a family member or church member that you care about them? 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).

Amen!(0)

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The introduction of Baal worship into Israel by Jezebel, the Sidonian wife of King Ahab, hastened the nation’s downward moral slide. The teachings of God that uplifted marriage, family, and sexuality were overshadowed by such practices as incest, prostitution, and other sexual perversions. Into this arena of conflict over worship stepped Elijah, whose very name, “Jehovah is my God”, rebuked Baal.

What experience of Elijah associated him with overturning heathen beliefs and bringing new life to families? 1 Kings 16:29-17:24; compare Luke 4:25-26.

The widow of Zarephath

Elijah was a marked man after announcing the curse of drought upon the land. God sheltered him in an unlikely place—at a poor widow’s dwelling in Zarephath of Sidon, near Jezebel’s hometown. Elijah greeted the widow with a grim test, to use her last bits of kindling, oil, and flour to feed him and to trust God for her future. Her faith became legendary. Jesus Himself would later commend her (Luke 4:26). As her oil and meal stretched out over many days, the woman came to understand more about Jehovah. Then, tragically, her only son fell sick and died. In expressing her grief to Elijah, she reflected the familiar religion around her, the perverted beliefs that now engulfed Israel, in which one’s sin could require child sacrifice (1 Kings 17:18; compare Jer. 19:5, Micah 6:7).

What effect did the reunion with her son have upon the Phoenician widow’s spiritual experience? 1 Kings 17:24. What can we learn from her comments?

The mother’s response reveals the effect of the Elijah message. Faith in God and His Word arises in the heart as, by His power, life is restored and the family is reunited. Many today may give assent as doctrines are preached, but are lukewarm in their spiritual experience. However, when the truths of God’s Word are experienced personally and revival and restoration occur in home relationships, conviction comes ever so much more powerfully upon the heart.

Amen!(0)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/l4Njyn7WVqM/