Daily Lesson for Wednesday 23rd of October 2024

Philip was from Bethsaida, as were Andrew and Peter. He found his friend, Nathanael, and told him about Jesus. John the Baptist had called Jesus “the Lamb of God.” Andrew had told Peter that he had found “the Messiah.” But Philip calls Jesus the one Moses and the prophets wrote about and adds the name “Jesus of Nazareth.” His reference to Nazareth sets off a sharp reaction from his friend.

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

Nathanael seems to have been prejudiced against the little town of Nazareth. Surely a king would not come from such a wayside location. Prejudice easily blinds the eyes from seeing people for what they are really worth. Philip seems to have recognized, possibly from previous conversations with Nathanael, that the proper way to deal with prejudice is not some exalted philosophical or theological argumentation but rather to invite the individual to experience the truth personally for themselves. He simply said, “Come and see.” And that is exactly what Nathanael did. He went and saw.

Missing between verse 46 and verse 47 is the crucial detail of just how Nathanael responded to Philip’s invitation. He got up and went to see, however. His friendship with Philip was stronger than his prejudice, and his life would be changed from that moment on.

Jesus says nice words about Nathanael, calling him an Israelite in whom there is no deceit (John 1:47), a great contrast from what Nathanael had said about Jesus (John 1:46). Nathanael responds with surprise because he had not met Jesus before.

Then Jesus refers to seeing him under a fig tree, and this small statement convinces Nathanael. Jesus, by divine insight, had seen Nathanael praying, searching for truth under that tree (see Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, Pages 140, 141). Nathanael then makes an exalted confession, calling Jesus Rabbi, the Son of God, and the King of Israel. Note how this seemingly small revelation leads to a grand confession of faith.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-04-philip-and-nathanael/

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 22nd of October 2024

Two disciples of John the Baptist were standing with him when Jesus walked by. John declared, “ ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ ” (John 1:36, NKJV). The two disciples had listened to John’s message about the Christ, who would fulfill the Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. The disciples left John to follow Jesus, recognizing that Jesus was greater than John the Baptist and that He was the fulfillment of John’s message.

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

Desiring to be with Jesus, the two spent the day with Him. Who knows what amazing things they had learned and experienced then!

They must have been great things because, before long, their desire was to share their experience with others. Andrew, one of the two disciples, immediately found his brother, Simon, and said, “ ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ)” (John 1:41, NKJV). When Andrew brought his brother to Jesus, Jesus immediately showed that He knew him, saying, “ ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’ ” (John 1:42, NKJV). Jesus knew and understood Peter. That Jesus knows a person is a motif of the Gospel of John. (See, for example, John 2:24-25.)

“If John and Andrew had possessed the unbelieving spirit of the priests and rulers, they would not have been found as learners at the feet of Jesus. They would have come to Him as critics, to judge His words. . . . But not so did these first disciples. They had responded to the Holy Spirit’s call in the preaching of John the Baptist. Now they recognized the voice of the heavenly Teacher. . . . A divine illumination was shed upon the teaching of the Old Testament Scriptures. The many-sided themes of truth stood out in new light.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 139.

The entire emphasis of the Gospel of John is to bring to light who Jesus is so that this good news may be shared with the world.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-04-the-two-disciples-of-john/

Daily Lesson for Monday 21st of October 2024

The Hebrew nation was looking for a Messiah who would deliver them from Rome. The goal of the Gospel of John was to change their understanding of the Messiah so that they could recognize in Jesus the fulfillment of the prophecies regarding the coming King. The Messiah would not be an earthly ruler. He came to fulfill all the Old Testament promises concerning Himself, which include His self-sacrifice in behalf of the world, and to renew the relationship between God and His people.

Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com

The statement of the Baptist regarding Jesus as the Lamb of God supports the purpose of John’s Gospel, which is to bring about a renewed understanding of the work and nature of the Messiah. Jesus would, indeed, be the fulfillment of the promise of the sacrificial system, going back to the promise of the Redeemer first given in Genesis 3:15.

“When at the baptism of Jesus, John pointed to Him as the Lamb of God, a new light was shed upon the Messiah’s work. The prophet’s mind was directed to the words of Isaiah, ‘He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter.’ Isaiah 53:7.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 136.

However much more John the Baptist needed to know about the ministry of Jesus, he was certain that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the One who had come in fulfillment of prophecy.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-04-the-lamb-of-god/

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.

John introduces Jesus as the Word: 
Hymn 274 – O Word Of God Incarnate and then goes on to instruct us that he was “sent from God to bear witness to the Light” just as we sing in 
Hymn 54 – Jesus The Light and 
Hymn 345 – Christ Is The World’s True Light.

The next step in John’s teaching tells us of the Lamb Of God: 
Hymn 246 – Worthy, Worthy Is The Lamb.

 More than once this week I find myself singing some of the songs from Handel’s Messiah, which could be used as items in the Sabbath School study time. Another hymn that could be sung for Tuesday is in the old hymnal pre-1985 “Sitting At The Feet Of Jesus” number 618, of which John speaks. The days’ study ends with Ellen G White speaking of the light (see above for relevant hymns).

Nathaniel (Wednesday) encourages us to have faith: 
Hymn 517 – My Faith Looks Up To Thee.

Nicodemus was told by Jesus to be born again from above! Verse 5 of 
Hymn 224 – Seek Ye First The Kingdom says we are to be “born through Thee again”.

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/4-witnesses-of-christ-as-the-messiah-singing-with-inspiration/

Key Thought: John points to the witnesses who give evidence of Jesus’ identity. John the Baptist, Andrew, Simon Peter, Philip, Nathaniel, and Nicodemus as well as John himself.
October 26, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read John 1:19-23.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. How did John the Baptist explain his ministry and mission?
3. Personal Application: In what way shall we as Seventh-day Adventists do the same kind of ministry as John the Baptist? What parallels are here? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of you relatives states, “Since Jesus called John the Baptist Elijah, and John said he wasn’t Elijah, but had the same message to prepare people for Jesus’ appearance, and Elijah is to appear before Jesus comes the second time, who is this Elijah and what message does he have?” How would you respond to your relative?
   (Note : Micah 4:4-6 tells us about Elijah. The message to prepare people for Jesus’ second coming in Revelation 14:6-14. Elijah according to the SOP is the SDA Church.)

2. Have a volunteer read John 1:29-39.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What proclamation does John the Baptist make about Jesus and His mission?
3. Personal Application: In what ways can you testify that Christ and your faith has changed your life? What changes would you like to still see happen? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How successful was John the Baptist in bringing people to Christ? In numbers it doesn’t seem to be many. So how do we measure success in Spiritual things?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read John 1:43-51.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What did Philip’s message reveal about his faith in Jesus already?
3. Personal Application: How do we get people to “come and see” in our personal witness about Jesus Christ? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “So how did Nathaniel, who was skeptical of Jesus, end up going to see Him and what did Jesus do to convince him of who He was?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read John 3:1-21.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. How does the testimony of Nicodemus support the theme of John’s gospel?
3. Personal Application: What does it mean to be born again, and why did Jesus put such emphasis on it? 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/4-witnesses-of-christ-as-messiah-teaching-plan/