Our Sabbath School program has always been linked to the support of the Seventh-day Adventist Mission program. This video provides a little insight into this important work.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/mission-spotlight-for-october-11/

Inside Story for Friday 10th of October 2025

One of the Thirteenth Sabbath mission projects for this quarter is a church at Pernambucano Adventist Academy in Brazil’s state of Pernambuco, where Inácio Manoel lives. Thank you for planning a generous offering. Watch a short YouTube video of Inácio at: bit.ly/Inacio-Brazil.

Image © Pacific Press

A woman spewed hatred when Inácio Manoel knocked on her door to offer Seventh-day Adventist books in Brazil. “I hate Christians!” she yelled.

Inácio was surprised. It was his first house on his first day of work as a literature evangelist offering books and Bible studies.

He and a friend went to the next house. A big dog barked ferociously from the yard. His friend mumbled something about the first house having an angry woman and the second house having an angry dog.

“Don’t worry,” Inácio said. “God is with us.”

A woman came out of the house and led the dog away. Then she invited Inácio and his friend to come in. The three had a heart-to-heart conversation, and the woman told of her struggles since her husband had been sent to prison. The next Sabbath, the woman came to church with her three young children. Inácio was amazed. He told God that he wanted to lead people to Him for the rest of his life.

Inácio’s biggest surprise, however, came from the third house that he and his friend visited on that first day of work. The woman who lived there, Edileuza, agreed to Bible studies on Saturday afternoons. As they read week after week, they came to the Bible truth about the seventh-day Sabbath. Edileuza worked as a manicurist and a housekeeper, and she didn’t see any possibility of resting on Saturdays.

“I make the most money that day of the week,” she said. “What can I do?”

“Don’t worry,” Inácio said. “God will help. He has something better.”

At the next Bible study, Edileuza said she had met a stranger on the street who had asked if she knew a good housekeeper. The job didn’t require any work during the Sabbath hours of sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.

Edileuza beamed as she shared the story with Inácio. “Now my salary is three times more than I earned as a manicurist and a housekeeper,” she said.

Edileuza was baptized. Later, the rest of her family followed suit.

Inácio, now 68, has led four to 11 people to baptism every year for the past 36 years. Everywhere he goes, he carries Bible lessons with him. His nightly prayer is: “Lord, put someone in my path, so I can share Your love.”

“I can live without anything in the world, but not without Bible studies,” he said.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-02-inside-story-don-t-worry-god-will-help/

Daily Lesson for Friday 10th of October 2025

Read Ellen G. White, “Crossing the Jordan,” Pages 482, 483, in Patriarchs and Prophets.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

After this story of Rahab and the spies, the rest of the Old Testament is silent about her until she emerges again in the genealogy of Jesus. It is stated that she became the wife of Salmon (from the tribe of Judah), the mother of Boaz, and the mother-in-law of another remarkable woman mentioned in the same genealogy: Ruth (Matthew 1:5; compare with Ruth 4:13,21). Through her faith in God, the prostitute of Jericho, condemned to total destruction, becomes a significant link in the royal line of David and a progenitor of the Messiah. This is what God is able to accomplish through faith, even if it might be only the size of a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6).

“And her [Rahab’s] conversion was not an isolated case of God’s mercy toward idolaters who acknowledged His divine authority. In the midst of the land a numerous people—the Gibeonites—renounced their heathenism and united with Israel, sharing in the blessings of the covenant.

“No distinction on account of nationality, race, or caste, is recognized by God. He is the Maker of all mankind. All men are of one family by creation, and all are one through redemption. Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every compartment of the temple courts, that every soul may have free access to God. His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere. It lifts out of Satan’s influence those who have been deluded by his deceptions, and places them within reach of the throne of God, the throne encircled by the rainbow of promise. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free.”—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, Pages 369, 370.

Discussion Questions

<–Thursday

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-02-further-thought-surprised-by-grace/

Introduction: How many times have other Christians told you that something was a “gray” area or that the matter was “complicated?” I’m often suspicious that comments like that are an attempt to avoid admitting that some activity is sinful. My go-to text, Deuteronomy 4:2, essentially says that something is either wrong in God’s sight or is some unauthorized rule that humans have created. That narrows the “gray” areas. However, when Jesus equated lust with adultery and anger with murder (Matt 5:21-22, 27-28), He complicated our understanding of Deuteronomy 4:2. Our study this week is about two “gray” stories. Let’s dive in and see if Scripture sharpens our understanding of the “gray!

I. The Spies

A. Read Joshua 2:1. What action did Joshua take before launching the invasion of Canaan?

1. Had spies been sent out before? (Read Numbers 13:1-3, Numbers 13:17-20, and Numbers 13:31. Yes, Moses sent out twelve spies, and their report led to disaster.)
2. What do you think was the motive to send out spies? (Read Numbers 13:32-33. The first spy mission assessed the land and its defenses. Part of the motivation was to gauge whether they could take the land.)
3. What is Joshua doing differently this time? (This time, he sends only two spies, and he does it secretly. This suggests that the spies were to report only to him, which would limit the problem that arose the first time.)
4. Is Joshua showing a lack of faith in God? (If you look at Numbers 13:1-2, it was God who directed Moses to send out spies.)

a. Normally, wanting to keep your activity a secret is a strong sign that the activity is wrong. Is this a gray area?

B. Read Joshua 5:13-15 and Joshua 6:2-5. What is God doing for Joshua in advance of the battle for Jericho? (God gave him the kind of information you would get from spies – and much more. I lean toward viewing the two-spy mission as a lapse in trust, although that is not clear because God authorized the first set of spies.)

II. The Prostitute

A. Look again at the last part of Joshua 2:1. Where did the spies stay? (At the house of a prostitute named Rahab.)

1. Does that sound like part of God’s plan?
2. If you say it was a smart move because this would keep the spies anonymous and secure, read Joshua 2:2-3. Did it work? (No. Their presence was reported immediately.)

B. Read Joshua 2:4-7. Is this only a lie? Isn’t it also treason against Rahab’s city? Isn’t it also a misdirection to send the men of Jericho off on a false lead? (It appears to be all of these.)

C. Read John 8:44, Revelation 12:9, and Exodus 20:16. These texts state that lying is what Satan does. Let’s review this sequence. Joshua sends spies (perhaps a failure of faith), the spies choose a prostitute’s house (a failed anonymity plan), and then the prostitute lies to protect them. Is this a “gray area” or a “complicated” issue?

D. Read Joshua 2:8-13. What is Rahab’s motive for her treasonous lying? (She wants to save herself and her family.)

1. Isn’t saving yourself the usual motive for lying?
2. Does that make this a “gray area” justification?

E. Read James 2:25. What does James call Rahab’s actions? (Good works that “justified” Rahab. Evidence of genuine faith.)

F. Read Hebrews 11:31. How does this text view Rahab? (She is obedient! She does not perish with the disobedient.)

G. Read Matthew 1:5. What woman do we find in the genealogy of Jesus? Know that the listing of women in this genealogy is rare. (Rahab is mentioned!)

H. Do we have a new rule? We are authorized to lie if it might help us or help our family? (Let’s read Exodus 20:16 again. What, exactly, is prohibited? (“False witness against your neighbor.”)

1. Does this mean that the only prohibited lies are those that harm someone else? Say, for example, all the other people of Jericho? (Read Proverbs 12:22. Scripture broadly condemns lying; harm to others is a central concern, but truthfulness itself matters to God.)

I. Let’s go back and read Joshua 2:11. Is Rahab merely afraid that the Hebrews will defeat the inhabitants of Jericho, or is there a deeper conviction? (God judges our hearts. Rahab recognizes that God is the true God, and she gives her allegiance to Him. The negative spin I previously gave to her motives is not how God saw her.)

1. Let’s revisit our discussion that sending out spies might have reflected a lack of faith. What valuable intelligence is gathered here? (Read Joshua 2:23-24. What Joshua learned was that his opponents were afraid. Joshua had already won the psychological war.)

III. Lying Gibeonites

A. Read Joshua 9:1-2.  We skipped over the chapters recording that the Israelites defeated all of the Canaanites that they met. What is the reaction of this group of Canaanites? (They form a coalition to fight Israel.)

B. Read Joshua 9:3-6. How do the Gibeonites react? (They resort to deception.)

C. Read Joshua 9:12-14. The Gibeonites provide evidence to support the lie that they are from a distant country. What do the Israelites do and what do they fail to do to determine the truth? (They examine the evidence and decide to believe the Gibeonites. What they fail to do is to consult with God.)

D. Read Joshua 9:7-8. Is Joshua suspicious of the Gibeonites? (Apparently.)

1. What does the Bible reveal about the Gibeonites in these verses? (They were Hivites.)

E. Read Joshua 9:15. Does the lie work? (Yes. Israel makes a covenant of peace.)

F. Read Deuteronomy 7:1-5. What had God told the Hebrews to do to the Hivites? (Make no covenant with them. Destroy them completely.)

G. Read Joshua 9:16-19. God told them to destroy these cities, and the promise of safety was based on deceit. Modern American law says a contract based on “fraud in the inducement” can be set aside. Do you agree with this unpopular decision?

H. Read 2 Samuel 21:1-2. A problem with Joshua was that he did not consult with God about the Gibeonites. What does this tell us about God’s attitude towards the Gibeonites? (Saul has done what God told them to do – destroy the Gibeonites. They avoided immediate destruction through deceit, so I would obey God and not feel bound by a promise induced by fraud. But this tells us that God is very unhappy with Saul’s decision.)

I. Let’s see if we can better understand this. Read Joshua 9:19-20. What honesty issue is raised here? (Honesty before God. The Israelite leaders swore an oath in the name of God to the Gibeonites. The Gibeonites might be false, but the great God of heaven is not.)

J. You don’t have to read it now, but in Joshua 10:5-14, Israel rescues Gibeon from the Amorites, and God clearly acts to protect Gibeon. What lesson does this teach? (It was foolish and hasty to covenant in the LORD’s name without seeking Him. But once sworn, both Israel and God honored the oath.)

K. Friend, the best answer to dealing with “gray” areas is to consult God’s word first. If God’s word does not address the issue, then ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. That is what Joshua failed to do with the Gibeonites. And do not act hastily, another problem in dealing with the Gibeonites. But in every situation, put God’s honor first. Rahab put God’s people first, and God expected His people to honor their promise to the deceitful Gibeonites.

IV. Next week: Memorials of Grace.

Copr. 2025, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail, but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/2-surprised-by-grace-joshua-2-and-9-teaching-outline/

Daily Lesson for Thursday 9th of October 2025

Even if the people of Israel had wanted to attack the Gibeonites, they would not have been allowed to pursue it because of the oath sworn by the rulers of the congregation. The Israelite leaders acted according to the principle that an oath, as long as it does not involve wrongdoing or criminal intent (Judges 11:29-40), is binding, even if it leads to one’s personal hurt.

Image © The Classic Bible Art Collection – Formerly Standard Publishing at Goodsalt.com

In the Old Testament, being prudent before making an oath and the keeping of one’s oath are seen as virtues of the pious (Psalms 15:4; Psalms 24:4; Eccl. 5:2, 6). Because the oath was made in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, the leaders could not change it.

With the solemn oath taken by the leaders of Israel, the destiny of Israel was indissolubly linked to that of the Gibeonites. In fact, through their designation as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of God (Joshua 9:23), the Gibeonites became part and parcel of Israel’s worshiping community. Joshua’s answer, in contrast to the verdict of the rulers of Israel, which decreed servitude for “all the congregation” (Joshua 9:21, NKJV), transformed the curse into a potential blessing for the Gibeonites (compare with 2 Samuel 6:11).

The subsequent history of Gibeon testifies to the high religious privileges the city enjoyed, as well as to their loyalty to God’s people. The vow taken by Israel remained in place down through generations, so that when the Israelites returned from the Babylonian captivity, the Gibeonites were among those who helped rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 7:25). Their actions will have eternally positive consequences but only because of God’s grace.

What might have happened had the Gibeonites disclosed their identity and requested mercy as Rahab did? We don’t know, but we cannot rule out the possibility that even a consultation of God’s will could have resulted in an exemption of the Gibeonites from destruction. God’s ultimate purpose is not to punish sinners but to see them repent and to grant them His mercy (compare with Ezekiel 18:23 and Ezekiel 33:11). The subterfuge of the Gibeonites has to be perceived as an appeal to God’s mercy, to His kind and just character. It was the Canaanites’ refusal to repent and their defiance of God’s purposes that led to the decision for their annihilation (Genesis 15:16). God honored the recognition of His supremacy by the Gibeonites, as well as their desire for peace rather than rebellion, and their willingness to give up idolatry and to worship the only true God.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25d-02-surprising-grace/