Closer To Heaven
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Join us as we discuss Lesson 7, Indestructible Hope, with the Hit the Mark Sabbath School Panel. We gave it a subtitle of “The Missing Link.” Check it out to see if you agree.
(0)The post Indestructible Hope – Hit the Mark Sabbath School appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/indestructible-hope-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school/
Read Hebrews 12:5-13. What’s the message to us here, and how does it fit in with what we have been studying this quarter?
Image © Kevin Carden from GoodSalt.com
In Hebrews 12:5-13, Paul describes trials in the context of discipline. In the NIV Bible translation of this passage, various forms of the word discipline appear ten times. In the Greek world, this word was the most basic word for “education.” So to understand “discipline” is to understand how God educates us in the school of faith that Paul has been describing before in Hebrews 11:1-40.
Throughout Hebrews 11:1-40, Paul has been painting pictures of men and women of faith. Their faith was what kept them going when they were faced with all sorts of trying situations. As we enter chapter 12, Paul turns to us, the readers, and says that since so many people before us have persevered against incredible odds, we also can run and finish the life of faith. The key is to fix our eyes upon Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), that He may be an example when times are difficult (Hebrews 12:3). Reading chapter 12 is like being given a set of reading glasses. Without these glasses our vision or understanding of hardship will always be fuzzy. But looking through these glasses will correct the blurred explanation of suffering that our culture presses upon us. Then we will be able to understand clearly and be able to respond to trials intelligently.
Read through the “glasses” of Hebrews 12:1-13. Now concentrate on verses 5-13 and answer these questions:
What is the source of discipline?
What is our response to discipline?
What is the goal of discipline?
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Read through Hebrews 12:1-13 again. Make a list of all the reasons you can identify with as grounds for hope. How have you experienced this hope in your own times of spiritual “education”? |
(0)The post Thursday: Our Father’s Discipline appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/thursday-our-fathers-discipline/
In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet is writing to people who had lost hope in their exile. “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion” (Psalm 137:1, NIV). But even though they are heartbroken, Jeremiah lays out reasons they should not give up hope.
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
In this passage, there are three important sources of hope worth highlighting.
After God explains how He was in charge of their past, is in charge of their present, and will be in charge of their future, He then beautifully conveys His tender care for His people (see Jeremiah 29:11-14).
| Read Jeremiah 29:11-14, saying your name after the word you, as if God is making these promises to you personally. Apply these promises for yourself in whatever your present struggles might be. |
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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/wednesday-our-fathers-plans-for-us/
“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13, NIV).
Someone once said, “When God seems far away, who is the one who has moved?” When problems strike, we presume that God has deserted us. The truth is that He hasn’t gone anywhere.
Image © David Sorensen from GoodSalt.com
God’s presence seemed very far away to the Jews in exile. Yet, through Isaiah God assures them of future deliverance. However, while the actual return to Jerusalem was still many years in the future, God wanted His people to know that He had not moved away from them and that there was every reason for hope.
One of the most powerful images in these verses is found in Isaiah 41:13. The sovereign God of the universe says that His people do not need to fear, because He is the one who takes “hold of your right hand” (NIV). It is one thing to imagine God guiding events on earth from a big throne light-years away from our earth. But it is an altogether different picture to realize that He is close enough to hold the hands of His dearly beloved people.
When we are busy, it can be hard to remember that God is so close to us. But when we do remember that He is Immanuel, “God with us,” it makes such a difference. When God’s presence is with us, so are His purposes, His promises, and His transforming power.
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Over the next few days, try an experiment. At every moment possible, try to remind yourself that the God of the universe is close enough to you to hold your hand and is personally promising you help. Keep a record of how this changes the way you live. Be prepared to discuss your experience in class on Sabbath. |
(2)The post Tuesday: Our Father’s Presence appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/tuesday-our-fathers-presence/
Oswald Chambers writes, “Have you been asking God what He is going to do? He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is.” — My Utmost for His Highest (Uhrichsville, OH: Barbour & Company, Inc., 1963), Jan. 2.
What do you think Chambers means by this idea?
As we know, the book of Job begins with great personal tragedy for Job. He loses everything, except his life and his wife, and she suggests that he “curse God and die!” (Job 2:9, NIV). What follows is a discussion in which his friends try to work out why it has all happened. Throughout all of these discussions, God remains silent.
Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com
Then suddenly in Job 38:1-41 God appears and speaks: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2, NIV). Without pausing, God asks Job some 60 jaw-dropping questions. Open your Bible and scan through these in Job 38:1-41 and Job 39:1-30.
After the last question, Job replies, “I am unworthy — how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer — twice, but I will say no more” (Job 40:4-5, , NIV). But God is not finished. He then begins again and asks another set of “big” questions in succession.
God never answers any of the “why” questions of Job’s friends. But God does paint a picture of His unparalleled greatness as revealed through the astonishing works of creation. After this, Job certainly does not need any answers. The need for explanations has been eclipsed by an overwhelming picture of the magnificence of God.
This story reveals a fascinating paradox. Hope and encouragement can spring from the realization that we know so little. Instinctively, we try to find comfort by knowing everything, and so we become discouraged when we cannot know. But sometimes God highlights our ignorance so that we may realize that human hope can find security only in a Being much greater than ourselves.
| Are things that you just can’t understand happening now? If so, focus on the character of God. How can doing that give you the hope that you need to persevere through what’s for now incomprehensible? |
(1)The post Monday: Who Our Father Is appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
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