And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, [which] when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee. Exodus 15:23-26 KJV

Why did God have Moses put a tree in the bitter water? How did a tree make the water sweet? In 1 peter 2:24, Peter refers to the cross as a tree.

Photo by Maurice Ashton

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24 NKJV

In a world of hate and bitterness, Jesus died on that tree to save us from a bitter world. Sin has caused suffering and bitterness but Jesus was lifted up on the cross to make our lives sweet again. I and many others believe this is why Moses used a tree to make bitter water sweet again.

If life has made you bitter, Jesus is offering living water that can make your life sweet again.

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 14:13-14 NKJV

I would like to invite you to find the sweet life through fellowship with Jesus and other believers, by finding a Christ-centered Bible based church in your area. You can find one here. 

Amen!(0)

The post How a Tree Made Life Sweet Again appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/how-a-tree-made-life-sweet-again/

Read 1 Peter 1:6-7. What is Peter saying?

Peter is writing to people who were battling through difficulties and often felt very alone. He was writing “to God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” (1 Peter 1:1, NIV). This is the area we know today as western Turkey. A few verses later, Peter says that he knows that they are experiencing “grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

What does Peter mean by saying that they are “exiles” and “scattered”? How might that add to their trials?

Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com

Being a Christian during those times was a new thing; believers were small in number and in various places where they were a decided minority who were often misunderstood at best, persecuted at worst. Peter assures them, however, that these trials are not random or chaotic (, 1 Peter 1:7). Genuine faith is the goal of those who persevere through “all kinds of trials.”

Read 1 Peter 1:6-9. What ultimate assurance does Peter seek to give these people amid their trials? What does this hope mean for us, too?

Whatever their trials, whatever they suffer, how can it be compared to the eternity that awaits them when Christ returns? Peter’s words to them are God’s words to us, regardless of whatever we are facing. However difficult or painful our trials, we must never lose sight of the ultimate end, eternal life in a new heaven and new earth, without pain, suffering, or death. With such a promise before us, a promise guaranteed us through the death of Jesus, how important that we not lose faith, but instead, amid our trials, ask the Lord to purge us of everything and anything that stands in the way of our faith.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Wednesday: An Enduring Legacy appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/wednesday-enduring-legacy/

“Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil” (Luke 4:1-2, , NKJV).

Read Luke 4:1-13. What lessons can you learn from this account about how to overcome temptation and not give in to sin?

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

Temptations can be so difficult because they appeal to things we really desire, and they always seem to come at our weakest moments.

Luke 4:1-44 is the beginning of the story of Jesus’ temptation by Satan, and it brings some difficult issues to our attention. At first glance, it appears that the Holy Spirit is leading Jesus into temptation. However, God never tempts us (James 1:13). Rather, as we have been seeing, God does lead us to crucibles of testing. What is striking in Luke 4:1-44 is that the Holy Spirit can lead us to times of testing that involve our being exposed to Satan’s fierce temptations. At such times, when we feel these temptations so strongly, we may misunderstand and think we have not been following God correctly. But this is not necessarily true. “Often when placed in a trying situation we doubt that the Spirit of God has been leading us. But it was the Spirit’s leading that brought Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. When God brings us into trial, He has a purpose to accomplish for our good. Jesus did not presume on God’s promises by going unbidden into temptation, neither did He give up to despondency when temptation came upon Him. Nor should we.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, Pages 126, 129.

Sometimes, when in the crucible, we get burned rather than purified. It is therefore very comforting to know that when we crumple under temptation, we can hope again because Jesus stood firm. The good news is that because Jesus is our Sin Bearer, because He paid the penalty for our failure to endure that temptation (whatever it was), because He went through a crucible worse than any of us will ever face, we are not cast off or forsaken by God. There is hope, even for the “chief” of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Tuesday: The Great Controversy in the Desert appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/tuesday-great-controversy-in-desert/

Key Thought: God leads us through the struggle of this fallen world. It can comfort us and give us strength and confidence in God. This is how we can grow and be transformed.
July 16, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Exodus 17:1-7..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What did God reveal about Himself at Marah and Rephidim?
3. Personal Application: What question at Rephidim did Israel ask? Have you ever asked the same question? How did you feel and what lesson did you learn after it was answered? Share your thoughts..
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Are there any corporate temptations that we might have to guard against as a group? If so, why?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Luke 4:1-13..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What lessons can we learn from this account about how to overcome temptation and not give in to sin?
3. Personal Application: What temptations are you facing now? How can we apply Jesus’ example in our own lives to overcome? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How are we supposed to understand trials or temptations that seemingly have no value – like the sudden death of a loved one?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read I Peter 1:6-9.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does Peter mean when he says that the people are exiles and scattered?
3. Personal Application: Have you ever been brought to an unpleasant place? Why was it unpleasant? If you had to revisit these experiences today, would you view them differently? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Persecution of the early church helped establish Christianity as a major religion. There are pockets in the world where Christians are still persecuted, but for the most npart, Christians are in control and have no fear of being persecuted like in the past.” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Exodus 14:10,31..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Why did God bring Israel to a place that He knew they would be terrified?
3. Personal Application: Why is trusting God so hard, even though we may know the wonderful promises He has for us? She a difficult situation you believe the Lord led you into to teach you? 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!(2)

The post 3: The Birdcage – Teaching Plan appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/3-the-birdcage-teaching-plan/

Having scanned through the lesson quarterly, there are so many hymns from which to choose a theme. In effect, there is a commencing theme hymn which changes through the quarter to the finale theme hymn. To start with, we could use:
Hymn 552 – The Lord’s My Shepherd or 
Hymn 545 – Savior, Like a Shepherd.

Somewhere in the middle of the quarter one could change the theme and add in 
Hymn 159 – On a Hill Far Away 
which is where we complete our studies in Lesson 13.

It is wonderful to read that “He has a song to teach us, and when we have learned it amid the shadows of affliction we can sing it ever afterward” (Sabbath afternoon). This endless praise is found in 
Hymn 183 – I Will Sing of Jesus’ Love.

Sunday presents the Promised Land to us as does 
Hymn 620 – On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand. This was done by the wondrous leading of God – 
Hymn 537 – He Leadeth Me,
Hymn 482 – Father, Lead Me Day By Day and 
Hymn 619 – Lead On, O King Eternal. Do we have the openness to God’s instruction and a continual submission of our minds and hearts to His leading? 
Hymn 634 – Come All Christians Be Committed because 
I Know Whom I Have Believed – Hymn 511.

The Israelites (Monday) camped where there was no water for their physical thirst, but we find in 
Hymn 460 – As Water to the Thirsty “so is my Lord, my living Lord, so is my to me” – the water of life.

 I Need Thee Every Hour – Hymn 483 is our help for the Great Controversy of daily life as was found in the Desert (Tuesday), when “temptations lose their power” for I know that 
Chief of Sinners Though I Be – Hymn 295, Jesus shed His blood for me, even though I continually fail as a fallen human.   

Though we are beset by labours and trials on this old earth as Peter shares with us on Wednesday, we know we have a Wonderful Home with help of our Dear Lord, Jesus: 
Hymn 435 – The Glory Song. Our genuine faith will keep us on track: 
Hymn 608 – Faith is the Victory, because we are 
Standing on the Promises – Hymn 518.

We may have our trials by fire (Thursday) to be refined and purified, and this we find in 
Hymn 263 – Fire of God, Thou Sacred Flame.

Friday’s quotation by Ellen G White, we see “He is our helper”: 
Hymn 103 – O God, Our Help.

In these times of trial may we pray 
God Be in My Head – Hymn 679 and in my thinking and 
Hear Our Prayer, O Lord – Hymn 684 granting us peace and hope til Jesus comes – very soon.

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 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.”

Amen!(0)

The post 3: The Birdcage – Singing With Inspiration appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/3-the-birdcage-singing-with-inspiration/