Further Thought:

Read Ellen G. White, “The School of the Hereafter,” Pages 301-309, in Education; “Help in Daily Living,” Pages 470, 471, in The Ministry of Healing.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

“Into the experience of all there come times of keen disappointment and utter discouragement — days when sorrow is the portion, and it is hard to believe that God is still the kind benefactor of His earthborn children; days when troubles harass the soul, till death seems preferable to life. It is then that many lose their hold on God and are brought into the slavery of doubt, the bondage of unbelief. Could we at such times discern with spiritual insight the meaning of God’s providences we should see angels seeking to save us from ourselves, striving to plant our feet upon a foundation more firm than the everlasting hills, and new faith, new life, would spring into being.” — Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 162.

Discussion Questions:

<–Thursday

Amen!(10)

The post Friday: Further Thought ~ Indestructible Hope appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/friday-further-thought-indestructible-hope/

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.

Amen!(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?

<–Wednesday Friday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Thursday: Our Father’s Discipline appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/thursday-our-fathers-discipline/

Everyone is looking for hope. But where is it found? For some people, hope is found in the smile of a friend. For others, hope grows from financial security or a stable marriage. Where do you normally look for hope and courage?

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.

What reasons for hope are given in Jeremiah 29:1-10?

Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com

In this passage, there are three important sources of hope worth highlighting.

• First, God tells His people that they should not give up hope, because their situation is not the result of chance or unpredictable evil. For God Himself says, “I carried [Judah] into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon” (Jeremiah 29:4, NIV). Though evil seems to surround them, Judah has never left the center of God’s hands.
• Second, God tells His people that they should not give up hope, because He can work even within their present difficulties. “Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7, NIV).
• Third, God tells His people that they should not give up hope, because He is going to bring an end to their exile at a specific time: “This is what the LORD says: ‘When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place’ ” (Jeremiah 29:10, NIV).

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).

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

Amen!(2)

The post Wednesday: Our Father’s Plans for Us appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

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.

Read Isaiah 41:8-14. What reasons for hope can you identify for people waiting eagerly for future deliverance? How does this promise help us as we wait for our exile on earth to end?

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.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Amen!(2)

The post Tuesday: Our Father’s Presence appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/tuesday-our-fathers-presence/