A song goes like this: “I am a rock, I am an island.” Have you ever felt like that — wanting to stand alone? You may even have heard people say, “Well, my walk with God is a private affair. It’s not something I want to talk about.”

Read Ephesians 4:11-16. What’s the point Paul is making here? What role does he give here for community?

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When Paul writes to the Ephesians, he describes the church as a body. Jesus is the head, and His people make up the rest. If you look at Ephesians 4:13, you will notice the ultimate purpose of living in such a community — it is to experience “the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (NIV). And for that we need each other!

It certainly is possible to be a Christian all alone. Indeed, like for many people through the centuries who have been ridiculed or persecuted, standing alone is often unavoidable. It is a powerful witness to the power of God that men and women do not buckle under the pressures that surround them. However, while this is true, Paul is wanting to emphasize a critical truth: ultimately, we experience and reveal the fullness of Christ when we are working together in fellowship with each other.

In Ephesians 4:11-16, what does Paul say must happen before the fullness of Christ may be revealed in our Christian community?

In what way is the witness of a community that is revealing the fullness of Christ different from an individual that is revealing the fullness of Christ? What are the implications of this in the context of the great controversy? See Ephesians 3:10.

<–Wednesday Friday–>

Amen!(1)

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Yesterday we looked at the importance of character for those waiting for the Second Coming. Today we will look more specifically at the importance of character for those who are alive at the second coming of Jesus.

Read Daniel 12:1-10. What is the context? What time in earth’s history is being referred to? Most important, what can we tell from these verses about the character of God’s people during these times? What characteristics are given them, in contrast to the wicked? See also Revelation 22:11.

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Daniel is told that just before Jesus comes, there will be a time of distress unequaled at any other time of history. In Daniel 12:3, Daniel 12:10, we’re given a depiction of the righteous and the wicked during this time. Notice how the wicked “shall do wickedly” (Daniel 12:10, NKJV) in contrast to the righteous, who in verse 3 shine brightly, perhaps because they have been “purified, made spotless and refined” (Daniel 12:10, NIV) during this “time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time” (Daniel 12:1, NKJV). In contrast, too, the wicked do not understand, but the righteous are “wise” and do understand.

Understand what? Math, science, higher criticism? Proverbs says that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7, NKJV). Perhaps, in this context, the “wise” are wise because they have an understanding of these final events, the time of trouble, as it unfolds. They are not taken by surprise; from their study of the Word, they know it’s coming. And most important, they know enough to allow this time of trouble to purify and refine them; the wicked, on the other hand, are just made more obstinate in their rebellion and thus continue in their wickedness.

The crucial point is that here we are given a depiction of a people who have been through a refining and purifying process.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/wednesday-wise/

This week’s lesson, Seeing the Goldsmith’s Face, gives us an opportunity to discuss one of the most challenging, misunderstood, feared, ignored, denied, and refuted words in the Christian vocabulary. Tune into this week’s discussion to learn what it is. 

Amen!(2)

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Jesus was in Jerusalem, about to die. According to Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ last teaching hour before Passover is spent telling His disciples parables, including the ones about the ten virgins and the sheep and the goats. These stories are related to the way we should live as we wait for Jesus to come. Thus their relevancy to today — with the signs of Jesus’ soon return all around us — has never been more significant.

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In the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-12), many commentators point out that the oil is a symbol for the Holy Spirit. Ellen G. White agrees, but also says that this oil is a symbol for character and that it is something no one can acquire for us.

Read the parable. In what ways does the meaning of the story change, depending on whether you see oil as a symbol of the Holy Spirit or for the possession of character? What are the implications of this story for you if the oil represents the Holy Spirit, or a Christlike character?

Holy Spirit:

Character:

Read the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46. What criteria are used in separating the sheep and the goats?

Notice that the king separates the sheep and the goats based on their works, their character. Though Jesus is not teaching salvation by works here, we can see how important character development is in the plan of salvation and how those who are truly saved by Christ will reflect that salvation through their lives and characters.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Key Thought: God is seeking to purify us, to refine us like gold, and to transform us into His image.. But a Christian character is developed only as we pass through life’s trials.
July 23, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Job 23:1-10.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What is the essence of Job’s struggle? What doesn’t he see? Why does he take on faith despite his trials?
3. Personal Application: Could you be purified or refined without going through suffering? Share your thoughts..
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How can God restore His image in us? Is that speaking of His character? I’ve seen many people who seem to have great characters, but they are not Christian. I’ve seen very few Christians with stellar characters. So how is God supposed to restore His image in us?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 25:31-46.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What criteria is used for separating the sheep and the goats?
3. Personal Application: What kind of person are you in stress, or when no-one’s looking? What does the answer tell you about the change you need to make? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What does the oil symbolize – the Holy Spirit or character? What does this story imply if it is the Holy Spirit? What if it is character?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Daniel 12:1-10.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What can we tell in these verses about the character of God’s people during these times?
c. Personal Application: What do the wise understand that the wicked don’t? What kind of wisdom is implied here? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “Since Jesus’ righteousness and His perfect life saves us, then why do we need to develop character?” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 4:11-16.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What point is Paul making here? What role does he give for community?
3. Personal Application: What is the difference in a community revealing the fullness of Christ, and an individual revealing the fullness of Christ? 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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