Compare the prediction of the coming of Elijah with New Testament references to this event. Mal. 4:5-6; Matt. 11:14-15; Matt. 17:10; Mark 6:15; Luke 1:17.

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In the days of Malachi, God’s appeal to the nation, “Return to Me, and I will return to you,” met with the arrogant response, “In what way shall we return?” (Mal. 3:7, NKJV). The frustrated prophet announced that one further opportunity for revival would be given. Recalling the heart-turning reform begun by Elijah (1 Kings 18:37), Malachi predicted his coming again to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” (Mal. 4:6, NKJV).

A Jewish tradition developed that Elijah would appear personally as the herald of the Messiah (compare Matt. 17:10, Mark 6:15). However, the New Testament presents John the Baptist as a fulfillment of the prophecy (Matt. 11:14-15; Luke 1:17).

What do you think the phrase “turn the hearts” means?

Several applications are possible for these texts: It refers to the reconciliation of the people of Israel with the Lord. God as Father (Isa. 63:16) has turned from His wrath toward His children (Micah 7:18-19) and calls them to return to Him (Isa. 44:22, Mal. 3:7). It refers to the reconnecting of later generations with their faithful ancestors through covenant renewal. The prophetic call for God’s people to follow the faith of the patriarchs was given repeatedly in the Old Testament. Whether the land continued as a blessed dwelling place was directly related to covenant faithfulness (Deut. 4:29-31). It refers to the restoration and renewal of family relationships. Parentchild relationships are a practical expression of covenant faithfulness with God. Here, too, fulfillment of responsibilities to parents and children are interwoven with continued inheritance of the land and God’s blessing (Prov. 2:21).

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Read for this Week’s Study: Mal. 4:5-6; Matt. 11:14-15; Matt. 17:10; 1 Kings 16:29-17:24; 1 Kings 18:20-45; Matt. 3:2.

Memory Text: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers; lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6, NKJV).

Our lives are lived in stages. Sometimes those stages are going well; sometimes not. Sometimes families are intact and strong; sometimes they are fragile, or even shattered.

Whatever the phase, whatever the stage, whatever the condition of ourselves or our family at the moment, we can and must live in the light of God’s promises, clinging to them with all our heart and soul and might because, in the end, they are our only hope. But what a great hope they are. The Word of God exudes promises, promises that, whatever stage our life or our family is in—we can claim for ourselves, our loved ones, our family, and our church.

In this, the final week of the quarter, we are going to look at some Bible stories, promises, and experiences from a variety of contexts. As we do, we will seek to draw lessons for ourselves today, whatever our context happens to be. For, most likely, whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever the phase of your life, you have struggles, fears, worries. Fortunately, we worship a God who not only knows what we face but who is, we can be sure, ahead of them all as well.

Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 29.

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Praising God With HIV

By Andrew McChesney

Maria Samo has HIV and is praising God.

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Maria was born into a Seventh-day Adventist family in the village of Nicuadala, Mozambique, and got baptized at the age of 7. Her village had no high school, so she moved to Quilimane, a 30-minute drive to the south, to continue her studies. There she made new friends who introduced her to alcohol and tobacco.

Maria’s parents didn’t know that she smoked and drank until after she got married. Her father came to visit one day and walked in as Maria was smoking. He didn’t say a word, but guilt washed over Maria, and she resolved never to smoke or drink again.

Quitting smoking proved easy, but drinking was much more difficult for Maria. She prayed for help. God answered in an unusual way, she said. She began to suffer severe panic attacks.

Fearing that she would die, Maria’s husband took her to South Africa for medical treatment. A South African physician warned that she would die in three months if she didn’t give up drinking.

Maria quit with the help of a 45-day rehab program and, returning to Mozambique, re-consecrated her life to Jesus.

Then her husband died. Six years later, she received the shocking news that he had been infected with HIV and passed on the virus to her.

“From that time”, she said with a smile, “I have been praising the Lord”.

The reason is because she feels healthier than at any other time in her life.

“My health is better than it was before I contracted the virus, and my conscious is clear”, she said.

Today, Maria, a grandmother of four, works as a trader, buying gold and precious stones in various villages and selling them in Nampula, Mozambique’s third-largest city. But her passion is encouraging others with HIV.

“Many people lose hope when they learn that they are infected”, she said. “They don’t have anyone to talk to, and they die.”

She said Adventists should have a special burden to reach out to those with HIV, praying with them and encouraging them.

“I share the hope that I have in Jesus and His soon coming”, she said.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. Find more mission stories at adventistmission[dot]org

All Rights Reserved. No part of the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide may be edited, altered, modified, adapted, translated, reproduced, or published by any person or entity without prior written authorization from the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

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Further Thought: 

Ellen G. White, “A Powerful Christian Witness”, pages 35-39; “Attitude Toward an Unbelieving Companion”, pages 348-352, in The Adventist Home; “Ministry of the Home”, pages 349-355, in The Ministry of Healing; “The Ambassadors From Babylon”, pages 340-348, in Prophets and Kings.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

The power of the home in evangelism. “Far more powerful than any sermon that can be preached is the influence of a true home upon human hearts and lives. … “Our sphere of influence may seem narrow, our ability small, our opportunities few, our acquirements limited; yet wonderful possibilities are ours through a faithful use of the opportunities of our own homes”. – Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, pages 352, 355.

Discussion Questions:

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Compare biblical references on hospitality with actual incidents in the homes of several Bible families listed below. Isa. 58:6-7, Isa. 58:10-12; Rom. 12:13; 1 Pet. 4:9. Note the attributes of hospitality that are demonstrated.

Abraham and Sarah (Gen. 18:1-8)

Rebekah and her family (Gen. 24:15-20; Gen. 24:31-33)

Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9)

Hospitality

Hospitality meets another person’s basic needs for rest, food, and fellowship. It is a tangible expression of self-giving love. Jesus attached theological significance to hospitality when He taught that feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty were acts of service done to Him (Matt. 25:34-40). Using one’s home for ministry may range from simply inviting neighbors to a meal to the radical hospitality of lending a room to an abuse victim. It may involve simple friendliness, an opportunity to offer prayer with someone, or the conducting of Bible studies. True hospitality springs from the hearts of those who have been touched by God’s love and want to express their love in words and actions.

Families sometimes complain that they lack the facilities, the time, and/or the energy to offer hospitality. Others feel awkward, unskilled, and unsure about reaching beyond what is familiar in order to associate with unbelievers. Some wish to avoid the complications to their lives that may arise from becoming involved with others. Many contemporary families confuse hospitality and entertaining.

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