As the gospel circles the globe, Christians encounter different cultures and practices, many of which pertain to family and social relationships. One of the great questions for Christian missionaries regards how they should relate to various cultural norms about many things, including family relationships they might personally find uncomfortable.

Read Acts 10:1-28, Acts 10:34-35. What can we learn here about our need to overcome our own barriers and prejudices when dealing with other cultures?

Family

Christ’s death was for the sins of every human being, everywhere. Many people simply do not know this great truth yet. To bring this news with an invitation to respond is the evangelistic mission of Christians. Because God shows no partiality, Christians are called to treat everyone with respect and integrity, giving them a chance to embrace the good news that is for them, as well.

What conclusions did early Christian missionaries reach regarding the presentation of the gospel to other cultures? What principle can we draw from these texts? Acts 15:19-20, Acts 15:28-29; 1 Cor. 2:2; 1 Thess. 5:21-22.

Though every culture mirrors the fallen condition of the people within it, cultures may also have beliefs that are compatible with Scripture, even useful to the cause of the gospel. The value placed upon close relationships in family and community in many parts of the world is an example. Christians can uphold and strengthen that which is good and in keeping with biblical principles.

At the same time, God’s truth must not be compromised. Church history sadly shows that compromise and accommodation to cultures has yielded a patchwork of pseudo-Christian beliefs posing as authentic Christianity. Satan claims to be the god of this world and happily spreads confusion, but Jesus has redeemed this world, and His Spirit guides His followers into all truth (John 16:13).

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Image © Pacific Press

Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 10:1-28, Acts 10:34-35; 1 Cor. 2:2; 1 Thess. 5:21-22; John 1:12-13; John 3:7; 1 John 5:1.

Memory Text: “Therefore … let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV).

No matter what stage of life we are in, or what we have been through or will face down the road, we exist against the background of culture. Our parents, our children, our homes, our families, even our church—all are impacted by the culture in which they exist, and greatly, too. Though other factors were at play, the change of the Sabbath to Sunday was a powerful example of how the culture of the time, powerfully and negatively, influenced the church. Every time we drive by a church and see a sign for Sunday services, we are given a stark reminder of just how far-reaching the power of culture can be.

Christian families confront cultural challenges all the time. Sometimes the cultural influences can be good; most times, though, the influence is negative.

The great news is that the power of the gospel gives us light, comfort, and strength to deal with the challenges that culture can bring. This week we will look at how we can be “families of faith”, as we seek to “become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15, NKJV).

Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, June 15.

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Key Thought: We are told to love one another and to live in peace and harmony. We are to be patient and kind. And yet this is a challenge even in our own families.

June 8, 2019

1. Have a volunteer read Proverbs 19:11, 17:14.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. What are the principles here that can help us avoid conflict with others?
c. Personal Application: Have you ever had conflicts that now seem silly and insignificant? What can we learn from these experiences that could help prevent similar things from happening in the future? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “I have a relative that disagrees with everything I say. I’m beginning to think they just like to argue and disagree. What can I do with someone who always has a negative for whatever I say?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 4:26,27 Ecclessiastes 7:9.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What is the difference between anger as an emotion and anger as a sin?
b. Personal Application:: Has anyone ever made you angry? Or have you ever gotten angry with someone? How did you get over it? What if you don’t get over it? Share your thoughts.
c. Case Study : One of your friends states, “What does it mean not to let the sun go down upon your anger? What if we get angry at night? Some things naturally cause us to get angry. Does this mean we aren’t supposed to stay angry or carry a grudge?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read I John 4:7,8 Colossians 3:19.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What does it mean not to be “bitter” against your spouse?
c. Personal Application: How would you deal with a spouse who is hostile, keeps a record of wrongs, and may be violent? Share your thoughts
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Is anger always a sin? My wife and I get angry with each other at times. We don’t always agree with each other on everything, and sometimes we have clashing personalities. We still love each other, but sometimes it’s hard to get along.” How would you reply to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 7:12

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Why is trying to understand the other person and their position and feelings such a help in relationships and in dealing with conflicts?
b. Personal Application: Think of the way you treat others. Is it always the way you would want them to treat you? Share your thoughts.
d. 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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You can view an in-depth discussion of “Times of Loss” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. You may download an MP4 video file, and audio file or a PDF lesson outline from the HopeSS site.

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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Paying With Prayer

By Andrew McChesney

Choomba Simillah was being expelled from the University of Zambia.

He owed 9,000 Zambian kwacha (about U.S.$900), and he had no idea where to obtain the money.

Image © Pacific Press

But Choomba wasn’t going to give up. He was studying for a bachelor’s degree at the public university while teaching at Rusangu Secondary School, a Seventh-day Adventist boarding academy in Zambia.

Choomba approached various people to ask to borrow the money. He looked for a way to sell his car, a maroon Toyota Voltz. He prayed to God to intervene.

Then he went to a bank in Monze, the nearest town to Rusangu Secondary School, to apply for a loan. He learned, however, that the bank had stopped offering loans.

As he dejectedly left the bank, a friend called out on the street, “Can I hire your car for 21 days?”

Choomba looked up.

“There is a white man who has a daughter coming here for the holidays”, the friend said. “He wants to travel. He asked me to look for a sound car, and I think yours will do”.

“That sounds like an opportunity”, Choomba said. “What should I do?”

“Just take your car to the car wash”, the friend said.

Choomba gave his car a good wash and met with the white man, who was spending several months with a friend on a farm in Monze. He said he wanted to take his adult daughter on a tour of Zambia and offered 12,000 kwacha to borrow the car for 21 days. The amount was enough to buy a second-hand car.

“I couldn’t believe it”, Choomba said in an interview.

The man asked to take the car the following day, a Saturday. Although Choomba needed the money, he refused, not wanting to engage in a business transaction on the Sabbath.

“No, we can meet on Sunday”, he said, praying silently that the man wouldn’t change his mind.

The man agreed to pick up the car on Sunday and handed over 11,000 kwacha on the spot.

Choomba promptly returned tithe and went to the university to pay off his bill. He never was expelled and went on to graduate in 2016.

Now more than ever, he believes in the power of prayer.

“Be patient and trust in God”, said Choomba, 37. “You might struggle to do this or that, but He knows what you want. His appointed time always comes”.

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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