Saturday, February 28, 2015

Lesson 10 Behind the Mask Feb 28- March 6. 2015

Lesson 10*February 28–March 6

Behind the Mask

Sabbath Afternoon
Memory Text:Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of the great (Proverbs 25:6, NKJV).
Behind the dazzling serpent, who utters sweet words and who seems so concerned with Eve’s happiness, hides the enemy who plots her death (Gen. 3:1–6). Disguised as an angel of light, Satan prepares the most dangerous traps for humankind (2 Cor. 11:14). Even more dangerous and deceitful is self-pretension; when we claim to be what we are not, we end up cheating others and even ourselves.
There are different ways to deceive. One of the most common is through language. Some of the proverbs this week deal with words, lying words, flattering words, pretty words that use nice sounds and wonderful sentiments to cover ugly thoughts and intentions. We need to be careful not only about what we say to others, but about how we interpret what others say to us. Perhaps this week’s message could be summed up this way: Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves (Matt. 10:16).
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 7.
SundayMarch 1

The Mystery of God

Life is full of mysteries. Physicist David Deutsch wrote that everyday events are stupendously complex when expressed in terms of fundamental physics. If you fill a kettle with water and switch it on, all the supercomputers on Earth working for the age of the universe could not solve the equations that predict what all those water molecules will do — even if we could somehow determine their initial state and that of all the outside influences on them, which is itself an intractable task. — David Deutsch, The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World (New York: Penguin, 2011), Kindle edition, locations 1972–1975. 
If we are confounded about something as mundane as water molecules, how could we even begin to expect to understand the mysteries of God?
Read Proverbs 25:2-3. What point is the author making, and how can we apply it to a broader situation?


What makes the glory of God different from the glory of kings is His mysterious nature, and by implication our human incapacity to fully understand Him. The Hebrew root str (conceal, hide), from which comes our word mystery, is often used in the Hebrew Scriptures to characterize what makes God the only true God (Isa. 45:14-15). There are things about God that we simply cannot understand. On the other hand, what makes the glory of kings is their willingness to be scrutinized. Transparency and accountability should be the first quality of leadership (Deut. 17:14–20). It is the king’s duty to search out a matter, that is, to give an explanation for events and for what he is doing.
Life is so full of unanswered questions, isn’t it? In a split second, seemingly random events can mean the difference between life and death. Some people go from one tragedy to another, while others do fine. All this should tell us that we need to live by faith. What things are happening right now in your life that you have to accept by faith, trusting in God? What other choice do you have?


MondayMarch 2

The Fool as Wise

Though not a recent fabrication, (especially in the Western world) the idea has taken hold in recent years that argues for the relative nature of truth. That is, what is true for one person, or one culture, might not be true for another. While on one level this is always correct (some places drive on the right side of the road, others on the left), on another it’s a dangerous error, especially in the moral realm. Certain things are right and others are wrong, regardless of where we live or our personal preferences. In the end we must always submit our views to the Word of God and the truths found there. God’s Word must be our ultimate source for knowing right and wrong, good and evil.
Read Proverbs 26:11-12(See also Judg. 21:251 Cor. 1:20-211 Cor. 2:6-72 Cor. 1:12.) What must we all be careful not to do?


As we can see, this idea of doing what is right in one’s own eyes is nothing new. Yet it was as wrong then as it is now. As we have already seen, none of us understands everything; in fact, we don’t fully understand anything. We all have areas where we need to grow and learn, so we should always be open to the fact that we don’t have all the answers.
In the case of fools, as seen in this proverb, the reason to be concerned is that the influence of their folly will go beyond themselves. They are now more convinced than ever of their wisdom; they will therefore repeat their folly. They may even be so convincing that others will think they are wise, will honor them, and consult them for advice, which can lead to big problems (Prov. 26:8). Folly will spread, but labeled as wisdom, it can be that much more damaging. Furthermore, fools are so foolish that they are not aware of their folly.
How often are you tempted to compromise on what you know are core values, core truths? What happens, however, when certain core values collide? How can we know which ones trump the others?


TuesdayMarch 3

The Sluggard

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth (Prov. 26:15, NIV).
Just as students who spend more time and energy preparing to cheat on an exam than studying for it, it is ironic that lazy people work hard to find excuses for their laziness!
Read Proverbs 26:13–16. What are we being warned about here?


The lazy person may be right: There is a lion in the road! (Prov. 26:13, NKJV). Therefore, it is wiser to stay at home and not to confront the danger. But by doing just that, we miss all the opportunities that life offers. We will never enjoy the beauty of the rose if we do not run the risk of being hurt by its thorns. We will not be able to move forward if we are afraid of obstacles. People who do not dare to commit themselves will never taste the fullness of life.
Look at some of the other imagery in those verses. Just as the door swings on its hinges but doesn’t go anywhere, lazy people turn in their beds; that is, they just change position, but don’t go anywhere either.
The other image, in verse 15, is even more startling. They can get their hands into a dish of food but are too lazy to bring them back to feed themselves?
But even worse is their intellectual laziness, their closed-mindedness and certainty about their own positions. Therefore, they will always be right, wiser than seven wise men (Prov. 26:16), and will not be open to other views, perhaps wiser than their own. Those who think they have all the answers usually don’t.
In the judgment men will not be condemned because they conscientiously believed a lie, but because they did not believe the truth, because they neglected the opportunity of learning what is truth. — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 55. How do we understand our role in giving others the opportunity to learn what is truth? Where does our responsibility begin, and where does it end?
WednesdayMarch 4

The Friend as Enemy

If we are more disappointed by our friends than by our enemies, it is because we expect good from our friends and evil from our enemies. It doesn’t always work out that way, though, does it? That’s why Proverbs warns us that sometimes a friend behaves like an enemy, and an enemy like a friend.
Read Proverbs 27:5-6. When can rebuke be a sign of love?


Love is not just about kisses and sweet words. Love will sometimes oblige us to rebuke our friend or our child, and it can run the risk of appearing unpleasant, judgmental, and critical. We might even lose friends if we speak out. Yet if we do not warn our friends about what they are doing, especially if it will bring them harm, then what kind of friend are we?
Open rebuke is also a sign that our love is not built on illusion and pretension, but is based on truth and on trust.
Read Proverbs 27:17. What can be the effect of confrontation between friends?


The image of iron sharpening iron suggests a reciprocal benefit. Friendship tested by true confrontation will improve not only the quality of the friendship but also stimulate and strengthen both personalities. The respective weapons will gain in efficiency. We will end up more equipped for our future struggles. People who take refuge in themselves and their own ideas only, and never confront the challenge of different views, will not grow in knowledge or in character.
Have you ever been rebuked for something that could have really hurt you? Suppose you hadn’t been warned about it? Keeping this in mind, if you need to do the same for someone else, how can you do it in a redemptive manner, rather than in a judgmental and critical way?
ThursdayMarch 5

The Enemy as Friend

Read Proverbs 26:17–23. On the lines below, summarize what is being said.


Proverbs, again, gets into the power of words, this time dealing with the harm caused by slander and quarreling. Those who slander your enemy before your face, to make you think they’re on your side, are really like charcoal: they feed the quarrel and lead you into the fire of more troubles (vs. 17, NKJV).
Likewise fervent lips, which sound so eloquent, can hide a wicked heart (vs. 23, NKJV). The politician who wants to be elected, the salesman who wants to sell his wares, the playboy who wants to seduce a woman — all of them know about the power of eloquence.
This passage’s lesson is that we should be careful not to believe in every nice speech we hear. They can be dangerous precisely because they are nice. Some people are very good speakers; they can sound so persuasive, so sincere, and so caring, when inside, something completely different is going on. Though we have all been victims of people like this, who hasn’t at some point been guilty of doing the same thing: saying one thing to a person but thinking or feeling something completely different? Proverbs, here, speaks strongly against this deceptiveness.
Everything that Christians do should be as transparent as the sunlight. Truth is of God; deception, in every one of its myriad forms, is of Satan. . . . It is not a light or an easy thing to speak the exact truth. We cannot speak the truth unless we know the truth, and how often preconceived opinions, mental bias, imperfect knowledge, errors of judgment, prevent a right understanding of matters with which we have to do! We cannot speak the truth unless our minds are continually guided by Him who is truth. — Ellen G. White,Reflecting Christ, p. 71.
How open and transparent are you in what you say? How much of a disconnect, if any, is there between your words and your thoughts? Do you really think that such duplicity can be maintained indefinitely? (See Matt. 10:26-27.)


FridayMarch 6
Further Study: The agency of the Spirit of God does not remove from us the necessity of exercising our faculties and talents, but teaches us how to use every power to the glory of God. The human faculties, when under the special direction of the grace of God, are capable of being used to the best purpose on earth. Ignorance does not increase the humility or spirituality of any professed follower of Christ. The truths of the divine word can be best appreciated by an intellectual Christian. Christ can be best glorified by those who serve Him intelligently. The great object of education is to enable us to use the power which God has given us in such a manner as to represent the religion of the Bible and promote the glory of God.
We are indebted to Him who gave us existence, for the talents that have been entrusted to us, and it is a duty we owe our Creator to cultivate and improve these talents. — Ellen G. White, Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, pp. 361, 362.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss more about the mysteries that we find in everyday life, whether in nature, in human interactions, or in questions about faith and the nature of God and salvation. It’s one of the great ironies of life that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know. Why is that even more true when it comes to spiritual truths?
  2. What are some truths that are, indeed, relative, cultural, and changing? How do we distinguish them from truths that are eternal, universal, and immutable? Why is it so important that we know the difference between them? Why is the confusion of contingent truths with eternal truths one of the great dangers we face?
  3. It has been said that smart people keep their friends close and their enemies closer. What does that mean? As Christians, how are we to relate to such a sentiment? In what way can Matthew 10:16 help?
Inside Story~  NAD: West Virginia

Opening “a Lot More Doors”

In Bridgeport, West Virginia, the only Adventist church in Harrison county meets each Sabbath in the local Presbyterian church. Although they don’t yet have their own building, members of the Central Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church are certainly building relationships.
In response to the Discover Bible School mailings, the Central Hills church has received more than 300 requests for Bible studies–just from within Harrison county. Pastor James Volpe and his 30 church members are doing their best to keep up. Some of the most active members include Angela, 21, Heather, 20, and Lee, 22.
We were driving from house to house, remembers Heather, handing out the first two lessons, and asking people if they wanted to have personal visits or continue the lessons through the mail. One of the ladies we met requested that we return so Angela and I decided that we would do it. We studied with her every week. 
“That winter, her son committed suicide. We quit doing Bible studies, but we’d still visit her. We helped her around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sometimes she comes to church. Heather and Angela have since resumed the Bible studies with this student.
While Lee doesn’t give personal Bible studies, he jumped in and organized the mailings. I make sure the completed lessons get graded and sent back so that person can start on their next lesson. If a month goes by and we haven’t heard from the Bible student, then we follow-up and make sure that we keep in contact with them.
While the members of the Central Hills church have been supportive, the church’s young people have especially enjoyed being involved.
Our youth group has gotten a lot stronger, says Angela. I’ve always liked to be involved in some way–I just didn’t know how.
I think this is one of the first times we could put into practice all of the stuff we hear every week; we could actually be a part of something and watch the church grow, adds Lee.
Heather believes that giving personal Bible studies is one of the best methods for church growth and spiritual commitment. All of the youth were together, delivering the lessons. Then once Angela and I started giving Bible studies, I enjoyed it. It made me grow spiritually. 
“We had an [evangelistic] seminar coming to the area, but by us doing the Bible studies and getting out–that helped our church to grow. It opens a lot more doors.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.  email:  info@adventistmission.org  website: www.adventistmission.org

Friday, February 20, 2015

Lesson 9: Word of Truth, Feb 21-27 2015


The Book of Proverbs
Lesson 9*February 21–27

Words of Truth

Sabbath Afternoon
Memory Text: Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you? (Proverbs 22:20-21, NKJV).
Some of this week’s proverbs show parallels with Egyptian texts. Under inspiration, Solomon might have shaped these texts according to a specifically Hebrew perspective. Here, the words of the Egyptians meet the Spirit of Israel’s God, and thus they became divine revelation.
This observation is important, for it reminds us of the universal character of truth. What is true for the Israelite should also be true for the Egyptian; otherwise it would not be the truth. Some truths apply universally, to everyone.
The domain of these admonitions is common to both communities. That is, whoever you are, whether a believer or not, and wherever you live, there are some things that you should not do.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 28.
SundayFebruary 22

The Knowledge of Truth

Read Proverbs 22:17-18. What are we being told about how truth should impact our lives?


The first duty of the student is to listen and pay attention: Incline your ear and hear (Prov. 22:17, NKJV). In other words:Concentrate! The crucial point is that the seeker of truth must be earnest, must truly want to learn what is right and then do it.
But it is not enough for the student to listen or even to understand, intellectually, what is being taught. Some people who have a lot of biblical facts in their heads have no real knowledge or experience with the Truth (John 14:6).
Instead, truth should reach the innermost part of the human being. The Hebrew phrase in Proverbs 22:18within you (NKJV) refers to the stomach. The lesson should not stay on the surface; it has to be digested, assimilated, and become an inner part of our beings. Once the message has gone deep into our system and becomes rooted within us, it will then rise to our lips, and we can have a powerful testimony.
Read Proverbs 22:19–21. What should an experience in truth do for us?


1. Faith (Proverbs 22:19). The first goal of the teaching of wisdom is not wisdom per se. Proverbs does not aim at making more intelligent and more skillful disciples. The teacher’s objective is to strengthen the disciple’s trust in the Lord. 
2. Conviction (Proverbs 22:21). Students should know why these words of truth (NKJV) are certain; they should know why they believe what they do. Faith by definition is belief in what we don’t fully understand. Nevertheless, we still should have good reasons for that faith.
3. Responsibility (Proverbs 22:21). The last step of education is to share with others those words of truth (NKJV) we have received. This is central to our whole calling as a people.
Think about all the powerfully logical reasons we have for our Seventh-day Adventist faith. What are these reasons, and why should we never hesitate in keeping them ever before us and sharing them with others? Bring your answer to class on Sabbath.
MondayFebruary 23

Robbing the Poor

Read Proverbs 22:22-23Proverbs 23:10. What are we warned about here?


Though it’s always wrong to steal, this prohibition concerns stealing from the poor and the oppressed, who are the most vulnerable. They are truly helpless, and therefore they qualify for God’s special concern (Exod. 22:21–27). The case of David, who killed Uriah in order to steal his wife, and Nathan’s parable of the ewe lamb (2 Sam. 12:1–4), come to mind. Robbing from the poor is not just a criminal act: it is a sin against the LORD (2 Sam. 12:13). To take from someone who has less than what you have is worse than stealing; it is also an act of cowardice. Do these thieves think that God doesn’t see their actions?
Indeed, Proverbs 22:23 implies that even if the thief gets away with no human punishment, God will repay. The reference to the Redeemer, the Goel (Prov. 23:11), may even allude to the divine scenario of end-time judgment (Job 19:25).
So, this warning, along with others in the Bible, speaks against those who are interested only in the immediate gains of their actions, and not the long-term results. They take possession and enlarge their properties at the expense of others, and they are willing to cheat and kill for that purpose. They may enjoy it now, but they will pay later. This reasoning should not only discourage the thief; it should show that our ethical values are intricately tied to the Sovereignty of God.
In England some atheists had the following slogan placed on city buses: There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life. Though there are many retorts one could give in response, think about this one: if there were no God, then those who steal from the poor, and are getting away with it now, really have nothing to worry about. Indeed, all those who have done great evil and seem to have gotten away with it will, in fact, have really gotten away with it. How should faith in God and in His promises of judgment help give us some peace of mind regarding all the injustice we see in the world now?


TuesdayFebruary 24

Being Jealous of the Wicked

What do Proverbs 23:17Proverbs 24:1-2; and Proverbs 24:19-20 warn us about?


Why would someone envy the wicked? Most likely it’s not because of the actual sins that they might be committing. Rather, it’s usually because of the immediate gain (wealth, success, power) that they achieve through their wickedness — that’s what people often covet for themselves.
Though, of course, not every successful or rich person is wicked, some are — and they are probably the kind of people we are being warned about in these verses. We see their good life and, from our perspective, especially if we are struggling ourselves, it’s easy to envy what they have.
This, though, is a very narrow and shortsighted view of things. After all, the temptation of sin is that its reward is immediate: we enjoy the present gratification. A perspective beyond the present can protect us from temptation; that is, we need to look beyond the immediate gains of our sin and think through the long-term consequences.
Besides, who hasn’t seen just how destructive sin is? We never get away with it. We might be able to hide it from others so that no one, even those closest to us, has a clue about what we are doing (though sooner or later they catch on, don’t they?); or we might be able to delude ourselves into thinking that our sins are not that bad. (After all, look at how many people do worse things!) But sooner or later, one way or another, sin catches up with us.
We should hate sin because it is sin. We should hate it because of what it has done to us, to our world, and to our Lord. If we want to see the real cost of sin, look at Jesus on the cross. This is what our sin has cost. That realization alone should be enough (though so often it isn’t) to make us want to avoid sin and to keep away as much as possible from those who would lead us into it.
Have you ever struggled with envy over someone’s success? What’s the best remedy for this spiritually deadly problem? (See Eph. 5:20.)


WednesdayFebruary 25

What We Put in Our Mouths

It is no accident that the first human temptation concerned food (Gen. 3:3). It was by being disobedient and eating of the wrong thing that brought sin and death into the world (Gen. 3:1–7Rom. 5:12). We shouldn’t miss the hard fact, too, that the first mention of wine drinking in the Bible is presented in a terribly negative and degrading story (Gen. 9:21).
Read Proverbs 23:29–35. How is the use of alcohol presented in these verses?


Who hasn’t seen personally just how devastating alcohol can be? Sure, not everyone who drinks becomes a drunk in the gutter. But most likely drunks in the gutter never imagined, the first time they took a drink, that they would eventually wind up in the gutter.
The man who has formed the habit of drinking intoxicating liquor, is in a desperate situation. He cannot be reasoned with, or persuaded to deny himself the indulgence. His stomach and brain are diseased, his will power is weakened, and his appetite uncontrollable. The prince of the powers of darkness holds him in bondage that he has no power to break. — Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1162.
Read Proverbs 23:1–8. Why should we control our appetites?


This admonition is about more than table manners. The biblical text is a warning to those who like to eat and who have great appetites (Prov. 23:2). The metaphor of putting a knife to one’s throat is particularly strong: it not only means curbing the appetite, but also suggests the risk to your health and even your life that could be caused by overeating. The Hebrew word (bin), translatedconsider carefully, expresses the idea of carefully deciding between eating various kinds of food. The same word is used by Solomon when he asks for wisdom to help him discern [bin] between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9, NKJV). The inspired writer has more in mind than just the issue of appetite control. His counsel may also concern banquets and social drinking, when we are pressured and tempted to desire his delicacies (Prov. 23:3, NKJV).
Think about someone you know whose life has been destroyed by alcohol. Why should that example alone be enough to help us understand why we should never put that poison in our bodies?
ThursdayFebruary 26

Our Responsibilities

When I say to the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die! and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand (Ezek. 33:8, NKJV). What basic spiritual principle is revealed here? How do we take this concept and apply it to our everyday lives?


Years ago, in a big Western city, a woman was being attacked at night on a street. She cried out for help; dozens heard her, yet not one person even bothered to call the police. Most people looked out the window and then went back to whatever they were doing. Soon the woman’s cries stopped. Later, she was found dead, stabbed numerous times.
Were the people who heard her cries but did nothing responsible for her death? Though they hadn’t attacked her themselves, did their inaction kill her?
Read Proverbs 24:11-1223–28. What important messages are here for us?


The law of Moses clearly warns that those who fail to report what they witness will bear guilt (Lev. 5:1). We may not be able to act against crime, but if we keep silent about what we see, we then share the guilt with the criminal. By our silence, we become accomplices.
On the other hand, if we report the truth in our testimony, giving the right answer (Prov. 24:26), we respond appropriately and behave as responsible people. This act is compared to a kiss on the lips, meaning that the person cares about the other one.
It’s tragic enough to remain silent and do nothing as a woman is being murdered on your street. But what about many of the other evils in the world: hunger, war, injustice, racism, economic oppression? What are our responsibilities here as well?
FridayFebruary 27
Further Study: Souls around us must be aroused and saved, or they perish. Not a moment have we to  lose. We all have an influence that tells for the truth or against it. I desire to carry with me unmistakable evidences that I am one of Christ’s disciples. We want something besides Sabbath religion. We need the living principle, and to daily feel individual responsibility. This is shunned by many, and the fruit is carelessness, indifference, a lack of watchfulness and spirituality. — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 99.
Talk faith, live faith, cultivate love to God; evidence to the world all that Jesus is to you. Magnify His holy name. Tell of His goodness; talk of His mercy, and tell of His power. — Ellen G. White, Our High Calling, p. 20.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In class, go over your answer to Sunday’s final question. What can we learn from each other’s answers? What are ways that we can learn to build up our faith in what we believe?
  2. Someone wrote: Remember two things: Christ died for you, and you will one day die. In the context of Tuesday’s study, which talked about how we will have to answer for sin one way or another, what crucial lesson should we take away from this thought?
  3. Here again is the quote put on the buses in London: There’s probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.Besides what the lesson talked about, what other problems do you find with that sentiment? Why would God’s existence be something that would make people worry to begin with? What does this sentiment tell us about how well Satan has distorted the character of God in the minds of many people? In class, come up with different ways in which you could respond to that slogan. What are some short, pithy slogans that could help people see the hope that we can have in God?
Inside Story~  NAD: West Virginia

Helping Mission Succeed

When Dan Jacko isn’t busy helping people learn to walk again, he’s assisting his church members with their spiritual walk. Pastor Dan, a professional physical therapist, is also serving as lay pastor for the Mountain View Conference in the two church district of Elkins and Parsons, West Virginia. He also teaches biology and chemistry to the academy level students at the Highland Adventist School in Elkins. His wife, Cheryl, is an educator and registered nurse, and serves as the principal of the K-12 school. Their son, Jeremy, teaches Bible, math, and history.
Believing mission is important, every other year, Pastor Dan leads the students and church members on a mission trip. So far, they’ve been to Mexico, Panama, Honduras, and in 2014, Costa Rica.
While in Costa Rica they built a church during the day, and presented evangelistic meetings and Vacation Bible Schools in four different churches in the evenings. In spite of his own full schedule, Pastor Dan was impressed with the dedication of the pastor in Costa Rica, who shepherds six churches, and doesn’t have a car.
Not only does Pastor Dan and his members build churches abroad–they also build them at home, where they recently completed their own church and school, located on five and a half acres (2.2 hectares), and are completely debt-free.
The most recent challenge for Pastor Dan and the 80-member Elkins church is keeping up with the many Bible study requests coming from their community. Over the course of three mailings in 2013 and 2014, everyone in the state of West Virginia received an invitation for the Voice of Prophecy’s Discover Bible course. The response was overwhelming–with 10,000 people indicating that they would like to have Bible studies. Of that number, more than 200 came from the Elkins/Parsons area.
Some are face-to-face Bible studies, explains Pastor Dan, and others prefer to take them by correspondence, which are then graded by our local church members. The local churches are responsible for purchasing the lessons and providing postage for correspondence students.
What makes this area even more of a mission field, says Pastor Dan, is that you’ll get a lot of people who say, I believe this, but if their family isn’t in favor of it, a lot of them just won’t make the commitment.
Nevertheless, Pastor Dan and the small churches he leads see reaching people for Jesus in their territory as an important mission and are willing to give the time, effort, and funds needed to help it succeed.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.  email:  info@adventistmission.org  website: www.adventistmission.org

Friday, February 13, 2015

Lesson 8: Words of Wisdom Feb 14-20, 2015

Lesson 8*February 14–20

Words of Wisdom

Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Proverbs 20:1-30; Cor. 12:14–26; Jer. 9:23-24;Proverbs 21:1-31Matt. 25:35–40Proverbs 22:1-29.
Memory Text: Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man? (Proverbs 20:6, NKJV).
To some degree (a great degree, actually), we are all products of our environment. Though heredity plays a big role, the values we hold come to us from what is around us — our home, our education, our culture. From infancy we are impacted by what we see and hear.
Unfortunately, what we see and hear isn’t always what is the best for us; the world around us is fallen in every way, and it cannot help impacting us negatively. Nevertheless, we have been given the promise of the Holy Spirit, and we have God’s word, which points us to something higher and better than the world does.
This week we will look at various proverbs and the practical truths they express, truths that if taken to heart and followed can, indeed, help us overcome the negativity of this fallen world and prepare us for a better one.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 21.
SundayFebruary 15

We Are All Equal

Read Proverbs 20:12. What does this teach us about the value of all humans?

Unlike the theory of evolution, which considers us all to be nothing but chance products of a mindless cosmos, the Bible teaches that all humans were created by God (see also Acts 17:26). It is no accident, either, that Thomas Jefferson asserted the equality of all humans precisely because they were created by God. It’s in the Lord, and in Him alone, that we have our equality.
Now, though we all have the same Maker, this doesn’t mean we are all the same. Even identical twins don’t wind up behaving exactly alike. In Corinthians, Paul talks about our differences, and stresses that they should not lead to a sense of superiority but should, instead, help us see our need for one another. The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet,I have no need of you (1 Cor. 12:21, NKJV).
Read Proverbs 20:9. What else makes us all equal?

Sin is another universal equalizer. To the rhetorical question of the proverb, the answer no one points to the tragic and hopeless condition of humankind. Humans are all weak and mortal, and all the money and power in the world will not change that. Yet in the context of the Scriptures this reference to human sinfulness should not lead to despair, because Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection have paved the way for anyone, no matter how sinful, to have the promise of eternal life. And this life comes solely through faith in Him — not by our works.
If man cannot, by any of his good works, merit salvation, then it must be wholly of grace, received by man as a sinner because he receives and believes in Jesus. It is wholly a free gift. Justification by faith is placed beyond controversy. And all this controversy is ended, as soon as the matter is settled that the merits of fallen man in his good works can never procure eternal life for him. — Ellen G. White, Faith and Works, p. 20.
Do you ever find yourself feeling superior (or inferior) to other people? (You shouldn’t be comparing yourself to others anyway.) If so, what should the cross tell you about the equality of us all?


MondayFebruary 16

The Test of Life

Their works follow them, says Revelation 14:13 (NKJV) about the reward of the righteous. Only the future will testify to the real value of the individual. People may boast now of their wealth, their knowledge, their physical prowess, and maybe that is all true. But what does it mean in the sight of God? So often the traits, accomplishments, and deeds that humans uplift as important or impressive are shown to be the meaningless dross that they really are. After all, look at some of the despicable characters, often in the entertainment industry, who are all but worshiped and adored by fans. What we idolize and worship presents a powerful testimony to how fallen we are.
Read Proverbs 20:6 (see also Jer. 9:23-24Mark 9:35). What are these texts telling us about what is of true value to God?


It is not the single sensational act of love or sacrifice that will demonstrate the high quality of our relationships, but the long and regular series of small actions that we perform day by day, patiently and surely. The daily meal served to your spouse, the constant attention to a sick parent, the continued effort in your job; all these humble acts throughout life are the evidence that your faith is authentic. Enduring faithfulness is more valuable than intense but rare acts of love.
This principle holds true for our relationship with God, as well. It is more difficult and more valuable to live for God than to die for Him, if for no other reason than that living takes more time than dying. The saint who lives for God is greater than the martyr who dies for Him. Anyone can claim to believe in God and to serve Him; the question is: Does it last? Or, as Jesus said: He who endures to the end shall be saved (Matt. 24:13, NKJV).
How, through patience, kindness, and a willingness to meet other’s needs, can you reveal to someone something of the character of Christ? How willing are you to do this, no matter the cost to yourself?


TuesdayFebruary 17

Waiting for the Lord

Read Proverbs 20:1721:5. What practical lesson can we find in these texts?


The thief who steals bread gets it faster than the one who has to work for it. Salespeople who lie to sell their bad merchandise may become rich faster than the honest merchant (compare Proverbs 21:5 to Proverbs 21:6). Yet, says the proverb, the future will turn the sweetness into gravel, and the hastily acquired wealth will become poverty. The text gives a number of examples to illustrate the accuracy of this observation:
1. The Inheritance (Prov. 20:21). The mention of an inheritance obtained too quickly (implying that the parents are still alive) follows the condemnation of the one who curses his parents (Prov. 20:20). The association of these two proverbs is significant. It is as if the son (or the daughter) curses the parents and also wishes them dead. The child may even have plotted the death of the parents in order to get the inheritance. The prospect of this behavior is tragic: the lamp he is presently enjoying will become deep darkness (Proverbs 20:20, NKJV) and his curse against his parents will turn on him, for he will not be blessed at the end (Proverbs 20:21, NKJV).
2. Revenge (Prov. 20:22). This time the proverb addresses the victim who may be tempted to seek revenge for the evil that has been committed against him. The counsel is just to wait for the LORD (NKJV). Only then will you be saved, which implies that if you do seek revenge you are taking a serious risk. Proverbs 25:21-22 emphasizes the same instruction, using the metaphor of heaping coals of fire on the enemy’s head, an Egyptian ritual expressing repentance and conversion. If you refrain from revenge, promises Proverbs 20:22, you will be saved by the Lord and, in the process (adds Proverbs 25:21-22) you will save your enemy, thus overcoming evil with good (Rom. 12:21).
How can you learn to emulate the character of Christ more closely when it comes to overcoming evil with good? Why is this so contrary to our inherent nature? Why is death to self the only way to achieve this end?


WednesdayFebruary 18

Compassion for the Poor

A person’s character is measured less by wisdom or even religious commitments than by readiness to help the poor and the needy. It is not what you have that measures your character. Who you are to your neighbor is the measure of character. The Samaritan who saves his neighbor is closer to the kingdom of God than the spiritual priest (Luke 10:26–37). The book of Proverbs emphasizes and explains this priority.
For God’s sake: The first reason to make this a priority lies in God Himself, who prefers human compassion for the poor over our religious zeal (Prov. 19:17Prov. 21:13). Your sensitivity to the poor and your concrete deeds on their behalf will count more with God than will any of your pious acts. In fact, God is personally invested in that work, so much so that, when we give to the poor, it is as if we are giving to God Himself (Matt. 25:35–40).
Read Matthew 25:35–40. What does this tell us about how Jesus identifies so closely with those in need? How should this truth impact how we relate to such people?


For the sake of the poor: The second reason lies within the poor person, whom God has created as much as the rich person has been(Prov. 22:2). The equality between humans, based on the fact that God has created them all, makes the poor as worthy of attention as the rich person. We should love our neighbors for who they are: beings made in the image of God.
At the same time, think about how much good it does you to help those in need. Our basic natures are selfish; by default we tend to look out for ourselves over and above others. By giving of ourselves, we learn to die to self and to better reflect Christ’s character, and what is of more value to us than that?
In what ways do you get a greater sense of personal satisfaction from helping others in need than only doing things for yourself?


ThursdayFebruary 19

Education

The Hebrew word for education comes from a word that means to build up and to begin. All these meanings are contained in the Hebrew idea of education: when we train up a child (Prov. 22:6), we build up, we begin, and we lay the groundwork for the future. Parents and educators are therefore responsible for their children’s future and, by implication, the future of the world. What we do with our children today will impact society for generations to come.
Read Proverbs 22:6. What does this say about the importance of educating children correctly?


It is significant that the Hebrew word for educate is the very word used for the dedication of the temple (1 Kings 8:63). Early education means to dedicate our children to God in the same way that the temple is dedicated. It has an impact on our salvation, even beyond our own life. To parents is committed the great work of educating and training their children for the future, immortal life. — Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p. 38. Such education has an eternal effect. The apostle Paul seems to allude to Proverbs 22:6 when he commends Timothy for his early training in the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation (2 Tim. 3:15, NKJV).
Read Proverbs 22:815. What principles do we find here?


Education can be compared to the activity of sowing. The future of our society and of our children depends on what we have sown. If our seed was iniquity, then our education (the rod) will fail, and we shall reap trouble (Proverbs 22:8). If our seed touched the hearts of the children (Proverbs 22:15), then the rod of our education will drive the children’s foolishness far from them.
We so often teach others (especially children) by our example. Think about your example: What kind of legacy are you leaving? In what areas, if any, might your example be better?
FridayFebruary 20
Further Study: Parents should be models of truthfulness, for this is the daily lesson to be impressed upon the heart of the child. Undeviating principle should govern parents in all the affairs of life, especially in the education and training of their children. . . . Parents, never prevaricate; never tell an untruth in precept or in example. If you want your child to be truthful, be truthful yourself.— Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p. 151.
Many fathers and mothers seem to think that if they feed and clothe their little ones, and educate them according to the standard of the world, they have done their duty. They are too much occupied with business or pleasure to make the education of their children the study of their lives. They do not seek to train them so that they will employ their talents for the honor of their Redeemer. Solomon did not say, Tell a child the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. But, Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. — Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p. 38.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Dwell more on the idea of Proverbs 22:6. Why must we be careful in how we apply this? That is, many parents have done a good job in rearing their children, and yet as adults those children make wrong choices. Why must we never forget the reality of free will and the reality of the great controversy as we look at the meaning of this text?
  2. Look again at the final question at the end of Wednesday’s study. What does it tell us about ourselves that we get such a sense of satisfaction from helping others, especially when we get nothing in return? What should this truth tell us about why so many people who have so much of the world’s riches are miserable nonetheless?
  3. Though we are not all equal in talents, education, experience, and so forth, we are equal in the most important thing: we all need the cross for salvation. What should this teach us about the basic equality and worth of all human beings? More so, how should this truth impact how we treat all people?
Inside Story~  NAD: West Virginia

Brayden’s Testimony

Paul Brown and his family are a true blessing to me. A few years ago when they moved in, my step-grandfather asked Paul if I could mow his yard. Paul agreed, and soon a connection grew between me and his family, and I found out what nice people they are. His kids, Payton and Stormy, are very upbeat and friendly. Their mother, Christie, is really nice and is always there to help me.
One day I asked Payton why they were always away on Saturdays. I thought it was weird that I couldn’t do any work for them on that day. Payton invited me to come to church with them. I liked it, but after a while started slacking off. Six months later I was back–this time to stay.
I joined the Pathfinder Club. As we were coming back from a campout, Payton, my cousin Hunter, and I were talking about school. Hunter and I didn’t like our school because there were so many fights. Hunter said that he hoped to someday go to a Christian college. Payton asked, Why don’t you just go to a Christian school? Our parents agreed to let us go to Highland Adventist School here in Elkins, and Paul found sponsors for us. I like the school a lot. The teachers and staff are really nice, and the students are friendly, not fighting.
One day as we were going to church, Payton said he wanted to get baptized. Hunter and I said that we wanted to get baptized with him. So we all took Bible studies together and were baptized on November 2, 2013.
The church members are the nicest people I’ve ever met. They are always there for you. And the pastor, Don, there’s something about his preaching that just sticks with me. I like the people here a lot–they are like my second family that I’ve always wanted.
Being able to come here and know about the Seventh-day Adventist church has been a real blessing to me. No one else in my family are Adventists. They don’t understand why I don’t do some things I used to do. My stepdad can’t understand why I don’t eat pork–all my life I’ve eaten it, and at first it was hard not to eat it. But I’m glad I went off of it. I’ve seen a change in my weight and my personality. Everything has gone up since I was baptized.

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.  email:  info@adventistmission.org  website: www.adventistmission.org