Sabbath School Lesson for November 21-27, 2020
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Overview
In understanding how the church is meant to educate us in the ways of God, we need to know…
- what is needed in true Christian education (Sunday)
- why Jesus tells us to be shining lights (Monday)
- what it means to live as a disciple (Tuesday)
- why truth is something we should search for (Wednesday)
- how does a church continue to be a thriving, growing community (Thursday)
Introduction
Jesus telling His followers to be the salt of the earth and lights in the world show us His desire for a community that would teach people about God. The church is God’s chosen vehicle for spreading the gospel and allowing all to know the plan of salvation.
No matter where God’s people gather, their purpose should be to get closer to God. Our relationship with Him grows more positive at the same time as our relationship with each other. Both divine and human relationships are intertwined and needed, if we are to reap all the blessings of love God has provided for us.
Memory Text: “Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. So, affectionately long for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.” 1 Thessalonians 2:6-8 NKJV
Two phrases in this passage speak volumes about how the apostles felt about the church. Paul says they were “gentle among you” and that they “had become dear” to them. This happens when God works on the heart. As our love for God grows, so does our love for each other. And when love is missing from our human interactions, our love for God suffers and may even become non-existent.
Sunday: True Christian Education
Christian education fails miserably when we don’t exhibit true love to everyone around us. As Jesus told us in Matthew 5:46, anyone can love a friend, but only God can show us how to love our enemies.
The parable of the Good Samaritan was told in response to the question “Who is my neighbor?” The answer, of course, seems to be that our neighbor is anyone who is in need. But perhaps we should look at it from a broader perspective. Is it just those with physical or emotional needs? Aren’t we all in need of God, of salvation, of love?
When seen in this all-inclusive way, our neighbor is everyone we come in contact with. Being kind to others means being kind to everyone. It’s a tall order, to be sure. Only God’s love makes it possible.
Bible Verses to Consider:
Luke 10:30-32
- Why do you think the priest and the Levite avoided the injured traveler?
- Wouldn’t just a prayer have been enough?
Luke 10:33
- Why did the Samaritan stop and help?
Luke 10:36, 37
- Who in this world needs mercy?
- Why are words and actions both needed to show love?
Monday: Called to Live as Light
When Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount to be “lights” in the world, He even told us how and why to do it–“that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Doing good deeds for others is the perfect way to showcase the love of our precious Savior.
Spiritual darkness exists in our world today, just like it did during the Roman Empire. But Jesus taught us a better way to live on this earth, along with a way to live eternally.
Reflecting His Light will brighten the way for us to find our way to God and become the friends He intended for us originally. We live as lights as we show mercy, peace, and kindness to those around us. As we experience and recognize God’s love in our lives, let’s not forget to share it with others.
Bible Verses to Consider:
Matthew 5:14-16
- Why do you think God used this metaphor of “light” following the Beatitudes? What do the Beatitudes teach us about how to be lights in the world?
Tuesday: Living as Disciples
Many times Jesus told us what the Kingdom of God was like. His purpose was to inspire us to live up to the ideals that exist in heaven, so we can be fit to live there ourselves some day. In the Kingdom, there is forgiveness, grace, and love. Things that are sadly missing in the lives of far too many on this dark planet.
The disciples of Jesus were not limited to those twelve who were closest to Him on earth. They include any of us who follow Him. We must make sure that Jesus remains the center of our worship and fellowship, so we can continue as His flock, His community of believers, His church.
Christian education must also encourage and equip students to take up the mission of Jesus. His mission was to help those in need and to share the gospel whenever and wherever God leads us.
Bible Verses to Consider:
Luke 4:18-21
- What were the activities that Jesus included in His mission?
- How can we, His disciples, continue in the work He has laid out for us–even if we do not produce “miracles”?
Galatians 3:28
- How does having respect for all people impact the church and what it’s able to accomplish?
- Why is this kind of respect difficult in the world, even in the church?
- Why do so many feel left out of their church family, and how might we prevent that from happening?
Wednesday: Seeking Truth
As humans, we are constantly asking big questions, like: Who are we? What’s our purpose for being here? How should we live? What happens to us when we die? Why is there so much pain and suffering in the world?
Although the answers to these questions seem always just beyond our reach, we can learn much when we include the truths that are found in the Bible (John 17:17). The Bible encourages us to seek these truths about God and our existence. And to seek them diligently, with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13).
We must be patient with finding out anything about God (Psalm 25:5). After all, He’s God. But He does invite us to be curious, because that’s the only way we’ll come to know Him better.
Bible Verses to Consider:
Psalm 25:4, 5 and Isaiah 25:9
- Why is it necessary to be patient in getting answers to our questions?
- Why does God make us wait?
John 17:17
- In what ways are we sanctified by knowing the truths in the Bible?
Jeremiah 29:13
- Why should our search for God be linked with our search for answers to the “big questions”? How are they tied together?
- What happens when we leave God out of our search for answers?
Thursday: Sharing Our Lives
Using the early Christian church as our model, we quickly see that church is not a building where people gather to worship. The church is actually composed of people who care about each other and share their love for God. Meeting in the homes of believers back then seemed to foster the environment that contributes to unity and closeness of those involved in discipleship.
Even when the luxury of having a house of worship to meet in is available, church members grow spiritually when they include meeting in each other’s homes, when that is possible. The interaction that occurs in more personal, informal settings is a necessary supplement to formal meetings that go on at the church building.
Keeping our home meetings as inclusive as possible contributes to the kind of unity desired in God’s church. No one should feel left out of social and worship gatherings, whether at church in person, or those that happen online. Make your gatherings as accessible as you can to everyone. It is possible to stay personally connected during a pandemic, especially with today’s technology.
Bible Verses to Consider:
1 Thessalonians 2:6-8
- What kind of feelings did Paul and his fellow evangelists have for the people in the churches they served?
- How did humility (not seeking “glory from men”) contribute to those feelings?
Matthew 18:20
- How do small group meetings, whether in person or online, benefit the church as a whole?
Friday: Conclusion
To sum up our findings about the church this week, we discovered that the church helps us…
- grow in our knowledge of God and understand God’s will
- rethink our commitments
- have genuine dialogue with each other that leads to better relationships
- increase our capacity to show empathy and forgiveness
- coordinate our efforts to reach out to others in the community
From Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 822…
“All who receive the life of Christ are ordained to work for the salvation of their fellow men. For this work the church was established, and all who take upon themselves its sacred vows are thereby pledged to be co-workers with Christ.”
Next Week: Education in Arts and Sciences
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