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Title: The Wonder of Jesus Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide Teachers Edition: Final Publication Copy The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams April, May, June 2008 Title: The Wonder of Jesus Contents: The Wonder of Jesus Contents 1 Who Was Jesus?–March 29–April 4 ...........................11 2 The Mystery of His Deity–April 5–11 .......................23 3 The Reality of His Humanity–April 12–18 ...................35 4 The Wisdom of His Teachings–April 19–25 ...................47 5 The Wonder of His Works–April 26–May 2 ....................59 6 The Challenge of His Sayings–May 3–9 ......................71 7 The Puzzle of His Conduct–May 10–16 .......................82 8 The Intensity of His Walk–May 17–23 .......................94 9 The Tenderness of His Love–May 24–30 .....................108 10 The Meaning of His Death–May 31–June 6 ...................120 11 The Power of His Resurrection–June 7–13 ..................132 12 The Efficacy of His Priestly Ministry–June 14–20 .........144 13 His Return as King and Friend—June 21–27 .................156 http://www.absg.adventist.org Editorial Office: 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904 3 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams Contents: The Wonder of Jesus Come visit us at our Web site: http://www.absg.adventist.org Principal Contributor: Roy Adams Editor: Clifford R. Goldstein Associate Editor: Soraya Homayouni Parish Publication Manager: Lea Alexander Greve Editorial Assistant: Sharon Thomas-Crews Pacific Press Coordinator: Paul Hey 4 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams Contents: The Wonder of Jesus Art Director and Illustrator: Lars Justinen Concept Design: Dever Design The following teachers edition components were written by the following: 1. The Lesson in Brief: Tresa Beard, freelance writer, Silver Spring, Md., U.S.A. 2. The Learning Cycle, lessons 1-7: John Fowler, associate director, Education Department, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Md., U.S.A. 3. The Learning Cycle, lessons 8-10: Lynn Ripley, associate pastor, Austin First Seventh-day Adventist Church, Austin, Texas. 4. The Learning Cycle, lessons 11-13: Fylvia Fowler Kline, principal, Rogue Valley Adventist School, Oregon, U.S.A. The Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide is prepared by the Office of the Adult Bible Study Guide of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the guides is under the general direction of a worldwide Sabbath School Manuscript Evaluation Committee, whose members serve as consulting editors. The published guide reflects the input of the committee and thus does not solely or necessarily represent the intent of the author(s). 5 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams Contents: The Wonder of Jesus 6 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams Bible Versions: Jesus Through the Eyes of Mark Bible Versions Table Scripture references other than from the King James Version quoted by permission in this Bible Study Guide, for Teachers Edition Second Quarter 2008, are as follows: NASB. From the New American Standard Bible, copyright © the Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission. NIV. Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. NKJV. Texts credited to NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. RSV. Bible texts credited to RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. 7 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams Introduction: The Wonder of Jesus A Hope Big With Immortality Of all the people immortalized over millennia upon the pages of history, Jesus of Nazareth had the shortest period of public labor. Only three and a half years. But what a three and a half years they were! Socrates taught for 40, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, Jesus for not even four. Yet the impact of Christ’s short ministry infinitely exceeds that of the combined 130 years of those three Greek giants. Someone once wrote that “the grandest paintings of Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci are but a reflection of Jesus, the Light of the world. Haydn, Handel, Bach, and Mendelssohn gave to the world their best melodies in the symphonies and oratorios they wrote to glorify Jesus Christ. Art, culture, music, philosophy—all have been enriched by His teachings. But Christ offers far more than philosophy, art, and music. These cannot save. Jesus offers light and life and salvation to sinful men.” That statement, however eloquent, falls short of doing justice to the richness of Jesus, for that quote is in the context of the West only; Christ’s appeal, in contrast, is universal, transcending all political, ethnic, and cultural borders. 8 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams Introduction: The Wonder of Jesus “You should search the Bible,” Ellen G. White writes, “for it tells you of Jesus. As you read the Bible, you will see the matchless charms of Jesus. You will fall in love with the Man of Calvary, and at every step you can say to the world, ‘His ways are ways of pleasantness, and all His paths are peace.’ You are to represent Christ to the world. You may show to the world that you have a hope big with immortality”—Life Sketches, p. 293. With Jesus at its center, Christianity is also a historical religion, meaning that it revolves around a person whose life and work are amenable to historical study and analysis. Yet, at the same time, we cannot circumscribe Jesus Christ within the confines of history. For the reality of His person is suprahistorical (above history)—there’s a point beyond which historical analysis cannot probe. History cannot take us into the mysteries of salvation, or into the wonders of what Christ’s death offers the world. For all that history offers, it cannot begin to fathom what Ellen G. White called “a hope big with immortality.” This quarter centers on Jesus, on who He was, on what He taught, on what He did—and on what He is doing now. That last clause, “on what He is doing now”, makes all the difference in the world. It is what might be called “the mystery of the present tense,” a crucial element that distinguishes Jesus from every other historical figure, for what other historical figure, no 9 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams Introduction: The Wonder of Jesus matter how great, is doing anything for us now? Who was this amazing Jesus? What was He like? What did He do while here? What is He, indeed, doing for us now? And finally, why should He be a concern for people in the twenty-first century? The answers, as we will see, are far from academic. On the contrary, they affect the destiny of every human being. Roy Adams, a native of the Caribbean, the author of this quarter’s Bible study guide, is an associate editor of the Adventist Review, the international magazine of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He is married to Celia (nee Wilson), and they have two adult children, Dwayne and Kimberly. 10 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams Lesson 1 TE-2Q-2008-01-The Lesson In Brief . . . Key Text: Matthew 16:13–15 The Student Will: Know: Understand that Jesus’ life and ministry was not just a myth, but He was truly the Messiah—Son of the living God. Feel: Sense a need to be at one with Jesus who is a very personal Savior to every believer. Do: Profess that Jesus came to save a fallen world from the disastrous effects of sin. Learning Outline: I. Who Do Men Say That I am? A. The question of the identity of Jesus was repeated throughout His ministry on earth. B. The disciples were very familiar with the talk of the day about who Jesus really was. C. Jesus wanted the disciples to be sure of who He was, in spite of what others were saying. II. Savior or Prominent Historical Figure? 11 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams Lesson 1 A. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries new scientific criteria would be applied to the study of the Bible. B. Rational thought replaced the biblical view of a divine being coming to rescue humanity from sin. C. Jesus was no longer presented as a Savior but as a historical figure—a good man/teacher that lived long ago. III. Biblical Faith Prevails A. By the twentieth century, the scientific view of who Jesus had begun to waver. B. Today, the Christian point of view prevails among many—upholding Jesus as the Savior of a sinful world. C. Our faith in Jesus rests on the New Testament accounts of the disciples, who witnessed the many miracles of Jesus and testified that He was the Messiah. D. Jesus himself claimed to be the Son of God. Summary: Over the centuries there has been much debate about the true identity of Jesus. However, in spite of scientific applications to Bible teachings, faith in Jesus as the Savior of the world prevails. 12 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams Lesson 1 13 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams Lesson 1 TE-2Q-2008-01-Learning Cycle STEP 1—Motivate! Just for Teachers: We focus this quarter on heaven’s most important gift to us–Jesus! Nothing in history is as great or as significant as the Person of Jesus, His life and ministry, His teachings and His promises, and His death, resurrection, and return. Each lesson this quarter presents an opportunity to motivate your class to discover anew the wonder that Jesus is. At the end of each lesson, class members should be led to have a fresh and life-sustaining experience with Him. A thousand questions confront us each day, but none is so crucial as the one that Jesus Himself raised: “ ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ ” (Matt. 16:13, NIV). A truthful answer provides meaning to our life in the midst of chaos and defines our destiny in terms of eternal life and fellowship with God. Discuss with the class two aspects of this question. First, what do people today say Jesus is? Consider atheists, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, scientists, philosophers, and others. What do they say about Jesus? Second, who do you say Jesus is? How does your answer affect TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 14 Lesson 1 your life? STEP 2—Explore! Just for Teachers: Who was Alexander the Great? Who was Abraham Lincoln? Who was Mahatma Gandhi? Who was Martin Luther King? Who was Carl Marx? Knowing the right answer to these questions may or may not make any difference to the way we live. Not so, the question, Who is Jesus? Explore with the class the importance of this question. Bible Commentary Matthew 16:13–17 is basic to the understanding of Christ and His mission. When Jesus asked the question, “‘ Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ ”, He was challenging every generation and every human being with the need to face the issue honestly and squarely. Three common attitudes emerge: indifference, admiration, and acceptance. I. Indifference Nazareth typifies indifference to and rejection of Christ: “‘Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?’ ” (Matt. 13:55, NIV). Yes, Jesus was a carpenter, but He was more than that. It is this additional dimension of the nature of Christ—that Jesus TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 15 Lesson 1 is God in flesh—that offends many. Nazareth was blind and indifferent to Christ for the same reason that many today are indifferent to Him. Christ makes His appearance not as a good teacher, a miracle worker, a consummate dispenser of wisdom, but as one who demands to Himself absolute adherence as the Son of God. That claim to divinity is too bitter to swallow for those who are seething in self-importance. And self is the first thing Christ commands us to give up. Nazareth saw Jesus as its son, confined to a geographic and historic locale. But Jesus cannot be so confined. He is the Creator of the world and the Lord of history. And what’s more, He must ever be understood as God’s self-disclosure to sinful humanity. He is Emmanuel—God with us (Matt. 1:23). Consider This: Why does indifference to Jesus mean denial and rejection? II. Admiration Admiration of Christ as a great man, a towering moral authority, a teacher without peer, a great prophet, has been history’s common verdict. The disciples themselves answered Christ’s question by referring to what others were saying about Him—that He was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets (Matt. 16:14). Each offered a TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 16 Lesson 1 recognition of dignity and authority. Each was a symbol of moral and spiritual courage against evil of his time. Christ is greater than these. Yet who has ever defined or lived ethics as Jesus did? Who has ever taught the magnificence of love as Jesus in the parable of the good Samaritan or the lost son? Who in the endless drama of world history spoke and modeled a kingdom of grace? Yes, Jesus is a person without match. He is worthy of all admiration. But that’s not the answer Christ expects. He demands an either/or answer: Either He is God or He is not. Consider This: Why is admiration of Jesus—as a good man, a remarkable teacher, or a martyr—not an acceptable answer? III. Acceptance Answers to who Christ is vary. However laudable such answers may be, Christ is not interested in adoration or flattery. What others say does not matter. Individual decision must TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 17 Lesson 1 not be colored by crowd psychology or another’s perception. Jesus’ demand is personal and intimate: “What do you as a person say?’” To this pointed question came the profound reply from Peter: “ ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’ ” Peter’s confession unequivocally accepts that Christ is of God, and that He is the Messiah. Such a Christological confession cannot come from human discovery, and Jesus was the first to point (Matt. 16: 16, NKJV). this out: “ ‘Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven’ ” (Matt. 16:17-18, NKJV). To know Christ, we must turn to God’s revelation. Only those who accept His revealed Word and the working of the Holy Spirit will be able to say that Christ is “my Lord, my God” (John 20: 8), or with Paul, “God blessed for ever” (Rom. 9:5). Such a confession is a result of not knowing about Christ, but knowing Him—in person, in faithful acceptance, and in loyal obedience. Consider This: Why did Christ’s ministry often involve oneon-one situation(Matt. 19:16–23; Luke 18:35–42; 19:1–10;John 3:7; 1:43–49; 4:21–24; 5:5–9)? STEP 3—Practice! Thought Questions: TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 18 Lesson 1 “Never can humanity, of itself, attain to a knowledge of the divine.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 412. Why? What was Satan’s motive in each of the three temptations he used against Christ? (Matt. 4:1-11)? Why was it necessary for Christ never to doubt His Sonship? Why is it necessary for us to accept Him as God’s self-disclosure? Application Questions: “They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matt. 1:23). What does Christ as “Emmanuel” mean to your life in various aspects—mental, physical, social, communal, and spiritual? Every religion has a basic message that is traced back to an important person: Judaism to Moses, Islam to Muhammad, Buddhism to Buddha, Hinduism to Krishna. But with Christianity, it is not merely the message of Jesus that is important but Jesus Himself. Begin with Him, and then examine what He said and did. Why is the person of Jesus so important? STEP 4—Apply! TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 19 Lesson 1 Just for Teachers: We learned this week that Jesus is more than a great Man, a wondrous Teacher, and a profound Prophet. He is the Son of God. Encourage your class to share as to what they can do with this great truth. Thought Questions: Jesus is the Son of God and often spoke of God as His Father. Jesus also taught us to address God as our Father. Is there a difference between His claim and our prayer? If there is, how does that difference affect our relationship to the Godhead? As Son, Christ came to reveal the Father (John 14:9), to glorify Him (vs. 14:13), and to do His works (John 4:34, 10:32). How does being God’s children impact our practical life as children of God? TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 20 Lesson 2 1 TE-2Q-2008-02-The Lesson in Brief . . . 2 3 Key Text: John 17:5 4 5 The Student Will: 6 Know: Comprehend that Christ existed (eternally) 7 with the Father before the earth began. 8 Feel: Experience gratitude toward Jesus for His 9 communion with us. 10 Do: Live a life that honors the preexistent, 11 divine Son of God. 12 13 14 Learning Outline: I. The Preexistence of Christ 15 A. The prophet Isaiah refers to the coming Messiah 16 as the eternal God and Father. 17 B. Bible writers show that Jesus existed before 18 the world began—before He was conceived as a man. 19 C. Jesus acknowledged His own preexistence with 20 the Father before He came to earth. 21 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 21 Lesson 2 1 II. The Unity of Father and Son 2 A. The Bible describes Jesus as being the only Son 3 (monogenes) that came forth from God the Father. 4 B. Jesus’ everlasting fellowship and communion 5 with God the Father continued while He was here on 6 earth. 7 8 9 III. The Divinity of Jesus A. Jesus declared, “ ‘Anyone who has seen me has 10 seen the Father’ ” (John 14:9, NIV), showing 11 Himself to be divine. 12 B. New Testament writers establish the truth that 13 Jesus is One with the Father. 14 C. Jesus—who was both divine and human—offered 15 Himself to die for the sins of the world. 16 17 18 Summary: Jesus, the Son of God, existed eternally with the 19 Father before the world began and is both divine 20 and human. 21 the Father before coming to save humanity, and 22 remained in constant communion with God while here Jesus spoke of His own existence with TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 22 Lesson 2 1 on the earth. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 23 Lesson 2 TE-2Q-2008-02-Learning Cycle STEP 1—Motivate! Just for Teachers: “The divinity of Christ,” says Ellen White, “is the believer's assurance of eternal life.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 530. Motivate your class to study how the divinity of Christ helps each one to live a life that will reflect His character, and how each can daily confess as Thomas did, “My Lord and my God”! (John 20:28, NIV). The difference between Christ and every other person is that He is God. He claimed to be God, and He recognized His mission as one set by His Father. Read some of His claims to divinity (John 5:23; 10:30; 14:7,9; 17:5) and discuss: Was Jesus right in making such claims? Either Jesus was right in affirming His divinity or He was living in delusion. Yet who in history can ever pass a verdict that Jesus was a deluded person making lofty claims? Jesus had a mission statement for Himself: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Why is the divinity of Jesus an absolute essential for Him to fulfill His mission? STEP 2—Explore! TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 24 Lesson 2 Just for Teachers: Lead your class to focus on the deity of Christ. Every one of the 66 books of the Bible testify to the nature and mission of Christ. The Old Testament looked forward to His incarnation, and the New Testament looked back to His life and ministry—and both testify to the deity and humanity of Christ. John 3:16 is an excellent summary of the nature of Christ—He is God’s Son, coexistent and coequal, sent to provide eternal life to all who believe. Bible Commentary Neither human intelligence nor insight can arrive at the truth that Christ is God, just as reason cannot prove the existence of God. This is an area where we have to rely by faith in God’s self-disclosure in the Word of God (1 Tim. 3:16), and it is faith in what the Word reveals that provides us an understanding of the mystery that is Jesus. Hence, the question: What does the Bible say about the deity of Jesus? The answer may be looked at from two perspectives: of Himself and of others. I. Christ: His Claims Did Jesus know who He was? Was He conscious of His divinity? If He was not conscious of His uniqueness, then we have no TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 25 Lesson 2 right to attribute that “specialness” to Him. Jesus claimed a special relation of equality with God the Father. “I and my Father are one,” He declared (John 10:30). “I am in the Father, and Father in me” (John 14:10). So intimate was His status with God that Jesus equated one’s attitude to Him with the attitude to God. Thus, to know Jesus was to know God (John 12:44); to hate Him was to hate God (John 15:23); to honor Him was to honor God (John 5:23); to believe in Him was to believe in God (John 12:44); and to see Him was to see God (John 12:45, 14:9). To preach the gospel was to preach in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—all three being coequal and coeternal Persons of the Godhead (Matt. 28:19). Jesus further claimed that He shared the glory of the Father from eternity (John 17:5, 24). Can a man, however good and great, make such claims? Jesus not only called God His Father but also asserted His coeternity with Him. “Before Abraham was, I am,” He declared in a dialogue with Jewish leaders (John 8:58). “I AM” is the name by which Yahweh revealed Himself to Moses (Exod. 3:14). Jesus applied this title to Himself, thus claiming His perfect equality with God. And some people were angry because they understood His claim and were ready to stone Him to death for blasphemy. Could Jesus have committed the TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 26 Lesson 2 sin of blasphemy? When Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28), Jesus did not refuse either designation. He knew He was God. Consider This: How do the eight great “I AM” statements (John 6:35; 8:12, 58; 10:7, 9, 11, 14; 11:25, 14:6; 15:1, 5) reinforce the divinity and messiahship of Jesus? Without Christ being divine, there is no full revelation of God, no salvation, and no eternal life. Jesus performed functions that are prerogatives of God alone. He forgave sin (Mark 2:5, Luke 7:48). He claimed that He is life (John 14:6, 11:25) and that He had the right to bestow life (John 5:21, 10:10). He came to be the Savior of the world (Mark 10:45) and will judge the world at the end of history (John 8:15–17). No created person can make such claims. II. Christ: Biblical Testimony About His Deity Four specific biblical testimonies are illustrative. John 1:1–3, 14. The text marks out four points. The Word (i.e., Jesus, vs. 14) independently and eternally existed. The Word is distinct from but equal with God the Father. The Word was with God and was God. The Word is the Creator. The TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 27 Lesson 2 Word is Jesus. Matt. 1:21–23. The invasion of the Son into history in Bethlehem placed two names upon Him: Jesus meaning “Saviour,” denoting the work only God can do; Emmanuel, meaning “God with us,” notifying God’s identification with human beings. Gal. 4:4. If Christ had His origin only in Bethlehem, He would have been just an ordinary man. But the Bible pictures His birth as a divine intervention in history—-“When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son” (Gal. 4:4). That is to say, God sent the Son from His heavenly throne to be born as a babe on earth. It is to this preexistent state that Jesus referred when He prayed, “ ‘Glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was’ ” (John 17:5, NKJV). Heb. 1:8. Of the Son, God says: “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever” (Heb. 1:8, NIV). God the Father introduces the Son as God at His incarnation. Consider This: Look up the following texts and discuss how they testify to the divinity of Christ (John 5:23; Acts 7:59, 60; Eph. 1:3, 4; Phil. 2:5, 6, 10, 11; Col. 1:15, 16). TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 28 Lesson 2 STEP 3—Practice! Just for Teachers: Consider a few important principles as to why the deity of Christ is important for the universe as well as for you as a person. How does Christ’s divinity play a role in your life? Thought Questions: Jesus was aware of His God-given mission on earth: “ ‘The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’ ” (Mark 10:45, NIV). What is your mission, and in what practical ways can you manifest it? Ellen White points to the divinity of Christ in these powerful words: "In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived.” —The Desire of Ages, p. 530. Make a list of what these three descriptions mean. Application Question: A creature cannot be the Savior. Therefore, it was necessary for God the Son to come into this world to be our Savior. What does this say about those of us who are charged to be TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 29 Lesson 2 messengers of salvation? STEP 4—Apply! Just for Teachers: We learned this week that Jesus is God. As followers of Jesus, what can we do with this great truth? Ask class members to share their inmost thoughts, fears, and promises. Thought Questions: “My Father and I are one,” said Christ. They both are one in nature, one in character, and one in purpose. Is it possible for us to say “Christ dwells in us”? If it is possible, how would that be seen in our lives? To accept Christ as God is to accept each other as brothers and sisters without any barrier or prejudice. How does the divinity of Christ help us to appreciate universal unity among Christian believers? (Eph. 2:13, 14). TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 30 Lesson 3 TE-2Q-2008-03-The Lesson in Brief . . . Key Text: Hebrews 4:15 The Student Will: Know: Recognize that Jesus was both divine and human. Feel: Cultivate a desire to overcome sin just as Jesus did. Do: Live a life that is free from the slavery of sin through the power of Christ. Learning Outline: I. The Divine and Human A. In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as both human and divine. B. Although He was human, Jesus lived a sinless life. C. The man Jesus—being also God—deserves our worship. II. Opposing Views of the Nature of Christ A. The disciples testified with conviction about the mystery of the divine—human nature of Jesus, notwithstanding any opposition that would arise. B. By the early first-century, opposing views of the nature of Christ began to arise: some supported His TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 31 Lesson 3 divine nature, others His human nature. C. The Bible reveals attributes of Christ’s nature that prove His humanity, such as thirst, growing weary or tired, and weeping. III. Tempted As We Are A. Jesus, of His own free will, denied the exercise of His divine power while here on earth. B. Jesus came to earth in the flesh, was tempted (as we are), was obedient, and finally suffered the death of a sinner, all for the benefit of fallen human beings. C. As our High Priest, Jesus understands our human weaknesses. Because He Himself lived and suffered in the flesh, He knows what it is like to be tempted in that flesh. Summary: Although Jesus was divine, He suffered in the flesh and experienced our weaknesses. He did not use His divinity to overcome sin and temptation, yet He lived a sinless life. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 32 Lesson 3 1 TE-2Q-2008-03-Learning Cycle 2 3 STEP 1— Motivate! 4 5 Just for Teachers: Using John 1:14, lead your class to 6 consider the question, Why is the humanity of Christ 7 important in our understanding of the person and 8 mission of Christ? 9 10 John 1:1–3, 14 is foundational to understand the nature 11 of Christ and its significance to Christ’s ministry. 12 This passage teaches us three great truths. First, 13 John, the beloved of Christ’s disciples, introduces 14 Christ as the Word. This Word existed from the 15 beginning, along with God, coequal and coeternal with 16 Him. Second, being God, the Word took upon Himself the 17 “flesh”—that is, human nature—and dwelt as man on 18 earth. Third, the reason for His incarnation is that 19 the human race may see His glory, may know the Father 20 and the fullness of His grace and truth. It is through 21 this grace that we are saved (John 3:16, Eph. 2:5–8). 22 Consider This: Why is it necessary for Christ to become TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 33 Lesson 3 1 human to be our Saviour? Can Christ be our Saviour 2 without either His divinity or His humanity? Explain. 3 4 STEP 2—Explore! 5 6 Just for Teachers: “The humanity of the Son of God is 7 everything to us. It is the golden chain that binds our 8 souls to Christ, and through Christ to God. . . . 9 Christ was a real man. . . . Yet He was God in the 10 flesh.”—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 11 244. As you study the humanity of Christ, consider its 12 mystery, reality, and relevance. 13 14 Bible Commentary 15 I. Christ’s Humanity: Its Mystery 16 God Incarnate. The word incarnation is not found in 17 Scripture, but the doctrine that God in Christ took 18 humanity permeates throughout the New Testament. Christ 19 called Himself “Son of Man” more than 70 times. He is 20 "the second man . . . from heaven" as opposed to Adam 21 "the first man . . . of the earth" (1 Cor. 15:47). TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 34 Lesson 3 1 2 Why incarnation? Other religions do teach incarnation, 3 but the key difference between them and that of the 4 Bible is twofold. First, the biblical narrative of 5 incarnation has the end purpose of redemption from sin 6 (Mark 10:45); it is through taking human nature, “God 7 was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself” (2 8 Cor. 5:19). Assumption of humanity is God’s ultimate 9 revelation of His love toward a sinful human race (John 10 3:16). Christ took upon human nature in order to bear 11 “our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die 12 to sins and live for righteousness” (1 Pet. 2:24, NIV). 13 Second, the Bible never portrays incarnation as myth or 14 magic that some divine being plays in the drama of 15 human struggle. Rather the Bible reveals incarnation as 16 a real entry of God in space and time, whereby the Son 17 of God takes a real body and a real human nature 18 through which He inaugurates and completes the plan of 19 salvation (Gen. 3:15; Eph. 1:7–8). 20 21 Consider This: How does God become man? How can Christ 22 be God and Man at the same time? The biblical answer is TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 35 Lesson 3 1 an invitation to a faith affirmation: “Great is the 2 mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh” 3 (1 Tim. 3:16). 4 5 II. Christ’s Humanity: Its Reality 6 The issue. That Christ was really human would hardly be 7 a theological issue today. But in the early years of 8 the church, it was a hotly contested problem. As the 9 gospel spread beyond the borders of Judea, its converts 10 were largely from a Greek worldview rooted in a spirit- 11 matter dualism, with the spirit being good and the 12 matter being evil. Hence the question posed by the 13 Greeks: How can God, who is good, incarnate in human 14 flesh, which is evil? Therefore, Christ did not have a 15 truly human nature but an appearance, an illusion, of a 16 human body. Against such Gnostic heresy, John, whose 17 Gospel is the most compelling in its emphasis on 18 Christ’s divinity, not only affirms that Christ came in 19 the flesh (John 1:1–3, 14) but pronounces that “every 20 spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come 21 in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of 22 the Antichrist” (1 John 4:3, NKJV). TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 36 Lesson 3 1 2 Scriptural evidence for Christ’s humanity. Jesus called 3 Himself a man (John 8:40) and was called a man by 4 others: Peter (Acts 2:22), Paul (1 Cor. 15:21, 1 Tim. 5 2:5), Pilot (John 19:5), scribes (John 7:46). He had a 6 human mother (Luke 1:26-35; Gal. 4:4), was subject to 7 the normal laws of human development (Luke 2:40, 52), 8 and had a real body and real blood (Matt. 26:26, 28; 9 Heb. 2:14; 1 John 4:2). He experienced common human 10 needs and emotions: hunger (Matt. 4:2), thirst (John 11 19:28), sleep (Matt. 8:24), weariness (John 4:6), love 12 and compassion (Mark 10:21), anxiety (Heb. 5:7), need 13 for obedience (Heb. 5:8), and dependence on God (Matt. 14 26:39-44). 15 16 Consider This: Read Philippians 2:5–8. How does Paul 17 relate the two natures of Christ? Consider the 18 apostle’s usage—“form of God” and “form of a slave.” In 19 both cases “form” is the same Greek word morphe. What 20 does this show regarding the reality of both natures of 21 Christ? 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 37 Lesson 3 1 P “In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself 2 to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken. Through the 3 eternal ages He is linked with us.”–Ellen G. White, The 4 Desire of Ages, p. 25. What does this passage mean to you? 5 6 III. Christ’s Humanity: Its Relevance 7 Why did God the Son take upon Himself human flesh and 8 retain it as an eternal link with humanity? Two 9 significant reasons may be noted: 10 11 To reveal God (Matt. 11:27, John 1:14). Outside of 12 Christ we have either incomplete or false concepts of 13 God. The Greeks conceived God as pure mind, wisdom, or 14 beauty. Some Eastern religions view Him as the 15 immovable, the unchangeable force that plays hide and 16 seek in the predicament of humanity and then withdraws 17 to some mysterious self-contemplation. There are tribes 18 that see God in terms of sexual force. Humanists 19 interpret God in terms of moral imperatives and social 20 justice. Against such notions, Christ came proclaiming 21 that "God is love" (1 John 4:8, NIV) and that He is our 22 Father (Matt. 6:9). “Christ came to reveal God to the TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 38 Lesson 3 1 world as a God of love, full of mercy, tenderness, and 2 compassion.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the 3 Church, vol. 5, pp. 738, 739. 4 5 To deal with the problem of sin (Gen. 3:15, Isa. 53:4- 6 6, John 3:16, Rom. 5:6–11). The core purpose of 7 incarnation is that Jesus “shall save his people from 8 their sins” (Matt. 1:21; cf. 1 John 4:9). Hence, God’s 9 Son came in the form of a helpless babe in Bethlehem 10 and allowed Himself to be the Man of the cross. So the 11 apostle says, God “loved us, and sent his Son to be the 12 propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Without His 13 divinity, Christ could not have been qualified to be 14 our Savior; without His humanity, He could not have 15 taken the cross on our behalf. It is the God-Man, Jesus 16 the Christ, who saves us from sin, and concludes the 17 great controversy by His victory over sin, death and 18 Satan (Rev. 11:15–18). 19 20 STEP 3—Practice! 21 22 Just for Teachers: Note the implications of the TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 39 Lesson 3 1 humanity of Christ to our Christian faith and life. 2 3 Thought Questions: 4 “I perceive that there is danger in approaching 5 subjects which dwell on the humanity of the Son of the 6 infinite God.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible 7 Commentary, vol. 5, p. 1,129. What are some of these 8 dangers, and how should we deal with them? 9 10 Christ is both God and man. And He was tempted “as we 11 are” (Heb. 4:15). Did Christ’s nature provide him an 12 advantage over us in facing sin? In what ways are the 13 temptations of Jesus the same as or different from 14 ours? 15 16 STEP 4—Apply! 17 18 Just for Teachers: We have learned so far that Jesus is 19 both God and Man. As His followers, how do we relate to 20 this great truth? 21 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 40 Lesson 3 1 Thought Questions: 2 “I can do all things through Christ which 3 strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). How can we relate this 4 promise to the divine-human natures of Christ? 5 6 Some say that the moral and ethical example of Christ 7 as a man is what makes Him our Savior. Is this right? 8 If so, why? If not, why not? 9 10 11 12 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 41 Lesson 3 1 2 TE-2Q-2008-04-The Lesson in Brief . . . 3 4 Key Text: John 7:46 5 6 The Student Will: 7 Know: Recognize that Jesus showed compassion for 8 ordinary people, including the weakest of society. 9 Feel: Nurture a desire to minister to people 10 personally, as Jesus did. 11 Do: Live a life of humility, forgiving others as 12 we have been forgiven. 13 14 15 Learning Outline: I. The Words of Jesus 16 A. Jesus was not just a wise Teacher; He spoke as 17 one with authority. 18 B. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught 19 attitudes and behaviors that were contrary to the 20 social norm for that time and for the present 21 time. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 42 Lesson 4 1 2 II. A Revelation of God 3 A. Jesus gave us the greatest revelation of God. 4 B. The Savior’s loving regard for children and the 5 weakest members of society is a manifestation of 6 the true character of God. 7 C. Jesus taught that we must forgive others just 8 as we have been forgiven. 9 10 III. Humility and Grace 11 A. Jesus gave us the greatest example of humility 12 by becoming a man and dying the death of a 13 criminal—a sinner. 14 B. The true meaning of grace can be seen in the 15 parables and real-life experiences of Jesus. 16 C. The Lord’s examples of grace show that the 17 undeserving can receive help and forgiveness in 18 times of need. 19 20 Summary: The words and actions of Jesus reveal the true 21 nature of God and teach us the real meaning of 22 humility. 23 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 43 Lesson 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 TE-2Q-2008-04-Learning Cycle 20 21 STEP 1—Motivate! 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 44 Lesson 4 1 Just for Teachers: “You are a teacher who has come from 2 God” (John 3:2, NIV). History joins Nicodemus in 3 acclaiming Jesus as a great teacher. Other religious 4 founders, philosophers, and leaders may also be great 5 teachers. But what separates Jesus from all others? The 6 wisdom of His teachings? His ethical benchmarks? His 7 philosophic insights? His profound definition of life 8 and its meaning? Ask your class to focus on where lies 9 the uniqueness of Jesus as a teacher. 10 11 It lies in who He is. Socrates and Confucius, Buddha 12 and Krishna, Shakespeare and Tolstoy, found their 13 authority in logic, ethics, morality, poetry, humanism, 14 or philosophy, but Christ’s authority was His own life: 15 He is God speaking God’s will. He did not come seeking 16 truth; He was the truth, the way, and the life (John 17 14:6). 18 It lies in His authority. When Jesus finished 19 speaking, the crowds were “amazed” (Matt. 7:28,29, 20 NIV). The word translated “amazed” literally means, 21 “blown away.” His teachings were so compelling, so 22 pointed, so divine that people were astonished and TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 45 Lesson 4 1 unsettled. There was no room for debate: His word was 2 God’s word. “My teaching,” He said, 3 comes from him who sent me” (John 7:16, NIV). “is not my own. It 4 5 Consider This: What other factors underscore Jesus as a 6 unique teacher? 7 8 STEP 2—Explore! 9 10 Just for Teachers: Suppose archaeologists suddenly came 11 upon fragments of an ancient book entitled, 12 “Autobiography of Jesus” or “My Teachings, by Jesus of 13 Nazareth.” Would that change anything that we believe 14 as the teachings of Christ based on the Gospels? If 15 not, why not? Reflect on John 21:24-25 for a possible 16 answer. 17 Bible Commentary 18 While the Bible is the means through which Christ the 19 Word speaks to us (2 Tim. 3:16, 17), the Gospels in a 20 special way records the wonder of Christ’s teachings on 21 many essentials of life—from where we came from to TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 46 Lesson 4 1 where we are headed, and all the in—between issues. But 2 this week we focus on Christ’s teachings on who God is 3 and how we ought to live. 4 5 I. What Christ Taught About God 6 Discuss what some concepts of God found outside of 7 Christ are, and what is wrong with such notions? Christ incarnated as a human being to dispel false 8 9 notions that Satan had instilled in human minds, 10 and to reveal the true nature of God. If indeed God was 11 speaking through His Son (Heb. 1:1, 2; John 1:1–3, 14), 12 it is important for us to recognize that Jesus is the 13 ultimate disclosure of God. What did He disclose about 14 God? 15 16 Christ taught that God is our Father (Matt. 6:9–14). In 17 the heart of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us a 18 model prayer in which He bids us to relate to God as 19 Father—intimate, personal, caring, and loving; not a 20 distant, impersonal force or idea. "Father" is Christ's 21 favorite way of describing God. He uses it 4 times in 22 Mark, 15 times in Luke, 44 times in Matthew, and no TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 47 Lesson 4 1 less than 107 times in John—an ascending increase in 2 usage. Does this signify the importance of the concept 3 of God as Father to the growing faith community? 4 5 Christ taught that God our Father is one of love, 6 grace, and truth (John 1:14, 3:16). The Fatherhood of 7 God presents God in terms of true love (1 John 4:16). 8 God's love not only has created us, but has sought out 9 to redeem us when we have chosen to wander away in sin 10 (Rom. 5:6–8). In describing God’s love, the New 11 Testament uses the word agape, a sacrificial, outgoing, 12 unmerited love. It neither changes nor oscillates; it 13 is utterly dependable. It is love for love’s sake. It 14 loves us not because we deserve it, but because we are 15 in need of it. By His agape, God has given the utmost 16 dignity to human life, so that if there had been only 17 one sinner, Christ would have died for that single 18 prodigal. 19 20 II. What Christ Taught About How We Should Live 21 The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) stands as the 22 epitome of Christian lifestyle and conduct. Through TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 48 Lesson 4 1 this most significant sermon ever preached, Jesus 2 presented not an impossible idealism or a perfectionist 3 legalism but a standard of conduct for those saved by 4 His grace. The Sermon on the Mount is the divine 5 manifesto for the believer’s life. Note two keys to 6 understanding this sermon. 7 8 First, the Sermon on the Mount is God’s eternal call to 9 be different. This is the same call that came to Noah, 10 Abraham, Israel—and now His disciples. Christ wants a 11 people who are not “like them” (Matt. 6:8, NIV). Jesus 12 demands of His disciples to be different from those 13 around them—in the way they believe, worship, relate, 14 live, love, or die. The purpose is not to form an 15 isolationist cult, but to be a distinct and permeating 16 remnant—like salt to make the food edible or light to 17 dispel darkness (Matt. 5:13-16). Discipleship is a call 18 to be different. 19 20 Second, the Sermon on the Mount is an affirmation of 21 the moral law through the unique technique of extension 22 by the Lord who Himself authored that law, thus TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 49 Lesson 4 1 establishing the eternal relevance of the Decalogue 2 (Matt. 5:17–19). Jesus does this masterfully by using 3 two phrases, “It was said . . . but I say unto you.” 4 The contrast introduces a more demanding definition and 5 a transparent lifestyle. Sin moves from act to thought 6 (5:21–42), prayer from the mechanical to the relational 7 (6:7–13), righteousness from what one does to in whom 8 one lives (6:14–34), relationship from blood to 9 brotherhood (7:1–12), love from the near to the other 10 (7:43–48), and the ultimate living principle from the 11 hypocritical to a radical one of commitment (7:21–27). 12 13 Consider This: The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-11) are not a 14 cafeteria of choices from which Christians can choose 15 and select. They must possess all just as they must 16 have the components of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 17 5:22, 23). 18 19 STEP 3—Practice! 20 21 Just for Teachers: Take some time to let your class 22 members share with each other how the Sermon on the TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 50 Lesson 4 1 Mount is relevant to some of the burning issues, such 2 as child and spousal abuse and status of marriage in 3 society today. 4 5 Thought Questions: 6 Some versions begin the Beatitudes with “Blessed are 7 they. . . .” and others begin with “Happy are they. . . 8 .” Which is more appealing to you, and why? Is there a 9 difference between the two? 10 11 Implied in Matthew 5:17–20 is the notion that some 12 have evidently thought that Jesus was opposed to the 13 law. What would have prompted such thinking? 14 15 Application Questions: 16 Fasting is not a popular practice these days. Can you 17 think of reasons in favor of fasting? 18 19 The Lord’s Prayer has six petitions. Identify them. 20 How can one use this as a model in private and public 21 prayers? 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 51 Lesson 4 1 STEP 4—Apply! 2 3 Just for Teachers: We learned this week the wondrous 4 nature of the teachings of Jesus. Probe your class with 5 questions such as these: Where does the wonder lie? 6 Have you felt a tug at your heart as you contemplated 7 some of Christ’s teachings? Which of His teaching is 8 the most timely and relevant to you this week? 9 10 Application Questions: 11 Jesus taught us to address God as our Father. If God 12 is our Father, what are we to each other? And how is 13 that new relationship in Christ reflected in Christ’s 14 teaching on our relationship to each other? 15 16 Christ taught us to pray: “Forgive us our debts, as we 17 forgive our debtors” (Matt. 6:12). What does this 18 imply to our day-to-day life? 20 19 TE-2Q-2008-05-The Lesson in Brief . . . 21 22 Key Text: Matthew 3:2 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 52 Lesson 5 1 2 The Student Will: 3 Know: Discuss how the kingdom of heaven is as much 4 a present reality as it is a future hope. 5 Feel: Sense a desire to experience the compassion 6 of God on a daily basis. 7 Do: Share the message of God’s kingdom with 8 others. 9 10 11 Learning Outline: I. The Compassionate Christ 12 A. Jesus didn’t just simply speak words of 13 comfort; He also ministered to the needs of 14 others. 15 B. Many of the experiences of Christ—such as 16 feeding the 5,000—give us a visual picture of why 17 He came to the earth: to show humanity that He is 18 able to provide for their every need, both 19 physical and spiritual. 20 C. Jesus demonstrated His power over everything 21 that concerns humanity. 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 53 Lesson 5 1 II. Messiah 2 A. Jesus did not seek recognition or personal gain 3 but lived His life for the benefit of others, 4 showing that He came to save us. 5 B. John the Baptist and many other people were 6 uncertain at first about Jesus being the true 7 Messiah. 8 C. The words, actions, and miracles of Jesus 9 revealed the fulfillment of the Messianic 10 prophecies. 11 12 III. The Kingdom of God: For Now and Forever 13 In the life of Christ we are shown that the 14 kingdom of God is both a present and a future 15 reality. 16 17 Summary: The works of Jesus were evidence that He was truly 18 the Messiah. But He did not come simply to speak 19 of a future hope. He showed that God’s kingdom— 20 filled with love and compassion, free from sin and 21 suffering—could become a reality for every 22 believer now. 23 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 54 Lesson 5 1 TE-2Q-2008-05-Learning Cycle 2 3 STEP 1— Motivate! 4 5 Just for Teachers: “His name shall be called 6 Wonderful,” prophesied Isaiah (9:6). Wonder and mystery 7 mark the life and ministry of Jesus. His birth, death, 8 resurrection, and ascension are wonders of cosmic 9 proportion. His teachings are filled with wonder and 10 defy all human understanding. This week we study the 11 wonder of His works. 12 13 Of all the miracles Jesus performed, which is the most 14 wonderful, and why? 15 16 After discussing the above question, read Matthew 17 11:4, 5. To the Baptist’s query whether He was the 18 Messiah, Jesus sent back the response: Tell John that 19 “the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have 20 leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, 21 and the good news is preached to the poor” (Matt. 11:5, 22 NIV, italics supplied). Why does Jesus list “preaching TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 55 Lesson 5 1 the good news” along with miracles? Is it because the 2 good news is the most wondrous of all miracles? 3 4 STEP 2—Explore! 5 6 Just for Teachers: In Nazareth, Jesus announced His 7 Messianic mission by quoting a passage from Isaiah and 8 then affirming that He is the fulfillment of that 9 prophecy. Read Luke 4:16-31 and let the class identify: 10 (a) the power behind Jesus’ works; (b) the gospel and 11 its relation to freedom and healing; (c)the meaning of 12 the “year of the Lord.” 13 14 Bible Commentary 15 Jesus “went about doing good, and healing all that were 16 oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38). From this verse 17 we note three characteristics of the work of Jesus: His 18 ministry was without frontiers; His ministry was the 19 embodiment of righteousness; His ministry was one of 20 deliverance. 21 I. A Ministry Without Frontiers TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 56 Lesson 5 1 Jesus “went about” is how Peter describes the 2 extensiveness of His ministry (Acts 10:38). Matthew 3 also says: “Jesus went through all the towns and 4 villages” (Matt. 9:35, NIV). Christ’s ministry is not 5 restricted to one locality or one people. He is the 6 Lord of the universe, and He came “to seek and to save 7 that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The lost is the 8 planet, and hence His mission is to Galilee, Judea, 9 Samaria and through His disciples to the ends of the 10 world (Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 1:8). He is the Lord of 11 the universe and a Man with a message for all people. 12 Hence He or His message cannot be restricted to 13 frontier of any kind—be it geography, culture, caste, 14 language, or tribe. 15 16 Consider This: The Adventist church today has a global 17 mission, with the aim of reaching every unreached 18 community around the world. How does your life and 19 witness fit into this worldwide mission? 20 21 22 II. A Ministry of Righteousness “Jesus went about doing good.” He is good, and He can TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 57 Lesson 5 1 do nothing but good. But the good that Jesus did was 2 considered so not because such good works met some 3 human standards. What Jesus did was good because they 4 were part of “the good news” of the kingdom of God that 5 He established. His name, said the prophet, is “The 6 Lord our righteousness” (Jer. 23:6), and in Jesus we 7 have righteousness in all its fullness and power. 8 9 Ministry of compassion. One way the absolute goodness 10 of Jesus is described in the Gospels is that He was 11 moved with compassion wherever He saw human need–be it 12 spiritual lostness (Matt. 9:36), hunger (Matt.14:14, 13 15:32), leprosy (Mark 1:40, 41), blindness (Matt. 14 20:34), the widowhood (Luke 7:13) or demon possession 15 (Mark 9:25). The Greek word for “compassion” is 16 splagchna, which indicates no ordinary pity but the 17 deepest emotion one is capable of, an emotion that 18 arises from the very depths of one’s being. It suggests 19 a passionate involvement with the other, like the love 20 the father showed to the prodigal (Luke 15:20) and the 21 compassion exhibited by the good Samaritan (Luke 22 10:33). Both parables use the word splagchna. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 58 Lesson 5 1 2 3 Consider This: “Never are we to be cold and 4 unsympathetic, especially when dealing with the poor. . 5 . . Christ declared that the gospel is to be preached 6 to the poor. Never does God's truth put on an aspect of 7 greater loveliness than when brought to the needy and 8 destitute. Then it is that the light of the gospel 9 shines forth in its most radiant clearness, lighting up 10 the hut of the peasant and the rude cottage of the 11 laborer. Angels of God are there, and their presence 12 makes the crust of bread and the cup of water a 13 banquet.”—Ellen G. White, Counsels on Stewardship, pp. 14 162, 163. 15 16 Compassion and unreserved love marked Jesus’ ministry 17 of righteousness. He saw sheep without a Shepherd, 18 sickness without a physician, children without parents, 19 people without dignity, the oppressed without a 20 liberator, sinners without a Savior, and He did 21 something about it. He was moved with compassion to 22 render His ministry of righteousness. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 59 Lesson 5 1 2 III. A Ministry of Deliverance and Peace 3 Jesus healed “all that were oppressed of the devil 4 (Acts 10:38). To this testimony of Peter, add Jesus’ 5 own self-understanding that He came “to set at liberty 6 them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18), and we have a 7 remarkable definition of what and why the work of Jesus 8 is. Jesus traced the root of every problem in the 9 world—be it fear, disease, loneliness, depression, 10 disabilities, and death—to sin and its originator. 11 Hence, to Him the ultimate healing and restoration 12 rests in liberation from Satan’s crutches. The works 13 Jesus did and the miracles He performed were but small 14 illustrations of the big picture: God in Christ has 15 invaded the dominion of Satan and established His 16 kingdom of righteousness (Heb. 2:14; 1 John 5:8). 17 18 What is the oppression that you have or feel? Sinking 19 in a storm-tossed sea (Matt. 8:23–27)? Possessed by 20 demons of culture or abuse (vss. 8:28–23)? A life 21 without hope (John 5:5–9)? Inability to proceed with 22 normal life (Matt. 15:29–31)? A malady with malice TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 60 Lesson 5 1 (Matt. 8:1–4)? A loss of identity and acceptability 2 (Mark 5:24–34)? Or grief and death (John 11:1–45)? Help 3 is just a prayer away. Jesus liberates us from every 4 oppression of the evil one. Through His work and 5 message, “the kingdom of God has come” upon us (Matt. 6 12:28). Those who by faith enter that Kingdom have 7 freedom and peace (John 8:36, Rom. 5:1). 8 9 STEP 3—Practice! 10 11 Just for Teachers: Most of the miracles that Jesus 12 performed were to meet different human needs. In 13 performing those miracles, Jesus often said, “ ‘Your 14 faith has made you whole;’ ” “ ‘Your sins are 15 forgiven.’ ” 16 following. Probe this a little by discussing the 17 18 Thought Questions: 19 In what ways can sin be held accountable for human 20 misery? Is it one’s personal sin or sin as a system 21 that has affected the human race? TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 61 Lesson 5 1 2 Can we consider lifestyle issues that affect our 3 health as falling within the definition of sin? 4 5 What role does faith have in healing and restoration? 6 Does faith mean “a will to live” or a surrender to God? 7 What are some of the signs that one’s Christian life is 8 governed by such a faith? 9 10 STEP 4—Apply! 11 12 Just for Teachers: We learned this week that the 13 greatest wonder of Jesus’ work is His establishment of 14 His Kingdom. We also are aware that this kingdom has 15 two aspects: the kingdom of grace here and now, and the 16 kingdom of glory yet to come. Discuss with your class 17 members their responsibility to both aspects of the 18 kingdom. 19 20 21 Application Questions: If indeed “the kingdom of God has come upon” us TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 62 Lesson 5 1 (Matt. 12:28, NKJV), how do we ensure that the good 2 news is made known to others, as well? 3 4 Christ is responsible for the establishment of both 5 aspects of the kingdom. How would this truth 6 affect your relationship in the church and the 7 community? 8 TE-2Q-2008-06-The Lesson in Brief . . . 9 10 Key Text: Matthew 4:4 11 12 The Student Will: 13 Know: Realize that many of the things Jesus said 14 did not fit in with the norm of the times. 15 Feel: Sense the need to apply the underlying 16 principles of Jesus’ words to our everyday living. 17 Do: Follow the sayings and teachings of Jesus—even 18 those that are untraditional. 19 20 21 Learning Outline: I. The “Sayings” of Jesus TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 63 Lesson 6 1 A. Jesus said many things that were puzzling and 2 contrary to popular beliefs and traditional 3 behaviors. 4 B. One of the hard-to-understand “sayings” of 5 Jesus deals with the issue of divorce. (See 6 Matthew 19:3–12.) 7 C. We should not allow controversies or disputes 8 to arise over the sayings of Jesus that are hard 9 to understand or interpret. 10 11 II. Unconventional Words 12 A. Jesus taught unconventional things in regard to 13 such topics as forgiving others, obtaining wealth, 14 and achieving perfection. 15 B. The Lord stressed the importance of loving God 16 more than loving one’s family. 17 C. Jesus also spoke of putting the kingdom of 18 heaven above earthly concerns. 19 20 Summary: Many of the sayings of Jesus were very 21 controversial because they did not fit in with 22 popular traditions. Even today some of the words 23 of Jesus seem hard to follow and difficult to TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 64 Lesson 6 1 apply to our “normal” way of life. Controversial 2 issues over these unusual sayings should be 3 avoided as we attempt to apply the principles 4 behind the words to our everyday lives. 5 TE-2Q-2008-06-Learning Cycle 6 7 STEP 1—Motivate! 8 9 Just for Teachers: Many who heard Jesus teach found His 10 sayings hard to understand and harder to accept (John 11 6:60). The position is no better today. Why is it 12 important that we pay heed to all the teachings of 13 Jesus, including the ones considered difficult? 14 15 Jesus did not present some soothing palliatives. His 16 teaching was tough and often opposed what was 17 considered normal. Consider the Beatitudes, for 18 example. How do they challenge our culture and our 19 time? 20 Discuss some possible attitudes one can take 21 toward the teachings of Jesus: (a) admire them as the 22 musings of an idealist; (b) dismiss them as setting TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 65 Lesson 6 1 standards too high for any mortal to reach; (c)take 2 what agrees with you and ignore the others; (d) accept 3 them as the principles of His kingdom and seek His 4 empowerment to follow them. 5 6 STEP 2—Explore! 7 8 Just for Teachers: His sayings are challenging because 9 they expect a radical change in us. His was not a 10 pulpit that massaged the soul; His was a message that 11 demanded transformation and often death to the past. As 12 your class reviews some of these difficult sayings, 13 focus on what Jesus was really trying to say–not on 14 whether His teaching is realistic in today’s context. 15 16 Bible Commentary 17 Two thousand years after He spelled out His message, 18 Jesus’ sayings continue to comfort, baffle, and 19 mystify. “Except you eat my flesh and drink my blood,” 20 Christ said to His disciples. Their reaction was the 21 same as ours: This is a hard saying. “Blessed are the 22 poor,” He said, but our world looks down upon the poor TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 66 Lesson 6 1 and seeks its blessedness in material abundance. So, 2 how are we to relate to these difficult sayings? 3 Consider a few of them pertaining to discipleship, 4 lifestyle, and relationships. 5 6 I. The Challenge of Discipleship 7 Discipleship begins with death and denial.“You must be 8 born again,” Jesus said (John 3:7, NIV). Nicodemus 9 responded for the world, “How can this be?” (vs. 3:9, 10 NIV). The call to a new birth is a call to death of the 11 old self. Without giving up the old, we have no 12 possibility of embracing the new. Death precedes 13 discipleship, and hence the Jesus ultimatum: “ ‘Anyone 14 who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my 15 disciple’ ” (Luke 14:27, NIV). Why is this demand so 16 hard to accept? Was Jesus expecting too much? Is there 17 no alternative to carrying the cross? 18 19 Discipleship involves placing Jesus above all 20 interests, including one’s family. Jesus defines family 21 not in terms of blood but in terms of doing God’s will 22 (Luke 8:19-21). If this is a hard saying, consider the 23 following: “ ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 67 Lesson 6 1 his father and mother, his wife and children, his 2 brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot 3 be my disciple’ ” (Luke 14:26, NIV). Does this mean 4 that Jesus wants us to actively hate our family? Far 5 from it. Did not Jesus Himself provide for His mother 6 even as He hung on the cross (John 19:25-27)? And did 7 He not command us to love everyone? What, then, is 8 meant by this passage? Christ demands our absolute, 9 unconditional loyalty to Him as the Lord of our lives. 10 Nothing—not parents, not children, not self—can take 11 the place of Christ in a disciple’s life. He is life’s 12 first priority. 13 14 II. The Challenge of Christian Lifestyle 15 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is 16 in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). At the heart of the 17 Sermon on the Mount is this command. Did our Lord 18 expect us to be sinless, to be morally and ethically 19 perfect? Can anyone ever be perfect like God? If no one 20 can, why did Jesus say what He did? From this passage 21 some argue for a sinless life here on earth. To them, 22 sinlessness is an attainable objective. Such a call to 23 moral perfection can indeed be a hard saying. Yet the TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 68 Lesson 6 1 context (vs. 43 onward) makes clear what Jesus was 2 driving at: Be like the Father. Love everyone even as 3 He loves. Be merciful like Him (Luke 6:36). Life is not 4 a battle of wits; it is a relationship to be lived. 5 Viewed thus, the saying is not difficult after all; but 6 practicing it certainly is. 7 8 Forgiveness is another challenge in discipleship. Yet 9 forgiveness is what makes the Christian life possible. 10 The gospel is God’s message of forgiveness, and 11 forgiveness plays a significant part of Christ’s 12 teaching. He placed it as an essential part of prayer 13 life (Matt. 6:12). Indeed, there and in Matthew 18:35 14 Jesus linked God’s forgiveness of us to our forgiveness 15 of others. The gospel makes no room for revenge. To 16 Peter’s question as to whether seven times is a 17 reasonable limit for forgiving someone, Jesus answered, 18 “ ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven 19 times’ ” (Matt. 18:22, NIV). Both this and His earlier 20 statement of turning the other cheek (Matt. 5:39) make 21 Christian life not particularly easy. Yet, in these 22 sayings, is Jesus outlining the impossible as a guide 23 to Christian conduct? Or is He saying that if God’s TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 69 Lesson 6 1 love dwells in one’s heart, such love can do what is 2 humanly impossible? Are His sayings a measure of human 3 ability or divine empowerment? 4 5 III. The Challenge of Relationships: Marriage 6 Marriage and divorce. The saying of Jesus on marriage 7 and divorce (Matt. 19:3-9) is an increasingly difficult 8 one at a time that when divorce is so common within the 9 faith community. More than the legality of divorce, 10 Jesus was interested in the divine sanctity of 11 marriage. He finds in the inspired Word that (a) God 12 established marriage; (b) marriage creates one 13 indivisible unity out of two; (c) what God has glued 14 together no one has the right to separate; and (d) 15 infidelity is the only ground for divorce. What Jesus 16 said was so hard even for His disciples that they gave 17 up in despair, saying “it is better not to marry” (vs. 18 19:10, NIV). Here is one reason why we find some of 19 Jesus’ sayings difficult: they are inconvenient; they 20 uphold what the Scriptures consider as the ideal; and 21 they run counter to what we perceive as acceptable 22 conduct. Social norms, current laws, or common 23 agreements of the parties may justify divorce. Is it TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 70 Lesson 6 1 not better for the two to separate in peace instead of 2 continuing to live in a relationship that hurts both? 3 The dilemma produces a tension between the ideal and 4 the real, and it takes the wisdom and justice of God to 5 uphold the ideal and “suffer” (vs. 19:8) the reality. 6 7 STEP 3—Practice! 8 9 Just for Teachers: Mark Twain once said that what 10 bothered him most about the Bible were not the things 11 that he could not understand but the things that he 12 could understand. What does this say about human 13 nature? 14 15 Thought Questions: 16 Consider Jesus bidding us to take up the cross and 17 follow Him (Mark 8:34) and Paul’s saying that we must 18 die daily (1 Cor. 15:31). What should I do today to 19 fulfill this demand of discipleship? 20 21 How did Jesus practice what He taught? Cite some 22 examples. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 71 Lesson 6 1 2 While the “common people heard him gladly” (Mark 3 12:37, NKJV), the establishment leaders, the rich, and 4 the powerful found Him offensive and a disturber. Why? 5 Have you ever found Jesus offensive? 6 7 STEP 4—Apply! 8 9 Just for Teachers: We learned this week the high 10 standards that Jesus sets for discipleship. How should 11 we relate these standards to our witness? 12 13 Application Questions: 14 “Show me a Christian and I will become one” is often 15 said by those who admire the teachings of Jesus but do 16 not choose to follow Him. What is our responsibility to 17 counter this argument? 18 19 Choose a particular hard saying of Christ, such as turning 20 the other cheek (Matt. 5:39) or selling all and 21 giving it to the poor (Luke 18:22). Do you know of 22 any who has practiced such a principle? Will TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 72 1 32 following such a principle lead to salvation? Lesson 6 TE-2Q-2008-07-The Lesson In Brief. . . 4 5 Key Text: John 5:30 6 7 The Student Will: 8 Know: Discuss how Jesus’ faithfulness in doing the 9 will of the Father in heaven came before all else. 10 And He knew that God’s will for Him was to save 11 humankind. 12 Feel: Nurture a desire to demonstrate personally 13 that each believer is accepted into God’s family, 14 regardless of status. 15 Do: Reach out to everyone, regardless of their 16 status. 17 18 19 Learning Outline: I. Son of Man—Son of God 20 A. Jesus knew that He was the Son of God and 21 understood, even in His youth, what His purpose 22 was for coming to the earth. 23 B. Although He had respect for His parents, Jesus’ TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 73 Lesson 7 1 loyalty to God was greater than His loyalty to 2 them. 3 4 II. Jesus Our Brother—Our Example 5 A. In many cases Jesus expressed human emotions 6 much as we do. 7 B. In many situations, Jesus was silent, or, 8 seemingly, gave no response at all. 9 C. We must follow Christ’s example by applying the 10 underlying principles behind His own words and 11 behaviors. 12 13 III. Friend of the Outcast 14 A. Although Jesus mingled with ordinary people, He 15 also interacted with (and welcomed) the 16 unacceptable, the outcast, and the lower class of 17 society. 18 B. Many people who did not understand the Lord’s 19 conduct in associating with “sinners” misjudged 20 Him or accused Him wrongly. 21 22 Summary: The Savior’s ministry and purpose to bring TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 74 Lesson 7 1 salvation to humankind was far-reaching and all- 2 inclusive. He therefore reached out to “whosoever” 3 would come—from prostitute to preacher, from leper 4 to lawyer. In all that He did, He always put His 5 loyalty to the Father and His purpose for saving 6 humanity above all else. 7 98 TE-2Q-2008-07-Learning Cycle 10 11 STEP 1—Motivate! 12 13 Just for Teachers: “We are to copy no human being. 14 There is no human being wise enough to be our 15 criterion. We are to look to the man Christ Jesus, who 16 is complete in the perfection of righteousness and 17 holiness.... He is the pattern man.... His character is 18 our model.”—Ellen G. White, In Heavenly Places, p. 166. 19 20 Jesus is indeed our model. Yet, His conduct at times is 21 puzzling. For example, when a Gentile woman approached 22 Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter, His first 23 reaction was silence, compounded later by a seemingly TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 75 Lesson 7 1 harsh derision of her race as dogs (Matt. 15:21–26). 2 Did Jesus possess such contempt for those of another 3 culture? Or was He using this incident to show that 4 racial hatred has no place in His kingdom? 5 6 Jesus is unique in His person and mission. He is 7 both God and Man, and as such His approach to His work 8 at times seems so different from the options open for 9 us. However, there are certain things in which we ought 10 to imitate Jesus without any hesitation. What are they? 11 12 STEP 2—Explore! 13 14 Just for Teachers: As we study incidents in Jesus’ life 15 that may seem puzzling, encourage the class to (a) 16 remember that He is different from us; (b) view His 17 mission as Messianic; and (c) see a purpose behind each 18 puzzling conduct a purpose. 19 20 Bible Commentary 21 Observe the puzzling conduct of Jesus in three areas— 22 His childhood, His associations, and His attitudes—and TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 76 Lesson 7 1 discover behind each puzzle a purpose. 2 3 I. The Puzzle of His Childhood 4 The only recorded incident of Jesus’ childhood (Luke 5 2:41–51) leaves us with amazement and a query. We 6 wonder at the ability of the 12-year old Jesus to 7 debate with the learned. We are puzzled by His response 8 to the anxiety of His parents: “ ‘Why did you seek Me? 9 Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s 10 11 business?’” (vs. 2:49, 50, NKJV). Was Jesus careless and irresponsible in so 12 responding to His parents’ anxiety? Was He arrogant 13 because of sudden eminence bestowed upon Him by His 14 audience in the temple? Should He not have felt bad 15 that He caused His parents so much pain? The incident 16 is puzzling. But behind the puzzle is the divine 17 purpose: to unfold to Jesus and His parents His 18 Messianic mission, that even as He is growing up as 19 their son, He has an eternal Father, and His work will 20 soon consume His life itself. 21 22 Consider This: Was Jesus insensitive toward His TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 77 Lesson 7 1 parents? See Luke 2:51. 2 3 II. The Puzzle of His Association 4 “One’s character is known by the friends one keeps” is 5 a common saying. The scribes and the Pharisees applied 6 this saying to Jesus and passed a judgment: Jesus could 7 not be good and could not qualify to be the Messiah 8 because He associated with sinners, tax collectors, and 9 the undesirable of society (Luke 5:31–32; Matt. 9:10– 10 13). 11 12 Jesus met His accusers with a profound answer: It is 13 the sick who need a doctor, the sinners that need the 14 Savior. The healing and saving mission of Jesus 15 considers not the status of whom He met but their need. 16 The deeper a person is in sin, the more longing is the 17 Savior’s love. No one is alien to His redemptive 18 search. So what is the divine purpose behind Jesus’ 19 association with the undesirables of the society? 20 Simply this: to reveal to all humanity that God hates 21 sin but loves the sinner; that sin’s oppression cannot 22 place one beyond the reach of divine grace; that what TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 78 Lesson 7 1 is considered scandalous by human opinion is precisely 2 the object of divine mission. Hence, come Zacchaeus, 3 come Mary Magdalene, come leper, and also come 4 Nicodemus, come Peter, come Paul—there is room for all 5 in Christ’s kingdom. 6 7 Consider This: Supposing you see your pastor walking 8 around in the bad part of town where prostitutes and 9 drug dealers hang around, or find him coming out of an 10 all-night bar. What would you conclude? 11 12 III. The Puzzle of His Attitudes 13 Does Jesus care? Caring for the oppressed, saving the 14 lost, being a friend of the friendless, weeping with 15 those that weep, feeding the hungry: Don’t such 16 instances of love and tenderness show that Jesus cares? 17 And yet, is it not puzzling to note that while John the 18 Baptist was languishing in prison Jesus never paid Him 19 a visit (Matt. 14:1–12)? After all, Jesus taught that 20 visiting those in prison is a characteristic of the 21 citizens of His kingdom (Matt. 25: 31–46). How are we 22 to understand, then, Jesus’ attitude toward the TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 79 Lesson 7 1 imprisoned and the beheaded Baptist? Does it reflect 2 insensitiveness, neglect, and inconsistency? 3 Matthew says that John’s disciples “told Jesus” all 4 that had happened to the Baptist (Matt. 14:12). Was 5 this a hint? “Beware, don’t let this come to you.” 6 7 Consider This: “Jesus did not interpose to deliver His 8 servant. He knew that John would bear the test. Gladly 9 would the Saviour have come to John, to brighten the 10 dungeon gloom with His own presence. But He was not to 11 place Himself in the hands of enemies and imperil His 12 own mission. Gladly would He have delivered His 13 faithful servant. But for the sake of thousands who in 14 after years must pass from prison to death, John was to 15 drink the cup of martyrdom.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire 16 of Ages, p. 224. 17 18 Did Jesus respect property? When Jesus healed two men 19 possessed by demons, He allowed the demons to enter a 20 herd of 2,000 swine, causing the pigs to drown in a 21 nearby lake (Matt. 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–19). The miracle 22 had caused much discussion about Jesus’ attitude toward TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 80 Lesson 7 1 property rights and animal welfare. Are His critics 2 right to charge Him as uncaring and insensitive? 3 We can be sure of certain things. First, Jesus could 4 not have deliberately destroyed the pigs. Second, He 5 could not have wished any economic loss to the owners 6 of the pigs. Third, He who spoke of a little sparrow or 7 the one lost sheep with such intense feelings could not 8 have wantonly caused cruelty to animals. 9 And so why did Jesus allow the demons to enter the 10 swine? One reason is the saving of the two oppressed 11 men. Salvation is always His first priority: is it not 12 His mission, even to the point of His own death on the 13 cross? Another is to awaken the villagers to the 14 reality that they were too preoccupied with material 15 things that they did not care for the spiritual, and 16 that now in seeing the salvation of two of their own 17 neglected men, they may turn to their own salvation. 18 With Jesus there is always a balance and a priority. 19 20 STEP 3—Practice! 21 22 Thought Question: TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 81 Lesson 7 1 Jesus overturned the moneychangers’ tables because He 2 did not approve of their actions (Matt. 21:12, 13). Is 3 this an act of righteous anger, targeted at cleansing a 4 religious institution, as part of His messianic 5 mission? Or is it a revolutionary model for us to 6 emulate? 7 8 Application Questions: 9 Consider an imaginary situation in your church. For 10 some time rumors have been floating that an elder has 11 been behaving inappropriately with members of the 12 opposite sex. There has also been talk of two deacons 13 misappropriating some church funds. You feel concerned 14 about it. Will you be justified in exposing this during 15 a divine service and demanding action? If not, why not? 16 17 In situations such as the above, why is it that we 18 cannot assert the same rights as Jesus did? What sets 19 Jesus apart from us in taking certain actions such as 20 He took? 21 22 STEP 4—Apply! TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 82 Lesson 7 1 2 Just for Teachers: The conduct of Jesus as seen in the 3 gospels shows how compassionate, merciful, and caring 4 He is. 5 lesson), His conduct also is puzzling. Ask your class 6 to jot down illustrations of both kinds and invite them 7 to discuss in which ones they should be more involved, 8 and why. In some cases (such as we have noted in this 9 10 Application Question: 11 Jesus was righteously indignant when He saw unbelief 12 (Matt. 17:17), and when He saw God’s temple abused (Matt. 13 21:12, 13). How would you apply such righteous anger in your 14 personal life? 15 16 17 TE-2Q-2008-08-The Lesson in Brief . . . 18 19 Key Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 20 21 The Student Will: TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 83 Lesson 8 1 Know: Identify that Jesus’ power to overcome 2 temptation came from His closeness with the 3 Father. 4 Feel: Cultivate a desire to spend much time in 5 prayer on a daily basis. 6 Do: Strive to develop a close connection with God. 7 8 9 Learning Outline: I. A Strong Foundation 10 A. Jesus’ upbringing gave Him a strong spiritual 11 foundation. 12 B. Very early in life Jesus developed and 13 maintained a close relationship with His heavenly 14 Father. 15 C. Jesus’ close connection to the Father gave Him 16 strength and stability in His public ministry. 17 18 II. Tempted as We Are 19 A. Every response to the tempter in the wilderness 20 gave evidence of Jesus’ unvarying communion with 21 the heavenly Father. 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 84 Lesson 8 1 B. Jesus lived His life on earth in the flesh— 2 experiencing what we experience (only worse)—but 3 still did not succumb to sin. 4 5 III. A Purpose for Life 6 A. Throughout His life on earth, Jesus often spent 7 many hours alone in prayer. 8 B. Jesus was ever cognizant of His mission to 9 reach lost souls. This was His focus and purpose 10 on a daily basis. 11 C. As we follow Christ’s example in His 12 relationship to the Father, our service for the 13 Lord and relationship with Him must be constant. 14 15 Summary: We must be totally dependent on the Lord, just as 16 Jesus was dependent on the Father in heaven. Like 17 Jesus, we also can acquire a close connection with 18 God through continual prayer and communion with 19 Him. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 85 Lesson 8 1 TE-2Q-2008-08-Learning Cycle 2 3 STEP 1—Motivate! 4 5 When your spouse or someone you love and share life 6 with is absent for an extended period of time, how do 7 you stay in touch? You probably have considered such 8 avenues of communication as telephone, mail, or email. 9 Discuss other creative options to continue your 10 relationship over the long distance. 11 12 In class, invite members to share when they might 13 have experienced an extended separation. What ‘secrets 14 of survival’ did they learn that would benefit someone 15 who may be facing a similar situation? 16 17 STEP 2—Explore! 18 19 Bible Commentary 20 I. 21 Review 1 John 2:6 with your class. 22 Walking as Jesus Walked The four Gospels give us insight into what it TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 86 Lesson 8 1 means to “walk as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6, NIV). Luke 2 tells us that “the grace of God was upon Him” (Luke 3 2:40). Luke also tells us Jesus spent extended periods 4 in intentional communication with God (Luke 6:12). John 5 tells us that Jesus’ connection with God included 6 action. He looked for opportunities to share the water 7 of life with others in places some were afraid to go 8 (John 4:1-35). 9 10 Consider This: From the Gospels, what can we learn from 11 the pattern of Jesus’ life? What stories most 12 graphically and clearly help you follow His example? 13 14 II. Discovery and Investigation 15 John 1:43–46 records the calling of Jesus’ first 16 disciples. As a group, read this passage and then 17 outline the different events that took place. 18 19 Consider This: Our culture invites us to experience 20 something before we invest our money, time, or energy 21 in it. In John 1:46 Philip invites Nathanael to come 22 and see. Discuss what is significant about this TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 87 Lesson 8 1 approach to witnessing. How can discovery and personal 2 investigation be a fruitful tool as we share Jesus with 3 our friends and work associates? 4 5 Compare and Contrast: How did you find out about Jesus 6 and His promises to you? What types of witnessing 7 techniques have you experienced or been involved in? 8 Which were most successful? Compare them with Ellen 9 White’s statement of how Jesus shared the gospel. 10 “Christ’s method alone will give true success in 11 reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as 12 one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for 13 them, ministered to their needs, and won their 14 confidence. Then He bade them, “ ‘Follow Me.’ ”—The 15 Ministry of Healing, p. 143. 16 17 Consider This: After Philip met Jesus, he was so 18 intrigued and excited about what he found, he went out 19 to tell his friends. Why didn’t he just dismiss this 20 Man as an interesting encounter? Why did he take the 21 next step and share with his friends about Jesus? 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 88 Lesson 8 1 Consider These Possibilities: We see lots of 2 advertisements for a wide variety of goods and 3 services. What advertising techniques work best as you 4 consider items your family might purchase? Even if you 5 are really interested in an item, what things keep you 6 from taking the steps necessary toward owning it? How 7 might these insights apply to how we witness about 8 Jesus? How do we make it difficult for people to meet 9 Him? 10 11 III. Practical Habits to Live By Spiritual Disciplines 12 Consider This: When Jesus was praying for His disciples 13 (see John 17), He gave some significant principles of 14 how to know God. Read this passage together as a group 15 and make a list of those principles. Then break into 16 smaller groups of one or two to make a list of 17 practical suggestions on how to live out those 18 principles in everyday life. 19 20 Practical Tools for Having a Real Relationship with God 21 Notice the process of being conformed to the 22 nature of Christ for the sake of others (Rom. 12:2). TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 89 Lesson 8 1 There are three sets of spiritual disciplines, the 2 inward disciplines, those that take place inside our 3 minds, the outward disciplines, those that take place 4 through our actions, and corporate disciplines, where 5 we work together as fellow believers. 6 Examples of inward disciplines include meditation 7 (Isa. 1:18), prayer (Ps. 5:1-3) and fasting (Esther 8 4:16, also see Isa. 58:6). Some outward disciplines are 9 simplicity (Luke 12:15, Matt. 6:33), solitude (Luke 10 6:12) and service (Matt. 25:34-36). The corporate 11 disciplines include confession (Matt. 5:23, 24) and 12 worship (one example is found in 1 Chron. 16:16, 29). 13 14 Compare and Contrast: On numerous occasions the 15 Scriptures record that Jesus went up on the 16 mountainside alone to pray, sometimes all night. At 17 other times, He took His disciples with Him. How does 18 Jesus’ life and ministry compare with that of His 19 disciples? Discuss why the disciples experienced 20 discouragement and even failure at times. How do we 21 apply the lessons learned from this discussion to our 22 own personal walk with the Savior and our experience of TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 90 Lesson 8 1 ‘fruit bearing’ or lack of it? 2 3 IV. Avoiding Roadblocks (Barriers to Communication With 4 God) 5 6 Consider This: After Jesus spent some time in prayer 7 with His disciples nearby Mark 14:40 records, “When he 8 came back, he again found them sleeping, because their 9 eyes were heavy” (NIV). When you consider your 10 spiritual journey, what roadblocks have kept you from 11 an ever-deepening experience with Jesus? As a group, 12 make a list of those roadblocks. Then brainstorm 13 avenues to overcome or remove them. (For example, if 14 you listed “lack of time,” discuss ways to reprioritize 15 your schedule to allow more time. “Turn off the 16 television” might be one suggestion.) 17 18 P Jesus warned the disciples that some of the towns He 19 sent them to in order to share the gospel would not 20 receive their ministry. See Luke 9:1–5. Our tendency is 21 to dismiss people before we have truly formed a 22 relationship with them that would allow them to respond TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 91 Lesson 8 1 to the Gospel invitation. How can we learn to deal with 2 apathy in love and zeal for those who initially appear 3 uninterested? 4 5 STEP 3—Practice! 6 7 Thought Questions: 8 As the disciples were in the boat on Galilee, tossed 9 by the ferocious storm (Matt. 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, 10 Luke 8:22–25), what might have kept them from 11 panicking? In the Gospels read the portion of Scripture 12 from the beginning of the Gospel to where the narrative 13 of the storm is recorded. What clues to peace and 14 certainty in difficult situations did the disciples 15 miss? How did Jesus repeat these lessons in the rest of 16 the Gospels? 17 18 “There is a difference between imitating a good man 19 and counterfeiting him.”—Benjamin Franklin. Spiritual 20 disciplines have been described as behaviors that 21 facilitate spiritual growth. Expand on the list of 22 spiritual gifts included in the ‘Explore’ section of TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 92 Lesson 8 1 the teacher’s helps. Choose one that you will 2 incorporate into your schedule during the next week. 3 Ask a trusted friend to hold you accountable for 4 following through on your commitment. 5 6 Application Question: 7 When children have good news to share (receiving a new 8 toy or a fun time with a friend), you can’t contain 9 their enthusiasm to tell the story. Paul talks about 10 disciples as ones that “shine like stars in the 11 universe” (Phil. 2:15, NIV) or as those whose “joy in 12 Christ Jesus will overflow” (Phil. 1:26, NIV) with the 13 good news of Jesus’ willingness to save. He even prays 14 for all disciples in all ages “May the Lord make your 15 love increase and overflow for each other and for 16 everyone else” (1 Thess. 3:12). Read these texts 17 together as a class. Discuss their context and how joy 18 and witnessing was possible during difficult times. How 19 can God help you live out that same kind of enthusiasm 20 in your ministry of outreach to others? 21 22 Witnessing TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 93 Lesson 8 1 “He makes known that which he himself has heard, seen, 2 and handled of the word of life, that others may have 3 fellowship with him through the knowledge of Christ.”— 4 Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 142. What have 5 you learned about Jesus and His connection with His 6 heavenly Father that your non-Christian friend at work 7 needs to know? Set up some time to spend with that 8 friend. Ask God to prepare the way for your 9 relationship to grow in a way that you can help lead 10 that person to Jesus. 11 12 STEP 4—Apply! 13 14 Before nursing students give their first injection, 15 they practice on oranges. How can we practice walking 16 as Jesus walked? Jesus spent time with His Father in 17 prayer, He spent time teaching His disciples, and He 18 went about serving people through acts of healing. As a 19 group, make a list of two ways we can practice Jesus’ 20 example in each area: prayer, teaching, and serving. 21 Covenant as individual class members to follow at least 22 one suggestion in each area during the next week. Take TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 94 Lesson 8 1 some of the classtime next week to report on what 2 happened and how this affected your life and the life 3 of the person/s you served. 4 5 Consider This: What does it mean to be a truly 6 authentic disciple of Jesus Christ? When Jesus 7 commanded “Go and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19, NIV), 8 what did He mean? If you met a disciple for the first 9 time, how would you know he or she was Jesus’ disciple? 10 What would he or she look or act like? Find a friend 11 who would spend time with you in Bible study. Read 12 through the Gospels together asking the question “What 13 made Jesus’ disciples different from the people who 14 hadn’t met Jesus yet?” 15 17 16 TE-2Q-2008-09-The Lesson in Brief . . . 18 19 Key Text: Matthew 9:36 20 21 The Student Will: 22 Know: Recognize that Jesus was very compassionate 23 in His interaction with the people around Him. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 95 Lesson 9 1 Feel: Sense the Lord’s compassion in your own 2 life. 3 Do: Reflect the gentleness of the Savior in your 4 own relationships with people. 5 6 7 Learning Outline: I. The Compassionate Lord 8 A. Jesus was moved with compassion and was always 9 concerned about the needs of others. That was the 10 prime focus of His whole life and ministry. 11 B. Jesus showed compassion for the woman caught in 12 adultery. 13 accusers by not condemning them openly. 14 C. Jesus showed great compassion for children and 15 welcomed them into His presence. He also showed compassion for her 16 17 II. Friends or Foes 18 A. In His relationship with Mary, Martha, and 19 Lazarus, we see Jesus’ concern for the interests 20 and needs of His closest friends. 21 B. Jesus even had compassion for His enemies— 22 giving them opportunities for repentance and TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 96 Lesson 9 1 forgiveness. 2 3 III. Gentle Words 4 A. The gentle nature of the Lord is evident in how 5 He always spoke the truth about people, whether 6 good or bad, without belittling or condemning 7 them. 8 B. The Lord’s correction and tough words for the 9 Pharisees always gave the listeners the 10 opportunity to take heed and change their ways. 11 12 Summary: In the life and ministry of Christ we have the 13 perfect example of gentleness—of compassion, as 14 Jesus was seeking to save as many as would be 15 saved. 16 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 97 Lesson 9 1 TE-2Q-2008-09-Learning Cycle 2 3 STEP 1—Motivate! 4 5 What comforts you when you are stressed or fearful? 6 What memories of peaceful times and gracious people 7 does this question bring to mind? Invite each class 8 member to share a memory of care given when most needed 9 during a difficult time. Then discuss what qualities of 10 the person who came to your rescue most attracted you. 11 How did those qualities especially meet your need? 12 13 Take at least 10 minutes of class time to make a 14 specific list of people in the congregation and/or 15 friends outside the fellowship of the church who are 16 facing trying circumstances. Lift their names and 17 situations up in prayer. Commission members of the 18 class to contact them during the week through a phone 19 call or visit. 20 21 STEP 1—Explore! 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 98 Lesson 9 1 Bible Commentary 2 I. Jesus, A Model of Love Lived Out Through A Human Life 3 If Jesus had used strictly human discernment and 4 eyesight while looking out over the nation of Israel 5 from the crest of a hill, He would have seen a motley 6 group of misfits. Instead, Scripture records that He 7 used heavenly eyesight “When he saw the crowds, he had 8 compassion on them, because they were harassed and 9 helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matt. 9:36, 10 NIV). Looking down through history, He also saw each of 11 His children who would live on the face of the earth. 12 Instead of seeing broken, incompetent people, He saw, 13 through the power of infinite love, disciples able and 14 willing to suffer and serve for the cause of reaching 15 others with the good news of the gospel. 16 17 Consider This: Using a concordance, find all the times 18 the word compassion is used in conjunction with Jesus’ 19 ministry. What does this tell you about the nature of 20 compassion? How might these insights impact how you 21 relate to the people in your sphere of influence? 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 99 Lesson 9 1 Compare and Contrast: Using a dictionary, look up the 2 words compassion and love. As a group, write a 3 definition of compassion as modeled by Christ. How 4 would you describe what you know of Jesus’ compassion 5 to someone who is struggling with feelings of being 6 abandoned by God? What in your personal life journey 7 could be shared as a witness of the authenticity of His 8 love? 9 10 II. Those Who Need Love (But Don’t Deserve It) 11 Do you make lists of things you like and those things 12 you most definitely don’t like? Do those lists include 13 people? Matthew 5:44-48 mandates love for those who are 14 openly hostile—our enemies. Discuss why verse 48 15 equates love for our enemies with “perfect love.” 16 Consider the people in your life who are difficult for 17 you to love. Pray for a change of heart in your 18 attitude toward them. Covenant to exhibit God’s love 19 toward at least one of those people in a tangible way 20 during the coming week. 21 22 III. Making Love the Defining Characteristic of Your TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 100 Lesson 9 1 Life 2 Each congregation is called to a specific mission on 3 behalf of the kingdom of God. Many even write vision 4 and mission statements in attempt to stay focused on 5 that purpose and as a means to invite others to become 6 involved. These focus statements constitute core 7 principles that are used by the church in making 8 decisions on ministries to pursue. God invites us as 9 individuals to answer two core questions. Do I believe 10 with saving faith in the Son of God? Is my life modeled 11 after His? In class, discuss how the answers to these 12 questions might help your group focus on a mission. 13 14 IV. Loving Enough to Be Misunderstood 15 “All who received Him would . . . be conformed to His 16 character. This involved the relinquishment of their 17 cherished ambitions . . . The insincere, the selfish, 18 who had sought Him, no longer desired Him. If He would 19 not devote His power and influence to obtaining their 20 freedom from the Romans, they would have nothing to do 21 with Him.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 399. 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 101 Lesson 9 1 Compare and Contrast This: Read John 6:25–66. A crisis of decisio 2 that Jesus was the Messiah. How can we remain 3 courageous in sharing a gentle, genuine witness, even 4 when we are misunderstood? 5 6 STEP 3—Practice! 7 8 9 Thought Questions: In our culture, with all its technology and 10 opportunities for entertainment, we seldom have time to 11 follow Mary’s example. Luke 10:39 (NIV) records that 12 she “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” 13 How could you reorder your priorities, beginning 14 tomorrow morning, so that you could have at least 10 15 minutes to hear God speak His love to you through His 16 Word? 17 18 Entrapment in sinful choices leads many down what 19 seem like irreversible paths. Gossip and outright 20 slander seem to confirm the worthlessness of those 21 individuals who are the objects of negative rumors. 22 Jesus dealt with an apparently hopeless situation—a TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 102 Lesson 9 1 life obviously broken beyond redemption—in John 8:2–11. 2 Read this passage and then, as a group, discuss each of 3 the characters in the narrative. How might Jesus’ 4 example in this story change how we interact at work or 5 church? 6 7 Application Question: 8 Acts 6:7 describes the impossible happening. Even “a 9 large number of priests became obedient to the faith,” 10 (NIV). When we look at growth in the church, we think 11 in terms of addition instead of multiplication and the 12 obvious and possible instead of becoming involved in 13 what only God can do. When we consider Jesus’ love and 14 its impact and results, we have to wonder, “How can we 15 see this same type of growth happening through our 16 congregation?” Form your Sabbath school class into a 17 task force that seeks answers on how to become more 18 productive witnesses so that even the apparently 19 unreachable may be won for Christ. Share your findings 20 and suggestions with your church leadership. 21 22 Witnessing TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 103 Lesson 9 1 The little song “Jesus Loves Me” has impacted many 2 lives. But somehow its true impact is missed much of 3 the time. Jesus very personally loves YOU! Using a 4 concordance, look through the passages in the Gospels 5 that use the words love, loved, or loves. What 6 impression do they make about the depth and life 7 changing power God’s love is to have in your life? If 8 you haven’t told Jesus, “I am so thankful you love ME.” 9 Do that right now. Then, take the next step. With 10 courage and the Holy Spirit’s presence, ask God to send 11 you to someone that needs to experience this same 12 assurance right now. 13 14 STEP 4—Apply! 15 16 Consider This: Make a list that includes any work 17 associate, neighbor, or other acquaintance with whom 18 you have enough of a relationship that you know 19 something about their family or life situation. Then 20 try to picture them sitting at the feet of Jesus, 21 hearing His parables and seeing His miracles. Jesus 22 modeled the Father’s love by coming to this earth and TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 104 Lesson 9 1 serving broken, rebellious humanity. He stated that 2 mission in the synagogue recorded in Luke 4:18–19. He 3 then made application of that mission to us. “ ‘As the 4 Father has sent me, I am sending you!’ ” (John 20:21, 5 NIV). Which of the people in your list need you to 6 serve them? How can you change the picture on the 7 hillside to include you as the serving, compassionate 8 teacher? How will you start that journey today? 9 11 10 TE-2Q-2008-10-The Lesson in Brief . . . 12 13 Key Text: Galatians 2:8 14 15 The Student Will: 16 Know: Comprehend that the Lord’s sacrifice of 17 death for all people was by His own choice. 18 came of His own free will to save us. 19 Feel: Experience joy for His power to remove the 20 sins from his or her life. 21 Do: Live a life free from the enslaving power of 22 sin through the power of the indwelling Spirit of 23 Christ. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams He 105 Lesson 10 1 2 3 Lesson Outline: I. He Came to Die 4 A. Simeon’s prophecy to Mary, the mother of Jesus, 5 foretold the horrific suffering that Jesus would 6 one day experience (Luke 2:25–35). 7 B. Jesus’ whole purpose in coming to earth was to 8 die for humankind. No matter how good His life 9 was, the end result would inevitably be death. It 10 had to be that way for the plan of salvation to be 11 implemented. 12 13 II. Predestined 14 A. Formulated before the creation of the world, 15 the Lord’s plan to die for the sins of the world 16 was by His own choice. 17 B. Those who were directly involved in the 18 persecution and death of Jesus will be held 19 accountable individually, not corporately. 20 21 22 III. Because He Died A. Jesus gave Himself as one sacrifice for the TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 106 Lesson 10 1 sins of many (of the whole world). 2 B. The Savior’s death paved the way for the 3 salvation of humanity. 4 C. Through Jesus we have been reconciled with the 5 Father. 6 7 Summary: It was of His own free will that the Savior gave 8 His life for sinners. He came in order to save all 9 those who will come to Him in faith. 10 11 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 107 Lesson 10 1 TE-2Q-2008-Learning Cycle-10 2 3 STEP 1—Motivate! 4 5 Jesus died on the cross to save us. How can someone 6 dying save anyone? How would you explain Jesus’ death 7 and the purpose of His death to a 10 year old? How 8 would you explain it to someone who had never heard of 9 Jesus Christ before? See 1 Peter 1:3–9. 10 11 STEP 2—Explore! 12 13 Bible Commentary 14 I. A Horrendous Price Paid 15 When we hear that someone has died, or even when 16 someone uses the word death, we feel sadness and 17 despair. Jesus walked on this earth, God with man, God 18 as man, to face death. (See Matthew 27:45, 46.) 19 20 Consider This: As Jesus approached this time of 21 darkness, how did He, in His humanity, keep from 22 running away from paying the price for our salvation? TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 108 Lesson 10 1 What did He do for His disciples to prepare them? What 2 did He tell them? 3 4 Compare and Contrast: Jesus tried to prepare His 5 disciples for the culmination and purpose of His 6 ministry on earth, His death on the cross for our sins. 7 As a class, discuss Jesus’ patience and perseverance as 8 well as the methods He used to prepare them so that 9 they might remain faithful. Consider how the disciples 10 perceived what Jesus was trying to share. Why did 11 Jesus’ persecution and death come as a total surprise 12 even to those that were closest to Him? 13 14 Consider This: Describe the picture you might paint of 15 Matthew 27:45, 46. What colors would you use? How could 16 that portrait be a blessing to those who saw it? 17 18 II. Hope in Death 19 Imagine being present during the scenes in the temple 20 that Luke 2:25–35 describes. You might wish you could 21 hold the beautiful Baby that Mary cuddled in her arms. 22 How would Simeon’s words impact your response to this TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 109 Lesson 10 1 Child? Why would the warm, joyful thoughts chill as he 2 pronounced “ ‘a sword will pierce your own soul too’ ” 3 (vs. 35, NIV). What does it mean to be born to die? Why 4 do we consider Simeon’s words to be a hopeful prophecy? 5 6 Consider This: Jesus said of Himself, “ ‘I am the way 7 and the truth and the life’ ” (John 14:6, NIV). What 8 was He trying to teach the disciples about the meaning 9 of His death? 10 11 P Our favorite stories have the hero “living happily 12 ever after” because he or she has successfully 13 triumphed over adversity. The ultimate story with a 14 perfect ending is the great controversy theme of 15 Scripture. How did Simeon’s prophecy encapsulate this 16 cosmic conflict? How does the grand theme of the war 17 between our Savior God and the adversary give us a 18 relevant context for sharing the gospel with our 19 postmodern generation? What is your personal great 20 controversy experience? Who needs to hear it? During 21 class time, plan to role-play sharing your testimony. 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 110 Lesson 10 1 III. Life to the Full 2 The disciples didn’t comprehend that Jesus was trying 3 to prepare them for His death. Their preconceived 4 ideas, the national prejudice and expectations that 5 they grew up with, colored their understanding of 6 everything Jesus said. 7 8 Consider This: Jesus tried to keep the disciples from 9 being devastated by His death by telling them the 10 purpose of His presence on earth. If they would have 11 grasped what He had said to them, how much easier the 12 trauma would have been. 13 opportunities they had for sharing that glad fact with 14 others. What barriers do we raise to our own insight 15 into God’s truth, and that of those with whom we should 16 be sharing the gospel, because of our own 17 misconceptions of God’s plans? What would it take for 18 us to be more open to truth? We only can imagine the missed 19 20 Compare and Contrast: When Jesus was arrested, the 21 disciples fled. When He was crucified, they could not 22 see beyond His death to the resurrection. They met in TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 111 Lesson 10 1 secret—in fear and abject disappointment. How does 2 their response fit with what Jesus had told them, “I 3 have come that they may have life, and have it to the 4 full” (John 10:10, NIV)? Discuss how John’s record of 5 the disciples’ activity after Jesus’ death might have 6 been different if they had understood what His death 7 would accomplish. 8 9 IV. Knowing the Outcome 10 When a couple is planning for the birth of their first 11 child, knowing the outcome helps them take the steps 12 necessary in order for that birth to take place. They 13 find a competent physician, choose a hospital or 14 birthing center, and may even take “prepared 15 childbirth” classes. 16 17 Compare and Contrast: Read 1 Corinthians 15:3. What is 18 different? What does it mean to you personally that 19 Jesus planned that you have a “message of 20 reconciliation” (vs. 19, NIV) to share? the import 21 22 STEP 3—Practice! TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 112 Lesson 10 1 2 Thought Questions: 3 We are told that to truly empathize with others, we 4 must “walk in their shoes.” Jesus came to earth, God in 5 human flesh, even though He possessed an infinite 6 understanding of His creation (Isa. 40:28). How does 7 Hebrews 2:17 describe Jesus’ journey on earth? What 8 does it mean that “He had to be like His brothers in 9 every way” (NIV)? What does this tell you about how 10 Jesus relates to your needs? 11 12 13 Application Questions: Paul records his personal testimony in this way, “I have been cruci 14 gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20, NIV). What experiences 15 in his life allowed him to have such a depth of 16 understanding of Jesus’ death? How can we comprehend 17 the fullness of Jesus’ love for us? Covenant with a 18 friend to meet weekly, either in person or by 19 telephone. Ask your friend to hold you accountable to a 20 daily study of God’s Word in search of the fullness of 21 the salvation that Jesus offers you through His death. 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 113 Lesson 10 1 Witnessing 2 In Galatians 6:14 Paul shares a reason to boast. Why 3 did He say that was appropriate for the Christian? How 4 can we boast when death is such a devastating reality? 5 What is different about Christ’s death? How is it 6 possible, given the world in which we live? Take some 7 time in class to draw a graphic that could be used to 8 explain to a neighbor how Jesus’ death gave Christians 9 a different, hopeful worldview. 10 11 12 STEP 4—Apply! 13 14 Consider This: We dislike having things planned out for us. 15 We like being in control and making our own 16 choices (consider a child’s rebellion when his or 17 her mother picks out clothes for the first day of 18 school). Why is it of “first importance” (1 Cor. 19 15:3, NIV) for us to understand the truth about 20 the plan of salvation? Discuss how the whirl of 21 activity and challenges in our lives keeps us from 22 making a deeper understanding of Christ’s death a TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 114 Lesson 10 1 priority. Make a personal “action plan” to 2 overcome your lack of time to spend in quiet 3 consideration of this truth of Scripture. Consider 4 items that can be removed from your daily 5 agenda/schedule to make room for finding security 6 and hope in Jesus’ death on the cross for you. 87 TE-2Q-2008-11-The Lesson in Brief . . . 9 10 Key Text: John 11:25 11 12 The Student Will: 13 Know: Recall there truly was a literal, visible 14 resurrection of Jesus, and many people were 15 witnesses of that event. 16 Feel: Rekindle his or her gratitude to Jesus for 17 giving His promise of eternal life. 18 Do: Comfort one another with the hope of the 19 resurrection to come. 20 21 22 Learning Outline: I. How Authentic Was the Resurrection? TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 115 Lesson 11 1 A. All of the events surrounding the resurrection 2 of Jesus give indisputable evidence of its 3 occurrence. 4 B. The Christian faith is dependent on the 5 validity of the resurrection. 6 7 II. He Is Risen 8 A. The miracles and eyewitness testimonies of the 9 apostles gave evidence of a risen Savior. 10 B. Many people besides the disciples were 11 witnesses of the resurrection of Christ. 12 C. Through the power of the Holy Spirit the 13 disciples spread the good news of the resurrected 14 Lord. 15 16 III. The Resurrection and Life 17 A. Many people were brought back to life when 18 Jesus was resurrected. These individuals were seen 19 by friends and loved ones, who also gave testimony 20 of the risen Savior. 21 B. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we, too, 22 have the hope of a resurrection. Otherwise death TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 116 Lesson 11 1 is the final end of us all. 2 C. Without the resurrection, the plan of salvation 3 would be in vain. 4 5 Summary: The resurrection of Christ was an actual event 6 witnessed by many people, including the disciples. 7 Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, 8 have the hope of a resurrection. 9 10 11 12 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 117 Lesson 11 1 TE-2Q-2008-11-Learning Cycle 2 3 STEP 1—Motivate! 4 5 Of all the doctrines and teachings ofChristianity, the 6 idea of the resurrection of the dead has to be one of 7 the most intense and faith-demanding teachings. The 8 dead, rising? Some after having been gone for thousands 9 of years? How could that be? How can anyone really 10 believe this? 11 The answer, however, is simple—we believe it because 12 the Word of God promises it. We believe it because 13 Jesus promised it. We believe it because without it we 14 would have no hope whatsoever. Indeed, without it, our 15 faith would be meaningless. Without it, Christ’s first 16 coming was be a waste of time, and who among us 17 believes that? 18 19 STEP 2—Explore! 20 21 22 Bible Commentary Read Luke 24:13–35. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 118 Lesson 11 1 2 I. The “Buts” and “Besides” of Disappointment 3 The scene is the road to Emmaus. Two disappointed 4 disciples are returning home from Jerusalem after 5 witnessing the crucifixion of Jesus. A stranger joins 6 them, and they continue discussing their 7 disappointment. In verse 21 their narrative 8 recollection of what happened over the weekend is 9 punctuated with disappointment: “But we were hoping 10 that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, 11 besides all this, today is the third day since these 12 things happened,” (NKJV). 13 When Jesus did not overthrow the Roman Empire as they 14 had hoped, they continued to wish for some kind of 15 uprising as a result of His death—something that would 16 result in the Jewish people 17 But Jesus’ death did no such thing. Even His closest 18 disciples seemed to have disappeared. What could have 19 been an opportune time of action was long since gone 20 (it was three days since His death). 21 22 gaining political control. What this account should teach us is that it’s important that we not superimpose our own desires, our TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 119 Lesson 11 1 own wishes, our own expectations, on our understanding 2 of doctrine. We need to be surrendered to what the Word 3 of God teaches, even if it teaches things that aren’t 4 exactly as we like. We need to be surrendered to the 5 Word; the history of Christianity is littered with the 6 sad accounts of what happens when the Word of God is 7 subjugated to human desires. 8 What are some of those examples of the Bible 9 being subjugated and twisted by those who want to use it for their own selfish purposes? 10 11 12 II. The Burning of Spiritual Pyrosis 13 When the disciples realized that the stranger 14 traveling with them was Jesus resurrected, suddenly it 15 all came together—how the “stranger” rationally 16 connected the dots of history from Moses to the cross 17 and drew the bigger picture of spiritual redemption; 18 how they felt the overwhelming urge to be in His 19 company and how they felt a burning spirit of 20 conviction in their hearts as they listened to Him. 21 Consider This: Pyrosis is the medical term for 22 acid TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 120 Lesson 11 1 reflux or heartburn. From their symptoms (vs. 32), 2 it’s possible that the men disregarded the uneasiness 3 they felt while Jesus spoke to them (perhaps they 4 chalked it up to heartburn?). They were so focused on 5 their disappointment that they failed to see the 6 enlightenment and clarity that was right in front of 7 them. In what similar ways do we disregard the Holy 8 Spirit? In what ways have things been presented so 9 clearly to us and yet, at the time, from our own 10 hardness of heart, we completely missed them? How can 11 we learn to avoid making similar mistakes again? 12 13 III. The Context of Spiritual Redemption 14 There’s no question about the utter importance of 15 Christ’s resurrection to our faith. Without it, nothing 16 else that Jesus did while here really matters. What did 17 His death on the cross accomplish for us if He weren’t 18 raised from the dead? What good were all His teachings 19 to us if He were not raised from the dead? What good is 20 our faith to us without Christ’s resurrection? 21 22 Consider This: As Jesus spoke to these disciples, He TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 121 Lesson 11 1 helped them to understand not only the historicity of 2 the plan of redemption but also the purpose of the plan 3 of redemption for each person on earth. Jesus helped 4 them see their individual place and role in God’s plan 5 of salvation. 6 As soon as they understood, accepted, and appreciated 7 the events of the weekend, these disciples(who had just 8 walked seven miles) turned around and returned to 9 Jerusalem (vss. 33–35). 10 Why did they do this? What was the urgency to make the 11 journey without resting? What does this tell us about 12 our responsibility as those who understand and accept 13 the message of the cross? 14 15 STEP 3—Practice! 16 17 Thought Questions: 18 “Life must be understood backwards; but... it must 19 be lived forward.”——Soren Kierkegaard. 20 (http://www.brainyquote.com) Apply this to spiritual 21 growth. How does your past experiences and walk with 22 the Lord strengthen your faith and your beliefs today? TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 122 Lesson 11 1 How do your past help you be a better witness for 2 Christ’s grace and an advocate for the plan of 3 salvation? 4 5 Why is the resurrection of Christ crucial to your 6 faith? What if Christ had died for your sins but not 7 risen to life? 8 9 Application Questions: 10 In what ways do you show gratefulness for and 11 acceptance of Christ dying for you? How should His 12 death affect the way you respond to the Holy Spirit? 13 14 In an age of war, terror, and natural disasters, what 15 does the empty tomb say to you—that God is powerful and 16 in control or that God is distant and aloof? Explain. 17 18 Witnessing 19 Jesus’ resurrection had a profound effect on everyone, 20 especially on those in His “inner circle”—His disciples 21 and His immediate family members (Acts 1:14, Gal. 22 1:19). How should the resurrection affect our social TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 123 Lesson 11 1 and community interactions? 2 3 Consider This: How can your church “cash in” on the 4 commercialism of the Easter season to market the gift 5 of salvation? 6 7 STEP 4—Apply! 8 9 In the days when books were not readily available and 10 libraries were nonexistent, reading was a serious and 11 arduous undertaking. To read was to ingest every word 12 and internalize the material before the book was 13 circulated. Reading was more than rote memorization; it 14 was a concentrated, emotional task experienced in 15 solitude—with the aim to know the material and the 16 writer inside out and to make its content imprinted 17 forever in the reader’s mind and heart. 18 19 Application Questions: 20 Challenge yourself to read the Bible every day with 21 the assumption that you won’t have one available 22 tomorrow. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 124 Lesson 11 1 2 Why is it important to understand the Old Testament 3 and the historicity of humanity prior to the death 4 and resurrection of Christ? How can this knowledge 5 enable you to be more comfortable when talking about 6 the gift of salvation found through the cross? 7 8 How do the Scriptures and the cross specifically help 9 you in the following areas: spiritually, mentally, 10 physically, emotionally, and socially? 11 12 13 Memorize a portion of Scripture each week. TE-2Q-2008-12-The Lesson in Brief . . . 14 15 Key Text: Heb. 8:1 16 17 The Student Will: 18 Know: Realize that the earthly sanctuary 19 represented God’s plan of salvation and pointed to 20 the heaven sanctuary and the ministry of Jesus in 21 heaven. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 125 Lesson 12 1 Feel: Experience a sense of peace from believing 2 that Jesus is interceding in the heavenly 3 sanctuary for him or her. 4 Do: Determine to come with boldness to God’s 5 throne of grace to obtain forgiveness. 6 7 8 Learning Outline: I. Plan of Salvation A. The earthly sanctuary was established to 9 10 represent God’s plan of salvation. 11 B. Each aspect of the earthly sanctuary had a 12 special meaning and pointed to the ministry of 13 Jesus. 14 C. The death of Jesus ended the necessity of the 15 earthly-sanctuary ceremonies and rituals. This was 16 signified by the rending of the inner veil, which 17 divided the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. 18 19 II. Heavenly High Priest 20 A. After His resurrection, Jesus became our 21 heavenly High Priest. 22 B. Jesus and His ministry in the heavenly TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 126 Lesson 12 1 sanctuary replaced the earthly tabernacle, the 2 earthly priesthood, the animal sacrifices, and the 3 daily and yearly ceremonies. 4 C. Because of the one sacrifice of Christ—one 5 time, for all people—we now can come “boldly” to 6 the throne (of grace) where the Most Holy is 7 seated. 8 9 Summary: Christ’s High Priestly ministry has no time 10 barrier. It was relevant in the days of the early 11 New Testament church and still applies to our time 12 today. Through His ministry, all who come to Jesus 13 can have access to God the Father. 14 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 127 Lesson 12 1 TE-2Q-2008-12-Learning Cycle 2 3 STEP 1—Motivate! 4 5 There’s a story about a preacher who told his 6 congregation in Africa that he could walk on water, 7 just as Jesus did, if only he had enough faith. To 8 prove his point, he took them all to a lake. He was on 9 a boat and stepped out into the water. He sank and, 10 much to everyone’s horror, drowned.—Daily Record Co. 11 UK, Aug. 30, 2006. 12 Ask the class: What is it about human nature that urges 13 us to attempt to be God? What is the difference between 14 being God and being Christlike? Why is it important to 15 know the distinction between the two? Why is it so much 16 easier for us to try to be God, as opposed to being 17 like Christ? 18 of letting God be God in our lives? How does this human trait get in the way 19 20 STEP 2—Explore! 21 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 128 Lesson 12 1 Bible Commentary 2 Read Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:13; Psalm 110. 3 4 I. Helpless and Hopeless 5 Every time David tried to control his life without the 6 help of God, he failed. And every time he failed, he 7 fell to his knees in recognition of his unworthiness 8 and God’s power and grace. 9 Beloved of God, King David represents each of us. 10 Because we can’t escape our sinful nature, we have a 11 need for a priestly mediator. 12 13 Consider This: Randomly read passages from the Psalms. 14 Meditate on the bipolar behavior of the sinful heart, 15 the vacillation of emotions and needs. How do you 16 experience this same thing in your own life; that is, 17 the desire of your heart for sinful things, carnal 18 things, at one moment and then at another the desire 19 for holiness, purity, faithfulness and piety? 20 21 22 II. Revelation and Reconciliation Christians—born in sin, living in the constant TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 129 Lesson 12 1 awareness of this sinful world—have two basic, 2 spiritual needs: to know God and to be with God. 3 Constrained by this sinful world, we learn quickly that 4 life is more manageable when we know who God is and 5 what His purpose is for us. Unaware of our 6 inadequacies, we yearn for ways to be with God. 7 So God, in His love and mercy, gave us His 8 Son—someone who understands both parties 100 percent, 9 Someone who can mediate and straighten out the problems 10 and misunderstandings that exist between God and us. 11 12 Consider This: Before Christ became our Mediator in 13 heaven, He lived here among us, as a human, subject to 14 temptations, subject to many of the things that we 15 struggle with. Why was this such an important part of 16 the plan of salvation? Explain. 17 18 II. Jesus, Customized Savior 19 The role Jesus plays on our earthly journey is so 20 multifaceted. Writers of the Scripture, inspired by 21 divinity, have used metaphors to describe the function 22 of Jesus to enable us to appreciate and apply Jesus’ TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 130 Lesson 12 1 presence in our daily living. Jesus is described as the 2 Shepherd, the Door, the Light, the Vine, the 3 Cornerstone, etc. 4 The Bible uses more than one hundred names/titles to 5 describe Jesus. The meaning His life holds for us is 6 beyond our fathoming; His role as Priest and Mediator 7 will be appreciated in its fullness only when we see 8 and understand God’s divine government in heaven. 9 10 Consider This: Have the class think of other metaphors 11 that symbolize the intimate, concerning, priestly role 12 that Jesus plays in our lives. (The metaphors don’t 13 necessarily have to be biblical; they may have modern 14 implications.) Ask how the many titles and functions of 15 Christ help them keep the faith. 16 17 P How can certain metaphors be more helpful to some 18 people than others? 19 better to certain images than to others? 20 that tell us about how the Lord can meet the needs of 21 all of us, regardless of our personalities or 22 histories? That is, why do some folks relate TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams What does 131 Lesson 12 1 2 STEP 3—Practice! 3 4 Thought Questions: 5 To be someone’s advocate is relatively risk free; 6 but to be someone’s savior is a commitment beyond 7 death! How does Jesus’ death as Savior make Him the 8 most competent priest and Mediator you could have? How 9 does Jesus’ title Priest affect your relationship with 10 Him? 11 12 Dwell on the question of the whole purpose of a 13 mediator. Why do we need Jesus as a mediator? What’s 14 the reason for it? 15 16 What biblical examples can you find of people 17 working the role of a mediator in behalf of others? For 18 example, look at the role of Moses (see Deut. 9: 8–19). 19 20 Application Questions: 21 How can volunteering in a social service activity (such 22 as tutoring a child) help convey the attitude of Christ TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 132 Lesson 12 1 as a mediator to someone? What other kinds of 2 interactions could help us be mediators like Jesus? 3 4 Witnessing 5 Help your class connect their community projects with 6 Christlike attitudes and behaviors. Help them see how 7 they can be “mediators” for the church. 8 9 Consider This: Jesus came to show us how we can access 10 divine power for meaningful life on earth. Our 11 interactions with people give us opportunities to be a 12 Christlike mediator. Encourage your class to match 13 their spiritual gifts with opportunities of mediation 14 (e.g. the spiritual gift of listening enables one to be 15 a problem solver.) 16 17 STEP 4—Apply! 18 19 “For there is one God, and one mediator also between 20 God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as 21 a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper 22 time” (1 Tim. 2: 5, 6, NASB). During the second century TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 133 Lesson 12 1 Irenaeus of Lyons taught that Jesus was offered as a 2 ransom to the devil to free people’s souls. The devil, 3 however, was defeated because he did not know that 4 Jesus was God Himself! 5 For hundreds of years this theory was adopted by 6 the Christian world, until Anselm of Canterbury pointed 7 out that Irenaeus’ theory assumed that the devil had 8 far too much power. Instead, Anselm said that Jesus’ 9 life was paid to God and not to the devil! 10 What a more poignant picture that makes—Jesus’life 11 given as a ransom to God in exchange for my eternal 12 life! 13 14 Application Questions: 15 A ransom is required to free the hostages. Sometimes 16 a hostage exchange is demanded to guarantee the 17 transaction. How is Jesus’ death more than a “hostage 18 exchange”? 19 20 What are the benefits of having a Savior who is 21 superior to anything or anyone else? How can His 22 superiority motivate you in your life? What is your TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 134 Lesson 12 1 potential if you maximize the use of His superiority? 2 3 Compile verses about the power of Jesus as Savior and 4 Priest as a gift to a neighbor or friend. Or email your 5 friends a verse a week about the power of Jesus. 6 7 How can you actively bring Christ as a Mediator into 8 the workplace and thereby be a witness of your 9 Christian lifestyle? What role can prayer play in this 10 endeavor? 11 12 13 14 15 TE-2Q-2008-13-The Lesson in Brief . . . 16 17 Key Text: Mark 13:26, 27 18 19 The Student Will: 20 Know: Realize that the promise of the second 21 coming of Christ will be fulfilled. TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 135 Lesson 13 1 Feel: Sense personally the reality of His return. 2 Do: Tell others of His soon coming and do all that 3 he or she can to be ready. 4 5 6 Learning Outline: I. The Day of the Lord 7 A. Many stories (books and movies) have painted a 8 very fearful picture of Christ’s return. 9 B. The New Testament presents a joyful expectation 10 of the return of Jesus for those who know Him. 11 C. Those who are in Christ should not be afraid of 12 the coming of the Lord. Instead, they wait with 13 anticipation and joy. 14 15 II. Signs of His Coming 16 A. Jesus gave the disciples many signs of His 17 second coming. 18 B. The signs of the Lord’s coming were not 19 designed to bring about fear in the hearts of the 20 disciples but to show them what to expect and how 21 to know when His coming was near. 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 136 Lesson 13 1 III. Prophecy Fulfilled 2 The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies assure 3 us that the prophecies of Christ’s second coming 4 also will be fulfilled. 5 6 Summary: The promise of Christ’s return is sure. The Lord 7 has given many signs of His return. As we see—and 8 have already seen—the fulfillment of these things, 9 we know that His coming is near. 10 11 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 137 Lesson 13 1 TE-2Q-2008-13-Learning Cycle 2 3 STEP 1—Motivate! 4 5 George Sweeting once estimated that “more than a fourth 6 of the Bible is predictive prophecy. . . . Both the Old 7 and New Testaments are full of promises about the 8 return of Jesus Christ. Over 1,800 references appear in 9 the Old Testament, and seventeen Old Testament books 10 give prominence to this theme. Of the 260 chapters in 11 the New Testament, there are more than 300 references 12 to the Lord’s return—one out of every 30 verses. 13 Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to 14 this great event. . . . For every prophecy on the first 15 coming of Christ, there are 8 on Christ's second 16 coming.”—Today in the Word, the Moody Bible Institute, 17 December, 1989, p. 40. 18 19 Consider This: Why are you looking forward to the 20 Second Coming? Why is that so crucial to our faith? 21 STEP 2—Explore! 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 138 Lesson 13 1 Bible Commentary 2 Read John 14:2, 3; 2 Peter 3:11, 12. 3 4 I. State of Anxiousness 5 Since the ascension of Jesus to heaven, there have been 6 numerous speculations of His Second Coming. And 7 Seventh-day Adventist Christians have contributed a 8 fair amount of drama to the speculations! However, in 9 spite of the bad publicity and disappointment of 1844, 10 the church has stood firm in upholding its belief that 11 Jesus is coming again. 12 After all, even our name entails the hope and 13 promise of His return. 14 15 Consider This: Evaluate your church’s approach to the 16 Second Coming. Is the Second Coming consistently 17 emphasized? Do you regularly hear sermons about Jesus’ 18 return? Are the children in your congregation excited 19 about seeing Jesus soon? Or is the Second Coming 20 shelved for a time in the future as something that we 21 know is coming but are not necessarily excited about 22 enough to talk about that often? In other words, is TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 139 Lesson 13 1 your church truly and actively an “Adventist” church? 2 3 II. State of Preparedness 4 Being prepared for the Second Coming is nourished by 5 our relationship with Jesus. “We should make Jesus the 6 object of our thought, our meditation, and communicate 7 with Him moment after moment. Those who have 8 experienced that fellowship can bear witness to the 9 fact that in times of trouble the greatest and sweetest 10 consolation is found in keeping in touch with our Lord. 11 We should always keep our eyes on Him and entertain the 12 vision of walking side by side with Jesus on the golden 13 streets of the New Jerusalem. 14 Any Christian who constantly dwells on such 15 thoughts will surely experience genuine Christian joy 16 (1 Thess. 5:16). We ought to cherish that wonderful 17 hope. It gives sense to our existence. Someone has said 18 that without this hope we shall be like a ship without 19 a sail on the high sea.”—Lucile Sabas, “United in 20 Witnessing to the Second Coming,” The Adventist Review, 21 Nov. 25, 2005. 22 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 140 Lesson 13 1 Consider This: Why is it so easy to get hardened and 2 apathetic even about the Second Coming? Did Jesus ever 3 warn us about this danger? 4 5 III. Immigration Papers 6 Every year thousands of people wait for their number to 7 be called by the U.S. Immigration Office—so that they 8 may legally enter into and live in the United States. 9 Oftentimes they wait 15 years or more before the 10 paperwork is processed. Yet, for many people the idea 11 of living in the country is worth the wait. 12 In a sense our paperwork for entry into heaven has 13 already been processed. We have more than a green card; 14 we have citizenship (Phil. 3:20). We just have to claim 15 it for ourselves. 16 17 Consider This: The cross removes all questions about 18 our eligibility to enter into heaven if we claim Jesus 19 for ourselves. Why then do we often succumb to the 20 negative perspective of not being good enough? What 21 practical, specific things can we do individually and 22 corporately as a church to focus on what Christ has TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 141 Lesson 13 1 done for us and His promises to us, instead of on our 2 own unworthiness? 3 4 STEP 3—Practice! 5 6 Thought Questions: 7 Can the human tendency to procrastinate affect one’s 8 preparedness for the Second Coming? Explain (see Matt. 9 24:42, Luke 21:34–36). 10 11 You are saved by the cross—by the death of your 12 Savior for your sins. In other words, salvation can be 13 yours today. With that in mind, would you still be a 14 Christian if there were no Second Coming? What is the 15 importance of the Second Coming in relation to the 16 story of salvation? Does not the story of salvation end 17 at the cross? Explain. 18 19 Application Questions: 20 The Seventh-day Adventist Church calls the Second 21 Coming the “grand climax” of the gospel. Why is that 22 so?http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental/index.h TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 142 Lesson 13 1 tml 2 3 Identify political, environmental, and cultural 4 elements in today’s world that make the average logical 5 person skeptical of the Second Coming. What can you as 6 a Seventh-day Adventist Christian do to address this 7 skepticism? 8 9 Witnessing 10 “During his 1960 presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy 11 often closed his speeches with the story of Colonel 12 Davenport, the speaker of the Connecticut House of 13 Representatives: On May 19, 1780 the sky of Hartford 14 darkened ominously, and some of the representatives, 15 glancing out the windows, feared the end was at hand. 16 Quelling a clamor for immediate adjournment, Davenport 17 rose and said, ‘The day of judgment is either 18 approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no 19 cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found 20 doing my duty. Therefore, I wish that candles be 21 brought.’ Rather than fearing what is to come, we are 22 to be faithful till Christ returns. Instead of fearing TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 143 Lesson 13 1 the dark, we’re to be lights as we watch and wait.”— 2 Harry Heintz (http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a- 3 z/s/second_coming.htm). How can you make the Second 4 Coming truly REAL in your church community? 5 6 STEP 4—Apply! 7 8 Is your church excited enough about the Second Coming 9 to make it in the local news? The Elgin, Illinois, 10 Seventh-day Adventist Church was! In an interview to 11 the Courier News, Pastor Gabriel Bardan said: “We are 12 not as much a church as we are a movement. . . . We 13 base our message in Revelation 14:6-12. . 14 of His judgment has come, and the second coming is 15 imminent. We need to fear God. This fear is not a 16 trembling fear, but one of fearing sin and giving 17 respect to God in His presence. . . . We have a 18 message, that people have to follow the Lord and know 19 Him, trust Him, and obey Him. . . . The whole church is 20 a family. . . . a place to grow, to heal the wounds, to 21 know the Lord, and to understand the times we live 22 in.”—Mike Murschel, “Elgin Seventh-day Adventist TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams . . The hour 144 Lesson 13 1 Church,” Elgin Courier News, Nov. 2, 2006. 2 3 Consider This: When was the last time you talked about 4 the Second Coming? What are ways that you can make the 5 hope of the Second Advent more a part of your life? 6 7 P How do you answer the common retort of “You 8 Christians have been talking about the Second Coming 9 for centuries. 10 Yet where is He? Why is it taking so long?” 11 12 TE 2Q 2008 The Wonder of Jesus by Roy Adams 145