Glimpses of God – Part 13

The Promise of His Return

Welcome to Hope Sabbath School–an in-depth interactive study of the Word of God.  We are continuing a series of studies on Glimpses of God.  Our topic today:  The Promise of His Return.

New Scripture Song: “O God you are my God” Psalm 63:1-4

Prayer

1)     The Beginning and the End

a)     Revelation 1:8; 21:6; 22:13.

b)      John 1:1-3,14

c)      Revelation 19:11-16

2)     The promise of His return

a)     John 14:1-3

b)     Acts 1:9-11

c)      Acts 3:13-21

d)     Titus 2:11-13

e)     2 Peter 3:10-13

f)       Revelation 22:12

3)     The apparent delay

a)     Matthew 25:1-13

b)     2 Peter 3:1-10

c)      Have you ever felt discouraged that we’re still here on this sin-filled planet?  How have you dealt with that discouragement?

4)     Date setting

a)     Matthew 24:36

b)     The most recent date settings have been May 21, 2011, and October 21, 2011, and now some are calling for the end of the world on December 21, 2012.

c)      Why do people keep trying to set dates for the end of the world?

5)     Counsel while we wait

a)     2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

b)     Matthew 24:37-43

c)      Matthew 24:44

d)     Matthew 24:45-51

6)     The nature of Christ’s return

a)     Acts 1:9-11

b)     Matthew 24:27

c)      Matthew 24:30; Revelation 1:8

d)     1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

7)     Discussion questions

a)     What changes would you make in your life if Christ were coming back this year?

b)     What encouragement might you offer to someone who has given up hope in the return of Christ?

c)      How can we share the good news about the return of Christ with people who have no interest in the Bible?

d)     What are some of the most important lessons about God and His character that you have learned from this series of studies on Glimpses of God?

Glimpses of God – Part 12

Love Stories

Welcome to Hope Sabbath School–an in-depth interactive study of the Word of God.  We are continuing a series of studies on Glimpses of God.  Our topic today:  Love stories.

New Scripture Song: “O God you are my God” Psalm 63:1-4

Prayer

1)     God – the great lover

a)     1 John 4:8

b)     Do we view God as a great lover?

2)     The first romance on earth

a)     Genesis 2:21-25

b)     What does this story tell us about God’s plan for our human family?

c)      What does this story tell us about God?

3)     God’s desire for a love relationship with His children

a)     Isaiah 43:4

b)     Isaiah 62:5

c)      Jeremiah 31:3

d)     What are your thoughts and feelings as you consider God’s intense love for you?

4)     A book of romance

a)     Song of Solomon 1:1-17

b)     Song of Solomon 2:14

c)      Song of Solomon 4:9-11

d)     Why is the Song of Solomon, also called the Song of Songs, included in the Bible?

i)       What does this story tell us about God’s plan for our human family?

ii)     What does the inclusion of this story in the Hebrew Scriptures tell us about God?

5)     Jesus and Romance

a)     John 2:1-11

b)     This story is often quoted as the first recorded miracle of Jesus.  Why did Jesus take the time to attend a lengthy wedding celebration?

c)      John 11:1-5, 32-36; John 12:1-8

i)        While it is clear that Jesus loved Mary, along with her sister Martha and her brother Lazarus, there is no evidence in Scripture that Jesus became romantically involved with Mary or any other woman, as some have suggested.

ii)     Why didn’t Jesus model for us what a healthy romantic relationship looks like?

6)     Discussion questions

a)     What are some ways that we can express our love for God?

b)     Why is the counsel found in Hebrews 13:4 so important in our pleasure-seeking world where people are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God?

c)      How can we be sure that we are expressing our love for one another in appropriate ways?

Glimpses of God – Part 11

God as Artist

Welcome to Hope Sabbath School–an in-depth interactive study of the Word of God.  We are continuing a series of studies on Glimpses of God.  Our topic today:  God as Artist, a lover of beauty.

New Scripture Song: “O God you are my God” Psalm 63:1-4

Prayer

1)     God as Potter

a)     Isaiah 64:8

b)     When was the first time in the Bible that God demonstrated His artistic talent with clay?

i)       Genesis 2:7

c)      God only needed to speak the word and our first parents would have been created.  Psalm 33:6,9

d)     Why do you think God took a hands-on approach in the creation of our first parents?

e)     Jeremiah 18:1-6

i)       What important lesson can we learn from the Lord’s word to the prophet Jeremiah?

ii)     What Bible characters come to mind you needed some reshaping?

f)       What are some ways that God has been shaping your life in recent years?

g)     Have there been times when that molding and shaping has seemed a little unpleasant to you?

h)     Has anyone here felt like God gave you a brand new start and shaped you into a new person?

2)     God as Architect

a)     Exodus 25:1-9

b)     Why does God give such detailed instructions regarding the building of the sanctuary?

3)     God as Musician

a)     2 Samuel 23:1-2

b)     Psalm 92:1-3

c)      Psalm 150

d)     2 Chronicles 7:6

e)     How can we be assured that our music is pleasing to the Lord?

4)     God as Author

a)     2 Timothy 3:16-17

b)     2 Peter 1:19-21

c)      Psalm 119:89

d)     Acts 10:33-43

e)     Romans 11:33-36

f)       Philippians 2:5-11

5)     Discussion questions

a)     Perhaps someone here has a special artistic talent.  How has your artistic activity helped you to appreciate God’s creative work?

b)     How can I make sure that my artistic expression whether in music, words, or visual arts, always brings honor to God rather than just to myself?

Glimpses of God – Part 10

The Promise of Prayer

Welcome to Hope Sabbath School–an in-depth interactive study of the Word of God.  We are continuing a series of studies on Glimpses of God.  Our topic today:  The Promise of Prayer

New Scripture Song: “O God you are my God” Psalm 63:1-4

Prayer

1)     The Invitation to Pray

a)     Matthew 26:41

b)     Luke 18:1

c)      1 Timothy 2:8

d)     1 Thessalonians 5:17

e)     1 Peter 4:7

f)       Colossians 4:2

g)     Romans 12:12

h)     How of you grew up in praying families?

i)       What was your attitude toward prayer as a child?

j)        How has your approach to prayer changed as a result of a growing relationship with God?

2)     Jesus, the Praying Messiah

a)     Luke 3:21-22

b)     Luke 9:28-29

c)      Luke 6:12-13

d)     Hebrews 5:7

e)     Matthew 14:23

f)       Luke 22:31-32

g)     Matthew 26:34-44

h)     What can we learn about prayer from the example of Jesus?

i)       Can we learn how to pray?  Luke 11:1-4

j)       What does it mean to pray “in Jesus’ name”? (John 14:14; John 16:23)

3)     The prayer of faith

a)     Hebrews 11:6

b)     Matthew 9:20-22

c)      Matthew 9:27-29

4)     Failure to pray

a)     James 4:2

b)     Matthew 7:7-11

c)      What are some reasons why we fail to pray?

i)       Isaiah 59:2

ii)     1 John 1:9

iii)   We are distracted by business of life

iv)   What are some other hindrances to prayer?

d)     How does our prayerlessness affect us and God?

5)     Can our prayers change the mind of God?

a)     Genesis 18:22-33

b)     Numbers 14:11-20

c)      2 Chronicles 7:14

6)     Discussion questions

a)     If God knows the cry of our hearts, why pray?

b)     How does the Spirit help us to pray?

c)      What are some special prayers that you are bringing before God right now?

Glimpses of God – Part 9

The Bible and History

Welcome to Hope Sabbath School–an in-depth interactive study of the Word of God.  We are continuing a series of studies on Glimpses of God.  Our topic today:  The Bible and History

New Scripture Song: “O God you are my God” Psalm 63:1-4

Prayer

1)     The Biblical perspective on history

a)     Is history an endless series of cycles of birth, growth, decay, and death, or does history have purposeful beginning and a meaningful end?

b)     Genesis 1:1

c)      Job 38:1-7

d)     Psalm 104:1-9

e)     Revelation 1:1-3

f)       Revelation 21:1-6

g)     How can we know that these revelations are true and not simply human reflections about the meaning of life?

i)       2 Peter 1:19-21

ii)     Daniel 4:17

h)     What difference does it make to you to believe that life has some ultimate purpose as opposed to viewing life on this planet as a cosmic accident?

2)     The Testimony of the Prophets

a)     Jeremiah 1:4-19

b)     Daniel 2:1-47

c)      The testimony of Robert Banks

d)     How has a study of Bible prophecy given you confidence that God’s Word is true and that God is leading in the history of this world?

3)     The Great Controversy and History

a)     Have you noticed that history records what seems like an unending cycle of violence and greed?

b)     Revelation 12:7-17

c)      Isaiah 14:12-14

d)     Job 1:1-2:10

e)     Ephesians 6:12

f)       Romans 16:20

g)     Revelation 20:7-15

4)     Jesus and the dividing of history

a)     Many cultures still have BC/AD

i)       What does AD mean?

ii)     What about BC?

b)     Some have proposed BCE/ACE

c)      John 3:16-17

d)     John 12:32

e)     Philippians 2:9-11

f)       2 Corinthians 5:17-19

5)     Discussion questions

a)     If God is leading in the history of this world, do we still have a free will?

b)     If God is leading in the history, is He ultimately responsible for all of the tragedies around us?

Glimpses of God – Part 8

Creation Care

Welcome to Hope Sabbath School–an in-depth interactive study of the Word of God.  We are continuing a series of studies on Glimpses of God.  Our topic today:  Creation Care

New Scripture Song: “O God you are my God” Psalm 63:1-4

Prayer

1)     Various attitudes towards caring for creation

a)     This world is falling apart and will ultimately be destroyed by fire so why spend a lot of time and money caring for it. (2 Peter 3:10)

b)     This world is a resource to be exploited. (Gen 1:26)

c)      This world belongs to God and we have a responsibility to care for it. (Psalm 24:1)

2)     The ultimate fate of planet earth

a)     2 Peter 3:10-14

b)     Isaiah 51:6

c)      Isaiah 65:17

d)     Revelation 21:1

e)     How should our understanding of future events on planet earth affect the way we care for our environment today?

3)     God’s original plan

a)     Genesis 1:1

b)     Genesis 1:26-31

c)      Genesis 2:15

d)     What insights in these passages of Scripture about creation suggest that we are to care for planet earth rather than exploit it?

4)     The Sabbath and Creation Care

a)     Exodus 20:8-11

b)     Nehemiah 13:16-19

c)      How does the weekly Sabbath remind us to care for our environment?

5)     The teaching of Jesus about Creation Care

a)     Matthew 22:35-40

b)     Matthew 6:25-32 (Jonah 4:11)

c)      John 1:1-3, 14

d)     Colossians 1:15-17

e)     Examples of creation care in the ministry of Jesus

i)       Mark 1:29-34

ii)     Mark 10:13-16

iii)   John 6:5-12

6)     Discussion questions

a)     What are some practical ways that we can show care for our environment without devoting our entire lives to creation care?

i)       Making wise decisions about what we buy

ii)     Recycling

iii)   Other ideas?

b)     Some people worship “Mother Earth” or worship creatures.   How can we help people to avoid that idolatry and worship the Creator rather than His creation?

c)      What examples of creation care have inspired you?

Glimpses of God – Part 7

Lord of the Sabbath

Welcome to Hope Sabbath School–an in-depth interactive study of the Word of God.  We are continuing a series of studies on Glimpses of God.  Our topic today:  Lord of the Sabbath.

New Scripture Song: “O God you are my God” Psalm 63:1-4

Prayer

1)     The Sabbath in Genesis

a)     Genesis 2:1-3

i)       What four actions of God are recorded here?

ii)     Why do you think the expression “the seventh day” is repeated three times?

b)     How do you relate to the fact that the Sabbath is not mentioned again in the book of Genesis?

2)     The Sabbath in Exodus and Deuteronomy

a)     Exodus 20:8-11

b)     Deuteronomy 5:12-15

c)      What differences do you notice between the two texts?

d)     Is this a contradiction or an expansion?

3)     Jesus and the Sabbath

a)     A time of blessing

i)       Matthew 12:1-13

ii)     Mark 2:27-28

iii)   Did anyone grow up viewing the Sabbath as a burden rather than a blessing?

iv)   How has the Sabbath become a blessing for you?

v)     How have you shared that blessing with others?

b)     A time for healing

i)       John 5:1-9

ii)     Luke 13:10-17

iii)   Mark 3:2-6

iv)   Why did Jesus perform these miracles on the Sabbath even though He knew that His actions would arouse the hostility of the religious leaders?

v)     How can we make the Sabbath a time of healing not only personally but also for those around us?

c)      A time to rest in God

i)       Luke 4:16

ii)     Luke 23:50-24:7

iii)   Was it a coincidence that Jesus rested in the tomb on the Sabbath day?

4)     Discussion questions

a)     How would you respond to someone who says, “I rest in God every day—I don’t need one special day”?

b)     Is it possible to cease from work every Sabbath and fail to experience rest in God?  How can we avoid that tragedy?

Glimpses of God – Part 6

God the Lawgiver

Welcome to Hope Sabbath School–an in-depth interactive study of the Word of God.  We are continuing a series of studies on Glimpses of God.  Our topic today:  God the Lawgiver.

New Scripture Song: “O God you are my God” Psalm 63:1-4

Prayer

1)     The Testimony of the prophet Isaiah

a)     Isaiah 33:22

b)     What important testimony is Isaiah giving here?

2)     The Giving of the Law at Sinai

a)     Exodus 19:18-19

b)     Exodus 20:18

c)      Deuteronomy 5:22

d)     Why did God give the Law in such a dramatic way?

3)     The Content of the Law given at Sinai

a)     Exodus 20:1-17

b)     What evidence do we have that this Law existed prior to the giving of the Law through Moses at Mount Sinai?

i)       1 John 3:4

ii)     Was there sin before Sinai?

iii)   Job 24:14-15

iv)   Genesis 26:4-5

c)      How was the law transmitted from one generation to another?

d)     Why was it necessary to restate the Law at Sinai?

e)     How would our self-sufficient culture react today if these Ten Commandments were given a second time in such a dramatic way?

4)     The Sabbath before Sinai

a)     Genesis 2:1-3

b)     Exodus 16:4-30

c)      How can we experience as the blessing that God intended for all of His children?

5)     The blessing of the Law

a)     Isaiah 48:17-18

b)     Psalm 119:69-72

c)      Psalm 97-103

d)     Jeremiah 31:33 (Hebrews 8:10)

e)     What does it mean to have the law written in your heart?  How would that experience bring blessing both to your own life and to the lives of those around you?

6)     Love is the fulfillment of the Law

a)     Galatians 5:14

b)     Romans 13:8-10

c)      Matthew 22:36-40

d)     How would you respond to someone who says, “I don’t need the ten commandments”?  I just love people!”

Glimpses of God – Part 5

The Holiness of God

Welcome to Hope Sabbath School–an in-depth interactive study of the Word of God.  We are continuing a series of studies on Glimpses of God.  Our topic today:  The Holiness of God.

New Scripture Song: “O God you are my God” Psalm 63:1-4

Prayer

1)     Psalms of praise for God’s holiness

a)     Psalm 95:6

b)     Psalm 99:1-3,9

c)      Psalm 29:1-2

2)     The meaning of holiness

a)     Exodus 15:11 – testimony of Moses

b)     1 Samuel 2:2 – testimony of Hannah

c)      Revelation 4:8-11 – testimony of 4 living creatures and 24 elders

d)     1 John 1:5

e)     What does it mean to you to describe God as holy?

3)     Our natural human reaction to encountering holiness

a)     Isaiah 6:1-5

b)     Daniel 10:5-12

c)      Luke 2:8-9

d)     Luke 5:1-11

e)     Revelation 1:12-17

f)       Why do so many become afraid or lose their strength when they come face to face with holiness?

4)     Holiness fully revealed in the Person of Jesus

a)     Hebrews 1:1-3

b)     Luke 4:31-34

c)      Share a story in the Gospels where holiness is revealed in the Person of Jesus?

5)     Revealing the holiness of God

a)     Luke 1:68,74-75

b)     1 Peter 1:13-16

c)      Ephesians 4:17-24

d)     2 Corinthians 7:1

e)     Hebrews 12:14 – do you view that as a threat or a promise?

f)       1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

g)     Have you ever met a person who reflected the holiness of God?

6)     Discussion questions

a)     What other stories in Scripture help you to catch a glimpse of the holiness of God?

b)     Why will some run in terror from a holy Savior when He returns in glory while others will welcome Him with joy? (Rev 6:16, Isa 25:9)

c)      How can you more clearly reflect the holiness of God?

Glimpses of God – Part 4

The God of Grace and Judgment

Welcome to Hope Sabbath School–an in-depth interactive study of the Word of God.  We are continuing a series of studies on Glimpses of God.  Our topic today:  The God of Grace and Judgment

New Scripture Song: “O God you are my God” Psalm 63:1-4

Prayer

1)     The reality of divine judgment

a)     Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

b)     2 Corinthians 5:10

c)      Hebrews 10:30

d)     Matthew 16:27

e)     Revelation 20:12

f)       Revelation 22:12

g)     Matthew 12:36-37

h)     1 Peter 4:5,17

i)       Revelation 14:6-7

2)     Judgment and grace in Eden

a)     Genesis 3:1-21

i)       I wish we had an audio recording of v.9.  How do you imagine the emotion in God’s voice when He called out to Adam, “Where are you?”

ii)     Where do you see judgment in this story?

iii)   Where do you see God’s grace?

b)     How is God’s grace revealed even in excluding our first parents from Eden?

3)     The flood

a)     Genesis 6:1-8

b)     How is the judgment on the earth at the time of the flood also an act of grace?

c)      Genesis 6:13-18

d)     Why is the story of the flood still important for people living in the 21^st century?

i)       Matthew 24:37-44

ii)     2 Peter 3:3-13

4)     The hour of His judgment

a)     Revelation 14:6-7

b)     Why is it important for people to know that the hour of God’s judgment has come?

c)      How should this news about the judgment affect the way that we live?

i)       2 Peter 3:11-12

5)     Discussion questions

a)     What was your attitude toward the judgment as you were growing up?  Was it good news or bad news?

b)     What change needs to occur in our hearts in order to view the judgment as good news?

c)      How can we help a person who views the judgments of God as the arbitrary actions of an angry Deity?