Finding Hope Through Discovery in Bible Study

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope November 29, 2008 Larry R Evans Introductory Reflections Before we push aside this week’s study as being an exercise in theological vocabulary, think again? How much do we really understand about “righteousness by faith.” Has it become so familiar that we never look inside to see what is in the package? What is Heaven really trying to tell us? A special messenger of God’s once wrote, “There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject [justification by faith] that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare.” Ellen White in Selected Messages, book 1, pl.161. But she didn’t stop there . “The enemy of God and man is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken.” Ellen White in Gospel Workers, p.161. So before we conclude that this is all theological jargon and that...

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope November 29, 2008 Larry R Evans Introductory Reflections Before we push aside this week’s study as being an exercise in theological vocabulary, think again? How much do we really understand about “righteousness by faith.” Has it become so familiar that we never look inside to see what is in the package? What is Heaven really trying to tell us? A special messenger of God’s once wrote, “There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject [justification by faith] that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare.” Ellen White in Selected Messages , book 1, pl.161. But she didn’t stop there. “The enemy of God and man is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken.” Ellen White in Gospel Workers , p.161. So before we conclude that this is all theological jargon and that ...

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope November 22, 2008 Larry R Evans Questions for Reflection 1. Christ’s incarnated nature was 50% deity and 50% humanity. True or False? (Col 32:9, Phil 2:7) 2. It was helpful for our understanding but not necessary for the union of the human and the divine natures of Christ to take place for the atonement to be valid. True or False? (Heb 1:3; 4:14-16) 3. The words “You are my Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased” (Lk 3:22) apply to us. True or False? 4. To be genuinely human does not mean that one has to be a sinner. True or False? (Heb 4:15) 5. Christ’s own relationship with His “Father” was reflected in the way He treated and accepted others. True or False? (Mk 5:35-43; 1:41; Lk 17:11-17) 6. Christ’s incarnation serves as a model for a local church’s ministry of reconciliation with God and man. True or False? Reflective Review One of the bes...

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope November 15, 2008 Larry R Evans Questions for Reflection 1. The altar was a symbol of God’s presence, and by accepting the sacrifice, God was assuming responsibility for the sin of the person. True or False? 2. Today,the role of the priest of the Old Testament is carried out by the clergy. True or False? 3. Atonement in the Bible is symbolized as an event. True or False? 4. The Feast of Trumpets ritual illustrated the final resolution of the sin problem. True or False? 5. Because the sacrifice on the cross was complete we no longer need a mediator. True or False? Introductory Reflections The words sound so simple, “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” (Ex 25:8) With these words, however, we are introduced to a theme that occurs over and over again in Scripture. When Adam and Eve disobeyed, God went to them (Gen 3:8). Soon after Cai...

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope November 15, 2008 Larry R Evans Questions for Reflection 1. The altar was a symbol of God’s presence, and by accepting the sacrifice, God was assuming responsibility for the sin of the person. True or False? 2. The altar of sacrifice found in the sanctuary pointed individuals to the cross of Christ. True or False? 3. Today,the role of the priest of the Old Testament is carried out by the clergy. True or False? 4. Atonement in the Bible is symbolized as an event. True or False? 5. The Feast of Trumpets ritual illustrated the final resolution of the sin problem. True or False? 6. Because the sacrifice on the cross was complete we no longer need a mediator. True or False? 7. The scapegoat as portrayed in the sanctuary services was a substitute sacrifice for the Israelites who had been rebellious and sinful. True or False? 8. The Day of Atonement symboli...

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope November 8, 2008 Larry R Evans 1. The animal sacrificial system began with Abraham. True or False? 2. Forgiveness and overlooking sin are not the same? True or False? 3. Sin becomes sin when we become aware that what we are doing is wrong? True or False? 4. With God’s economy, both the poor and the wealthy must bring a sin offering. True or False? 5. There is no sin God cannot forgive if the sinner repents from it. True or False? 6. Sin and penalty cannot be separated from each other? True or False? 7. In the Old Testament we find many different offerings with complementary functions, while in the New Testament we find only one single sacrifice. True or False? Introduction I recently returned from a fascinating trip to some of the most remote parts of Indonesia. I remember one village especially. I was given permission to enter what was called a ...