Finding Hope Through Discovery in Bible Study

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope Full Class Notes:   http://ssclassnotes.blogspot.com   March 28, 2009 Larry R Evans   Introductory Reflection  I suspect prophets are most known for their emphasis on two things:   foretelling end time events and for rebuking sinners.   Would you agree?    Prophets may have done that but they also gave words of encouragement, set captives free and brought about times of ample “milk and honey.”   Why is it that we tend to view the work of prophets with such jaundice perspectives?   Perhaps a partial answer is that often our confidence rating comes in the midst of a crisis--when we cannot see through the fog, when we aren’t clear on the rationale behind the counsel or we’d rather be the one in charge and calling the shots.   This week we are going to be studying about our “Confidence in the Prophetic Gift.”   Confidence is earned but once it is then trust should result.   The question remains, “What does it take for you to move from...

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope Full Class Notes:   http://ssclassnotes.blogspot.com   March 28, 2009 Larry R Evans   Introductory Reflection  I suspect prophets are most known for their emphasis on two things:   foretelling end time events and for rebuking sinners.   Would you agree?    Prophets may have done that but they also gave words of encouragement, set captives free and brought about times of ample milk and honey.   Why is it that we tend to view the work of prophets with such jaundice perspectives?   Perhaps a partial answer is that often our confidence rating comes in the midst of a crisis--when we cannot see through the fog, when we’d rather be the one in charge and calling the shots.   This week we are going to be studying about our “Confidence in the Prophetic Gift.”   Confidence is earned but once it is then trust results.   The question remains, “What does it take for you to move from belief to trust?”   How much confidence do you really have?   ...

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope Full Class Notes:   http://ssclassnotes.blogspot.com   March 21, 2009 Larry R Evans   Introduction   When we speak of the blessings of a prophetic gift, what do we mean?   Do we mean that life will be easier, that there will be no more pain?   Do we mean that we will see our bank account grow and that we will never go hungry?   What is the blessing?   I am reminded of the story of the prodigal son when the elder brother became irate at the lavish ceremony given to the wayward son when he returned.   He complained because he did not get such treatment.   It appears that the story rides on one underlying principle:   being in the presence of the father was the blessing that the prodigal had lost while he was gone.   The elder brother had the blessing all along but did not recognize it.   Could it be, that the “blessing” of the prophetic gift is the privilege of getting to know the Father better, knowing His will, learning how t...

[My apologies:  I sent the following out by email on Tuesday evening but I failed to upload it to the blog until today--Friday afternoon.  The revised quiz and accompanying notes will be uploaded later today.  If you wish to be added to the email list you may do so by sending an email to me. See the sidebar reference " Request To Be Added to Weekly Email List ".] Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope Full Class Notes:   http://ssclassnotes.blogspot.com   March 21, 2009 Larry R Evans   Introduction   When we speak of the blessings of a prophetic gift, what do we mean?   Do we mean that life will be easier, that there will be no more pain?   Do we mean that we will see our bank account grow and that we will never go hungry?   What is the blessing?   I am reminded of the story of the prodigal son when the elder brother became irate at the lavish ceremony given to the wayward son when he returned.   He complained because he did not get such treatment.   It appea...

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope http://ssclassnotes.blogspot.com   March 14, 2009 Larry R Evans   Introduction   Up until now we’ve reviewed the work, authority, integrity and the message of prophets.   The gift of prophecy is not some fancy whim of the Church.   It is God speaking to us and such communication must not be ignored.   To ignore or play down such messages can only be done at our own peril but an important part of listening to God is yet to be reviewed and that is “How are we to interpret or apply the prophetic messages sent by God?”   Scripture, and more specifically prophecy, can be manipulated to say whatever we want it to say.   No doubt you’ve heard a version of the following:   “And Judas went out and hung himself, go thou and do likewise, and whatsoever your hand finds to do, go and do quickly.”   It could be argued that such counsel is biblical but is “biblical” sounding enough?   There are basic guidelines for interpreting Scripture and whe...