Grace ... OR ... "God's Generosity Toward Us!

Sabbath School Class—Life as Discovery and Hope

May 16, 2009
Larry R Evans

Introductory Reflections

It is said that after his defeat at Waterloo, Napoleon, met with some of his leading generals to review what had gone wrong. In the course of their discussion, the general pointed at England on the map before them and said, “Except for that red spot I would be master of the world.” Satan could say the same thing today except he would point to the cross on Calvary! You and I can be thankful for that red spot that rescued us from being dominated by our enemy. The love of God, the grace shown toward us by Christ, is not a quick study but rather a continuous study spanning every subject of the Bible. It is grace that “connects the dots” of all Bible teaching and what brings personal meaning while living in a world that gives so much space and time to physical pain and personal hurts of all kinds. Grace is the theme that brings life not only to the doctrines of the Bible but hope to everyone who has struggled with temptation and sin. This is not only our study this week. It needs to permeate not only what we believe but who we are and how we relate to others who treat us less than we deserve.

Reflective Quiz

1. Jesus Christ is the center of the Old Testament. [Gen. 3:15; Ex. 25:8; Isa. 53] True or False?

2. The symbol of a lamb taken to slaughter adequately conveys the full meaning of grace. [Isa. 53:7; Jn. 1:29; Matt. 20:28] True or False?

3. We are saved by the example of Jesus. [Rom. 5:18; Isa. 53:4,5] True or False?

4. “By beholding Christ” we become changed. [Heb. 12:2,3; 2 Cor. 3:16-18; Jn. 1:29] True or False?

5. The Sabbath and the Second Coming should be the central truth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. [Eph. 2:4-10; Deut. 5:6, 15; Rev. 14:6-12, 14; Acts 17:28] True or False?

6. The last words Jesus ever spoke to a convicted felon were words of hope, not condemnation. [Lk. 23:39-43; Rom. 7:24-8:2] True or False?

Concluding Reflections

[Our plan is to upload the full class notes by Thursday or Friday including the “Concluding Reflections.”]


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