Finding Hope Through Discovery in Bible Study

Living as a Christian in a Broken World [Christian Living]   Bible Study Guide Lesson for December 30, 2017 Larry R Evans SS Teacher Sligo SDA Church Introduction For three months, we’ve poured over the book of Romans.   In chapters 1 through 11, Paul lays down a theological understanding of how God has gone to great lengths to save us. Then with the little word, “Therefore” in Romans 12:1, Paul directs our thinking to why he wrote the first 11 chapters in the first place: “What does it mean to be saved—to be justified by faith and reconciled with God. In other words, given all that God has done for us, how should we go about living in a broken world. What difference does Jesus make in one’s life?”   It is fundamental to Paul that those who are “justified” live according to God’s principles. For Paul, salvation always precedes behavior but behavior is important.   However, the right behavior comes from having the right m...

Bible Study for November 11, 2017 SS Teacher: Larry Evans Note to Reader:   Romans 5 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Romans.   It takes us a step beyond justification by faith by revealing the results of such a faith. Paul is adamant that neither good works nor sinful works be allowed to depreciate God’s gift to us. We must never try to add to nor take away from the gift. Introduction The German philosopher/theologian, Johann Herder, wrote “We cannot know ourselves without a reference point outside ourselves.” In many ways, this thought provides an important restatement for much of what we’ve learned so far in Romans. Our study this week is based on Romans 5.   Leading up to this chapter, Paul has brought us to an understanding of two very important points: God counts our faith as righteousness. God does not count our sins against us. Both points defy human reasoning. Both thoughts are made possi...

--> July 22, 2017 Sabbath School Study Galatians 2:15-21 Presented by Larry R Evans Introduction ”A man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”   Galatians 2:16 A few years ago, I was on a flight from Seoul, Korea to Tokyo, Japan.   I had been in a conversation with my seatmate about my visit to her country and a few other places that I had visited.   She turned to me and asked, “What in the world do you do?” My answer surprised even me, “I travel around the world to bring hope.”   She then exclaimed, “I used to go to church but when no one could answer my questions, I quit going.”   She expected me to ask what the questions were but instead I began telling her stories about hope.   I told her about a young adult who...

--> The Person of Peter Sabbath School Study for April 1, 2017 Larry R Evans It has been said that, “The greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.”   -- William Booth. As we begin our study of the 1 and 2 Peter, it is good to pause and look at the man called Peter.   This fisherman became a major leader in the team Jesus called to be His closest associates.   Jesus did not choose a perfect man when he chose Peter.   As we trace his development, we are tempted to draw premature conclusions.   We tend to do the same thing with one another, giving little slack for development.   It is much easier to judge his whole life by some of the impetuous mistakes Peter made.   Jesus, however, saw something that others, including us, fail to see. I’m reminded of an adage that was used when I was being trained as a church consultant: “Weaknesses are strengths overextended.”   In other words, when a weakness is ...