Finding Hope Through Discovery in Bible Study

Dear Sabbath School Class and Special Guests, Because of so much going on this week I wasn't planning on preparing teaching notes per se but alas I ended up doing it any way.  There is so much to cover.  As I studied I remembered something I read years ago and it seemed to fit in with how we view God, Satan and victory over sin.  At least it caused me to think again about how I sometimes limit what God really wants to do in my life.  See what you think of the quote: “There is no such thing as a peace of soul approach to religion.  It makes of God a gigantic Bayer aspirin . . . take God three times and you won’t feel any pain.”  (John Powell,  Why Am I Afraid to Love , p.34) So what do you think?  Does it have anything to do with "Victory Over Evil Forces" or am I connecting dots that don't necessarily connect? Larry R Evans, D.Min.    Victory Over Evil Forces Sabbath School Lesson Study Notes Larry R Evans, Cl...

Sabbath School Class & Special Guests Such an important study for this week.  It is hard not to consider the rapid changes taking place in our world and then feel estranged by the very world in which we live.  Fortunately our hope is not built on what happens in this world.  As I've reflected upon our changing world and the direction of much of the conversation that takes place, I thought of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. (John 24:13-49) They had been caught up in the discouraging news of the day -- Jesus had been crucified.  They could see no further than what was buzzing by the broadcast system of their day.  Then suddenly, a stranger appeared who seemed ignorant of all that was going on.  As you know, that Stranger was not ignorant at all.  He was Jesus, the resurrected One!  We must not let the focus of our attention be so fixed on either personal or global problems that we miss out on the real news at hand.  Jesus has said,...

Equipping for Evangelism and Witnessing Sabbath School May 26, 2012 Teacher:  Larry R Evans Introduction One of the strongest statements in the entire Bible regarding the need for developing an equipping ministry is found in Ephesians 4:11-13. “11 It was he who gave some to be apostles,  some to be prophets,  some to be evangelists,  and some to be pastors and teachers,  12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ  may be built up  13 until we all reach unity  in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God  and become mature,  attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (NIV) It is important, however, that we also see the context of this statement.  Ephesus was the capital and port city of the Roman province of Asia – the western coast of what is now called Turkey.  This was not an easy place for Paul yet he spent two or three years the...

The Promise of Prayer March 10, 2012 Larry R Evans Quiz 1. Prayer and Bible study are two different spiritual exercises. True or False? 2. The more clearly we see Jesus the greater possibility we have for a deeper transformation to take place within us. True or False? 3. The change in one’s outside appearance is the best indicator of what has happened on the inside. True or False? 4. God may be powerful but it is Jesus who taught Him how to be personal. True or False? 5. Closing our prayers with the words “in Jesus name” is the formula to use if we wish for our prayers to be answered. True or False? 6. We should not be overly confident when praying because we do not know how God will answer. True or False? 7. Prayer is worship. True or False? 8. For Jesus, prayer was a restful and peaceful opportunity to get away from all anxiety. True or False? Outline of Our Study and Reflection 1. To understand the need and purpose of prayer I find it helpful to go to Genesis 1:1 a. “In the ...

“Living by the Spirit” Sabbath School Class December 17, 2011 Larry R Evans, Teacher Introduction Gabe Lyons, in his book The Next Christians, says that research shows that over 76% of Americans self-identify as Christian. (p. 5) However, as he points out, finding that 76% is not easy. Perhaps this coincides with research reported in the book Unchristian, also co-authored by Lyons, in which it was stated that 87% of “young outsiders labeled Christians as judgmental.” (Ibid. p.32) What’s going on! There seems to be a disconnect between a profession and the Christian walk. Lyons suggests that part of the problem comes when Christians emphasize only a “half story”. God’s story isn’t confined to the fall and redemption. In fact he says, “Creation and restoration are the bookends to Christ’s earthly work . . . “ (p.51) This week’s lesson in actuality must be seen from a comprehensive perspective which includes: creation, the fall, redemption and restoration. “Living by the Spirit” i...

“The Road to Faith” Larry R Evans Sabbath School November 12, 2011 Introduction Perhaps one of the most difficult subjects to understand but also one of the most important is the relationship between law and gospel. How this “single” subject is understood shapes to a large degree one’s view of God as well as one’s own of self. Is the law at odds with the promise made to Abraham or does it give even more emphasis to the promised grace of God? That will be the focus of our study this week. The following are a few quotes from Ellen White on Galatians 3:21-25 that may be of interest to you in your study. Ellen G White Comments Found in The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary , Vol.6, p.1071 20-31 (Galatians 6:14; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:25; Revelation 22:17). With Humble Hearts Survey the Atonement.--Let no one take the limited, narrow position that any of the works of man can help in the least possible way to liquidate the debt of his transgression. This i...