Crash Course in Faith

January 25

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 365, 366, 456-460, 602-605, 926-934; Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 167-177, 333-341, 518-523. "In this age of diseased piety and perverted principle, those who are converted in life and practice will reveal a healthy and influential spirituality. Those who have a knowledge of the truth as it is revealed in God's word must now come to the front. My brethren, God requires this of you. Every jot of your influence is now to be used on the right side. All are now to learn how to stand in defense of truth that is worthy of acceptance."—Ellen G. White, Medical Ministry, p. 22. "But while Nicodemus had not publicly acknowledged Christ, he had in the Sanhedrin council repeatedly thwarted the schemes of the priests to destroy Him. When at last Christ had been lifted up on the cross, Nicodemus remembered the words that He had spoken to him in the night interview on the Mount of Olives, 'As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up' (John 3:14); and he saw in Jesus the world's Redeemer."—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 104.

Discussion Questions:

Has there ever been a time when you got caught up in a herd mentality, when you went along with the crowd, perhaps in a fit of emotion, and did something you later regretted? If so, what have you learned from that experience that could help protect you from doing the same thing again? Think more about the point addressed earlier this week regarding the idea that being part of the true church is not enough. What message is there for us as Seventh-day Adventists? How are we in danger of falling into that same trap, that idea that because we believe that we have truth, that is all we need? In class, talk about how we can protect ourselves from that delusion. Review the reason that these would-be disciples used to not make a commitment (with, we know for sure, the exception of Nicodemus). What other excuses do people use? How can we as a church help those who are struggling with this momentous decision? Review the reason that these would-be disciples used to not make a commitment (with, we know for sure, the exception of Nicodemus). What other excuses do people use? How can we as a church help those who are struggling with this momentous decision? What's the difference between being a "believer" and being a disciple?

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		I N S I D E Story
		Crash Course in Faith by JOHN MAKEUSA I was a new believer. I boarded a small passenger plane in the Congo to fly to another city. Halfway to our destination in torrential rain, the navigation system developed a problem. Then one engine stopped. The pilot descended to look for a place to land. I prayed as the pilot struggled to bring the plane down safely. Then the other engine stopped working. Without power we had no control over the plane. I prayed earnestly, "Lord, if You have work for me to do, please save us." We crashed onto the savannah and flipped over, tumbling to a stop. My seatbelt broke, and I was knocked unconscious. I awoke lying outside the plane. I had neck and leg injuries and couldn't walk. We saw no one around and had no idea where to go for help, so we slept fitfully by the plane that night. The next morning we saw two men paddling a canoe down a nearby river and shouted at them. Because it was a time of war, the men thought we were military and took us to the guerilla army headquarters nearby. These soldiers could have killed us, for we were from "enemy" territory. But God protected us, and the soldiers fed us and bandaged our wounds. A week later when we were able to walk, soldiers marched us to their commander, 130 miles (200 kilometers) away. When we arrived four days later, the commander questioned us. I told him I was an Adventist Christian, not a soldier. He held us for a month. During this time I shared my faith, and one soldier asked how to become a Christian. I told him all that I knew and prayed with him as he accepted Jesus as his Lord. When we were set free, we walked toward the Tanzanian border to find help. Soldiers at the border arrested us, thinking we were soldiers. They held us for more than two months. Throughout our ordeal I shared my faith with the pilot and other passengers as well as with our captors. We prayed together, and the other men asked me to pray for them, as well. When finally we were freed to return home, we had been gone four months. Everyone thought we were dead. What gladness when we arrived! What rejoicing when I testified how God had saved us, not once but four times, and helped me share my faith with strangers. The experience helped me know I can trust God in everything. Evangelism takes many forms, and your mission offerings make evangelism possible. JOHN MAKEUSA is a mechanic living in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
		Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org