Further Study & Fishing for Souls

FRIDAY

January 4

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 319, 322, 323, 374, 484, 582, 584, 585, 592-594, 738, 749, 750, 910, 1036, 1037, 1083, 1084; Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 139-143, 244-251, 292. "No mere theory of truth or profession of discipleship will save any soul. We do not belong to Christ unless we are His wholly. It is by halfheartedness in the Christian life that men become feeble in purpose and changeable in desire."—Ellen G. White, Christ's Object Lessons, p. 50. "Matthew 'left all, rose up, and followed Him.' There was no hesitation, no questioning, no thought of the lucrative business to be exchanged for poverty and hardship. . . . So it was with the disciples previously called. When Jesus bade Peter and his companions follow Him, immediately they left their boats and nets. Some of these disciples had friends dependent on them for support; but when they received the Saviour's invitation, they did not hesitate, and inquire, How shall I live, and sustain my family? They were obedient to the call."—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 273.

Discussion Questions:

What is the difference between discipleship and church membership? Why is it important for us to know the difference? In what ways can a person be a church member and not be a disciple? Read the second Ellen G. White reference above. At one level, the meaning is clear: We must be wholly devoted to Jesus, no matter the personal cost. At the same time, how is this principle open to abuse? In what ways could this idea be used by someone to evade what are, really, God-given responsibilities? How can we know the difference between being committed and using commitment as an excuse for some other agenda? What does it mean to be committed wholly to the Lord? What are the practical and positive ways commitment and discipleship can be manifested? Also, ask yourself this question: How are the lives of those around me improved and helped by my faithfulness to the Lord? What does it mean to deny self and take up your cross? Though we always tend to think of this command on an individual basis, would this also be words to your local church, as a whole? If so, how so?

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		I N S I D E Story
		Fishing for Souls by GABRIEL ZANCHIOR A friend stopped by the bar and dance hall that I operated in Benin, a country in western Africa, and invited me to his home for dinner. After eating I fell asleep and thought I was dreaming when I heard someone speaking beautifully. I opened my eyes and saw my friend and another man praying. The prayer was so beautiful that I knelt beside them. When the man finished praying, he apologized for waking me. I asked him to teach me to pray as he prayed, and he said, "When you know God personally, praying is easy." He was a pastor and offered to teach me about God. As I studied the Bible with the pastor, I realized how little I knew about the Bible. I told my friend, "You have known this, and you didn't tell me?" Surprised, he responded, "But you own a bar. How could I know that you would listen to these things?" As I studied the Bible, I realized that to follow Jesus I would have to give up my bar and dance hall. But these truths were so beautiful, how could I not follow them? I walked away from everything I had invested in the bar and turned my life over to Christ. My wife and I were baptized. I found work as a fisherman, but fishing was poor in Benin, so I went to neighboring Ghana to work. While there I found the Adventist church and realized that this church was worldwide. When I returned to Benin, I looked at our little chapel and our handful of members. I realized that the challenge was huge. Voodoo worship and witchcraft permeate life in Benin. People prefer to join a church that allows them to mix their voodoo practices with Christianity rather than stand up for the truth and become a Seventh-day Adventist. I started evangelizing my town, calling people to Jesus. Ten people joined the Adventist church. But when trouble comes, staying in the church becomes difficult. In our culture funerals include drinking and offering gifts to the gods to assure that the dead person does not haunt family members. But when we Adventists don't take part in these ceremonies, our families make it very difficult. I now know that God's church is a worldwide family. I pray, and I ask you to pray, that God will work powerfully in Benin to convince people of His love and power. I continue casting God's net in the devil's sea, seeking to be a fisher of souls for Christ. Your mission offerings will help the work in my country grow stronger each day. GABRIEL ZANCHIOR is a lay evangelist in Benin, West Africa.
		Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org