Religion Class Discovery

FRIDAY

January 11

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 432, 433, 582-585, 932, 1022, 1023; Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 432. "For a time the Baptist's influence over the nation had been greater than that of its rulers, priests, or princes. If he had announced himself as the Messiah, and raised a revolt against Rome, priests and people would have flocked to his standard. Every consideration that appeals to the ambition of the world's conquerors Satan had stood ready to urge upon John the Baptist. But with the evidence before him of his power, he had steadfastly refused the splendid bribe. The attention which was fixed upon him he had directed to Another. Now he saw the tide of popularity turning away from himself to the Saviour. Day by day the crowds about him lessened. . . . But the disciples of John looked with jealousy upon the growing popularity of Jesus."—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 178.

Discussion Questions:

What is involved in leaving everything behind in order to follow Jesus? What are the different ways such a commitment is made manifest in our lives? In class on Sabbath, be prepared to talk about your own understanding of what this means. What roles should our educational institutions have in helping make disciples? How can our churches and our schools better work together in this important challenge? Even in the time of Jesus there was a rivalry among disciples. Why is something like this so common, even among a work that is, ideally, so exalted, a work that should by its very nature keep us all humble and eager for the success of others? What practical things can we do to keep ourselves from falling into this trap? What about this whole question of signs and wonders and miracles? Do we believe in this? If so, what do we believe about it? What do signs and wonders prove? What do they not prove? Why should we always approach these things with caution, humility, and firm reliance on the Word of God?

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		I N S I D E Story
		Religion Class Discovery by THOMAS WALTER Herr Singer teaches religion to fifth- and sixth-grade children in a public school in Germany. One day he saw an ad for the Voice of Hope Bible correspondence course and signed up to take the basic course. Then he asked whether the Bible school offered lessons for children. The Voice of Hope sent him their children's lessons, and Herr Singer asked permission to use them in his religion class. The Voice of Hope sent lessons for each student, and Herr Singer assigned the lessons to his students, who began completing them. Several students sent questions they had along with their lessons. From the first the teacher, his students, and their parents knew that the materials they studied were sponsored by Seventh-day Adventists. Herr Singer taught another religion teacher's class when she was ill. When she returned to school her students wanted to continue taking the Bible course and asked Herr Singer to offer a second hour of Bible class so they could continue taking the Bible course. These public school children were willing to stay after school to study the Bible. So, once a week the students met in Herr Singer's class to complete their Bible course. The other religion teachers at the school learned about Herr Singer's Bible class discovery and asked to use the material in their own religion classes. Herr Singer created a curriculum plan in which he explained how to use the Bible correspondence course to teach religion to children. He sent a copy to the Voice of Hope so that other religion teachers in Germany can use the material if they wish. When the children completed the basic Bible course, some asked for more Bible material. Herr Singer directed them to the Voice of Hope, where they could study on their own. Six children enrolled in the basic adult course. They completed this course without their teacher's assistance. The course is not easy, and the children began asking their parents for help. When their parents couldn't answer their children's questions, some of them enrolled in the Bible study course in order to help answer their children's questions. So, one teacher's quest for religious materials has sown seeds of faith in the minds of children and their families in Germany. Your mission offerings support the Voice of Hope in Germany and around the world. THOMAS WALTER is a pastor and teacher for the Voice of Hope Bible Correspondence School.
		Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org