Hope Meets Hopelessness: Part 2

February 22

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 746-750, 973, 974; Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 383-394, 410-442, 511-517.

"Our Lord has said, 'Except ye eat of the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. . . . For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.' John 6:53-55. This is true of our physical nature. To the death of Christ we owe even this earthly life. The bread we eat is the purchase of His broken body. The water we drink is bought by His spilled blood. Never one, saint or sinner, eats his daily food, but he is nourished by the body and the blood of Christ. The cross of Calvary is stamped on every loaf. It is reflected in every water spring. All this Christ has taught in appointing the emblems of His great sacrifice. The light shining from that Communion service in the upper chamber makes sacred the provisions for our daily life. The family board becomes as the table of the Lord, and every meal a sacrament."—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 660.

Discussion Questions:

In class, discuss what it means to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus. Dwell more on the idea that we need to be like children. What other traits do we find in children that make them such good examples? How can we be more childlike in our faith? At the same time, in what ways can we take the child analogy too far? The lesson this week talked about various deceptions that we will have to face as disciples of Christ. What are some of these deceptions that the church is facing in your area of the world? How are they manifested? What kind of guises do they come in? How easily are our members swayed by them? As a church, what can you do to help protect all members from whatever spiritual traps might come their way? What are all the reasons we have been given for faith? In other words, why are we believers? What evidence do we have for our faith? Dwell on your reasons for belief, and then as a class discuss your responses. Summarize what you understand to be the experience of discipleship. What has that experience been for you? What does it encompass? In class, share your experiences.

---

		I N S I D E Story
		Hope Meets Hopelessness: Part 2 by CHARLOTTE ISHKANIAN Santosh was playing cricket with the pastor's children on the roof of the apartment building when he lost his balance and fell backward off the roof. "Lord, save me!" he cried as he tumbled toward some high voltage wires. The instant he hit the wires the transformer burst, cutting off all current. The wires broke his fall, and he landed on the ground. He struggled to get up but couldn't. A crowd gathered, wondering aloud that this boy could have fallen three floors, hit the high voltage wires and the hard ground, and survived. "How did you survive that fall?" someone asked. "I prayed, 'Lord, save me!' " Santosh said. The pastor rushed to Santosh's side. He took the boy to the hospital, where he needed surgery to set his broken leg. His parents rushed to his bedside. Family members learned of Santosh's fall and blamed the family's interest in Christianity. But Santosh strongly disagreed. "God saved me from worse injury because I prayed," he told them. Santosh's parents worried about his injury, his medical bills, and what may have caused the fall, but Santosh encouraged them to trust God in spite of what the family said. During his two-week stay in the hospital, and afterward as he recuperated at home, Santosh shared his love for Jesus with those who visited him. Santosh has recovered from his injuries. He and his parents have given their lives to Jesus and have thrown out their idols. Santosh's grandparents, who once opposed Christianity, now attend church with Santosh and his parents. He urges them to trust in Jesus. Santosh is bright and enjoys studying the Bible with several of his relatives. One aunt has been baptized, though she must sneak to church against her husband's will. Two uncles, another aunt, and his other grandmother attend church because of Santosh's testimony, and several other relatives are studying the Bible. Your mission offerings help families around the world find the Savior. SANTOSH (left). Charlotte Ishkanian is editor of Mission and "Inside Stories."
		Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org