Further Study:
Examine the following statement. How does it relate to the overall lesson for this week? Do you see areas of tension? Or does it make the same general point in a different way? Here it is: "The Gospels are filled with accounts of Jesus' miracles, but it would be a mistake to place our emphasis there. For one thing, Jesus did not himself emphasize them; almost all of them were performed quietly, apart from the crowd, and as demonstrations of the power of faith. We get a better perspective on Jesus' activities if we place the emphasis where one of his disciples did. Once, in addressing a group, Peter found it necessary to epitomize Jesus' life, and said, 'He went about doing good.' Moving easily and without affectation among ordinary people and social misfits, healing them, counseling them, Jesus went about doing good. He did so with such single-minded effectiveness, that those who were with him constantly found their estimate of him modulating to a new key. They found themselves thinking that if divine goodness were to manifest itself in human form, this is how it would behave."—Huston Smith, The Illustrated World's Religions, p. 210.Discussion Questions:
 Ellen G. White said that "the great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening." She spoke of a vigorous, worldwide thrust as the end approaches, and said that "miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers" (The Great Controversy, pp. 611, 612). How do you see this prophecy coming to pass? How do you visualize your own participation in it? What role does your local church have in all this? What things can we do to prepare for this time? |
Suppose someone appeared who did many amazing miracles, as did Jesus, miracles that testified to what was clearly supernatural. How could, should, you respond? 
Bring to class your answer to Monday's question about modern miracles, and discuss your answers and the reasons for them.
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| Thrown Into the River: Part 1 by SUNIL BIKAS TRIPURA I am from the hills of Bangladesh. From my childhood I was devoted to several gods. I attended festivals, offered gifts to the gods to whom I prayed, and went on pilgrimages, all to receive the blessings of the gods. On one religious pilgrimage I was dismayed to find the priests asking pilgrims for money to forgive their sins. I could not believe it when I heard them say that the more a poor pilgrim gave, the more surely their sins would be forgiven. Can I buy forgiveness with money? I wondered. If so, then the rich can be forgiven. But what about the poor? I climbed the mountain to the holy place, but when I reached the top, I found drunken priests and pilgrims. Some declared themselves gods in their own right and asked other pilgrims for money to be forgiven. I knew that these priests and pilgrims were violating the holy writings-and on temple grounds! I thought about it and realized that one god I worshiped had committed at least three of the five forbidden sins. How could a human be expected to stay pure if a god cannot? I wondered who could save me if not these gods. I began to question my faith. Is my god the true god? Or is there another God, more powerful, more perfect, One who can overcome sin and take us to heaven? As I pondered these questions, I determined to start searching for the answers. One day I met a man who said he is a Christian, a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. When I asked him about sin and forgiveness, he told me that everyone is a sinner, and that Jesus is the only Savior. Only Jesus lived a perfect life, and only Jesus can save us from sin. I asked the man for a Bible and started reading it. I compared Jesus with my god and discovered that Jesus truly is the only righteous being, the true Savior. I surrendered my life to Jesus, trusting Him to save me. But my aunt and uncle, who were my guardians, were angry that I had forsaken their gods. They forbade me to touch the food or to drink from their' cups, saying it would make them unfit for use. But even worse persecution was to follow. (continued next week)
SUNIL BIKAS TRIPURA has completed his religion degree in Bangladesh Adventist Seminary and College and is working among his tribal group in Bangladesh. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Web site: www.adventistmission.org |
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