TEXT FOR TODAY
YOU CAN PRINT YOUR LESSONS! SEE BELOW (RIGHT PANEL)

Friday, August 8, 2008

Homes of Hope: Part 2

FRIDAY August 8

Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, "Go Teach All Nations," pp. 818-828, in The Desire of Ages.

"In all true teaching the personal element is essential. Christ in His teaching dealt with men individually. It was by personal contact and association that He trained the Twelve. It was in private, often to but one listener, that He gave His most precious instruction. To the honored rabbi at the night conference on the Mount of Olives, to the despised woman at the well of Sychar, He opened His richest treasures; for in these hearers He discerned the impressible heart, the open mind, the receptive spirit. Even the crowd that so often thronged His steps was not to Christ an indiscriminate mass of human beings. He spoke directly to every mind and appealed to every heart. He watched the faces of His hearers, marked the lighting up of the countenance, the quick, responsive glance, which told that truth had reached the soul; and there vibrated in His heart the answering chord of sympathetic joy."—Ellen G. White, Education, p. 231.

Discussion Questions: Since 1983, the majority of new Adventist congregations around the world have been established by Global Mission pioneers (for more information, visit www.adventistmission.org. These Adventist lay people live among the people to whom they are ministering at the same socioeconomic level. Why do you think they have had so much success?

As a class, discuss your answers to the questions at the end of Sunday's and Wednesday's lessons.

As we saw, it was the personal touch that was so central to Jesus' ministry. In what ways did someone's personal touch influence you to accept Jesus? Share your stories and then ask yourselves, How can we as a local church work better to minister to people's needs on the personal level?

Because of Jesus' example of love and acceptance, should we accept anybody to worship in our church-no matter what their lifestyle?

Summary:

Jesus the compassionate Savior hated sin and loved sinners. His method of ministering to people in crowds and individually should be the model for our witness today. Because of the salvation we have received through Him, we can extend His love and forgiveness to others.


I N S I D E Story Homes of Hope: Part 2

by LESLEY DAVIDSON

Robin and I spent our time at the spa talking about issues that interested her. God is so wonderful. He cemented our friendship and drew Robin into His circle of friendship at the same time.

Robin continued to attend church, continued to grow and ask lots of questions. When I couldn't answer her questions, my husband did. By this time Robin was a part of our family.

We invited Robin to camp meeting, where she spent ten days growing in God's love and being loved by other Christians. By the time we returned home, Robin was hooked on God. She believed, and she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. But she wasn't interested in being baptized.

Then Robin was diagnosed with cancer. She had battled cancer two years earlier, had undergone surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, alone. I was determined that this time she would not be alone. I went to her doctor's appointments with her and to every test and appointment after that. She was given just months to live.

Robin grew weaker before our eyes and was in constant pain. She lost her ability to walk. We all knew that she was deteriorating fast. Before long she was seeing double and couldn't read. I read to her a lot. She loved the book of James, and we read it often.

The pastor anointed Robin, and her spirit soared, even as her body grew weaker by the day. She asked to be baptized. But she was growing weaker and was hospitalized. We knew Robin had just days to live. But in spite of her weakening body, she was determined to be baptized.

The pastor arranged for a baptism in a hospital bathtub. Her church friends gathered to witness the beautiful ceremony. Robin, though in pain, was fully alert and had a peaceful countenance during the ceremony. She glowed when she received her baptismal certificate, but the rest of us cried.

Three days later Robin fell asleep in Jesus. Her last words were, "I am saved, I am forgiven."

If it had not been for Homes of Hope to give me the kick I needed, I might never have gotten to know my wonderful friend Robin, and she might never have met the Savior who wanted to be her best Friend. God gave me the words to nurture her, and my church family loved her and gave her the affirmation she so desperately needed. I can't wait to see Robin again, to talk for eternity about our wonderful Lord.


LESLEY DAVIDSON lives in Kariong, New South Wales.

For more information on Homes of Hope, visit their Web site at hup://www.aucsda.com/australianunion/department/personalministries/homesofhope.htm.



Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness.
email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org

No comments:

Go BANANAS!

Ever wondered about that wonder fruit, the banana? Read about it here, and "Have a Banana a Day to keep the doctor away!"
------------------
MRSA loves gyms, barracks, prisons, schools ---- and Your Nose! Do you or the person next to you have the famous Staphyloccus aureus variant called MRSA and you don't know it? GO HERE (link http://healthplanet.blogspot.com )and read more.

Other Sabbath School Lessons and Resources

Get your Earliteen, Children, PowerPoint and other Sabbath School lessons and study materials here (link: http://www.ssnet.org/qrtrly/qrtrly.html)

The Truth In The Valley

Do something different this Saturday. Come worship with Beacon Light Tabernacle SDA Church at 1568 Route 9d, Wappingers Falls NY. Phone 845-440-0183.
"Proclaiming The Truth In The Valley"

Followers

People Are Talking!

Thank you for your support. I'm taking the classes in Spanish but I like to read your 'cause it inspire me to talk to other about God in English, this is for the Glory and honor of God........Yolanda
------------
The Sanjay mission story was very good and it's also nice to have the link to the Desire of Ages and Patriarch's and Prophets readings. Way to go.... Barbara (New York)
------------
May God shower you will all more blessing than you can handle, thank you so much for these lessons... Lascelles (Kingston, Jamaica)
------------
Just to say thanks for providing the Sabbath School Lesson on line. I have been utilizing it. Thanks...Joan (Kingston, Jamaica)
------------
Thanks for sending, Locksley. A nice start..... Barbara (NY)
------------
Thank you Locksley. I will need the 'help' with this quarter's lessons. All blessings and joy to you for this year...Nathalee (Jamaica)
------------
Thanks so much for sharing the Sabbath school lesson with me. Have not been online all week and was able to study with a friend on Sunday and monday. But God bless u for sharing. ...Ann (NY)

Ink

OCInkjet.com 392x72 banner, image is updated by season.