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
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