Further Study: For comments on the calling of the disciples, read Ellen G. White, "We Have Found the Messiahs," pp. 132-143, in The Desire of Ages.
"It was not enough for the disciples of Jesus to be instructed as to the nature of His kingdom. What they needed was a change of heart that would bring them into harmony with its principles. Calling a little child to Him, Jesus set him in the midst of them; then tenderly folding the little one in His arms He said, 'Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.' The simplicity, the self-forgetfulness, and the confiding love of a little child are the attributes that Heaven values. These are the characteristics of real greatness."—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 437.
Discussion Questions: 
As a class, go over the question of what it costs to be a true follower of Christ. Ask those who are willing to discuss it about what it cost them to follow the Lord. Ask, too, why they believe it was worth it.
What can we do to help the new believers among us become better disciples of Christ? Why is being a disciple so much more than just intellectually consenting to a number of doctrines, or even more than believing that Jesus died for your sins?
We are called to be disciples of Jesus. But on the human level, we also have role models. Is it legitimate to consider ourselves also disciples of a human leader we respect and consider a role model? If so, how could we do this while at the same
How can we fight the sinful human desire for more self-glory, more adulation, more power and prestige? Why are such desires so contrary to all that it means to be a disciple of Christ?
Summary:
| To be a disciple of Christ is no small thing. It requires a lot of conviction and stamina and a willingness to follow the Lord, regardless of the suffering involved. To be a disciple of Christ means to live by faith, to trust God even in the hardest of times. It means to be willing to die to self and live for the good of others and for the glory of God. |
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| The Kettle Failed Not by Russ DAWIS A colleague and I climbed the mountains of Southern Mindanao in the Philippines to survey a possible site that a tribal chief had donated for an Adventist high school for the Higaonan people. While in the area, we were invited to stay in the home of Pangga Landagan. The man received us warmly, made us comfortable, and offered us food. I knew the family wasn't well-to-do and asked why he felt so generous toward the SULADS missionaries. "It is my blessing and joy to take care of you," our host said. "For when we care for His children, God blesses us even more abundantly." Then he explained his remark. "When two SULADS missionary teachers came to the village, they seemed shy and hesitant to visit the homes in the village. I knew that their small stipend would not be enough to buy food, so my wife and I invited them to eat with us so that they would have good food while they worked for our people. "One day we had just enough rice for one meal for two people. But our missionaries hadn't eaten that day, so I whispered to my wife, Let's feed the missionaries first. She agreed and cooked the rice and served the missionaries. "While they ate I slipped out to look for food, but I came back empty-handed and hungry. I checked the kettle in the kitchen, expecting only a handful of leftovers. To my surprise, the kettle was full! "I whispered to my wife, 'Haven't you fed the missionaries yet?' " 'Yes, they've eaten,' she said. 'And I've eaten too.' " 'But the kettle's full!' I said. " 'That can't be!' my wife protested. I showed her the kettle, still full of rice. 'It's an Elijah miracle,' I whispered. "Together we thanked God for providing for our needs and those of the missionaries too. The constant rain made it impossible for our missionary guests to leave for the next village as they had planned, so that evening my wife reheated the rice and we ate from the full pot. Again we let them eat first, and then I looked at the pot. It was still full! "In the morning the kettle was still full, and again my wife reheated it for breakfast before the missionaries left on their journey. "From that day on, I see that any visitor in our village receives the best we can offer. And as always we see that our food containers and kettle fail not." "Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing" (Psalm 34:10, NIV). As we support world mission with our offerings, we will see that God will provide all our needs.
Russ DAWIS is the coordinator of SULADS, the student mission program in Northeastern Mindanao Mission in the Philippines. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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