Further Study: Read Ellen G. White, “The Rebellion of Korah,” pp. 395–405, in Patriarchs and Prophets.
“I question whether genuine rebellion is ever curable. . . .
“Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall be affected by it unless we by faith hang our helpless souls upon Christ. If men are so easily misled, how will they stand when Satan shall personate Christ, and work miracles? Who will be unmoved by his misrepresentations? Professing to be Christ when it is only Satan assuming the person of Christ, and apparently working the works of Christ? What will hold God’s people from giving their allegiance to false Christs? ‘Go not ye after them.’
“The doctrines must be plainly understood. The men accepted to teach the truth must be anchored; then their vessel will hold against storm and tempest, because the anchor holds them firmly. The deceptions will increase, and we are to call rebellion by its right name. We are to stand with the whole armor on.” —The SDA Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Comments, vol. 1, p. 1114.
Discussion Questions: 
What are ways in which sin deceives us? How can we know if we are being deceived by it? (After all, isn’t part of the deception of sin to make us think that actually we’re not being deceived?) What role does the Bible play in answering this question? How can others help us, as well?
However open and outright the rebellion we looked at this week, what are others ways that the same spirit can be manifest among us? How can we recognize it when it arises among ourselves, especially when it’s often cloaked under guises that make us think we’re not rebelling really, but instead, really standing up for what is right? How do we know the difference?
Why are memorials, either religious or secular, important? What are some secular memorials common in your culture, and what do they represent?
Summary:
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| Long Journey to God by SAM ABRAHAM Kiyasudeen grew up in a non-Christian home in India. When he was 11 years old he went to live with his aunt, who had no children. Kiyasudeen noticed that his aunt worshiped a different God. He watched as she lit a candle under a picture of a Man named Jesus and then prayed silently. Sometimes Kiyasudeen went to the room where his aunt prayed and stood before the picture of Jesus and prayed to Him too, saying, "Jesus, please take care of me." Three years later he returned home. He often went to the temple with his father. While his father prayed to his god, Kiyasudeen prayed to Jesus. Then tragedy struck. Both his mother and his aunt died. Deeply depressed, Kiyasudeen climbed a small hill outside town, where he fasted and prayed for three days. "You are a holy God," he said. "Auntie told me about the great feast in heaven. Will I be there? How will I know if I am prepared to go?" He returned home to find a job. He needed to support himself, and he hoped to earn enough money to pay his school fees and write his school leaving exam. He found a job, but after several months the employer hadn't paid him. When Kiyasudeen asked for his money, the man beat him and sent him away. The boy found a church, which he entered to pray. "God, be my help; educate me," he pleaded. The church's pastor saw the boy and asked what he prayed for. Kiyasudeen said that he wanted to study. The pastor said, "Why don't you go to the seminary? You can study theology and become a pastor." Kiyasudeen accepted and enrolled in the church's seminary. After he graduated, he began preaching. While visiting people one day, he saw a sign outside one house that said, "Pastor, Seventh-day Adventist Church." He asked the pastor what "seventh day" meant. The pastor explained that the seventh day is the Sabbath. Kiyasudeen was astonished. "I studied in a seminary, and no one told me about the Sabbath. Is it Sunday?" The Adventist pastor pointed to the calendar. Kiyasudeen saw that Saturday was the seventh day. He asked the pastor to teach him, and the two studied and prayed together for three months. Then Kiyasudeen asked to be baptized. Kiyasudeen tried to share with his family God's love, but they rejected him. So he shares his faith with anyone who will listen. Our mission offerings help bring the gospel of Jesus to those like Kiyasudeen who are searching for the living God. Thank you.
SAM ABRAHAM is a lay worker living in Thanjuvar, India. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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