Further Study: Ellen G. White, “The Division of Canaan,” pp. 510–520, in Patriarchs and Prophets.
“The sinner is exposed to eternal death, until he finds a hiding place in Christ; and as loitering and carelessness might rob the fugitive of his only chance for life, so delays and indifference may prove the ruin of the soul. Satan, the great adversary, is on the track of every transgressor of God’s holy law, and he who is not sensible of his danger, and does not earnestly seek shelter in the eternal refuge, will fall a prey to the destroyer.
“The prisoner who at any time went outside the city of refuge was abandoned to the avenger of blood. Thus the people were taught to adhere to the methods which infinite wisdom appointed for their security. Even so, it is not enough that the sinner believe in Christ for the pardon of sin; he must, by faith and obedience, abide in Him.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 517.
Discussion Questions:
How do we differentiate between forgiveness of sin, in the context of salvation and the Cross, and the issue of a crime in the context of the criminal justice system? Why must we differentiate between them, or can we? 
In class, discuss your answer to Tuesday’s question regarding the death penalty. What would you tell the family, and why? Also, is it right and fair to apply what was done in ancient Israel to our system of justice today? Discuss. 
Why is it so important to remember how the Lord has led us in the past, either as individuals or as a church? What dangers arise if we forget the past? At the same time, why is it important not to dwell too much on what already has been done and cannot be changed? How can we strike the right balance here? 
If someone were to ask you, “What does it mean to take refuge in Christ?” what would you answer? How do we “take refuge” in the Lord? What does that mean? How should it change our lives? 
How do we administer church discipline today? How do we deal with wayward members whose actions are a reproach to the Lord? Yet at the same time, how do we deal with them in a way that does not make us appear judgmental? Or can we? | I N S I D E Story | ||
| The Offering by MOUSSAH NUHU-DAMARU It was a tough time in Nigeria. I worked for the government, and my wife was a teacher, but we hadn't been paid in weeks. And my wife was expecting. We weren't sure how we would manage. I still hadn't been paid when my wife went into labor. I had no money to pay the hospital, the doctors in the government hospitals were on strike, and the mission hospital was too far away. Our only option was an expensive private hospital. We hired a taxi to take us to the private hospital, but on the way my wife started delivering the baby. The driver found a small clinic where she was able to deliver the baby. We rejoiced in our newborn son and thanked God for saving us a lot of money! Two days later teachers were told to report in person to be paid their back wages. I couldn't go for my wife; she had to go herself and take our new son with her. And after waiting all day to be paid, she was told to return the next day! On Sabbath morning I prepared for church. I wanted to give a thank offering for our new son, but I still hadn't been paid, and I had only eight naira (about six cents)! As an elder I felt a responsibility to be a good example, and that included faithfulness in tithes and offerings. How could I give just eight naira to God? Finally I gave my mother five naira and my three older children one naira each. I went to church with nothing. During Sabbath School my son said that a man wanted to see me. I went outside to see what he wanted. I recognized the man and greeted him. He wasn't a church member, and I wondered how he knew where to find me. "Can we go somewhere and talk?" he asked. I walked him to my house, which was nearby, and we sat down. Then he pulled out a roll of bills and peeled off 8,000 naira ($60)! Imagine my surprise! I had forgotten that this man had owed me money. I thanked the man and hurried back to church. I returned tithe on the money the man had given me and took a fitting offering for the thank offering. Later I told my wife what had happened. The next day she was finally able to get her long-overdue pay. God is faithful! Things became easier for us after that, but I'll never forget how God provided an offering just at the right time. Giving an offering for mission is always a blessing.
MOUSSAH NUHU-DAMARU is a lab technician in the Mass Communication Department at Babcock University in Nigeria, West Africa. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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