Further Study:

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FRIDAY

May 20

Further Study:

Read Ellen G. White, “Lost and Is Found,” pp. 206, 210, in Christ’s Object Lessons; “Instructed in the Law of God,” p. 668, in Prophets and Kings; “Calvary,” p. 754, in The Desire of Ages; “A Work of Reform,” p. 460, in The Great Controversy. “The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 88.

Discussion Questions:

Dwell more on the theme found in the early chapter of Isaiah regarding worship, even true forms of worship, that are unacceptable to God. What kinds of worship are offered today, even by us, which might be unacceptable to the Lord? Is the problem the worship itself or something else, such as what the worshipers are doing with themselves when they are not worshiping? Discuss.      Isaiah 61:3 reads: “ ‘To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified’ ” (NKJV). What is going on here? How can we experience the promises given here?      Delmore Schwartz wrote a short story about a snowfall in New York City that had created, miraculously, these beautiful statues throughout the city. Folks were amazed. The whole city was transfixed. His main character was especially moved, even quit his job so that he could do nothing but stare at the statues, which seemed to have given him a meaning and purpose in life that he got from nothing else. Then, according to the story, a tireless and foul rain fell and all the statues overnight disappeared. They were gone, and things went right back to where they were before the statues came. As the story ended, the main character either fell or jumped in front of a train and died. The point was that by placing hopes in things of this world we are bound for disappointment, because the earth wears away “like a garment.” What have been your own experiences with how easily the things of this world disappoint, and what have you learned from those experiences?