Fervent Follower

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FRIDAY

July 1

Further Study:  

Read Ellen G. White, “The Creation,” pp. 47–51; “The Temptation and Fall,” pp. 60–62; “Cain and Abel Tested,” pp. 71–74; “After the Flood,” pp. 105–107; “The Test of Faith,” pp. 148-153; “The Night of Wrestling,” pp. 197–203, in Patriarchs and Prophets. “[Jacob’s] vow [at Bethel] was the outflow of a heart filled with gratitude for the assurance of God’s love and mercy. Jacob felt that God had claims upon him which he must acknowledge, and that the special tokens of divine favor granted him demanded a return. So does every blessing bestowed upon us call for a response to the Author of all our mercies. The Christian should often review his past life and recall with gratitude the precious deliverances that God has wrought for him. . . . He should recognize all of them as evidences of the watchcare of heavenly angels. In view of these innumerable blessings he should often ask, with subdued and grateful heart, ‘What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?’ Psalm 116:12.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 187.

Discussion Questions:

Dwell more on the topic of how righteousness by faith in what Christ has done for us should be at the center of all our worship. As you do, dwell on these questions: (1) Why do we worship Him? (2) What has He done that makes Him worthy of worship? (3) What purpose does our worship of God serve?      How can our worship services become a more effective tool in witnessing to the world who God really is and what He is like? What elements in worship, which we have considered in this week’s lesson, can be especially helpful in witnessing?      Review the story of Abraham’s giving his tithe to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:20). In what ways is tithing an act of worship? What are we saying to God when we return to Him our tithe?   Dwell more on the idea of fear and reverence in worship. Why is this an important element? What’s wrong with an attitude in worship that seems to put God on our own level, in which we relate to Him in worship with the same attitude we have toward a good friend and nothing more?

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		I N S I D E Story
		Fervent Follower Gustave looked at the advertisement for evangelistic meetings. He was curious about these Adventists, who, he was told, sinned by working in their gardens on Sunday in order to keep Saturday holy. Associating with Adventists was forbidden in his village in Burundi, a tiny country in central Africa. But Gustave loved religious meetings and decided to risk going. The first message he heard touched his heart, and returned the following weekend. He wished he could attend on school nights too. After the second weekend of meetings, Gustave asked the local elder where he lived. Gustave wanted to come and ask more questions about what he was learning. After studying the Bible with the elder for several weeks, Gustave asked to join the Adventist Church. His parents weren’t happy, but they didn’t forbid him to follow his faith. Schools in Burundi held classes on Sabbaths, but Gustave skipped classes to attend church instead. One of his teachers warned him that if he continued missing classes on Sabbath he could be expelled. When Gustave’s parents learned that he was skipping school, they accused him of becoming a rebel or being duped. “I’m not a rebel or a member of a political group,” Gustave explained. “I just want to worship God.” He invited his parents to follow his example, or at least to allow him the freedom to worship as God was leading him to do. Gustave tried to explain his faith to the school principal, hoping to be excused him from classes. But the principal accused him of spreading a bad message through the school. Reluctantly Gustave attended classes on Sabbath. But he tried to focus on Christ, not class work. The next year Gustave transferred to another high school that didn’t hold classes on Sabbaths. But it held mandatory religious groups that day. Gustave was the only Adventist student in the school, so he joined a Protestant group and became a leader. He shared his faith with his fellow students, and several wanted to know more. He studied the Bible with those who were interested, but most of the students’ parents refused to let their children associate with Adventists. When Gustave graduated from high school and began looking for work, his parents tried to force him to take a job that required Sabbath work. When Gustave refused, his parents refused to support him. At last he found a temporary job with ADRA. Gustave advises young people to follow God’s leading, no matter what troubles come their way. He thanks God for those who gave mission offerings so that Adventists in Burundi could hold the evangelistic meetings that let him to Jesus. Gustave Ndayambaje lives in southern Burundi.
		Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email:   info@adventistmission.org  website:  www.adventistmission.org