| FRIDAY | February 12 |
| “It is not only by preaching the truth, not only by distributing literature, that we are to witness for God. Let us remember that a Christlike life is the most powerful argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity, and that a cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than the character of a worldling.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 21. “The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 470. |
 In class, read and discuss your answers to the question on Sunday’s lesson about how God has revealed to you His goodness.  What are some practical ways in which we as individuals or as a church can express and reveal the goodness of God to others? Is your church doing good in the community where it is located? If your church were to move, would the neighbors miss it?  The Bible says that God’s law is good. And we know that it is. How, though, can it be used as something bad? What are ways that the law can be misused, and what are the sad consequences of such a misuse?  Ponder this age-old philosophical question: Is something deemed good because God says it’s good? Or does God deem it good because it already is good?  In class, discuss Luke 18:18, 19. What was Jesus saying here? How are we to understand His words?  In class, stage a discussion. Have half the class argue the point that human beings are basically good at heart; let the other half take the position that humans are basically bad. Argue your positions not from the Bible but from what you see in the world as a whole. |
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| Turning Tragedy to Joy An interview with MARLENE AND ENRIQUE TAVARES DA SILVA "We were devastated when we received word that our son, Emerson, a medical student in Bolivia, was diagnosed with schizophrenia," his mother, Marlene, said. "We brought him back to Brazil and took him to the best doctors, who confirmed that Emerson has the most serious type of schizophrenia. The doctors explained that even with medicines, Emerson never would lead a normal life. "Our son was a promising medical student, but now he can hardly be left alone," his father said. "He worries about us when we are gone, even for a little while, and he doesn't do well in public places. His life is largely confined to home except for Sabbath morning when we take him to church." The couple had looked forward to a retirement filled with ministry, but when Emerson became ill, Marlene took early retirement from her career as a teacher to care for him. "I prayed that God would show me how He could use our son's illness to bring glory to His name," Marlene said. "And God has answered that prayer in marvelous ways. "Emerson has always loved God," she adds. "He loved to lead out in worship, and I decided to invite people into our home for small-group worships and Bible study. Most of the people are doctors from the nearby hospital; some are teachers, and others are neighbors. It's working. Emerson is blessed by these small gatherings, and we can reach out to people who don't know Christ. We've lost count of how many people have been led to Christ through our small-group ministry." "We know that God didn't make my son sick. But He turned our tragedy into a blessing by giving us a ministry at home. Currently we host two groups—one on Sabbath afternoon and one Monday night," Enrique says. Enrique prefers to let Marlene lead out in the Bible studies. He feels that her years of teaching experience make this her special gift. He focuses on making people feel welcome and contributing to the conversation. "People don't stop coming once they are baptized," Marlene explains. "They continue to come and help lead out in the group. They bring their friends who are having problems or who don't know Christ. It's a busy and happy place." Enrique and Marlene urge everyone to find a ministry that suits their life and their talents. Small groups are an effective and important ministry in many countries. MARLENE AND ENRIQUE TAVARES DA SILVA share their faith in Belen, Brazil. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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