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| FRIDAY | July 16 |
| Read Ellen G. White, “The Lord’s Vineyard,” pp. 291–294, in Christ’s Object Lessons; “God’s Love for Man,” pp. 9–15; “The Sinner’s Need of Christ,” pp. 17–22, in Steps to Christ; “In Contact With Others,” pp. 492–494, in The Ministry of Healing; “Agents of Satan,” pp. 146, 147, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5. “Many are deceived concerning the condition of their hearts. They do not realize that the natural heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. They wrap themselves about with their own righteousness, and are satisfied in reaching their own human standard of character; but how fatally they fail when they do not reach the divine standard, and of themselves they cannot meet the requirements of God.”—Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 320. “A terrible picture of the condition of the world has been presented before me. Immorality abounds everywhere. Licentiousness is the special sin of this age. Never did vice lift its deformed head with such boldness as now. The people seem to be benumbed, and the lovers of virtue and true goodness are nearly discouraged by its boldness, strength, and prevalence. The iniquity which abounds is not merely confined to the unbeliever and the scoffer. Would that this were the case, but it is not. Many men and women who profess the religion of Christ are guilty. Even some who profess to be looking for His appearing are no more prepared for that event than Satan himself. They are not cleansing themselves from all pollution. They have so long served their lust that it is natural for their thoughts to be impure and their imaginations corrupt.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 346. |
 In class, go over your answers to Tuesday’s question. How do we see this principle manifested in today’s society?  Look at the second quote from Ellen G. White in Friday’s study. If you see yourself in there, what is the answer? Why is it important not to give up in despair but to keep claiming God’s promises—first, of forgiveness; second, of cleansing? Who is the one that wants you to say, once and for all, “It’s no use. I’m too corrupt. I can never be saved, so I might as well give up”? Do you listen to him or to Jesus, who will say to us, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more”? John 8:11.  Why is it so important for us as Christians to understand basic human sinfulness and depravity? What can happen when we lose sight of that sad but true reality? What errors can a false understanding of our true condition lead us into? |
| I N S I D E Story | ||
| Jean Claude Comes Around When Jean Claude joined a charismatic church in Burundi, a tiny country in central Africa, church leaders saw his potential and urged him to become a pastor. Jean Claude studied and was sent to northern Burundi to pastor. Soon he became the district leader with some 250 churches and 79 pastors under his guidance. One day he went to a shop owned by an Adventist man. The shop owner shared some Bible texts with Jean Claude. Jean Claude wasn't interested in Adventist beliefs. He thought Adventists were legalists and poked fun at them. But the layman didn't give up. He continued to share Bible truths with the pastor every chance he had. One day when Jean Claude stopped by, the layman challenged him to explain Matthew 5:17, 18 and James 2:10, which say that Jesus never did away with the Ten Commandment law. Jean Claude couldn't explain them, and the layman introduced him to the Adventist district pastor, who offered to study the Bible with him. Reluctantly, Jean Claude agreed. Jean Claude became convinced that he had been wrong, that God's laws had never been abolished. And if the law still stood, then he was teaching the people under his authority a lie. Jean Claude resigned from his church position saying, "I can no longer teach lies. I'm going to join the Seventh-day Adventist Church." He sent copies of the letter to the pastors who served under his leadership. His church headquarters sent pastors to talk to him, but Jean Claude stood firm and read to the pastors the Bible texts that had convicted him "We've not been observing all the Ten Commandments," Jean Claude said. His wife supported his decision, and the couple began worshipping in the Adventist church with the shopkeeper who had introduced him to the Adventist faith. But the church was quite far from where he lived. Near Jean Claude's home was a small Adventist congregation with only 20 members. Jean Claude arranged to hold evangelistic meetings in the area. He bought a piece of land and invited the larger church's choir to come and sing for the meetings. The members helped build a simple church. Several members of Jean Claude's former church came to the meetings, and some of them have joined the church. Jean Claude continues to share his faith in the same eager way that was so successful in his former church. Our mission offerings help build up the church in Burundi and in other areas where, few people know the truths we love. | ||
| Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org |
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