The Enthusiastic Converts

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FRIDAY

September 17

Further Study:  

Read Ellen G. White, “An Explanation of Early Statements,” pp. 66–69, in Selected Messages, book 1; “Practical Godliness,” pp. 540, 541, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5; “Our Attitude Toward the Civil Authorities,” pp. 394, 395, in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6; “The Tabernacle and Its Services,” pp. 352, 353, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “The Spirituality of the Law,” pp. 49–51, in Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing. “In the Bible the will of God is revealed. The truths of the Word of God are the utterances of the Most High. He who makes these truths a part of his life becomes in every sense a new creature. He is not given new mental powers, but the darkness that through ignorance and sin has clouded the understanding is removed. The words, ‘A new heart also will I give you,’ mean, ‘A new mind will I give you.’ A change of heart is always attended by a clear conviction of Christian duty, an understanding of truth. He who gives the Scriptures close, prayerful attention will gain clear comprehension and sound judgment, as if in turning to God he had reached a higher plane of intelligence.”—Ellen G. White, My Life Today, p. 24. “The Lord . . . is soon coming, and we must be ready and waiting for His appearing. Oh, how glorious it will be to see Him and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our hope is not to grow dim. If we can but see the King in His beauty we shall be forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud: ‘Homeward bound!’ We are nearing the time when Christ will come in power and great glory to take His ransomed ones to their eternal home.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 253.

Discussion Questions:

In class, go over the question at the end of Thursday’s lesson. What were the answers folk gave, and how did they justify them?      The question of how we are to be good citizens and good Christians can at times be very complicated. If someone were to come to you seeking advice about standing for what he or she believed was God’s will, even though it would put him or her in conflict with the government, what would you say? What counsel would you give? What principles should you follow? Why is this something that we should proceed on only with the utmost seriousness and prayerful consideration? (After all, not everyone thrown into the lions’ den comes out unscathed.)      What do you think is harder to do: to keep strict adherence to the letter of the law or to love God and love others unconditionally? Or, could you argue that this question presents a false dichotomy? If so, why?

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		I N S I D E Story
		The Enthusiastic Converts by G. DEVADASS When a group of believers wanted to start a new church plant in a suburb of Chennai (formerly Madras), India, several church members paired up into twos and went visiting from house to house in that neighborhood. During our visiting, we met Elkana and Jeba-Kumari. Elkana and his wife were devoted Christians and active members of a charismatic church. They operated a hostel (home) for poor children, supported by donations from other believers. But they were willing to listen as we read from the Bible and explained the fundamental beliefs of Adventists. We visited with Elkana and Jeba-Kumari every week, and they began attending the Adventist church. In time they were baptized into the Adventist family of believers. This dedicated couple told their family members of their decision to become Seventh-day Adventists. They shared what they were learning from the Bible that they hadn't known before, and some of their relatives began attending church with them. The pastor invited Elkana and his wife to share their faith in their own part of town, and they agreed. For six months the pastor trained them how to share God's word and urged them to invite people to the church. Then they went out on their own. Elkana and Jeba-Kumari took up their new commission with energy, and within 10 months 28 more people from the neighborhood were attending the Adventist church. This group of new believers formed the core of a new congregation that now numbers more than 30 people. They have no church in which to worship and must meet in a rented room. Jeba-Kumari is an especially gifted soul winner, and the couple continues to share their faith with those they meet. They hope to find land and build a church for their little congregation soon, knowing that when they do, their membership will grow. Meanwhile, the members of the original church who first visited Elkana's neighborhood have moved on to a new community to claim more souls for Christ. In this way the work in the great city of Chennai is flourishing. G. DEVADASS (center, with Jeba-Kumari and Elkana) is a pastor in Chennai (Madras), India.
		Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email:   info@adventistmission.org  website:  www.adventistmission.org