Hearing God's Voice

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FRIDAY

September 10

Further Study:  

Read Ellen G. White, “Before the Sanhedrin,” pp. 77–79; “From Persecutor to Disciple,” pp. 112–114; “Written From Rome,” pp. 474, 475, in The Acts of the Apostles; “Reaching Catholics,” pp. 573–577, in Evangelism; “What to Preach and Not to Preach,” pp. 155, 156, in Selected Messages, book 1. “Notwithstanding Israel’s failure as a nation, there remained among them a goodly remnant of such as should be saved. At the time of the Saviour’s advent there were faithful men and women who had received with gladness the message of John the Baptist, and had thus been led to study anew the prophecies concerning the Messiah. When the early Christian church was founded, it was composed of these faithful Jews who recognized Jesus of Nazareth as the one for whose advent they had been longing.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 376, 377. “Among the Jews are some who, like Saul of Tarsus, are mighty in the Scriptures, and these will proclaim with wonderful power the immutability of the law of God. . . . As His servants labor in faith for those who have long been neglected and despised, His salvation will be revealed.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 381. “In the closing proclamation of the gospel, when special work is to be done for classes of people hitherto neglected, God expects His messengers to take particular interest in the Jewish people whom they find in all parts of the earth. As the Old Testament Scriptures are blended with the New in an explanation of Jehovah’s eternal purpose, this will be to many of the Jews as the dawn of a new creation, the resurrection of the soul. As they see the Christ of the gospel dispensation portrayed in the pages of the Old Testament Scriptures, and perceive how clearly the New Testament explains the Old, their slumbering faculties will be aroused, and they will recognize Christ as the Saviour of the world. Many will by faith receive Christ as their Redeemer.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 381.

Discussion Questions:

In the last days, as God’s law, and especially the Sabbath, comes into sharp focus, is it not reasonable to think that the Jews—many of them as serious about the Ten Commandments as Adventists are—will have a role in helping to clarify some issues before the world? After all, when it comes to Sabbath keeping, Adventists in contrast to the Jews are “the new kids on the block.” Discuss.      Why should, of all churches, the Adventist Church be the one most successful in reaching out to Jews? What can you or your local church do in seeking to reach Jews in your community, if any?     What can we learn from the mistakes of many in ancient Israel? How can we avoid doing the same things today?

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		I N S I D E Story
		Hearing God's Voice by ERICKA SAUNIER I've often heard people testify that God had spoken to them, led them, and guided them. I thought that I'd never heard the Holy Spirit's voice and wished I could have this experience. I preferred to help with the younger children's Sabbath School rather than attend my own. When I was in Primary, I helped in Cradle Roll. When I was a teenager, we moved to another church, and I didn't want to go. My father insisted, so I asked the Cradle Roll teacher to let me help. But she didn't need help. However, the Primary class needed someone, and I volunteered. I became a Primary class leader and eventually took the job of director of children's ministries. When I heard the pastor appeal for children to have their own small groups, I couldn't get his call out of my mind When I told my mom this, she said, "The Holy Spirit is talking to you." Her comment shocked me. Was I really hearing the Holy Spirit and didn't even know it? I asked the conference children's ministries leader how to start a children's small group. She told me what I needed, and I bought the material. I asked two people to help me. One was a man who was not yet baptized. I chose to work with children ages 4 to 11, and we decided to meet on Wednesday evening while the adults were in prayer meeting. The small group was so successful that attendance at prayer meeting increased when children begged their parents to go! The man who was helping me was a teacher, so he helped teach the Bible story. Then the children did the related activities in their workbooks. We had great fun, and even some older children wanted to join the group. The program lasted a year, and then we started over again. The man who helped me was baptized and now teaches an adult Sabbath School class. I now realize that the Holy Spirit was guiding me all along. He asked me to use the gifts He had given me working with children. I now understand that God asks us to do things that we are naturally inclined to do, and usually it's something we enjoy. I'm so glad God has called me and can use me to lead others to His feet. Your mission offerings help provide programs such as the small group ministries of the South American Division. Ericka Saunier shares her faith in Manaus, Brazil.
		Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email:   info@adventistmission.org  website:  www.adventistmission.org