Opening QuestionDo we ever see God working in obvious ways through the nations of the world or in secular governments?IntroductionWhile every human is individually accountable to and beloved by God, we also see larger groups of people become the object of God’s regard or judgement, nations through which He can work, show His power, or choose as His…

Opening QuestionWhat use is there for “marriage” outside of a Judeo-Christian worldview? Why would anyone want such a commitment in our western world?IntroductionGenesis 1-2 introduces God making humankind according to His own image. Reading Genesis 1:26-31 we find that image is contained in a male-female relationship with the possibility of produc…

Opening QuestionHow might the beginning of God’s story in the Genesis hint at how the Bible ends with Revelation?IntroductionCommentators have frequently noted Revelation’s allusions to Genesis and the rest of the Torah (books of Moses). But provides much more than simply ideas for John to use in the apocalypse; it provides the context and origin f…

Opening QuestionIf you believe in a God who knows the future, is that comforting to you? Why or why not?IntroductionThe lesson this week introduces the idea of God’s foreknowledge as the basis for prophetic messages. Christian doctrine often includes as part of theology proper (the study of “God,”) a belief in God’s omniscience. If God knows everyt…

Theme: “Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law”Leading Question: Is the word “law” friendly or frightful?Almost no one uses the word “law” in a friendly way. When someone says, “It’s the law!” It usually a hard-liner.Let’s look at examples of the different ways we use law:Mr. Thompson, you have broken the law.You have fulfilled the requirements for you…

Relevant Verses: atthew 7, 22, 23; 1 John 4; Micah 6; Psalm 82; Luke 10Theme: “Love and Justice: The Two Greatest Commandments”Leading Question: Is it possible to identify the two greatest sins as well as the two greatest commandments?If we make the two greatest sins parallel with the two greatest commandments, then we can say that the greatest sin…

Relevant Verses: Isaiah 5; John 3, 1 John 3; Matthew 21; 1 Corinthians 4Theme: “What More Could I Have Done?”Leading Question: Does God always do everything he can to save his people?Our lesson for this week is entitled, “What more could I have done?” echoing the question Isaiah asks in the parable of the vineyard:Isaiah 5:3-4: “And now, inhabitant…

Relevant Verses: 1 Kings 18; Deut 32; 1 Cor 10; Isa 44; Rev 12; Job 1,2Theme: “Rules of Engagement”Leading Question: Does the Bible make clear that in the cosmic conflict God sets limitations on himself and on humans?We will return to the question of “limits.” But let us begin where the official study guide begins, at the confrontation on Mt. Carme…

Relevant Verses: Gen 1-3; Isa 14; Ezek 28; Matt 4, 13; Eph 6; Rev 12Theme: “The Cosmic Conflict”Leading Question: What passages in the Bible teach most clearly that there is a cosmic conflict?Genesis 1-3: Tree and the SerpentIsaiah 14: Fall of Lucifer (King of Babylon)Ezekiel 28: Covering Cherub (King of Tyre)Matthew 4:1-11: Wilderness TemptationMa…

Relevant Verses: Genesis 50; 1 Corinthians 13; Psalm 81; Deuteronomy 6; John 16Theme: “Free Will, Love, and Divine Providence”Leading Question: How does one tell if a particular event is “providential,” “natural,” or “demonic”?Exploring the providential: A biblical story that reeks of providence is the story of Joseph. At the conclusion of the stor…

Relevant Verses: 2 Sam 6; 2 Kings 2; Exod 32; Gen 18; Ps 10, 22, 73; Matt 27; Mark 15; Hab 1, Mal 4, Job 30, 38; Jer 12, 13Theme: “The Problem of Evil”Leading Question: Is there a happy solution to the problem of evil?One of the most enduring issues in our world is the problem of evil. If there is no over-all solution, there are at least four parti…

Relevant Verses: Malachi 3, Exodus 23, Genesis 18, Numbers 35, Joshua 7Theme: “God’s Love of Justice”Leading Question: Is the understanding of “justice” the same among all human beings?When it comes to matters of diversity, an Ellen White quotation is a good place to start:Every association of life calls for the exercise of self-control, forbearanc…