Comments for Sabbath School Net http://ssnet.org Seventh-day Adventist Bible Study Discussion Sat, 26 May 2012 22:36:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 SabbathSchoolNet-Commentshttp://feedburner.google.com Comment on Apprenticed by Tyler Cluthe http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/U2m2FCc4sTc/ Tyler Cluthe Sat, 26 May 2012 22:36:45 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=13835#comment-9118 Al, thank you for your testimony and experience in life. I wish our church would stop thinking that we know everything and take some simple lessons from everyday life and apply them. When I was in my twenties I tried sales work probably because my dad was a salesman. I was never successful as one so I tried a lot of companies hoping to find one that I could do, mostly door to door sales, you know, Fuller brush, vacuum cleaner sales, encyclopedia sales, etc. Every single one of them would spend time in a classroom sort of setting and go over the canned presentation and told me to memorize it. Next they sent me out with a successful salesman and for a whole day all I would do is observe how he did it. Then, for several days after he would go with me and help me when I stumbled and after each visit he would give me pointers on what to do and not do. That is what is called training and it is very successful in the world of business which of course is what our church has basically decided not to do. Jesus also sent His disciples out by two's which for some reason we feel isn't good enough for us because we know better. . . I sure wish we would wake up instead of numbly looking at the total lack of success and wondering why things are the way they are. Sure, there are people out there that are natural to doing what we are commanded to do but most of us are not and those that try are, in many cases, not supported which becomes so depressing that most of them simply give up. In all of my some 35 years as an Adventist only one person ever took the initiative to ask me to go along with him in order to teach me how to give a bible study. Unfortunately, he didn't know how to do it properly himself so my only training ended up being zero. It doesn't just stop with the lay people either. Not too many years ago in a sister church in the same pastoral district of the church I was attending had an evangelistic series. The evangelist took our pastor along and showed him how to do visitation. That pastor told me that he was so grateful for that and that he learned some very useful things that he was unaware of. What shocked me most was that he, like most pastors in North America, had a master degree from Andrews in one of ministerial programs required by the conference at the time. On the other hand my church had an evangelistic meeting several years later and the evangelist (a different one) absolutely refused to take our pastor along because in his mind pastors didn't know how to do soul winning. Furthermore, he was very vocal about all the bad experiences he had with other pastors. But it gets worse; the first evangelist was visiting some of the people that were obviously not ready for the series of meetings so he decided to take the time to lay some solid ground work for a future series (seed planting). Unfortunately, again, the conference that employed him didn't like his track record for baptisms and fired him as an evangelist. Now, while that happened to him the second evangelist had whole lot of baptisms at the end of his series for which he was highly praised, however, the candidates were never told they were being baptized into the church, further; they were all attached to him rather than to Christ so as soon as he left they did also. I wonder who actually did the will of Him who is in Heaven. I also wonder why our church can't seem to learn from Christ's ministry on earth and from Paul who also trained the people who were with him. Al, thank you for your testimony and experience in life. I wish our church would stop thinking that we know everything and take some simple lessons from everyday life and apply them.

When I was in my twenties I tried sales work probably because my dad was a salesman. I was never successful as one so I tried a lot of companies hoping to find one that I could do, mostly door to door sales, you know, Fuller brush, vacuum cleaner sales, encyclopedia sales, etc.

Every single one of them would spend time in a classroom sort of setting and go over the canned presentation and told me to memorize it. Next they sent me out with a successful salesman and for a whole day all I would do is observe how he did it. Then, for several days after he would go with me and help me when I stumbled and after each visit he would give me pointers on what to do and not do.

That is what is called training and it is very successful in the world of business which of course is what our church has basically decided not to do. Jesus also sent His disciples out by two’s which for some reason we feel isn’t good enough for us because we know better. . . I sure wish we would wake up instead of numbly looking at the total lack of success and wondering why things are the way they are.

Sure, there are people out there that are natural to doing what we are commanded to do but most of us are not and those that try are, in many cases, not supported which becomes so depressing that most of them simply give up.

In all of my some 35 years as an Adventist only one person ever took the initiative to ask me to go along with him in order to teach me how to give a bible study. Unfortunately, he didn’t know how to do it properly himself so my only training ended up being zero.

It doesn’t just stop with the lay people either. Not too many years ago in a sister church in the same pastoral district of the church I was attending had an evangelistic series. The evangelist took our pastor along and showed him how to do visitation. That pastor told me that he was so grateful for that and that he learned some very useful things that he was unaware of. What shocked me most was that he, like most pastors in North America, had a master degree from Andrews in one of ministerial programs required by the conference at the time.

On the other hand my church had an evangelistic meeting several years later and the evangelist (a different one) absolutely refused to take our pastor along because in his mind pastors didn’t know how to do soul winning. Furthermore, he was very vocal about all the bad experiences he had with other pastors. But it gets worse; the first evangelist was visiting some of the people that were obviously not ready for the series of meetings so he decided to take the time to lay some solid ground work for a future series (seed planting). Unfortunately, again, the conference that employed him didn’t like his track record for baptisms and fired him as an evangelist.

Now, while that happened to him the second evangelist had whole lot of baptisms at the end of his series for which he was highly praised, however, the candidates were never told they were being baptized into the church, further; they were all attached to him rather than to Christ so as soon as he left they did also. I wonder who actually did the will of Him who is in Heaven. I also wonder why our church can’t seem to learn from Christ’s ministry on earth and from Paul who also trained the people who were with him.

]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/apprenticed/comment-page-1/#comment-9118 Comment on Apprenticed by AL BAIN http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/nex_YstAuuw/ AL BAIN Sat, 26 May 2012 20:56:30 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=13835#comment-9116 Wow, what a powerful lesson. Their is so much to back this up in scripture and in life. I was a licensed Barber, when I started there were no books I new of that I could learn from to teach me to cut hair, for years I said I would learn to cut hair, but fear of messing up kept me on the sidelines. One day an old friend, may He rest in peace, said watch me and the rest of the Barbers in his shop for a week and give it a try. Well I tried just that, then I tried it on my own. I must admit, there where a few disappointed men that left the shop, but the more practice the better I got, and it couldn't have been a year later I had my own shop, which is another great testimony all its own, and I became one of the city's greats, and a lot of those disappointed customers from the shop where I began became some of my best customers. I went through the same thing in Ministry. I started well then I got knocked down and couldn't get up for a while, But praise God I got up again, a couple of years ago, and this lesson has just encouraged me in my fisher of men apprenticeship... God bless... Wow, what a powerful lesson. Their is so much to back this up in scripture and in life. I was a licensed Barber, when I started there were no books I new of that I could learn from to teach me to cut hair, for years I said I would learn to cut hair, but fear of messing up kept me on the sidelines. One day an old friend, may He rest in peace, said watch me and the rest of the Barbers in his shop for a week and give it a try. Well I tried just that, then I tried it on my own. I must admit, there where a few disappointed men that left the shop, but the more practice the better I got, and it couldn’t have been a year later I had my own shop, which is another great testimony all its own, and I became one of the city’s greats, and a lot of those disappointed customers from the shop where I began became some of my best customers. I went through the same thing in Ministry. I started well then I got knocked down and couldn’t get up for a while, But praise God I got up again, a couple of years ago, and this lesson has just encouraged me in my fisher of men apprenticeship… God bless…

]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/apprenticed/comment-page-1/#comment-9116 Comment on Was the Atonement to Appease an Angry God or an Angry Race? by John C Williams http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/7fHqmu7vKPw/ John C Williams Sat, 26 May 2012 17:19:57 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=11200#comment-9108 Ben, be careful about saying the Jesus was created... Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He is from everlasting! Jesus was not created, but God/Father prepared a body for Him so that He could be born and live as a man in order to reach mankind in his sinful state. In Christ, John C. Williams Like me on Facebook Ben, be careful about saying the Jesus was created… Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He is from everlasting! Jesus was not created, but God/Father prepared a body for Him so that He could be born and live as a man in order to reach mankind in his sinful state.

In Christ,

John C. Williams
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]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/atonement-to-appease-an-angry-god-or-an-angry-race/comment-page-1/#comment-9108 Comment on I Love Simple by John http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/N4RHSTGJm6k/ John Sat, 26 May 2012 13:45:07 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=13752#comment-9105 The simplicity of the Bible Prophecy is the fact that God said it, and I believe it, and that's good enough for me. When I study it and find that the accuracy is so explicit that chart's can be drawn to illustrate it, I am awed at how easy it is to understand. I can even pull in my artist friend to help with illustrating the understanding that 7 days were at the Cross, not at the end of time. I look through Bible prophecy and see all through it the wisdom of GOD, solidifying the simplicity of the fact that when Christ comes in the air He will stay in the air and his toes will not touch this polluted earth for another thousand years, and ever. Because the spot where the Holy City comes in for a landing will be cleansed before it touches the earth. Bible prophecy makes it simple for me to understand that every eye shall Him when He comes because of the wounder of it all. As I have learned Bible Prophecy the amazing God we severe and His character is highlighted, giving me the fortitude to understand how God the Father will raise my father with Ellen Gould Harman White hours before Christ appears in a white cloud as our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, so he and she can be standing with the 144,000 when Christ calls His children from the grave to meet Him in the air. Why does he and she have the privilege of standing with the 144,000? Because they died while keeping the Seventh-day-Sabbath with the love of Jesus in their hearts, within the third angels message. Praise God Almighty, for He is Good, Awesome, and Wonderful. What is your desire today? Mine is to be standing when Christ comes in the air. Amen! Happy Sabbath, it is a good day for you to make that long awaited commitment to Christ, don't you think? The simplicity of the Bible Prophecy is the fact that God said it, and I believe it, and that’s good enough for me. When I study it and find that the accuracy is so explicit that chart’s can be drawn to illustrate it, I am awed at how easy it is to understand. I can even pull in my artist friend to help with illustrating the understanding that 7 days were at the Cross, not at the end of time. I look through Bible prophecy and see all through it the wisdom of GOD, solidifying the simplicity of the fact that when Christ comes in the air He will stay in the air and his toes will not touch this polluted earth for another thousand years, and ever. Because the spot where the Holy City comes in for a landing will be cleansed before it touches the earth. Bible prophecy makes it simple for me to understand that every eye shall Him when He comes because of the wounder of it all. As I have learned Bible Prophecy the amazing God we severe and His character is highlighted, giving me the fortitude to understand how God the Father will raise my father with Ellen Gould Harman White hours before Christ appears in a white cloud as our King of Kings and Lord of Lords, so he and she can be standing with the 144,000 when Christ calls His children from the grave to meet Him in the air. Why does he and she have the privilege of standing with the 144,000? Because they died while keeping the Seventh-day-Sabbath with the love of Jesus in their hearts, within the third angels message. Praise God Almighty, for He is Good, Awesome, and Wonderful. What is your desire today? Mine is to be standing when Christ comes in the air. Amen!
Happy Sabbath, it is a good day for you to make that long awaited commitment to Christ, don’t you think?

]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/i-love-simple/comment-page-1/#comment-9105 Comment on I Love Simple by Tamra S http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/pYHSpXfqK54/ Tamra S Sat, 26 May 2012 12:32:46 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=13752#comment-9103 William, your post is so inspiring to me. We do tend to complicate things and use that as an excuse not to have a personal ministry going. It can be as simple as calling someone to pray for them and invite them to church. I for one will make it an intentional act from now on to share Jesus the simple way. Thanks and be blessed William, your post is so inspiring to me. We do tend to complicate things and use that as an excuse not to have a personal ministry going. It can be as simple as calling someone to pray for them and invite them to church. I for one will make it an intentional act from now on to share Jesus the simple way.
Thanks and be blessed

]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/i-love-simple/comment-page-1/#comment-9103 Comment on Was the Atonement to Appease an Angry God or an Angry Race? by Andrew Legall http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/Yuw6C86wtOQ/ Andrew Legall Sat, 26 May 2012 10:58:11 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=11200#comment-9102 Lourdes, that isn't even the half of it! When I first heard this I could not believe that God could actually be that good. Lourdes, that isn’t even the half of it!
When I first heard this I could not believe that God could actually be that good.

]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/atonement-to-appease-an-angry-god-or-an-angry-race/comment-page-1/#comment-9102 Comment on Monday: Learning by Observing by tm http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/YAbGVJPrwNc/ tm Sat, 26 May 2012 08:11:09 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=13702#comment-9100 good good

]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/learning-by-observing/comment-page-1/#comment-9100 Comment on I Love Simple by Brite paul http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/OXek-V_mSv8/ Brite paul Sat, 26 May 2012 06:27:56 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=13752#comment-9098 Be blessd forever, nice verses Be blessd forever, nice verses

]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/i-love-simple/comment-page-1/#comment-9098 Comment on I Love Simple by Tyler Cluthe http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/I0fcd53UN5Q/ Tyler Cluthe Sat, 26 May 2012 06:03:33 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=13752#comment-9097 When it comes to presenting the Gospel I side with William but I also realize that much in our lives is not simple and I don't think all of it comes from sin. God's creation is enormously complex which is how God created it so I also agree with you Matthew. When it comes to presenting the Gospel I side with William but I also realize that much in our lives is not simple and I don’t think all of it comes from sin. God’s creation is enormously complex which is how God created it so I also agree with you Matthew.

]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/i-love-simple/comment-page-1/#comment-9097 Comment on I Love Simple by Jennifer Coggins http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/p1h14RJT-_4/ Jennifer Coggins Sat, 26 May 2012 05:44:06 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=13752#comment-9096 Thanks William, The Bible does bring unity and everyone together as we study the words of "Jesus Christ" together we learn from one another and get strength from each other as well as equip one another with encouragement to serve others for it's all about love. The Bible is God's love letter to us. He gave his only son to save us because he loves us so much. John 3:16 All he wants from us is to keep the love flowing to others. Acts 2:40-47 (Breaking Bread together) Simple. Thanks William,
The Bible does bring unity and everyone together as we study the words of “Jesus Christ” together we learn from one another and get strength from each other as well as equip one another with encouragement to serve others for it’s all about love. The Bible is God’s love letter to us. He gave his only son to save us because he loves us so much. John 3:16 All he wants from us is to keep the love flowing to others. Acts 2:40-47 (Breaking Bread together) Simple.

]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/i-love-simple/comment-page-1/#comment-9096 Comment on I Love Simple by Jennifer Coggins http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/shU0UQV--dw/ Jennifer Coggins Sat, 26 May 2012 05:25:25 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=13752#comment-9095 Thanks Tyler and William. We must remember the ministry is Jesus Christ as well as the community that is being built or designed within our hearts it all belongs to Christ. So nothing in him is complicated and if it gets cluttered then remember "He is a very Present help in trouble" (Ps 46:1). The Lord is always there. This is his ministry as he lives his life through us and we live our lives through him abiding in Christ. John 15:5 "For without me you can do nothing"... So I laugh and say don't hold a meeting without Jesus (Holy Spirit) presence to help. Lord Bless You and I pray your strength in Christ. Eph 3:16 Thanks Tyler and William. We must remember the ministry is Jesus Christ as well as the community that is being built or designed within our hearts it all belongs to Christ. So nothing in him is complicated and if it gets cluttered then remember “He is a very Present help in trouble” (Ps 46:1). The Lord is always there. This is his ministry as he lives his life through us and we live our lives through him abiding in Christ. John 15:5 “For without me you can do nothing”… So I laugh and say don’t hold a meeting without Jesus (Holy Spirit) presence to help. Lord Bless You and I pray your strength in Christ. Eph 3:16

]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/i-love-simple/comment-page-1/#comment-9095 Comment on I Love Simple by John http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet-Comments/~3/Hosr5Mk__po/ John Sat, 26 May 2012 05:00:36 +0000 http://ssnet.org/?p=13752#comment-9094 An American little girl with her mom was in a Spanish speaking area where a person overheard the girl sharing Jesus in Spanish told her surprised mom who knew she never spoke Spanish. We need to join the prayer every 7am 7pm for the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit to perfect our character and equip us for the ministry. An American little girl with her mom was in a Spanish speaking area where a person overheard the girl sharing Jesus in Spanish told her surprised mom who knew she never spoke Spanish.

We need to join the prayer every 7am 7pm for the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit to perfect our character and equip us for the ministry.

]]> http://ssnet.org/blog/2012/05/i-love-simple/comment-page-1/#comment-9094