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[Thought Questions for Trusting God's Goodness May 22, 2013]

1. Filled with God’s knowledge. Remember reading a few weeks ago about the time in the future when people will be gnashing their teeth for a lack of knowledge? Is it hard for us to imagine, as Habakkuk prophesies, a time when the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God? How did Habakkuk feel about the reality of his prophecy?

2. Speaking to God. Do all of the Bible prophets speak to God? Or to the people? Or to both? Can you give examples of each means of communication? Why is Habakkuk so bewildered that God allows the spirit of evil to dominate His people? Have you ever wondered why God allows violence and law breaking when it goes against every aspect of His nature? What will it take to reach the point that God’s will reigns supreme?

3. Babylon will do it. Something was earnestly needed to shake up God’s people and turn them in the right direction. What path did God choose? How can God use the wicked country of Babylon to reach His own people, the people of His heart? How can a heathen nation properly punish God’s people? Do you suppose that God ever uses pagan or lawless people groups today to get our attention and turn us to the Lord?

4. Living by Faith. Wait a minute. Wicked though the children of God may have been, were they as wicked as the Babylonians? Instead of punishing His own people for coming short of His plan for Him, why didn’t God promise blessings to woo them back to His master plan? Or at least why didn’t God congratulate the Israelites for being as faithful as they were?

5. Justification by faith. Can you hear the words “The just shall live by their faith” echoing through the ages from Habakkuk 2:4 to the days of the Reformation and the establishment of faith-based Christian churches? Can you follow the Lord in faith and faith alone? Why is God concerned not only about the doctrines we accept but also about our behavior? Is it possible to be unbalanced by putting our hope in faith without works? Or the other way around? (work without faith?)

6. The poetry of justice. What do we miss when we read a poem such as the book of Habakkuk’s as a strictly historical account? How do parallel sentence structure, lists of three, images, and other techniques add to the mosaic of this prophet’s words? When your house is blown to smithereens by a strong tornado, don’t you have a right to become angry with God? Did you deserve to lose all of your possessions? Was it just for little children to die after being crushed by the force of the storm? How can we learn to trust in God no matter what happens?

7. Poetry set to music. In Habakkuk 3 we see notation calling for “stringed instruments” to accompany these beautiful verses of faith and hope. Why not take a few minutes to imagine violins, cellos, harps and other “stringed” instruments playing this harmonious and soul-touching music to accompany the prophets words of hope. How can these visions help keep us focused on the goodness and trustworthiness of God?

8. God our strength. Have you ever felt weary as you look forward to the coming of Jesus to take us home with Him? How long will it be? How can we tolerate this sinful world any longer? Do we really believe that God is good? That He always fulfills His promises? That He has enough love and salvation for all of us? How was Habakkuk able to have such a beautiful spiritual life in the midst of the apostasy of his fellow Israelites? How can we be true to God when we’re being led another direction by our friends or family?

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[Teaching plan for Trusting God's Goodness May 20, 2013]

1. Have a volunteer read Habakkuk 1:2-5

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How can we learn to trust in God’s goodness and justice when the world is so full of evil and injustice?
C. Personal Application: Is it helpful to question God or complain about things with others? What might be some positive or negative results? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Are we supposed to just have faith and not question God, or should we question why such terrible things are going on against good people?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Habakkuk 2:1-4.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why does it say the proud will be destroyed? What’s wrong with having good self-esteem and self-confidence?
C. Personal Application: How can we protect ourselves from being forgetful on how completely dependent we are upon God for everything we have? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Does our faith cause us to be declared righteous, or does living by faith help us become righteous? Can a person live by faith but not do what the Lord wants them to?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Habakkuk 3:12-16.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. If God is going to destroy people for their evil and wickedness, why has He waited so long? It seems like things can’t get much worse.
C. Personal Application: How can we be sure we have rest and hope in Christ in times of trouble when the world seems to offer nothing but sorrow? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Why would anyone want to be alive during the times of trouble and the seven last plagues? I think I’d rather be in the grave until the indignation is past, wouldn’t you?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Habakkuk 3:17-19.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How can the Lord sing and rejoice over us, considering the pathetic state we are in?
C. Personal Application: What can we do to become more cheerful and joyful in our interactions and relationships with others in the church? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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[Thought questions for God's Special People May 15, 2013]

1. Destructive judgment. Why were the prophets so distressed about the judgments of doom they were called to deliver? Is it possible to deliver God’s promises and His conclusions without feeling a sense of sorrow and bereavement? Do any of us suffer as the Old Testament prophets did in proclaiming God’s word? Why or why not?

2. Role models failed. Have you ever played an acting role in a play or drama of some kind? If so, do you remember how hard you worked to convey the feelings of the person you were portraying? Did Micah and the other “minor” prophets suffer from agony as they delivered grim messages from God? Do you and I feel pain in our souls when we see end time prophecies being fulfilled and too many of God’s people straying from His plan?

3. Devising iniquity. Did you take time to consider parallel reasoning between God’s people in the old Testament and today? Did (do) both groups of people consider themselves particularly wise? What is obedience? Define obedience to God and compare it with self-indulgence. What earnest plea did Micah make to his congregation regarding their children and future generations? Did they listen?

4. A new ruler. Did the entire Jewish nation ever give into total rebellion against God’s kingdom? Explain. How do you think Micah felt when he found out he had been chosen to announce the coming of the Redeemer to a dark and sin-soaked world? Between the cradle and the cross, what did Christ bestow upon the children of God who believed in Him?

5. The poetry of Micah 6. Did you notice how Micah’s short book rings out with poetry? Would you like to see selected sections of the book of Micah set to music with many harps and drums and fluted and brass instruments? Try imagining this book as a musical work. If you haven’t already done so, memorize Micah 6:8. Why should this short “sermon” bring special hope and joy to each of God’s children? Does this verse in anyway de-emphasize the Sabbath and other beliefs the Adventist church cherishes? Discuss.

6. No judgment? Have you ever been tempted to believe that God will save everyone? That every created human being will be transformed into a converted saint and live forever? In what ways does such a belief contradict the essence of the gospel? Our church makes extensive use of the word “hope” in our music and programs. Can we have the blessed hope if there is no judgment to eliminate sin? Do you or someone you know have a fear of the final judgment? How can Micah’s message help you deal with that fear?

7. Empty rituals. Do you ever visit another church that has more rituals and formalities than your own? Does the devil have a reason to promote an almost endless series of formalities in religious activity? Can even a solemn church service with marvelous music fail to turn our hearts into receptacles of God’s grace? Instead of ritualistic observance of programs and procedures, what does God want most of all in our hearts?

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[Teaching plan for God's Special People May 13, 2013]

1. Have a volunteer read Micah 6:8

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why is it so hard to be merciful to people? Isn’t it easier to want justice instead of mercy?
C. Personal Application: What is humility? Do you think you are a humble person? How many humble people do you know? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I can show mercy, but when a person keeps repeating the same crimes, sins, or errors over and over; it’s hard to be merciful for the same old thing.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Micah 2:7-11.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How would preachers be teaching for hire today? Are there pastors who are just in it for prestige and a paycheck and don’t have a spiritual connection?
C. Personal Application: Why does God get angry at His people when they prosper and do well? Should we purposely be poor to stay in God’s good graces? Does this mean God doesn’t get angry at the poor? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What does it mean that God will bring a remnant back? Isn’t a remnant a small number of people? Yet He says that the pastures will be full of sheep.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Micah 7:5-9.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean to be careful about what you say to your spouse? Aren’t we supposed to be as one? Why wouldn’t we share our innermost thoughts and secrets with our spouses? Can’t we trust our mates?
C. Personal Application: How well do you endure the displeasure of the Lord because of your sins? Do you ever think that bad things that happen are because of your sins? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I’ve been misused, abused, betrayed, and stepped all over by my friends, relatives, and my business associates. Why should I trust that God will do anything about it? Why should I trust in anyone?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Micah 7:18-20.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Some people think that when they confess their sins, the sins are cast into the depths of the sea and blotted out immediately, but when does the Bible say our sins are blotted out and buried forever?
(Note: See Acts 3:19)
C. Personal Application: How can we walk with the Lord while working, talking, studying, or entertaining? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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[Thought questions for Eager to Forgive May 8, 2013]

1. The poetry of Jonah. Is the entire book of Jonah or just the song he writes from the belly of the fish a work of dramatic poetry? What are some blessings of having poetry throughout Scripture? Since Hebrew poetry doesn’t rhyme, what are some clues to tell you that Jonah’s prayer is indeed poetry? Have you ever tried expressing your thoughts to God using parallel structure and other techniques of Biblical poetry? Why not try it?

2. Jonah disobeyed God. If God called you to take up a ministry for Him in Chicago, Miami Beach, or San Francisco, would you gladly follow His leading? What if the call involved only a few days visiting in a big city and preaching God’s word? Could there be camp meeting speakers this year who would rather go anywhere else than to the camp meeting that has invited them to come? When a leadership opening develops in your church, do you start coming up with excuses for not accepting the position, if it is offered to you? How different are you and I, sometimes, from Jonah?

3. What was Jonah’s problem? Was Jonah was apparently a faithful follower of God? Do you think he followed God’s rules and did the work that was appropriate to the tribes of the northern kingdom? What was the reputation of the city of Nineveh, where Jonah was called? Do you think Jonah was fully aware of that city’s corruption and wickedness? Have you ever been tossed overboard and swallowed by a giant fish because of your disobedience to God? Why not? Why was Jonah the only prophet who was treated as he was?

4. How did this happen? Why did the Lord allow a threatening storm to strike the small ship where Jonah was a passenger escaping from his assignment? Even more important, why were the sailors so eager to keep Jonah safe from the hazards of the storm? Why did they give respect to Jonah when he told them what they needed to do for a safe journey to continue. Can a man or woman like you ever escape God’s commands? If we don’t obey God, what will be the consequences?

5. Jonah’s Psalm. Take another look at the second chapter of Jonah. What do you think it might have felt like to Jonah when he was plunged into the briny water and began sinking to the bottom? What do you think Jonah’s first thought was when he saw the big mouth of a sea creature opening wide enough to swallow him? How was he able to come up with such profound and beautiful thoughts while confined to the insides of a fish as he did in this work of poetry? Have you ever experienced God’s working directly in your life to bring you close to Him?

6. Success. The first time God called Jonah to Nineveh, what was Jonah’s response? What about the second time? What happened when Jonah finally arrived at Nineveh? Did his experience in the deep water make him a better preacher? Were the people convinced of his honesty and of the truth of his message? Can you imagine the pagan political leaders of the city bowing down and worshiping God? Is God waiting for willing workers to preach with fortitude as Jonah did to the lost and drowning souls around us?

7. Ooops. After such a mighty performance, what should Jonah have done? What did he do instead? Can you understand why Jonah might have been so irritated and upset with the people of Nineveh? After delivering a series of mighty sermons, what attitude should he have had toward those who were converted? Instead, what did Jonah want more than anything else? You can end this story any way you want to. How do you think Jonah responded to his experience in Nineveh when he’d had more time to think about it? What clues led you to this conclusion?

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[Teaching plan for Eager to Forgive May 6, 2013]

1. Have a volunteer read Psalm 139:3-8

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is God’s Spirit with us at all times? What if we grieve the Spirit? Does God “turn us off” on His radar?
C. Personal Application: Are you always cognizant of the everwatchful eyes of the Lord on all you do, say, and think? Should we be more aware and respond accordingly? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Does God really know what we are thinking? How could He want to save anyone if He knew all their thoughts? Does the devil have the ability to read our thoughts?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Jonah 1:1-3.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Name the reasons that Jonah didn’t want to do what God asked him to.
C. Personal Application: How do you know that God wants you to do something for Him? Are members of our church running from doing what God wants them to, even while sitting in the pew? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “How would anyone know that it was really God asking them to prophesy for Him? There are many devils that tell people to do stuff. Maybe Jonah didn’t know if it was God or not.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Jonah 2:6-10.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does it mean that those who observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy?
C. Personal Application: When your faith is weak during trials, why is it important to pray fervently and persistently? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Why is it important in Jonah’s crying out to God that he will pay what he vowed? Doesn’t God forgive when we ask? Isn’t the debt forgiven at that time?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Jonah 4:1-4.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How easy is it to rejoice when a murderer, rapist, thief, or child molester repents and comes to the Lord for forgiveness? Should they be released from prison then?
C. Personal Application: Is there anyone God wants you to have mercy and forgiveness with that you have been resisting because you are still angry with them? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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[Thought questions for Seek the Lord and Live! May 1, 2013]

1. Making evil appear good and good evil. How was it possible for Israel to stumble in sin and make their relationship with God a mockery? Couldn’t they remember the mighty works God had done on their behalf? Are people today ever tempted to make something evil seem as if it’s not so bad after all? Which is the greater sin–seeing evil as good or seeing good as evil? Either way, how do these positions lead people from God?

2. A hollow religion. Were you surprised the first time you read or heard that God was disgusted about the way His people observed the religious ceremonies He had set up for them? Can you imagine God or one of His angels speaking out to you and your family in such a way? What would bring about a judgment of a false religion? Have you attended church hundreds of times? Thousands? Has any of the excitement of your early years as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian faded away? Is it too late to revive in your heart a rousing spirit of worship that comes directly from your relationship with Jesus?

3. Amos the unpopular prophet. Why do you think the children of Israel would never have elected Amos to come and preach to them? Do you think they had a feeling that they were going to hear what they deserved from him–and that they didn’t like it? In his prophecy against the northern kingdom, was Amos clearly placing himself on dangerous ground? What was Amaziah’s advice? How would you like to go to church Sabbath and listen to a sermon condemning you and your family of apostasy? (Notice how every line of this book is part of a poetic chant or a tapestry of poetic words.)

4. Searching for the Word of God. Which could you tolerate better–not having enough food and drinking water to survive, or not having access to the Bible? Were the Israelites in Amos’ day able to reach out to God and talk to Him? If so, why, then, was there a famine of God’s Word? Is there ever a good excuse to live a life without God? Can you imagine a time coming soon when people will be frightened because they don’t feel they have time to establish a strong relationship with God? What about babies and small children who may not live long enough to know Jesus? What is our responsibility in these times of approaching famine?

5. Ruins restored. Does your heart jump with joy when you read the “rest of the story” in Amos? How did God feel about restoring His people to their former state of prosperity and good will? Do you hear a familiar strain in the joyful refrain Amos shares with the Israelites? Remember when God encouraged His people to reach out to those in nearby countries and minister to them? Did this prediction come true? Does God repeat that promise to us today?

6. Think of these things. Is it possible to suffer from a “famine” of God’s Word while attending church every Sabbath? Can a person read and study God’s Word without obtaining the blessing or instruction God intends? Do we ever boast among ourselves about our superior knowledge of Biblical truth? What about that sort of attitude among those who do not share our church affiliation. Are we the most loving, caring people in the world? Are we welcome as neighbors in our community?

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[Teaching plan for Seek the Lord and Live April 29, 2013]

1. Have a volunteer read Amos 5:14,15

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How can we discern the difference between what is good and what is evil? How could we define the two concepts?
C. Personal Application: What things in your culture or society that once were considered taboo or bad, are now accepted or not considered wrong anymore? How does it affect your thinking as culture changes? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How could anyone call evil good and good evil? Is there any evidence of that in today’s society?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Amos 8:11,12.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. When the plagues fall, people will come to us asking for help; but what can we say except that it’s too late? How does this thought affect your willingness and urgency to share God’s Word now?
C. Personal Application: In what ways could God be silent and not listen to us or to our prayers? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “My pastor says that in the future nobody will be able to have a Bible. The authorities will take them away from us, and when people want to know why bad things are happening, they will search for Bibles, but won’t be able to find one.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Amos 7:10-13.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why wouldn’t the leaders of a nation, led and guided by prophets throughout their history, not listen to a prophet when he speaks to them? Do you think there were a lot of prophets speaking God’s word then?
C. Personal Application: Who are the false prophets today saying they speak for God but are only in it for the money, power, or prestige? Are there false prophets who are sincere, but sincerely wrong? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Do you think Christians will be accused of being against the government and unpatriotic because they refuse to follow the governmental laws that conflict with the laws of God?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Amos 5:23,24.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How do we make religious songs and rituals meaningful and not mere repetition?
C. Personal Application: As we see the natural disasters increasing in number and intensity, how does that make you feel about the closeness of the Lord’s return and the time of trouble that comes first? Are you ready for the storm? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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[Thought questions for Lord of All Nations April 24, 2013]

1. Can’t help but prophesy! If you lived in the hillsides of old as Amos did, how would you feel hearing a lion roaring loudly nearby? What did the roar of the lion mean to Amos? Aren’t God’s people the ones who are accountable to the rulings of God, our spiritual lion? People outside the network of Christendom–does God have the right to rule over them when they have refused to accept Him as their ruler? Should our evangelists speak out against pagan and non-Christian influences in society? Why or why not?

2. Justice for the oppressed. Why was Israel worthy of more of the anger of God than the pagan nations nearby? Or was it? Do you believe that riches always lead to spiritual decay? Can a nation be wealthy and still show pity to the poor in its midst? Do you live in a country that makes sure the “fatherless and widows” receive basic financial support? Is that the type of social justice that God requires of us? Do you ever speak up for the needs of troubled people groups in your city, township, state, or province? What would it take to activate us to defend and rescue the poor? Or do we do enough of that already?

3. Privilege has its perils. Did you notice the Hebrew word “yada” from Amos 3:1-2 and its explanation in the lesson guide? Do you think that word has anything to do with common American slang, “yada yada yada”? Sure enough…the expression, which means “nothing” or “I don’t know” comes from Yiddish, a Hebrew dialect, with the meaning “knowing,” or “I do know.” Why do you think we have we taken the original meaning of the word “yada” and turned it around? Are we as end-time Christians ever guilty of being too casual about the blessings and related responsibilities that God gives us? Have they become to us “yada yada yada?”

4. Israel’s Rendezvous with God. Does the poetic, chanting rhythm of the book of Amos add meaning for you? How? Why does God send disasters to His rebellious people? What is His intent when He sends these physical punishments? Why don’t we heed the warnings? Or do we? How do natural or man-made disasters affect our spiritual life? How awesome are these words: “Prepare to meet Your God.” Are you ready to meet your God? Are you prepared to endure the worst possible physical turmoil and still stay true to God? How do you obtain that strength?

5. Let’s hear from Obadiah. How can the families of two brothers carry on a feud among their families for generations? Has there ever been this kind of inter-generational distrust in your family? Why were the Edomites so dead set against the Israelites? Why did God allow them to continue in their animosity for so many centuries? Can any of today’s wrongdoings be traced to horrific sources within the past 2,000 years? What about tribal hostilities? or warring between countries?

6. Why did God choose the Jews? Did the Jewish people regard their status as God’s chosen people as they should have? could have? What about us today? Do we or do we not have any God-given responsibility towards people in our community who are friendless, weary, or ill? Are most of your friends fellow church members? Should they be? How can we do a better job of sharing God’s love with those around us who do not share our religious convictions? Or is that a task for the Holy Spirit to carry out exclusively?

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[Teaching plan for Lord of All Nations April 22, 2013]

1. Have a volunteer read Isaiah 58:1-7

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Is there a place for fasting today? What was wrong with the fasting the Israelites were going through?
C. Personal Application: What is our attitude toward the poor and unfortunate? Do we feel like they put themselves in their situation by bad living and choices? Even if true, should we help them anyway? How can we improve our attitude toward the unfortunate? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “The Jews were self-righteous and smug in their religious life and needed a wakeup call. But this prophecy doesn’t apply to us today. The SDA church is aware and working to help those in need and in oppression. We aren’t in the same condition as Israel was.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Luke 12:47,48.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why does the Lord hold those who have had great blessings more accountable than those who haven’t? Doesn’t knowing God automatically bring more blessings than those who don’t know Him or don’t want to know Him?
C. Personal Application: Are we aware of the responsibilities that come with the privileges we have? How can we stop from becoming complacent? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Is this beating with stripes a symbol of the punishment of hellfire – that some will burn and suffer longer than others? Why would God punish those who knew Him longer than those who didn’t seem to care and try to know Him? Doesn’t trying count for more than not caring or listening?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Obadiah 15-17.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. How are deliverance, inheritance, and holiness connected in this passage?
C. Personal Application: Should we rejoice when other Christian churches are ridiculed by the world and have fallen leaders? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Adventists shouldn’t rebuke sin and the sinful ways of the world overtly, because it will cause others to want us to fall and bring unwelcome attention to ourselves. We should be good, quiet Christians and mind our own business and stay out of the way.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Amos 4:11,12.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What is a firebrand plucked out of the burning? Is that your experience, or will it be our experience in the future?
C. Personal Application: As we see the natural disasters increasing in number and intensity, how does that make you feel about the closeness of the Lord’s return and the time of trouble that comes first? Are you ready for the storm? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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Image of locusts from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

[Thought questions for A Holy and Just God April 17, 2013]

1. Tragedy can make us sensitive to God. When two horrible explosions blew up at the finish line for the Boston Marathon this week, did your thoughts turn towards God? What did you say to Him? Ask of Him? Hear from Him? Imagine you are a spectator watching the line of locusts turning grass into dust. What are your thoughts at this moment about God? Does Joel see even worse calamities coming to earth? How is it possible that God’s people will be blessed by the outpouring of these dreadful plagues on the earth at the end of time? Are you looking forward to the coming of the final plagues that God will send or allow?

2. Four kinds of locusts. Why do you think the prophet Joel uses four metaphors to describe the destruction of the locust pests: (A) chewing; (B) swarming; (C) crawling; (D) consuming? When a farmer today loses an entire crop of sugar beets, wheat, or some other important products of the land, what are other consequences? Why did enemy forces in those days use crop destruction in their battles? Do you believe we are living in the time of harvest for people’s hearts? Where are the locusts? What strategy do they follow to destroy us spiritually?

3. A national call. What opportunity does Joel sense for soul-winning even during a time of natural disaster? Instead of focusing on the people’s shortcomings, why does Joel choose to zero in on the cure for physical and spiritual problems? Did the locust plague lead God’s people to a better understanding of God’s overriding purpose for His people? How? When Joel writes about the split between the covenant of God and God’s people, what hope does he offer to those who seek a deeper relationship with God?

4. Describing the promise. What powerful event did God provide on the day of Pentecost to illustrate His supernatural intervention? Which comes first; renewal, repentance, or the blessings of God? Why do we need to be annointed to qualify for doing a special end-time work for God? What does annointing consist of? Joel shares a promise that with the Holy Spirit’s blessing, God’s people, young and old, will prophesy and dream dreams. Has this happened yet? If not why not? If so, can you and I join the work of directing people to these manifestations of God’s power? Or to distinguish between true and false prophets?

5. Not natural disasters. Why is it important to recognize that signs of the end of time such as the falling of the stars or the dark day were supernatural and not ordinary manifestations of nature? Can you share today why these events were supernatural? Does God ever use natural disasters in His work of warning people on earth? Do you think that the events we have marked as the dark day and the falling of the stars will happen again before the Lord comes? What should it mean to all of us to “call upon the name of the Lord?” How can we use the name of the Lord to bring people to a fuller understanding of who God is?

6. A refuge in trouble. Can you imagine every person who has ever lived either being punished or vindicated in Jerusalem at the end of time? Can you know your position now? What is the greatest danger of not knowing or of not being sure whether you are on the side of God or not? How will Jesus’ “roar” at the final judgment resemble that of the lion, as Joel describes it in Joel 3:16? In what ways does the river flowing through the New Jerusalem represent God with us through eternity?

7. Robbed of its power. In what ways has the Bible been “robbed of its power,” as Ellen White states it has been in the quote on Friday’s lesson? Can we believe the Bible and read it faithfully and still not experience its power? What can you and I do this week to restore the Word of God to a central place in our lives? In an era when the Bible is mostly just a possession and not a treasure, can we learn to study books like Joel and other prophetic works within the Bible for a more fulfilled life in Jesus?

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[Teaching Plan for A Holy and Just God April 15,2013]

1. Have a volunteer read Joel 1:14,15.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What are the benefits and advantages of corporate repentance and prayer over personal and private repentance and prayer?
C. Personal Application: Have you ever experienced a natural disaster in your life? How did you cope with it? Did the disaster bring you closer to God or further away at the time? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What is the “day of the Lord”? Why should anyone be concerned about it? Aren’t we supposed to be looking forward to the second coming?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Joel 2:28,29.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Are there only certain times and circumstances when God gives specific gifts to be used, or does He bestow these gifts when someone is ready or a group is ready? Does God give the gifts upon request?
C. Personal Application: What things can we do in our lives to make us more receptive to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Did this refer specifically to the prophetic gift given to E.G. White, or does it have reference to the Day of Pentecost, or does it refer to a future outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain before the plagues fall?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Joel 2:30-32.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. What does Joel mean by the remnant that the Lord shall call? Why are these people called a remnant? Won’t everyone be calling on the name of the Lord during this terrible time – like a fire escape religion?
C. Personal Application: What does it mean to call upon the name of the Lord? Is this a one-time thing; or a state of mind, a continued way of living and waiting for God? Share.
D. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Is this an application of a dual application? Before the judgment of 1844 there was the Dark Day and the Blood Moon and the stars fell. Will these be repeated? Will it be before or after probation closes?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 10:28-31.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
B. Why does Jesus contrast man’s fear of man with man’s fear of God? Why can’t man kill a person’s soul if the soul is the total person – body and breath?
C. Personal Application: If God has the number of hairs on your head numbered, how intimately does God know you? How does that make you feel? Share your thoughts.
D. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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