Archive (CQ)

Lessons from 1st Quarter 2008

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“Answering Christ’s Call: Lessons on Discipleship”

Lesson 13: Patterns of Discipleship (Matt. 10:

By Bernhard Samuel

It’s interesting to me to see the parallels between this game and the Christian Life, specifically the call to discipleship. God has given us, His disciples commands. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”(Matt. 28:19,20) “…If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”(Mark 8:34). We are called to represent Christ. Our “Savior Says…Come follow Me or Be an example to those around you or Get out of your comfort zone and proclaim Christ Jesus.”

In order to be a successful disciple one must first be willing to listen for their commands. You must listen for what the “Savior Says.” You must trust that God will not give you a task that you cannot handle with His help. The clincher, however, is putting into practice what you have heard. Transitioning from hearing the commands to taking action on them is key. You can be the best at listening for “Simon Says…touch your nose” but if you don’t touch your nose you’ll still lose. Similarly, discipleship calls listening for God’s will for you and then acting on your instructions. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” In football there is something known as the huddle. Here the 11 players on the field gather to discuss strategy and assignments for the upcoming play. Each player is given instructions from the coach via the quarterback. Once the huddle is broken each player is responsible for their own route or assignment. To know your route and not run it when the quarterback says “Go” would make you usless. We as Chrsitians have a huddle once a week. We call it church. Fellow believers come together in hopes of developing strategies or knowledge of bettering their service to God. We sing songs, read our Bibles, and listen to God’s assignments for us, but once the service is over DO WE MAKE A MOVE? And herein lies the Quesiton of Discipleship: “When you HEAR your Saviour say “GO,” WILL YOU???”

Lesson 12: Mission and Co-mission (Luke 24:46)

By Javits Rajendran

I always figured that someday when I’m on a plane, someone would walk up to me and give me self-destructing tape with instructions detailing my mission for God in South America. But nope, it never happened. Arguably the most romanticized part of going on God’s mission is the mission itself, that’s the going part and very seldom the ‘doing’ part involved in any mission.

What is the mission? I thought I really understood that term ‘mission’. It always involved a plane, a foreign country, and people less fortunate than me. And in an odd sort of way in my childhood it was being a hero, a hero for God. Mission is not something, somewhere, someday; our mission starts this day, in this is moment, right here. It’s not about being a hero for God; it’s about being a servant for God willing to do anything He wants of us.

What is our mission towards our family? What is our mission towards our roommates? What is our mission towards the people we work with and yet refuse to talk to about religion - just because it doesn’t fall on the water cooler conversation list?

Jesus said “Go”. Don’t get me wrong, we need to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth using every means possible, but the work we still have left undone in our own backyard is immense. We need to make sure our mission for God isn’t just emotional dew that will vaporize after the effort meet or youth conference is over. May God give us the understanding we lack and a sense of direction. May God help us to notice the difference between our emotional decisions and our passion to do God’s work.

Lesson 11: More Lessons in Discipleship (Matt. 14:27)

By Jared Kannanaikkel

Fear is a powerful emotion. It can drive us to make decisions we wouldn’t have otherwise made. It can take our strength away and leave us helpless. It can push us to the brink of insanity. It is evil, it is imperfect, and it is not of God. One of the most difficult characteristics of fear is mistrust. We find it in everyday life, some doubt here, a little skepticism here, and ironically, we’re oblivious to it.

In our spiritual lives, that can be a dangerous thing to experience. When we let ourselves wallow in an emotion that displaces the space where God must dwell, we are in effect, throwing Him out of our hearts and minds, and out of our lives. Our distrust for our fellow man, and our skepticism concerning the world today should never be transferred to our belief in God. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that just because we live upon the earth, the rampant malevolence we see taking place around us is not attributable to God. Our own lives are filled with thoughts, deeds and words unbecoming of the true Christian character. Rather than throwing those things into our relationship with God, we must always remember that it was He who tried to get us out of our predicament in the first place! We must go back to Him!

The character of God and man are vastly different. The desires that God has for us force us to choose between the basest desires that we crave and the nobler aspirations that God has in store. Most often, we find ourselves making wrong decisions and suffering the consequences for them. However, in the process of making these decisions, we are fully aware of the negative impact that will affect our lives, yet we cannot see past the ‘here and now’. We must have what we want, when we want it. This shows a complete lack of trust in the Lord’s providence. We actually fear that He won’t provide for us the necessities, in whatever capacity it may be. At other times, we may be searching for answers to questions that have plagued our thoughts for what seems like forever. We get so caught up in trying to find the answers ourselves, in depending on our own abilities, that we end up following the wrong path. That’s when the storm hits.

Just as the disciples experienced many a time, we do also. We go to ourselves first, when searching for a solution. We travel down the wrong path and get lost in the middle of a raging storm. Being alone in the midst of a storm is frightening. Not only does it instill in us more fear, but it can further confuse and disorient us. The result? A much bigger mess than what we first expected. All of which could have been avoided had we placed but a mustard seed’s worth of trust in our Lord.

We have all been given such measures of God’s love and blessing, so why is it that we are as forgetful as the Israelites of old? Have we been blind to His love? Or is it that we have neglected to maintain a connection with Him that has left us destitute of a sense of security that only He could provide? It’s actually a combination of the two. We need to understand that fear is a chain reaction that cuts us off from God’s saving grace. It is in our neglecting God that we let opportunity rear its ugly head for the devil. The less consistent we are in approaching God’s throne, the more strength and potency with which satan can attack. Once our barriers are weakened, then satan enters in, and it is only a matter of time before he breaks down our emotional state – which will ultimately lead to fear and a sense of helplessness.

The only way to combat this treachery is to, as the lesson says, ‘practice, practice, practice’! It is in getting to know God that we avoid the mishaps that would otherwise leave us spiritually crippled and afraid for our lives. It is in knowing Christ that we know peace and love. For if we know love, we know that it casts out fear. God is love.

Lesson 10: Discipleship Under Pressure (Jer. 12:5)

By Sylvester Paulasir

When I read the title of this week’s lesson, I thought ‘discipleship under pressure’ would mean being a disciple in spite of all the trials and temptations. In fact that’s how the chapter starts. It didn’t take me too long to realize that the chapter was taking a different twist. Instead of Abraham who remained faithful to God and His call to an unknown land or Job who withstood all the horrendous trials in his life or even Paul whose apostleship was at its best when everything around him was at its worst, I was surprised to find the names of Judas, James, John and Peter. Whoa! Wait a minute I thought. May be the pressure that the lesson is talking about is not the type of pressure I thought it was.

In an attempt to seek the relationship between the title and the content, I concluded that the pressure that the disciples of Jesus were under was not a trial or temptation like in the case of Abraham, Job and Paul but pressure of a different kind. The first half of the chapter focuses on the pressure that the culture and the circumstances of life impose on a disciple. That includes the desire for political authority. The lesson calls it the ‘power model’ of discipleship. Then the lesson moves on to focus more on the pressure that our natural tendencies and personalities or ‘the old self’ pose on the individual. The examples for this type of pressure are James and John who had issues with their temper and Peter who always had something to say.

The author also points out that these are quite ineffective “models” of discipleship. It is true that a person with a ‘greed model’ or a ‘thunder model’ or ‘repentant-Peter model’ of discipleship may have gotten the concept of discipleship wrong when we compare those with the ideal models of discipleship that Jesus might have had in mind. At the same time, given the circumstances in this sinful world and the different character traits that disciples of Jesus possess even today in spite of our love for God, the pressure is both from inside (personality traits) and outside (culture and even forces of evil).

We as disciples can never escape the external pressure till Jesus comes the second time but we can definitely minimize the internal pressure as we learn to align our lives with God through day after day of “hanging out” with Jesus, just like those disciples did. In fact the internal pressure has to be silenced if we want to follow the will of God for our lives. And it is exactly that masking of the sinful character traits by the character of Jesus that transformed the lives of the disciples in the first century and will transform the lives of disciples today in the twenty first century. I have no doubt that we too can turn the world upside down today like they did centuries ago if we only allow the Spirit to destroy our internal pressure.

Following the Master: Discipleship in Action (Mark 8:35–37)

By Divya Mathew

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” Matthew 28:19-20

This is one of the first references that come to mind when I think of discipleship. Notice the number of action-words in that one sentence: go, make, baptize, teach, obey. What a command to action! Indeed, it is almost implied that discipleship is action.

Christ, in His ministry, was one of the most active people ever. He did it all – He went, He made disciples, He baptized, and He taught people what it meant to truly obey His commands. A brief survey of His life reveals how we might do these same things.

First, it must be noted that Christ’s ministry almost always revolved around people. Whether it was in the synagogue, on the streets, by a well in Samaria, near the sea, at a wedding, in the homes of mourning families, or on the cross, Christ made Himself available to people in need. He met people where they were. From wealthy centurion to snooty Pharisees to dying thief on the cross, He served them all.

He did not impose Himself on them. Rather, by providing physical healing, emotional support and spiritual renewal, He gently touched them, giving them what they needed the most – love. And that is the principle that underlies every act of discipleship – love.

Discipleship = Action.

The action = Love.

Such acts of love inevitably involve people. And people, sinful beings as we are, can be hard to work with. But Christ never promised that discipleship was easy. In fact, He says “whoever desires to save his life will lose it” (Mark 8:35). Meaning, accepting Christ’s salvation inherently involves losing everything we consider to be our “life.” When Christ justifies us, we are no longer our own – we are His to be sanctified. It is this experience of His love that enables us to love.

And for the times when we feel defeated and discouraged, He still offers hope. When we try so hard to convey our love for people but fail, He reminds us that He is STILL on the throne. He is “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36), “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given” (Eph 1:20).

So when it seems like you have run out of love, when your boss is getting on your last nerve, when your best friend betrays you, when your professor’s pen seems to have an affinity toward writing the letter “E,” when your sister won’t take out the trash and your parents “just don’t get it,” when you are stuck in traffic (again!) . . . remember, the King of the Universe is on your side.

He loves you.

And He wants you to share that love. Discipleship is action, action that stems from love.

Go ye therefore and…..love.

Lesson 8: Experiencing Discipleship (Mark 8:34)

By Janice Becca

Experiencing discipleship. Hmm, well I suppose if by now in this quarter you feel like we’ve said everything there is to say on this practical topic - it’s about time you do something about it. Last week this time I was prepping for Ignition in Dallas, TX. We attend these major events with tools to equip us to spread Christ throughout our communities, and then what do we do when we return home? This week’s lesson calls us to answer the Teacher’s call and actually do something. Now, I know January has come and gone, but it’s not too late to challenge your young adult group to take on a project or commit to something you believe God has called you to do.

My mom used to be a bank teller in Kingston, NY. On a regular basis, a man with a jolly smile would come in and just chat with her. Soon they started discussing Uncle Arthur’s Bible Stories. My mom would read them to me each night, and this man would also read the stories to his son. Eventually he offered to visit and give my mom Bible studies. At first, my dad wasn’t interested. More than Bible studies, this man taught my mom some tasty vegetarian recipes, and eventually my dad came downstairs and joined the conversations. This man befriended my parents and led them straight to the baptismal pool at a tent meeting. I was about 5 years old at the time, but I remember this day vividly. Does this happen anymore?

These big meetings, conventions, and youth rallies cost so much money and draw people from all over. Let’s get out there and utilize our God given abilities to experience what it means to be a disciple. The next time an evangelistic meeting rolls around, we ought to have at least 1 visitor. I think we’ve got the who, what, when, where, & how of discipleship covered…now it’s time for the “ing” of the command to go & do likewise.

Lesson 7: Preparation for Discipleship (Matt. 5:14-16)

By Javits Rajendran

Okay, here’s the deal, I always wanted to end up in a private school something like Harved. There is just one thing that really drives me off from the ‘idea’ of studying there, other than for the huge amount of money, one has to pay, is this rigmarole, the whole 9-yards of things to be done right before applying for it.

But think about this, Jesus - the word from the beginnings of our planet earth, the creator, the inventor, the all knowing scientist, and philosopher, physician and preacher, walks up to these puny men, these fishers and greedy tax collectors to call them for discipleship.

Mark 3:13-15 “Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve-designating them apostle-that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.”

Just like that, no pre-requisites to fulfill, no pre-med training, no MCAT, pre-law exams and definitely no tuition fee. All they had to do was follow. Does this mean we don’t have to prepare ourselves? Well multitudes followed Jesus, but He chose only a few to be in positions of given authority. Think about it.

I like the title “Be Attitudes for Disciples”, in Sunday’s lesson. I call it more the “The Attitudes to turn into, for discipleship”. The real challenge was thrust upon, these men of little faith when they started following Jesus. The change of attitude- becoming meek, poor-in spirit yet wanting- thirsting for righteousness. The Sermon on the Mount was for servant leaders’ a.k.a disciples, not just the twelve, even unto us this day; this every moment is the implication.

I hate darkness and the Indian food I cook won’t just taste right if there’s no salt. There’s no fun in a darkened, gloomy, salt-less world. Matt. 5:14-16 - You are called to become the salt, and the light. All this is good, you must think, but what about me? What about all the blundering ways I’ve accustomed myself to? Well there can be no approach to discipleship if we aren’t prepared to take up this challenge to run this course, even though we might not be sprint runners in our spiritual life. It’s a commitment, an affirmation to yourself, and to your God.

Lesson 6: Ethnicity and Discipleship (1 Cor. 9:22)

By Janice Becca

Part of me thinks, “who cares?” Why do we need to read more into the first two letters of the Gospel Commission? He said, “Go…” End of story. Gender and ethnicity simply don’t matter. But I guess this week’s lesson is tapping into the social etiquette behind discipleship. We have to be willing to immerse ourselves in foreign communities, in order to be an effective witness. Obviously there are social customs a missionary must be sensitive to when visiting a foreign country. But even on an everyday basis, we struggle with differences across county lines. God calls us to break down those differences and unite, not just because it’s politically saavy - but because He created us all in His image. He doesn’t love me any more than you.

The lesson goes on to describe our mission as ambassadors for Christ. Ambassadors make friends with foreign officials so they can later deliver distasteful messages with ease. It’s funny how we can hear criticism from a friend of family member more openly than with a stranger. We have lay the friendly foundation and understand the uniqueness of the “other”, before we can demand them to fit our social norms. After all, there really should be one norm and that is to seek God first.

We must move beyond our community of comfort and start making connections like the Verizon network. Yes, this can be hard but God gives us the strength and all the training we’ll need. Think of discipleship as you would a study abroad internship. The process of engaging other cultures can be very exciting and rewarding.

I’d like to wrap this up with a recommendation - read the personalize-able passage at the end of Monday’s lesson. It basically challenges us to reach out now. Talk to those people you see all the time, swap oxygen with, and yet still have no idea about them. These people are alive and God has placed you right next to them in class. He’s given us the assignment: get down to earth and level with them sharing Jesus in a language they speak.

While the words of Justice Harlan, “There is no caste here.” may seem debatable when it comes to the societal classification lines we draw each day, there simply is no room for argument when it comes to Godly discipleship. As the lesson states, “There is no caste with God.” He calls us to cross cultural barriers to reach lost souls. There are no exceptions. So, “Go.”

Lesson 5: Gender and Discipleship (Luke 1:3

By Mithun Mansinghani

When I first the read topic for this week’s lesson, I thought to myself “Oh, this might stir up some controversy. Great!” Issues of social justice, ethnicity, and gender roles in the Adventist Church have often been a concern for me, especially given both our moral conservatism and the traditional positions of the Christian Church juxtaposed with Adventism’s very prominent early female leadership. But when talking about gender, all too often we, especially in the collegiate setting, concentrate only on women; let us not forget that there are important issues to be addressed with both genders. That said, ladies, please excuse my sometimes unenlightened male perspective.

The lesson title itself is a point of reflection: “Gender and Discipleship.” Should that even be a phrase? Do the two even affect each other? To some, it may make as much sense to title a lesson “Height and Discipleship” or “Longitude and Discipleship”: in other words, things like height and geographical location-or gender-should have no bearing on the nature of our discipleship. After all, what happened to “there is no male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28)? In the end, however, we must restfully trust in the Word, correctly understood and guided by the Spirit.

For those looking for wonderful examples of female discipleship in the Bible, most don’t have to look very far: Deborah (Judges 4), Ruth, Hannah (1 Samuel 1-2), Mary (mother of Jesus), Mary Magdalene, Dorcas (Acts 9:36-41), and all the devout women greeted by Paul in Romans 16 (such as Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Julia, and Nereus’ sister) are just a few. Clearly, God raises and uses women disciples. The CQ is wise to point out that, “in a society where Pharisees thanked God that they hadn’t been born female,” Jesus’ treatment of women shows that there is no such thing as second-class disciples.

The many examples of female discipleship are not merely there to show women their equality in Christ. Just as women have much to learn from the Y-chromosomed people of faith, so men too can learn many lessons from women about what it means to be a disciple. From the hemorrhaging woman of Mark 5 we learn to desperately reach out for the Savior, from the woman at the well in John 4 we perceive our own sin and the humility necessary to become a disciple, from Mary in Luke 10 we see the importance of sitting at the feet of the Master to listen, and from the woman at the treasury in Mark 4 we see one of the very real costs of discipleship. We men would do well by having the Word teach us not only to respect, but to emulate, women as transform into disciples of Christ.

And so the Lesson concludes. But like a bad infomercial, there’s someone in the background screaming, “But wait, there’s more!” If being a disciple means being a follower, then surely women and men are equal in the eyes of God according to the Word. But what if following Christ means being a leader to others? What then? Well…

“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” - 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing-if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.” - 1 Timothy 2:11-15

Suddenly, the second-class disciples’ thing is starting to sound biblical. Many of the more progressive persuasion dismiss these texts as culturally relative and that their letter is not applicable in this day. But it would seem that those reasoning’s are simply a means of dismissing scripture that is unpalatable. Paul’s argument to Timothy is justified on theological grounds (Adam and Eve), not on cultural ones. How do we grapple with these, and other, texts and the very real fact that women disciples have felt the calling to speak and lead in our Church?

On the one hand, it is clear that Ellen White, to give the preeminent example, was both a great speaker and leader within the Adventist Church. Yet it is not a widespread practice for women pastors to be ordained in our Church. The only reasoning from leadership I have heard behind this restriction is that the Church, being world-wide, has to cater to the needs of different cultures around the world. Allowing female pastors might thus hurt our ministry in nations and cultural groups where such a thing is taboo, therefore it is better to place this handicap on women world-wide who want to preach Christ in the Adventist Church. I disagree with these sentiments, and yet I do struggle with the above biblical texts.

I thus close this lesson with these questions hanging in the air, because I don’t have firm answers, nor would I want to give them. This is something we must all prayerfully ponder, investigate, and discuss. I believe God has a powerful mission for the Church, but I know that the Church is far from flawless. To quote Paul’s oft repeated phrase: “What then shall we say to these things?”

Lesson 4: Lessons From Would-Be Disciples (Luke 9:61,62)

By Javits Rajendran

The power of potential is exponential. There is a surge in this assumed temporary phase of a ‘would-be disciple’. ‘What exactly are you?’ and ‘who are you?’ are some questions that beg our relationship with Jesus. Is following Jesus a hard task? What is the difference between being a disciple of God and worshiping God?

A Hindu friend once asked me after reading the story about Jesus and the rich young ruler, “Seriously, why do we need to give it all away?” It’s a simple story. There’s a rich young man who walks up to Jesus and says, “Hey Jesus, you know what? I want to make it to your group. This is like the most happening thing. Tell me what I need to do, to cut it, to be a part of your group”.

After Jesus explains exactly what needs to be done, we see that this young man was ready when it came to the ‘code’ of living, except for one little thing, he was not willing to give his riches away to follow Jesus.

Think about this: How weak is our zeal for God? Or how strong is it? Does discipleship have to do only with being the power packed preacher at a revival meeting? Do you become a true disciple when you have attended theological seminaries or schools? Or can you also be a quiet faithful follower found in the not so hip sections of the church pews, ready to do anything for God when the calling comes? Are we experiencing the wind of change in our lives?

We are called to go and preach His gospel. What is preaching without practicing? Disciples are sometimes known to be replicas of their leaders and to lead like their leader. Leading our lives according to God’s will is the first step towards leading others for and to God.

Lesson 3: Called to Discipleship by Jesus (Heb. 11:1)

By Regie Samuel

It’s interesting to see just how the Lord works in mysterious ways, because usually we don’t find how He did until the very end. Sometimes we may not find out at all, but we’re still thankful. In the way of discipleship, God leads us to places where we never may have found ourselves to begin with. The calling to have faith and place ourselves in situations where we cannot see the direction we’re going in, and where we cannot hear what’s going on around us, or even when we cannot feel what’s going on around us, is extremely daunting.

There have been many times in the disciples’ lives, as well as my own, where they questioned the direction they walked towards or the way in which they were trying to get there. Sometimes it seems unfair the moment in time where we’re thrust into this world completely outside our comfort zone, and yet, it’s beautiful. It’s beautiful because we know that God knows what’s best for us. In the beginning we’re so obstinate and troublesome, but when we endure the trials and tribulations, we see that there is a method to His madness. The tightrope walker is an amazing analogy. Personally, I know that I’d never get in the wheelbarrow, but when I think about Jesus pushing it over a tightrope; I think I’d prefer to be with Him thousands of feet above rocks and rushing water rather than anyone else on solid ground.

The lesson also mentions that discipleship isn’t something that we choose to become a part of, rather, its God’s choosing. We are given tests on a daily basis, and as disciples of Christ, it is up to us to make the most of those opportunities to show our Father that we can overcome. Of course, we may not fully understand the gift we’ve been given, we may have to change our perceptions as well. It is in changing our perceptions that we will be able to think more clearly, make better decisions and help more people. As the lesson says, it starts with that spark of interest. Sometimes we see the ability that we have to live the Word or give our all to God but we never follow it through. We see the work it takes, the discomfort, and the length of time it requires to hone our relationship with Him and we falter. Faith isn’t an easy lifestyle characteristic to take and to hold. Going completely against the natural world of sight, sound and touch is considered absolute folly. The only insurance we have is God.

There are times when we forget that He is here, today. We may forget that He’s watching us and that He’s calling us to talk to Him. The point is, we forget. For me, it’s a battle everyday to be able to remind myself that He is next to me, watching my every move, seeing my very thoughts and listening to every word. He wants our motives to be His, not rooted in some way to better our income bracket, get ahead in the world, or be more successful. There is no shame in being a disciple of Christ, another problem that pervades society today. Simply because we cannot prove we are sons and daughters of God does not mean a thing. We are royalty, we are His. It’s hard to stand up for what we believe when we’re always shying away from it in public or in front of those who look down upon us because we’re so “religious”. Having faith is seeing it, believing it, hearing it, touching it, feeling it, and living it even when we can’t. It sounds like such a contradiction, but it shouldn’t matter. Having faith goes against the very grain of society and this world; but we’re disciples right? Aren’t we called to be different?

Lesson 2: Discipleship: Then and Now (Mark 16:20)

By Praveen Jones Singalla

One of the most exciting things for me growing up as a child was to make sure that every teacher not only knew me, but recognized me as one of their favorites. I very well understood that it involves much effort to become teacher’s pet. Likewise, being one of Christ’s disciples involves much effort. It’s a very simple concept to understand the importance of us being called to be His disciples. But when it comes to practical life, we tend to assume and think that those subjects of discipleship and spreading-the-gospel- stuff is only meant for theologians. WAIT A MINUTE!!!! Think about this, did Jesus mention that anywhere in the Bible or preach saying that it’s meant only for a specific kind of people? You can try your best to find something like that, but sorry that’s not true. Jesus clearly said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples” (John 8:31).

Now that we are clear that you and I have only one responsibility and that is to cling on to His teaching through His word, we must develop a consistent relationship with our Lord. Just to summarize the overall character sketch of a true disciple of God, here are some of the main attributes needed:

1) Obedience: When Jesus called unto His disciples, he said – “Follow me and I will make you fishers of Men”(Matt – 4:19). The very next moment, every person whose name was called followed Him. In today’s life, God calls us in different ways such as a helping hand needed at the Divine Service, a volunteer to conduct the song service etc. Are we waiting for the call of duty based on our standards, or are we ready to say “YES!” to every call of God for His ministry?

2) Discipline: We all like to be playful, but not during the final exams, and not during an audit at the office. But most of the time, we consider discipleship to be a fun game. Sometimes we’re in the mood to act upon its call, but other times we dismiss it saying, “.Maybe, some other time.” Jesus disciplined Himself for almost 30 years for 3.5 years of full time ministry. How much time are we spending in disciplining our actions, our thoughts, our motives, etc. each day? It’s high time we start mending our ways and preparing ourselves for a fierce battle of being successful disciples for Christ. Jesus never mentioned that this life of discipleship is going to be a cake walk. Ephesians 6:12 says clearly, “For we do not wrestle against flesh & blood, but with principalities, against powers, against rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places,” unless and until we are disciplined in our thoughts and actions, it would be a great challenge. But there is hope for every stressful situation, God has promised to give us His Holy Spirit who will transform our lives for His glory.

3) Testimony: Discipleship doesn’t come to an end once we learn how to live our lives, but that’s when our real duty starts, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark – 16:15). That’s the main responsibility to share God’s love to everyone and help them understand that God is coming back soon again. It is definitely sometimes complicated and we might feel hopeless and lost during our journey of reaching out to others, but again Christ has promised us that He will always be with us and work with us. “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it” (Mark – 16:20). If God helped His disciples then, He is sure to help His disciples even now.

Jesus has been gracious and loving in teaching us everything we need to know and follow. He Himself has set an example of just obeying His Father, and living a life as per His instructions. It’s our duty now to stop thinking and worrying about our life and to just walk in Christ’s footsteps of obedience and loyalty to the Father and our LIFE will be safe in His hands, after all its HIS LIFE for HE paid the priceless price for it.

Do you have what it takes to show your gratitude as a true disciple of God for the price He paid? If you do…start now.

Lesson 1: An Overview of Discipleship (Matt 4:18-19)

By Praveen Jones Singalla

When we think about the term “disciples”, perhaps the first thought we have as Christians is a bunch of bearded people with sandals. But is that what discipleship is all about? Here’s the first question to ponder upon…Do you know what it takes to be a Disciple?

The first and foremost concept to understand about being a disciple is that, it’s not an easy task from the world’s point of view, but very much possible from God’s point of view. We have live examples of Christ’s disciples who gave their lives for the ministry of God. But then, what is it that makes the life of being a disciple so complicated? Most of the time we fail in proving to God we are His faithful disciples.

Here are 7 steps to understanding the life of a faithful disciple:

1) Yielding to the Call: “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt 4:19). A fundamental step is to simply listen to God’s voice and accept it with faith (to believe & trust that He will take care of you) and courage (to face anything and everything that comes along the way).

2) Significance: Sometimes we take for granted the small things we do for God and even more often ignore those things. But friends every little act that we do is taken into account. We should understand our call to be Christ’s disciples is of great significance, because of one simple yet powerful reason, that HE Himself chose us to be His witnesses. “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” (Isaiah 43:10).

3) Submission: If you want to learn martial arts, you have to submit yourself or your ego to the coach or tutor. It’s not enough only to learn to excel in whatever we do, but also we must learn the necessary strategy and tactics to defeat our enemy. The Bible says “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). Likewise in order to be strong and clever disciples, we need to submit ourselves wholly to God.

4) Self-denial: When it comes down to serving Jesus Christ, just the theory or profession of discipleship will not work. “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34). The question we must ask ourselves as E.G. White mentions in Counsels on Stewardship is, “Will every soul consider the fact that Christian discipleship includes self-denial, self-sacrifice, even to the laying down of life itself, if need be, for the sake of Him who has given His life for the life of the world? {CS 288.3}. Ponder this question.

5) Ready to walk in His Footsteps: If you are considering being one of Christ’s disciples, here’s the deal, we have to let go of our planned path and be ready to walk in His path. “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (I John 2:6). To say we are His disciples and not walk in the ways is to say, “I can sky dive without a parachute.”

6) Perseverance: Most of us don’t concentrate on this aspect of life. Satan is very clever in devising his plots against us, because he knows our weaknesses. As humans a weakness we all struggle with is being easily distracted. Sometimes we listen to a good sermon or inspirational music and get all fired up for God. With that burning fire we start to work for God, but then very soon we lose that inspiration and become caught up with so many other worldly things. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 says, “You must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier”. We can’t just start something for God, but we must persevere to its completion. “If God be for us, who can be against us?”.

7) Commitment: Sometimes when we start dedicating our lives for God in terms of ministering to others people might call us crazy or fools, but the Bible already talks about it in I Corinthians 4:10 “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ…” So the most important thing above everything else in order to be a disciple for Christ is stay committed to Jesus and His ministry - no matter what.

As we start this New Year, one of the vital responsibilities of being a Christian is not just to go to church every week, but to start working towards being a faithful disciple for Christ and to prepare ourselves to be wonderful stewards for the kingdom to come.

Lessons from 4th Quarter 2007

For current lesson please see our CQ Corner page.

Lesson 13 : Christ in the Crucible

By Janice A. Becca

The past 3 months we’ve talked a lot about the pros of what typically is considered a con, that is pain and suffering. While we’ve tossed around the term crucible as though a new vocab term, we end this quarter discussing perhaps the most crucial element of how to endure. Lesson 13 reminds us that we are never alone, rather Jesus is there and He knows our pain firsthand.

Sitting at the edge of my bed, the agony swelling inside started to spill over through my tears. I’d had enough and it was just too much to bare. I had to ask him, “Why? Why me?” All I wanted was a simple life filled with rich friendship. It wasn’t as though I was asking for an extravagant car, to be the first female president, or a spot on Oprah’s couch. I just wanted to relate and be understood by genuine friends. The loneliness got to me, and then I read the lesson. “Jesus experienced the isolation that comes from complete separation from God” (see Friday).

Being alone is not the same as being lonely. Jesus could not bare the thought of separation from His father - real loneliness. The truth is, none of us can truly be lonely so long as Christ is in the picture. In fact, it is in moments where we seem to have no where to turn, that Christ draws our attention back to Him as our Saviour. Satan knows that as humans, connection is a very important desire and innate tendency of ours. We all desire to be loved, and being loved is basically trusting others to meet our relational needs.

Satan tries to persuade us to turn away and even give up on God when suffering comes our way. It’s the natural thing to do. But, “Even during our most difficult struggles, we are not alone.” If you’ve ever had to break a relationship, you’ll know that pain is involved. Often people will quickly backslide ending up right back where they started, if no pain is experienced with the separation. God doesn’t always eradicate our pain and suffering - because pain is necessary. You may lose a leg, to save your life.

I’ve yet to completely heal and though the pain is still inside, there’s something comforting about knowing Jesus too experienced a fear of loneliness in Gethsemane. Christ suffered through separation, so that I would never be lonely. While relational bonds may fail and break, to overcome I have to believe Christ is with me in the midst of my crucible. “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” - Proverbs 18:24

If you’re suffering through something and wondering “why me?”, I’d encourage you to check out Part 5 of Nicole & Alan Parker’s GYC seminar on Finding True Love, God’s Way.

Lesson 12 : Dying like a seed

By Javits Rajendran

Summer was fun time for me as a kid, especially when I had to go to my grandma’s house and eat a lot of mangoes. I had this notion that after I would eat the mangoes, it was only fair that I buried them, and that maybe someday that seed would grow big and I would have twice the amount of mangoes next summer. After a few seed plantings and a couple more days of restless waiting for a sap to grow out of the seeds, I grew impatient, and very sad. But it was later that summer, my uncle taught me how to really plant mango seeds. I still remember the first process involved in planting a seed, I had to dry the seed. In fact the seed had to die to become the tree I always wanted.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:5 (NIV).

If our attitude needs to be like Jesus, and if we are supposed to do what Jesus would do, don’t we also have to think like Jesus did? Going down verse 8 in the same chapter we see that Jesus humbled himself, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!” In line with our quarter’s theme we see Jesus, not just being tested in the crucible but simply going beyond and dying. But what do you think it means to die for others?

We wear our seat belt in the car, we buckle up for safety, and we run for cover from the storm…especially when you live in Houston. We wear bandages on our knees and we look both ways while crossing. And we are so afraid of dying. We require assurance that we live in a safe community.

How then can we die, die to multiply when we love our lives so much? Yet Jesus gave us that greater love, His life, which we may not just keep it in store and decompose, but that we with that love might be willing to die for others. Die from this world, and grow strong, grow deep in Him. Through trials and through pain, through confusion and through this rocking - rotting -dying world, keeping just in store the big picture. Are you willing to die for Him today?

Lesson 11 : Waiting in the Crucible

By Sylvester Paulasir

“I can run in a circular track for hours but I cannot stand still and listen to you for a few minutes. I would rather take the highway than to follow you driving at speed limit through that single-lane road. And by the way, I expect you to start rolling even before the traffic light turns green. Trust me, I do have a lot of patience. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have waited outside Circuit City and Bestbuy for hours in the cold weather on black Friday. I am sorry I am human. Did I tell you that I am living in America?”

Those words came straight from my heart. If you are one of those Godly people who have never had that mindset or anything close to it, praise the Lord. This week’s lesson is not for you. But those of us who are still struggling with the problem of impatience, stick around for a little bit as we try to understand the ‘issue behind the issue’.

There are two possible directions one can take this week’s lesson into. First, being patient while being in the crucible. In other words, waiting patiently while you are going through a trouble of some sort. The title of the lesson ‘Waiting in the Crucible’ also seems to lean toward this interpretation. Second, the attitude of impatience is itself a crucible for Christians. This concept can also be sensed while reading the lesson. Listening to people, following a slow driver or waiting in a stoplight is not necessarily a “crucible”. But needless to say, waiting itself can be a problem as opposed to waiting for deliverance through a problem.

Since the concept of waiting for deliverance while going through a crucible has been discussed through the past weeks in detail, I would like to briefly concentrate on the second concept. Waiting as a Crucible. As previously mentioned, there is an issue behind the issue of impatience. One can easily say that we are too busy to stop and listen to people’s stories or drive at or below speed limit but how come we are ready to waste hours standing in a line in front of a favorite store on a black Friday sale? Is it because we don’t mind waiting if we are getting a good deal out of it? I think the issue behind the issue of impatience is putting us and our interests before others’. Even if that means God’s.

Waiting seems so difficult because we are on someone else’s agenda. We feel restricted and controlled. It is not about us anymore but about someone else who is on our way. Whether it is a highway or life. We all know that impatience with our fellow human beings is something we need to work on. At least I know I have to. But there is something more important with an eternal significance. Putting our interest in front of God’s. God’s interest could also be interpreted as the ‘will of God’. But what if God is always driving in front of us ten miles below the speed limit? Do we honk and pass or patiently drive in the speed that seems to be ridiculously slow? We can honk, pass and get lost or have patience and reach the correct destination.

Are we back to square one? Yea we know that we need patience not only with the will of God but also with the will of fellow men sometimes. But how do we get it? The only solution for impatience that I know of is love. If we love God, aligning our will to His shouldn’t be all that difficult and once we love the Lord, love for others will or should flow out naturally. I see this concept of love in the later portion of the lesson, which calls it “delight in the Lord”. And obviously just like any other relationship, developing a loving relationship with God will take numerous morning and evening devotions and personal talks with Him. There lies the solution to the crucible of impatience.

Lesson 10: Meekness in the Crucible

By Divya Mathew

“Truth or Dare?”

A common game among teenagers, “Truth or Dare” usually requires that each participant be bold and willing to admit or do some of the craziest things. When dared, the individual generally obliges for his integrity in the group depends upon it. His sense of acceptance and worthiness usually depends on whether or not he can fulfill the dare. To be accepted, to be valued, he must prove himself worthy.

But what really determines value?

In the business world, value is generally determined by supply and demand. The higher the scarcity, the more people want it. And the more people want it, the more expensive it gets.

Now think about this: Jesus Christ paid the highest price for you. He gave His life for you. That’s how much He wants you. That’s how priceless you are. That’s how much you are valued.

However, this is not a game of “Truth or Dare.” This is real life. There is nothing that you and I need to do to prove ourselves worthy. We are already worthy – not because of anything we did, but because of how much He values us. Once we truly understand our worth, the world will begin to see it too – in our actions, in the way we love.

Many have prayed, “Lord, let me love others like you do.” But have we even fathomed what that means? To love like Christ is to be meek when you are slapped in the face, mocked, and scoffed at. To love like Christ is to be accepting of the very people who reject you. To love like Christ is to forgive the friend who betrays you. To love like Christ is to live like Christ – trials, joys and all. He did all that for you – He died for you. You are that expensive and you are totally worth it.

That’s the real truth.

Now, love like you are worth His sacrifice, live like you are worth it.

I dare you.

Lesson 9: A life of praise

By Javits Rajendran

Singing has been a major factor in my upbringing. My mother made it a point that I could sing hymns from when I was four years old, and that in turn was a motivation when I was a teenager, a motivation not only to praise God but to commit my life to Him. Singing has been one avenue where you forget what goes on with your life and give total praise and adoration to God.

What happens when our praises are forced? Is praising God just a command to be followed? We the younger generations are the most blessed when it comes to giving praise we are not bound by rules and regulations to praise God. We have devised different versions of praise. And yet to praise God is also the hardest for us.

Did you know that, when in hard times your praise is valuable to God? Yes it is. Look and Paul and Silas, they were probably having the worst of times after being rundown by an unruly mob. Chained, filled with dirt, hungry, and in darkness they praise God. What happened next is history. Do you want your praise to work miracles in your life?

We talked about how we should praise God for His blessings and how He might deliver us from our sorrows. Discounting all that, do we praise him enough? Is our praise helping us to understand Him, in our day to day walk?

I’ve decided to praise him in my sickness and through my joy. To praise him no matter how things are in my life. Won’t your praise him too? Is He not worthy of your praise?

Lesson 8: Seeing the Invisible

By Janice A. Becca

Have you ever tried your eyes at autostereograms? You remember, those Magic Eye books with the colorful patterns featuring a variety of 3D hidden images. Some people got them and others didn’t. You had to intentionally become cross-eyed to get the picture. Sometimes you’d hold the book to your nose and then slowly pull away with your eyes glued on that pattern. Then all of a sudden after much concentration and squinted focus, an amazing 3D figure would pop out at you. Some of your friends who just couldn’t pay attention long enough to see the image doubted there was really anything behind those 2D drawings. Maybe you even doubted at times, but once you caught the image you’d do everything just to keep from blinking. Once you glanced away it was gone, but there was just enough motivation to flip to the next page and try to see the invisible again and again.

Our relationship with God is much like trying to find the hidden 3D image on the flat page. The noise and routine pattern of life can sometimes get in the way of seeing Him. We say He’s invisible, but is He really? Perhaps it’s just a matter of focusing hard and long enough, and maybe it will help if we diverge our eyes a bit. So maybe that’s what they mean in this week’s lesson when they say, “The Invisible Can Be Visible”. Just as we had to be determined to sit still and stare long enough to get the Magic Eye, we have to have faith to hold up His book and seek Him. Once we grasp just a glimpse of our Creator, we’ll want more. His awesomeness makes it difficult to look away once we’ve truly seen that which was once unseeable. Can you see Him yet? Magic Eye says, “The longer you look, the clearer the illusion becomes.” But I guess that’s where this analogy turns sour, because the longer we look the clearer our vision becomes. Our visible invisible is no illusion, rather He’s the answer to all our confusion.

Lesson 7: Indestructible Hope

By Javits Rajendran

Throughout reading this week’s lesson, one song persistently rang in my ears. “We have this hope that burns within our hearts …”

It’s not an easy task to break someone’s hope when there’s love and commitment involved in it, but it’s really easy for someone to give it up at the same time, just because things did not go the way it was supposed to go. Is it good to hope? Is it bad to hope? Are we not created in such a fashion that our lives will not exist without every other passing hopeful day? As I sit back and reflect onthis first thanksgiving month in my life, hope seems to have played the most prominent character.

We as humans hope for a better today and hope for an even better tomorrow.
We hope that things will work out.
We hope that we might excel in our studies.
We hope to change the world.
We hope to have a change within ourselves.

How then can we not hope in the Lord? How then can we not put our trust, which is our hope in him? Like the Psalmist says, “My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word”. “Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed”

But can we hope when we are suffering? Really hope when things go wrong? Well … suffering like we discussed in the earlier lessons is an inevitable process needed to be forgone at one point or the other, either physically or mentally. But it is still hope that gives us a way, a channel, a path through it. All we need to do is give Him our trust, our hope, and He in turn is faithful until the end to walk with us.

Lesson 6: Struggling With All Energy

By Janice A. Becca

Struggle. I’m struggling to get this week’s edition of CQ Corner out. Already I’ve lost my finished product, and it’s already midnight. It’s something we all deal with. We struggle with our finances, we struggle with temptation, and we even struggle with success. Sometimes we even compete and boast about our struggle. It’s really kind of funny when you think about how everyone struggles. It can be difficult to keep that in perspective when we only see the world from our struggling point of view. Just trade shoes with someone you think is struggle-less, and you’ll quickly discover a new set of struggles you never knew existed.

So how do we distinguish between good struggle and bad struggle? John Lynch describes The Room of Good Intentions as a place where your pile of sin stands between you and Jesus. Each day you work on cleaning up the pile in front of you not realizing that truckloads pour in every day with even more sin to add to the pile. Sooner than later you give up realizing you’ll never reach Jesus. But in the Room of Grace, Jesus and you stand together and face your sin. You quickly remember, “All things are possible through…”

So what’s new in this week’s lesson? Well our key text points out, “To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Make sure Jesus is inside doing all the work to win the battle between our sinful nature and our new nature in Him.

The struggle is always worthwhile, if the end be worthwhile and the means honorable; foreknowledge of defeat is not sufficient reason to withdraw from the contest.

Consider thanking Him right now for being the means to overcome the struggle.

Lesson 5: Extreme Heat

By Sylvester Paulasir

I remember my kindergarten Sabbath-school teacher talking about this strange word called ‘suffering’ that came about because of the sins of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. She was right. They disobeyed (sinned) and they suffered the consequences. Sure enough, that was the first trace of suffering in the history of this world. One cannot help but notice the contrast in Genesis chapter 1. Everything was indeed ‘very good’ before the arrival of sin as God Himself attests in the same chapter. They sinned. Too bad for them, now they have to suffer for the rest of their lives, and also make their generations suffer.

It is interesting to me to see how we developed this ‘kindergarten theology’ about suffering and how we seem to be very comfortable with it. We have this pre-set formula in mind when we hear the word ‘suffering’ and unfortunately, we try to include God as part of this equation. This is how it goes: suffering is bad and God is good. So suffering cannot possibly originate from God. But then we cannot ignore the existence of suffering in human experience and so it must have originated from some other source. If it is not God or the poor innocent creatures called human beings, then it must be Satan. Sounds familiar? It gets even worse when we derive the next equation. It goes something like this.

 

Suffering (bad) + God (good and powerful) = No suffering (good)

It makes sense, doesn’t it? If suffering is from Satan and is bad, this good and all-powerful God, who is much more powerful than the powers of evil must be able to deliver His people from suffering, right? But that’s not what I read in this week’s lesson. God takes Abraham through an intense mental anguish when he asked him to sacrifice his only miraculously born son, Isaac. You think Abraham didn’t suffer? I can picture this old patriarch making his way straight to Isaac’s tent right after his encounter with God that night. I can picture this father who must have wept by Isaac’s bed as the lad was sleeping peacefully. I can imagine Abraham struggling with his conscience all the way up to Mt. Moriah. You can also argue that what Abraham went through was not “suffering” because he didn’t loose anything after all. True. But I wouldn’t call his experience a tranquil one. It was definitely an intense crucible experience.

What about the crucible of unfaithfulness that Hosea went through with his adulterous wife Gomer? Suffering? I would think so. And who was the cause of all this chaos and suffering for Hosea? According to Hosea, it was God because he married Gomer because God asked him to. What about the suffering of Job? This is one of the most tragic stories in the Bible. Who caused it? An easy answer would be Satan. But as the author of the lesson argues, Satan was able to bring about all the loss to Job only because God permitted him. Forget about saving His people from suffering. God seems to be the direct or indirect source of suffering in all the above instances. This contradicts with our theology, doesn’t it?

Apostle Paul comes to our rescue. He brings out a profound theological insight. He says, “this [suffering] happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God” (2 Cor. 1:9). Could it be that God and us are on totally different planes when it comes to suffering? Could it be that suffering is better than tranquility at certain points in our lives? Could it be that leaning on God is more important than smooth sail in life? If the answer to these questions is ‘yes’, then God’s ways are always better. In that case, God is always good and suffering is not always bad, especially, if that makes us rely on God more. If you are going through some intense heat in your life as you are reading this, rely on God. Pray for deliverance. If you see that His will is not deliverance yet, praise Him for the suffering. What could be better than leaning on God for strength?

Lesson 4 : Seeing the Silversmith’s Face

By Janice A. Becca

“They just don’t have any faith in me,” she cried as we talked about her parents’ resistance towards her pursuing her own career path. They wanted her to become a doctor. She just wanted to sing, and now between all the quarrels and confusion she was beginning to doubt they were satisfied. Satisfied, are they ever? Parents see their children as a reflection of them, and though cutting the chord can be difficult on mommy and daddy when the time comes - it’s not easy for the child either. But while parents often get frustrated and make demands, God approaches the refinement process differently. He holds us all the way through the agonizing transformation…no matter what. There is no, “I’m taking your cell phone away” or “I’m not funding your education,” instead He says “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Are you satisfied with life? Just as it is, right now? When things aren’t going our way it can be easy to get discouraged. Yet, being comfortable and happy with the way things are going often makes me uneasy because I know something is coming around the corner. 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” Drama isn’t weird, it’s normal.

While we strive to be like God, we aren’t willing to accept the prepping. Now maybe the ladies will relate to this more than the guys but haven’t you heard the news: Pain is beauty; beauty is pain. Our relationship with God is just that. In those moments where we get down, where life doesn’t seem to be heading anywhere we want it to go, realize this - you are building your portfolio of life experiences. The down times are a productive and necessary use of your time. God is taking you somewhere and this suffering is just a prerequisite. Embrace it. Sooner than later, you’ll look in the mirror and be amazed at the extreme makeover. Smile, it’s your Savior your looking at.

Lesson 3 : The Birdcage

By Divya Mathew

Tuesday, September 11, 2007. Couple weeks until midterm exams, quite a few papers due within days, financial issues to sort out, a race to run in five days, numerous deadlines looming heavily over me, and the wonderful act of juggling relationships with family, church, school, and friends.

With so many things going on, what was I doing here – tied down to a stretcher in an ambulance, rushing to the closest hospital? Shaking violently from shock, thoughts raced through my head, “God, why did You let this happen? Why am I here?”

I had just been through a pedestrian-car accident, and as far as I could see, my life had come to a stand still – a dead end.

Have you ever come to a dead end in your life? The Israelites had. Jesus had. And so had many of the early Christians. Perhaps, there is a pattern here that we can learn from.

Take a look at how the Israelites dealt with their dead end. In Exodus 14, the Israelites are at a stand still in their journey. The Red Sea before them, and Pharaoh’s army behind them – they are cornered. “They were terrified and cried out to the Lord” (Ex. 14:10, NIV). And what have they for encouragement but the words of God’s servant Moses – “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today…. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Ex. 14: 13-14). Indeed, that promise is true not just for the Israelites of old; rather, it is a living promise – for you, for me, for today, right here, right now. Of course, we all know the rest of the famous story – God parts the Red Sea, the Israelites cross safely over, Pharaoh is destroyed, and the Israelites rejoice. The Bible says, “the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him, and in Moses his servant” (Ex. 14:31). But it was not for too long.

Just few chapters later, in Exodus 15 and 17, the very same Israelites are dealing with a new kind of “dead end.” In Chapter 15, they are suffering from thirst and all they get is bitter water at Marah. In Chapter 17, they have no water at all at Rephidim. Are you tasting the bitter water of this world? Are you thirsting for some real water – something more than the mundane? Jesus promises you, “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13).

Indeed, it is Jesus alone who can give us the Living Water for He alone carried our burdens. He alone won the battle over sin. Tempted by Satan in the wilderness, hungry and worn out, He could have ended His earthly mission by giving up. But he did not. He fought back with God’s word. And He overcame. His victory is ours. Ellen White, in The Desire of Ages points out that Satan often “attacks the weak points of character. He seeks to shake our confidence in God […] We are tempted to distrust God, to question His love. Often the tempter comes to us as he came to Christ, arraying before us our weakness and infirmities. He hopes to discourage the soul, and to break our hold on God. Then he is sure of his prey. If we would meet him as Jesus did, we should escape many a defeat” (DA 120-121). In the midst of our challenges, when are at the dead ends of life, His promises are sure. We have victory in Him.

So, what is your dead end? Are you at a Red Sea, a Marah, a Rephidim, or a wilderness in your life? Or have you, like me, walked right into a dead end? He has promised to lead you through. “‘By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’ are we to live” (DA 123). He may not make the problems disappear but in our weakness, His strength will shine through. His character is made perfect in us through our challenges. Because of His grace, we can rejoice in the Lord always.

Today, He calls you and me, “‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ Lay off the yoke of anxiety and worldly care that you have placed on your own neck, and “take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and you shall find rest unto your souls’ (Matt 11:28, 29).”*

He promises you rest. Will you leave the rest up to Him?

*Ellen White in Patriarchs and Prophets, p 294.

Lesson 2 : The Crucibles That Come

By Janice A. Becca

What’s the hardest exam you’ve ever had to take? The SAT? ACT? LSAT? Or what about the MCAT, the BAR? These exams are taken only after excruciating hours of agonizing study. The process begins long before the test date. You may even invest thousands of dollars just to prep for these exams. So what about the test of life and those crucibles? Crucibles are defined as severe tests of patience or belief. I immediately think of the Columbine example. Whatever your test may be, the Christian life doesn’t exist without them.

This week’s lesson suggests three major points really:

1. Don’t be shocked by the crucibles.

2. You don’t have any excuse for failing.

3. Apply the tips that will lead to passing scores.

The lesson ends by cautioning us, “Satan is always on the lookout for our weak points - trying to see where he can attack us.” Now, that’s a fine and dandy phrase we’re used to, but be careful about how you read that. Quickly formulate a list of your weak points in your head. Ok, now eliminate that list and think about those areas you didn’t include. You know, those things you feel you’ve mastered? Satan will attack us on those areas of life least guarded. Be careful not to feel too confident in your “strong points”, because often we will depend on God and ask Him to patch our weak points…forgetting that we must still rely on Him for the strong points too. You follow? Maybe you should read that again. Basically, don’t let anything go unguarded - review and make sure He covers all test points.

I haven’t failed very many exams over the course of my life, but I can certainly tell you that it doesn’t feel good. Yet, we’ve become accustomed to daily flunking out on life’s quizzes. How do we expect to manage the crucibles? God help us. You remember that kid in class who never did well and barely scooted along from grade to grade just because the teachers didn’t want to see him again after summer vacation? He’d become so used to failure that it was almost like he didn’t want to try. Now, look in the mirror - there’s a 99.9% chance that’s you and me, too.

Let’s continue this quarter and decide to actually apply what we know so that we can ace the crucibles that come. If you need a cheat sheet, Bibles are permitted - this is an open book examination.

Lesson 1 : The Shepherd’s Crucible

By Javits Rajendran

When I first read this week’s lesson, the dialogue from a famous American movie came to my mind, “Pain is good.”

But is pain good all the time? Let’s do this. I want you to think of the time, consider a week, a normal week in your life. Have you prayed more while going through pain, losing your job, in a broken relationship, when you failed a test? Or have you prayed more when you actually got an A, got a promotion, or when you won a trip to Hawaii? Now a greater mass of us will have to say yeah to the first set of question. So coming back, is pain really good?

Pain is an integral part of the human existence. Well there is no life without pain; there is no gain when not in pain. But in this Christian walk what does this symbolize? Is it the road to redemption? Is this how we come back to God?

The Bible is filled with star characters more dramatic than our weekly TV Shows, some that we have learnt to admire. Pain for them has been a journey, it was their road. But having talked so much about the process of refining ourselves (a.k.a pain), can we allow this forever? I guess not, we need to be refined just right to make sure that in the process we are not burnt.

Abraham’s faith and Moses’ impatience are two different directions in this road. This road leads us to eternal life. Is our journey on this road today, with the Master? Do you want Him to lead you all the way? Subscribe before the offer is over, the offer of eternal joy.

Stick with us for the final quarter of 2007. Feel free to join in the conversation by leaving your comments. If you have something to say, and are interested in posting your thoughts please see our Contact page.

Lessons from 3rd Quarter 2007

For current lesson please see our CQ Corner page.

Lesson 13: Fulfillment beyond failure

By Javits Rajendran

Marriages gone sour is not a new phenomena, it is in part, a norm in our everyday life. Disloyalty, cheating or simply bored out of a relationship is now synonymous with marriage. I remember a couple who once got married, it wasn’t easy, their parents didn’t agree, but their love was strong and the will in their hearts could move mountains. And so they got married only to find themselves in a position to hate each other more than anything. There was nothing that could make them love each other anymore. The magic was gone.

Our relationship with God is no different. We are modern Israelites who simply don’t want to repent. We see happiness in a world that will only fade away like a photo printed on disintegrating paper. The possibilities of Adventist young adults, coming back to church is growing less every day. We are turning our backs not only to our church but to God, who we seem to forget, that He knows everything we do and say. We would rather cheat on God and take a social cup of wine, than abstain from it. We are lousy in our relationship with God.

Yet God is willing to take us back. Though we have become prostitutes of the world, he is willing to take us back like Hosea. The question remains, “Are you willing to go beyond this failed love “?

Lesson 12: Forgiving the Unfaithful

By Sylvester Paulasir

Hosea woke up in the middle of the night, with sweat and panic. He just had the worst nightmare of his life. In the dream, his wife Gomer leaves him for her old filthy lifestyle as the temple prostitute. “Uh, its just a dream!” he sighed as he turned to give a gently hug to his ‘returned prodigal’ wife. Guess what? The dream came true. She was gone. Hosea could not help but think the worst. His heart ached by the very thought of the nasty ritual that she might be indulging in. He rested his head on the pillow, now the sleep long gone, with tears dripping steadily, questioning angrily, ‘How could she do this to me?’, ‘Does she even realize the fact that she is my wife and the mother of three children?’

Lets pause this melancholic story here and figure out why of all the beautiful maidens of Israel, Hosea chose Gomer, a prostitute in the first place. Oh, because he obeyed God. ‘The Lord said to Hosea, “Go take yourself a wife of harlotry”’ (Hosea 1:2, NIV). I can picture Hosea questioning God, “why me Lord? All I did was obey your word!” I would, if I were in that situation. I would even doubt His will for my life. I’ve heard views of how God used the incident to teach Hosea a lesson, may be a living parable, a good personal illustration for his sermons, an opportunity to turn him into a passionate preacher who would preach from his heart, at least that’s what I read in this week’s lesson. All of those could be true. But I think there’s more to this story than a lesson for Hosea and Israel. Hosea received a rare privilege that not many in the history of the world have received.

Hosea was invited by God to suffer with Him. If we think that God was like a schoolmaster trying to teach an important lesson to Hosea, it wouldn’t be true. Hosea was invited by God to experience His pain, the pain of rejection that Israel, His bride constantly gave Him by worshipping other gods. Oh, what a privilege! Although it won’t seem that way most of the times. I can think of one other person in history, few centuries later who shared the suffering with God in a more literal sense. Simon of Cyrene. He was just a by-stander, one of the few people in the midst of that angry mob, willing to bear the cross for the stumbling King. Little did he realize that he was actually suffering with the second person of the Godhead.

It is interesting to see how God not only invited Hosea to grieve with Him but also takes him to the next level. God leads Hosea through a taste of divine emotions to His very character, which is the theme of this week’s lesson. Notice the shift in Chapter 3. “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery”(verse 1). I would have said, “Are you kidding me? No way!” That’s not how it goes. It is hard enough to forgive someone when they ask for forgiveness. Why would anyone forgive and love someone who broke the vows made at the altar and negated every meaningful memory that they shared in the marriage by going after other men and never really asked for forgiveness? Divorce or even better, stoning her in the middle of the town according to the Law of Moses is the best option. To be precise, that is the appropriate human option but forgiveness was the divine option. Forgiveness and selfless love are humanly unperceivable. But God invites each of us to participate in those divine characteristics.

The whole point of this week’s lesson was to insist those divine characteristics. Hmm….but how though? Do you get up every morning and decide to love and forgive everyone you come across that day? I wish we could. It takes the Holy Spirit to be like God. Oswald Chambers in his book, My Utmost for His Highest says, “The expression of Christian character is not good doing, but God-likeness. If the Spirit of God has transformed you within, you will exhibit Divine characteristics in your life, not good human characteristics. God’s life in us expresses itself as God’s life, not as human life trying to be godly.” Hosea forgave and loved Gomer and they lived happily ever after…I don’t know about that because the Bible is not clear on that but I know for sure that if we forgive and love each other through Christ, we can definitely live happily ever after.

Lesson 11: Abuse and Authority

By Janice A. Becca

Alright, this week we go after Ahab and Jezebel and you probably found yourself in this morning’s Sabbath School class considering how is it that if those who’ve gone before us, and who’ve had such rudely awakening encounters with God were still able to doubt. We know the story of the unequally yoked, yet after doubting God’s ability to out beat eharmony.com we seek our own faulty cupids. Often times we are blinded by infatuation and lust, and then find ourselves bound and tied to selfish and ignorant tragedies we heated up.

The lesson leaves us with and itemized list of 4 things to add to our task list:

1. Surrender your will to God.

2. Choose your alliances carefully.

3. Know your limitations.

4. Ask God for understanding.

I apologize now for ending this post this way, because I had no intentions of writing this week I’ve been brief. This lesson study and the story of Ahab and Jezebel didn’t leave me with a sense of inspiration or practical methods of battling the mate selection process. What we have is a very blatant story about the powerful effects of damaging consequential mistakes that are to be had when two people not driving under the influence collide. It seems people make such a huge mess of this same situation over and over again…why do we doubt and try to control what we know we can not control by our own strength? Is there something I’m missing here? CQ tells us to give God everything, pick good buddies, understand yourself, and check with God…but, tell me something I don’t know.

Lesson 10: Adultery and After

By Javits Rajendran

If I had to write an Oscar winning screenplay from the bible, the cruel story of David killing Bathsheba’s husband would be my perfect story to depict – deceit, adultery, crime; three things that make modern theater a plight to watch.

Did David know what he was getting into? Yeah. He even had his own head of Intelligence check Bathsheba’s profile out for him. Let’s talk 21^st century. We fall into the same pits, even after having David’s life as an example for thousands of years now. It’s not just porn or the girls from college you like to look at and think that it’s okay, but the extent that we allow ourselves to divulge into it.

Do we know it’s wrong? Yes. Do we know the consequences? Yeah! Why are we still living David’s adultery life then? Maybe, maybe we just deceive ourselves into thinking that somewhere along the lines forgiveness which is present and free, will be there forever. That’s its okay this once. What are your thoughts in the depths of your mind?

Is there a way out? Yeah. Read Phil 4:8

Lesson 9: Living With Losses

By Janice A. Becca

“Yet ‘in all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:22) Seriously, how many people do you know who endure .0001 of what Job did and are able to praise Him in all things? This week I carried thoughts of Job with me throughout each day, and what a difference it made in my attitude towards little mishaps. Job’s testimony of faith is well known as a representation of a scarcity. It’s almost to the point where people who smile all the time, or who never seem to have a problem are irritants to the rest of us struggling to recognize that God still does have the whole world in His hands.

Anyways, what was even more interesting this week was the relationship between Job and his wife in the midst of all the drama. It seems as though Satan’s standard plan of attack often begins with those we have the most faith in here on earth letting us down. Imagine your significant other telling you curse God and die, or that your breath stinks too bad for them to bare. Not the kind of “in sickness and in health…” you remembered vowing at the alter is it?

Well, since we are on the topic this quarter, I’ve been thinking about marriage quite a bit lately. By now each week there are some things to add to both my “want” and “don’t want” lists. Relationships are serious, and it’s important to be able to maintain our relationship with God while injecting a significant other into the picture. See why being unequally yoked can be such a big deal? I want to win, and win big when it When things get rough, I want someone stronger than myself to depend on (only God can be that guarantee). Friends, family, and spouses are important to. Their words can either damage or encourage us.

Assess your situation this week, what would you need from your spouse while treading through a valley such as Job’s? And if roles were reversed, what words would you offer someone in such a depressing situation? God is a relational God…He intended us to engage in relationships to build each other up. Most people don’t go through serious drama until after the rings have been exchanged and Satan is ready to send them straight to Divorce Court. How do you find that supportive nature in your mate when everything is quite mushy and laced with charming love before marriage?

Lesson 8: Fulfilling a Vow

By Janice A. Becca

Are you afraid of marriage?

CQ’s eighth episode in this love soap stars Hannah the selfless and faithful promise keeper, and her sidekick Elkanah as the stud with the sensitive and supportive combo. Both Hannah and Elkanah seem to be abnormal in their roles as mother and husband. Yet, when you think about it they are just two examples of people actually practicing the basics of Christianity.

You see, we try to complicate Christianity which only leads to a life of dissatisfaction and misery. Following the fundamental principles makes life easier. Hannah makes a promise in accordance with His will and she has no problem keeping it. Don’t you push the “Cruise” button when on a long road trip? God was operating the vehicle at the time Hannah’s petition and promise were made and at the time of its realization. It’s “Back to school” season around the country, and what mother isn’t fretting and weeping over her 18+ year old “baby”? Hannah let go of Samuel at 3 without any issues, and no…it wasn’t because he was a terrible two headed for boot camp.

Making a promise is serious stuff. Now, coming from a future lawyer it might be hard to believe, but this is one of my biggest pet peeves - the insincere promise. While we may try to manipulate and loophop our way around Contract law, offer and acceptance mean something not only on the record, but actionable prereq’s for remedy in court - you know, just in case. Have you noticed the length of your apartment lease? No one trusts anyone to keep promises anymore, and who benefits from it - the lawyers. Not only do we spend hours drafting all-inclusive documents for simple promises, we get you your money back plus some, and then later keep you from getting in trouble for breaking your own word all in the same game.

I just don’t feel right letting someone down, but in reading this lesson I realized I have no problem getting past the guilt of a broken promise to God. Why is that? I love E.G.W.’s caution, “Are not his vows and his actions weighed in the balances of justice in the heavenly courts?” I don’t find myself making promises in my prayers very often, but living my life as a fully surrendered offering to God…well, that’s a promise I daily fall short of. While we recognize the U.S. Supreme Court as the highest court and defender of the Constitution, so much respect and arguably too much power is left in the hands of the judiciary branch. Compare that to the Justices of higher heavenly courts, and then double dare me to break a promise to God. Difficult to do, when you think about it like that, huh.

What about Hannah’s costar Elkanah? He’s an agent of God used to help and support Hannah in her decision to honor God. What would the world be like with more Elkanah’s? His selfless attitude and sensitivity highlight the unique nature of a Christ-like man. Ever notice how in these movies, the insensitive jerk with all the money, house, and car never gets the girl? Well, there’s some truth to that and Elkanah is respected for his tender thoughtfulness towards his wife as he honors her promise made to God. There was no argument about Hannah not consulting Elkanah and no macho man threats of “who’s the boss?”. Both Hannah and Elkanah surrendered to the laws upheld by the Heavenly Supreme Court, and as a result God ruled in their favor.

Now, how can you be afraid of that kind of marriage? This is the only kind of marriage God intended. 1. Get your life in order, 2. allow Him to direct your path to the one for you, 3. never stop honoring the Supreme and 4. that fear of commitment will miraculously transform to a terror of breach. Until we make the choice to vow, or disavow how can we expect more than breastfed milk?

Lesson 7: Firm Foundations

By Javits Rajendran

The more and more I tread into this quarters’ lessons I only seem to realize the inadequacy in the subject matter as a single young adult, nonetheless the bible and the life around us gives us more than enough of our share of information. I’m pretty sure each one of you reading this post must have asked this question, “Why me?” in your prayers. And Naomi has no reasons to not ask God the same question.

Something that we fail to see in our often complaint ridden self life is the problem of asking God “why?”, Naomi begs to differ and sets an example to her heathen daughter-in-law. A point to be noted here, how many of us have influenced our non Christian friends let alone our families.

Okay let’s talk about Ruth. You have this uncertainty in your future, you have just decided to follow a new God, come to a new country, your poor and then you fall in love. Was Ruth making the right decisions? How would be consider the same aspects in our one on one basis life?

Ruth did make the right decisions from the start we see that God was marvelous in blessing her and giving her a better life. But when it came to Boaz there seemed to be certain complications before marriage. Both Ruth and Boaz, I believe would have put in a lot of time thinking about their marriage. Not only thinking about it but also praying about it. We see that the presence of God is seen and there longing for God’s intervention being blessed. There lies our firm foundation, in seeking for Him.
Are you longing for God to intervene in your love life or your marriage or are your driven by your own understanding?

Lesson 6: The Folly of Passion

By Janice A. Becca

Take yourself to the girls’ dorm on a Sunday afternoon, pick a room, and just open the door. Inside you’ll find a small group of girls lounging on bunk beds and intrigued by juicy gossip (perhaps even about the girl behind the sheetrock). We’ve all been there, and on both sides of the gossip too (both the subject and the source). It’s funny how it’s so easy to find your name spouted past your fellow girlfriend’s sweet lip gloss just behind that ugly fill-in-the-blank, “Giiiirll, do you know what ____________ did last night?”. Years, months, weeks, or maybe even just days later we often find ourselves doing things just as crazy as the ones we’d gossiped about before. “What was he thinking?!” The truth of the matter, is just that….[we] are thinking just hard enough to rationalize away our own secret sins. We do the obviously stupid after trying so hard to find the loophole in God’s law.

Samson seems to have some serious issues when it comes to the ladies. For all his strength, he allows the often ignorantly-deemed “weaker” sex to disrupt everything he had going for him. And believe it or not, thousands…no, dumbmillions of guys have decided to play that rerun over and over and over again for themselves. Same goes for us girls who have cried enough rivers to water the driest of deserts, over pointless and easily avoidable drama. Don’t believe me, ask Dr. Laura.

Passion and lust are not to be toyed with. Once you begin to make exceptions to the very clear rules, there’s no turning back - at least not on your own and not without agonizing heartache. Asking, “how far is too far” is missing the point altogether. Complete surrender means, consulting Him on our every move not what’s the bare minimum. Thursday’s lesson discusses “The Other Side of the Fence” and wisely encourages us to not relinquish dominion over any part of our hearts. However, what I think is missing is the point that our desires at some point should equate to His desires. We ought to want God to interfere with our lives before we can expect to get past the passion hiccup.

The point is relationships are difficult to manage. We want to be that “everything” in his/her eyes, and sometimes so much so that He is no longer in the picture. Ask yourself, if you’re holding on to something you don’t want to give up, and if you don’t want God to get in the way of your naughty plans…how can we keep a straight face and call ourselves “Christian”. Can we really just check God in and out like a library book? Or is it that Samson was being used by God, but not a converted and convicted agent of God until his last few moments on earth?

Lesson 5: Relating with Relations

By Javits Rajendran

Can we ever live above the relationship influence?

The biggest of all relationship problems, would be fitting in. Especially if you aren’t from the same place and you don’t do the same things. There was this great difference between Moses and Zipporah, Moses an aristocrat and Zipporah a quiet village girl. Yet like the saying, “There is a woman behind every successful man” is found true in this case.

It says in the bible that Moses definitely made an impression with Jethro. For the life saving act he did to Jethro’s daughter, he is made to marry one of them. Well in that time and age marrying someone you didn’t know wasn’t that big of a deal. But Zipporah had her different desert ways. And in love you need to step down sometimes. But if you look at this particular instance we talk about circumcision, Zipporah agrees for their first son but refuses for the second. I’m guessing they must have been going through some kind of a drama. But look at why Zipporah refuses to let this be done to her son; she calls it “Barbaric”. And that every act threatens to kill Moses due to God’s wrath.

Let’s come back to the present day and age. The youth in our church sometimes seem to be making this conscious decision to find someone who is not in any way related to the church. “Not being equally yoked”. The relationships often tend to break down into beads of pain and agony. Okay doesn’t God love everyone though? Aren’t all men and women His creation? Yes we are.

The lines are drawn between being God’s children and actually acting like one. Chances are you might be influenced more than being the influence.

Lesson 4: Labor of Love

By Javits Rajendran

Controversy is something that Jacobs seems to have been born with. Right from his mother’s partial love toward crossholding his birthright all the way to his long lasting feud with his in-law Laban. Seven years of labor and then seven years more for his love, seems something out of the ordinary in this time and day. It is something I would personally never consider. But the question to be asked is “Why was this happening to him?”

One of the authors has this wonderful question for the women, “Would they marry Jacob after all this deceit and adultery he had been through?” I hear some define no’s. Although it was it was our hero Jacob that stood through storms and hail, through fourteen long years. It is Rachel who is pinned the medal. To start the list, first you have the extra long wait, then you have the childless days, you have envy and shame not to forget the annoying rebelling sister, sharing her life only she meant to deserve. If this was a present day scenario, my lawyer friend would have gotten Rachel the biggest of shares in a divorce case. But Rachael withstood it all, and that was paid back in double. She is blessed with undying love from Jacob; her death is remembered by Jacob and recorded for us in the bible and Joseph her long awaited son, is the pride of the clan.

So where does all this put Jacob? Did God not consider his turmoil? Well to escape punishment is inevitable, no loop holes in the Government of God. But God never ceased to bless him. Jacob’s life is a perfect example of grace in an erring believer’s life. Not to stop here in this triangle of relationships God blesses Leah for enduring through life and a marriage, no fault of her own by blessing her linage with the birth of Jesus.

This definitely is neither a fully inspirational love story nor the next booker prize winning novel. One thing I would say, “If there’s labor in love, don’t forget to harvest its fruits”

Lesson 3: Rearing Rivals

By Janice A. Becca

There’s nothing like the bitter guilt of disappointing your parents. Feeling disconnected from those who “brought you into this world” is one of the loneliest states of being. But at some point in one way or another, we’ve all been there and done that. If you have a sibling, and you’re the oldest you might remember looking back in jealousy when they got away with something utterly forbidden when you were their age. Or if you’re the baby of the family, reaching your elder sibling’s proud benchmark weren’t exactly the comfiest shoes to tread.

So perhaps we can all identify with Isaac and Rebekah’s boys. But what about our parents? The lesson comes down pretty hard on the fact that Isaac and Rebekah had favorites this week, but haven’t we all been subject to the “daddy’s girl, momma’s boy” scenario? You know by the age of 3 which parent you’ve got wrapped around your finger, and which parent not to ask for ice cream at 9pm.

Isaac and Rebekah seemed to have things all confused about who was who in their family, and it started with them swapping “hubby and honey” for “bro and sis”. Deception is a tainted thing when you are behind its door, and it can be a nauseating struggle to stomach. God really did bless Isaac and Rebekah: “Fortunately for them, the Lord still upholds His end of a bargain, regardless of how we fail. Abraham’s seed did end up being numbered like the stars, but how many of his spiritual descendants today follow his example of distrust and dishonesty?”

Good question.

 

Lesson 2: Faith Tested and Tried

By Janice A. Becca

Why do you think “Sarah and Abraham are the only couple listed in the faith chapter, Hebrews 11″? (CQ, p.23) You know faith seems like such a simple thing. It’s not a commodity available only to the elite, nor is it a skill acquired only by sophisticated scholars, rather faith is available to anyone anywhere willing to trust God’s word. For such an accesible thing, why do we struggle to acquire it?

The blessing is unmistakeable in this week’s lesson. The sweet story of God once again defying our feeble scientific notions, and blessing Sarah and Abraham with Isaac is tainted with the drama that occurs when we try to take control. It’s as though we say, “Yes, God…I believe you, but let me help you with that.” Forgetting that God doesn’t need our help, we try to expedite the plans He has for our lives and often end up causing more heartache and drama. Sarah allowed Hagar into the picture knowing fully well this extra woman in the picture would cramp her style. Oh, how we love drama….singin’, oh how we love dra-a-ma!

One reason seems to be that the more educated we are, the more likely we are to question and doubt God when He shows us the extreme plans He has for our lives. Our prized academic possessions easily blur the big picture, dimming our vision from seeing the Light. We have to be careful with what we think we “know” and remember to credit the One who knows all. Why do we live day to day without trusting He will come through? The evidence is not up for debate…He has the whole world in His hands.

“And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore” (Hebrews 11:12).

So wait a minute, let me ask - who do you want behind your wheel?

Lesson 1: The Intended Ideal

By Janice A. Becca

For Better of For Worse…here they go. I attended several really bad weddings in 2006. I don’t know what the deal was, but it certainly puts a damper on the ceremony when the scenery involves the bride escorted by ambulance rather than a stretch limousine. Or what about when the couple can barely pull together the essentials, because they’ve got a baby on board? Everyone in the congregation knows “for worse” will take its course over the next year or so for this couple. Nonetheless, we congratulate and toast wishing them well and praying that they will place God at the center of their marriage.

There was one particular wedding in 2006 that was absolutely elegantly divine. Everything was literally picture perfect, and my childhood fantasies of the ‘big day’ pretty much came together as I watched my friend marry the guy of her dreams. I suppose that’s how it was for Eve when she met Adam. I mean…the location, the minister, the food, everything was flawless. And did I mention the wedding coordinator? Definitely check out His references.

They had the perfect opportunity, didn’t they? She was perfect. He was perfect. We are struggling to find decent much less perfect, and it’s easy to see why we have problems. But even when you have it all, our appreciation and feeble minds always seem to get us in trouble.

Writers from the Philippines tell us about the coulda-shoulda-woulda beens of the marriage between Adam and Eve in this week’s lesson. After all that, I’m wondering is marriage really worth it? The success rate looks bad enough, and if the perfectly crafted first lady and her mate screwed up, what makes us think we can do any better? Can we ever get back to the The Intended Ideal?

 

 

Starting this Sabbath, we’ll begin a series of reflections on the Collegiate Quarterly. Feel free to join the informal Sabbath School discussion of each week’s lesson. The theme of this quarter is “For Better or For Worse” featuring the romance sagas of Old Testament couples. Join us as we explore this quarter’s theme, and as always feel free to contact us if you are interested in submitting a post including your own thoughts