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Teacher’s Guide

The GreaT conTroversy counTdown—Lesson 1

The Origin of SinPart 1

Lucifer, the ArchdeceiverSurveying the sources

Patriarchs and Prophets, pages 35–43, 52–54, 61, 63–70, 78, 79.

Setting the objectivesClass members will•getabig-pictureunderstandingofhowsinbegan;•betterunderstandthegospel—howGodplanstosavehumanbeingsfromtheconsequencesofsin;and• realizethatthey,themselves,areactiveparticipantsinthegreatcontroversy.

Focusing on group members’ needsTheneedsofthedifferentmembersofyourclassordiscussiongroupwillvarydependingonwhereeachoneisinhisor

herspiritualjourney.Trytodeterminethemakeupofthegroup.AresomenewChristians?NewAdventists?HavesomenotyetmadeacommitmenttoJesus?Youwon’tbeabletocustomizethediscussiontofiteveryindividualsituation,buttrytobesensitivetoareasofunderstandingorexperiencethatmayneedspecialattention.And,ofcourse,therearebasicspiritualneedsandissuesthatwillapplytoeverymemberofthegroup.Forexample,Lesson1focusesonhowthesinprob-lembegan,howGodintendstodealwithit(andisdealingwithit),andthefactthateachoneofusispersonallyinvolvedintheongoingstrugglebetweenGodandSatan.Thesearebasicissuesthatapplytoeveryhumanbeing.

Starting the discussionInviteclassmemberstotrytoimaginethattheyareangelsinheavenbeforesinexisted.Asangels,howwouldthey

havereactedtoLuciferwhenhefirstbegantovoicediscontent?Surprise?Fear?Confusion?Sympathy?Whywouldtheangelshavefounditdifficulttograspwhatwashappeningorwhereitwouldlead?

Next,inviteclassmemberstotrytoimaginethemselvesasEveinEdenbeforesin.AsEve,howwouldtheyhavereactedtoLuciferspeakingthroughthesnake?WhenconfrontedwithSatan’stemptations,whowouldhavefounditmoredifficulttograspwhatwashappening—sinlessEveorthesinlessangels?Why?

Digging into the issuesBecauseweliveinasinfulworldandhavedonesoallourlives,it’shardforustorealizethattheongoingstruggle

betweengoodandevil—thegreatcontroversy—isreallyonlya“brief”interludebetweenthesinlessperfectionthatex-istedintheuniversebeforeSatan’srebellionandthesinlessperfectionthatwillexistaftertherebellionisendedforever.It’simportantthatwehaveabig-pictureunderstandingofhowsinbegan,howGodishandlingtheproblem,andthefactthatweareeachpersonallyinvolvedintheoutcome.Onlythenwillwebeabletosuccessfullycarryoutourroleinthegreatcontroversy.OnlythenwillGodbeabletodealwiththesinprobleminawaythatwillputittorestforever.

Issue 1: How did sin originate in the perfect environment of heaven?SinaroseinthemindofLucifer,thehighest-rankingangelinheaven.Why?WhataresomeofthefactorsthatcausedLucifertobecomedissatisfiedandultimatelysinagainstGodinopenrebellion?WereanyofthesethingscausedbysomelackordeficiencyinGodorinHisadmin-istrationofheaven?Isthereanyrationalexplanationforsinthatisnotalsoanexcuseforitinsomeway?WasChrist’spositionasthedivineSonofGodcleartoalltheangelsinheaven?Ifso,whydidSatanfeeljustifiedinbeingenviousorjealousofChrist?WhatstrategiesdidSatanusetoenticeAdamandEveintojoininghisrebellion?Whatinthesin-lesspairrespondedtoSatan’stemptations?

Issue 2: What are the main features of God’s plan for dealing with sin, and what do they say about God?WhenLucifer first began raising questions in heaven, whatsteps didGod take?Why didHe respond asHe did?Whatroledoesfreedomofthewillhaveintheoriginofsin?WhatbearingdoesithaveonhowGoddealtwithLucifer’srebellioninheaven—andhowHehascontin-uedtodealwithsineversince?HowlongdoyouthinkGodcontinuedworkingwithLuciferandthedisaffectedangels,beforefinallyexpelling themfromheaven?WhydoesGodnotuse force—Satan’sweaponofchoice—indealingwithsin?WhatwouldbetheresultifHedid?WhatroledidChristwillinglyundertakeinsolvingthesinproblem?WhatdoesthissayaboutGod’scharacter?

Issue 3: What role do we have today in the great controversy?Accordingtothelesson,God’splanofredemptionincludestwogreatobjectives:(1)savinghumanbeingsfromsin,and(2)vindicatingGod’scharacteragainstSatan’sunjustcharges.Whatlightdoesthisshedonourroleinthegreatcontroversy?HowcanredeemedsinnershelptovindicateGod’scharacter?Howcanwebetterkeepinmindthatwearenotmerelyspectatorsofthegreatcontro-versy,butactiveparticipants?

Applying the lesson to lifeJesusofferstotakeyoursinandcoveryouwithHisrighteousness(see1John1:9;Isaiah61:10).Haveyouac-

ceptedHimasyourSavior?Ifnot,whatispreventingyoufromdoingso?TrytoanalyzethestrategiesSatanusessuccessfullytotemptyoutosin.Whatcanyoudotoprotectyourselfagainstthese?WhatisyourprimarymotiveforservingGod?WhatmotivedoesJesussayyoushouldhaveforobeyingHim?(SeeJohn14:15.)HowdoesitmakeyoufeeltoknowthatyoucanhaveapartinvindicatingGod’scharacteragainstSatan’slies?

Leaving group members with something to think aboutOnascaleofonetoten,whereisyourrelationshipwithJesusright now?

Poor Excellent

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

ListsomespecificthingsyoucanbegindoingtodaytoimproveyourrelationshipwithJesus: _________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

Teaching Principle

Encouragegroupmemberstoapplythethingstheyarelearningtotheirownlives.Lookforspecificthingsyoucanencouragegroupmemberstoputintopracticeduringthecomingweek.

Teacher’s Guide



The Controversy Continues on Planet Earth, Part 1

Lucifer’srebellioninheavenpresentedGodnotonlywiththeproblemofsinanditschallengetoHisauthority,italsopresentedGodwiththeproblemofhowtorespondinawaythatwouldallowtheentireuniversetoseethatHewashandlingtheprobleminloveandthatLucifer’saccusationswerecompletelywithoutmerit.Inotherwords,Godmustnotonlybefair;Hemustbe seentobefair.Thisisnotaseasyasitmightfirstappear.

This isoneof the issuesexplored inLesson2,and it isoneof themajor themes thatwillkeepcroppingupthroughouttheselessons:How can God deal with Satan and sin in a way that not only redeems lost human beings but also settles the sin problem forever?

Asthislessonpointsout,ourresponsetothesinproblemisinextricablylinkedtoGod’sresponse.Thislessongetsintothequestionofmotive:isGodjustasinterestedinwhyweobeyasHeisinthefactthatweobey?Thisisanimportantpointtogetacrosstotheclass.Toanswerthisquestion,thelessonlooksattheexperienceofCainandAbel.Italsolooksattheexamples—positiveandnegative—leftbyothersintheOldTestament,suchasNoah,Enoch,thosebuildingtheTowerofBabel,Abraham,Lot,andsoon.

AnotherinsightthatmightbeextremelyhelpfultoyourclassistobetterunderstandthatthesecharactersintheBiblestorieswererealpeople,goingabouttheirdailylives,tryingtomakeitfromdaytoday—justaswedotoday.Becausethesestoriesaresofamiliartomostofus,wesometimeslosesightofthat.Thepeoplebecomeunreal,likecharactersinaplay.Ortheoutcomeofthestoryseemspredetermined.Buttheyhadtostruggletomaketherightdecisions,justaswedo.Itwasn’tanyeasierforthemthanitisforustoday.UsethislessontohelpyourclassmembersseethattheycanlearnalotfromthesuccessesandfailuresoftheseindividualsintheBible.

Surveying the sourcesPatriarchs and Prophets, pages 71–73, 78, 81, 85, 86, 88, 89, 91, 92, 95, 96, 98, 101–104, 123–126, 129, 130,

134, 154, 155, 162, 165, 177–182, 197, 247–251, 260, 268, 269, 279, 290, 294.

Setting the objectivesClass members will• seetheneedforGodtodealwithSatanandsininawaythatnotonlyredeemslosthumanbeingsbutalso

settlesthesinproblemsothatsinwillneverariseagain;•betterunderstandhowfaithandobediencearerelatedandhowthisrelationshipneedstobeexpressedin

theirownlives;and

• rededicatethemselvestoserveGodnotonlywiththehead,butalsowiththeheart.

Focusing on group members’ needsAlthoughasaneffectiveteacher,youwillhaveclearobjectivesinmindforeachlesson,youshouldalsobeopen

tolettingthediscussionmoveintoareasthatreflectindividualneeds—evenifthisdivergessomewhatfromyourles-sonplan.Oftenquestionsfromamemberofthegroupwillindicateaspecificneed.Bealerttotheseandmakesurethediscussionmeetsneedsoftheheartaswellasthehead.Classmembersshouldnotonlyunderstandissues,theyshouldalsoseehowtheseissuesaffectthewaytheylive.

Starting the discussionCainandAbelillustratetwodifferentresponsestoGod’sgraciousofferofsalvation.Bothbrothersbroughtsac-

rifices,butonlyoneobeyedGod.Whatmadethedifference?Didthedifferenceconsistmainlyintheobjectstheysacrificedorintheirattitudes(motives)?WhatdoesthistellusaboutGod?Askgroupmemberstoreadaloudthefollowingverses:Genesis4:7;1Samuel15:22;John14:15.(Ask for volunteers or choose individuals you know will not be embarrassed by being asked to read aloud.)WhatdotheseversestellusaboutGod’sattitudetowardobedience?

Digging into the issuesInheaven,SatanarguedthatGod’slawwasarbitraryandthatGodwasunfairindemandingthatangelsobeyit.

Whenheexportedhisrebelliontoearth,hepointedtothesinofAdamandEveasevidencethathewasright—cre-atedbeingscannot,andshouldnot,beexpectedtoobeyGod’slaw.InordertorespondadequatelytoSatan’sac-cusationsGodmustdosoinawaythatisconsistentwithHischaracterofloveandalsoinawaythatclearlyprovesSatanwrong.

Issue 1: How could God deal with the sin problem in such a way that saves sinners and also ensures that the sin problem will be permanently settled?ThestoriesoftheOldTestamentareillustrationsofGodworkingoutHisplanfordealingwiththesinproblem.TheapostlePaulsaysthatweshouldlearnfromtheseexperiences(see1Corinthians10:11,12).WhatdowelearnaboutGod’sdealingswithsinfromtheexperiencesofCainandAbel?Enoch?Noah?ThebuildersoftheTowerofBabel?Abraham?LotandthepeopleofSodom?JacobandEsau?Moses?Aremostoftheseindividualssuccessfulintheirstrugglesagainstsin?How?AretheirrelationshipswithGodsmoothones—oraretherebumpsalongtheway?InwhatwaydoesGod’sdealingwiththeseindividualshelpensurethatthesinproblemwillsomedaybesettledforever?

Issue 2: How are faith and obedience related, and how can we express this relationship in our own spiritual experience? Aslongasyouobeythespeedlimit,doesthepoliceofficercarewhetheryoudoso(1)willingly,becauseyoubelievethelawisfairandnecessary,or(2)unwillinglybecauseyoudon’twantaticket?DoesGodcarewhyyouobeyHislaws?OrdoesHesimplycarethatyouobey?InGod’ssight,isunwillingobediencereallyobedience?Doesitmakeadifferencewhetheryouobeyinordertobesavedorbecauseyouhavebeensaved?WhyismotivesoimportanttoGod?HowisitrelatedtoHischaracteroflove?HowisitrelatedtoHisobjectiveofdealingwithsininsuchawaythatitwillneverriseupagain?ReadJohn14:15.CanweinferfromwhatJesussaysthatifwearen’tobeyingfromthemotiveoflove,wemightaswellnotobeyatall?WhydoyouthinktheBibledeclaresthatwithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseGod?(SeeHebrews11:6.)

Issue 3: What is involved in serving God not only with the head, but with the heart?Otherwaysofframingthecon-trastbetween“head”and“heart”couldbe“reason”and“emotion”or“works/obedience”and“faith.”ReadJames2:14–26.HowdoesJamesexplaintherelationshipoffaithandobedience?WhatOldTestamentstorydoesJamescitetoprovehispoint?Noticeverse23inwhichJamessaysthatAbraham’sworksfulfilledGenesis15:6—atextthatspeaksonlyofAbraham’sbelieforfaith!HowdoesJamesreachthisconclusion?Doyouagree?Doourbeliefsalwaysaffectouractions?

Applying the lesson to lifePersonalityhasalargerroleinourapproachtospiritualissuesthanwesometimesrealize.Somepeopletendtosee

lifeasaseriousmatter,focusingontheirresponsibilitiesandobligations.Othersgothroughlifewitharelaxed,“liveandletlive”attitude.Whichapproachbestdescribesyou?Neitherapproachisnecessarilyrightorwrong.Buteachcanbenefitfromtryingtoseethevalueintheotherapproach—andinadoptingsomeoftheoppositeviewpoint.DoyoutendtoseeGod’scommandmentsasobligationsorasopportunities?Whateveryouranswer,whatcouldyoudotobetterunderstandtheoppositeviewpoint?Wouldthisbehelpfultoyouspiritually?

Leaving group members with something to think aboutPlacethefollowingquotationson3x5-inchcardsanddistributeonetoeachgroupmember.Encouragethemto

readthesequotationsfrequentlythroughoutthecomingweek.

“Obedience without faith is possible, but not faith without obedience.”

—Unknown

“God seeks comrades and claims love; the devil seeks slaves and claims obedience.”

—Rabindranath Tagore

Teacher’s Guide



The Controversy Continues on Planet Earth, Part 2

Lesson3 looksathowSatanexportedhis rebellion fromheaven toearth—the strategiesand temptationsheusedagainstEveinEden.OnesignificantpointyouwillwanttohelpyourclassmembersunderstandisthatSatan’smethodsandtemptationshaven’tchangedverymuchoverthecenturies.Hetemptsustosintodayusingthesamestrategieshehasalwaysused.Andtheyoftenseem,atthetime,toinvolveminor,inconsequentialissues.ToEve,itseemedtobejustamatterofeatingapieceofdesirablefruit—butbehindthefruitwastheissueofGod’sauthorityandobedience.Seeminglyminorinfractionscanhavemajorconsequences.Obedienceisimportant.Ifyoucanhelpyourclassmemberstounderstandthispointalone,thelessonwillbeworthwhile.

Butthereismore.Thislessonalsopointsoutthatevenbeforesinbrokeout,Godhadaplaninplacetodealwithit—andredeemsinners.HehintedatHisplantoAdamandEverightaftertheirsin.AndHeunfoldeditfurtherthroughouttheOldTestamentasindividualswerebetterabletounderstandandappreciateit.Thereisasenseinwhichit’struethatGod’speoplebeforetheCrosslivedunderthe“old”covenantof“obeyandlive,”butitwasacovenantlargelyoftheirownmaking.Inreality,GodhassavedmenandwomenbyHisgracethroughfaithfromtheverybeginning.Therewillnotbeagroupinheavenwhodeservetobetherebecauseoftheirperfectobedience.WewillallbetherebecauseofGod’sgrace.

ThislessonexaminesSatan’stemptationsandhowtheyweresuccessfulincausingIsraeltofailincarryingoutGod’spurposeforthem.Butdon’tletitendonthatnote.CloseonthehighnoteofGod’spromisetomodernIsrael—thechurch.ThepromisethatHewillgiveusthespiritualstrengthtomeetanytemptationSatanmaybringintoourlives.ByHisgrace,wecanshowtheworldthatweloveHimbythewayweliveforHim.

Surveying the sourcesPatriarchs and Prophets, pages 331–336, 338, 339, 342, 363, 364, 370–372, 400–405, 420, 421, 493, 522.

Prophets and Kings, pages 15–20, 47, 55–58, 71, 72, 88, 93, 100, 105, 108.

Setting the objectivesClass members will• realizethatSatanhasexportedhisrebelliontothisearthandthatheusesthesamedeceptionsherethathe

usedtodeceiveangelsinheaven;• seethatGod’sgrace(the“newcovenant”)hasbeenoperatingthroughouthumanhistoryeversinceAdam

andEvesinnedinEden;and

•understandthereasonsforIsrael’sfailuretobeGod’switnesstosurroundingnationsasHeintendedthemtobe—andhowtoavoidmakingthesamemistakesincarryingoutGod’spurposesfortheirlives.

Focusing on group members’ needsThemembersofyourgrouphaveeverydaylivesthatconsumemostoftheirattention.Itisn’talwayseasyforthem

tokeepinmindthatbeyondtheirdailyconcernsthereisaspiritualstrugglegoingonbetweenreal,thoughunseen,entitiesandthattheyaresquarelyinthemiddleofthatstruggle.ThislessoncanhelpthemseethatSatanisstillworkingtodayashehasalwaysworkedtotemptmenandwomenintosinandtoseparatethemfromGod.Groupmembersneedtobetterrealizethatalthoughtheymustliveintheireverydayworld,theyalsoneedtobeawareoftheunseenworldandthespiritualforcesarrayedbothagainstthemandforthem.

Starting the discussionAskaclassmembertoreadRomans7:14–19.(BiblescholarsargueoverwhetherPaulisdescribinghimselfbefore

hisconversionorafterwards,butthatneednotconcernusrightnow.)Askclassmembers,“HowmanyofyoucanidentifywithPaul?Howmanyfindyourselvesfeelingashedoes?WhydowesooftenfinditsodifficulttoresistSatan’stemptations?”(Try to generate discussion on this point, but don’t let it continue too long.)

AskclassmemberstoreadJames1:14.WhatdoesJamessayisthereasonwhywesoeasilygiveintoSatan’stemp-tations?(Answer: Our own desires draw us away from God and entice us to sin.)Let’sseehowSatangoesabouttemptinghumanbeingsandhowGodhelpsusresist.

Digging into the issuesAswegoaboutourliveseachday,wearealsoinvolvedinarealspiritualstrugglethatwedon’talwaysrealize(see

Ephesians6:12).Morethanweoftendo,weneedtorealizethatSatanisintentondestroyingusspiritually.Issue 1: What strategies does Satan use consistently in carrying forward his rebellion on earth?(1)Doubt.ReadGenesis

3:1–5.HowdidSatansowdoubtinEve’smindbeforeflatlycontradictingGod?HowdoesSatansowdoubtinthemindsofChristianstoday?Doeshetrytocauseustodoubtbigissues—theexistenceofGod,Jesus’love,andsoon?Ordoeshetrytointroduceustodoubtregardingsmallerissues—seeminglyunansweredprayers,whyevilgoesunpunished,andsoon.Aredoubtssin?Whyorwhynot?

(2)Envy,jealousy.ThisishowSatantemptedKorah,Dathan,andAbiramtorebelagainstMoses’authority.HowdoesSatanuseenvyandjealousytotemptustoday?Inwhatwaysdoeshedisguiseenvyandjealousysothatwewon’trecognizeit(oradmitittoourselves)?Which of the Ten Commandments relates mostcloselytoissuesofenvyandjealousy?

(3) Self-pity, pride.These are opposite sides ofthesamecoin.WhatOldTestamentexperiencein-cludedinthelessonfortodayillustratesthistempta-tionofSatan?(Answer: Moses striking the rock instead of speaking to it as God directed.)InwhatwaysdoesSatanusethistemptationagainstustoday?

These are by no means all of the ways Satantempts us to sin.However, they illustrate howhehasconsistentlypreyedonhumanweaknessesusingthesametemptationsthroughoutthegreatcontroversy.Likewise,weareabletoovercomehiminthesamewaythatindividualsintheOldTestamentwereabletosodo—throughtrustinGodandrelyingonHispowerandgrace.

Teaching Principle

Sharingapersonalexperiencecanbeapower-fulteachingtool.Ifyoufeelcomfortabledoingso,considersharinganexperienceinyourlifethatillustratesanaspectofthelesson—perhapsa successful, or unsuccessful, encounter withtemptationandwhatlessonsyoulearnedfromtheexperience.

Issue 2: What is the “new covenant,” and has it been in operation ever since sin began?TheBiblespeaksofan“oldcovenant”anda“newcovenant”(seeHebrews8).Acovenantsimplymeansan“agreement.”The“old”covenantreferstoGod’sagreementwithIsraeltobetheirGodandtheiragreementtoobeyHislaws(seeExodus19:1–8).ThenewcovenantreferstoGod’spromisetomakeanewcovenantwithHispeopleinwhichHewillplaceHislawsintheirhearts(seeJeremiah31:3–34;Hebrews8:7–13).Thetermsoftheoldcovenantwere“obeyandlive.”Thetermsofthenewcovenantare“forgivenessofsinsand...thegraceofGodtorenewtheheart”(Patriarchs and Prophets, p.372).Inactuality,the“new”covenanthasbeenineffecteversincesinenteredEden(seeGenesis3:15).SalvationhasalwaysbeenbyfaithinGod’sgraciousgiftofHisSon,JesusChrist,andhasalwaysresultedinatransformedlife.

Issue 3: In what ways did Israel fail to be God’s witnesses, and how can we avoid making the same mistakes?GodchoseIsraeltobeHiswitnesstotheworld(seeGenesis15;Isaiah60:1–3).Inthesameway,GodhaschosenHischurchtobeHiswitnesstotheworldtoday(seeActs1:8).TherewereanumberofreasonsforIsrael’sfailuretocarryoutGod’spurpose,butchiefamongthemwasitstendencytoturnGod’sblessingsinwardandseethemselvesassepa-ratefrom,andbetterthan,theworldaroundthem.InsteadofreachingouttotheworldwithGod’sblessings,theylookeddownonitasdeservingofGod’sdispleasure.IsGod’schurchtodaytemptedtodothesame?WhatcanwedotoavoidIsrael’sexample?

Applying the lesson to lifeTheBiblepromisesthatwitheachtemptationSatanbringstous,Godwillopenupawayforustosuccessfully

resistit(see1Corinthians10:13).Jamesurgesusto“resistthedevilandhewillfleefromyou”(James4:7,NKJV).Thenextversetellsuswhatisinvolvedinresistingthedevil—“drawneartoGod”(verse8).WedrawneartoGodbyspendingtimewithHiminprayer,Biblestudy,andlettingHimfilluswithHisSpirit.DeterminetobeginthisweekonacourseofincreasingyourspiritualstrengthbydrawingnearertoGod.

Leaving group members with something to think aboutRecallanincidentwhenSatanwasabletosuccessfullytemptyoutosin.Lookingback,canyouidentifythefac-

torsthatcausedyoutoreactasyoudid?Whatmightyouhavedonetoresistthistemptation?

Teacher’s Guide



God’s Side in the Controversy Is Helped or Hurt to the Extent His Character Is Reflected in the Lives

of His PeopleLesson4bringsustothebookProphets and Kingsandtothegreatcontroversyasitwasplayedoutinthelater

historyofIsraelpriortothebirthofJesus.Inmanyways,thislessonisnotanencouragingone.ItdealswithIsrael’sfailuretoliveuptothegrandpurposeGoddesignedforHisOldTestamentpeople.Butbesureyourclassunder-standsthatGodrecordedthesefailures,nottodiscourageus,buttohelpuslearnfromthem.Hewantsustoknowthatwedon’thavetomakethesamemistakes.HepromisesthatwecandowhatHewantsustodo—inHisstrength.AndthelessonpointsoutanumberofthesespecificpromisesgiveninScripture.

Paradoxically,however,theseveryassurancescanbediscouragingtosomeofyourclassmembers.Afterall,ifGodassuresuswecanovercomesinandcarryoutHishighcalling—andyetwestillfailandfeelwedon’tmeasureup—theseassurancescanmakeusfeelevenmorediscouraged!Nodoubt,someofyourclassmembersarestrugglingwithjustsuchfeelings.Trytogivethelessonabalancedapproach—betweenGod’shighstandardsandHislovingmercytosinners,betweenobedienceandforgiveness.ThetwosetsofBibletextsgivenintheTeacher’sGuideforthislessondemonstratethatonecanfindsuchabalanceintheWordofGod.Thesetwosetsoftextscanbeextremelyhelpfulforthosewhomaybehavingadifficulttimefindingtheirbalanceontheseissues.TheideaisnottoexcusesinbuttoshowthatGodunderstandsourweakness.

AnothersignificantpointtomakeclearinthislessonisthatGodisabletouseevenimperfect,flawedindividu-alstoaccomplishHispurposes.ExamplesinthelessonareElijahandJonah.Bothmenexperiencedfailures;bothmenaccomplishedgreatthingsforGod.AnimportantBibletextonthispointthatisnotincludedintheTeacher’sGuideis1Corinthians1:25–29.

Surveying the sourcesProphets and Kings, pages 111, 119, 139, 140, 147, 148, 150, 154, 177–182, 186–189, 201, 220, 231, 233,

236, 237, 255, 259, 260, 263, 264, 270, 271, 276, 277, 292, 309, 311, 314, 315, 323, 376–378, 386, 387, 408, 418–421, 426, 428, 442, 457, 458, 464, 475, 506, 512, 513, 535–537, 545, 548, 557, 576–578, 582–592, 599, 601, 605, 606, 709, 710, 713, 714, 716, 720.

Setting the objectivesClass members will•beconvincedthatGodhasallthenecessaryresourcestoenablethemtoaccomplishanythingHeasksthem

todo;• seethatGodwantsHispeopletorepresentHischaracterandlawstoaworldthatdoesnotknowHim;and• acceptthechallengeofbeingapartofGod’slivingchurchinthelastdaysthatwillfinishtheworkHe

beganwithIsrael.

Focusing on group members’ needsFailureseemstobeaninevitablepartofthehumanexperience.Today’slessonlooksatspiritualfailureandwhat

itmeanstoliveasGodwantsustolive.IfweagreethatweshouldliveasGodwantsusto,howdowerelatetothetimeswefail?Somegroupmemberswillbeearnest,sincereChristianswhoworryabouthowwelltheyaremeasuringuptoallthatGodrequiresofthem.TheseindividualsmayneedtoseealessdemandingsideofGod.OthergroupmemberswillhaveamorerelaxedattitudetowardGod’sexpectations.ThesemayneedtoberemindedthatGodsayswhatHemeansandmeanswhatHesays.Asyouleadoutintoday’sdiscussion,trytokeepthesecompetingneedsinmind—andhelpclassmembersarriveatabalancedapproachtogodlyliving.

Starting the discussionAskforvolunteerstoreadMatthew26:69–75andActs4:1–22.ThesetwoeventsinthelifeofPeteroccurredonly

afewweeksapart.Ask,“WhydoyouthinkPeterwassoweakinonceinstance—andsostrongafewweekslater?”Directgroupmembers’attentiontoActs4:13.WhatlightdoesthisverseshedonthechangeinPeter’sbehavior?Whatlesson(s)canwelearnfromPeter’sexperiencethatwillhelpustostandfirmforJesuswhentestedbySatan?Compare1Corinthians10:12andIsaiah41:10.DidPeterneedtohearbothtexts?Atthesametime?Oratdiffer-enttimesinhisexperience?DowesometimesneedtohearaparticularBibletextandadifferentoneatothertimes?

Digging into the issuesWeallknowhowitfeelstofail—anditisn’tagoodfeeling!Spiritualfailurecarriesanadditionaldownside—the

feelingthatwehaveletdownGodandthatperhapsHedoesn’tloveusanymore.Evenwhenwe“know,”intellectu-ally,thatHehasforgivenus,it’sstillhardtoshakethesefeelings.Let’slookatwhatGodreallyexpectsofusandhowHepromisestohelpusmeetthoseexpectations.

Issue 1: Can we carry out everything that God requires of us—in His strength?ReadPhilippians4:13.Ifwereadthistextinisolation,itseemsquiteclearthatPaulissayingthereisnothingGodrequiresofusthatwecan’tdoifwerelyonHimtohelpus.And,truly,canwethinkofasinglethingGodasksofusthatwesimplycan’tdo?Thenwhatistheproblem?

Theproblemisthatinreallife,wefindourselvesfailing—overandoveragain—todoeverythingthatweknowGodwantsustodo.It’ssomethinglikethesituationinyourfamily.Couldyourdaughterdoeverythingyouwant—andexpect—hertodo?Isitlikelythatsheisgoingtodosowithoutanyfailures?Let’slookatsomeBibletextsthatmayhelpus.(Divide the class into two groups. Ask someone from Group A to read a text from the first set of texts and then ask someone from Group B to read the corresponding text from the second set.)

Set 1 Set 2Ecclesiastes12:13,14 Micah6:8James2:10 1John1:9Luke9:62 John3:16Ezekiel18:20 1John2:1,2Hebrews10:26,27 Hebrews4:15,16

WhatgeneralobservationdoyounoticeaboutthetwosetsofBibletexts?(Answer: One set of texts emphasizes the importance of obedience and the penalties for failing to obey; the other set focuses on the reality of human failure and God’s gracious response to sinners.)Arebothsetsoftextsequallyinspired?AreallBibletextsequallyrelevanttoallsituations?IsitpossiblethatonesetoftextsisaimedatindividualswhoneedtotakeobediencemoreseriouslyandtheothersetatindividualswhoneedtotakeGod’sloveandforgivenessmoreseriously?Takeninitsentirety,God’sWordseemstoholdfirmlytothehighidealofunwaveringobediencewhileatthesametimerecognizinghumanfrailtyandholdingupGod’smercyandforgivenesstosinners.

Issue 2: What does it mean to represent God’s character and His law to a fallen world? WhenIsraelfellintoapostasy,whatcleardecisiondidElijahplacebeforethepeople?(See1Kings18:20,21.)

WhatwastheresultofElijah’schallenge?(Seeverse39.)WasElijah’sfaithtestedinthisexperience,andhowsuc-cessfullydidhemeetthetest?(See1Kings19:1–4.)WasJonah’switnesstothesurroundingnationsanunwaveringexampleoffaithandobediencetoGod?(SeeJonah1:1–3;4:1–11.)CanweconcludefromtheexperienceofElijahandJonahthatGodcanuseflawed,failinghumanbeingstowitnesseffectivelyforHim—iftheyaregrowingintheirexperiencewithHimandiftheyallowHimtoworkthroughthem?WhatdoesthistellusaboutourroletodayasGod’switnessesintheworld?

Issue 3: How can God’s church today fulfill the purpose God wanted Old Testament Israel to accomplish?HowdoesRevelationdescribeGod’speopleinthelastdays?(SeeRevelation14:12.)Noticehowthistextlinksobedienceandfaith(seealsoRevelation7:9–14).God’schurchtodaycanfulfilltheroleGoddesignedIsraeltofillintheOldTesta-mentbyfaithfullyfollowingHiminallthings,andbyturningtoHiminrepentanceandacceptingHisforgivenessiftheyfail(see1John1:9;2:1,2).

Applying the lesson to lifeHereisHebrews4:14–16(NKJV)withthewordswe, our,andusreplacedwithI, my,andme.Doesthismake

thetexttakeonevenmorepersonalrelevance?“SeeingthenthatIhaveagreatHighPriestwhohaspassedthroughtheheavens,JesustheSonofGod,letmeholdfastmyconfession.ForIdonothaveaHighPriestwhocannotsym-pathizewithmyweaknesses,butwasinallpointstemptedasIam,yetwithoutsin.Letmethereforecomeboldlytothethroneofgrace,thatImayobtainmercyandfindgracetohelpintimeofneed.”

Leaving group members with something to think about

“AllwhohaveputontherobeofChrist’srighteousnesswillstandbe-foreHimaschosenandfaithfulandtrue.SatanhasnopowertopluckthemoutofthehandoftheSaviour.NotonesoulwhoinpenitenceandfaithhasclaimedHisprotectionwillChristpermittopassundertheenemy’spower....AngelsofGodwillwalkoneithersideofthem,eveninthisworld,andtheywillstandatlastamongtheangelsthatsurroundthethroneofGod” (Prophets and Kings, p.587).

Teacher’s Guide


The Great Controversy in the Life of Christ

Part 5

Jesus Came to This World to Reveal Both the Truth About God and About What Human Beings May

Become Through the GospelEllenWhitetellsusthattheplanofsalvationwasnotanafterthought,andRevelation13:8referstoJesusasthe

Lambthatwasslainfromthefoundationoftheworld.Frometernitypast,JesustookontheroleofsacrificialSavior.Andattheappointedtime,Heleftheaven,becameaman,andwasborninBethlehem.That’swhereLesson5picksupthestory.FiveofthethirteenlessonsinthisserieswillbelookingatthelifeofJesusastoldinThe Desire of Ages. Jesus’lifeanddeatharecentral,ofcourse,toGod’ssuccessfulhandlingofthegreatcontroversy,andthat’swhytheyarecentralaswelltothisseriesoflessons.

Lesson5isconcernedwithtwomajorpoints—andtworelatedresponses.ItisdesignedtohelpclassmembersseewhyJesuscametoearthandthatHeisourExampleingodlyliving.It’salsodesignedtoelicitoneoftworesponsestoHis incomprehensible loveasdemonstratedinthewayHelivedanddied.ThefirstresponseconcernsaclassmemberwhomayneverbeforehaveacceptedJesusashisorherpersonalSavior.Probably,mostofthemembersofyourclasswillhavealreadymadethatdecision.Buttheremightbesomeonewhohasnot.Ifso,hopefullythislessonwillhelpthatpersontodoso—evenifyoudon’tpubliclyaskforadecision.ThesecondresponseconcernsthosewhohavealreadygiventheirheartsandlivestotheLord.Thosedecisionsneedcontinuousupdating.Lesson5givesclassmembersanidealopportunitytorenewtheircommitmenttoJesusastheirSaviorandLord.

AsyoudiscusstheissueofJesusasourExample,youwillwanttopointoutthatHeisourExamplebothinthesinlesslifeHelivedandalsoinhowHelivedsuchalife.Tofocusononewithouttheothercanbediscouraging.BesureclassmembersunderstandthatthesamepowerthatwasavailabletoJesusisalsoavailabletous.

Surveying the sourcesThe Desire of Ages, pages 19–22, 24–26, 32–38, 43, 49, 71, 72, 74, 100–103, 106, 107, 111, 112, 114–117,

119–121, 123, 125, 126, 131.

Setting the objectivesClass members will•betterunderstandthetwogreatreasonsthatJesuscametoearthasaman:(1)tosavesinners,and(2)to

revealGod’scharacterofmatchlesslove;

• accept(orrenewtheiracceptanceof )JesusChristastheirpersonalSaviorfromsin;and• seethatJesusistheirExample,bothinHissinlessobedienceandinHistotalfaithandrelianceonHis

Father.

Focusing on group members’ needsAretheremembersinyourgroupwhohaveneveracceptedJesusastheirpersonalSavior?Ifso,thislessoncan

openupthepossibilityofdrawingthemtodoso.BealerttotheconvictingpoweroftheHolySpiritandtowaysyoumightcooperatewithGodtohelpindividualsmakethiscrucialdecision.EvenifalltheclassmembershavealreadyacceptedJesus,thislessoncanhelpthemtobetterunderstandwhatthatdecisioninvolves—andtorenewtheircommitmenttotheirSavior.

Starting the discussionWhomdoyouloveenoughtogiveyourlifefor?Probablyyourspouse.Surelyyourchildren.Butafterthat,the

qualifyingcandidatesbegintodisappearquickly.Seriously,thinkaboutit!Wouldyoudieforyouruncle?Foryourcousin?Foryournext-doorneighbor?ButJesus,theSonofGod,lovedyouenoughtodieforyou!

TheBeatlesmayhavebeenslightlyoverstatingitwhentheysang,“Allyouneedislove,”butnotbymuch.Themostwell-knownandbest-lovedverseintheBible—John3:16—sumsupthetwinreasonsJesuscametoearth:(1)tosavesinners,and(2)torevealGod’smatchlesslove.“ForGodsolovedtheworldthatHegaveHisonlybegottenSon,thatwhoeverbelievesinHimshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife”(NKJV).AnditwasalsotheapostleJohnwhowrote,“Thisislove,notthatwelovedGod,butthatHelovedusandsentHisSontobethepropitiationforoursins”(1John4:10,NKJV).Let’sseehowJesus’lifeonearthdemonstratedthat“Godislove”(verse8).

Digging into the issuesAt thebeginningof thegreatcontroversy,Satan

accusedGodofbeingharshanddemanding, inter-estedonlyinHimselfandHisownwell-being.God’sresponsewastoannouncetheplanofsalvation,theessenceofwhichinvolvedHisSon,Jesus,becomingahumanbeing,livingonearthasoneofus,anddyinginourplace.GodwouldanswerSatan’saccusationsbyHisactions.

Issue 1: In what ways did Jesus’ ministry on earth both save sinners and reveal God’s love?HowdoesPeterdescribethefirstreasonJesuscameearth—tosavesinners?(See1Peter2:21–24.)Compare2Corinthians5:21withIsaiah53:4–6.Allthesetextsemphasizetheideaofsubstitution, thatis,Jesustookourplace.Hebecamehumanandlivedthelifeofsinlessobedienceweshouldhavelived.Hetookoursinsanddiedthedeaththatweshouldhavedied.Andinreturn,ifweacceptHimasourSavior,HeplacesoverusHisrighteouslifelikearobe,coveringoursins(seeIsaiah61:10).Thisamazingsubstitution,byitself,wouldbeirrefutableevidenceofGod’slove.Butthereismore.

InHisdailylifeonearthforthirty-threeyears,JesusdemonstratedGod’scharacterofloveinthewayHeinter-actedwithpeople.WhatkindofpeopledidJesusspendmostofHistimewithwhileHewasonearth?(Answer: The sick and disabled, women, children, non-Jews, “sinners,” and the lower classes of society.)ThesewereallindividualsonthemarginofrespectablesocietyinJesus’day.WhatdidthissaytoJesus’contemporariesaboutGod?WhatdidJesussayaboutHisrelationshiptoHisFather?(SeeJohn10:30;14:9.)IfJesusweretohavecometoearthinourday—insteadof2,000yearsago—whatkindsofpeopledoyouthinkHewouldbespendingmostofHistimewith?Whatwould

Teaching Principle

Encourage participation. Learning is nota spectator sport. It is enhanced when allgroupmembersjoininthediscussion.Sharingideasandrespondingtotheideasofotherssharpensthinkingandunderstanding.

thistellusaboutGod’slove?Whatwouldittellusabouthowweshouldbetreatingthesekindsofindividuals?Jesus’lifeonearthshoweduswhatGodislike—andrefutedSatan’sliesaboutHim.

Issue 2: What does it mean to accept Jesus as one’s personal Savior?(1)BelieveinHim.AskclassmemberstoreadJohn1:12andActs16:31.BelievinginJesusmeansacceptingHimasGod’sSonandtrustingHimtosaveyoufromyoursins.Butitmeansmorethanthat.Itmeans(2)actonyourbeliefs.ThisisthesecondpartofwhatitmeanstoacceptJesusasyourSavior.Thismeansgivinguponselfandyourownrighteousness.ItmeansacceptingHisforgivenessandHisrighteousness.AnditmeanspatterningyourlifeafterHisthroughthepoweroftheHolySpirit(seePhilippians3:7–11;2Corinthians5:14–21).

Issue 3: In what way(s) is Jesus our Example?WhatdoestheapostlePetersayaboutJesusasourExample?(See1Peter2:21–24.)PeterpointsoutthatJesusneversinnedandthatHeisourExampleinthis.Jesuscametodem-onstratethatSatanwaslyingwhenheclaimedGod’slawswereunjustandthatcreatedbeingscouldnotkeepthem.WecanfollowJesus’exampleofobedienceinthestrengthGodprovides(seePhilippians4:13).ButJesusisalsoourExampleinHiscompletefaithandrelianceonHisFatherduringHistimeasahumanonearth(seeJohn8:21–30).WecanplaceourtrustfullyuponGod,justasJesusdid.Asahuman,howdidJesusliveasinlesslife—byHisownresourcesorbyrelyingonthepowerofHisFather?(SeeJohn5:19,30.)

Applying the lesson to lifeMakingaformalappealatthecloseoftheclassforindividualstoacceptJesusisprobablynotthebestapproach,

butyoumightsaysomethinglikethis:“Ourdiscussiontodayhasdealtwiththemostimportantdecisionapersoncanmake—thedecisiontoacceptJesusashisorherSavior.Ifyou’venevermadethatdecision,theHolySpiritmaybespeakingtoyourheart.Youmaybethinkingaboutitseriously.Ifso,IwouldbehappytohelpyouanywayIcan.OrIcanarrangeforyoutotalktothepastor.AndforthosewhohavealreadyinvitedJesustobetheirSavior,Iencourageyoutorenewthatcommitmentaswehaveourclosingprayer.”

Leaving group members with something to think aboutHowdoesitmakeyoufeeltothinkofJesusasyourExample?Fearfulthatyoudon’t(can’t)measureup?Con-

demned,becauseyouknowyousooftenfallshort?Gladtohaveastandardagainstwhichtomeasureyourprogressinlivingagodlylife?DeterminedtodoabetterjoboffollowingHisexample?SeeingJesusasourExamplecanmeandifferentthingstodifferentpeople.WhatdoyouthinkPetermeantbypointingtoJesusasourExample?(See1Peter2:21.)Whatcounseldoeshegivein2Peter3:18?WhatdoesitsayaboutJesusasourExample?

Teacher’s Guide



Part 6

Jesus Interacted With Men and Women by Life and Word—and in So Doing, Revealed What God Was

Like, Thus Proving Satan Wrong, Part 1ThislessonlooksatsomeindividualswhointeractedwithJesuswhileHewasonearthandhowHemettheir

needs—physicalneeds,spiritualneeds,andsocialneeds.NooneevercametoJesusthatHedidn’trespondto.ThelessonemphasizesthatJesusmeetsourneedstodayjustasHedidforpeoplebackthen.Evenwhenwedon’trealizeourrealneeds,Jesusisabletoseebelowthesurfaceandprovidewhatweneedmost.

AsecondemphasisofthislessonisonJesus’sermononthemountinwhichHeenunciatedtheprinciplesofGod’skingdom.Specifically,thelessonfocusesontheseprinciplesinthecontextofhowtheyrefutetheac-cusationsSatanhasmadeagainstGodinthegreatcontroversy.(Don’tmisstheopportunityofpointingouthowJesusexpands theconceptofobedience to includemotive.)Andfinally, the lessonasks,“HowcanweliveouttheprinciplesoftheSermonontheMountinourdailylives—andsohelpshowthatSatan’schargesagainstGodarefalse?”

Ifyouhavetime,explorewiththeclass,inthecontextofthislesson,thekindsofpeopleJesusspenttimewithwhileHewashereonearth.PointouthowHeespeciallyreachedouttothoseonthemarginsofHissociety—women,children,non-Jews,taxcollectors,lepers,andsoon.YoumightasktheclasswhatkindofpeopletheythinkJesuswouldspendmostofHistimewithifHewerelivingonearthtoday—insteadof2,000yearsago.YoumightpointthemtoLuke15wherethereligiousleadersofHisdayaccusedJesusofspendingallHistimewith“sinners,”implyingthatHedidsobecauseHewaslikethem,that“birdsofafeatherflocktogether.”AndyoumightexplorewiththeclassthethreeparablesJesustoldinLuke15(thelostsheep,thelostcoin,andthelostboy)topointouttothereligiousleaderswhyHespenttimewithpeopletheyconsideredtobesinners.TrytohelpclassmembersseethattheyhavethesameaccesstoJesustodayasthosewholivedwithHimonearth.

Surveying the sourcesThe Desire of Ages, pages 101, 136, 138, 139–141, 147, 154, 161, 168, 171–173, 175, 189, 203, 214–216, 219,

220, 224, 225, 239, 246, 251, 263–271, 275, 276, 278–280, 283, 284, 296, 299, 308–311, 314.

Setting the objectivesClass members will• realizethatJesusmeetstheirpersonalneedstodayinthesamewaythatHemettheindividualneedsof

menandwomenwhileHewasonearth;•better understand the principles of God’s kingdom as Jesus announced them in the Sermon on the

Mount—andhowtheyrefuteSatan’schargesagainstGodduringhisrebellioninheaven;and• recommittoplacingthemselvesonGod’ssideinthegreatcontroversybylettingHimliveinandthrough

them.

Focusing on group members’ needsManyChristiansfeelthereisadisconnectbetweenwhathappenedinBibletimesandthewaylifeworkstoday.

TheyfeelthatJesuswaspersonallypresenttohealandcomfortandforgivewhileonearth,butthattodaywedon’thavethesamepersonalaccess.Thatheisn’tthereforusinquitethesamewaythatHewaswhenpeoplecouldseeandhearandtouchHim.Someclassmembersmaybedealingwithseriousissuesintheirlives;theymayhavedeepspiritual,physical,oremotionalneedsofwhichnooneisaware.Don’tpry,buttrytodirectthediscussioninsuchawaythatclassmemberswillfeelfreetoopenupabouttheirneedsandwhathelptheyfeelJesusmightprovide.Today’slessonshouldhelpclassmembersknowthatJesusisthereforthemandthatHeisjustaswillingtomeettheirneedstodayasHewastomeettheneedsofpeoplewhenHewaslivinghere.ItshouldalsohelpthemseehowtocometoJesusfortheassistancetheyneed.

Starting the discussionHaveaclassmemberreadMark2:1–5.Asktheclass,“DoyouseeanythingoddaboutJesus’responseinverse5?”

Hadtheparalyticaskedforforgiveness?Whatwashisobviousneed?Whydidn’tJesusaddressthisobviousneed?WouldithelptoknowthatinthemindsofJesus’contemporaries(andinthemindoftheparalyzedman)sick-

ness,disease,andphysicaldisabilityweretheevidenceofsininthelifeofthesufferer?Withthisinmind,doesJesus’responsebecomemoreunderstandable?The Desire of Ages,p.267,saysoftheparalyzedman:“Itwasnotphysicalrestorationhedesiredsomuchasrelieffromtheburdenofsin.Ifhecould...receivetheassuranceofforgiveness,...hewouldbe content to liveordie.” Jesuswas abletoseebeneaththesurfaceanddiscerntherealneedsof individuals—andHe focusedon relieving thoseneeds.WhatdoesthistellusaboutJesus’abilitytomeetourneedstoday?

Digging into the issuesNo sincere individual ever came to Jesuswhile

Hewasonearthwithouthavinghisorherneeds—physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental—met bytheSavior.AndthewayJesusmettheneedsofmenandwomenwhenHewasonearthisthesamewayHemeetsourneedstoday.

Issue 1: In what way(s) did Jesus meet the needs of men and women while He lived among us on earth?(1)Nicodemus(John3:1–21).WhowasNicodemus?(Seeverses1,10.)WhatneedsdidNicodemushave?HowimportantweretheseneedstoNicodemus?(Hint: He came to Jesus at night, so he wouldn’t be seen by his peers. But he came.)DidJesustakeNicodemus’sneedsseriously?(Hint: His conver-sation with Nicodemus is one of the longest He had with a single individual as recorded in the Bible.)WereNicodemus’s

Teaching Principle

Develop in your own mind clear, specificgoalsfor(1)whatyouwantgroupmemberstolearnasaresultofthelesson,and(2)whatyouwantgroupmemberstodoasaresultofthelesson.Effectiveteachingshouldaimnotonlytoincreasethestudent’sknowledge,butalsotohelpthestudentseehowtoputthatknowledgeintopracticeinthelife.

needsobvious?Mightacasualonlookerhavethoughthedidn’treallyhaveanyneeds?DespitehisearlierreluctancetobeseenwithJesus,whatcourageousactdidNicodemusperformafterJesus’death?(SeeJohn19:39–42.)

(2)ThewomanatJacob’swell(John4:1–26,39–42).Whatnationalitywasthiswoman?(Answer: A Samaritan. If you can, use a good Bible dictionary to learn the background of Samaritans and how the Jews felt about them.)Whatneedsdidthiswomanhave?WhydoyouthinkJesustookasomewhatconfrontationalapproachwithher?(Seeverses10,16,17.)HowdidJesusmeetherneeds?Whatwastheresult?WhatwasthereactionofthedisciplestofindingJesustalkingtothiswoman?(Seeverse27.)Why?(Answer: Jewish men did not interact in public with women—especially Samaritans!)WhatdoesthistellusaboutJesus’willingnesstoreachouttoanyonewhoneedsHishelp?

(3)TheparalyzedmanatthepoolofBethesda(John5:1–15).Whatneedsdidthismanhave?HowdidJesusmeetthem?Whatwastheresultfortheman?ForJesus?(Seeverses16–18.)WhatspiritualapplicationofthishealingdoesEllenWhitemake?(SeeThe Desire of Ages,p.203.)

Whatdotheseexamples(therearemanymore)tellusaboutJesus’willingnessandabilitytomeetourneedsto-day?Askclassmemberstoreadaloudthefollowingpromises:Matthew11:28–30;John10:27,28;Matthew28:20.Canweclaimthesepromisesforourneeds?

Issue 2: How do the principles Jesus proclaimed in the Sermon on the Mount refute Satan’s charges against God?ReadMatthew5:1–12.IntheBeatitudes,JesusliststheunderlyingprinciplesofGod’skingdom.CouldtherebeagreatercontrasttoSatan’schargesagainstGod—thatHeisselfish,arbitrary,unreasonable,self-seeking,andsoon?CouldtherebeagreatercontrasttothecharacteristicsSatanexhibitedinhisrebellionagainstGodinheaven?Humbleness,meekness,mercy,purity,peacemaking—thesequalitiesareforeigntoSatan,buttheypermeateGod’skingdom.IntheSermonontheMount,howdoesJesusexpandGod’slawtoincludemotiveaswellasaction?(SeeMatthew5:21–28.)InwhatwaydoestheimportanceGodattachestomotiverefuteSatan’saccusationsagainstHim?

Issue 3: How can we better allow God to live in and through us?HowcanweliveouttheprinciplesoftheSermonontheMount?(Answer: Read Matthew 7:7–11. God will give us what we need—if we ask! This includes power to live for Him.)ThekeyisourwillingnesstoaskandtoallowHimtoliveinandthroughus.Thepromiseisthatifwehungerandthirstforrighteousness,wewillbefilled(seeMatthew5:6).EllenWhitewrites,“AllwholongtobearthelikenessofthecharacterofGodshallbesatisfied.TheHolySpiritneverleavesunassistedthesoulwhoislookinguntoJesus”(The Desire of Ages,p.302).

Applying the lesson to lifeIntheSermonontheMount,Jesuspronouncedblessings—wecallthemtheBeatitudes—ondifferenttypesofbe-

haviororattitudes(seeMatthew5:3–11).Duringthecomingweek,reviewoneofthesebeatitudeseachday.ThinkcarefullyaboutwhatthatbehaviororattitudeinvolvesandwhyJesusblessesthosewhodevelopit.Thinkaboutspecificwaysyoucanbetterdevelopthatcharacteristicinyourlife.

Leaving group members with something to think aboutWemightthinkthatindividualswholivedwithJesuswhileHewashereonearthhadadvantagesthatwedon’t

have.Afterall,theycouldactuallyseeandhearJesus.TheycouldtalktoHimdirectlyandpresenttheirneeds.ButcanyouthinkofadvantageswehaveoverJesus’contemporaries?(Ask class members to make a list of any advantages they can think of and bring it to the next class.)IsJesusanylessableorwillingtomeetourneedstodaythanHewastomeettheneedsofthoseHeinteractedwithwhilelivingonearth?

Teacher’s Guide



Part 7

Jesus Interacted With Men and Women by Life and Word—and in So Doing, Revealed What God Was

Like, Thus Proving Satan Wrong, Part 2Faithisoneofthosethingswetalkaboutalot,butitbecomeselusivethemorewetrytodefineitandpindown

exactlywhatitiswearetalkingabout.Lesson7exploreswhatwemeanby“faith,”andwhatadditionalqualitytrans-formsmere“faith”into“savingfaith.”ThedifferenceisillustratedintwoincidentsinwhichJesushealedindividu-als—thedemon-possessedmanatGergesaandthewomanwithahemorrhage.Theimportantpointhereistohelpyourclassmembersseethatfaithmustalwaysresultinactionorsomekindofappropriateresponse—oritisn’treallyfaithatall.Wedon’treallybelieveunlessweactonwhatwebelieve.

Thislessonalsorepeatsapointthathasbeenmadeinpreviouslessons—thatGod’ssavinggracenotonlyforgivesus,butrestoresinusHischaracteroflove.Thisisakintothedistinctionbetweenfaithandsavingfaith.Whenweareforgiven—saved—Godexpectsthatexperiencetomakeadifferenceinourlives.Infact,ifitdoesnot,itisevi-dencethatwehaven’treallyfullyexperiencedwhatitmeanstobeforgiven.ThisisthepointJamesmakesinhisNewTestamentletterwhenhesaysthatfaithwithoutworksisdead.(Bytheway,MartinLuther,thechampionoffaith,didn’tthinktoomuchofthebookofJames.Hecalledit“anepistleofstraw.”)

Aninterestingtopictoexplore,ifyouhavetime,isthelinkbetweenphysicalhealingandspiritualhealinginJesus’miracles.Evenwhenthetwoaren’texplicitlymentionedtogether,it’simpliedthatJesusneverhealedphysicalailmentswithoutmakingtheindividualwholespirituallyaswell.ThiswaspartlybecauseinthereligiouscultureofHisday,sicknessanddiseasewereseenastheresultofsin—notinageneralway,butspecifically.Apersonwassickorblindoraleperspecificallybecausehehimselfhadsinnedinsomeway.Thatwasthebelief.So,intheirminds,physicalhealingautomaticallymeantforgivenessaswell.ThisinsightcanhelpyourclassseeJesus’healingmiraclesinanewlightasfaraswhattheymeanttopeopleinHisday.

Surveying the sourcesThe Desire of Ages, pages 322, 324, 330, 331, 336, 338–341, 347, 353, 355, 356, 384–394, 406, 407, 409, 412,

413, 415, 416, 431, 455, 456, 458, 466, 471, 478–480, 483.

Setting the objectivesClass members will•understandbetterwhatisinvolvedinfaith—andwhatitmeanstohave“savingfaith”;• realizethatthegospelnotonlypardonsfromsin,butthatitalsorestoresinhumanbeingsacharacterthat

isinharmonywithGod;and•determinetobereceptivetotheleadingoftheHolySpiritand,byGod’sgrace,tofollowallthelightHe

givesthem.

Focusing on group members’ needsTrytokeepinmindthatyourclassmembershavethesamebasichumanneedsasthoseindividualswhoturnedto

JesusforhelpwhileHewashereonearth.Atsometimeinourlives,weallfacesickness,fear,discouragement,guilt,failure,relationshipproblems,andsoon.WemaybeseparatedbycenturiesandliveinaradicallydifferentworldthandidJesus’contemporaries,butourbasichumanneedsaremuchthesame.TrytohelpclassmembershavetheassurancethatJesuswillhelpthemwithwhateverproblemstheymaybefacing.

Starting the discussionRemindclassmembersthatyouaskedthemtomakealistofadvantagesthatwe,today,haveoverthosewho

livedwithJesuswhileHewasonearth,intermsofJesusmeetingourneedsandhavingarelationshipwithHim.Findouthowmanyclassmembersactuallybroughtalist.(1)Ifenoughhavelists,askthemtoexchangelistswiththepersonnexttothem.Thenhaveeachindividualreadalist.Assuggestedadvantagesareread,makeamasterlistonablackboard.Spendfiveminutesdiscussingtheadvantageslisted.Thenaskclassmemberstovotewhethertheybelievetheyaremore(orless)ablethanJesus’contemporariestorelatetoJesusandhaveHimmeettheirneeds.(2)Iffewclassmembers,ornoone,broughtalist,haveclassmemberssuggestadvantagesandmakealistontheboard.(Includetheitemsonliststhatmembersdidbring.)Thendiscussthesuggestionsandvoteasinoption1.Keepthiswholeexercisetoabouttenminutes.

Introducethecurrentlessonbysayingsomethinglike,“Today,wearegoingtocontinuelookingathowJesusmettheneedsofpeoplewhenHewashereonearthandwhatthismeansforustoday.”

Digging into the issuesIssue 1: What is “saving faith” and how is it demon-

strated in the life?ReadHebrews11:6.Howdoesthistextdescribefaith?Isitacompletedescription?Whyorwhynot?Bythedescriptionoffaithgiveninthistext,doSatan’sangelshavefaith?ReadJames2:19.DoSatan’sangelshave“savingfaith”?Let’slookatamorecompletedefinitionoffaith—savingfaith—asdemonstratedbysomeindividualswithwhomJesusinteractedwhileonearth.

(1)Thedemoniac(s)atGergesa(Luke8:26–39).(Avoid the question of whether there were one or two demoniacs healed; it is irrelevant to this discussion.) Thisincidentpullsbackthecurtainandrevealsthereality of Satan and his angels.Whatwas the de-mons’responsetoJesus?(SeeLuke8:28.)DoesthisresponsebearoutwhatJamessaysaboutdemonshavingfaith?(SeeJames2:19.)Didthedemons’faith“save”them?Incontrast,didthedemoniac(s)faithsavethem?Whatdoes

Teaching Principle

Repetitionfastenskeypointsinthemindsofyour classmembers.An effectiveway todothis is to present the same point through avarietyofillustrationsorexamples.Especiallywhenindividualstodayarebeingbombardedwithanoverloadofinformation,itmaytakeseveral repetitions before a particular pointreallytakeshold.

thisstorytellusaboutthedifferencebetweenfaithandsavingfaith?(Answer: Faith can be defined simply as “belief ”; saving faith can be defined as “belief that acts—or responds—appropriately.”)HowdoesJamesframethisdistinction?(SeeJames2:14–23.)Whatdoeshemeanswhenhesays,“Faithwithoutworksisdead”(verse17)?WhatdidJesustellthehealeddemoniac(s)todo?(SeeLuke8:38,39.)EllenWhitewrote,“Soulsthathavebeendegradedintoin-strumentsofSatanarestillthroughthepowerofChristtransformedintomessengersofrighteousness”(The Desire of Ages,p.341).IfwecannotpreachasermonorgiveaBiblestudy,wecanalltellotherswhatChristhasdoneforus.

(2)Thewomanwithahemorrhage(Mark5:25–34).Whatdidthewomanbelieve?(Seeverse28.)Wasthisfaithorsavingfaith?Wouldsheeverhavebeenhealedifshehadcontinuedbelievingatouchwouldhealher—butneveractuallytouched?Whatdemonstratedthatshehadsavingfaith,asopposedto“mere”faith?(Seeverse27.)Whatwastheresult?(Seeverse29.)WhatdidJesussayregardingherhealing?(Seeverse34.)DoyouthinkJesuswasreferringtoherbelief(verse28)?Hertouch(verse27)?Both?Whatdoesthisexperienceteachusabouttheimportanceofactingonourfaith?Inwritingofthisincident,howdoesEllenWhitedescribesavingfaith?(See The Desire of Ages, p.347.)

Issue 2: What is the total scope of the gospel in terms of how it relates to us?InLesson5,wesawthatJesushadtwogreatpurposesincomingtoearth:(1)tosavesinners,and(2)torevealGod’scharacteroflove.Wemayalsosaythatthesecondofthesetwohasadualapplication.Jesusnotonlycameto revealGod’scharacteroflove,butto restore in usGod’scharacteroflove.Asfaraspossibleinoursphere,wearetoreflectGod’scharacteroflovebyHisgraceandpower.WhenJesusmethumanneeds,Henotonlyforgavesins,healed,orcomforted;HealsodrewthatindividualintoarelationshipwithHimself.Inthesameway,Hesavesusandpardonsoursins.ButHethendrawsusintoanongoingrelationshipwithHimselfthatisdesignedtorestoreinusHisowncharacteroflove.HowdoestheapostleJohndescribethisrestorationinusofGod’scharacteroflove?(See1John2:6.)HowdowewalkasJesuswalked?(SeeColossians2:6.)WereceiveJesusintoourlifebyfaith,anditisbyfaiththatwewalkwithHim,dailybecomingmorelikeHim.HowdoesPauldescribethisprocessofspiritualgrowth?(SeeRomans6:4.)

Issue 3: What is the work of the Holy Spirit in leading us into a relationship of complete surrender to God?WhatdidJesuspromiseshortlybeforeHediedandreturnedtoheaven?(SeeJohn14:16–18.)WhohelpsuswalkasJesuswalked—restoringinusGod’scharacteroflove?(SeeGalatians5:25.)HowdoesJesusdescribetheroleoftheHolySpiritinthisprocess?(SeeJohn16:7–15.)

Applying the lesson to lifeEllenWhitewrote,“AnominalfaithinChrist,whichacceptsHimmerelyasSaviouroftheworld,cannever

bringhealingtothesoul.Thefaiththatisuntosalvationisnotamereintellectualassenttothetruth....ItisnotenoughtobelieveaboutChrist;wemustbelieveinHim....Alivingfaithmeansanincreaseofvigor,aconfidingtrust,bywhichthesoulbecomesaconqueringpower”(The Desire of Ages,p.347).DoesthislastsentencedescribeyourrelationshipwithGod?Ifnot,doyouwishthatitdid?WillyoulettheHolySpiritmakeitarealityinyourlife?

Leaving group members with something to think aboutComparedtoayearago,ismylife:_____MoreChristlike_____LessChristlike_____ The same

Teacher’s Guide



Part 8

Our Lord’s Last Awful Week— but What a Week It Was for Us! Part 1

OneoftherecurringthemesrunningthroughallthelessonsinthisseriesistheneedforGodtodealwithsininawaythatwillforeverputtorestSatan’sliesandaccusations.ThislessonandthenextlookatthesacrificialdeathofJesus.Thislesson,Lesson8,looksatJesus’deathfromthestandpointofwhateffectsithadonsettlingtheissuesofthegreatcontroversyinthemindsoftheonlookinguniverse.AlthoughthesinproblemwillnotbetotallyeradicateduntilGodcreatesanewheavenandanewearthfollowingthemillennium,thereisarealsenseinwhichtheCrossmarkedacrucialwatershedinthegreatcontroversy.Itwascrucial,ofcourse,inthesensethatitassuredsalvationforeveryonewhowouldacceptit.(ThisisthefocusofLesson9—theimplicationsoftheCrossforthegospel.)ItwascrucialalsoasaturningpointinGod’sdealingswithsinandtheissuesSatanhadraisedinthegreatcontroversy.EllenWhitesaysthattheCrossforeverseveredanylingeringtiesofsympathyangelsandbeingsonotherworldsmighthavehadwithSatan.

ThislessonlooksatthewaytheCrossdealtwiththequestionsSatanhadraisedregardingGod’scharacter,Hislaw,andwhethersininevitablyresultsindeath.Inallthreeoftheseareas,Jesus’deathonthecrossrefutedSatan’spositionsandvindicatedGod.

ThelessonalsodiscusseshowtheCrossshapesourpictureofGodandthefactthathowweviewGoddirectlyaffectsourowncharacters.ThiswastrueofdifferentgroupsinJesus’day—howtheyviewedGodshapedtheirchar-actersandtheirresponsestoJesus.Anditistrueofustoday.

Finally,thislessonlooksatoneofthemostamazingandchallengingstatementstobefoundanywhereinthewrit-ingsofEllenWhite.Itasksclassmemberstoconsidercarefullyjustwhatthestatementissayinganditsimplications.Itasksthemtothinkabouttheirownreactions.Thiskindofreflectionwillhelpyourclassmembersgrowspiritually.

Surveying the sourcesThe Desire of Ages, pages 587, 590, 600, 604–606, 608, 625, 626, 636–641, 643–645, 652–656, 662, 664,

667–669, 671, 676–678, 680, 685–687, 689, 690, 693, 694.

Setting the objectivesClass members will•gainabig-pictureunderstandingofwhyJesusdiedonCalvaryandwhateffectHisdeathhadontheissues

inthegreatcontroversy;

• seethathowapersonviewsGoddirectlyaffectshisorhercharacter;and• seektoexperiencethepromisethatJesuscanbringthemintosuchacloserelationshipwithHimthatthey

willbefollowingtheirownimpulseswhentheyarecarryingoutHiswill.

Focusing on group members’ needsSometimes,therecanbeafinelinebetweenchallengingapersonanddiscouraginghimorher.Howapersonreacts

totheBible’scommandsforholylivingorpromisesofovercomingsincanbeshapedbyhisorherpersonality,earlierlifeexperiences,andotherfactors.Someclassmemberswillthriveonhighexpectations;othersmaybeoverwhelmed.Trytobeawareofbothpossibilities.

Starting the discussionInanoften-toldstory,alittlegirlisworkingbusilywithhercrayons,drawingapicturewhileherfatherisreading

thenewspaper.“Whatareyoudoing?”herfatherasks.“I’mdrawingapictureofGod,”thelittlegirlreplies.“But,honey,nooneknowswhatGodlookslike.”“TheywillwhenI’mthrough!”sheannounces.Withourlives,youandIaredrawingapictureofGodeveryday.ThosearoundusgainapictureofGodfrom

thewaywelive.Andthereverseisalsotrue—thewayweliveisaffectedbythementalpicturewehaveofGod’scharacter.OurlessontodaywillhelpusgainabetterpictureofGod’scharacterandthusbebetterequippedtoreflectHischaracteroflove.

Digging into the issuesIssue 1: How did Jesus’ death affect the issues at stake in the great controversy?(1)TheissueofGod’scharacter.HowdidJesus’deathsettleSatan’saccusationsregardingGod’scharacter?(See

1John4:9,10.)SatanhadaccusedGodofbeingselfishandunfair,ofbeinginterestedonlyinHimselfattheexpenseofthebeingsHecreated.Jesus’deathonthecrossforeverrefutedthataccusation.Atinfinite,incomprehensibleloss,GodwillinglysacrificedHimselfforus,livingourlifeasahumananddyingourdeath(seePhilippians2:5–8;2Corinthians5:18–21).Onthecross,His lovewasmanifestedbeyondanydoubt.What imagedoesJesususetoillustrateathree-foldinseparableloverelationship—theloverelationshipbetweenHimself and the Father, the love relationshipbetweenGod and us, and the love relationshipChristianshavewitheachother?(SeeJohn15:1–17.) In your ownwords,what does itmean to“abideinChrist”?TohaveHim“abideinyou”?

(2)The issueofGod’s law.WhateffectdoesPaulsayJesus’deathhadontheissueofGod’slawinthegreatcontroversy?(SeeRomans3:23–25,31.)SomebelievethatJesus’deathhasabolishedGod’slawandreplaceditwithHisgrace.PaulsaysthatHisdeathestablishesthelawallthemoreandemphasizestheimportanceofobedience.SatanhadarguedfromthebeginningthatGod’slawisunfair,arbitrary,andthatcreatedbeingscannotobeyit.Jesus’lifeanddeathprovedthataccusationtobefalse.Wearenotsavedbyourobediencetothelaw,butthosewhoaresavedwillbeobedient.

(3)Theissueofdeath.WhatandwhodoesJesus’deathonthecrossdestroy?(SeeHebrews2:14,15.)Whatwas

Teaching Principle

Keepinmindthatpeoplelearnbestindifferentways.Somearevisualandlearnbestbyseeing.Somelearnbestbylistening.Somelearnbestbydoing.Trytoincludesomethingineachclassforeachtypeoflearner.Useablackboard,engagetheclassinhands-onexerciseswhenpossible,andencourageparticipationanddiscussion.

theveryfirstissueSatanraisedinintroducingthegreatcontroversytoearth?(SeeGenesis3:15.)SatanliedtoEveinsayingthatsindoesnotcause(resultin)death.Inseveralways,Jesus’deathonthecrossforeversettledthatis-sue.First,theuniversesawSatanbringaboutthedeathofthesinlessSonofGod.Soitwasclearthatsindoescause(resultin)death.Second,Jesus’deathensuredtheeventual,final,completedestructionofSatananddeathitself.AndforthosewhoacceptHim,Jesus’deathstandsinplaceofthedeaththeydeserve,sotheydon’thavetodie.Andthird,thefacttheGod’sownSonhadtodieinordertosolvethesinproblemprovedthattherewasnootherway.Sininevitablyresultsindeath.

Issue 2: In what way(s) does our picture of God shape our character?Let’slookatsomeexamplesofhowdifferentgroupsviewedGod—andhowitaffectedtheircharactersandtheiractions.

(1)TheSadducees.ListsomeofthethingstheSadduceesbelievedaboutGod(see The Desire of Ages,p.604).AsaresulthowdidthisaffecttheircharactersandtheirrelationshipwithJesus?(Seepp.604–606.)

(2)ThePharisees.WhatcanyoudeducefromthefollowingtextsabouthowthePhariseesviewedGod:Matthew5:20;9:11;16:1;23:23,25;Luke11:42,43;15:2?DidanyofthePhariseesacceptJesus?(SeeJohn3:1;19:39.)

(3)Jesus’disciples.DidthediscipleshaveaclearconceptionofGod’scharacter—evenafterhavingbeenassoci-atedwithJesusforalongtime?(SeeLuke9:51–56;Mark10:35–45;John14:7–9.)HowdidthemisconceptionsofthedisciplesaffecttheirfaithandtheirobediencetoGod?Forexample,wouldtheyhavebeensodevastatedanddisappointedwhenJesusdiedonthecrossiftheyhadhadabetterunderstandingofGodandHischaracteroflove?

(4)Youandme.CanyouthinkofwaysinwhichyourviewsofGodhaveaffectedyourcharacterandthewayyoulive—inbothpositiveandnegativeways?CanwestillhaveasavingrelationshipwithGodevenifwedon’tunder-standHimaswellaswecould—andshould?

Issue 4: Can we come into such a close relationship with Jesus that His will becomes our will?NotethefollowingremarkablequotationfromThe Desire of Ages,p.668:“Alltrueobediencecomesfromtheheart....Ifweconsent,He[Jesus]willsoidentifyHimselfwithourthoughtsandaims,soblendourheartsandmindsintoconformitytoHiswill,thatwhenobeyingHimweshallbebutcarryingoutourownimpulses.”Thinkaboutwhatthisstatementisreallysaying.DoyoubelieveitispossibletohavethiskindofrelationshipwithJesus?Whyorwhynot?CanyouthinkofanyoneintheBiblewhoseemstohaveachievedthiskindofChristlikeness?IfapersonweretohavethiskindofrelationshipwithJesus,wouldheorsheeversin?IsthisagoaltoworktowardoranexpectationthatGodhasforeachofus?DoyoufeelenergizedordiscouragedwhenyouthinkofthepossibilityofattainingthiskindofrelationshipwithJesus?TowhatextentdoyouthinkGodtakesintoaccountourdifferingbackgroundsandlifeexperienceswhenassessingourrelationshipswithHim?

Applying the lesson to lifeEverythingJesusdidtocarryoutthedivineplanofsalvation—Hedidforyou.ThesinlesslifeHelived,Helived

foryou.TheshamefuldeathHedied,Hediedforyou.IfyouweretheonlypersononearthtoacceptHissacrifice,Jesuswouldstillhavegonetothecross.Soyoumayclaimallthepromises,allthebenefits,andallthesalvationHeoffers.Theyareallforyou!

Leaving group members with something to think aboutAsyouknow,theGreeklanguagehasmorethanonewordforlove. Agape(αγάπη)istheGreekwordforuncon-

ditionallove.Thatisthewordusedin1John4:8,“Godislove”(NKJV).Itisalsothewordusedin1Corinthians13,Paul’sclassicessayonthenatureandimportanceoflove.Read1Corinthians13.IfGodislove,whatdoesthischaptersayaboutGod’snatureandcharacter?HowdoesthispicturerelatetoyourmentalimageofGod?

Teacher’s Guide



Part 9

Our Lord’s Last Awful Week— but What a Week It Was for Us! Part 2

Thislesson,Lesson9,dealswithwhattheCrossmeansintermsofthegospel,thatis,howitaffectsusassinnersandhowitcanbringaboutcompleterestorationfromsininourlives.ThishasmeaningforthefinalresolutionoftheissuesSatanraisedagainstGod’shandlingofsininthegreatcontroversy.PartofSatan’srebellionagainstGodinvolvedhisinsistencethatcreatedbeingscannotkeepGod’slawsandthatGodwasthereforearbitraryandunrea-sonableinaskingthemtoobeyHim.HealsopicturedGodasself-seekinginrequiringobedience.

ByvoluntarilyforsakingHisplaceinheavenandbecomingahumanbeing,JesusshowedSatan’schargeofself-seekingtobefalse.ByHislifeofcompleteobedienceonearth,Heshowedthatobedienceispossibleandreasonable.ByHisdeath,Jesusmakesallthisavailabletoushumans.Thatiswhatthislessonpointsout—thatbybecomingaman,JesusisnotonlyourExample,HeisourSubstitute.Hetookourplace,soinarealsense,whatHedid,wehavedone—ifweacceptHimasourSavior.Rightlyunderstoodandapplied,thisisapowerfulmeansofrelievingtheguiltthatweallstrugglewith.Itrelievesguilt,notbecausewetakesinlessseriously,butbecausewetakeseriouslytheforgivenessJesusprovidesduetowhatHedidforusonthecross.

AnotherimportantthingthatJesus’humanitydoesforusisthatitmakesHimabletofullyunderstandusandthedailybattleswefightwithselfandsin.AndbecauseHeunderstands,Heisabletoprovidetheveryhelpweneedjustwhenweneedit.AllweneedtodoiscometoHimandaskHimtohelpus.Hehaspromisednevertoturnusaway.

TrytohelpclassmembersrealizethatseeingJesusasourExamplecanbealiberatingconceptwhenwefocusonthefactthatalltheresourcesofheaventhatwereavailabletoJesusasamanhereonearth,arealsoavailabletous.

Surveying the sourcesThe Desire of Ages, pages 700, 703, 704, 706, 707, 710, 729, 743, 745, 753, 754, 756, 758, 761–764, 772, 790,

799, 805, 807, 819, 823, 824, 826, 827.

Setting the objectivesClass members will• seemoreclearlythatitisJesus’humanitythatqualifiesHimtobetheirHighPriestinheavenwhocan

sympathizewiththeirtemptationsandhelpthemintimesofneed;• realizethatjustasJesuslivedasinlesslifeonearththroughthepowerofHisFather,soalltheresourcesof

HeavenareavailabletoeachhumanbeingtokeephimorherfromfallingpreytoSatan’stemptations;and

•understandthattheessence—thegrandgoal—ofthegospeliscompleterestorationfromallthathasbeenlostbysin.

Focusing on group members’ needsGuiltisoneofthemostpowerfulandwidespreadofhumanemotions.Ofcourse,mostofushavereasontofeel

guiltyaboutsomething;weknowwearealwaysfailinginsomeway.Soguiltcanserveapositivefunction—helpingusrealizeweneedtomakechangesinourlives,rightwrongs,andsoon.Butguiltcanbeanextremelydestructiveemotionaswell,andtheneedtobefreefromguiltisoneofourmostpressingneedsashumans.Youcanbesurethatthereareindividualsinyourclasswhoarestrugglingwithguiltfeelings.ThislessoncanhelpthemseeJesusastheOnewhotakestheirguiltandforgivestheirsins.

Starting the discussionIn1999,writerandjournalistBarbaraEhrenreichlefthercomfortablemiddle-classlifeandjoinedthemillions

ofAmericanswhoworkforpoverty-levelwages.Shedidsovoluntarily.Armedwithacar,alaptopcomputer,and$1,000instartupfunds,shespentpartsoftwoyearstryingtosurvivewhileworkingforminimumwageasawait-ress,acleaningwoman,anursinghomeassistant,andaWal-Martemployee.Shediscoveredthatthesekindsofjobsrequireexhaustingphysicalandmentaleffortandthatonejobisnotenoughtogetby.Youneedatleasttwosuchjobsifyouintendtoliveindoors.

Ms.Ehrenreichtemporarilychangedlivestomakeapointandwriteabookaboutit.Herexperienceillustrates(althoughitcan’tcomparewith)whatJesusdid.AskaclassmembertoreadPhilippians2:5–8.Let’strytoseewhatisinvolvedinJesusbecomingahumanbeing—whatitmeantforHimandwhatitmeansforus.

Digging into the issuesIssue 1: Can Jesus truly understand us and our human weaknesses?DidJesusreallybecomeahumanbeing?(See

Hebrews2:14–18.)WecannotunderstandtheIncarnation—howJesuscanbefullyGodandfullyman.YettheBibleaffirmsbothHisfulldivinityandHisfullhumanity.Hetrulybecameoneofus—forever(see The Desire of Ages, p.25).ThatJesusvoluntarilyleftheaventobecomeahumanandlivewithusonthisearthisasacrificebeyondourcomprehension.WhatexperienceneartheendofHisearthlylifeshowsclearlytheextenttowhichJesustookonourhumanitywithallitssins,guilt,andsuffering?(SeeMatthew26:36–46.)Whatspecifichumanattri-butesdoesthisexperiencehighlight?Jesusfeltsorrowanddeepdespair(seeverse38).Jesusdidnotwanttodie(seeverse39).Jesuslongedforsympathyandsup-port(verse40).Jesusfelttheagonyofguilt(seeThe Desire of Ages,p.686).JesusfeltthealmostunbearabletemptationsofSatan(seep.687).Jesusfeltthehorrorofsin(seep.690).

FollowingtheterribleagonyofGethsemane,whatfurther agony awaited Jesus in His humanity? (SeeMark15:15–37.)Jesuswasseverelybeaten(seeverse15).Hewasridiculedandmocked(seeverses16–20).Hewastorturedtodeath(seeverses22–25,33–37).Hefeltthehopelessnessofguiltthatlostsinnerswillfeelattheendoftime(seeThe Desire of Ages,p.753).ThisiswhatitmeantforJesustobecomeahumanbeing.

WhatdoesJesus’humanitymeanforus?EllenWhitewrote,“Christwastreatedaswedeserve,thatwemightbe

Teaching Principle

Goodteacherslistenaswellastalk.Listencarefullytoquestionsfromclassmembers;oftensuchquestionswillindicateaneedorconcernthatmaynotbeapparentonthesurface.Don’tfeelthatyouhavetobetheonetoalwaysanswerstudents’questions.Youcanturnthequestionovertotheclassfordiscussion.

treatedasHedeserves.Hewascondemnedforoursins,inwhichHehadnoshare,thatwemightbejustifiedbyHisrighteousness,inwhichwehadnoshare.Hesufferedthedeathwhichwasours,thatwemightreceivethelifewhichwasHis”(The Desire of Ages,p.25).TheBiblesaysthatJesuswasmadesinforus,sothatwemightbecomerighteous(see2Corinthians5:21).WhatelsedoesJesus’humanitymeanforus?(SeeHebrews4:14–16.)Isthereanytempta-tion,weakness,orproblemwecanfacethatJesusdoesnotunderstand?IsthereanysituationwecanfacethatJesuscannotgiveusstrengthtodealwith?CouldJesushavebeenabletounderstandourproblemsandprovidethehelpweneedifHehadn’tbecomeoneofus?

Issue 2: What does it mean to overcome sin, and can we hope to achieve such a victory?DidJesusliveasinlesslifewhileonearthasahumanbeing?(See1Peter2:21,22.)WhatimplicationdoesPeterdrawforusfromthefactthatJesuslivedasinlesslife?HowdidJesusovercomesinasahuman?(SeeJohn5:19,30.)Isthissourceofpoweralsoavailabletous?WhatdoesJohnsayaboutovercomingsin?(See1John2:4,6.)WhatelsedoesJohnsayaboutoursins?(Seeverses1,2.)WhatdoesPaulsayaboutthetemptationswefaceandthehelpwecanreceiveinmeetingthemsuccess-fully?(See1Corinthians10:13.)

Issue 3: What does “total restoration from sin” look like?WhenGod’sdealingswithsinarefinished,allthathasbeenlostbysinwillberestored.WhatdoesPetersayabouttheearthbeingrestoredfollowingsin?(See2Peter3:10–13.)HowdoesJohndescribethenewheavenandearththatwillberestoredfollowingsin?(SeeRevelation21.)WhydoyouthinkJohnmostlydescribesthingsthatwillnotbepresentinthenewearth?(Seeverses1,4,25,27.)WhataresomeofthethingsJohnsayswillbepresentinthenewearth?(Seeverses3,10–14;22:1–3.)Intermsofhumancharacter,whatdoestotalrestorationfromsinlooklike?(See1John3:1–3;Revelation7:13–17;21:27;22:14.)

Applying the lesson to lifeJesusisourExamplebothinthesinlesslifethatHelivedandalsoinHistotalrelianceonHisFatherasthemeans

bywhichHeovercameeverytemptation.HeasksustoliveasHelived,butHealsooffersusallthepowerofHeaventodoso.JesuscanfullyunderstandourtemptationsbecauseHeexperiencedthemfullyasahuman.Hecangiveustheveryhelpweneedforeverysituationwefaceinlife.

Leaving group members with something to think aboutOnascaleofonetoten,howwelldoyouthinkyouaredoinginmakinggooddecisionsinyourspirituallifeto-

day?Trytobeasobjectiveaspossible.(It might be interesting to have your spouse or a close friend evaluate your decision making on this same scale—and compare his or her assessment with your own!)

Poor decisions Excellent decisions

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Teacher’s Guide


The End of the WarPart 10

God’s Side of the Story in the Great Controversy as Told by the Early Church

Withthislesson,thefocusshiftstothegreatcontroversyasplayedoutintheexperienceoftheNewTestamentchurch—recordedintheBiblebookofActsandinthefourthbookinEllenWhite’sseriesbythesamename.

TheearlychurchlivedintheexpectationofJesus’soonreturn.ThatisapparentinanumberofNewTestamentpassages.Ofcourse,morethan2,000yearslater,thechurchisstillwaiting.Sooneoftheissuesthislessonsdealswithis—“Why?”IsJesus’comingoverdue,andifsowhatarethefactorsthathavedelayeditforsolong?OrweretheearlyChristianssimplynotjustifiedinbelievingJesuswouldreturnintheirday?Canwe,today,hastenthetimeofHiscoming?IsJesuswaitingforustodosomething?Aswithotherissues,theanswersarenotassimpleasonemightthink.Encourageclassmemberstothinkcarefullyaboutthetopicandjoininthediscussion.

Onasomewhatmorepositivenote,thelessonpointsoutthatChristianstodaystandinanunbrokenlineofGod’speoplewhohavestoodfaithfullyforHimthroughthecenturies.Wearepartofafamilyofthefaithful.Thiscangiveusanimportantsenseofbelongingtosomethinglargerthanourselves.ItalsomeansthatwearetotakeuptheunfinishedtaskbegunbytheNewTestamentchurchandcarriedalongbythechurchineveryage.Beingpartofthefamilyhasitsresponsibilities.

Finally,thislessonlooksatthesourcesofpowerthattheearlychurchdrewonincarryingoutGod’sassign-menttotakethegospeltotheworld.Chiefamongthoseresources,ofcourse, istheHolySpirit,whomJesuspromisedtoHisdisciplesandtous.ThroughoutthebookofActsintheNewTestament,wefindtheHolySpiritmovinginthelivesoftheapostlesandthechurch.Classmembersneedtorealizethatthesamepowerisavailabletothemtoday.TheHolySpiritispoisedtoempowerthechurchtodaytodoevengreaterworksthanwereseeninthedaysoftheapostles.

Surveying the sourcesThe Acts of the Apostles, pages 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 23, 28, 31, 37, 39, 40, 45, 48–50, 52, 55, 62, 73–76, 88, 96,

111, 152–154, 157, 189, 190, 209, 210, 219, 220, 230, 232, 245, 246, 296, 313, 384–388, 451, 475–478, 482, 483, 531, 532, 541, 543, 600.

Setting the objectivesClass members will• seethattheystandinanunbrokenlineofChrist’sdisciples,reachingfromtheearlyNewTestamentchurch

totheendoftime,towhomJesushasgiventhetaskofcommunicatingthegospeltotheworld;

• recognizehowmuchtheyneedtheHolySpiritinordertoliveforJesusandbeHiswitnessesinafallenworld;and

•gaininsightintowhythecomingofJesushasbeensolongdelayed.

Focusing on group members’ needsRelationshipswithothersareimportant—families,friends,coworkers,andfellowChristians.Weallneedsignifi-

cantinteractionswithotherpeople,yetmanytodayfeelisolated—evenlivingincitiesandamongcrowds.Infact,withoutsignificantrelationships,beingsurroundedbypeoplecanmakethesituationworseandcauseustofeelevenmorealone.Akintothisneedistheneedtobelongtosomethinglargerthanourselves,tofeelapartofsomethingthatismakingadifference.Today’slessonmeetsthoseneedsbyemphasizinghowwearepartofaChristianfamilythatstretchesbacktothetimeoftheapostlesthemselves.ItalsopointstoatimewhenJesuswillreturntotakeusallhometolivewithHimforever.

Starting the discussionInHebrews12:1,2,theapostlepicturesChristiansasparticipantsinasportingevent—agreatrace.Hepicturesus

downonthefield,surroundedbythrongsofspectatorsfillingeveryseatinthestadium.Hepicturestheraceabouttogetunderway,aswegetreadytorun.“Stripdown!”heurgesus.“Takeoffthetrainingweights,layasideanythingthatwillslowyoudown,andgetreadytoruntheraceofyourlife,pacingyourselfandmakingsureyoureachthefinishline,keepingyoureyesontheteamCaptainwhohasruntheracebeforeyou—Jesus,theOneinwhomyoubeginandfinishyourrace.”

WeChristianstodaystandattheendofalong,unbrokenlineofbelievers—stretchingbacktotheearlychurchandtheNewTestamentapostlesthemselves.It’slikearelayrace,andthebatonhasbeenhandedofffromgenerationtogenerationuntilithasbeenpassedontous.Thethrongofheavenlyspectatorsischeeringuson;thefinishlineisdrawingcloserandcloseraswefinishtherace.

Digging into the issuesIssue 1: Has God given us the same task He gave the New Testament church, and if so, how can we accomplish this task?

WhatroledidGodassignthechurchafterHisreturntoheaven?(SeeMatthew28:18–20;Acts1:8;2Corinthians5:18–20.)WhatassignmentdidJesusgivethedemon-possessedmanafterHecastouthisdemons?(SeeLuke8:38,39.)Wecanallbearwitnesstoourpersonalexperiences—whatJesushasdoneforus.HowareweconnectedtotheNewTestamentchurch?(SeeJohn17:20,21.)WestandtodayinanunbrokenlineofthosewhohavebelievedinJesusandwhohaveinvitedHimtobetheirSavior.

What sources of power did the early churchdrawontocarryoutitsGod-givenmission?(SeeMatthew 28:20; Acts 1:8; 4:13.) The power ofJesusworkinginHisdisciplesthroughtheHolySpirit enabled them to fulfill the task He gavethemofcarryingthegospeltotheentireworld.Even their enemies attributed their effectivenesstothefact thattheyhadbeenwithJesus.Whatwastheothergreatsourceofpowerfortheearlychurch?(SeeActs8:26–39.)Noteespeciallyverse35.PhilipusedtheBible(theOldTestamentScriptures)topreachJesus.TheBibleandtheHolySpiritareoursourcesofpoweraswefinishtheworktheearlychurchbeganofcarry-ingthegospeltothewholeworld.

Teaching Principle

Keepclassroomdiscussionfocused.It’seasytoletavocalclassmemberleadthediscussionoffintoareasunrelatedtothelessontopic.Bere-sponsivetoquestions,butdistinguishbetweenthosethatareontopicandthosethatarenot.Ifyouhavetocontrolthediscussion,trytodosocourteouslyandwithoutembarrassinganyone.

Issue 2: What part does the Holy Spirit play in enabling us to live and witness for Jesus?Whathappenedtothedis-ciplesatPentecostandwhatwasitseffectonthespreadofthegospel?(SeeActs2:1–4,41,42.)WhatdoesPaulsayabouttheroleoftheSpiritinenablingbelieverstodotheworkofGod?(See1Corinthians12:4–11;Ephesians4:11–13.)EllenWhitewritesthatthechurchinthelastdayscanexpectaspecialoutpouringoftheHolySpirittoprepareittofinishGod’sworkandbereadytomeetJesuswhenHecomes(see The Acts of the Apostles,p.55).JustasGod’sSpiritwasseeninamarkedwayintheearlychurch,God’sworkwillclosewithasimilarmanifestationofHispowerthroughtheworkoftheSpiritinHispeople.

ThebookofActsrepeatedlypointsoutthepoweroftheHolySpiritworkingthroughtheapostlesandearlyChris-tianbelievers:Peter(Acts4:8);Stephen(Acts6:5,10;7:55);Philip(Acts8:29);Paul(Acts9:17;13:9);Barnabas(Acts11:24);andsoon.PaultestifiesthathiseffectivenessinthegospelministryisdueentirelytothepoweroftheHolySpirit(see1Corinthians2:4).WillthesamebetrueofGod’slast-daychurch?Whyorwhynot?

Issue 3: Is Jesus’ coming overdue, and if so, what are some factors that have delayed it? DidthedisciplesexpectJesustoreturnintheirlifetimes?(SeeJohn21:20–23;Titus2:11–14;Revelation22:20,21.)WhatdidtheapostlePaulsaytoChristianslivinginhisdayaboutthereturnofJesus?(SeeRomans13:11–14.)WhatreasondoesPetergiveforadelayinthecomingofJesus?(See2Peter3:8,9.)WhatcounseldoesPaulgivetoChristianswhowereexpectingtheLordtoreturn?(See1Thessalonians5:1–8.)

CanyouthinkofsomereasonswhythecomingofJesushasbeendelayed?(Possible suggestions: More time is needed to allow the sin problem to work itself out before the universe; God’s people are not ready; the church has not carried the gospel to the world as aggressively as it should have; evil in the world has not yet reached “critical mass.”)Doyouthinkthesearecrediblereasonsorrationalizations?CanwereallyknowwhytheLordhasnotyetcome?

WhatcounseldidJesusHimselfgiveaboutpreparingforHisreturn?(SeeMatthew24:42–44.)WhenaskedwhathewoulddoifheknewtheLordwouldreturntoearth“tomorrow,”MartinLutherissupposedtohavereplied,“Iwouldplantatreetoday.”Doyouthinkthatisgoodadvice?Whyorwhynot?ShouldwecontinuelivingfaithfullyeachdayandleavethetimeofJesus’comingtoHim?

Applying the lesson to lifeTheapostlePeterappliestoday’slessontoeachofus.InconcludinghissermonatPentecost,hesaid,“Repent,and

leteveryoneofyoubebaptizedinthenameofJesusChristfortheremissionofsins;andyoushallreceivetheHolySpirit.Forthepromiseistoyouandtoyourchildren,andtoallwhoareafaroff,asmanyastheLordourGodwillcall”(Acts2:38,39,NKJV).Thatpromise,then,includesyou!

Leaving group members with something to think aboutWhatworkdoyouthinkGodhasinmindforyoutodoforHim?InwhatwaysdoyouthinktheHolySpiritis

equippingyoutocarryoutthiswork?Trytolookobjectivelyatyourstrengthsandweaknesses.Consideryourcircleofinfluence—thoseyouinteractwithdaily.WeighthetalentsandabilitiesGodhasgivenyou.WhatdothesethingstellyouabouttheworkGodhasplannedforyou?

Teacher’s Guide



Apostasy of the Early ChurchClassmembersmaybesurprisedtolearnhowquicklytheearlychurchfellintoapostasy.Yetinsomewaysitisn’t

surprisingatall.ThereareforeshadowingsintheNewTestamentofthefallingawaythatisalreadycoming.Jesus’messagestothesevenchurches,asrecordedinRevelation2and3,containwarningsandrebukesforvariousfailuresanderrors.Remember,too,howquicklyAdamandEvefellintosinintheperfectionofEden.ThepointisonethatPaulmakesin1Corinthians10:12—“Lethimwhothinkshestandstakeheedlesthefall.”

Lesson11,alongwiththefinaltwolessonsinthisseries,arebasedonThe Great Controversy,thefifthandlastbookinEllenWhite’sConflictoftheAgesseries.Thesethreelessonstracethehistoryofthechurchfromthedeathoftheapostlestothefinalendofsinandsinners.

ThislessonhighlightshowquicklythechurchlostsightofGod’struth,howquicklyitlostalivingrelationshipwithitsLord.Evenmoreimportant,itexploreswhythishappened.Anditmakesthepointthatthesamethingcaneasilyhappentoday.

Satan initially triedtodestroythechurchthroughpersecution.Mostof theapostlesdiedviolentdeaths.Butoften,persecutionseemedonlytostrengthenthechurchanddriveitclosertoGod.SoSatanturnedtoothermoresubtleandmoreeffectivemeans.Thislessonidentifiesthesemethods.ItanalyzeswhytheyweresoeffectiveandhowwecanguardagainstsimilarattacksbySatantoday.

Bya.d. 300thechurchhadlargelylostitsway,leadingtothecenturiesknownastheDarkAges.Evenso,therehasalwaysbeenanunbrokenlineofindividualswhohaveremainedsteadfastinfollowingGodandtruth.Thisfaith-fullineeventuallyproducedtheReformers—Luther,Zwingli,Calvin,Huss,Jerome,Wycliffe,Tyndale,andothers.Lookforwaysinthislessontoencourageclassmemberstorenewtheirdeterminationtotaketheirplaceinthisunbrokenlineofthefaithful;andhelpthemtorecognize—andthusbeabletoresist—Satan’sstrategiestoseparatethemfromGodashedidtheearlychurch.

Surveying the sourcesThe Great Controversy, pages 20, 22, 28, 29, 35–37, 42, 43, 45, 47–52, 55, 56, 58, 59, 61–70, 73, 80, 89, 94,

97–99, 120–122, 132, 140, 148, 149, 173, 174, 186, 187, 189–195, 202–205, 207, 208, 212–214, 216, 217, 220, 227, 230, 234, 235, 239, 240, 244, 265.

Setting the objectivesClass members will• seehowquicklySatanwasabletointroduceerrorsintotheearlychurchandbringaboutapostasyamong

Christianbelievers;•becommitted to standingwith thosewhohave remained faithful toGod ineveryage—evenwhen it

seemed that spiritual darkness would over-whelmthelightofGod’struth;and

• seehowGodhasraisedupreformersineveryagetorestoreforgottentruthsandtocalltheircontemporaries back to a personal relation-shipwithHim.

Focusing on group members’ needsThe great controversy unfolds in our hearts as

wellasonacosmic stage.Spiritual turmoil resultsfromthestruggleofourhumannatureagainstourspiritualnature,fromfailingtoliveasweknowweought.ThislessonwillhelpusseehowSatanexploitsthisinternalstruggle—andhowwecanfindpeace.

Starting the discussionTrytoimaginethatyouareSatanobservingtheearlyChristianchurch.Ithasn’tbeenlongsinceJesusreturned

toheaven.YouseethezealoftheapostlesandthepoweroftheHolySpiritworkingthroughthem.Youseenewbelieversbeingaddeddailytothechurch.YouseetheirloveforJesusreflectedintheirlives.IfyouwereSatan,howwouldyougoaboutseveringtheirrelationshipwithJesusandtearingdowntheChristianchurch?(Encourage class members to make suggestions.)AccordingtotheNewTestamentrecord,whatobviousmethoddidSatanemploy?(SeeActs6:8–13;7:54–60;8:1;9:1,2;12:1–4;andsoon.)Howsuccessfulwasthismethod?(See2Corinthians4:7–9,16–18.)PersecutionwaslargelyunsuccessfulinseparatingChristiansfromtheLordJesus.Infact,astheearlychurchleader,Tertullian,putit:“Thebloodofthemartyrsistheseedofthechurch.”

Yet,thespeedwithwhichtheearlyChristianchurchlostsightofalivingrelationshipwithJesusChristissurpris-ing.AstheapostlesandthefirstgenerationofChristiansbegantodieandtheirplacesweretakenbyothersSatanmanagedtoaccomplishbystealthwhathehadbeenunabletoaccomplishthroughforceandpersecution.Verysoonthechurchbegantolosemuchofitsliving,vitalrelationshipwiththeLord.

Digging into the issuesIssue 1: How was Satan able to lead the early church into apostasy so quickly?Satanusedtwostrategiestobringspiri-

tualdarknessintothechurch.(1)Heheldouttothechurchtheprospectofsocialacceptanceandworldlyprosper-ityandinfluence(seeThe Great Controversy,p.42).Toachurchaccustomedtopersecutionandbeingcondemnedandlookeddownuponbysociety,thiswasanalluringtemptation.Bymakingafewconcessions,byloweringitsstandardsabit,byyieldingormodifyingafewfeaturesof its faith,theChristianchurchsawanopportunityofgaininginfluenceandevenprestigeintheworld.(2)SatanbroughtintothechurchconvertswhowerenottotallycommittedtoChristandHistruth(seeThe Great Controversy,p.43).ManywhojoinedtheChristianchurchalsoheldontosomeoftheirpaganbeliefsandpractices.Inevitably,theseideasbegantoweakenthechurch,introducingsuperstition,idolatry,andunbiblicaldoctrinesaswellasaweakercommitmenttoJesusChrist.HowdidtheapostlePaulwarnagainstthisverything?(SeeActs20:27–30;2Timothy4:1–4.)Arethereuncommittedindividualsinthechurchtoday?(SeeMatthew13:24–30.)

WhatunbiblicalbeliefsandpracticeswasSatanabletointroduceintothechurchsoonaftertheapostlespassedfromthescene?(Ask class members to glean at least five examples from TheGreatControversy, pp. 49–60).Throughthesethings,error,pride,andvicestrengthenedtheirholdonthechurch,andaneraofgreatspiritualdarknessdescendeduponit.

Issue 2: What is required to stand in the unbroken line of God’s faithful people?Hebrews11describesa“HalloftheFaithful.”Whatlinkistherebetweenthisunbrokenlineandustoday?(Seeverses39,40.) AlthoughSatanwasable

Teaching Principle

Imaginingcanbeaneffectiveteachingtool.Severallessonshavesuggestedyouaskclassmemberstoimaginethemselvesinaparticularroleandtoverbalizehowtheywouldrespondorreacttocertainsituations.Thishelpsthemtoseethroughneweyesandthinkinnewways.Pushthemtothinkoutsidethebox.

toweakenthechurch,therewerealwaysthosewhoremainedstalwartandfaithfultoGod—evenintimesofdeepestspiritualdarkness.Whatwerethefactorsthatkeptthemfaithfulandthatwillallowustostandinanunbrokenlinewiththem?(1)ApersonalrelationshipwithJesus.Manysecond-generationChristianbelievershadasecondhandrelationshipwithJesusbasedonthetestimonyofothers.Theyfailedtomaintaina livingconnectionwithJesusandallowedthemselvestobecomeenvelopedinspiritualdarkness.Thesamecanhappentoyouandme.Likeanyrelationship,ourrelationshipwithJesusrequirescontinualattentionandnurtureifitistogrowandthrive.EachofusmusthaveapersonalrelationshipwithJesus.Wecan’tdependonthespiritualexperienceofourparents,ourteachers,ourpastor,orourfriends.Ifourspiritualexperienceisasecondhandone,itwillnotgroworbestrong.UnlesswetakethetimeandmaketheefforttodailynurtureapersonalrelationshipwithJesus,spiritualdarknesswillinevitablyovershadowus.

(2)Anunwaveringdeterminationnottocompromisewithsin.AshedidwiththeearlyChristianchurch,SatanoftentemptsustomakeminorcompromisesandconcessionsinourrelationshipwithGod.Itiseasytotellourselvesthatthesearelittlethingsthatdon’treallymatterandthattheresultwillbegood.Butinrealitytheywillweakenourfaithandbringustospiritualruin—justastheydidwiththechurchintheearlycenturies.

(3)Maintainaspiritualawarenessoftheissuesinvolvedinthegreatcontroversy.Weneedtobevigilantandspiri-tuallyaware.AsintheearlyChristianchurch,itmayseemonthesurfacethatallisgoingwellforawhile,butthegreatcontroversycontinuestoplayitselfout—inourlives,inthechurch,andintheworld—andwilldosountiltheendoftime.WhatcounseldotheapostlesPeterandPaulgiveusinthisregard?(See1Peter5:8;Ephesians6:10–12.)

Issue 3: What was the focus of the Reformers and what implications does this have for us today? (1)They calledpeoplebacktotheWordofGod.Sola scriptura(theBibleonly)becamethewatchwordoftheReformation.Luther,Wycliffe,Erasmus,andotherstranslatedtheBiblefromLatinintoeverydaylanguages.TheWaldensesmadecopiesoftheScripturesandclandestinelycirculatedthem.Likewise,Godexpectsustodaytobea“peopleoftheBook,”makingitacentralfocusofourspirituallivesandpointingotherstoitstruthsfortoday.(2)TheystressedapersonalfaithinGod—asopposedtocomingtoGodthroughachurchorhumanpriest.Lutherwasthegreatchampionofrighteousnessbyfaith.Today,weneedtomodelandteachtheimportanceofalivingfaiththatclaimsGod’spowerandHispromises.

Applying the lesson to lifeSeeinghowmenandwomenhaveremainedfaithfultoGodevenintimesofdeepspiritualdarknesshelpsusto

claimHispromisestoenableustotakeourplacewiththem.AsweletGodliveinus,wewillfindspiritualpeace.JustasHehasdoneforothers,Godwillhelpusremainfaithful,nomatterhowdarkthecircumstancesmaybethatsurroundus.

Leaving group members with something to think aboutAreyoumakingdailyprogressinfollowingGodandHistruth?Listsomespecificevidencesofsuchprogressthat

havetakenplaceinyourliferecently. _________________________________________________________________________________

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Teacher’s Guide



The Church Finally Proves Satan Wrong as God Concludes the Great Controversy

MostclassmemberswillbefamiliarwiththenameWilliamMillerandthedate1844.TheywillknowabouttheGreatDisappointmentthattookplacewhenJesusdidn’treturnonthatdateasMillerandhisfollowersexpected.TheywillknowthatMiller’smovementwastheforerunneroftheSeventh-dayAdventistChurchandthattheanswertotheDisappointmenthadtodowiththesanctuaryinheaven.ButformanyAdventists,howallthesethingsfittogetherandwhattheyreallyhavetodowithustoday—allthisissomewhatvague.Andtoooften,thewholetopicfillsthemwithuneasiness—evenfear.Lesson12willhelpclearupsomeoftheseissuesfortheclass.Hopefully,theywillseewhyit’simportantforthemtounderstandwhatisgoingontodayinthesanctuaryinheaven.

Thislessontakesuptheprogressofthegreatcontroversyatthepointthatitmovesintotheendtime.Miller’smovement,thoughmistakeninexpectingthereturnofJesus,wasledbyGodtofocusattentiononthepromiseofJesus’comingandalsotobegintheworkpicturedinRevelation14bythreeangelswithimportantmessagesfromGodtothewholeworld.ThisistheworkSeventh-dayAdventistsbelieveGodhasgiventheminordertopreparetheworldforJesus’coming.Animportantpartofthatmessagehastodowiththejudgmentthatbeganin1844asJesus’ministryinthesanctuaryinheavenchanged.Thislessonwillhelpclassmembersunderstandwhatthejudgmentmeansforthem.Judgmentcanbeascaryconcept,sobesuretopointoutthatGod’spurposeinthejudgmentistoexonerateus—vindicateus—notcondemnus.ThejudgmentalsoservestovindicateGod’shandlingofthesinproblem.

LeaveclassmemberswiththereassuringthoughtthatJesusisbothourJudgeandourAdvocateinthejudgment.Youmightpointout,too,thatitisn’tasifJesushastopersuadetheFathertoloveandforgiveus.GodtheFatherisaseagerasistheSontoseeussafelythroughthejudgment.

Surveying the sourcesThe Great Controversy, pages 245–247, 251–256, 260–264, 269–271, 289–293, 295, 297, 317, 320, 338, 339,

355, 356, 373, 374, 383–385, 388, 409, 419–423, 425, 428, 433, 435–446, 452, 453, 457, 458, 461–465.

Setting the objectivesClass members will• seehowGod’spurposeswere fulfilled inWilliamMiller’smessagethatJesuswouldreturn in1844, in

spiteofMiller’smisunderstandingofsomeaspectsofthepropheciesandthebitterdisappointmentthatfollowedwhenJesusdidnotcomeasexpected;

•betterunderstandJesus’ministryintheheavenlysanctuaryandhowHisworkasHighPriestchangedin1844;and

•morefullyplacetheirlivesinthehandsofJesus,trustingHimastheirAdvocateinthejudgmentgoingoninheaven.

Focusing on group members’ needsFear isa strongmotivator—althoughnotnecessarilyagoodone.SometimesChristianscanbemotivatedby

fear—fearofbeinglostwhenJesuscomes,fearofthejudgment,fearoffailingtomeasureup,fearthattheirsinsarenotforgiven.Hopefullythislessoncanhelpclassmemberswhomaybefearfulofsuchthings.TrytofocusthelessoninsuchawaythatclassmemberswillseeGod’sloveandgraceeveninsuchpotentiallyscaryeventsastheSecondComingandjudgment.

Starting the discussionPerhapsyousawthebillboardsproclaiming,“JudgmentDay—May21,2011.”Thesewerepaidforbyanorga-

nizationrunbyradioevangelistHaroldCamping,whohadcalculatedthattheworldwouldendandJesuswouldreturnonthatdate.AformercivilengineerturnedBiblestudent,CampingbelievedhehaddeterminedtheMay21,2011,datefromtheBibleandthattheendwouldbeginat6:00p.m.withamassiveearthquakeinNewZealand.JudgmentDaywouldthenrollacrosstheearthfollowingthetimezones.Heconvincedanumberoffollowerswhohelpedfinanceeffortstowarntheworld.Camping’sprediction,ofcourse,turnedouttobeinaccurate.

Morethanacenturyago,WilliamMiller,afarmerturnedBiblestudent,madeasimilarpredictionthatgeneratedevenmoreattentionthandidCamping’s.MillerpreachedthatJesuswouldreturn“around1843”andlaterrefinedthedatetoOctober22,1844.WhydowebelievethatMiller’sprediction(thoughmistaken)waspartofGod’splanandyetbelieveCampingsimplytobemistaken?Let’sdigalittledeeper.

Digging into the issuesIssue 1: How did God use William Miller’s movement in spite of his mistaken expectation that Jesus would return in

1844?OnwhatdidMillerbasehisexpectationthatJesuswouldreturnin1844?(See The Great Controversy, pp. 324, 325.)(Answer: The prophecy of Daniel 8:14 that the sanctuary would be cleansed at the close of 2,300 prophetic days. Miller understood the “sanctuary” to be the earth, which would be cleansed by fire at the second coming. The 2,300 days he worked out to end in 1844.)WhatwasMiller’smistake—thetimeelementoftheprophecyortheeventtohappenin1844?(Seepp.352,353,409,410.)WhatwasthesanctuaryreferredtoinDaniel8:14?(SeeHebrews8:1,2,11; The Great Controversy,pp.413–415.)Whatismeantbythe“cleansingofthesanctuary”?(Seepp.417,421,422.)

Whatdoesallthishavetodowithustoday?(See2Corinthians5:10.)HowdoesDanieldescribethejudgment?(SeeDaniel7:9,10.)InherbookThe Great Con-troversy,EllenWhitemakes thesepoints regard-ing the investigative judgment: (1) a work ofjudgmentbeganinheavenin1844thatinvolvesreviewing the life record of eachChristian (pp.479–482,486);(2)God’slawisthestandardbywhicheachperson’slifewillbejudged(p.482);(3) thebooks inheavencontain a complete re-cordofourlives—everygooddeedandeverysin(pp.483,486,487).

ShouldChristiansfearthejudgment?Whyorwhynot?CanwetrustGodtojudgejustly?Read

“The...cleansingoftheheavenly[sanctu-ary]istobeaccomplishedbytheremoval,orblottingout,ofthesinswhicharethererecorded.Butbeforethiscanbeaccom-plished,theremustbeanexaminationofthebooksofrecordtodeterminewho,throughrepentanceofsinandfaithinChrist,areen-titledtothebenefitsofHisatonement”(The Great Controversy,p.422).

Romans8:1;1John1:9;Isaiah1:18;61:10.Dotheseversescauseyoutoseethejudgmentinadifferentlight?TheapostlePaulsaysthateveryoneofusmuststandbeforeChrist’sjudgmentseat(seeRomans14:10).However,JesussaidthatthosewhobelieveinHimwillnotcomeintojudgment(seeJohn5:24).Howdoyouharmonizethesetwostatements?Does2Corinthians5:17–21shedanylight?God’seternallawisthestandardinthejudgment.Whatisthecentralprinciplebehindthelawthatundergirdseachof its individual commandments? (See Galatians 5:14;Matthew22:34–40;Romans13:8–10;1John4:7,8.)

HowdidWilliamMiller’smistaken emphasis on theLord’s return in 1844 actually carry outGod’s purpose?(See The Great Controversy,pp.373,374,405,406.)GodheldHishandoverthemistakeninterpretation.ItwasHisplan thatMiller’smessagewould focus attentionon thesecondcomingof Jesus—even though those looking forJesus’toappearin1844wouldbeterriblydisappointed.ThismessagewasthebeginningofGod’sthreefold,last-daymessagetotheworld(seeRevelation14:6–12).callingonGod’speopletoworshipHimandkeepHiscommand-ments,becausethetimeforHisjudgmenthadcome.ThismessagealsoledtoafocusonGod’slawandtheseventh-daySabbathascrucialissuesinthelastdaysandusheredinthefinalstagesofthegreatcontroversy.

Issue 2: How did Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly sanctuary change in 1844, and what does it mean for us? (SeeThe Great Controversy,pp.424–428.)JesusisourHighPriestinthesanctuaryinheaven(seeHebrews8:1,2).FollowingHisreturntoheaven,HeministeredintheHolyPlaceoftheheavenlysanctuary,carryingoutinrealitywhattheOldTestamentpriestsonearthillustratedbytheirdailyserviceintheJewishsanctuary—theforgivenessofsins.In1844,Jesus’ministrymovedtotheMostHolyPlace,wheretheDayofAtonementceremonytookplaceonceeachyearinthesanctuaryonearth.Thisforeshadowedaworkofjudgmentthatbeganintheheavenlysanctuaryin1844.ThejudgmentwillalsodisproveSatan’saccusationsagainstGodinthegreatcontroversy.WhatimpactdoesJesus’workintheMostHolyPlacehaveonus?

Issue 3: What does it mean to have Jesus as our Advocate in the judgment? JesusisourSavior(seeMatthew1:21).JesusisalsoourJudge(seeJohn5:22).JesusisalsoourAdvocate—orAttorney(see1John2:1).TheOnewhoar-guesourcasebeforetheheavenlyjudgmentisalsoourSaviorwhogaveHimselfforus!TheOnewhoisourJudgeintheheavenlyjudgmentisalsotheSaviorwhodiedonthecrosssothatwemightlive!IsthereanyreasontofearthejudgmentwhenJesusisonoursideasSavior,Advocate,andJudge?CananythingseparateusfromGod’slove?(SeeRomans8:31–39.)

Applying the lesson to lifeSincethejudgmentbeganinheavenin1844,thelivesofindividualshavebeencomingupforreview.Atsome

point,yourlifewillbejudged.Judgmentcanbescary,butifyouhaveapersonalrelationshipwithGodtoday,thatrelationshipwillseeyouthroughthejudgment.JesusstandsupforyouinthejudgmentandcoversyourimperfectlifewithHisrighteousness—ifyouhaveacceptedHimasyourSavior.Seeninthislight,judgmentisliberating,notsomethingtofear.

Leaving group members with something to think aboutCompareEcclesiastes12:13,14withZechariah3:1–5.DobothtextspresentvalidsnapshotsofhowGodwill

dealwithusinthejudgment?Whathappensifwefocustooheavilyononepictureortheother?

“Whiletheinvestigativejudgmentisgoingforwardinheaven,whilethesinsofpenitentbelieversarebeingremovedfromthesanctuary,thereistobeaspecialworkofpurification,ofputtingawayofsin,amongGod’speopleuponearth”(The Great Controversy,p.425).

Teacher’s Guide



End-time Events Will Focus the Controversy in Technicolor So That Doubts Will

Never Again Arise, Ever!Thislessonfocuseson(1)overcomingSatan’send-timetemptations,and(2)preparingtoliveforeverwithGod

andJesusintheearthmadenew.ThesearethetwoimportantconsiderationsforusasGodbringsthegreatcontro-versytoanendandushersinHiskingdominwhichsinwillneverriseupagain.

It’struethatthetrialsofthelastdayswillbefierce.It’struethatSatanwilldoeverythinginHispowertobreakourholdonGod.It’struethateachofuswillhavetomakeadecisiontofollowGodnomatterwhat.Buttrytohelpyourclassmembersseethatinspiteofallthis,GodwillcontinuetobejustasclosetothemintheendtimeasHehaseverbeen.Itdoesn’tminimizethecrucialnatureofthesefinaleventsintheleasttosaythatwewillpassthroughtheminjustthesamewaythatwehavelivedourdailylivesuptothatpoint—byabiding“inChrist”andbytrustingHisloveandpower.HoldingHishand,wewillwalkwithHimintothekingdomjustaswehavewalkedwithHimthrougheachday.

ThelessonpointsoutsomeofthewaysSatanhastriedtodestroyfaiththroughoutthegreatcontroversy—andthatHewillusethesametacticsagainstGod’speopleintheendtime.ItalsopointsoutthatnowisthetimetobedevelopingarelationshipwithJesusthatwillenableustoresistSatan’sdeceptionsandtemptations.Nowisthetimetobelivinginsuchawaythatwewillenjoyeternity.

Trytohelptheclassvisualizethenewearthandwhatitwillbeliketolivethere—eternally.InvitethemtoclosetheireyesandpicturethemselvesinthescenesIsaiahandJohndescribe.ReadEllenWhite’sclassicquotationwithwhichsheclosesherbookThe Great Controversy(it’sreproducedintheTeacher’sGuide).Whatadayitwillbewhenthegreatcontroversyisended—whensinandsinnerarenomore!

Surveying the sourcesThe Great Controversy, pages 36, 37, 383, 390, 488–491, 524, 525, 528, 533, 534, 541–543, 549, 554, 555,

558, 561–563, 578, 579, 581, 582–584, 588, 589, 591–594, 597, 598, 601, 602, 604, 605, 607, 608, 611–615, 618–625, 627–630, 633, 634, 637, 651, 655, 656, 658, 659, 663–667, 669–671, 674.

Setting the objectivesClass members will• learntorecognizethedeceptivesnaresSatanhasusedthroughthecenturiessothattheycansuccessfully

resistHistemptationsinthestrengthGodgives;

•betterunderstandtheissuesandeventsofthelastdaysinorderthattheirfaithwillnotfail;and• resolvetobeamongtheredeemedwhowillliveforeverwithGodandbelearningmoreaboutHisgreat

loveasmanifestedintheplanofsalvation.

Focusing on group members’ needsThislessonfocusesonsecurity—thesecuritywefindinJesustoovercomeallofSatan’sdeceptionsandtheeternal

securitywewillenjoywhenthegreatcontroversyisendedandthereisnomoresin.Satan’scoursehascausedhumanbeingstolivewithongoingfear,insecurity,andfeelingsofvulnerability.Butthatisallcomingtoanend.Evennow,Jesussays,“MysheephearMyvoice,andIknowthem,andtheyfollowMe.AndIwillgivethemeternallife,andtheyshallneverperish;neithershallanyonesnatchthemoutofMyhand”(John10:27,28,NKJV).WherecouldwefindgreatersecuritythannestledsafelyinthehandofJesus?

Starting the discussionTherehavebeencrucialtimesinthegreatcontroversythathavecalledforadecision—fororagainstGod.We

thinkofJoshua’sfarewellchallengetothechildrenofIsrael,“Chooseyouthisdaywhomyewillserve!”(Joshua24:15).WerecallElijahonMountCarmel,demanding,“Howlongwillyehaltbetweentwoopinions?GodorBaal?Whichwillitbe?”(see1Kings18:20,21).WerememberthethreeangelsflyingintheheavensinRevelation14,withGod’slastwarningmessagetotheworld.

InthefinalstagesofthegreatcontroversyeverypersononearthwillhavetodecidewhethertofollowGodorfollowSatan.YouandIwillhavetodecidewherewestand.Muchwilldependonthechoiceswehavebeenmakingonadailybasispriortothatpoint.IfwehavebeenregularlychoosingGodandlettingHimworkinourlives,wewillbeabletomaketheall-importantdecisionattheendoftimetofollowHimcompletelyinspiteofthepowersofevilSatanbringstobearagainstus.

Digging into the issuesIssue 1: How can we recognize and overcome Sa-

tan’s deceptions?What are some of the deceptionsandsnaresthatSatanhasusedthroughoutthegreatcontroversy—andthathewilluseincreasinglyastheenddrawsnearer?

(1)Satan tries to leadus toneglectprayer andBible study (see The Great Controversy, p. 519).Whatdoes theBible say about the importanceofa strongprayer life andBible study? (SeeRomans12:12;Ephesians6:18;Philippians4:6;1Thessalo-nians5:17;John5:39;Acts17:11;Romans15:4.)ThedevilknowsthatprayerandBiblestudyaretwoofthemosteffectivewaystostayclosetoGod.Sohetrieshisbesttopreventusfromtakingadvantageoftheseblessings.EllenWhitewrote,“Thelastgreatdelusionissoontoopenbeforeus....SocloselywillthecounterfeitresemblethetruethatitwillbeimpossibletodistinguishbetweenthemexceptbytheHolyScriptures....Inordertoendurethetrialbeforethem[God’speople],theymustunder-standthewillofGodasrevealedinHisword....NonebutthosewhohavefortifiedthemindwiththetruthsoftheBiblewillstandthroughthelastgreatconflict”(The Great Controversy,pp.593,594).

(2)Satantriestogetustobelievethatitreallymakesnodifferencewhatwebelieveregardingreligiousthings(seeThe Great Controversy,p.520;2Timothy4:1–4;3:7).WearenotsavedbyhowwellweunderstandtheBible,butwhatwebelieveisimportant.IfwehavemisunderstandingsaboutGod,itwillbemoredifficulttoserveHim.The

“Thegreatcontroversyisended.Sinandsin-nersarenomore.Theentireuniverseisclean.Onepulseofharmonyandgladnessbeatsthroughthevastcreation.FromHimwhocreatedall,flowlifeandlightandgladness,throughouttherealmsofillimitablespace.Fromtheminutestatomtothegreatestworld,allthings,animateandinanimate,intheirun-shadowedbeautyandperfectjoy,declarethatGodislove”(The Great Controversy,p.678).

betterweunderstandGodandHistruth,thecloserourrelationshipwithHimcanbe.(3)SatanintroducesdoubtsandquestionsconcerningGodandHisWord(seeThe Great Controversy, pp.

522–528;James1:6).Goddoesn’tremoveallpossibilityofdoubt.Wecanalwaysfindquestionswecan’tanswer.Itisamatterofperspective.Ifwelookforreasonstodoubt,wewillfindthem.Ifwelookforreasonstohavefaith,wewillfindthem.Satanispleasedwhenwenurturedoubt,becauseheknowsitwilleventuallyleadusawayfromGod.

Issue 2: How can we maintain our faith through the trials of the last days?InspiteofSatan’stemptationsandsnares,whatassurancedowehave?(SeeJames4:7,8;1Corinthians10:13.)TheweakestpersonismorethanamatchforallofSatan’sdeceptionsaslongasheorsheisdependingontheLord’sstrength.HowdoesJesusdescribetherela-tionshipweshouldhavewithHim?(SeeJohn15:1–10.)Justasthebranchdrawsnourishmentfromthevine,sowedrawspiritualnurtureandlifefromJesus.Justasthebranchcannotliveseparatedfromthevine,neithercanwelivespirituallyapartfromJesus.Toalargedegree,wewillendurethetemptationsandtrialsofthelastdaysinthesamewaywedosotoday—bytrustingJesusanddependingonHim.IfwekeepourhandinHisdailynow,wecanwalkhand-in-handwithHimthroughthelastdaysintothekingdom.

Issue 3: What will it mean to be among God’s redeemed when the great controversy is over?WhatdoestheBiblesayaboutthepossibilityofsineverarisingagainafterthegreatcontroversyisended?(SeeNahum1:9.)Canweevenbegintounderstandwhatlifeinaworldwithoutsinwouldbelike?(See1Corinthians2:9.)HowdoestheprophetIsaiahdescribelifewhenthegreatcontroversyisendedandsinisnomore?(SeeIsaiah11:6–9;32:18;35:1,2;55:12,13;60:18;65:17–19,21,22.)Whatwillbethegreatestattractionoftheearthmadenew?(SeeRevelation21:3,22;22:3,4.)WewilllivewithGodHimselfandJesus,HisSon;wewillseeThemandserveThemforever.HowdoesEllenWhitedescribethenever-endingjoyoftheredeemed?(SeeThe Great Controversy,p.678.)

Applying the lesson to lifeInwhatwaysareyoupreparingtodaytoliveeternallywithGodinthenewearth?Whatactivitiesgiveyouthe

mostpleasuretoday?Howdoyouspendmostofyourfreetimetoday?Whatthingsdoyouvaluemostaboutyourlifetoday?Now,askyourself,“Howwelldoallthesethingscarryoverintolifeinthenewearth?Canthesethingscontinue(insomeform)inthenewearth?AretheycompatiblewithwhatIknowofthefuturelife?”

Leaving group members with something to think aboutAfterthegreatcontroversyisendedforever,whatwillbetheonlyphysicalreminderofsinleftbehind?(Answer:

The scars in Jesus’ hands, feet, and side, left by the wounds that gave us eternal life.)

ScripturesquotedfromNKJVarefromTheNewKingJamesVersion,copyright©1979,1980,1982,ThomasNelson,Inc.,Publishers.

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