SQLite format 3@ +\ ii!%%atableTopicsTopicsCREATE TABLE Topics (Title NVARCHAR(100), Notes TEXT) 3J  12 The Fruit of the Spirit Is TruthZ 9 11 The Fruit of the Spirit Is RighteousnessX 5 10 The Fruit of the Spirit Is Self-ControlP % 09 The Fruit of the Spirit Is MeeknessX5 08 The Fruit of the Spirit Is FaithfulnessP% 07 The Fruit of the Spirit Is GoodnessP% 06 The Fruit of the Spirit Is KindnessP% 05 The Fruit of the Spirit Is PatienceJ 04 The Fruit of the Spirit Is PeaceF 03 The Fruit of the Spirit Is JoyH 02 The Fruit of the Sc >j  d 8 ki 8^TWWJ  wQ-01 By Their Fruit{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 @Arial Unicode MSQe01 By Their Fruit{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdanae01 By Their Fruit01 By Their FruiI01 By Their Fruit-Dec 26-Jan 1{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharsq01 By Their Fruit-Dec 26-Jan 1{\rtf1\ansi\ansi 01 By Their Fruit-Dec 26-Jan 1{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpgN ``Ku02 Fruit of the Spirit/Love-Jan 2-8{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil202 Fruit of the Spirit/Love-Jan 2-8{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0u02 Fruit of the Spirit/Love-Jan 2-8{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\fi-5760\li5760\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\S what does Jesus say we are? What does that mean on a practical level; that is, what does it tell us about how we should live?\par \fs24\par \b0\tab\cf1\ul\fs22 Joh_15:4\cf0\ulnone explains that a branch cannot bear fruit unless it is connected to the vine. This is a crucial point, one that we should not miss. \par \par \tab Picture a branch that has fallen off an apple tree. Suppose that branch had several apples just reaching maturity. What soon happens to the branch? To the apples? Would it make branches of the dead tree. The next morning their father expressed amazement that apples seemed to have grown overnight, especially since the tree was a pear tree! \par \tab\par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Joh_15:1-5\cf0\ulnone and answer the following questions:\par \b0\par \b\tab Jesus declared Himself to be the True Vine. Why do you think He emphasized \ldblquote true\rdblquote vine?\b0 \i (See also \cf1\ul Mat_24:24\cf0\ulnone .)\i0\fs24\par \par \b\fs22\tab According to \cf1\ul Joh_15:5\cf0\ulnone ,ote \lquote Without Me You Can Do Nothing\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i\fs22 (\cf1\ul Joh_15:5\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\i0\par \fs24\par \tab\fs22 Two young boys were using a fruit tree to climb out of their second-story bedroom window and go to the swimming hole without their parents\rquote permission. One day they heard their father say he was going to cut the tree down because it was dead. Fearing they would lose their escape route, they went to the store and bought artificial apples, which they tied to the ood and not \i be\i0 good? Or, can a person \i be\i0 good and not \i do\i0 good? Work through your answers and bring them to class on Sabbath. \b0\par \par \fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-6480\li6480\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\highlight2\b\scaps\fs28 Monday\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\b0\i\scaps0 December 28\highlight0\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b\ldblquthers, then we are denying the peace of God in Jesus Christ, which He established on the cross.\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab How ironic that you have to fight for peace. Eleanor Roosevelt, in a \i Voice of America \i0 radio broadcast, said, \ldblquote It isn\rquote t enough to talk about peace; one must believe in it. And it isn\rquote t enough to believe in it; one must work at it.\rdblqu \tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\dn10\fs108 A\up0\fs22 s a champion of peace, Paul wrote: \ldblquote endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Eph_4:3\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 The Greek word translated \ldblquote endeavoring\rdblquote is an imperative, excluding any passivity, any \ldblquote wait and see\rdblquote attitude. We must be proactive. If we fight and bicker in our homes, if we fall into factions at church, if we refuse to love and honor o 00\tx7920\tx8640\b\i0\tab\tab\tab\tab \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Memory Text: \ldblquote \lquote Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid\rquote \rdblquote\i \b0 (\cf1\ul Joh_14:27\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320 \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Lesson: \cf1\ul\b0\i Mat_8:23-27\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Mat_11:28-29\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_5:1-11\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_12:9-21\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Heb_12:14\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Col_3:13-15\cf0\ulnone . \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx72 set0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 4 \b0\i *January 16-22\i0\par \par \b The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit Is Peace\b0\par _____________________________\par \b\scaps\tab Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \b\fs28\parpard\li720\b 4. Trace in your own experience how the attitudes of other Adventists have affected you and your faith. That is, were folk kind to you and, if so, how did that kindness impact you? On the other hand, were folk unkind to you and, if so, how\b0 \b did that impact you? Share your stories with others in the class. What can you take away from these experiences that can help the class better understand how important kindness is in our witness?\cf2\b0\par \pard\cf0\b\par \cf2\b0\f1\fs23\par } 20\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab 3. Review the texts this week that talked about us being \ldblquote perfect.\rdblquote How should we understand what this idea means? What are the common problems and misconceptions that we as a church have struggled with over the use and meaning of this term?\b0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \80\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 5\b0 \i *January 23-29\i0\par \par \b The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit Is\i \i0 Patience\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \b0 _________________________________\b\par \scaps Sabbath Afternoon\scaps0\par \tab\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study: \cf1\ul\b0\i Gen_6:3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Exo_34:6\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Mar_4:26-29\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_15:5\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Eph_4:1-2\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Jam_1:2-4\cf0\ulnone .\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b\i0 Memory Text: \ldblquote For you have need of endurance [patience], so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Heb_10:36\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\b .\b0\i0\par \par \fs24\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\dn10\fs108 I\up0\fs22 n the Greek, two words express the meaning of \ldblquote patience,\rdblquote another fruit of the Spirit. The first is \i hupomone\i0 , translated \ldblquote endurance, steadfastness, and fortitude\rdblquote in circumstances that cannot be changed\i . \i0 The second word,\i makrothumia, \i0 means \ldblquote great\rdblquote or \ldblquote long tempered.\rdblquote It is the opposite of short tempered, impatient, and easily frustrated. In general, it means to stick with things and not to be derailed by adversity. The word is usually applied to having patience with people.\par \par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab A patient person is mild, gentle, and constant in all circumstances. The real test of patience is not in the waiting but in how one behaves while waiting. "But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" \i (\cf1\ul Jam_1:4\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \par \par \tab Reaching this point in one\rquote s life takes practice, takes God\rquote s grace, and takes a willingness to put aside self and to surrender to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. The good news is that if we learn patience, we are in a position to receive many other blessings from God, as well.\par \par  \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 30.\par \par \b\i0\scaps\par \par \par \par \fs28 Sunday\b0\scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i January 24\i0\par \par \b Patience Is an Attribute of God\fs32 \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Exo_34:6\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \b\tab\par \fs22\tab\b0\ldblquote And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, \lquote The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth\rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Exo_34:6\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \tab\par \tab One of the many Bible stories illustrating the patience of God was His dealing with Nineveh. The prophet Jonah recognized God\rquote s patience: \ldblquote \lquote Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm\rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Jon_4:2\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \i0\par \tab Note some of the other qualities that patience is combined with in \cf1\ul Exo_34:6\cf0\ulnone . God\rquote s grace, mercy, lovingkindness, goodness, and truth protect and sustain even the most hardened sinners in order to give them the maximum time and advantage to turn their lives around. If God struck out at people as quickly as humans frequently do, we\rquote d all be dead.\par \par \b\tab Why is God patient with sinners? \b0\i (\cf1\ul 2Pe_3:8-9\cf0\ulnone ). \b\i0 How have you seen the reality of this truth manifested toward yourself or toward others? \b0\par \par \tab If someone were to ask you how you picture God in your mind, how would you describe Him? This is revealing, because how a Christian thinks of God has a lot to do with his world view and how we treat others. If we see God as angry and quick to punish, how would we likely treat others in the church and in our homes?\par \par \b\tab How can we learn to do what the Lord calls us to do in \cf1\ul Rom_15:5\cf0\ulnone ?\b0\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \tab\tab\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\scaps\fs28 Monday \b0\scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i January 25\i0\par \par \b Patience Required\fs36 \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Eph_4:1-2\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \b\tab\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Eph_4:1-2\cf0\ulnone . Look at the elements Paul presents for those who are to \ldblquote walk worthy\rdblquote of the Lord. Among them is patience. How is patience linked with the other attributes presented? That is, how do they feed into each other?\par \b0\i\par \i0\tab Church is a mixture of people from various backgrounds and cultures. It also includes people who are on different rungs of the maturity ladder. Patience is necessary to be able to get along where there are so many differences. It is a temptation for those who are mature to be impatient toward those less so. In spite of the fact that it took years for them to arrive at their present level of knowledge, often the mature are unwilling to give the immature the same amount of time and study to reach their level of knowledge and understanding.\par \par \b\tab What is Paul\rquote s counsel on how we are to deal with those \par who may be weak in faith? \cf1\ul\b0\i Rom_14:1; Rom_15:1\cf0\ulnone .\i0\par \par \tab Patience in the church is one thing. But what about patience at home? What are some of the things that make us impatient with other members of our family? How long should we pray for family members who are out of the faith? Have you ever known anyone who had to pray for a loved one for many years before the person gave his or her heart to the Lord? What are practical ways in which we can learn to cultivate patience with family members? Why is death to self so important here, too? \par \par \tab Also, if we can be patient at home, with those who are always \ldblquote in our face,\rdblquote then we likely will be patient with others, as well. \par \par \b\tab Think about how patient the Lord has been with you. How does keeping that reality constantly before you help you learn to show patience with others? If the Lord treated you as you treated others, what do you think would be your fate? \b0\par \par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Tuesday\b0 \scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab January 26\i0\par \par \b Patience in the Gospel\fs36 \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul 2Ti_4:2\cf0\ulnone )\par \i0\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\f1\fs22 Preaching and teaching the gospel is one of the most difficult areas in which to exercise patience. Most of us are too impatient with people who don\rquote t know the truth or who don\rquote t seem to care about it. But in a world full of false doctrine and prejudice against truth, we must be longsuffering as we see k to lead people to Christ. It is too easy to shake our head and say, \ldblquote Why don\rquote t they understand? The truth is so plain.\rdblquote\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\f0\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab The truth always is plain to the person who is not looking at it through gl!asses tinted by false doctrine, tradition, family, and so forth. We must be patient as we seek to open minds and untie the tentacles of prejudice and false teaching that bind them to error and tradition.\par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Mar_4:26-29\cf0\ulnone . What are some practical lessons about patience in the area of soul winning from this parable?\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\par \tab We are prone to think that when s"omeone studies a particular Bible doctrine and doesn\rquote t accept it immediately, it must mean the person has rejected the truth. That, however, is not necessarily the case. The fact is that conversion can be a long, complicated process that could take years in some instances. Though many of us might be eager to see the immediate fruit of our labors, it doesn\rquote t always happen that way. What\rquote s important is that, in our zeal, we don\rquote t become a hindrance to someone; that is, we must no#t push so hard that the person gets turned off. Most important, we never must condemn or judge someone who doesn\rquote t make a commitment to the truths that we love and care so deeply about at the precise time that we think the person should. Your labors, your work for the person, could very well be an important step in a process that might not bear fruit for years. You just don\rquote t know. The crucial thing is not to ruin it all by being condemnatory or judgmental. \par \par \b\tab What crucial p$oint is found in \cf1\ul 1Sa_16:7\cf0\ulnone that we should always keep in mind in this context (and in all contexts, really)? \b0 \tab\tab\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs24\tab\par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Wednesday \b0\scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\i January 27\i0\par \par \b Patience Has Its Limits\b0\fs24 \i (\cf1\ul Gen_6:3\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \fs22\tab No greater demonstration of patience %can be found than that shown by God toward humans. But we must understand that even God\rquote s longsuffering has a limit.\par \par \tab The longsuffering of God lasted for 120 years in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared \i (\cf1\ul 1Pe_3:20\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 But the time came when the stubbornness of the people exhausted the longsuffering of God, and He destroyed the earth with a flood. \par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Gen_6:3\cf0\ulnone . What important principle is seen there?\b0\par &\par \b\tab In the cases of Sodom and Gomorrah, Israel in the \par wilderness, and the Babylonian captivity, what attitude on the part of the people prompted the consequences that the people suffered? \cf1\ul\b0\i Deu_31:27\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Psa_95:8\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Jer_17:23\cf0\ulnone .\i0\par \par \tab It might be argued that, inasmuch as God ran out of patience, this gives us permission to do the same. But when we study the history of God\rquote s longsuffering, it becomes evident that His' patience was not for a day, a week, or even a year. Often generations would pass before His longsuffering would be exhausted, which, of course, is not an option open to us. \par \tab\par \tab Is there a point where our patience can legitimately run out when dealing with folk in a difficult situation? It depends on what that means. We might decide that we\rquote ve had enough of a certain situation and conclude that it has to end. But that\rquote s not the same thing as being judgmental, unloving, or c(ruel in the process. It might be time to take action, but that action must never be out of harmony with the principles of kindness, love, and caring.\par \par \b\tab Dwell on situations in which your patience ran out legitimately and illegitimately. What was the difference between the two? What have you learned from these experiences? If you had to do them over again, what would you do differently? \b0 \par \fs24\par \par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-6480\li6480\tx0\tx720\tx1440\)tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\highlight2\b\scaps\fs28 Thursday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab January 28\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0\par \b How to Develop Patience\b0 \i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Jam_1:2-4\cf0\ulnone )\i0 \par \b\par \fs22\tab\ldblquote My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of you*r faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing\rdblquote\b0\i (\cf1\ul Jam_1:2-4\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\b\i0 What has been your own experience with the reality of these verses? What have you learned from the various trials you have faced that, in the end, have made you a better person, one who better reflects the character of Jesus?\b0\par \par \tab The Greek word for \ldblquote trials,\rdblquote sometimes translated \ldblquote te+mptations,\rdblquote is the word \i peirazo\i0 , which has the broader significance of \ldblquote proving\rdblquote or \ldblquote testing.\rdblquote The devil tries us or tempts us to do evil. The tests and trials that God allows to come into our lives are for the purpose of developing our character. \par \par \tab\ldblquote The trials of life are God's workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painf,ul process; it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple. Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough work. Only His precious stones are polished after the similitude of a palace.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, \i0 p. 10.\tab\par \par \tab This doesn\rquote t mean, however, that every trial is in God\rquote s providence. Often, we bring suffering upon ou-rselves through disobedience; often, too, trials and suffering are just the results of what it means to live in a fallen, sinful world where we have an enemy who hates us \i (\cf1\ul 1Pe_5:8\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 What this does mean, however, is that through a complete surrender of ourselves to the Lord, to grasping hold of Him in faith and obedience, no matter what we go through, we can come out better or more refined, if we allow God to work in us. No one said it will be fun. Life here often isn\rquote t fu.n, but we are given the wonderful promise: \ldblquote Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Php_1:6\cf0\ulnone ). \i0\par \fs24\par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Friday\b0\scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab \i January 29\par \b\i0\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Further Study: \par \f0s22\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\f1\ldblquote In His dealings with the human race, God bears long with the impenitent. He uses His appointed agencies to call men to allegiance, and offers them His full pardon if they will repent. But because God is long-suffering, men presume on His mercy. \lquote Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of m60\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 7\b0 \i\tab\tab *February 6-12\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0\tab\tab\par \b The Fruit \i of the\i0 Spirit Is Goodness\par \b0 _______________________\b\par \scaps\tab Sabbath Afternoon\scaps0\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx71en is fully set in them to do evil.\rquote The patience and long-suffering of God, which should soften and subdue the soul, has an altogether different influence upon the careless and sinful. It leads them to cast off restraint, and strengthens them in resistance. They think that the God who has borne so much from them will not heed their perversity. If we lived in a dispensation of immediate retribution, offenses against God would not occur so often. But though delayed, the punishment is none the less c2ertain. There are limits even to the forbearance of God. The boundary of His long-suffering may be reached, and then He will surely punish. And when He does take up the case of the presumptuous sinner, He will not cease till He has made a full end.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The SDA Bible Commentary,\i0 p. 1166. \par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\f0\tab\tab\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\sh3ading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\fs22\par \par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 1. To say that God is patient is not the same as to say that He is tolerant. What is the difference between patience and tolerance, and why is it easy to confuse the two?\b0\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowid4ctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b 2. As we look at the life of Christ, how does He reveal what patience means? What are some powerful examples that He gives of patience? What examples does He give, if any, of situations when patience was no longer appropriate?\b0\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shadi5ng10000\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li1440\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\tab\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b 3.\b0 \b Dwell more on the question of trials and character. Sure, trials can make our character better in many cases. At the same time, what happens when trials embitter people, turn them away from God, and make them cyniBcal and doubtful? Have you ever seen that happen to someone? If so, what can you learn from that experience? \par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\tab\b 4.\b0 \b Besides trials, what are other ways the Lord can teach us patience? How have you learned (or ad we are, the more miserable we tend to be?\par \pard\par \pard\fi-720\li720\tab 5. Why is the hope and promise of eternal life in a whole new earth so crucial to our whole Christian experience? What would we have without it? How important, then, is it that we keep that hope always before us? After all, even if we have it good here in this world and in this life, it\rquote s not going to last, so how ultimately satisfying could it be?\cf2\b0\f1\fs23\par \pard\cf0\b\f2\fs28\par \cf2\b0\f1\fs23\par } 6many souls are going to be eternally lost, how much happiness should we have? Isn\rquote t it kind of selfish to rejoice in our good fortune while we know that others will perish?\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab 4. Why is it that the more self-centere7hading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab 3. How much happiness or even joy could or should we expect in this life, even as a Christian who lives with the knowledge of God\rquote s infinite love? That is, when all around us we see sickness, suffering, and death, and when we know that 8x1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab 2. What are some worldly ways we can be \ldblquote happy\rdblquote ? How well do these things work?\b0 \b What have you learned about worldly ways of achieving happiness? Are they all bad, or can and should they have their place in our lives? \b0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\s;ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red51\green51\blue102;\red0\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 11\b0 \i *March 6-12\i0\par \par \b The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit Is Righteousness\b0\par < _________________________\par \tab\b\scaps Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\par \par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study\b0 :\i \cf1\ul Mat_23:25-28\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Rom_3:28; Rom_8:4; Rom_10:3\cf0\ulnone ,\b \cf1\ul\b0 Gal_3:6\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul 1Jn_2:3-6; 1Jn_5:1-3\cf0\ulnone\b . \i0 \par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1800=\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 Memory Text: \ldblquote \lquote Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Mat_5:6\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6?840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\dn10\fs108 L\up0\fs22 ast week we finished our study on nine branches of the fruit of the Spirit \i (\cf1\ul Gal_5:22-23\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 The next two weeks we will study two more: \ldblquote For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Eph_5:9\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 In this verse, Paul repeats the reference to \ldblquot x3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\txe03 Fruit of ~!03 Fruit of the Spirit/Joy-Ja:103 Fruit of the Spirit/Joy-Jan 9-15{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\grM03 Fruit of the Spirit/Joy-Jan 9-15{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg12jI03 Fruit of the Spirit/Joy-Jan 9-15{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcha@e goodness\rdblquote while he adds righteousness and truth. This week we look at what this \ldblquote righteousness\rdblquote is.\par \par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab We understand righteousness in two ways. First, there is the imputed righteousness of Christ, which is what Jesus has done \i for\i0 us, the righteousness that covers us and that is our title to heaven. Second, there is the imparted Arighteousness of Christ, which is what He does in us, through the Holy Spirit, to mold us into His image. Thus understood, righteousness has two inseparable components, even though it\rquote s all really one righteousness-the righteousness of Christ, without which we would have no hope of salvation.\tab\par \b\par \par \b0\i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 13.\b\i0\par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \par \scaps\fs28 Sunday\b0\scaps0 D \i March 7\i0\par \par \b The Necessity of Righteousness\b0\fs24\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-1800\li1800\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\b\tab\b0\tab\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab\fs22\ldblquote Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ulre still learning) the lesson of patience? \b0\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \pard\li720\b 5. Is there someone you need to apologize to because of your lack of patience? Why not humble yourself and make the apology and do whatever else it takes to make things right? Isn\rquote t that what being a Christian is all about?\cf3\b0\par \pard\cf0\b\fs28\par \cf3\b0\f2\fs23\par } t3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b 2.\b0 \ldblquote\b Love cannot long exist without expression.\rdblquote What does that mean, and why does it represent a principle that\rquote s so important for us as a church? \b0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\tab\tab\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-7E Rom_3:28\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 \ldblquote For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Psa_11:7\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \ldblquote The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness\rdblquote\cf2 \i (\cf1\ul Pro_15:9\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \ldblquote Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed\rdbFlquote \i (\cf1\ul 1Pe_2:24\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \b\ldblquote\b0 That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_8:4\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \ldblquote \lquote But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you\rquote \rdblquote\cf2\i (\cf1\ul Mat_6:33\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \ldblquote If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyGone who practices righteousness is born of Him\rdblquote\cf2 \i (\cf1\ul 1Jn_2:29\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \i0\par \b\tab Referring to the texts quoted above, respond to the following questions\b0 : \par \tab\par \tab\b If we cannot be justified by the law, how then are we justified? \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab\b Although we know that God hates sin but loves sHinners, what wrong conclusions must we avoid?\b0 \par \par \tab\b What does it mean: \ldblquote that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us\rdblquote ?\b0 \b Can we ever keep the law well enough to fulfill it? Or does Paul mean something else?\b0 \b If so, what?\b0\par \par \tab\b How should our lives be changed when we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? \b0\par \par \tab\b What does it mean \ldblquote to do righteousness\rdblquote ? Can we \i be\i0 righteous witIhout \i doing\i0 righteousness? Justify your answer.\b0\page\b\scaps\fs36\par \fs28 Monday\b0\scaps0 \i March 8\par \par \b\i0 Do-It-Yourself Righteousness \b0\fs24\par \par \b\tab\fs22\ldblquote For they being ignorant of God\rquote s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Rom_10:3\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \b What do you think Paul was talking about here? About whoJm is he talking, and how might these folk have tried to establish their \ldblquote own righteousness\rdblquote ? Given human nature, why is that impossible anyway?\b0\par \b\tab\par \tab\b0 A\b \b0\ldblquote do-it-yourself\rdblquote activity is one in which a person does or makes something (as in woodworking or home repair) without professional training or assistance. In its broadest sense it is an activity in which one does something oneself or on one\rquote s own initiative. We sometimes refer to a Kparticularly successful person as a self-made man or woman. According to the Bible, however, a \ldblquote do-it-yourself\rdblquote approach to true righteousness is impossible. There is nothing that we can do of ourselves, no matter how hard we try, to be righteous before God. Our righteousness is as \ldblquote filthy rags\rdblquote\i (\cf1\ul Isa_64:6\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 In fact, seeking to make yourself righteous often leads to the opposite result. \par \tab\b\par \tab Read \cf1\ul Mat_5:20\cf3\ulnoneL ; \cf1\ul Mat_23:25-28\cf0\ulnone . How does Jesus here pinpoint the problem that comes from those who seek to make themselves righteous? \b0\par \par \tab The crucial thing for Christians to understand is how utterly dependent they are upon Christ for their righteousness. What makes them holy before God is what Christ has done for them, not what they do. The moment someone loses sight of that truth, it\rquote s so easy for self-righteousness to rise up, along with pride and inner corruption. The scribes and Pharisees were prime examples of how that happens. So concerned with their outward deeds of piety, they lost sight of what really matters. \par \b\par \tab In what ways might you be guilty of the same sin as the scribes and Pharisees? How might this trap be more subtle than we think? \b0\par \par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Tuesday \b0\scaps0 \i March 9\i0\par \par \b Christ Our Righteousness \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Rom_5:17\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \b\fs22\tab Read \Cidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\fs24\tab\b\fs22 1. As a class, go over the final question at the end of Thursday\rquote s lesson: \ldblquote Do we really have the truth if the Truth, Jesus, doesn\rquote t have us?\rdblquote What are the implications of your answer? \b0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpaMthe heart becomes desolate and cold. We should beware of this error. Love cannot long exist without expression. Let not the heart of one connected with you starve for the want of \i kindness\i0 and sympathy.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Adventist Home,\i0 p. 107, emphasis supplied.\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowNcend upon the suppliants like the morning dew.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Adventist Home,\i0 p. 37, emphasis supplied.\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\ldblquote There are many who regard the expression of love as a weakness, and they maintain a reserve that repels others. This spirit checks the current of sympathy. As the social and generous impulses are repressed, they wither, and Otx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\fs28 Further Study:\b0\fs24 \par \par \tab\fs22\ldblquote From every Christian home a holy light should shine forth. Love should be revealed in action . . . showing itself in \i thoughtful kindness\i0 , in gentle, unselfish courtesy. There are homes where this principle is carried out-homes where God is worshiped and truest love reigns. From these homes morning and evening prayer ascends to God as sweet incense, and His mercies and blessings desPus, doesn\rquote t have us?\par \fs24\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-6480\li6480\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\scaps\fs28 Friday\b0\scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab February 5\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0\fs24\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\Q the Sabbath is the seventh day or that the dead sleep until the resurrection or that Christ\rquote s righteousness covers us now and in the final judgment is all fine, and important. But having knowledge alone isn\rquote t the same thing as knowing the truth as it is in Jesus \i (\cf1\ul Joh_14:6\cf0\ulnone ),\i0 for the truth sets us free \i (\cf1\ul Joh_8:32\cf0\ulnone );\i0 that is, the truth changes us and makes us more like Christ. Could one then ask, Do we really have the truth if the Truth, Jes9720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b\fs22 1.\b0 \b Go through the Bible and focus on the lives of a few well-known characters. How much joy do you think they experienced? How about Noah or Abraham or Joseph? What about Daniel or David or Jeremiah? Or Paul or John the Baptist? What can we learn from their experiences, both the good and the bad, about what Christian joy is really about?\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tSaven's brightness is brought into the life.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i A Call to Medical Evangelism and Health Esducation,\i0 p. 26, emphasis supplied.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs24\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\par \b0\fs24\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\liTs it with joy and gladness. Those who receive Christ as a sin-pardoning Saviour are clothed with His garments of light. He takes away their sin and imparts to them His righteousness. Their \i joy\i0 is full.\par \tab\par \ldblquote Who have better right than Christians to sing songs of rejoicing? Have they not the expectation of being members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King? \i Is not the gospel good tidings of great joy?\i0 When the promises of God are freely and fully accepted, heUd in and of itself offers, and as we all know, what it offers can at times be very bitter.\par \fs24\par \par \scaps\fs28 Friday\scaps0 \b0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i January 15\b\i0\par \par Further Study: \fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\fs22\ldblquote It is the duty of Christians to convince the world that the religion of Christ disrobes the soul of the garments of heaviness and mourning and clotheVcan lead to disillusionment. Becoming a committed Christian is no assurance of money, fame, and influence. Each year thousands are persecuted, some even martyred, for their faith.\par \par \b\tab In the end, our hope, our salvation, everything has to depend upon something greater than this world, greater than what this world offers. How crucial that, no matter what we are going through, we focus on what Jesus has done for us and what He has promised us. Otherwise, we have nothing else but what this worlWit might not have been that hard to do, because there are often so many \ldblquote good\rdblquote reasons to make a wrong decision.\par \par \b\tab Think upon the last time you made a wrong decision based on \ldblquote good\rdblquote reasons. What hard lessons did you learn? \par \b0\par \tab While joy comes from knowing we are within the will of God, the immediate consequences often may be difficult and painful. To believe that when we accept Jesus and obey His Word all our problems will disappear X:22\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Php_1:29\cf0\ulnone .)\b \i0 How can we link those above verses with the promise of joy? \b0\i (See \cf1\ul Heb_11:16\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul 1Pe_1:6-8\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \tab Moses\rquote decision to turn his back on the throne of Egypt was definitely not politically correct. He might have decided to stay in Egypt and become the next Pharaoh. He might have rationalized such a move to be God\rquote s will for him. After all, Ytx8640\par \b Joy That Lasts\b0\fs36 \i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Heb_11:24-25\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \b\par \fs22\tab\ldblquote By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh\rquote s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Heb_11:24-25\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\b . \i0 What principles of the Christian life are found in these verses? \b0\i (See also \cf1\ul Luk_9:23\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Act_14Z\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\par \b\tab No matter what you might be struggling with now, reach out to someone who is, perhaps, going through something hard, as well. Surely you know someone who needs help, encouragement, support. How can bearing someone else\rquote s burdens lighten your own?\b0 \par \fs24\par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Thursday\b0\scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab January 14\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\[ Mat_10:30\cf0\ulnone .)? \i0 Think of the promise inherent in those words. If, knowing our security is in Jesus, we would reach out and minister to someone else during our times of trial, we would know that self-pity can be turned to joy by a simple act of the will. \ldblquote And the Lord restored Job\rquote s losses when he prayed for his friends\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Job_42:10\cf0\ulnone , NKJV). \i0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\an we take from these verses that could help us during painful times? \par \b0\par \tab Consider\b \b0 the possibility that many believers today do not have joy simply because they are self-centered. However real our problems, by focusing solely on them, we only make them worse in our own minds. In reality, we do have reasons to rejoice, not in ourselves but in God. \par \par \tab After all, doesn\rquote t God say that \ldblquote the very hairs of your head are all numbered\rdblquote \i (See \cf1\ul]n this life we would all have troubles, both the believer and the nonbeliever. However much we love the story of Daniel in the lions\rquote den, the fact is that most of the Christians thrown to the lions were torn to shreds by the beasts. The same with the three Hebrews who survived the fiery furnace; most Christians tied to the stake were, indeed, burned there! \par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Gal_6:9\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Jam_1:2-4\cf0\ulnone , and \cf1\ul 1Pe_1:6\cf0\ulnone . What hope, what promises c^s22\tab\ldblquote \lquote These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world\rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Joh_16:33\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\tab\tab\par \tab\tab\par \tab A long-held belief suggests that if a person is passing through difficulties it is because either that person must be doing something wrong or does not have enough faith. What a crude and cold view of God! Jesus said clearly that i_darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Isa_5:20\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \par \b\tab How have you experienced for yourself the joy that comes from obedience? Or, to ask the question negatively: How have you experienced the pain and suffering that come from not obeying the Lord? \b0\par \par \fs27\par \b\scaps\fs28 Wednesday\b0\scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab January 13\par \i0\par \b Joy in Tough Times \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Joh_16:33\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \f`r the Bible is that we are not saved by works, it\rquote s also clear that works are an inseparable aspect of what it means to have salvation. Works reveal to the universe the reality of our salvation, the reality of our commitment to God. To call someone a legalist merely because that person is adamant about obeying God\rquote s will is, in a real sense, to fall into the trap that Isaiah warned about: \ldblquote Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for afact is that obedience to the will of God is liberating. Remember, it was disobedience that brought war to heaven and sin and death to this planet. All human pain and suffering are the result of humans stepping outside the will of God. It will be, then, obedience to the will of God through faith that helps restore joy.\par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Psa_19:8\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Jer_15:16\cf0\ulnone , and \cf1\ul Mat_7:21-27\cf0\ulnone . How do they link obedience with joy?\b0\par \par \tab However cleabs delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Psa_1:2\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \i0\par \tab\ldblquote I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Psa_40:8\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \i0\par \tab There is no greater joy than the joy of being obedient to the will of God. While it may seem to some that an emphasis on obedience to the law of God simply serves to exacerbate an already guilty conscience, the cthat Jesus did?\b0\par \par \fs24\par \b\scaps\fs28 Tuesday\b0\scaps0 \i\tab \tab\tab\tab\tab January 12\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b Joy in Obedience\fs32 \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Joh_15:11\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \b\fs22\tab Read \cf1\ul Joh_15:10-11\cf0\ulnone . What is Jesus linking joy to? How, in a practical sense, does this work; that is, why should this lead to joy? \b0\par \par \tab\ldblquote But hidt to God?\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\par \b\tab How would you reconcile the idea that Jesus was \ldblquote a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief\rdblquote\i \b0 (\cf1\ul Isa_53:3\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\i0 \b yet at the same time was a man of joy? Pick a specific problem in your life that causes you sorrow and grief. How, despite this sorrow, can you experience for yourself the kind of joy R pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Testimonies for the Church, \i0 vol. 9, p. 189. \par \par \tab When we teach the doctrines of the church, we include the Sabbath, the state of the dead, the origin of sin, and other defining beliefs. But are we as careful about emphasizing the importance of kindness and the other fruit of the Spirit, along with the Sermon on the Mount and \cf1\ul 1Co_13:1-13\cf0\ulnone ? Knowing thatfwn to the southward, there the sunbeams smite the coldness of death, and it is dissipated in the warm ocean. Kindness is conquering.\rdblquote\par \par \tab As Adventists, we have very powerful scriptural evidence to back up our positions. (If we don\rquote t, then what are we doing here?) And that\rquote s, of course, important. But we need more than just correct teaching, don\rquote t we?\par \par \tab\ldblquote If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted andgful our witness to the world would be were we to put these words into practice. \b0\par \par \tab Alexander Maclaren, noted London clergyman of the late nineteenth century, wrote: \ldblquote Gentleness is the strongest force in the world. You take all the steam hammers that were ever forged and battle at an iceberg, and except for the comparatively little heat that is developed by the blows and melts some small portion, it will still be ice, though pulverized instead of whole. But let it move gently do vvse the two?\b0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard%04 Fruit of the Spirit/Peace-Jan 16-22{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{%a0%I04 Fruit of the Spirit%r%M04 Fruit of the Spirit/Peace-Jan 16-22{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f2\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Calibri;}{\f3\fnil\f \lM04 The F1Y05 Fruit 1!05 Fruit of the Spirit/Patience-Jan 23-29{\rtf1\ansi1h1-05 Fruit of the Spirit/Patience-Jan 23-29{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fswiss\fprq2\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx28 FN%q06 The Fruit of the Spirit Is Kindness{\rtf1\ansi\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 @Arial Unicode MS;}} {\colortbl ;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255=06 Fruit of the Spirit/Kindness-Jan 30-Feb 5{\rtf1\ansi\ans=X=06 Fruit of the Spirit/Kindness-Jan 30-Feb 5{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0hb\tab February 4\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\i0\par Put on Kindness\b0 \i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Col_3:12-14\cf0\ulnone )\i0 \par \par \b\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Col_3:12-14\cf0\ulnone and then rewrite it in your own words. In what ways do these verses reveal the essence of what it means to be a follower of Christ (notice the use of the term \i perfect\i0 or \i perfection\i0 ? Also, think about how powerler do anything for you in return. That\rquote s the real test. \par \par \b\tab Examine yourself. Is your kindness motivated by selfless and self-sacrificial love, or is it motivated even slightly by a desire to look out for number one? If it\rquote s the latter, how can you change?\b0\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-5760\li5760\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs24\par \b\scaps\fs28 Thursday \b0\scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tamyou want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets\rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Mat_7:12\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Luk_6:35\cf0\ulnone . How does this fit in with what we\rquote ve been talking about all week? \b0\par \par \tab It\rquote s always easy to be kind to someone who could be of benefit to you down the road. Anyone will do that. What\rquote s harder, however, is to be kind, especially when it costs you something, to those who can nevn\tab Of course, it doesn\rquote t always happen that way. (Look at Jesus and how He was treated!) But whether it does or doesn\rquote t, in one sense it doesn\rquote t really matter. As Christians, we always should be kind, even if that kindness is not given back to us. In fact, as we have read, being kind to those who are unkind to us is a hallmark of being a true follower of Jesus. In general, however, how we treat others will impact how we ourselves are treated. \ldblquote \lquote Therefore, whatever or will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Luk_6:38\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\b .\i0 What is Jesus saying here? What principle of life is He talking about? \b0\par \par \tab So often, how we treat others comes back on ourselves. That is, when we are kind, it\rquote s so much likelier that others will be kind to us. It works the other way, too: be mean to others, and others will be mean to you, as well. \par \par eof what He would accomplish-many people would be saved. \par \par \tab Consider the significance of the words recorded in \cf1\ul Heb_12:2-3\cf0\ulnone .\b \b0 Prayerfully contemplate the words: \ldblquote who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame . . .\rdblquote\i (NKJV).\i0 Write some of the thoughts that come to your mind as you meditate on the meaning of these words. What was the joy that was set before Him? Why would the salvation of lost souls be so importanpu say it are revealed in these texts? As you read them, ask yourself about your use of words when talking to others. In what ways could you be kinder in your verbal communication with others? \b0\par \b\tab\par \tab\fs24\par \scaps\fs28 Wednesday\b0\scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab February 3\par \i0\par \b Kindness Returned \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Luk_6:38\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \b\par \tab\fs22\ldblquote \lquote Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running overtimes one could say something and not hurt or offend, or one could say the exact words to the same person and greatly hurt and offend. The key is \i how\i0 we speak. Human speech is more than just the meanings of words themselves; tone, facial expression, body language, stress are all part and parcel of conveying our thoughts, emotions, and ideas to others. \par \par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Pro_15:1-5\cf0\ulnone and \cf1\ul Pro_25:11-15\cf0\ulnone . What important principles about what you say and how yosd of being kind all day!\rdblquote What a sad attitude to have toward human life.\par \par \tab Kindness, especially in our homes, is crucial. And one of the most important ways we can manifest kindness, especially in our homes, is in the \i way \i0 we talk to each other. The atmosphere of the home largely is determined by the words we speak. So many problems, so many hurts, so many tensions and outright fights could be avoided were we careful not only with what we say but \i how\i0 we say it. Oftent 1Th_2:7\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \i0\par \tab Second, we are to show kindness and encouragement to the weak. \ldblquote We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_15:1\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \i0\par \tab Third, we are to serve as a nurse to the spiritually sick \i (\cf1\ul 2Ti_2:24-25\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \tab\par \tab A businessman was once heard to say, \ldblquote I can\rquote t wait to get home at night-I get so tireuind to one another\rdblquote \i (NKJV).\i0 Look at how this verse fits in perfectly with what we saw yesterday, about treating others as God has treated us!\par \par \tab Kindness is to mark the Christian \i at all times\i0 . But there are at least three specific needs that call for three specific kinds of encouragement.\par \par \tab First, we are to show kindness to spiritual babies. \ldblquote But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ulvn, that we keep the Cross and what it means to us, individually, before us at all times. \par \par \b\tab What things has God forgiven you for over the years? How should that realization help you treat those who have done things to hurt you? \b0\par \par \fs24\par \b\scaps\fs28 Tuesday \b0\scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i February 2\par \par \b\i0 Kind Words\fs32 \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Eph_4:32\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \tab\cf1\ul\fs22 Eph_4:32\cf0\ulnone begins with the words, \ldblquote And be kws it something that\rquote s owed you? Are your thoughts, your deeds, your words so selfless, so holy, so loving and accepting that God is merely doing to you as you have done to others? Most likely the answer is No. And herein is a crucial point. When we realize what God has forgiven us, when we realize that God loves us despite what we are and what we have done, then we truly can understand what it means to be kind and loving to those who don\rquote t deserve our kindness or our love. How important, thex undeserved mercy and kindness from the hand of God and was going to reflect that kindness to others.\par \tab\par \b\tab Before we can pass on God\rquote s kindness to others, what must we first recognize? \b0\i See \cf1\ul Luk_7:47\cf0\ulnone\b .\i0 What crucial principle is found here that can play an important role in helping us understand the whole question of kindness to others? \b0\tab\par \par \tab Think for a few moments about the goodness and kindness of God toward you. Do you deserve it? Iy reception of him and his continued kindness won the heart of the young man; he became strongly attached to David, and, like his father Jonathan, he felt that his interest was one with that of the king whom God had chosen.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Patriarchs and Prophets, \i0 p. 713.\par \par \tab David\rquote s kindness to the house of Saul reveals that he sought to use God as the pattern for what he wanted to do for Saul\rquote s house. He recognized that he, a sinner like all of us, had receivedz0\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0\par \b Kindness to a \ldblquote Dead Dog\rdblquote \b0\fs22\par \tab\par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul 2Sa_9:1-13\cf0\ulnone . How did David show kindness here? How did he, by this act, reveal the character of God?\b0 \par \par \tab\ldblquote Through reports from the enemies of David, Mephibosheth had been led to cherish a strong prejudice against him as a usurper; but the monarch's generous and courteous{nful, vengeful hearts, which, more often than not, cause us to act like \ldblquote publicans.\rdblquote \par \par \b\tab What painful and deep changes must you make if you are going to follow Christ\rquote s words in these verses? \b0\par \tab\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-5760\li5760\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\scaps\par \fs28 Monday\b0\scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i February 1\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading1000|ven as perfect as God. How so? By loving our enemies, by praying for those who mistreat us, by being kind to those who have not been kind to us. This is how Jesus defines being \ldblquote perfect.\rdblquote Try to and imagine what our church would be like and what our homes would be like were we to die to self enough so that we actually could live this way! We would have a power and a witness against which the gates of hell could never prevail. What\rquote s the only thing stopping us? Nothing but our si} \ldblquote our Father in heaven\rdblquote is perfect? \b0\par \par \tab God\rquote s gracious gifts are just that, gracious gifts. They are unearned and unmerited by all human beings, all of whom have willingly sinned against Him and either ignored or neglected Him. In this sense the greatest sinner is in the same boat as the holiest saint: Neither deserve the kindness and goodness that God gives to us all. \par \par \tab With these verses, Jesus is calling us to be \ldblquote perfect,\rdblquote e~s in the Sermon on the Mount the kindness and goodness of God. Read \cf1\ul Mat_5:43-48\cf0\ulnone and answer the following questions:\b0\par \par \b\tab (1) To what high standard is Jesus calling us here?\par \par \tab (2) What reason does Jesus give for calling us to this standard?\par \par \tab (3) Notice Christ\rquote s use of the word \i perfect\i0 in verse 48. What is the meaning of \i perfect\i0 here, and how can the use of the word here help us understand what it means to be perfect like\b\scaps\fs36\par \par \par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-5760\li5760\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs28 Sunday\b0\scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab January 31\i0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b The Model of Kindness\fs32 \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Mat_5:43-48\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \b\fs22 Jesus clearly illustrateant, by how we say it and do it and, even \i more\i0 important, \i why\i0 we say and do it. \par \par \tab Kindness is not beyond the reach of any, although it may take the sacrifice of time and energy. Kindness is a verb that reveals itself in numerous ways. And like its close cousin \ldblquote love,\rdblquote kindness contains incredible power; it is a witness in and of itself of what our God is like.\par \par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 6.\i0\par te is kind,\rdblquote showing that love and kindness so belong together that without kindness no act is truly done in love!\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Patience, we saw, is love forbearing. Kindness, on the other hand, implies a more active expression of love. Often patience might be manifested by doing nothing; kindness, in contrast, is manifested by what we say and do and, more import NKJV).\b\i0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs24\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\dn10\fs108 W\up0\fs22 hen Paul illustrated how love behaves, patience came into his mind first: \ldblquote Love suffers long\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 1Co_13:4\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 Immediately after patience, he wrote that love \ldblquo Col_3:12-14\cf0\ulnone .\tab\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Memory Text: \ldblquote Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Col_3:12\cf0\ulnone ,\par \b0 ______________________________\b\par \scaps Sabbath Afternoon\scaps0\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study\b0 : \cf1\ul\i 2Sa_9:1-13\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Pro_15:1-5\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Pro_25:11-15\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Mat_5:43-48\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Luk_6:35\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Luk_6:38\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Eph_4:32\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-4320\li4320\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 6\b0 \tab\tab \i *January 30-February 5\i0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\par \b The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit Is Kindnessh as an abundant harvest. Inward joy is steady as long as we trust God; happiness is as unpredictable as a harvest. Inward joy defeats discouragement; happiness covers it up. Inward joy is lasting; happiness is temporary. \par \par \tab Joy is a delight in life that runs deeper than pain or pleasure. This type of joy stems from an awareness of God's presence in one's life, allowing us to rise above circumstances and focus on the goodness and love of God. At the core of Christian joy is the fact that God result of \i being\i0 -as in being connected to Jesus, the True Vine.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab In \cf1\ul Psa_4:7\cf0\ulnone , joy and happiness are contrasted: \ldblquote You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine\rdblquote \i (NLT).\i0 The \ldblquote greater joy\rdblquote comes from knowing and trusting God; happiness is a result of pleasant circumstances, suc\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Memory Text: \ldblquote \lquote These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full\rquote \rdblquote\i \b0 (\cf1\ul Joh_15:11\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\b\i0\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\fi-720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\dn10\fs108 J\up0\fs22 oy and happiness are not necessarily the same thing. Happiness is the result of favorable circumstances; joy, in contrast, is the\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study: \cf1\ul\b0\i Psa_139:1-24\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Luk_15:4-24\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Joh_15:10-11\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Heb_11:16\cf0\ulnone .\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760rset0 Georgia;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 3 \b0 *\i January 9-15\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit Is\i \i0 Joy\par \b0 ______________________________\b\par \scaps Sabbath Afternoon\scaps0\par \b0\fs24 has acted and is acting to save those who trust in Him.\par \par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 16.\i0\par \par \fs24\par \par \par \par \par \par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Sunday\b0 \scaps0\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i January 10\i0\par \b\par The Command to Rejoice\b0 \i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Php_4:4\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \fs22\tab Many believers allow themselves to be victimized by their circumstances and consequently vacillate between a spiritual high and low. For them, to rejoice seems unreasonable, even impossible. That is why the command is to rejoice \ldblquote in the Lord\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Php_4:4\cf0\ulnone ).\par \i0\par \tab We can\rquote t always rejoice in our circumstances or in other people, because both of these elements may be negative. However, we can rejoice in the Lord, because He is always good, and He never changes. \par \par \tab Our spiritual stability is directly related to our knowledge of and commitment to God. Knowing Him helps us live above our circumstances and provides stability. That's why the psalms were written in poetic form and meter and set to music-so the people of Israel could memorize Scripture and sing hymns in order to deepen their knowledge of God. Knowing Him makes everything else seem less significant.\par \tab\par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Psa_139:1-24\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_8:28\cf0\ulnone ; and \cf1\ul 1Pe_1:8-9\cf0\ulnone . What reasons are given there for us to rejoice? How can we learn to rejoice in these promises of God?\b0\par \par \tab Do you need other reasons to rejoice? How about because God saved us, adopted us, and promised to give us an inheritance in Jesus Christ \i (\cf1\ul Eph_1:1-11\cf0\ulnone )?\i0 When Christ returns, we will enjoy His presence and the heavenly place prepared for us \i (\cf1\ul Joh_14:2-3\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 Until that time, it\rquote s a joy to know that God has promised to supply all our needs \i (\cf1\ul Php_4:19\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 Furthermore, we have the privilege of serving the One we supremely love. That includes sharing the good news with the lost and encouraging fellow Christians to increase their love and service for Him. It is also a joy knowing we can pray to God at any time \i (\cf1\ul Heb_4:15-16\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 Finally, we can rejoice knowing that death does not have the final word \i (\cf1\ul 1Co_15:54\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab Despite these promises, and despite all the reasons we have to rejoice, we all struggle with sadness, discouragement, and pain. These are the \ldblquote facts of life\rdblquote here and now. No matter our circumstances, how can we learn to find the joy that\rquote s offered us in Christ? What choices are we making that can greatly impact whether or not we avail ourselves of the joy that could be ours? \b0 \par \fs24\par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Monday \scaps0\tab\b0\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i January 11\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b The Joy of Christ\b0\i\fs24\par \b\i0\par \fs22\tab\b0 In order to understand fully a Christian\rquote s joy, we must take a look at the joy-filled lifestyle of Christ. Where did His joy come from? What were the principles by which He lived?\par \par \b\tab What role does joy have in three of the most popular parables Jesus told? What\rquote s the common element in all three sqtories?\b0\par \par \b The Lost Sheep \b0\i (\cf1\ul Luk_15:4-7\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \b The Lost Coin \b0\i (\cf1\ul Luk_15:8-10\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \b The Prodigal Son\b0 \i (\cf1\ul Luk_15:11-24\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \tab These three parables give us insight into the heart of God. It is a heart that is willing to celebrate. It is the pure joy of God, the joy of reaching the lost. No wonder that, despite His trials and suffering, Jesus was anointed with joy, for He knew that-because 200\tx7920\tx8640\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study\b0 : \cf1\ul\i Psa_51:10-11\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Joh_14:9\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_3:12-20\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_7:7-12\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Tit_2:14\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Heb_1:2-3\cf0\ulnone . \tab \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\tab\i0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Memory Text: \ldblquote For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Eph_2:10\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\dn10\fs108 I\up0\fs22 n Scripture, \ldblquote goodness\rdblquote involves not only exhibiting right behavior but also avoiding its opposite, evil. Goodness is holiness put into practice. Goodness is what we do; otherwise, it\rquote s not \ldblquote goodness\rdblquote at all.\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab The word translated \ldblquote goodness\rdblquote (\i agathosune\i0 ) in \cf1\ul Gal_5:22\cf0\ulnone denotes an active, even aggressive, goodness. More than an excellence of character, it is character energized, expressing itself in good deeds.\par \par \tab We often hear that someone has a \ldblquote good heart\rdblquote or that someone is a \ldblquote good soul.\rdblquote However problematic that idea is theologically \i (see \cf1\ul Jer_17:9\cf0\ulnone ), \i0 it\rquote s even more so in reality. A \ldblquote good heart\rdblquote or a \ldblquote good soul\rdblquote in and of itself means nothing. Instead, a \ldblquote good heart\rdblquote is revealed in good actions, good deeds, in concrete, practical acts cf1\ul Rom_5:17-19\cf0\ulnone and summarize in your own words what Paul is saying here. How are we condemned, and how do we become righteous? \b0\tab\par \par \b\tab If the righteousness of Jesus is a gift, how do we obtain it?\b0 \cf1\ul\i Gal_3:6\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Jam_2:23\cf0\ulnone .\i0\par \par \tab In \cf1\ul Rom_5:19\cf0\ulnone , notice the emphasis on disobedience and on obedience. One man\rquote s disobedience, Adam\rquote s, led to all of us becoming sinners. This is basic biblical teaching. Adam\rquote s sin brought the downfall of the human race. We\rquote re all, each of us, every day of our lives, living with the results. No one is immune.\par \par \tab The same verse, however, also talks about obedience. Whose obedience? Of course, the obedience of Christ, who alone has the righteousness needed for salvation, the righteousness given to all those who will \ldblquote receive the abundance of grace\rdblquote Indeed in that same verse Paul says that those who receive this grace get \ldblquote the gift of righteousness.\rdblquote Notice, it is a gift. As a gift it must be unearned and be undeserved. The moment it\rquote s earned, or deserved, it\rquote s no longer grace\i (\cf1\ul Rom_4:4\cf0\ulnone )\i0 . \par \par \tab Yet, it\rquote s not a blanket gift. The righteousness of Christ isn \i (\cf1\ul Rom_5:17\cf0\ulnone , NASB).\i0\rquote t automatically bestowed on everyone. Paul is clear, it comes to those who will receive it; that is, it is given to those who claim it by faith-such as Abraham, who believed God, and it was \ldblquote accounted to him for righteousness\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Gal_3:6\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\tab\par \par \b\tab Do you really understand what it means to be saved by faith? How well do you grasp the idea that it\rquote s only the righteousness of Jesus, credited to you by faith, that allows you to stand righteous and justified before God? What can you do to better grasp this wonderful provision, the foundation of the gospel? \b0\par \par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Wednesday\b0 \scaps0 \i March 10\i0\par \par \b Righteousness and Obedience\b0 \i\fs24 (\cf1\ul 1Jn_2:29\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \tab\fs22 Though we are covered by the righteousness of Christ, that righteousness must be revealed in our lives. Righteousness isn\rquote t just a legal declaration. It also becomes a reality in the life of the person who has it.\par \tab\par \tab How carefully we should heed John\rquote s words: \ldblquote Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 1Jn_3:7\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \tab\tab\par \b\tab What might we be deceived about in regard to what it means to be righteous? \b0\par \par \tab Righteousness is the fruit of the Spirit that is connected to obedience. To some people, obedience is inconsistent with salvation by faith. On occasion one might hear, \ldblquote Now that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, won\rquote t you accept Him as the Lord of your life?\rdblquote The implication seems to be that our obedience to the will of God and our salvation are separate issues. That\rquote s a radical misinterpretation of what salvation is. John wrote that living a righteous life is a verifiable indicator of those who have salvation. \par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul 1Jn_2:3-6\cf0\ulnone\i .\i0 What\rquote s John\rquote s point there? \b0\par \par \tab When the subject of obedience is raised, it is not unusual for someone to point out that we are not saved by works. While there can be no doubt that Lucifer\rquote s obedience to the will of God did not put him into heaven, we must bear in mind that it was his disobedience that caused him to be expelled. The same can be said for Adam and Eve. Their obedience did not put them into the Garden of Eden, but it was their disobedience to the will of God that resulted in their being put out of the garden.\par \par \tab\ldblquote Righteousness is right doing, and it is by their deeds that all will be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do. The works show whether the faith is genuine.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Christ\rquote s Object Lessons,\i0 p. 312.\par \par \b\tab How well do you manifest the fruit of righteousness in your life? What practices might you need to give up that are hindering the fruit of righteousness in your life? (Be careful not to try to rationalize them away!) \par \par \par \scaps\fs28 Thursday\b0\scaps0 \i March 11\i0\pof goodness that benefit others. Good intentions, good thoughts, good motives are fine and have their role, but in the end, goodness is to \i do\i0 good. We fool ourselves into thinking otherwise.\par \i\par \par *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 13.\i0\par \par \par \par \par \par \par \fs24\par \b\scaps\fs28 Sunday\b0 \scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab February 7\i0\par \b\par God Is Good\b0\fs24 \b\par \b0\par \fs22\tab In the Bible the most profound and we find it? \par \pard\cfpat5\cbpat5\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab\par \pard\li720 4. Nietzsche argued that Christianity was a religion born from those who were weak, who didn\rquote t have power, and thus who took traits like humility and meekness and made them appear like something good, something to strive for. How would you respond to such an argument? \cf2\b0\par \pard\cf0\b\fs28\par \cf2\b0\f1\fs23\par } \tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat5\cbpat5\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab\tab 3. All this talk about meekness raises an important question: Are Christians never to stand up for their own rights? Do we allow ourselves to be doormats, constantly stepped on without doing anything in our own defense? Is there a balance here and, if so, how dowill cultivating the fruit of the Spirit that is meekness improve your everyday life?\par \pard\cfpat5\cbpat5\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat5\cbpat5\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab\tab 2. What are ways in which meekness can be misconstrued as weakness? \par \pard\cfpat5\cbpat5\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0x5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fs24\par \pard\cfpat5\cbpat5\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\par \par \pard\cfpat5\cbpat5\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\fs22 1. God promises to increase joy in the lives of those who are meek. Why do you think meek people can be joyful? Give several reasons. How inciples into the daily life? The \i meekness and lowliness\i0 of Christ is the Christian's power. It is indeed more precious than all things which genius can create or wealth can buy. Of all things that are sought, cherished, and cultivated, there is nothing so valuable in the sight of God as a pure heart, a disposition imbued with thankfulness and peace.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i Counsels on Health,\i0 p. 403, emphasis supplied.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\t Health,\i0 p. 400, emphasis supplied.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\par \pard\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\ldblquote The peace of Christ, the peace of Christ-money cannot buy it, brilliant talent cannot command it, intellect cannot secure it; it is the gift of God. The religion of Christ-how shall I make all understand their great loss if they fail to carry its holy prd treasure, sacred and sweet, to be enjoyed solely by the possessor. We are to have Christ in our hearts as a well of water, springing up into everlasting life, refreshing all who come in contact with us. We must confess Christ openly and bravely, exhibiting in our characters his meekness, humility, and love, till men shall be charmed by the beauty of holiness. It is not the best way to preserve our religion as we bottle perfumes, lest the fragrance should escape.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Counsels onher lifting God up. As a result, God promises to exalt the one who is meek. The rewards can be experienced now and, most surely, in the new heaven and new earth of eternity.\par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Friday\b0\scaps0 \i \tab February 26\i0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\b Further Study: \fs22\par \par \tab\b0\ldblquote Christ is not to be hid away in the heart and locked in as a covetea_22:26\cf2\ulnone \cf0\i0 \b\par \b0\par \cf1\ul\i Psa_25:9\cf2\ulnone \cf0 \par \par \cf1\ul Psa_37:11\cf2\ulnone \cf0 \par \par \cf1\ul Psa_147:6\cf2\ulnone \cf0 \par \tab\par \cf1\ul Isa_29:19\cf2\ulnone \cf0 \par \par \cf1\ul Mat_5:5\cf2\ulnone \cf0 \b\i0\par \b0\par \tab These verses are comforting because there are times when the meek are taken advantage of. But we have learned in this study that a meek person isn\rquote t concerned with lifting himself up before men but ratrd its meekest citizen. A survey was taken of their small community, which eventually identified the person. In a ceremony attended by all the important people, the meekest citizen was presented with a ribbon on which were inscribed the words, \ldblquote The Meekest Man in Town.\rdblquote However, the next day they had to take the ribbon away from him, because he was wearing it!\par \par \b\tab How do you understand the promises and rewards mentioned in the following texts? \par \b0\par \cf1\ul\i Psaily surrender to the Lord, the daily willingness to obey in faith, in order for this to be made manifest in our lives. \par \par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Thursday\b0\scaps0 \i February 25\i0\par \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \b The Reward of the Meek\b0\fs24\par \par \fs22\tab E. D. Hulse said, \ldblquote Humility is a strange thing. The minute you think you\rquote ve got it, you\rquote ve lost it.\rdblquote \par \par \tab A small town wanted to recognize and rewar \cf1\ul Php_2:2-3\cf2\ulnone \cf0\i0\par \par \tab As we\rquote ve been saying all along, meekness is wrongly associated with weakness. It is anything but. In fact, go back over the verses we\rquote ve looked at today. Can you not see how it takes strength, moral and spiritual strength, to reveal meekness in most of these situations? \par \par \tab Of course, if meekness is a fruit of the Spirit, it\rquote s something that comes to us from God and not from ourselves. Nevertheless, we need the dre meek, but that doesn\rquote t necessarily mean that you are. To be meek is to manifest it. \par \par \b\tab How do the following texts show us how meekness is to be revealed in our lives? Why is meekness so important in these situations? \b0\par \par \cf1\ul\i Mat_5:39\cf2\ulnone \cf0\i0\par \par \cf1\ul\i Mat_18:21-22\cf2\ulnone \cf0\i0 \par \i\par \cf1\ul Gal_6:1\cf2\ulnone \cf0\i0\par \par \cf1\ul\i 2Ti_2:24-25\cf2\ulnone \cf0\par \par \cf1\ul Tit_3:2\cf2\ulnone \cf0\i0\par \i\paat make it difficult for you to be meek? \b0 \par \par \b\scaps\fs36\par \fs28 Wednesday \b0\scaps0\tab\tab\tab\tab\i February 24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\i0\par \b Practicing the Fruit of Meekness\b0\fs24\par \par \tab\fs22 Meekness will be manifested in how we relate to others. That is, it\rquote s something that is active, something that will reveal itself in our words, attitudes, and actions. You might think that you ahading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\b\tab How does putting emphasis on external beauty potentially conflict with the development of the fruit of the Spirit, particularly with the fruit of meekness? As the fruit of meekness grows in you, how should your life be different from what it was before?\b0 \b In the area of meekness, what changes have you seen in your life since you\rquote ve accepted Christ? What attitudes might you be harboring thnd quiet spirit,\rquote the \lquote fine linen, white and clean\rquote (\cf1\ul Rev_19:14\cf0\ulnone ), which all the holy ones of earth will wear. This apparel will make them beautiful and beloved here, and will hereafter be their badge of admission to the palace of the King. His promise is, \lquote They shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy.\rquote \cf1\ul Rev_3:4\cf0\ulnone .\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Acts of the Apostles,\i0 pp. 523, 524.\tab\tab\par \par \pard\cfpat5\cbpat5\se world.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Desire of Ages,\i0 p. 142.\par \par \b\tab Meekness gives glory to God\b0 . \cf1\ul 1Pe_3:4\cf0\ulnone says, \ldblquote even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.\rdblquote \par \par \tab\ldblquote It is right to love beauty and to desire it; but God desires us to love and seek first the highest beauty, that which is imperishable. No outward adorning can compare in value or loveliness with that \lquote meek aand always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 1Pe_3:15\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \i0\par \tab\ldblquote Our influence upon others depends not so much upon what we say as upon what we are. Men may combat and defy our logic, they may resist our appeals; but a life of disinterested [unselfish] love is an argument they cannot gainsay. A consistent life, characterized by the meekness of Christ, is a power in th go over the edge and become pride?\par \par \b\tab Meekness is necessary for receiving God\rquote s Word. \b0\ldblquote Receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Jam_1:21\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 A person who does not have a humble spirit cannot receive God\rquote s Word because there is a conflict of interest. Why is this so?\par \par \b\tab Meekness is necessary for effective witnessing\b0 . \ldblquote But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, \rquote t? \par \par \par \scaps\fs28 Tuesday \b0\scaps0 \i February 23\i0\tab\tab\par \tab\tab\tab\par \b The Importance of Meekness\b0\fs24\par \par \b\fs22\tab\b0\ldblquote Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of the Lord\rquote s anger\rdblquote\cf4 \cf0\i (\cf1\ul Zep_2:3\cf0\ulnone , NKJV). \i0 Meekness is the opposite of pride. There is much emphasis today on the importance of having self-esteem. When does self-esteemcf0\ulnone ? At the same time, we find examples of Jesus doing things that don\rquote t appear to be meek, such as when He drove the money changers out of the temple or all the times He confronted the Pharisees and others regarding their hypocrisy. How do these examples help us understand that meekness can be manifested in some very bold ways?\par \par \b\tab What can you find in common among these examples of meekness? What can you learn from them that could help you understand what meekness is and isnit was over he had taken the calf which they had made, burned it with fire, ground it to powder, and made the children of Israel drink it \i (\cf1\ul Exo_32:19-20\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 How are we to understand the meekness of Moses? \par \par \b\tab\b0 Jesus, of course, is the greatest model of meekness of all \i (\cf1\ul Mat_11:29\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 What are some of the examples of His meekness? How, for instance, was His meekness revealed in \cf1\ul Joh_18:21-23\cf0\ulnone ? Or how about \cf1\ul Mat_26:39\ might have been his rationalization for killing Saul? Why is it so easy for us to use a spiritual excuse for doing something that is in our own interest? \par \par \b\tab\b0 In \cf1\ul Num_12:3\cf0\ulnone , Moses is described as the meekest man of his time. Yet, his decisive actions do not seem to fit the popular concept of meekness. His demand to Pharaoh to let Israel go was forceful and followed up with action. When Israel worshiped the golden calf, his \ldblquote anger burned,\rdblquote and before ermine how he treated his brothers? Had he not been meek, what would he probably have done? How is \cf1\ul Gen_50:20\cf0\ulnone an example of the worldview of those who are meek?\par \par \tab As a young man David had been anointed to be the next king of Israel. King Saul became insanely jealous and for years pursued David and his men with the intent to kill him. On two occasions David had an opportunity to kill Saul \i (\cf1\ul 1Sa_24:3-7; 1Sa_26:7-12\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 If David had not been meek, whattion in taking the best for himself? Instead, Abraham allowed Lot to choose first, saying that he would take what was left over. How was this action a characteristic of meekness?\par \par \tab Most everyone knows the story of Joseph being sold as a slave into Egypt by his brothers. Read again the story of their coming to him, now second in command in all Egypt, and begging to be able to purchase food \i (\cf1\ul Gen_45:1\cf3\ulnone \cf0 - \i0 entire chapter\i ).\i0 How did Joseph\rquote s meekness detgance in your heart come from, and how can you get rid of it? \b0\par \par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Monday\b0\scaps0 \i February 22\i0\par \par \b Models of Meekness \b0\fs24\par \b\par \fs22\tab\b0 Remember the crisis that Abraham faced in deciding with his nephew Lot how to divide up the land? \i (See \cf1\ul Gen_13:8-9\cf0\ulnone .) \i0 In view of the fact that God had promised to make of his descendants a great nation, what might have been Abraham\rquote s justifica Are we not all sinners? Would we all not be doomed to eternal destruction were it not for Jesus? Are we not all utterly dependent upon God for every breath, every heartbeat? Does not every gift and talent we have come from God? What then do we have to be proud about? Nothing! Indeed, considering all that it cost to save us, Christians should be the meekest and humblest folk on earth.\par \par \b\tab Think about how utterly dependent you are upon God for everything. Where, then, does that pride and arroness.\line\b\tab\b0\par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_12:3\cf0\ulnone . How is the idea of meekness represented here? In what ways is this the key to being meek?\b0\par \par \tab\cf1\ul Eph_4:2\cf0\ulnone is another text that helps us understand what meekness is. Notice how it\rquote s related to \cf1\ul Rom_12:3\cf0\ulnone , in that both texts emphasize in their own way why arrogance and selfishness are contrary to the Christian\rquote s walk. After all, why should any Christian be arrogant about anything? TN-907 Fruit of the Spirit/Goodness-Feb 6-12{\rtf1\ansi\-r-E07 Fruit of the Spirit/Goodness-Feb 6-12{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-5760\li5760\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\Car \par \b The Righteous Life\b0\fs24\par \par \b\tab\fs22\ldblquote Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul 1Jn_5:1-3\cf0\ulnone ).\b\i0 \b0\tab\par \par \b\tab How does John tie in the love of God with the love other fellow believers have and with keeping the commandments? Why would he link all these together? \b0\par \tab\par \tab\ldblquote The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation merely-because he is required to do so-will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience irquote s goodness and control over the situation. The meek person is not occupied with self \i (see \cf1\ul Luk_22:42\cf0\ulnone )-\i0 an attitude that\rquote s key to the promise of finding rest for our souls. After all, aren\rquote t our turmoil and agitation so often due to seeking only for ourselves and what we want? In the truest sense, then, a meek person is one who has learned to die to self, and that takes faith, courage, and perseverance, not necessarily traits the world would associate with meek2\tab\ldblquote Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls\rdblquote\i \b0 (\cf1\ul Mat_11:29\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 \b What is Jesus telling us here? How can being meek and lowly in heart bring rest to our souls? \b0 \par \par \tab Meekness is the absolute ceasing to fight for our agenda and believing that God will fight on our behalf for His. Meekness is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God\_11:29\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 Meekness, rather, is the result of a person\rquote s conscious choice to trust in God and lean on Him, as opposed to pushing for one\rquote s own ways. Thus, meekness arises out of strength, not weakness.\par \par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 27.\i0\par \par \par \page\b\scaps\fs36\par \fs28 Sunday\b0\scaps0 \i February 21\par \par \b\i0 Meek and Lowly in Heart\b0\tab\fs24\par \tab\par \b\fs2 can trust Him, even when things don\rquote t go the way we would like, which is so often the case (is it not?). To be meek one needs confidence, not in oneself but in the Lord.\par \par \tab Although weakness and meekness may look similar, they are not the same. Weakness is due to negative circumstances, such as lack of strength or lack of courage, hardly the words to describe Jesus, who said, \ldblquote Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Matx7920\b0\dn10\fs108 M\up0\fs22 eekness is a fruit of the Spirit that seems very much lost in our aggressive, self-centered culture. Because people associate it with weakness, most do not admire others for being meek. Yet, it is what we are called to be.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\tab What is meekness? It\rquote s an attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward people-when we recognize that God is in control and that wes the outworking of a principle within. It springs from the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. \i The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right-because right doing is pleasing to God.\rdblquote\i0 -Ellen G. White, \i Christ\rquote s Object Lessons,\i0 pp. 97, 98, emphasis provided.\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx82and practical steps can we take to change the circumstances that make peace difficult? In other words, how often might our unease and fear be the result of choices that we make? \par \par 4. What practical things can we do to help others through circumstances that make peace difficult to achieve? \par \par \pard\li720 5. How much peace should we realistically expect to have in a world filled with such strife, chaos, suffering, and turmoil?\cf2\b0\par \pard\cf0\b\f1\fs28\par \cf2\b0\f3\fs23\par } \tx7920\tx8640\b\fs22 1. What are ways you can work in your local church to help keep peace among members when inevitable tensions and disagreements arise? \par \par 2. What are the common situations we face in our daily lives that threaten our peace? What Bible promises can we claim when each one arises?\par \par 3. Of course, it\rquote s always easy to talk about trusting the Lord no matter our circumstances and from that trust deriving peace. And that\rquote s true. At the same time, what concrete \cf1\ul 1Pe_3:4\cf0\ulnone .\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\b\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920 Memory Text: \ldblquote \lquote Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Mat_5:5\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\b\i0\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\fi-720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tFebruary 20-26\i0\par \par \b The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit Is Meekness\par \b0 _____________________________\par \b\scaps Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study\b0 :\i \cf1\ul Gen_50:20\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Mat_5:5\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Mat_11:29\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_12:3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Gal_6:1\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Php_2:2-3\cf0\ulnone ; 80\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab And what better way to inspire a desire to be loyal to God than through contemplation of His incredible sacrifice in our behalf on the cross? There\rquote s no power in telling people that they have to keep the law. The power comes in pointing people to Jesus and to His substitutionary death in our behalf. The power comes from letting sinners know that their sins can be forgiven through Jesus, and they can stand perfect before God in the robe of Christ\rquote s righteousness. \par \par \tab Love of God, and not the fear of hell and condemnation, should be the power that motivates our lives, and nothing will cause us to love God more than focusing on the Cross and the riches and promises that are ours through it. \par \par \b\tab Do you really love God? If so, how do you know? (Might you be deceiving yourself?) What do you do or say that reveals the reality of this love? In other words, what evidence is there that this love is real? \b0 \par \par \fs28\par \b\scaps Friday\b0\scaps0 \tab\i March 12\par \i0\fs24\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\b\fs28 Further Study:\fs32 \fs22\par \par \tab\b0\ldblquote It is not enough for us to believe that Jesus is not an impostor, and that the religion of the Bible is no cunningly devised fable. We may believe that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven whereby man may be saved, and yet we may not through faith make Him our personal Saviour. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth. It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll. \lquote He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.\rquote \lquote Hereby we do know that we know Him if we keep His commandments.\rquote \cf1\ul 1Jn_3:24\cf3\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 1Jn_2:3\cf0\ulnone . This is the genuine evidence of conversion. Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed in works of righteousness.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Christ\rquote s Object Lessons, \i0 pp. 312, 313.\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280t appreciated. The Lord never blesses him who criticizes and accuses his brethren, for this is Satan\rquote s work. Manuscript 21, 1894.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Evangelism, \i0 p. 102.\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs24\par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\par \b0\fs24\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200remain with His witnesses through strife and contention.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Acts of the Apostles\i0 , p. 84.\par \par \ldblquote Strife for the supremacy makes manifest a spirit that, if cherished, will eventually shut out from the kingdom of God those who cherish it. The peace of Christ cannot dwell in the mind and heart of a workman who criticizes and finds fault with another workman simply because the other does not practice the methods he thinks best, or because he feels that he is nos crucifixion Christ had bequeathed to His disciples a legacy of peace. \lquote Peace I leave with you,\rquote He said, \lquote My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.\rquote \cf1\ul Joh_14:27\cf0\ulnone . This peace is not the peace that comes through conformity to the world. Christ never purchased peace by compromise with evil. The peace that Christ left His disciples is internal rather than external and was ever to \tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\i0 Further Study:\b0\fs24 \cf1\ul\i Psa_4:3\ulnone ; \ul Psa_119:165\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Isa_26:3\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Rom_8:6\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Php_4:7\cf0\ulnone .\i0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs22\ldblquote Shortly before Hi {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue255;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\lang1033\b\f0\fs22 ADULT SABBATH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY GUIDE\par \par \par STANDARD EDITION \par \par \i The Fruit of the Spirit\i0\par \par by: Richard O\rquote Ffill\par \par January, February, March \par 2010\par \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fs48\tab\fs36 Contents\b0\tab\fs48\tab\tab\par \b\fs22 1 \tab By Their Fruit-\b0\i December 26-January 1\i0\par \b 2\b0 \b \tab The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love-\b0\i January 2-8\i0\par \b 3\b0 \b \tab The Fruit of the Spirit Is Joy\b0\i -January 9-15\i0\par \b 4\b0 \b \tab The Fruit of the Spirit Is Peace-\b0\i January 16-22\i0\par \b 5\b0 \b \tab The Fruit of the Spirit Is Patience-\b0\i January 23-29\i0\par \b 6\b0 \b \tab The Fruit of the Spirit Is Kindness-\b0\i January 30-February 5\i0\par \b 7\b0 \b \tab The Fruit of the Spirit Is Goodness-\b0\i February 6-12\i0\par \b 8\b0 \b \tab The Fruit of the Spirit Is Faithfulness-\b0\i February 13-19\i0\par \b 9\b0 \b \tab The Fruit of the Spirit Is Meekness-\b0\i February 20-26\i0\par \b 10\b0 \tab\b The Fruit of the Spirit Is Self-Control-\b0\i February 27-March 5\i0\par \b 11\b0 \tab\b The Fruit of the Spirit Is Righteousness-\b0\i March 6-12\i0\par \b 12\b0 \b \tab The Fruit of the Spirit Is Truth-\b0\i March 13-19\i0\par \b 13\b0 \b \tab The Fruit of the Spirit: The Essence of the Christian Character-\b0\i March 20-26\i0\fs24\par ____________________________________________________________\par \par \b\fs22 Come visit us at our Web site:\par \pard\b0 {\field{\*\fldinst{HYPERLINK "http://www.absg.adventist.org"}}{\fldrslt{\ul\cf1 http://www.absg.adventist.org}}}\f0\fs22 \b\par \par Editorial Office:\par \b0 12501 Old Columbia Pike\par Silver Spring, MD 20904\par \b\par Principal Contributor:\par \b0 Richard O\rquote Ffill\par \par \b Editor:\b0\par Clifford R. Goldstein\b\par \cf1\ul\b0 goldsteinc@gc.adventist.org\cf0\ulnone\b\par \par Associate Editor:\par \b0 Soraya L. Homayouni\b\par \par Publications Manager:\par \b0 Lea Alexander Greve\b\par \par Editorial Assistants:\par \b0 Tresa Beard\b\par \b0 Sharon Thomas-Crews\par \b\par Pacific Press Coordinator:\par \b0 Paul A. Hey\par \par \b Art Director and Illustrator:\b0\par Lars Justinen\par \par \b Concept Design:\par \b0 Dever Designs\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\qc\par \pard The\i Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide\i0 is \highlight2 prepared \highlight0 by the Office of the Adult Bible Study Guide of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The preparation of the guides is under the general direction of a worldwide Sabbath School Manuscript Evaluation Committee, whose members serve as consulting editors. The published guide reflects the input of the committee and thus does not solely or necessarily represent the intent of the author(s).\par \par \par \par \par \pard\qc\b Bible Versions Table\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qc\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tab Scripture references other than from the King James Version quoted by permission in this Bible Study Guide, for First Quarter 2010, are as follows:\par \tab\b ESV. \b0 The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright \'a9 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b NASB.\b0 From the \i New American Standard Bible\i0 , copyright \'a9 the Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.\par \tab\b NKJV. \b0 Text credited to NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright \'a9 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.\par \tab\b NLT. \b0 Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright \'a9 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. \tab\par \tab\par \par \par \par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\qc\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b \ldblquote The Fruit of the Spirit Is . . .\rdblquote\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\tab\tab\tab\par \tab A woman, driving her vehicle, was pulled over by a few squad cars, and, when the police came out, they had their guns drawn. The woman was shocked. \i What had she done?\par \i0\par \tab\ldblquote You were weaving in and out of traffic,\rdblquote one officer said, \ldblquote making obscene gestures to other drivers and cursing them.\rdblquote\par \par \tab\ldblquote For that,\rdblquote she replied, \ldblquote you pull out your guns?\rdblquote\par \par \tab\ldblquote Well,\rdblquote the officer said, \ldblquote we saw the bumper sticker, which said you were a Christian, and we just assumed the car had been stolen.\rdblquote\par \par \tab This silly story brings out an important point: Christians, by their very profession, are held up to a high moral standard. After all, look at the One whom they profess as their model, Jesus Christ.\par \par \tab How, then, should Christians live? How should we act in public and at home? The key is found in \cf3\ul Gal_5:22-23\cf0\ulnone , the subject of this quarter. \ldblquote But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.\rdblquote \par \par \tab We are going to look at this \ldblquote fruit of the Spirit\rdblquote ; that is, we are going to look at what happens to those whose lives are surrendered to God and who thus allow the Holy Spirit to work in them. \ldblquote \lquote That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit\rquote \rdblquote\i (\cf3\ul Joh_3:6\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 The fruit of the Spirit is what grows in us when we are born of the Spirit; it is what happens when we are \ldblquote born again.\rdblquote \par \par \tab Notice, Paul says that \ldblquote The fruit of the Spirit \i is\i0 . . .\rdblquote He\rquote s talking in the singular. Paul is not talking about separate traits that operate independently of one another but about a single reality. The fruit of the Spirit is what the Holy Spirit creates within us; it defines the type of person we are to become in Jesus.\par \par \tab The fruit of the Spirit is like a precious jewel with many facets. Each facet is a characteristic of Jesus and represents a quality that He wants to produce in our lives. This is the heart of the matter. God\rquote s purpose is to make us like Jesus, and He has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us in order to make that change happen. \par \par \tab You will see as we study these lessons that the fruit of the Spirit is not a theory, though we have made it a study. It is not a lifestyle, though a person who is cultivating the fruit of the Spirit will not live as he or she did before. Instead, the fruit of the Spirit is a \i change of being\i0 . \ldblquote Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new\rdblquote \i (\cf3\ul 2Co_5:17\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 The fruit of the Spirit is the \ldblquote new\rdblquote in the life of a person who has passed from death unto life \i (\cf3\ul 1Jn_3:14\cf0\ulnone ) \i0 in Christ.\par \par \tab The purpose of this quarter\rquote s lessons is not to focus on how we can become more patient or more loving or more gentle or more faithful, but on how we can let the Holy Spirit make us more like Jesus, who is patience, love, gentleness, and faithfulness personified. \par \par \tab You will be challenged to cultivate the graces of the fruit of the Spirit at all times, but especially at home. We will see that the key is surrender, a willingness to die to self and live for God and for others. Finally, we will see that all that we do, we must do under the realization that we are sinners in need of the covering grace of Christ, who loves us whether the harvest seems plentiful or sparse. We must never forget that the fruit of the Spirit is just that-the \ldblquote fruit,\rdblquote the result of salvation, not the means. The means is always Jesus and what He has done for us, which we claim by faith. \par \par \pard\i Pastor Richard O\rquote Ffill, an author and speaker, has worked for the church on three continents, including seven years at the General Conference headquarters. He now resides in Orlando, Florida. \cf4\i0\f1\par \pard\sa200\sl276\slmult1\cf0\par \pard\f2\fs24\par \cf4\f3\fs23\par } \fs24\par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\b\fs22 1. How can we avoid the trap of legalism, that of thinking that our works will save us or that of cheap grace, thinking that our works have nothing at all to do with our salvation? How do we strike the right balance here? Which ditch do you tend to lean more toward, cheap grace or legalism? \par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 2. What is the inherent danger of having our lives driven by the desire to do good works? What can this lead to, and how can we avoid it?\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx1080\tx1800\tx25202\par \par \fs24\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-6480\li6480\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\scaps\fs28 Friday\b0\scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\i January 22\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480se qualities in our fellowship? What things would be noticeably absent?\par \par \b\tab Think about the last time you had a problem with a fellow church member. Did you follow Christ\rquote s words in \cf1\ul\b0\i Mat_5:23-24\cf0\ulnone\b\i0 ? Most likely, you did not (right?). Analyze your reasons why you chose the \ldblquote easy,\rdblquote worldly route as opposed to the path that would have required humility and self-denial. How can you learn to do what Jesus calls us to in such situations? \b0\fs2 J %}09 The Fruit of tA08 FA]08 Fruit A%08 Fruit of the Spirit/FaiVA)08 FDA08 Fr0Au08 FAzAA08 Fruit of the Spirit/Faithfulness-Feb 13-19{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 @Arial Unicode MS;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset2 Symbol;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red51\green51\blue102;\red0\green128\blue128;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1u13-15\cf0\ulnone , what are three ways we are to relate with each other as fellow members of the church? What does each one mean? \b0\par \par \fs20\tab Notice the flow of Christian graces in \cf1\ul Jam_3:17\cf2\ulnone \cf0 : \ldblquote But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy\rdblquote \i (NKJV).\i0 What would our churches be like if we would allow the Holy Spirit to nurture the\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 3. Think of a person you know who seems to be \ldblquote righteous.\rdblquote What is this person like? How does he or she act? How does he or she treat people? What does this person talk about? What can you learn from this person?\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 4. We tend to think of righteousness in individual terms, which is correct. But is there not a community element, as well? Can our church community be \ldblquote righteous\rdblquote ? If so, how? What would a \ldblquote righteous\rdblquote church community look like? How does yours com to implement this principle in our lives? \par \b0\par \tab It is evident that Jesus takes more seriously our relationships with one another than we do. It is not uncommon for bitterness and resentment to exist for years between members of a church. Imagine how different things would be if we all followed this teaching.\par \par \b\tab Identify a characteristic of the children of God as recorded in \cf1\ul Mat_5:9\cf0\ulnone .\b0 \b What does it mean?\b0\par \par \b\tab According to \cf1\ul Col_3:\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b \tab 4. Have you ever known people who truly seemed to personify love? What were these people like? What did they do? How was this love manifested? How much personal suffering do you think they endured in order to show the love that they did?\b0\par \pard\cf3\par \cf0\b\fs28\par \cf3\b0\f1\fs23\par } tlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b \tab 3. A person saw someone with a broken-down vehicle. He pulled over, offering to help, and for his trouble was beaten and robbed. \ldblquote That\rquote s it,\rdblquote he said. \ldblquote I\rquote ll never go out of my way to be a good Samaritan again.\rdblquote How would you respond to this person? \b0 \par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600utors and those who hate us, we will begin to see them as people in need of God\rquote s grace just as much as we need it. It will give us the power and the desire to bless them when they curse us and do good to them when they hate us. How can we cultivate the attitude of praying for those whom we would really rather curse?\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidcnone , \cf1\ul Luk_11:35:2\cf0\ulnone\b\i0 . Think more about this question of loving our enemies. \cf1\ul Luk_23:34\cf0\ulnone says, \ldblquote Then Jesus said, \lquote Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i (NKJV)\b . \i0 Do you pray for your enemies? It is difficult to have the right attitude toward those who hate us, mistreat us, or persecute us. But praying for our enemies has a way of changing our heart and attitude toward them. When we pray for our persec40\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\par \b0\fs24\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b \tab\fs22 1. What spiritual lessons about love might we be able to draw from what was written above about the nature of light?\i \b0 See \cf1\ul 1Jn_1:5; 1Jn_2:9-11; 1Jn_4:8\cf0\ulou\rquote d see what you\rquote d see in Zajonc\rquote s box, pure darkness, the darkness of empty space. And that\rquote s because the moon has no atmosphere, no air, no moisture, and none of the gases and fumes that, reflecting sunlight, turn it into the panoply of color that reigns overhead here.\par \par \tab\tab The point? Light, unless reflected off from something, appears as pure darkness. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx86de from which the light entered, was illuminated. It looked as if a thin light was shining on just the rod, nothing else, even though light was everywhere in the box (as if filled with water). Only when it reflected off from something (the rod) did it become visible. Otherwise, the light was darkness.\par \par \tab\tab On earth, sunlight pouring down on the sky turns it blue, gray or red, depending upon the weather and time of day. On the moon, no matter how much sunlight pours down, if you looked up y of the light reflected off any internal surface. Inside the box was light, and light alone. Now, if you looked inside, at the light, what would you see? What does light, in and of itself, look like? \par \par \tab\tab Pure darkness, the darkness of empty space, that\rquote s what you\rquote d see. Unless reflecting off of something, or unless you stare directly into it, light is invisible.\par \par \tab\tab Zajonc then took a rod and moved it through the darkness of the box. The rod itself, on the si4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\tab\tab 4. How can you help someone whose conscience has been so hardened in sin that they don\rquote t feel their need of help? \par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\par \pard\li720 5. In class, discuss this question: What\rquote s better, to do the right thing for the wrong reason or the wrong thing for the right reason?\cf3\b0\par \pard\cf0\b\par \cf3\b0\par } s a \ldblquote neighbor\rdblquote ? \par \b0\par \highlight2\b\scaps\fs28\par Friday\highlight0\b0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\scaps0 January 8\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Further Study:\b0 \fs24\par \par \tab\tab\fs22 Scientist Arthur Zajonc filled a box with light. But he did it so that none Peace in the Church\b0 \i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Mat_5:23-24\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \fs22\tab\b\ldblquote \lquote Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Mat_5:23-24\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \b What basic principle is Jesus teaching us with these words? Why do we find it so hardto think of others before ourselves; imagine if we showed others unconditional love, even when folk didn\rquote t deserve it. Imagine if we forgave those who hurt us. Imagine if we were as concerned about the well-being of others as we were about our own selves. Though the implementing of these principles wouldn\rquote t solve all our family problems, no doubt they would greatly help! \b0\par \b\scaps\fs24\par \par \fs28 Thursday \b0\scaps0 \i January 21\i0\par \par \bistians, we are called to follow an incredibly high standard, the standard presented by Jesus Himself. All of us have fallen short of that goal. That being said, it doesn\rquote t mean that we can\rquote t still reflect the principles revealed in the life of Jesus, principles of love, self-sacrifice, and an uncompromising attitude toward evil and sin. \par \tab\par \b\tab Imagine what our homes would be like were we to, indeed, reflect these principles! Imagine what it would be like if we would learn \par \tab Two young men were in a battle during the days of the Vietnam War. The bullets were flying, and the bombs were exploding. All of this didn\rquote t seem to faze one of the soldiers. When his friend asked how he could be so calm, he replied that it reminded him of home!\par \par \tab\b Study \cf1\ul Rom_12:9-21\cf0\ulnone . Identify verses in the passage that, if implemented, would help to bring peace to the home. Give a practical application for the verses you chose.\b0\par \par \tab As Chrds on you, live peaceably with all men\rdblquote\i \b0 (\cf1\ul Rom_12:18\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \b What can we learn from the life and example of Jesus that can make these admonitions real in our lives? What are we doing (if anything) that makes them difficult, if not impossible, to become real for us?\b0\par \b\par \tab\b0 Strange as it may seem, the most difficult place to be a Christian is at home. How tragic, when home should be the one place in all the world where we should all have peace.\par touch with the fear and identify it. Then take time to allow Him to begin to speak peace gently to those fears.\b0\par \par \par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Wednesday \b0\scaps0 \i January 20\i0\par \par \b Peace at Home\b0\fs24 \i (\cf1\ul Heb_12:14\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \fs22\tab\b\ldblquote Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf1\ul Heb_12:14\cf0\ulnone )\b . \i0\ldblquote If it is possible, as much as depenn, and suffering. Indeed, some folk have, it seems, more than their share of suffering. Peace, though, has more to do with how you handle these situations than with the situations themselves. Peace has to do with the deepest trust in a loving and caring God who knows what you are going through and has promised not to forsake you, no matter what comes your way. \par \par \tab\b What types of things make you upset? Talk to God about your deepest fears. Call them by name. Ask the Lord to help you get ine? Jesus left us with a beautiful promise about peace: \ldblquote \lquote Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you\rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Joh_14:27\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 How does the peace the world is trying to give differ from the peace Jesus offers?\par \par \tab One thing we mustn\rquote t do, and that is equate peace with a life without problems. Rare is the person, even the most faithful Christian, who goes through life without trials, pai Read the story recorded in \cf1\ul Mat_8:23-27\cf0\ulnone of Jesus and His disciples on the Sea of Galilee\b0 \i (see also \cf1\ul Mar_4:35-41\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Luk_8:22-25\cf0\ulnone ). \b\i0 However unique the situation, what can we take away from this account for ourselves; that is, what is the message for us, and how can we apply it to our lives, regardless of our situation? \b0\i\par \i0\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \tab Why do you think Jesus was concerned that His disciples have peaccept of rest. The first chose for his scene a still, serene lake among the far-off mountains. The second painted a thundering waterfall with a fragile birch tree bending over the foam; at the fork of a branch, almost wet with the cataract\rquote s spray, a robin sat on its nest. \par \par \tab Which best portrayed the essence of rest? It is not often in this world of turmoil that we find the rest of a lone mountain lake. More often we must find our rest amid the turmoil of real life. \par \par \b\tabhat choices do we have to make, every day, that can help make the promise of peace in Christ real? That is, what things are we doing, or not doing, that keep us from having the peace that Jesus offers us? \b0 \par \par \par \par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Tuesday \b0\scaps0 \i January 19\i0\par \par \b Finding Peace: Part 2\b0 \i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Joh_14:27\cf0\ulnone )\fs28\par \i0\par \fs22\tab The story is told of two painters. Each painted a picture to illustrate his conf the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest. The Lord says, \lquote Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.\rquote \cf1\ul Isa_26:3\cf0\ulnone .\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Desire of Ages,\i0 pp. 330, 331.\par \tab\par \b\tab How does love of self lead to personal unrest and unhappiness?\b0\par \par \b\tab How can we learn to die to self and to rest in Jesus? Wthis wonderful promise? \b0\par \par \tab From what Jesus is saying in these verses, is He proposing to give us peace as a gift, or does He mean to show us how to obtain it? Is not Jesus teaching that personal peace is a result of some cause and inviting us to learn that cause from Him?\par \par \tab\ldblquote It is the love of self that brings unrest. . . . Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing oe a word that means to give rest, to refresh, to give one\rquote s self rest, to take a rest.\par \par \tab\b Read the following verses: \ldblquote \lquote Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls\rquote \rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf1\ul Mat_11:28-29\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \b What is Jesus saying to us here? How can we experience for ourselves the reality of \b0\par \fs24\par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Monday\b0\scaps0 \i January 18 \par \i0\par \b Finding Peace: Part 1\b0\fs24 \i (\cf1\ul Mat_11:28-29\cf0\ulnone )\par \i0\par \fs22\tab On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 is very peaceful, 10 is very anxious), how would you rate your life? People are increasingly frustrated in their search for personal peace. In \cf1\ul Mat_11:28-29\cf0\ulnone , Jesus makes an invitation. Though He doesn\rquote t use the word \i peace\i0 , He does ussalvation demonstrated that God loved us and was willing to forgive even from the beginning. \par \tab\par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Rom_5:1-11\cf0\ulnone and summarize what you believe the crucial points are here.\b0\par \par \tab\b Dwell on this idea that \i only\i0 because of what Jesus has done, because of His perfect life credited to you by faith, can you stand pardoned, forgiven, and accepted before God, regardless of your past. Why is this teaching so important to us if we are truly to know peace? x6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 As we grow to maturity as children of God, we experience more and more the blessings and benefits of living in His kingdom until we can say, \ldblquote Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble\rdblquote\i (\cf1\ul Psa_119:165\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \f2\par \f0\tab\cf1\ul Col_1:20-22\cf0\ulnone reveals that sin did not cause God to be merciful and pardoning; rather, it revealed that He has been that way from eternity. The plan of , though, in which we do grow in peace with God. The more clearly we see God\rquote s ways and walk in them, the more we appropriate His power to live as His sons and daughters. In this sense, peace with God is indeed a fruit of the Spirit. \tab\tab\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\t 1\cf0\ulnone , ESV),\i0 have been reconciled and restored to fellowship with God. Once we were at war with God, but by His death on the cross, Jesus has made it possible for the hostilities to cease and for us to be God\rquote s friends and not His enemies.\par \par \tab\f1 In one sense, this peace is not something we grow in, as in starting out with just a little bit of peace. Rather, we are reconciled to God, once and for all, by the Cross of Christ. It is an accomplished fact. There is another sense \tab\tab\i January 17\i0\par \par \b Peace With God\b0\fs24 \i (\cf1\ul Rom_5:1\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \par \fs22\tab\ldblquote Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_5:1\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \par \tab\i0 To have peace with God is more than to feel comfortable in His presence. It means that we, who once were \ldblquote alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Col_1:2 ote The peace that Christ won for us also requires effort, hard work, and constant self-examination. \par \par \tab As we study this week, we should ask ourselves: \i Have I availed myself of the peace that Jesus won for me on the cross? How can I cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He engrafts that peace into my daily life?\par \par \par *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 23.\i0\par \par \par \par \par \par \par \fs24\par \b\scaps\fs28 Sunday \b0\scaps0  thers, then we are denying the peace of God in Jesus Christ, which He established on the cross.\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab How ironic that you have to fight for peace. Eleanor Roosevelt, in a \i Voice of America \i0 radio broadcast, said, \ldblquote It isn\rquote t enough to talk about peace; one must believe in it. And it isn\rquote t enough to believe in it; one must work at it.\rdblqu \tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\dn10\fs108 A\up0\fs22 s a champion of peace, Paul wrote: \ldblquote endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Eph_4:3\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 The Greek word translated \ldblquote endeavoring\rdblquote is an imperative, excluding any passivity, any \ldblquote wait and see\rdblquote attitude. We must be proactive. If we fight and bicker in our homes, if we fall into factions at church, if we refuse to love and honor o00\tx7920\tx8640\b\i0\tab\tab\tab\tab \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Memory Text: \ldblquote \lquote Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid\rquote \rdblquote\i \b0 (\cf1\ul Joh_14:27\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320 \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Lesson: \cf1\ul\b0\i Mat_8:23-27\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Mat_11:28-29\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_5:1-11\cf2\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Rom_12:9-21\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Heb_12:14\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Col_3:13-15\cf0\ulnone . \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx72charset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 4 \b0\i *January 16-22\i0\par \par \b The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit Is Peace\b0\par _____________________________\par \b\scaps Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \b\fs28\parGod; but I\rquote m still hungry, lonely, cold, and in pain. Does it matter?"\par \tab\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab Be honest. What kind of lifestyle changes should you make so that you can become a good Samaritan to others? Whom do you know right now who is at this moment on the other side of the road in the world of hurt? How much death to self will it require for you to treat this person aen religious leaders, in the role of the \ldblquote bad guys\rdblquote ? What lesson is there for us, as well? \b0\par \tab\par \tab Consider these words: \ldblquote I was hungry, and you formed a humanities club to discuss it. I was imprisoned, but you complained about the crime rate. I was naked, and you debated the morality of my appearance. I was sick, and you thanked God for your health. I was homeless, and you preached to me about the shelter of God\rquote s love. You seem so holy and so close to ushing to preach their sermon on the good Samaritan, almost all walked right past the beggar at the heart of the parable!\par \par \b\tab In yesterday\rquote s lesson, we talked about the question of Who is my enemy? Today the question is, Who is my neighbor? How does Jesus, in \cf1\ul Luk_10:25-37\cf0\ulnone , answer that for us? How does this parable tie into the whole question of what true love is? Also, as you read this parable, ask the question, Why did Jesus specifically place religious people, evo classroom, preaching love and compassion for others. There was only a short break between classes, which forced the would-be preachers to rush in order to meet the schedule. Each of the preacher students had to walk down a certain corridor and pass by a beggar who had been deliberately planted there by the professor.\par \par \tab What happened was a powerful lesson! The number of would-be preachers who stopped to help this man was extremely low, especially those who were under the pressure of time. R\b\scaps\fs28 Thursday\highlight0\b0 \scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab January 7\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b Love in Action\fs36 \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Luk_10:25-37\cf0\ulnone )\b\i0\fs32\par \tab\tab\par \fs22\tab\b0 A seminary professor set up his preaching class in an unusual way. He scheduled each of his students to prepare a sermon on the story of the good Samaritan. One by one they were to go from classroom t regarding love?\par \par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab Loving our enemies? Many folk have a hard time showing love to their friends, much less their enemies. How can we learn to follow Jesus\rquote example here? How can our hearts be changed so that we can love our enemies? How might praying for them play a large role in helping us reach this Christian ideal?\b0 \par \par \fs24\par \highlight2cere. What else is needed?\par \par \tab\tab 3. Why is spending time in the Word so important if truth is more than head knowledge? What are ways in which we can learn to study our Bible so that the Truth in there can impact and change our lives for the better? \par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\txver the years may begin to think of you as an opponent. An enemy could be someone you have cared a great deal for or may even be someone in your church.\par \par \tab We need to realize that the enemy Jesus referred to is not limited to someone who would threaten our lives but is anyone who causes us enough consternation to tempt us to retaliate.\par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Pro_15:1; Pro_25:21\cf0\ulnone , and \cf1\ul 1Pe_3:9\cf0\ulnone . How do these texts help us understand this important principle an enemy is an opponent, a rival, a competitor, a challenger, a contender. An enemy is one who hates you or who mistreats you. It might even be a spouse or another member of the family. There may be times when a family member isn\rquote t very loving. He or she may even look for ways to irritate you or worse. When that happens, it is easy to get caught in the trap of retaliation and pettiness. \par \par \tab Sometimes you may experience conflict on the job, and those you have worked with side by side onone )\b\i0\fs32\par \fs24\par \b0\fs22\tab\b Read \cf1\ul Mat_5:43-48\cf0\ulnone and then paraphrase in your own words what Jesus said. What\rquote s the main point Jesus is telling us about love?\par \b0\par \tab If we are to love our enemies, we had better discover who exactly are our enemies. If an enemy is only the one who threatens your life, you may think this text doesn\rquote t apply to you, inasmuch as you probably have not had your life threatened lately.\par \par \tab But by definition,tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 2\b0 \i *January 2-8\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qc\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit Is Love\par \b0 _______________________\b\par \scaps Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\par \fs24\par \par \b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study: \cf1\ul\b0\i Deu_6:5\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Mat_5:43-48\cf0\ulnone , \tab\cf1\ul Mat_7:12; Mat_22:39\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Luk_10:25-37\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul 1Co_13:4-7\cf0\ulnone .\b\i0\tab\par \tab\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-1440\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Memory Text\b0 :\b \ldblquote And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf1\ul 1Co_13:13\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \i0\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\dn10\fs72 I\up0\fs22 t is no accident that Paul\rquote s list of the character traits that identify the fruit of the Spirit begins with love. Love is the paramount virtue for Christians because it is the trait that most characterizes God. It was love that motivated God to create us, to sustain us, to make Himself known to us, and to give us His Son in order to redeem us. \par \pa r \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab John says it so plainly and simply-\ldblquote God is love\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 1Jn_4:16\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 Because love is so central to His character, love must be central to ours, as well. \ldblquote He who abides in love abides in God, and God in him\rdblquote \i (vs. 16, NKJV).\par \i0\par \tab Unfortunately, the word\i love \i0 is used so loosely today. We often say that we love the we!ather, we love our favorite food, we love our dog. But these kinds of love do not pass the test of true Godlike love \i (see \cf1\ul 1Co_1:1-13\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 It\rquote s something altogether different, something that impacts our entire existence, our way of life, our way of relating to others. The ingredients of love are a package, not a list from which we select those most appealing to us while we disregard the rest. That\rquote s not, as we\rquote ll see this week, what true love is all about.\par "\par \par \b *\b0\i Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 9.\i0\par \par \par \par \par \par \par \fs24\par \par \highlight2\b\scaps\fs28 Sunday\highlight0\b0 \scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab January 3\i0\par \par \b Love Is Multidimensional \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Deu_6:5\cf0\ulnone )\b\i0\fs28\par \par \fs22\tab\b0\ldblquote Jesus said to him, \lquote You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first #and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself\rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Mat_22:37-39\cf0\ulnone , NKJV; see also \cf1\ul Deu_6:5\cf0\ulnone ).\par \i0\par \tab Bible translations, as with all written works, differ in word choice. For instance, \ldblquote The bird was little\rdblquote might read in one translation, \ldblquote The bird was tiny,\rdblquote or in another, \ldblquote The bird was small.\rdblquote And all these descriptions would be correc$t. Therefore, to study the fruit of the Spirit, it is helpful to define meanings by going to the original language of the word. In \cf1\ul Deu_6:5\cf0\ulnone , the Hebrew word for love is \i ahab\i0 , which has a similar range of meanings as \i love \i0 in English, everything from God\rquote s infinite affection for His people to the desires of sinful beings. Men can \i love \i0 evil \i (\cf1\ul Psa_52:3\cf0\ulnone )\i0 , but they can also \i love \i0 good \i (\cf1\ul Amo_5:15\cf0\ulnone )\i0 . The contex%t determines which aspect of love is spoken of each time. The love in \cf1\ul Deu_6:5\cf0\ulnone , which Jesus speaks of in connection with the greatest commandment, is the noblest and highest form of self-sacrificing love which each person is commanded to have toward God and others \i (see \cf1\ul Luk_10:25-37\cf0\ulnone\i0 ).\par \par \tab The Jewish people already knew that the number-one command was to love God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and, as Mark adds, strength \i (see \cf1\ul Mar_12:30&\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 In pointing out all four aspects of the human being, Jesus simply is calling together all that a person is. He is saying, "You need to love God with your entire being." His intent is not to sort out the individual sense of each word; however, much could be gained by studying these four aspects.\par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Mat_7:12\cf0\ulnone and \cf1\ul Mat_22:39\cf0\ulnone . What\rquote s the important point these texts make? How is this essential to the whole concept of love?\par ' \b0\par \tab To love your neighbor as yourself means to love all people with your whole heart. The love spoken of in this \ldblquote second commandment\rdblquote is the same as in the \ldblquote first commandment.\rdblquote It is love in action, involving the will and intention. To love our neighbor as ourselves means to take care of someone else the same way you would take care of yourself.\par \tab\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040(\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab It\rquote s easy to talk about loving others as yourself; what\rquote s not easy is doing it. How well do you do in this area? How can you learn the hard lessons of death to self in order to minister to the needs of others?\b0\par \par \fs24\par \highlight2\b\scaps\fs28 Monday\highlight0\b0 \scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab January 4\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b What Love) Does\fs32 \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul 1Co_13:4-8\cf0\ulnone )\b\i0\fs32\par \fs24\par \fs22\tab\ldblquote Love suffers long and is kind; . . . thinks no evil; . . . rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf1\ul 1Co_13:4-8\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \par \tab Love defined is the first step; love applied is the next. We must be careful not to glibly say we love; but rather, we need to analyze carefully how we live* and how well we apply the principles of love as expressed in the Bible. \par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul 1Co_13:4-8\cf0\ulnone . Look at each individual aspect of what love is and ask, How can I apply these principles in my own home? \b0\par \par \tab Think for a moment of what our homes would be like if by God\rquote s grace we consistently practiced the qualities of true love. Imagine the blessing of living in an environment where the family members are positive and affirming of each other. Perhaps +you can\rquote t get others to do this, but if you were to apply these principles, you might just see how powerful an impact they could make on others. You can\rquote t argue against love; it\rquote s the most powerful force in all of creation. People can argue against your theology, your lifestyle, your beliefs, your faith-everything. But what argument can they use against unconditional love, the kind of love revealed to the world through Jesus, the kind of love we can, through His grace, manifest to oth,ers? \par \tab\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab Which characteristics of biblical love do you find the most difficult to implement in your own life? How can you make a concentrated effort through God\rquote s grace to cultivate more of this aspect of love? Why is it important that you do so? \par \fs24\par \par \highlight2\scaps\fs28 Tuesday\highlight0\b0 \scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab J-anuary 5\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 \par \b What Love Doesn\rquote t Do \fs32\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qc\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs22\tab\b0 Go back over \cf1\ul 1Co_13:4-8\cf0\ulnone , only this time look at it from a different perspective. Loo.k at what love does \i not\i0 do. Though these are stated in the negative, they are actually other positive characteristics of love. \i\par \i0\par \tab\b Go through each one of the \ldblquote negatives\rdblquote in \cf1\ul 1Co_13:4-8\cf0\ulnone and write down the positive attributes found there. Also, as you do, ask yourself how well or poorly you manifest these aspects of love and how you might be able to do better.\b0\par \par \b Does not envy\b0\par \b\par Does not parade itself \par \par /Is not puffed up\b0\par \b\par Is not rude \b0\par \b\par Does not seek its own \b0\par \b\par Is not easily provoked \b0\par \par \b Thinks no evil \b0\par \b\par Does not rejoice in iniquity\b0\par \par \b\tab As we contemplate the meaning of love detailed in the love chapter \b0\i (\cf1\ul\i0 1Co_13:1-13\cf0\ulnone\i )\b ,\i0 we are able to appreciate the character of our heavenly Father, who is the personification of love. We also are able to see that the word \i love\i0 as used in the popular culture falls far short of a correct understanding of the love of God. \b0\par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \par \fs24\par \highlight2\b\scaps\fs28 Wednesday\highlight0\b0 \scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab January \i0 6\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b The Test of Love \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Mat_5:43-48\cf0\ulgs, accepting what we would deem as theological error. Yet, this person is kind, forgiving, loving, and nonjudgmental, everything the \ldblquote orthodox\rdblquote Adventist isn\rquote t. Though, of course, we don\rquote t know hearts, if you had to guess which one was closer to the kingdom of God, whom would you choose, and why? What does your answer imply about what you deem is important in Christianity?\cf3\b0\f1\par \pard\cf0\f2\fs24\par \cf3\f3\fs23\par } 720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx0ut not to the Lord will soon reveal their true character. What does that mean? Why should we each ask ourselves which category we truly belong in? How can we know for sure the answer?\par \tab\par \tab 3.Imagine two folk: One is a Seventh-day Adventist who knows and believes all the doctrines-state of the dead, Second Coming, 1844, and so on. This person, however, is mean, harsh, judgmental, and unloving. There\rquote s another person who, while professing faith in Christ, has rejected all these teachin1ar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs22 1. As a class, go over your answer to Sunday\rquote s question. What is the distinction between \ldblquote being\rdblquote good and \ldblquote doing\rdblquote good?\b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \tab\b 2. Read carefully Ellen White\rquote s statement about how all those who join themselves to the church b2rquote \cf1\ul Mat_7:16\cf0\ulnone . The precious fruit of godliness, temperance, patience, kindness, love, and charity, does not appear in their lives. They bear only thorns and briers. God is dishonored before the world by all such professors.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Faith I Live By, \i0 p. 90.\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs24\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\par \fs24\par \pard\nowidctlp3ept it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.\rquote \cf1\ul Joh_15:4-5\cf0\ulnone .\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, \i0 p. 329.\par \par \tab\tab\ldblquote All who join themselves to the church but not to the Lord will in time develop their true character. \lquote Ye shall know them by their fruits.\4he Saviour declared. All the true followers of Christ bear fruit to His glory. Their lives testify that a good work has been wrought in them by the Spirit of God, and their fruit is unto holiness. Their lives are elevated and pure. Right actions are the unmistakable fruit of true godliness, and those who bear no fruit of this kind reveal that they have no experience in the things of God. They are not in the Vine. Said Jesus, \lquote Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, exc5ter going to either become proud of what we deem our wonderful fruit, or we\rquote re going to give up in despair at what seems to be a very paltry crop.\par \par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Friday\b0\scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i\tab January 1\i0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b Further Study:\b0 \fs22\par \par \tab\ldblquote \lquote By their fruits ye shall know them\rquote (\cf1\ul Mat_7:20\cf0\ulnone ), t6on to be learned from the parable Jesus told in \cf1\ul Luk_13:7-9\cf0\ulnone ? \b0\par \par \tab The point here is not salvation by bearing fruit, which would be just another manifestation of salvation by works. We\rquote re not saved by bearing fruit; our fruit reveals the reality of the salvation we already have in Jesus, through faith in Him. Bearing fruit is an expression of salvation; it is not a means to attaining it. It is crucial that we understand this distinction. If not, we are sooner or la PP balance 1]1i09 Fruit of 1 109 Fruit of the Spirit/Meekness-Feb 20-26{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red255\green0\blue0;\red51\green51\blue102;\red255\green255\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 9\b0 \i *7par \tab Notice how on one hand He said that if we would abide in Him we would bear much fruit, which is a product of beings saved by Him. That is, if we abide in Him, by faith, we are assured of salvation because of His righteousness, which is credited to us. At the same time, He warns that if we do not abide in Him we will not bear fruit, and those who do not bear fruit will wither and at last be cast into the fire to be burned \i (see \cf1\ul 2Pe_3:9\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \b\par \tab What is the less9f 1741 he preached a sermon entitled, \ldblquote Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,\rdblquote which for some has become a symbol of the bleak, cruel, and hell-bent outlook of many Christians. However polemical, this sermon did express the truth about the awful weight of sin, the attitude of an infinitely holy God toward sin, and the surety of a day of judgment.\par \par \b\tab Read\i \cf1\ul\i0 Joh_15:1-10\cf0\ulnone . What balance does Jesus present here in the context of bearing fruit? \b0\par \:ar \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\par \ldblquote \lquote \ldblquote And If It Bears Fruit, Well. But If Not .\i . .\rdblquote \rquote \rdblquote\b0 \fs22 (\cf1\ul Luk_13:9\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\i0\par \fs24\par \fs22\tab Between 1730 and 1745 the American colonies from Maine to Georgia experienced a religious revival known as the Great Awakening. Jonathan Edwards was a leader in this movement of spiritual renewal. In July o;cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab Have you ever had a trial that severely tested your faith, even to the point where you wondered if you really even had faith? Looking back, what lessons should you have learned from that experience? Most importantly, \i did \i0 you learn them? \par \par \par \highlight2\scaps\fs28 Thursday\highlight0\b0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\highlight2\i\scaps0 December 31\highlight0\i0\p<rrow way. Character must be tested, else there would be many spurious Christians who would keep up a fair semblance of religion until their inclinations, their desire to have their own way, their pride and ambition, were crossed. When by the Lord\rquote s permission sharp trials come to them, their lack of genuine religion, of the meekness and lowliness of Christ, shows them to be in need of the work of the Holy Spirit.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i In\i0 \i Heavenly Places,\i0 p. 266.\par \par \pard\= He sees not as man sees. He often has to break up human connections and change the order which man has mapped out, which is perfect in his estimation. What man thinks is for his spiritual and temporal interests may be altogether at variance with the experience he must have in order to be a follower of Christ. His idea of his own value may be far out of the way.\par \par \tab\ldblquote Tests are placed all along the way from earth to heaven. It is because of this that the road to heaven is called the na>ine. The farmer must be careful, however, because next year\rquote s crop is directly dependent on which parts remain. The key to pruning is the balance between the crop and vine. One is grown at the expense of the other. If you overcrop by not cutting enough away, the following year\rquote s growth will be weak and the fruit inferior. The skillful art is to find the right balance.\par \par \tab\ldblquote God brings men into trying places to see if they will trust in a power out of and above themselves.? \b\tab\ldblquote \lquote Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Joh_15:2\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\b .\i0 What is this pruning process all about? How have you experienced it yourself? When that specific process ended, in what ways were you different from before it began? \b0\par \par \tab At the end of every season, the farmer goes back in the vineyard and prunes away most of the v@nd that it is possible to create good will and leave the Father out, taking the credit for ourselves. Examine your own heart and ask yourself what really motivates some of your actions. How might you be fooling yourself?\b0\par \par \fs24\par \highlight2\b\scaps\fs28 Wednesday\highlight0\b0 \scaps0\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\highlight2\i December 30\highlight0\i0\par \par \b\ldblquote \lquote That It May Bear More Fruit\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i\fs22 (\cf1\ul Joh_15:2\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\b\i0\par \b0\par Ases are. What\rquote s our ultimate goal in these endeavors? Is it to glorify self or to glorify God? How can we learn to make a distinction between the two? In many ways, it can be easy to mix these things, covering even the most self-aggrandizing actions under the false veneer of \ldblquote glorifying\rdblquote God. \par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Mat_5:16\cf0\ulnone and \cf1\ul 1Co_10:31\cf0\ulnone . How can we create good will and give the glory to our Father in heaven at the same time? Bear in miBFather look good.\par \par \tab\b Christ\rquote s ministry, which included many miracles and good works, had a definite driving force. What was that force, and how should this idea influence what our motives should be? \i (\cf1\ul Joh_11:4; Joh_12:28\cf0\ulnone ).\b0\par \i0\fs24\par \fs22\tab Perhaps your church is looking for ways to do things in the community that will enhance the image of the church. And that\rquote s good. At the same time, we need to be careful about what our motives and purpoCes this text mean?\b0\par \fs24\par \tab\fs22 You have no doubt heard the saying, \ldblquote It is possible to do the right thing for the wrong reason.\rdblquote If this is true, is it possible to attempt to abide in Jesus for the wrong reason? Abiding in Jesus is not a means to an end; rather, it is an end in itself. The result of abiding in Him will be that we bear fruit, not to glorify ourselves but to glorify God. In other words, the fruit of the Spirit is not to make us look good, but to make the Dbide in Him? \b0 7\par \par \highlight2\b\scaps\fs36\par \fs28 Tuesday\highlight0\b0 \scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\highlight2\i December 29\highlight0\i0\par \par \b\ldblquote \lquote By This My Father Is Glorified\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i\fs22 (\cf1\ul Joh_15:8\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\b\par \b0\i0\fs24\par \fs22\tab\b\ldblquote \lquote By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples\rquote \rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf1\ul Joh_15:8\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\b . \i0 What doEifference if we painted the apples a deep red? Suppose we watered the branch or put fertilizer on the ground around it? Would the branch continue to bear more apples if we stuck the stem into the ground? Why, then, is being connected to the trunk (the vine) essential to the branch? \par \tab\par \b\tab How do you abide in Jesus? What does that mean? What would you have to change in your life to make this a daily experience? What practices and habits are you cultivating that make it more difficult to aF does Jesus say we are? What does that mean on a practical level; that is, what does it tell us about how we should live?\par \fs24\par \b0\tab\cf1\ul\fs22 Joh_15:4\cf0\ulnone explains that a branch cannot bear fruit unless it is connected to the vine. This is a crucial point, one that we should not miss. \par \par \tab Picture a branch that has fallen off an apple tree. Suppose that branch had several apples just reaching maturity. What soon happens to the branch? To the apples? Would it make any dGhes of the dead tree. The next morning their father expressed amazement that apples seemed to have grown overnight, especially since the tree was a pear tree! \par \tab\par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Joh_15:1-5\cf0\ulnone and answer the following questions:\par \b0\par \b\tab Jesus declared Himself to be the True Vine. Why do you think He emphasized \ldblquote true\rdblquote vine?\b0 \i (See also \cf1\ul Mat_24:24\cf0\ulnone .)\i0\fs24\par \par \b\fs22\tab According to \cf1\ul Joh_15:5\cf0\ulnone , whatH\lquote Without Me You Can Do Nothing\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i\fs22 (\cf1\ul Joh_15:5\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\i0\par \fs24\par \tab\fs22 Two young boys were using a fruit tree to climb out of their second-story bedroom window and go to the swimming hole without their parents\rquote permission. One day they heard their father say he was going to cut the tree down because it was dead. Fearing they would lose their escape route, they went to the store and bought artificial apples, which they tied to the brancInd not \i be\i0 good? Or, can a person \i be\i0 good and not \i do\i0 good? Work through your answers and bring them to class on Sabbath. \b0\par \par \fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-6480\li6480\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\highlight2\b\scaps\fs28 Monday\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\b0\i\scaps0 December 28\highlight0\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \b\ldblquote J920\tx8640\tab Being a true Christian and bearing good fruit place the emphasis on \i being\i0 . A good actor can play the part of Mahatma Gandhi, but he can never be Mahatma Gandhi. We can look good, sound good, and even appear to do good. But unless the Holy Spirit gives us a new heart, we never can \i be\i0 good. \par \par \b\tab Dwell more on this distinction between \i doing\i0 good and \i being\i0 good. First, what do we mean by \ldblquote good\rdblquote ? Second, can a person \i do\i0 good aK43-44\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \i0\par \tab Jesus said we can know a tree by the fruit it produces. A person reveals himself or herself not so much by what he or she professes but by what he or she is. The \i gifts\i0 of the Spirit are given to the church for ministry. The \i fruit\i0 of the Spirit is given to the child of God so that his or her life might be changed.\tab\par \par \pard\cfpat2\cbpat2\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7Lfollowers of Jesus would have a form of godliness but would deny the power thereof \i (\cf1\ul 2Ti_3:5\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 \par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul 2Ti_3:5\cf0\ulnone . How do we see this truth manifested today? \par \b0\fs24\par \fs22\tab\ldblquote \lquote For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush\rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Luk_6:O1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 @Arial Unicode MS;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Trebuchet MS;}{\f3\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\fi-2880\li2880\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 1\b0\tab\tab\tab \i *December 26-January 1\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qc\txP0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\ldblquote By Their Fruit . . .\rdblquote\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b0\scaps __________________\b\par Sabbath Afternoon\scaps0\tab\fs24\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tQx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study\b0 : \cf1\ul\i Luk_13:7-9\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Joh_11:4; Joh_12:28; Joh_15:1-10\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul 2Ti_3:5\cf0\ulnone .\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4R320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Memory Text: \ldblquote \lquote Therefore by their fruits you will know them\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul Mat_7:20\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\dn10\fs108 O\up0\fs22 ne of the most thrilling promises of the Lord is that if we will abide in Him and allow Him to abide in us through His Spirit, we actually will \i be\i0 different. Our lives will bSe changed, even radically.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\ldblquote Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 2Co_5:17\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \par \par \tab This quarter we will study various facets of the fruit of the Spirit. The wonderful plan of salvation assures us that \ldblquote we all, with unveiled face, beTholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 2Co_3:18\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \i0\par \tab Those who abide in Jesus always will bear fruit of the Spirit. Do you sometimes wonder if that promise really could be for you? The answer is a resounding Yes. We can be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun this good work in us will finish it \i (\cf1\ul Php_1:6\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 URemember His words: \ldblquote \lquote You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you\rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Joh_15:16\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 And the best news yet is that the good work the Holy Spirit is doing in our lives is not just for now but for eternity.\par \par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 2.\i0\par \Vfs24\par \par \par \par \fs28\par \highlight2\b\scaps Sunday\highlight0\b0 \scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i December 27\i0\par \par \b\ldblquote \lquote Every Tree Is Known by Its Own Fruit\rquote \rdblquote\fs24 \b0\i\fs22 (\cf1\ul Luk_6:44\cf0\ulnone , NKJV)\b\i0\par \b0\fs24\tab\tab\par \tab\fs22 Has anyone ever asked you if you have received the Holy Spirit? Usually this is a way of discovering if you speak in \ldblquote tongues.\rdblquote For them, tongues-speaking is the determiningM factor for whether or not you demonstrate the indwelling of the Spirit. Jesus, though, warns us about looking at certain outward signs and miracles as proof of anything. Read His clear warning in \cf1\ul Mat_7:21-23\cf0\ulnone \i (see also\b \cf1\ul\b0 Rev_16:14\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 Jesus says plainly that undeniable miracles will be performed in Jesus\rquote name, but that does not prove that these people are His faithful followers. \par \par \tab In fact, we are told that in the last days professed at does the Cross offer us that\rquote s indispensable in character development? After all, without the Cross, what would even be the purpose of bearing this fruit? \par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab\tab\tab\b0\par \pard\li720\b 4. Why do our character development and good works bring glory to God? What\rquote s that all about?\cf2\highlight4\b0\par \pard\cf0\b\par \cf2\highlight0\b0\par } Wes to growing the fruit of the Spirit? What specific aspects of the culture must you unflinchingly fight against?\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 3. Why is the Cross so central to the whole question of the fruit of the Spirit and character development? WhXo us, or that it can\rquote t happen to us? Do we see evidence of this already happening? And, if so, what can we do?\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab\tab 2. In the twenty-first century, in your own culture, what are some of the greatest challengY a mission to spread the three angels\rquote messages to the world, we often struggle to find ways to make ourselves and our message relevant to the culture around us. What inherent dangers do we face when we do that? History shows that more often than not, the church through the centuries ends up getting converted to the ways of the world, as opposed to the world getting converted to the ways of the church. What about us, as Adventists? Do we fool ourselves in thinking that this isn\rquote t happening t\3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\highlight1\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 12\highlight0 \b0\i *March 13-19\b\i0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\qc\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit Is Truth\tab\par \b0 _____________________]________\b\par \scaps Sabbath Afternoon\scaps0\fs24\par \b0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0\i \cf2\ul 2Ch_25:2\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_51:17\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jer_29:13\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_7:16-17\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_14:6\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_17:3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Heb_5:14\cf0\ulnone .\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shadin^g10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\b\i0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 Memory Text:\b0 \b\ldblquote And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf2\ul Jer_29:13\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\t_x2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\dn10\fs108 T\up0\fs22 he Greek word for \i truth\i0 , \i aletheia\i0 , has two meanings. One is objective truth (actual facts, verity, or principle), and the other is subjective truth (truth as a personal excellence-a candor of mind that is free from affectation, pretense, dissimulation, falsehood, and deceit). Truth, then`, is what we know, the objective \ldblquote facts on the ground,\rdblquote as it were. But there\rquote s the subjective element of truth, as well, which entails how we individually respond to what we learn. When both of these are real in our lives, we will manifest truth as a fruit of the Spirit. \par \par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab That\rquote s why both elements are crucial to the Christiaan walk. We need to know the basic objective truth as it is found in Jesus, and then we need the personal subjective experience of having our lives changed by that truth. \par \par \tab Look at Judas. He was with Jesus for more than three and a half years. Judas had all sorts of truth revealed to him. He saw things the rest of us only can read about. And yet, in the end, look what good it did him.\par \par \tab May we all take heed.\par \par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sbabbath, March 20.\i0\par \fs24\page\highlight1\b\scaps\fs36\par \fs28 Sunday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \i March 14\par \i0\par \b\ldblquote I Am . . . the Truth\rdblquote\b0\par \fs24 \par \b\fs22\tab\ldblquote Jesus said to him, \lquote I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me\rquote\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf2\ul Joh_14:6\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\b\i0 Write out a short paragraph explaining what you think this text means.\b0 \par e\par \tab On one level, this text radically challenges the relativism (the idea that truth is only subjective and personal) so current in much of the world today. Jesus\rquote words leave no ambiguity: There\rquote s none of this \i\ldblquote Each finds his own path to God\i0 ,\rdblquote and so forth. With these words, Jesus establishes the reality of objective truth. \i Here is Truth\i0 . Period. Few verses in the whole Bible are more contrary to the sentiment of relativism than these.\par \par \tab $$xM}10 Fruit of the Spirit/Self-Control-Feb 27-Mar 5{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbM10 FMq10 H MQ10 Fruit of the Spirit/Self-Control-Feb 27-Mar 5{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Georgia;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green128\blue0;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720 J 9i11 TheA)11 Fruit of the Spirit-Righteousness-Mar 6-12{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}} {\colortbl ;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green128\blue0;\red51\green51\blue102;\red0\green0\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;} {\*\generAEA111 Fruit of the Spirit-Righteousness-Mar 6-12{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg125FA11 Fruit of the Spirit-Righteousness-Mar 6-12{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnAAX A}11 Fruit of the Spirit-Righteousness-Mar 6-12{\rtf1\aWf At the same time, there\rquote s a whole other element, as well. The Truth is a Person. You come to truth through a relationship with a Person. This is a radically different idea from the notion of truth being only a group of facts. Jesus, a human being, is \i the\i0 Truth; thus, if you want to know truth, you have to know Jesus. \par \par \b\tab How does what\rquote s written above help us understand Christ\rquote s words in \cf2\ul Joh_17:3\cf0\ulnone ? \b0 \par \par \tab We have to be careful, ghowever, with this notion that all our religion means is having a relationship with God. Everyone lives in a relationship with God, one way or another. Folk who deny His existence live in relationship with God. Pilate had a relationship with Jesus; so did Caiaphas. Even the devil has a relationship with Jesus-he hates Him. The gospel is not a call to have a relationship with Jesus but to make a \i commitment\i0 to Him. Nicodemus, for instance, had a relationship with Jesus, one in which he eventually cohmmitted his life and all that he had to Christ. That\rquote s the kind we all need!\par \b\tab\b0\par \b\tab No question, you have a relationship with Jesus. The question you need to ask yourself is, What kind do you have? And, How can you make it better?\b0 \par \fs28\par \page\highlight1\b\scaps Monday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \i March 15\par \i0\par \b The Spirit and Truth\b0\par \par \b\fs22\tab\ldblquote \lquote However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has comie, He will guide you into all truth\rquote \rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf2\ul Joh_16:13\cf0\ulnone , NJKV).\i0\par \par \tab In view of what we learned yesterday, it is obvious that the work of the Holy Spirit is to point us to Christ and to help us abide in Him. \ldblquote \lquote But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me\rquote "\i (\cf2\ul Joh_15:26\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \par \par \tab Look at this powejrful insight: \ldblquote The preaching of the word will be of no avail without the continual presence and aid of the Holy Spirit. This is the only effectual teacher of divine truth. Only when the truth is accompanied to the heart by the Spirit will it quicken the conscience or transform the life. One might be able to present the letter of the word of God, he might be familiar with all its commands and promises; but unless the Holy Spirit sets home the truth, no souls will fall on the Rock and be broken.\rkdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The\i0 \i Desire of Ages, pp. 671, 672. \i0\tab\tab\tab\par \tab\par \b\tab What emphasis is Ellen G. White placing on the work of the Holy Spirit here?\b0\par \b\par \b0\tab What we see in the work of the Holy Spirit is both the objective and subjective aspect of Truth. The Spirit comes, and He testifies of Jesus and reproves \ldblquote \lquote the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment\rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf2\ul Joh_16:8\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 These are halrd facts about the world, about God, about reality. \par \par \tab At the same time, the work of the Holy Spirit doesn\rquote t end simply with teaching us these truths. Our lives need to be changed by our understanding of them.\i \i0 These objective and eternal truths will do us no good unless our lives are transformed by them, and part of that process (perhaps even the most important part) is for us, as she wrote, to be broken on the Rock \i (see \cf2\ul Psa_51:17\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \par \b\tab mHow were you broken (or were you ever)? What happened? What changes came? What did you learn about life, about suffering, about God from that experience? What other lessons might you still need to learn?\par \par \par \highlight1\scaps\fs28 Tuesday\highlight0\scaps0 \b0\i March 16\b\i0\par \par "With All Your Heart"\fs36\par \fs24\par \fs22\tab\ldblquote And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf2\ul Jer_29:1n3\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \par \tab\ldblquote With all your heart\rdblquote means \ldblquote sincerely,\rdblquote true in word and act. The word \i sincere\i0 comes from two Latin words-\i sine\i0 (without) and \i cera\i0 (wax). Apparently in the past, less-than- honest sculptors would secretly fix the flaws and cracks in their work by plugging them with wax, which, of course, doesn\rquote t hold. Hence, \i sincerity\i0 means being real and genuine, not artificial. It means speaking or acting \oldblquote from the heart\rdblquote and meaning it. \par \tab\par \b\tab Read \cf2\ul 2Ch_25:2\cf0\ulnone . What is that text saying? What important point is being made about what\rquote s inside us?\b0\par \par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx91\tx810\tx1170\tx1890\tx2610\tx3330\tx4050\tx4770\tx5490\tx6210\tx6930\tx7650\tqr\tx8370\tab The Hebrew word translated in some versions as \ldblquote perfect\rdblquote comes from the root \i slm\i0 (from which \i shalom \i0 is derived). It meapns, basically, \ldblquote full,\rdblquote \ldblquote complete,\rdblquote or \ldblquote at peace.\rdblquote Thus, we have here a king who did the right thing but not with a heart that was in the right place. He wasn\rquote t sincere in his actions. This raises the possibility that a person could be doing the right things for the wrong reasons. Though we may be able to fool some of the people some of the time, and ourselves all the time, we can't fool God any of the time. How interesting that when Davidq prayed for his son, the first thing he wanted him to have was \ldblquote a perfect heart\rdblquote \i (\cf2\ul 1Ch_29:19\cf0\ulnone , NASB).\i0 \par \b\par \tab\b0 Sincerity is important because the one who isn\rquote t sincere, the one whose heart isn\rquote t committed to what\rquote s true and right, is someone with a divided heart. There is surely something else pulling on such a person, and as long as he or she doesn\rquote t let go, as long as this person still allows those other allegiances a rplace, the heart cannot be \i slm\i0 , \i complete \i0 or \i perfect \i0 before God. The key, then, is complete surrender to the Lord, a complete letting go of self. It\rquote s not easy; in a real sense, to have that happen you need to be, as we saw yesterday, broken on the Rock.\par \par \b\tab How sincere are you in your faith? We\rquote re not talking about occasional doubts, or having deep unanswered questions (everyone at times has doubts, and all have deep unanswered questions), nor are we talkinsg about struggling with sin. Instead, we\rquote re talking about your heart. Is it fully committed to God, \ldblquote complete\rdblquote before Him, or is it divided between God and something of the world? If it is the latter, what choices must you make?\par \par \par \highlight1\scaps\fs28 Wednesday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \i March 17\b\i0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqrt\tx8280\par A Conscience Seared\fs24\par \b0\par \b\fs22\tab\b0 Last week we saw how Jesus had sharp words for the fake \ldblquote righteousness\rdblquote of the scribes and the Pharisees \i (see \cf2\ul Mat_23:27\cf0\ulnone ),\i0 calling them \ldblquote hypocrites.\rdblquote The word\i hypocrite \i0 in the original language \i (hupokrites) \i0 means \ldblquote actor.\rdblquote Jesus was letting them know that He could discern their inner feelings and secret sins. It was as though He were telling them, \ldblquote You act one way but inside you are another, as though you were acting out in a play. Cannot you be real?\rdblquote Another time Jesus said, \ldblquote \lquote Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: \ldblquote This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me\rdblquote \rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf2\ul Mar_7:6\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 His meaning is obvious.\par \par \b\tab Read\i \cf2\ul\i0 1Ti_4:2\cf0\ulnone and \cf2\ul Tit_1:15\cf0\ulnonev\pard\nowidctlpar\fi-5040\li5040\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 8 \b0 \tab\tab \i *February 13-19\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\qc\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit Is Faithfulness\b0\par _____________________________\par \b\scwaps Sabbath Afternoon\scaps0\fs36\tab\tab\fs24\par \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0\i \cf1\ul Mat_25:1-13\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul Luk_16:10\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 1Th_5:23-24\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 2Ti_3:1-5\cf0\ulnone ; \cf1\ul\i0 Heb_11:1\cf2\ulnone\i -Entire chapter\cf0 . \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\txx7920\tx8640\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\i0 Memory Text:\b0 \b\ldblquote And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart\rdblquote\i\fs24 \b0 (\cf1\ul Gal_6:9\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\par \i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\fs72 T\fs22 he fruit of the Spirit known as \ldblquotey faithfulness\rdblquote could also be called \ldblquote fidelity.\rdblquote It speaks of endurance, a firmness of purpose, especially when the going is tough.\par \par \tab Faithfulness implies steadfast adherence. Synonyms include \i loyalty,\i0 implying undeviating allegiance; \i constancy, \i0 suggesting freedom from uncertainty; \i staunchness,\i0 implying such a strong allegiance to one\rquote s principles or purposes that they cannot be turned aside; and \i resoluteness, \i0 stressing unwaverizng determination.\par \par \tab\ldblquote Faith\rdblquote and \ldblquote faithfulness,\rdblquote though closely linked, are not the same thing. Faith is that indefinable power, a gift from God, through which we can believe in a reality that yet remains unseen. \ldblquote Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen\rdblquote\i (\cf1\ul Heb_11:1\cf0\ulnone ). \i0 Faithfulness, in contrast, is the working out of this inner-belief system. When we have faith in God, we{ act in faithful ways. Acts of faithfulness are a demonstration of our faith, and such acts are the threads holding our belief and behavior system together.\par \par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 20.\i0\par \par \par \par \par \par \fs28\par \highlight3\b\scaps Sunday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i February 14\par \i0\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \b God Is Faithful\b0\fs24\par \fs22\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par \b\tab\ldblquote O Lord God| of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You\rdblquote\cf4 \b0\i (\cf1\ul Psa_89:8\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\b\i0\par \b0\par \tab As with all the fruit of the Spirit, God Himself is the model we must study for examples of faithfulness. God is as faithful now as He was three trillion years before creating the earth. He will be just as faithful three trillion years into the future as He was when He set the decrees in eternity past. Nothing will deter Him or alter His course.}\par \par \b\tab\b0 Note some of the attributes of God\rquote s faithfulness:\b\par \par \pard{\pntext\f3\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf3\pnindent1{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\li720\sa200\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tx9360\tx10080\tx10800\tx11520\tx12240\tx12960\tx13680\tx14400\tx15120\tx15840\tx16560\tx17280\tx18000\tx18720\b0 God\rquote s faithfulness is far reaching in its extent-\ldblquote Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds\rdblquote\i (\~cf1\ul Psa_36:5\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \pard{\pntext\f3\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf3\pnindent1{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\li720\sa200\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tqr\tx7920 God\rquote s faithfulness is sure-\ldblquote Nevertheless Mylovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow My faithfulness to fail\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Psa_89:33\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \pard{\pntext\f3\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf3\pnindent1{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\li720\sa200\tx0\tx360\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tqr\tx7920 God\rquote s faithfulness is great-\ldblquote Great is Your faithfulness\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Lam_3:23\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \pard{\pntext\f3\'B7\tab}{\*\pn\pnlvlblt\pnf3\pnindent1{\pntxtb\'B7}}\nowidctlpar\li720\sa200\tx0\tx450\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tqr\tx7920 God\rquote s faithfulness is set in heaven-\ldblquote For I have said, \lquote Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens\rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Psa_89:2\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\tx360\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\tx0\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\b\tab Identify the blessings that come to us as a result of His faithfulness:\par \b0\par \cf1\ul\i 1Co_10:13\cf0\i0 \par \ulnone\par \cf1\ul\i 1Th_5:23-24\cf0\par \ulnone\i0\par \cf1\ul\i 2Th_3:3\cf0\i0\par \par \cf1\i Heb_10:23\cf0\ulnone\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\b\i0\tab Why is the faithfulness of God so important to the Christian\rquote s life? Recount a time in your life when knowing that God was faithful brought you through a crisis. On a day-to-day basis, which of the blessings of God\rquote s faithfulness listed above is the greatest help to you?\b0\par \fs24\par \page\b\scaps\fs28 Monday\b0\scaps0 \tab\i February 15\par \i0\par \b Faithlessness: A Sign of the End\b0\fs24\par \par \b\tab\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Luk_18:8\cf0\ulnone\b0 . \b What is implied in Jesus\rquote question here?\b0 \par \par \tab The apostle Paul writes that \ldblquote evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 2Ti_3:13\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 People today are like what they were when Moses wrote the Pentateuch or Paul his epistles. One could argue, however, that our society today makes it easier to sin, that it all but encourages it. In other words, our environment grows ever more amenable to sin, and our fallen human natures naturally will take advantage of it. Self-centeredness constantly is promoted. Advertising hammers away at us to gratify ourselves: why wait, why deny ourselves, why sacrifice, why not go along with everyone else? Constantly we hear, \ldblquote Indulge yourself because you deserve it\rdblquote or the like.\par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul 2Ti_3:1-5\cf0\ulnone . What is the first characteristic found there? How do we find it so overtly manifested today? \par \b0\par \tab While this generation is hardly the first to be selfish, it is unique in that selfishness is actually recommended. \ldblquote Look out for number one,\rdblquote \ldblquote Love yourself first,\rdblquote is the cry. Self-centeredness has spawned another phenomenon, which is irresponsibility. This generation could well be the one of which it was written, \ldblquote There is a generation that curses its father, and does not bless its mother. There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filthiness\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Pro_30:11-12\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 It would seem that everything wrong with everyone is now laid at the foot of someone else, most often the parents.\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\b\tab How have the mass media contributed to the unfaithfulness even among church members? Be honest with yourself: How has it affected your thinking? Try to step back and ask yourself, How might the things I read, watch, and listen to be negatively affecting my own faithfulness to God? \b0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\par \page\b\scaps\fs28 Tuesday\scaps0 \b0 \i February 16\i0\par \par \b Models of Faithfulness\fs32 \b0\i\fs24 (\cf1\ul Hebrews 11\cf0\ulnone )\i0\par \b\par \tab\fs22 Read \cf1\ul Heb_11:1\cf0\ulnone\b0 \b (entire chapter); the list of characters who are given as examples of faithfulness. Pick three characters and write down how their faithfulness was revealed, even amid struggles, trials, and temptations. That is, what did they do that revealed their faithfulness? At the same time, what were their struggles, their trials, their temptations? More so, in what ways, however different the variables, are the principles involved the same for us today as they were for the characters in Hebrews? \par \par \b0 (1)\par \par \par (2)\par \par \par (3)\par \par \par \tab Think how easy it could have been for some of these people to have become discouraged. Think of Joseph in the dungeon or Sarah waiting and waiting and waiting for the promised child or Moses, tempted with the riches of a kingdom as opposed to suffering \ldblquote affliction with the people of God\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Heb_11:2\cf5 5\ulnone )\cf0 . \i0 We sometimes tend to look at these people as if they were larger than life, kind of superhuman, and yet, they were just as real as we are, just as prone to sin, just as prone to question and to fear and to fall. Despite all their own weaknesses and mistakes, however, they showed faithfulness, they acted out the faith they professed, and they were able to be used by God to do remarkable things. \par \par \b\tab What are the things that ch . What important point is Paul talking about here? Our conscience is the place where the Holy Spirit makes contact with us. What can happen to us if we constantly are doing wrong? \b0\par \par \tab No question, the more we continue in evil, and the more we do what we know is wrong, the more defiled our conscience becomes and the further from the Truth we get. Again, you can have more than enough head knowledge to be saved. The final fires will, unfortunately, have way too many folks who knew more than enough objective truths to be saved. But, as we are saying, objective truth alone is not a fruit of the Spirit. Truth lived out in our life, that\rquote s the fruit we need to bear. \par \par \b\tab Read \cf2\ul Heb_5:14\cf0\ulnone and \cf2\ul Joh_7:16-17\cf0\ulnone . How do these texts help us better understand the idea of truth as a fruit of the Spirit?\b0 \par \par \b\tab What\rquote s your own experience of a \ldblquote seared conscience\rdblquote ? How long did it take until the act that had, at first, seared your conscience barely touched it at all? Why did that happen, and why is it so spiritually dangerous? \b0 \tab\par \page\highlight1\b\scaps\fs36\par \fs28 Thursday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \i March 18\b\i0\par \par Walking in Truth \fs24\par \b0\par \b\fs22\tab\ldblquote I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf2\ul 2Jn_1:4\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \b\lallenge you in your desire to be faithful? Put them in two categories: (1) the things you can do nothing about and (2) the things you can remove from your life. \b0\par \par \fs24\par \b\scaps\fs28 Wednesday\b0\scaps0 \i February 17\i0\par \par \b Faithfulness in Daily Living\b0\fs24\par \par \b\fs22\ldblquote \lquote He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjustalso in much\rquote \rdblquote \b0\i (\cfiewkind4\uc1\pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 13\b0 \i *March 20-26\i0\par \par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\b The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit: The Essence \i of\i0 \par Christian Character\par \b0 _________________________\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\b\scaps Sabbath Afternoon\b0\scaps0\fs24\par \par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study\b0 : \cf1\ul\i Mat_6:33\cf0\ulnone ,\b \cf1\ul\b0 Joh_15:8\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul Rom_3:20-26\ulnone ; \ul Rom_14:17\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul 1Ti_6:11\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul 1Jn_2:15\cf0\ulnone .\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\highlight1\lang1033\b\f0\fs28 Lesson 12\highlight0 \b0\i *March 13-19\b\i0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\qc\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 The Fruit \i of the \i0 Spirit Is Truth\tab\par \b0 _____________________________\b\par \scaps\tab Sabbath Afternoon\scaps0\fs24\par \b0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\b\fs22 Read for This Week\rquote s Study:\b0\i \cf2\ul 2Ch_25:2\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Psa_51:17\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Jer_29:13\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_7:16-17\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_14:6\cf3\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Joh_17:3\cf0\ulnone ; \cf2\ul Heb_5:14\cf0\ulnone .\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\b\i0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 Memory Text:\b0 \b\ldblquote And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf2\ul Jer_29:13\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\dn10\fs108 T\up0\fs22 he Greek word for \i truth\i0 , \i aletheia\i0 , has two meanings. One is objective truth (actual facts, verity, or principle), and the other is subjective truth (truth as a personal excellence-a candor of mind that is free from affectation, pretense, dissimulation, falsehood, and deceit). Truth, then, is what we know, the objective \ldblquote facts on the ground,\rdblquote as it were. But there\rquote s the subjective element of truth, as well, which entails how we individually respond to what we learn. When both of these are real in our lives, we will manifest truth as a fruit of the Spirit. \par \par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab That\rquote s why both elements are crucial to the Christian walk. We need to know the basic objective truth as it is found in Jesus, and then we need the personal subjective experience of having our lives changed by that truth. \par \par \tab Look at Judas. He was with Jesus for more than three and a half years. Judas had all sorts of truth revealed to him. He saw things the rest of us only can read about. And yet, in the end, look what good it did him.\par \par \tab May we all take heed.\par \par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 20.\i0\par \fs24\page\highlight1\b\scaps\fs36\par \fs28 Sunday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \i March 14\par \i0\par \b\ldblquote I Am . . . the Truth\rdblquote\b0\par \fs24 \par \b\fs22\tab\ldblquote Jesus said to him, \lquote I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me\rquote\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf2\ul Joh_14:6\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\b\i0 Write out a short paragraph explaining what you think this text means.\b0 \par \par \tab On one level, this text radically challenges the relativism (the idea that truth is only subjective and personal) so current in much of the world today. Jesus\rquote words leave no ambiguity: There\rquote s none of this \i\ldblquote Each finds his own path to God\i0 ,\rdblquote and so forth. With these words, Jesus establishes the reality of objective truth. \i Here is Truth\i0 . Period. Few verses in the whole Bible are more contrary to the sentiment of relativism than these.\par \par \tab At the same time, there\rquote s a whole other element, as well. The Truth is a Person. You come to truth through a relationship with a Person. This is a radically different idea from the notion of truth being only a group of facts. Jesus, a human being, is \i the\i0 Truth; thus, if you want to know truth, you have to know Jesus. \par \par \b\tab How does what\rquote s written above help us understand Christ\rquote s words in \cf2\ul Joh_17:3\cf0\ulnone ? \b0 \par \par \tab We have to be careful, however, with this notion that all our religion means is having a relationship with God. Everyone lives in a relationship with God, one way or another. Folk who deny His existence live in relationship with God. Pilate had a relationship with Jesus; so did Caiaphas. Even the devil has a relationship with Jesus-he hates Him. The gospel is not a call to have a relationship with Jesus but to make a \i commitment\i0 to Him. Nicodemus, for instance, had a relationship with Jesus, one in which he eventually committed his life and all that he had to Christ. That\rquote s the kind we all need!\par \b\tab\b0\par \b\tab No question, you have a relationship with Jesus. The question you need to ask yourself is, What kind do you have? And, How can you make it better?\b0 \par \fs28\par \page\highlight1\b\scaps Monday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \i March 15\par \i0\par \b The Spirit and Truth\b0\par \par \b\fs22\tab\ldblquote \lquote However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth\rquote \rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf2\ul Joh_16:13\cf0\ulnone , NJKV).\i0\par \par \tab In view of what we learned yesterday, it is obvious that the work of the Holy Spirit is to point us to Christ and to help us abide in Him. \ldblquote \lquote But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me\rquote "\i (\cf2\ul Joh_15:26\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \par \par \tab Look at this powerful insight: \ldblquote The preaching of the word will be of no avail without the continual presence and aid of the Holy Spirit. This is the only effectual teacher of divine truth. Only when the truth is accompanied to the heart by the Spirit will it quicken the conscience or transform the life. One might be able to present the letter of the word of God, he might be familiar with all its commands and promises; but unless the Holy Spirit sets home the truth, no souls will fall on the Rock and be broken.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The\i0 \i Desire of Ages, pp. 671, 672. \i0\tab\tab\tab\par \tab\par \b\tab What emphasis is Ellen G. White placing on the work of the Holy Spirit here?\b0\par \b\par \b0\tab What we see in the work of the Holy Spirit is both the objective and subjective aspect of Truth. The Spirit comes, and He testifies of Jesus and reproves \ldblquote \lquote the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment\rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf2\ul Joh_16:8\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 These are hard facts about the world, about God, about reality. \par \par \tab At the same time, the work of the Holy Spirit doesn\rquote t end simply with teaching us these truths. Our lives need to be changed by our understanding of them.\i \i0 These objective and eternal truths will do us no good unless our lives are transformed by them, and part of that process (perhaps even the most important part) is for us, as she wrote, to be broken on the Rock \i (see \cf2\ul Psa_51:17\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \par \b\tab How were you broken (or were you ever)? What happened? What changes came? What did you learn about life, about suffering, about God from that experience? What other lessons might you still need to learn?\par \par \par \highlight1\scaps\fs28 Tuesday\highlight0\scaps0 \b0\i March 16\b\i0\par \par "With All Your Heart"\fs36\par \fs24\par \fs22\tab\ldblquote And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf2\ul Jer_29:13\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0\par \par \tab\ldblquote With all your heart\rdblquote means \ldblquote sincerely,\rdblquote true in word and act. The word \i sincere\i0 comes from two Latin words-\i sine\i0 (without) and \i cera\i0 (wax). Apparently in the past, less-than- honest sculptors would secretly fix the flaws and cracks in their work by plugging them with wax, which, of course, doesn\rquote t hold. Hence, \i sincerity\i0 means being real and genuine, not artificial. It means speaking or acting \ldblquote from the heart\rdblquote and meaning it. \par \tab\par \b\tab Read \cf2\ul 2Ch_25:2\cf0\ulnone . What is that text saying? What important point is being made about what\rquote s inside us?\b0\par \par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx91\tx810\tx1170\tx1890\tx2610\tx3330\tx4050\tx4770\tx5490\tx6210\tx6930\tx7650\tqr\tx8370\tab The Hebrew word translated in some versions as \ldblquote perfect\rdblquote comes from the root \i slm\i0 (from which \i shalom \i0 is derived). It means, basically, \ldblquote full,\rdblquote \ldblquote complete,\rdblquote or \ldblquote at peace.\rdblquote Thus, we have here a king who did the right thing but not with a heart that was in the right place. He wasn\rquote t sincere in his actions. This raises the possibility that a person could be doing the right things for the wrong reasons. Though we may be able to fool some of the people some of the time, and ourselves all the time, we can't fool God any of the time. How interesting that when David prayed for his son, the first thing he wanted him to have was \ldblquote a perfect heart\rdblquote \i (\cf2\ul 1Ch_29:19\cf0\ulnone , NASB).\i0 \par \b\par \tab\b0 Sincerity is important because the one who isn\rquote t sincere, the one whose heart isn\rquote t committed to what\rquote s true and right, is someone with a divided heart. There is surely something else pulling on such a person, and as long as he or she doesn\rquote t let go, as long as this person still allows those other allegiances a place, the heart cannot be \i slm\i0 , \i complete \i0 or \i perfect \i0 before God. The key, then, is complete surrender to the Lord, a complete letting go of self. It\rquote s not easy; in a real sense, to have that happen you need to be, as we saw yesterday, broken on the Rock.\par \par \b\tab How sincere are you in your faith? We\rquote re not talking about occasional doubts, or having deep unanswered questions (everyone at times has doubts, and all have deep unanswered questions), nor are we talking about struggling with sin. Instead, we\rquote re talking about your heart. Is it fully committed to God, \ldblquote complete\rdblquote before Him, or is it divided between God and something of the world? If it is the latter, what choices must you make?\par \par \par \highlight1\scaps\fs28 Wednesday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \i March 17\b\i0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par A Conscience Seared\fs24\par \b0\par \b\fs22\tab\b0 Last week we saw how Jesus had sharp words for the fake \ldblquote righteousness\rdblquote of the scribes and the Pharisees \i (see \cf2\ul Mat_23:27\cf0\ulnone ),\i0 calling them \ldblquote hypocrites.\rdblquote The word\i hypocrite \i0 in the original language \i (hupokrites) \i0 means \ldblquote actor.\rdblquote Jesus was letting them know that He could discern their inner feelings and secret sins. It was as though He were telling them, \ldblquote You act one way but inside you are another, as though you were acting out in a play. Cannot you be real?\rdblquote Another time Jesus said, \ldblquote \lquote Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: \ldblquote This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me\rdblquote \rquote \rdblquote \i (\cf2\ul Mar_7:6\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 His meaning is obvious.\par \par \b\tab Read\i \cf2\ul\i0 1Ti_4:2\cf0\ulnone and \cf2\ul Tit_1:15\cf0\ulnone . What important point is Paul talking about here? Our conscience is the place where the Holy Spirit makes contact with us. What can happen to us if we constantly are doing wrong? \b0\par \par \tab No question, the more we continue in evil, and the more we do what we know is wrong, the more defiled our conscience becomes and the further from the Truth we get. Again, you can have more than enough head knowledge to be saved. The final fires will, unfortunately, have way too many folks who knew more than enough objective truths to be saved. But, as we are saying, objective truth alone is not a fruit of the Spirit. Truth lived out in our life, that\rquote s the fruit we need to bear. \par \par \b\tab Read \cf2\ul Heb_5:14\cf0\ulnone and \cf2\ul Joh_7:16-17\cf0\ulnone . How do these texts help us better understand the idea of truth as a fruit of the Spirit?\b0 \par \par \b\tab What\rquote s your own experience of a \ldblquote seared conscience\rdblquote ? How long did it take until the act that had, at first, seared your conscience barely touched it at all? Why did that happen, and why is it so spiritually dangerous? \b0 \tab\par \page\highlight1\b\scaps\fs36\par \fs28 Thursday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \i March 18\b\i0\par \par Walking in Truth \fs24\par \b0\par \b\fs22\tab\ldblquote I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father\rdblquote\b0 \i (\cf2\ul 2Jn_1:4\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \b\ldblquote If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf2\ul 1Jn_1:6\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \b What important point is being made in both these texts regarding what it means to have a saving relationship with Jesus?\b0\par \b\par \tab\b0 Truth, as a fruit of the Spirit, isn\rquote t just what we know-it\rquote s what we do. Living in God\rquote s light means more than just knowledge. Look at how John explains what walking in darkness is like: \ldblquote He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes\rdblquote\i (\cf2\ul 1Jn_2:9-11\cf0\ulnone ). \par \i0\par \tab Thus, walking in the light, walking in the truth, is more than just keeping the Ten Commandments, at least according to the letter of the law. In the end, when all is said and done, isn\rquote t living in the truth basically manifested by how we deal with people and how we treat them? If we are sharp, cross, unforgiving, vengeful, hateful, unsympathetic; if we treat people as means rather than as ends, if we are trampling upon others in an attempt to advance ourselves, then we are walking in darkness, no matter how strictly we keep the Sabbath, no matter how faithfully we adhere to the health message, no matter how much we profess faith in Jesus, pay tithe, and go to church. In one sense, it\rquote s often a lot easier to learn correct doctrine and theology than it is to be kind, selfless, and giving to others, is it not?\par \par \b\tab Think about your interactions with folk in the past twenty-four hours. How have you treated them? What kind of words did you use? How comfortable would you be if your attitudes and actions toward them were made public (don\rquote t worry, one day they will; \i see\i0 \cf2\ul\i Mat_10:26\cf0\ulnone )\i0 . What does your answer tell you about what changes you need to see made in your life? \b0 \par \b\fs24 \b0\par \par \highlight1\b\scaps\fs28 Friday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \i March 19\b\i0\fs24\par \par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\fs28 Further Study:\fs24 \par \par \b0\fs22\tab\ldblquote It is not the length of time we labor but our willingness and fidelity in the work that makes it acceptable to God. In all our service a full surrender of self is demanded. The smallest duty done in \i sincerity and self-forgetfulness\i0 is more pleasing to God than the greatest work when marred with self-seeking. He looks to see how much of the spirit of Christ we cherish, and how much of the likeness of Christ our work reveals. He regards more the love and faithfulness with which we work than the amount we do.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Christ's Object Lessons, \i0 p. 402, emphasis supplied.\par \par \tab\ldblquote The service rendered in sincerity of heart has great recompense. \lquote Thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.\rquote By the life we live through the grace of Christ, the character is formed. The original loveliness begins to be restored to the soul. The attributes of the character of Christ are imparted, and the image of the Divine begins to shine forth. The faces of men and women who walk and work with God express the peace of heaven. They are surrounded with the atmosphere of heaven. For these souls the kingdom of God has begun. They have Christ's joy, the joy of being a blessing to humanity. They have the honor of being accepted for the Master's use; they are trusted to do His work in His name.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Adventist Home,\i0 p. 535.\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\fs24\par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\b\tab\fs22\tab 1. Is there any sense at all in which truth could be relative; that is, it may not apply all the time to every situation? If not, why not? Are there certain truths, perhaps, that could be relative while others aren\rquote t?\pa1\ul Luk_16:10\cf0\ulnone , NKJV). \b\i0 How have you seen this principle manifested in your own life? After all, if we are not faithful in the little things, why should we think we would be in the larger ones?\b0\i\par \par \b\i0\tab\ldblquote\b0 The greatest want of the world is the want of men-men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men xx%=12 Fruit of the Spirit/Truth-Mar 13-19{\rt0%12 Fruit of the Spirit/Truth-Mar 13-19{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttb%d %112 Fruit of the Spirit/Truth-Mar 13-19{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0{\fonttbl{\f0\fnil\fcharset0 Verdana;}} {\colortbl ;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green128\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} {\*\generator Riched20 5.40.11.2210;}\viewkind4\uc1\pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx1\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx[r \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\tab\tab 2. Dwell more on this idea of what it means to be sincere in your faith. However crucial sincerity is, why is that not enough? After all, folk who strap bombs to themselves and blow themselves up are, it would seem, sincere. What else is needed?\par \par \tab\tab 3. Why is spending time in the Word so important if truth is more than head knowledge? What are ways in which we can learn to study our Bible so that the Truth in there can impact and change our lives for the better? \par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\tab\tab 4. How can you help someone whose conscience has been so hardened in sin that they don\rquote t feel their need of help? \par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\par \pard\li720 5. In class, discuss this question: What\rquote s better, to do the right thing for the wrong reason or the wrong thing for the right reason?\cf3\b0\par \pard\cf0\b\par \cf3\b0\par } \par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\i0\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\b Memory Text: \ldblquote To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory\rdblquote\b0\i (\cf1\ul Col_1:27\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\b\i0\fs24dblquote If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf2\ul 1Jn_1:6\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \b What important point is being made in both these texts regarding what it means to have a saving relationship with Jesus?\b0\par \b\par \tab\b0 Truth, as a fruit of the Spirit, isn\rquote t just what we know-it\rquote s what we do. Living in God\rquote s light means more than just knowledge. Look at how John explains what walking in darkness is like: \ldblquote He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes\rdblquote\i (\cf2\ul 1Jn_2:9-11\cf0\ulnone ). \par \i0\par \tab Thus, walking in the light, walking in the truth, is more than just keeping the Ten Commandments, at least according to the letter of the law. In the end, when all is said and done, isn\rquote t living in the truth basically manifested by how we deal with people and how we treat them? If we are sharp, cross, unforgiving, vengeful, hateful, unsympathetic; if we treat people as means rather than as ends, if we are trampling upon others in an attempt to advance ourselves, then we are walking in darkness, no matter how strictly we keep the Sabbath, no matter how faithfully we adhere to the health message, no matter how much we profess faith in Jesus, pay tithe, and go to church. In one sense, it\rquote s often a lot easier to learn correct doctrine and theology than it is to be kind, selfless, and giving to others, is it not?\par \par \b\tab Think about your interactions with folk in the past twenty-four hours. How have you treated them? What kind of words did you use? How comfortable would you be if your attitudes and actions toward them were made public (don\rquote t worry, one day they will; \i see\i0 \cf2\ul\i Mat_10:26\cf0\ulnone )\i0 . What does your answer tell you about what changes you need to see made in your life? \b0 \par \b\fs24 \b0\par \par \highlight1\b\scaps\fs28 Friday\highlight0\b0\scaps0 \i March 19\b\i0\fs24\par \par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\fs28 Further Study:\fs24 \par \par \b0\fs22\tab\ldblquote It is not the length of time we labor but our willingness and fidelity in the work that makes it acceptable to God. In all our service a full surrender of self is demanded. The smallest duty done in \i sincerity and self-forgetfulness\i0 is more pleasing to God than the greatest work when marred with self-seeking. He looks to see how much of the spirit of Christ we cherish, and how much of the likeness of Christ our work reveals. He regards more the love and faithfulness with which we work than the amount we do.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Christ's Object Lessons, \i0 p. 402, emphasis supplied.\par \par \tab\ldblquote The service rendered in sincerity of heart has great recompense. \lquote Thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.\rquote By the life we live through the grace of Christ, the character is formed. The original loveliness begins to be restored to the soul. The attributes of the character of Christ are imparted, and the image of the Divine begins to shine forth. The faces of men and women who walk and work with God express the peace of heaven. They are surrounded with the atmosphere of heaven. For these souls the kingdom of God has begun. They have Christ's joy, the joy of being a blessing to humanity. They have the honor of being accepted for the Master's use; they are trusted to do His work in His name.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Adventist Home,\i0 p. 535.\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx396who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Education,\i0 p. 57.\par \par \tab The following words are some of the components of faithfulness:\par \par \b\tab Dependability\b0 -Dependability means people can count on you. When was the last time someone let you down? Do you remember how that made you feel? What does it say about your character if you lack dependability?\par \par \b\tab Honesty\b0 -Honesty is truthfulness. It means you are not going to lie or cheat or steal. Honesty is a cardinal building block of a strong character and should be in play every day of our lives. \par \par \b\tab Integrity\b0 -Integrity is like a code of honor. If you have integrity, you have certain values and beliefs that you live by. It also means you respect the values and beliefs of others. Integrity is also one of the building blocks of character. \par \par \b\tab Loyalty\b0 -Loyalty is allegiance. It means standing by someone even when times get tough. Loyalty is an important part of friendship. But does loyalty include doing something wrong for a friend? Does loyalty have limits? How might someone take a good thing, loyalty, too far? \par \par \b\tab Take a closer look at these elements. How well do you fare in these different categories? Where can you do better? Most important, what changes do you need to make in order to be more faithful to what you know is right? How can you make the needed changes? \b0\par \fs28\par \page\b\scaps Thursday\scaps0  \b0\i February 18\b\i0\par \b0\par \b Faithful Until the End\b0\fs24\par \par \tab\fs22 Could it be that we are suffering another Great Disappointment? Not that we fixed another date for the coming of Jesus but something just as real, if more subtle, and that is: a diminished emphasis on the Second Coming, if for no other reason than that we expected it to have happened by now. \par \tab\par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Mat_25:1-13\cf0\ulnone . Notice that everyone who was waiting for the bridegroom went to sleep. When the bridegroom finally arrived and all awakened, it was too late for five of them. In what ways could we, in the twenty-first century, be in danger of doing the same thing? \b0\par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul Mat_24:44-50\cf0\ulnone . Notice how the evil servant changes his lifestyle when he becomes convinced that his master is not coming back as soon as he had expected. What is the message to us who feel there has been a delay in the coming of Jesus?\b0\par \b\par \b0\tab Things have not happened as soon as we expected, but we take comfort from the promise in \cf1\ul Gal_6:9\cf0\ulnone , \ldblquote And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart\rdblquote \i (NKJV).\par \i0\par \cf4\tab\cf0 The issue that confronts God\rquote s people in the twenty-first century is not \ldblquote Will God be faithful?\rdblquote We should know by now that He is faithful to all that He has promised. The crucial issue is, \ldblquote Will \i I\i0 be faithful until the end?\rdblquote \par \par \b\tab In many ways the answer to the question about the future (\ldblquote Will \i I\i0 be faithful to the end?\rdblquote ) can be found in the present. What is the basic trend of your spiritual life now? Are you daily committed to the Lord, growing in grace and faithfulness, or are you slowly, bit by bit, easing up, growing more accustomed to the world and its ways? What does your answer tell you about yourself and your walk with the Lord? \b0\par \pard\keepn\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\b0\dn10\fs108 W\up0\fs22 hen Moses asked God to show him His glory, it was then that the Lord revealed to him His character as merciful, gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth \i (\cf1\ul Exo_34:6\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 And so when \ldblquote we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, [we] are changed into the same image from glory [character] to glory [character], even as by the Spirit of the Lord\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 2Co_3:18\cf0\ulnone ).\i0 \par \par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\tab\ldblquote By believing in Christ, the fallen race he has redeemed may obtain that faith which works by love and purifies the soul from all defilement. Then Christlike attributes appear: for by beholding Christ men become changed into the same image from glory to glory, fro0\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\fs24\par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\fs24\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\b\tab\fs22\tab 1. Is there any sense at all in which truth could be relative; that is, it may not apply all the time to every situation? If not, why not? Are there certain truths, perhaps, that could be relative while others aren\rquote t?\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat1\cbpat1\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx360\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\tab\tab 2. Dwell more on this idea of what it means to be sincere in your faith. However crucial sincerity is, why is that not enough? After all, folk who strap bombs to themselves and blow themselves up are, it would seem, sinpare with the ideal that you\rquote ve come up with?\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\li720 5. If salvation by faith means more than merely making a profession of faith in Christ and having our names registered on the church roll, then what does it really mean? What is \ldblquote faith\rdblquote in the biblical sense of the term?\cf3\b0\par \pard\cf0\b\fs28\par \cf3\b0\f1\fs23\par } 1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 4. We tend to think of righteousness in individual terms, which is correct. But is there not a community element, as well? Can our church community be \ldblquote righteous\rdblquote ? If so, how? What would a \ldblquote righteous\rdblquote church community look like? How does yours com\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 3. Think of a person you know who seems to be \ldblquote righteous.\rdblquote What is this person like? How does he or she act? How does he or she treat people? What does this person talk about? What can you learn from this person?\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx1080\txm? \par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 2. What is the inherent danger of having our lives driven by the desire to do good works? What can this lead to, and how can we avoid it?\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx360\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\fs24\par \b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\par \pard\nowidctlpar\b0\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\b\fs22 1. How can we avoid the trap of legalism, that of thinking that our works will save us or that of cheap grace, thinking that our works have nothing at all to do with our salvation? How do we strike the right balance here? Which ditch do you tend to lean more toward, cheap grace or legalisquote \lquote Hereby we do know that we know Him if we keep His commandments.\rquote \cf1\ul 1Jn_3:24\cf3\ulnone ; \cf1\ul 1Jn_2:3\cf0\ulnone . This is the genuine evidence of conversion. Whatever our profession, it amounts to nothing unless Christ is revealed in works of righteousness.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Christ\rquote s Object Lessons, \i0 pp. 312, 313.\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280 the Bible is no cunningly devised fable. We may believe that the name of Jesus is the only name under heaven whereby man may be saved, and yet we may not through faith make Him our personal Saviour. It is not enough to believe the theory of truth. It is not enough to make a profession of faith in Christ and have our names registered on the church roll. \lquote He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us.\r \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\tab\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\fs24\page\b\scaps\fs28 Friday\b0\scaps0 \i February 19\i0\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\b Further Study:\b0 \fs24\par \par \tab\fs22\ldblquote But like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path, \i God's purposes know no haste and no delay.\i0 Through the symbols of the great darkness and the smoking furnace, God had revealed to Abraham the bondage of Israel in Egypt, and had declared that the time of their sojourning should be four hundred years. \lquote Afterward,\rquote He said, \lquote shall they come out with great substance.\rquote \cf1\ul Gen_15:14\cf0\ulnone . Against that word, all the power of Pharaoh's proud empire battled in vain. On \lquote the self-same day\rquote appointed in the divine promise, \lquote it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.\rquote \cf1\ul Exo_12:41\cf0\ulnone . So in heaven's council the hour for the coming of Christ had been determined. When the great clock of time pointed to that hour, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i The Desire of Ages,\i0 p. 32, emphasis supplied\fs24 .\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\tab\fs22 1. What are some of the things in your own culture that present challenges to those who want to be faithful to Jesus? How can we meet those challenges? How can we help one another in this struggle? \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\tab\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\tab 2. Dwell on the things that you have read, watched, or listened to for the past twenty-four hours. Were they the kind of things that could encourage you in your faith, or were they things that worked against it? What are the implications of your answer?\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\tab 3. Look at the question of loyalty. In what contexts is loyalty good? Is it always good? When might being loyal to someone mean being disloyal to God? \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpality of this love? In other words, what evidence is there that this love is real? \b0 \par \par \fs28\par \b\scaps Friday\b0\scaps0 \tab\i March 12\par \i0\fs24\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\b\fs28 Further Study:\fs32 \fs22\par \par \tab\b0\ldblquote It is not enough for us to believe that Jesus is not an impostor, and that the religion ofsins can be forgiven through Jesus, and they can stand perfect before God in the robe of Christ\rquote s righteousness. \par \par \tab Love of God, and not the fear of hell and condemnation, should be the power that motivates our lives, and nothing will cause us to love God more than focusing on the Cross and the riches and promises that are ours through it. \par \par \b\tab Do you really love God? If so, how do you know? (Might you be deceiving yourself?) What do you do or say that reveals the re80\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx8280\tab And what better way to inspire a desire to be loyal to God than through contemplation of His incredible sacrifice in our behalf on the cross? There\rquote s no power in telling people that they have to keep the law. The power comes in pointing people to Jesus and to His substitutionary death in our behalf. The power comes from letting sinners know that their s the outworking of a principle within. It springs from the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. \i The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right-because right doing is pleasing to God.\rdblquote\i0 -Ellen G. White, \i Christ\rquote s Object Lessons,\i0 pp. 97, 98, emphasis provided.\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\tx0\tx720\tx1080\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tqr\tx82n the love of God with the love other fellow believers have and with keeping the commandments? Why would he link all these together? \b0\par \tab\par \tab\ldblquote The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation merely-because he is required to do so-will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience iar \par \b The Righteous Life\b0\fs24\par \par \b\tab\fs22\ldblquote Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous\rdblquote \b0\i (\cf1\ul 1Jn_5:1-3\cf0\ulnone ).\b\i0 \b0\tab\par \par \b\tab How does John tie ill be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do. The works show whether the faith is genuine.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i Christ\rquote s Object Lessons,\i0 p. 312.\par \par \b\tab How well do you manifest the fruit of righteousness in your life? What practices might you need to give up that are hindering the fruit of righteousness in your life? (Be careful not to try to rationalize them away!) \par \par \par \scaps\fs28 Thursday\b0\scaps0 \i March 11\i0\pat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920\tab\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920 4. What kind of danger, if any, could arise from being overtly obsessed with faithfulness? That is, in what ways could it be taken too far? \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tqr\tx7920 \par \pard\li720 5. What are practical ways that we can keep alive in our churches and in our homes the reality of the Second Coming? It is true: The longer it takes, the easier and easier it gets to forget about it and fall into wrong habits and patterns of thought. How can we instill, especially in those who have been in the church a long time, the importance of keeping the reality and promise of the Second Coming passionately before us?\cf2\b0\f1\par \pard\cf0\b\f0\par \cf2\b0\f2\fs23\par } at we are not saved by works. While there can be no doubt that Lucifer\rquote s obedience to the will of God did not put him into heaven, we must bear in mind that it was his disobedience that caused him to be expelled. The same can be said for Adam and Eve. Their obedience did not put them into the Garden of Eden, but it was their disobedience to the will of God that resulted in their being put out of the garden.\par \par \tab\ldblquote Righteousness is right doing, and it is by their deeds that all wi as the Lord of your life?\rdblquote The implication seems to be that our obedience to the will of God and our salvation are separate issues. That\rquote s a radical misinterpretation of what salvation is. John wrote that living a righteous life is a verifiable indicator of those who have salvation. \par \par \b\tab Read \cf1\ul 1Jn_2:3-6\cf0\ulnone\i .\i0 What\rquote s John\rquote s point there? \b0\par \par \tab When the subject of obedience is raised, it is not unusual for someone to point out tho man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul 1Jn_3:7\cf0\ulnone ).\i0\par \tab\tab\par \b\tab What might we be deceived about in regard to what it means to be righteous? \b0\par \par \tab Righteousness is the fruit of the Spirit that is connected to obedience. To some people, obedience is inconsistent with salvation by faith. On occasion one might hear, \ldblquote Now that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, won\rquote t you accept Himstand His words? \b0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\li720\b 6. In class, stage a discussion. Have half the class argue the point that human beings are basically good at heart; let the other half take the position that humans are basically bad. Argue your positions not from the Bible but from what you see in the world as a whole.\cf2\b0\par \pard\cf0\b\fs28\par \cf2\b0\f1\fs23\par } ing deemed good because God says it\rquote s good? Or does God deem it good because it already is good?\b0 \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\tab 5. In class, discuss \cf1\ul Luk_18:18-19\cf0\ulnone . What was Jesus saying here? How are we to underw that it is. How, though, can it be used as something bad? What are ways that the law can be misused, and what are the sad consequences of such a misuse? \b0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b 4. Ponder this age-old philosophical question: Is someththe goodness of God to others? Is your church doing good in the community where it is located? If your church were to move, would the neighbors miss it?\b0 \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b 3. The Bible says that God\rquote s law is good. And we knocuss your answers to the question on Sunday\rquote s lesson about how God has revealed to you His goodness.\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 \b0\par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\tab\b 2.\b0 \b What are some practical ways in which we as individuals or as a church can express and reveal ish life. The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.\rdblquote -Ellen G. White,\i The Ministry of Healing,\i0 p. 470. \par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\b\fs28 Discussion Questions:\par \par \pard\cfpat3\cbpat3\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\fs22 1. In class, read and diser of a worldling.-Ellen G. White,\i Testimonies\i0 \i for the Church,\i0 vol. 9, p. 21. \par \tab\par \tab\ldblquote The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has such power as the influence of an unself6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640\par \pard\nowidctlpar\fi-720\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\tx6480\tx7200\tx7920\tx8640 Further Study:\b0 \fs24\par \par \tab\fs22\ldblquote It is not only by preaching the truth, not only bydistributing literature, that we are to witness for God. Let us remember that a Christlike life is the most powerful argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity, and that a cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than the charactf contrition and repentance when we fail, but we can and must live out the faith that we confess. \par \par \b\tab How well are you availing yourself of all the promises of a victorious Christian life? What is holding you back from claiming what\rquote s yours, what\rquote s been offered to you at such a great price? \b0\par \fs24\par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Friday\b0 \scaps0 \tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i February 12\b\i0\par \pard\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1440\tx2160\tx2880\tx3600\tx4320\tx5040\tx5760\txLord\rdblquote\i (\cf1\ul Rom_6:11\cf0\ulnone ). \par \i0\par \tab We can be \ldblquote good\rdblquote in the biblical sense of the word, not \ldblquote good\rdblquote as if we deserve salvation but \ldblquote good\rdblquote in the sense that our hearts, our motives, our deeds reveal to the world the reality of the God whom we profess to serve. Sure, it will take dying to self, it will take a willingness to serve others, it will take a daily struggle with the flesh, and it will take a humble heart othe Spirit and not in the flesh, we can overcome and live a life that reflects the goodness of God. We can live in what Paul calls the \ldblquote newness of life\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_6:4\cf0\ulnone ),\i0 because just as we have been by faith \ldblquote buried with\rdblquote Christ \ldblquote by baptism into death\rdblquote \i (\cf1\ul Rom_6:4\cf0\ulnone ), \i0 we can \ldblquote likewise reckon\rdblquote ourselves \ldblquote to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our kingdom of heaven \i (see \cf1\ul Mat_25:41-46\cf0\ulnone ). \i0\par \par \tab\b Read \cf1\ul Eph_2:10\cf0\ulnone and \cf1\ul Tit_2:14\cf0\ulnone . What common message exists in both these texts, and why is that message so important for anyone who professes the name of Christ? \b0\par \par \tab As human beings we are sinners; we have violated God\rquote s law; we all need a Savior. But at the same time, we have been given promises in the Bible that if we surrender to Jesus, if we choose to live in bruary 11\i0\par \par \b Goodness Expressed\b0 \fs24\par \par \tab\fs22 While it cannot be said that we are saved by works, it can be said that, as blood-bought sons and daughters of God, we are saved in order that our lives might manifest good works. Jesus pointed out that as a tree is known by its fruit, we will be known by the kind of lives we live. Jesus carries the importance of good works a step further when He declares that those whose lives lack in good works will not be allowed to enter the ss what it means to \ldblquote walk in the Spirit.\rdblquote How is this done?\par \par \b\tab It\rquote s one thing to acknowledge that we are sinners, in need of grace, and that our good works cannot save us. At the same time, why must we be careful not to use this teaching as an excuse to live in the flesh? Do you find yourself doing just that? If so, why is that attitude treading on \i very\i0 dangerous ground? \b0\par \fs24\par \par \b\scaps\fs28 Thursday \b0\scaps0 \i\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab Fe of these texts in regard to how we can become \ldblquote good\rdblquote ? \b0\par \par \b\tab Compare those texts to what Paul says in \cf1\ul Rom_7:18\cf0\ulnone . How are all these texts related? \b0\par \tab\par \tab In chapter 7 of Romans, Paul expresses his disappointment that in spite of his best intentions he has no strength within himself to do good \i (vss. 18, 19).\i0 But in chapter 8, verses 1-4, he reveals the Christian\rquote s secret to overcoming the dilemma. What is the secret? Discum character to character. Good fruit is produced. The character is fashioned after the divine similitude, and integrity, uprightness, and true benevolence are manifested. . . .\rdblquote -Ellen G. White, \i My Life Today,\i0 p. 54.\par \par \par \par \i *Study this week\rquote s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 27.\b\i0\fs24\par \b0\par \par \par \par \par \par \par \fs28\par \b\scaps Sunday\b0\scaps0\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\i March 21\b\i0\par \b0\i\par \b\i0 Seek First the Kingdom of God\b0\tab\tab\fs24\tab\par \par \fs22\tab So often our prayers are more about what we can get as opposed to what we should become. Think about your own prayers, or about the prayers that you hear others pray. No matter how legitimate the concerns are, what category do most of them fall under: What can I get, or what can I become? How do we understand this tendency in light of what Jesus says to us below?\par \par \b\tab\ldblquote \lquote But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you\rquote \rdblquote\b0\i (\cf1\ul Mat_6:33\cf0\ulnone , NKJV).\i0 \b What does Jesus mean when He tells us to seek \ldblquote first\rdblquote the kingdom of God? Why seek that first? \b0\i See \cf1\ul Mat_16:26\cf0\ulnone .\i0\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\li720\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\par \b How does \cf1\ul Rom_14:17\cf0\ulnone help us understand what the kingdom of God is? \b0\par \pard\cfpat4\cbpat4\shading10000\nowidctlpar\tx0\tx720\tx1800\tx2520\tx3240\tx3960\tx4680\tx5400\tx6120\tx6840\tx7560\tx8280\par \tab Notice that righteousness, peace, and joy are the fruit of the Spirit. Therefore, we should seek first the fruit of the Spirit before anything else. In the end, we can have everything the world offers, but what does that mean if we don\rquote t have righteousness, peace, and joy?\par \par \tab If someone were to ask, \ldblquote But does this mean that Jesus isn\rquote t interested in my physical or financial well-being?\rdblquote how would you answer in the light of Christ\rquote s command to put the fruit of the Spirit before physical or material needs?\par \par \tab A concerned mother said, \ldblquote Pastor, please pray for my boy, he is out of the faith, and he has lost his job. Pray that he will find work.\rdblquote Was this concerned mother seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness for her son? Keeping in mind that the priority of the Christian life is not to get but to become, what should her request for her boy have been?\par \par \b\tab What are your main concerns as revealed not just by your prayers but by your life in general: getting what you want for yourself or becoming what God wants you to become? What does your answer tell you about your priorities?\b0\par \page\b\scaps\par \fs28 Monday\b0\scaps0 \i March 22\b\i0\par \b0\par \b Other Fruit of the Spirit \b0\fs24\par \par \tab\cf1\ul\fs22 Gal_5:22-23\cf0\ulnone and \cf1\ul Eph_5:9\cf0\ulnone are not the only texts that list the fruit that constitute the essence of Christian character. Many of the fruit are repeated in \cf1\ul 1Ti_6:11\cf0\ulnone , \cf1\ul 2Ti_3:10\cf0\ulnone , and \cf1\ul 2Pe_1:5-7\cf0\ulnone , where qualities are added, such as godliness, virtue, and knowledge. It is interesting to note that \cf1\ul 1Co_13:4-8\cf0\ulnone echoes the qualities of love and states many of them using the negative word \i not\i0 : \ldblquote does not envy; . . . does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity\rdblquote \i (NKJV).\par \i0\par \tab It should be clear by now that there is not one official checklist when it comes to the fruit of the Spirit. There are many different aspects and nuances of Christian character. What the apostles do in each case is to list those that are especially applicable to their readers. What led Paul to the enumeration in Galatians was doubtless his pastoral knowledge of the particular needs of the congregation to which he was writing.\par \par \b\tab\b0 The fruit of \ldblquote godliness\rdblquote is mentioned in \cf1\ul 1Ti_6:11\cf0\ulnone . In the original language, the word \i godliness\i0 meant reverence, respect, and piety toward God. \cf1\ul Rom_5:4-5\cf0\ulnone mentions the quality of\b \b0\ldblquote hope.\rdblquote What role does hope play in the Christian character? When all is said and done, our Christian faith offers us nothing if not hope. \par \par \tab\cf1\ul 2Pe_1:5-7\cf0\ulnone is a list of qualities, among them \ldblquote virtue,\rdblquote which is not mentioned in the list in \cf1\ul Gal_5:22-23\cf0\ulnone . Virtue is associated with moral goodness as modesty and purity. Why is this quality indispensable in the Christian life? How does this quality relate to the seventh commandment?\par \par \tab\cf1\ul 2Pe_1:5-6\cf0\ulnone adds \ldblquote knowledge\rdblquote to the list. Though the word that is used, \i gnosis\i0 \i (\i0 gno\rquote -sis), signifies general knowledge and understanding, as fruit of the Spirit-filled life, what role would knowledge play? How would knowledge relate to, for instance, the gift of discernment?\par \par \tab Peter did not call his list in \cf1\ul 2Pe_1:5-7\cf0\ulnone the fruit of the Spirit, but essentially that\rquote s what they are, because they reveal what kind of people we should be as followers of Jesus. \par \par \b\tab How well are these characteristics manifested in your own life? If you are discouraged by what you see, what\rquote s your one hope? What\rquote s the only place you can flee to, and what can you find there?\b0 \tab\par \par \par \fs24\par \b\scaps\fs28 Tuesday\b0\scaps0 \i March 23\par \b\i0\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\tab\par Perseverance in Faith\b0\fs24\par \par \tab\fs22 Yesterday\rquote s discussion question brought up the question of how well we are doing in cultivating the fruit that is our privilege to bear for the honor and glory of God. No doubt, as one looks at all these qualities of character and then compares oneself to them, it would be easy to get discouraged. \i After all, shouldn\rquote t we be bearing more fruit than we are?\par \i0\par \tab That\rquote s a fair question, one that we should all seriously