Our High Priest Gives us Hope, and Then More Hope

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV)

While working on the sort isle at UPS, I was working alongside a Baptist seminary student named David. David was always cool, calm, and collected. One day I was overwhelmed with the high volume of packages on the sort isle belt, and our supervisor was pressuring us. Under the stress and the pressure I broke and lashed out in a very un-Christlike way. After regaining my composure, there I was sorting packages next to David, who of course remained calm. cool, and collected. I was embarrassed by my behavior,  especially since everyone knew I was a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. I told David I was very sorry for the way I acted and how terrible I felt. He sighed in sympathy with my feelings, and said, “It’s really difficult to keep your Christianity around this place. It is so hard with all the stress and pressure we face every day.” I was so comforted by David’s understanding, but then I also realized David had never lost his composure. He kept his Christian composure together while sympathizing with my weakness, and embarrassing outburst. 

This is where my High Priest gives me hope. 

While enduring all the temptations we endure, Jesus sympathizes with our weakness and forgives our sin, even though He never gave in to the same temptations. When we sin we can come boldly before the throne of grace and receive mercy and forgiveness. How quick our Savior is to forgive!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NKJV

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.  And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4 NKJV

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do… Luke 23:34 NKJV

If someone sinned against me, told me they repented, and then sinned again against me seven times in one day, I would be prone to tell them they are not genuinely repenting. After all, repenting is turning away from sin, right? It seems to me if my brother told me seven times in one day that he repented I would not believe him. Instead, I would give him a lecture on what true repentance means. But it appears to me that in Luke 17:3-4 Jesus is acknowledging that one can truly fall and repent and fall and repent 7 times in one day? And must be forgiven? How quickly and freely Jesus forgives us when we come boldly to the throne of grace asking for mercy! 

I know to some of you this seems like cheap grace and a license to sin, but it is not. First of all, historically, I think many Adventists have accused their brothers and sisters of wanting cheap grace and forgiveness, instead of seeking true repentance and turning from sin. The more I live the more I understand my brothers and sisters are not looking for cheap grace at all. My brothers and sisters are actually very discouraged by their sinful addictions and are tired of hurting Jesus and others. They don’t want to continue their addictions. They just don’t believe they can truly ever have victory. Cheap grace is not their desire, but in deep, dark despair they see it as the only solution. 

This is where my High Priest gives me more hope. 

Cody was a recovering drug addict with whom I had been studying for several weeks. One night I came to his home for our weekly Bible study and found that Cody was very discouraged because earlier in the week he had a weak moment and did drugs again. He was so disappointed because he thought he had the victory. Now he was doubting God could ever forgive him again after falling so low after so many weeks of victory. Immediately I shared with Cody Psalm 51:17.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. (Psalm 51:17 NKJV)

I shared with Cody that his heart was broken and contrite. God can never despise a broken and contrite heart no matter how many times that heart has already been broken for the same sin. If a heart is broken and contrite God will never despise it. I shared with Cody, that while Satan was discouraging him from seeking God’s presence, that at this time God’s presence was the only safe place for him to be right now. 

And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. (Exodus 25:8) NKJV

You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7 NKJV)

While writing about his sin and need of forgiveness David says God is his hiding place. Did you know that the sanctuary is the only safe place for sinners to be? When you sin, Satan is not your friend. When you get lung cancer from smoking, the cigarette manufacturers are not your friends. Jesus is the only friend for people with lung cancer due to smoking. Jesus is the only friend for sinners! The sanctuary is the only safe place for sinners. 

As we saw in Hebrews 4:14-16, we can come boldly before the throne of grace and find mercy and forgiveness. But wait. There is more hope. Hebrews 4:141-6 tells us we can also find grace to help us in time of need. What is grace?

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, (Romans 1:5 NKJV )

Grace empowers our obedience. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV)

Grace empowers us to do good works. 

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, (Titus 2:11-12 NKJV)

Grace empowers us to live righteous godly lives right here and now in this present age. 

Titus 2 goes on to tell us

“He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin… (Titus 2:14 NLT) 

Several years ago I was walking through Al Lopez Park in Tampa. A section of the park is dedicated to cancer survivors and those still fighting cancer. It features a walking path that has different monuments along the way containing various inspirational quotes for people fighting cancer. One message especially caught my eye. It simply read, “There are people who have survived every form of cancer.” Some cancers are obviously more deadly than others. However, no matter what form of cancer someone has been diagnosed with, there is already someone who has survived it. Titus 2:14 tells us no matter what temptations we are facing, no matter what addictions we are fighting, there are already people Jesus has freed from those same temptations and addictions. 

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 NKJV)

When we fall into sin there is hope. We can go to Jesus and find mercy and forgiveness. But I know you do not want to keep hurting Jesus, others or even yourself, so there is more hope. You can go to Jesus and find grace to overcome. Jesus can forgive you and heal you, even if it means coming back for healing 7 times in one day. Remember Jesus is the only safe place for sinners! And I know you are not looking for cheap grace. You want actual healing, it’s just that  you may have already fallen so many times you may doubt healing is actually possible. It is possible. 

Cody stopped studying with me. However, a few years later he started studying with a new Bible Worker who replaced me after I left that area. Cody was rebaptized. I reached out recently. Cody is still active in his church family and has been drug free over 15 years now. 

Paul tells us in Hebrews 4:14-16 we have hope and more hope. When we want to overcome there is hope. God’s grace can deliver us and free us from every kind of sin. However if we do sin, there is hope. God’s mercy gives us grace and forgiveness. Are you tempted? Look to Jesus. Have you already fallen again? Look to Jesus. Our High Priest gives us hope and then more hope. After all, 

But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, Romans 5:20 NKJV

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.

8: Light From The Sanctuary-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, May 25, 2024.

Main Theme: In the cleansing of the sanctuary, the sanctuary of the mind is cleansed from Satan’s lies about God’s character, so in the great controversy between God and Satan, people can see the true character of God, and the true nature of sin.

Read in Class: Exodus 25:8-9, 40 and Hebrews 8:1-6. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What two sanctuaries are outlined in these verses?

Apply: What does it mean for you to know that Jesus is in heaven ministering in your behalf, meaning that He is there mediating for you? Why do you need a Mediator in your behalf? Why is this truth good news?

Share: Your friend says he was raised in a home where he saw God as a God who was waiting to strike you down every time you made a mistake. How can you use Christ’s intercession in the sanctuary to demonstrate the true character and love of God? See Was The Atonement to Appease an Angry God or an Angry Race?

Read in Class: Leviticus 23:26-32 and Hebrews 9:23-28. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: Why was the Day of Atonement so important in ancient Israel?

Apply: What is the significance of the Day of Atonement in our lives today? Why should it make a difference in how we live?

Share: Your friend asks you if the thought of living during the judgment and day of atonement is scary to you? What do you tell your friend? See 1 John 4:17-19.

Read in Class: Daniel 7:9-10, Revelation 14:6-7, and Reveltion 22:10-12. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: After the judgment, when Jesus returns, what is the fate of all humanity? What clear declaration is made?

Apply: In the judgment do you see God trying to condemn you or vindicate you?

Share: Your friend says, that we are called to be God’s witnesses. Does God need witnesses because He is on trial? While God is judging the world is the world judging God? In what ways might we as God’s wintess help vindicate His character, causing people to accept Him instead of rejecting Him? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Hebrews 10:9-14. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What difference does this passage reveal between the priest’s ministry in the earthly sanctuary and Jesus’ ministry in the heavenly sanctuary?

Apply: How does Christ’s death on the cross relate to His intercession in the heavenly sanctuary, and why is the judgment so necessary to the plan of salvation?

Share: Can you think of someone who sees God as a vindictive God wanting to destroy him or her? What illustrations can you share from your study on the sanctuary and the cross to help them to see the love and goodness of God? Can you share with them this coming week?

7: Motivated by Hope-Sabbath School Leson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class, May 18, 2024.

Main Theme: The second coming of Christ has filled the hearts of believers with joy through the centuries and how we can be ready for that great event.

Read in Class: John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and Titus 2:11-14. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: Why did these Bible passages give such hope to Christians through the centuries?

Apply: Why is the Second Coming so important to our faith? Especially because we know that the dead sleep (see lesson 10), why does this teaching take on such importance? Without it, why would we be, as Paul said, in an utterly hopeless situation. See 1 Corinthians 15:15-18.

Share: Your friend says she grew up in an Adventist church and school, where she kept hearing that Jesus is surely coming in the next 5 years. She is now 70 years old and says she is tired of hearing the church cry “wolf.” She doubts Jesus is ever really coming again. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class, Acts 1:9-11, Revelation 1:7, and Matthew 24:27-31. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What do these verses teach us about the manner of our Lord’s return?

Apply: Read 1 Thessalonians 5:2-5; Hebrews 9:28. What encouragement do these verses give us regarding the manner of Christ’s coming?

Share: Your friend says Luke 17:31-37 and Matthew 24:37-44 teach about a secret rapture. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Daniel 9:24-27. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: When would this entire prophetic period begin? What major events do these verses predict?  How would the 70-week prophecy end?

Apply: Seeing the fulfillment of the prophecy of the 70 weeks, what hope does this give you regarding the surety of the second coming?

Share: Your friend asks you, if the Bible told us when Christ would come the first time, why doesn’t it tell us when He will come the second time? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Daniel 8:14. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What event was to occur at the end of the 2,300 days?

Apply: How does the 2,300- day prophecy help us understand where we are it in the history of the great controversy and why Christ has not returned yet? What we are to be doing now?

Share: Can you think of a friend who would be encouraged by the hope of the second coming? What can you do to share it with them this week?

Why are There 360 Days to a Year in Bible Prophecy?

Occasionally when I am studying Daniel and Revelation with someone, they will question how we get 360 days to a prophetic year instead of 365.First of all, the Cambridge University Press confirms for us that ancient Israel had a 360-day year with each month having 30 days.

The story of Noah also confirms that in Bible times each month had exactly 30 days, thus giving us 360 years in a Biblical year. ¹

First, where do we get a-day -for-a-year in Bible prophecy?

The first time we find a day for a specific year in prophecy is in the book of Numbers. 

According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection. Numbers 14:34 

Later, in Ezekiel repeats this idea of a day for a year. 

For I have laid on you the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days; so you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when you have completed them, lie again on your right side; then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days. I have laid on you a day for each year. Ezekiel 4:5-6

So now, how does the story of Noah and the flood help us establish one year equaling 360 days to a year in Bible prophecy?

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. Genesis 7:11NKJV
And the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days. Genesis 7:24 NKJV
And the waters receded continually from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters decreased. Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. Genesis 8:3-4 NKJV

Here we clearly see that from the 17th day of the second month to the 17th day of the seventh month is exactly 150 days. Every month had 30 days equaling 360 days for a year. The 42 months of Revelation 13:5 would be 1260 prophetic days or 1260 years. ² and “Appendix Two: The day-for-a-year principle,” accessed May 5, 2024.]

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1. The Jewish 360-day luni-solar calendar was  adjusted by adding a leap month of 30-days every six years to coordinate with the solar year. See “Bible Prophecy Year of 360 Days,”  accessed May 6, 2024 ↩
2. See also “What the Bible says about Day-for-a-Year- Principle,” accessed May 5, 2024 ↩

You may study this week’s Sabbath School Lesson here.

6: The Two Witnesses-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School class, May 11, 2024.

Main Theme: No matter how hard atheism has tried to silence the Bible, it continues to speak and to be heard.

Read in Class: Revelation 11:3-6. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study:  List five identifying features of the two witnesses you discover in this passage.

Apply: Search Zacheriah 4:1-14, John 5:39 and Matthew 24:14. Based on these passages aloing with Revelation 11, who or what do you believe the two witnesses are?

Share: Your friend says that he is a New Testament Christian and does not bother reading the Old Testament because it is now obsolete. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 11:7-9. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: Remembering that the language is symbolic, what do these verses predict would happen to God’s two witnesses, the Old and New Testaments?

Apply: Revelation 11:9 says that the bodies of God’s two witnesses would lie unburied for “three-and-a-half days” (NKJV), i.e., prophetic “days” representing three and a half literal years. Atheism was at its height in the French Revolution, at least for about three and a half years. This period extended from November 26, 1793, when a decree issued in Paris abolished religion, to June 17, 1797, when the French government removed its restrictive religious laws. In what other periods of earth’s history has atheism tried to silence the Bible? How are people today trying to silence God’s Word? Is even the church trying to silence certain parts of God’s Word today?

Share: Your friend tells you that so many people do not believe in the Bible anymore. Brilliant phillosephers think its all just made up. Your friend asks you why you still believe in the Bible? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 11:11. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What prediction does this text make about the Word of God?

Apply: According to Psalm 119:89 and Psalm 111:7-8, why can we trust the Bible?

Share: Your friend asks you what your favorite portions of Scripture are and why? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Revelation 11:15-19. What is the main idea of this passage?

Study: According to these verses, what events take place at the close of time when the seventh trumpet sounds? What did John see opened in heaven? And what did he see as he looked up into heaven?

Apply: How does the striking contrast between the godlessness of the French Revolution and the glorious climax pictured in Revelation 11:1-19 speak to us today?

Share: Who can you share God’s Word with this week? How can you share it with them?

Luther’s Baptism Pictures and Stories

Today all heaven was celebrating with the Bushnell, Florida Seventh-day Adventist Church. as Luther gave all of himself to Jesus today, because Jesus gave all of Himself for Luther.

I had the privilege of studying with Luther and in a small group Bible study, when he made his decision to give his life to Jesus. As we studied the Seventh-day Adventist fundamental Bible teachings, I learned about the wonderful influence our first elder, Michael has been to Luther, so I invited Michael to make Luther’s baptism more meaningful by doing the honors.

Luther is more than a new church member, he is a disciple who is becoming a disciple maker. Luther often runs the audio system for our worship service, and encourages our younger members to be a part of our church family, by befriending and including them in activities.

Here is a Facebook link if you would like to watch the video of Luther’s baptism today. And here is another link.

Don’t let the sun go down on you before making the most important decision you will ever make in your life. If you would like to give your life to Jesus and be baptized, I would love to meet with you. You can contact me at william.earnhardt@floridaconference.com.

5: Faith Against All Odds-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt, for Sabbath School Class, May 4, 2024.

Main Theme: The Reformers saturated their minds with Scripture. They lived by the Word, and many of them died because of the Word. They were not casual, complacent, careless Christians with a superficial devotional life. They knew that without the power of God’s Word, they would not withstand the forces of evil arrayed against them.

Read in Class: Psalm 119:103-104, 147, 162. Define the main idea of these passages.

Study: What was David’s attitude toward God’s Word? How did this impact the Reformers, and how does it influence our lives today?

Apply: In what ways have the Scriptures comforted you in times of trial?

Share: Your friend says it must have been hard for the reformers to stand alone, just like it must have been hard for Elijah to stand alone. Sure God is with us, but why does God often let us feel alone as if we have no human support? It would be a lot easier to stand alone on the Word of God if we had more human support and encouragement. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 2:14 and 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. What is the common thread in these passages.

Study:  What do these passages tell us about the confidence Paul had, despite the challenges he faced in proclaiming the truth of God’s Word?

Apply: Read Daniel 12:3 and Revelation 14:13. How do these texts relate to the lives of the reformers? Now think about your own life and your impact on others. What encouragement do these texts give regarding the opportunity you have to influence others for eternity?

Share: Your friend feels discouraged and laments that they have never given a Bible study where anyone got baptized, and has never been able to lead anyone to Christ. Even in their family no one seems to listen when they talk about Jesus. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: John 16:13-15. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What principles can we take from this text regarding how we should interpret the Bible?

Apply: How often do you pray as you read Scripture? How much do you depend on Bible commentaries as opposed to doing your own searching and comparing Scripture with Scripture?

Share: Your friend says, I told my sister about the Sabbath and even showed her right there in the Bible. But she died without ever accepting it, so I guess she will be lost. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Romans 1:5, Ephesians 2:8-10, and Titus 2:11-12. Define the common thread in these texts.

Study: How are we saved? What vital truths do these passages reveal about the Christian life? What do faith and grace produce in our lives?

Apply: When you look at yourself what hope do you have for salvation from both sin and death? How has God’s grace changed both your way of thinking, and your behavior?

Share: Can you think of a friend who may benefit from an encouraging passage from Scripture? How can you share it with them this week?

Winning Souls While Suffering

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:10-11 NKJV

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

Last Sabbath morning, I was having my own personal devotion time before meeting with God’s people. As always my favorite devotional book is the Bible itself. I am not opposed to devotional books, It’s just that I love reading the Bible. I have been reading through the New Testament lately, and last Sabbath I came to Mark 15. 

In Mark 15:1-5, I read how the justice system failed Jesus. Yet Jesus never opened His mouth to deliver Himself. Jesus knew, be it ever so wrong that these things were supposed to take place. It has me wondering, if I should ever be wrongly imprisoned would I be protesting or using my injustice as an opportunity to be a missionary to those in prison? Remember when we were studying Ephesians a while back in Sabbath School? Paul referred to himself as a prisoner of the Lord instead of being a prisoner of Rome. Would you be willing to serve a life sentence in prison for a crime you did not commit if it led to just one other prisoner receiving eternal life? 

In Mark 15:6-15 I read about how the people preferred the release of a hardened criminal over the loving and gentle healer. Even today we see the basest of men exalted over those who are righteous and humble. And I am talking about the church as much as the world. When this sort of thing happens today, my friend calls it “the Barrabas syndrome.” 

In Mark 15:16-20 I read about the soldiers mocking and making fun of Jesus. Why such humiliating treatment for the least deserving Person in the whole universe! When a man becomes president of the United States, they have a huge inauguration parade and inauguration ball to honor him. Instead, Jesus got stripped, beaten and mocked. People have gone to prison for doing lesser things to dogs and yet God allowed this happen to His Son! Why? 

In Mark 15:21-37 I read about how Jesus experienced the death of the wicked on the cross. Jesus took the punishment for our sins and died the death that was ours. so we could have the reward of His righteousness and have the life that was His. He took the death we deserve so we could have the life He deserves. Jesus was treated the way we deserve so we may be treated as He deserves. While Jesus was going through all of this the verbal abuse continued from those witnessing the crucifixion, those doing the crucifying, and even those being crucified with Him. Why would God allow His Son to suffer so much? Why would Jesus submit to such suffering?  Then I read verse 39.

So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” Mark 15:39 NKJV

Then I paused. Could it be that the way Jesus handled all of this persecution convinced the centurion that He was the Son of God? Satan meant to cast so much mockery and persecution on Jesus so as to convince the world that Jesus definitely was not the Son of God, and yet Jesus used the same evidence Satan provided to convince a witness that He was indeed the Son of God. Though Satan cast so much darkness upon the Savior, the centurion could still see the righteousness of Christ shinning with the blazing glory of the noonday sun. 

Years ago a Bible worker was in a home where he was answering Bible questions from a young college student. Her father kept making fun of the Bible worker’s answers and the Bible. The Bible worker was afraid the father’s mockery was going to make the daughter not believe the Bible worker or even the Bible. However, the Bible worker noticed the young woman was frustrated with her father and was doing her best to tune him out as she kept asking the Bible worker more questions. The Bible Worker noticed the young woman was not even paying any attention to her mocking father and kept talking to him like her father not even there. She was hanging on to every word the Bible worker shared from the Bible, while pretending her mocking father was not even there. While rhe Bible worker was annoyed by the mocking father, he realized in the end it was a very productive Bible study. A study he could have easily ruined had he retaliated against the father. Instead, the Holy Spirit took over the Bible worker and the entire Bible study. The young woman saw through all the darkness her father was spreading and saw the light of the Bible shinning with the blazing glory of the noonday sun. 

Of course we know more than just the centurion believed. One thief repented and I am sure many others did as well that day. Since then, millions and millions have been saved and are being saved. Are you willing to suffer the way Jesus did if it will lead someone to be eternally saved? 

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.

4: Standing for the Truth-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

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Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, April 27, 2024.

Main Theme: By choosing to suffer or die for their faith many have won souls to Christ.

Read in Class: Jude 1:3-4 and Revelation 2:10. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What’s the warning here and how did it apply to the later Christian church? What promise does God give those who are faithful to Him in the face of death itself?

Apply: What encourages you in challenging times? What frightens you? What promises can you claim for those times?

Share: Your friend says, I thought the whole reason for serving Jesus is so that I am always protected and have everlasting life? So how is Jesus protecting me if He lets me die because I serve Him? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Acts 5:28-32, Ephesians 6:10-12, and Revelation 3:11.Point out the common thread here.

Study: What basic principle is found in these texts?

Apply: How can we, reflecting the light of Christ, shine in our own community? Do we?

Share: Your friend is a public school teacher. She says she wants to share Jesus with her students but it is against the law. She asks you if she should go ahead and share Jesus even though its against the law and she may lose her job? What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Psalm 19:7-11 and Jeremiah 15:16. Define the common thread of these passages.

Study: What similar attitudes did David and Jeremiah have toward the Word of God that were, really, the cornerstone of the Reformation?

Apply: What advice did Paul give Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1-3 and how should we apply that advice to our own situations?

Share: Your friend says he is not one for preaching and teaching like Paul and Timothy. He would rather not have to talk about the Bible. What do you tell your friend?

Read in Class: Hebrews 2:14-15, John 5:24, John 11:25-26, and 1 John 5:11-13. Define the common threads of these passages.

Study: How did believers in the Middle Ages experience the reality of the great controversy? What assurances do these promises give you personally? How do they help us in the trials of life?

Apply: What might it mean to lose everything for Christ? What, in the end, do you really lose? (See Mark 8:36 .) What lessons can we learn from the Waldenses and the Reformers that can sustain us in earth’s final conflict?

Share: A friend asks if your suffering for the Gospel has ever led someone to accept Jesus as their Savior? What do you tell your friend? See Winning Souls While Suffering.

Video: Does Mark 4:11-12 Mean God Does not Want People to Understand the Gospel?