Sabbath School Lesson 20230304


Wednesday March 1
Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 5:1-2 (New Living Translation)
1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.
2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.

Adam and Eve
Genesis 3:6 (New King James Version)
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Ephesians 5:5 (English Standard Version)
For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 

Covetous (Dictionary)
Having or showing a great desire to possess something belonging to someone else.

Please join us on Zoom on Wednesday 8th March

19:00  Opening Prayer
19:05  Ministry to Children
19:15  Prayer Session
19:30  Topic discussion: Ananias and Sapphira
19:55  Closing Prayer

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Sunday, October 5
Second Chance

BIBLE TEXTS

Read Joshua 2:1; Numbers 13:1-2, 25-28, 33; Numbers 14:1-12; John 18:16-18, 25-27; John 21:15-19.

What should these incidents teach us about how we should extend grace to those who need it? At the same time, how can we also be careful not to abuse this concept? Think, for example, about a woman in an abusive relationship, in which she is counseled to keep going back (“grace”), only in some cases for the abuse only to continue? How do we find the right balance here?

Monday, October 6
Value in Unexpected Places

BIBLE TEXTS

Read Joshua 2:2-11, Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25.

By choosing the God of the Israelites, Rahab became an example of what could have been the destiny of all the inhabitants of Jericho had they turned to Israel’s God for mercy.

Tuesday, October 7
New Allegiance

BIBLE TEXTS

Read Joshua 2:12-21 and Exodus 12:13, 22, 23.

As God spared the lives of the Israelites during the last plague in Egypt, the Israelites were to save Rahab and her family when destruction reached Jericho.


Question for Monday and Tuesday:

Discuss Rahab as a model of faith. How can we appreciate the openness of people to God even if their lifestyle is far from the biblical ideal? How is it possible to appreciate their faith while not condoning some of their practices?

Wednesday, October 8
Conflicting Values

BIBLE TEXTS

Read Joshua 9:1-20; Deuteronomy 20:10-18; 1 Chron. 28:9; 2 Chron. 15:2; 2 Chron. 18:4; 2 Chron. 20:4

The fundamental duty of a theocratic leader, and of any Christian leader, is to seek God’s will. By neglecting it, the Israelites were compelled either to violate the fundamental conditions of conquering the land or to break an oath made in the name of the Lord, which was equally binding.

Thursday, October 9
Surprising Grace

BIBLE TEXTS

Read Joshua 9:21-27; Judg. 11:29-40; Neh. 7:25;  Ezek. 18:23; Ezek. 33:11; Gen. 15:16

The subterfuge (deceit used in order to achieve one's goal) of the Gibeonites has to be perceived as an appeal to God’s mercy, to His kind and just character. It was the Canaanites’ refusal to repent and their defiance of God’s purposes that led to the decision for their annihilation. God honored the recognition of His supremacy by the Gibeonites, as well as their desire for peace rather than rebellion, and their willingness to give up idolatry and to worship the only true God.


Question for Wednesday and Thursday:

Joshua managed to combine justice and grace in a practical way in order to solve the predicament caused by the deceit of the Gibeonites and through his own negligence in not consulting the Lord. Think of a situation in your life that requires both justice and grace. What are some practical ways of merging the two?

Please share any other comments you may have about the Sabbath School lessons in general.