Interruptability - A talk on Discernment

I spent Friday morning (July 19, 2013) with the primary kids at Gilson College. They have two primary school chapels due to the size of their school. The first group is the grade 4-6 kids. The littles are second.
Every time I go to Gilson College I am impressed with the attention they give to the “Value of the Week” as they give out awards to kids who have excelled in that area. This week the value was “Discernment.” 
(Note: I have now done this talk at other schools, as a Pathfinder rally sermon and as a church sermon. It is well received by all. Stories are powerful. Jesus' stories are absolutely powerful!)

Introduction

The first thing I said, when I took the stage, was:
Let’s learn a Bible verse together. It’s a long one, but it’s easy. I’ll teach you how. Listen as I say it once myself:
“MY FRIENDS, love one another.
EVERYONE, who loves is born of God and knows God.
ANYONE, who does not love, does not know God.
Because, GOD IS LOVE!”
1 JOHN 4:7,8 

I explained how the verse could be remembered easily by breaking it up into sub groups and saying the loud (capitalised) bits loudly.

Then we practiced it together a few times. 

With the littles, I abbreviated it:
“MY FRIENDS, love one another.
Because, GOD IS LOVE!”

The Value for the Week

Discernment is a pretty big word for kids! 

I asked the kids, “Who can tell me: What is discernment?” They gave me some great examples (being kind, being helpful, telling the truth, etc) but not a definition. So, I changed the question, “Who can give me a dictionary definition for Discernment?” That got them thinking. After a bit, someone said, “Making good choices.” 

“YES! Very good!” I said with a smile. Then I gave them an example. 
“Is there anything wrong with crossing the road?”
“No!” The kids shouted back.
“Is there a wrong time to cross the road?”
“YES!” They shouted as I mimed getting squashed by a car. Kids love over-acting... I pulled an explosive face and a leaped backward like I’d just caught a car to the gut. 
Over the kids laughter, I asked, “Is there a right time to cross the road?”
“YES!” They shouted. 
I walked to the edge of the stage looking both ways once saying, “STOP! Looking left. Looking right. No cars. Hmmm. I’ll just look again. Looking left. Looking right. And cross the road.” I mimed taking a few steps.
“So, crossing the road is neither good or bad, but choosing the right time to cross with care - that takes Discernment!” 
Lots of nods from the kids. (and of course a few hands go up. Stories to tell? Road crossing escapades to divulge? Too bad!) Time to move on!

Introducing a New Word

Next I asked them if anyone had ever heard the word “Interruptability”. No one had. So I asked them to guess what it might mean. With the big kids, the first guess was hilarious. In a very serious voice, a girl said, “The ability to interrupt people!” 

I laughed. “If that’s the answer, kids are experts! Nope. Try again, turn it the other way around.”

A boy said, “The ability to be interrupted?” 

“Yes!” I said. “That’s it, exactly! Is it easy to have the ability to be interrupted and like it?” 

The kids all shouted no. 

“What would a person who was interruptable be like?” I asked.
And from this question I went into story number one.

Illustration Joke

With the little kids, I did a bit more explaining. “Interrupt” is a big word all by itself, without attaching “ability” to it as well. So, I told them a joke.
“Do you guys know how to tell ‘knock knock’ jokes?”

They did.

“Knock Knock” I said slowly.

“WHO’S THERE?” the entire room full of tiny people shouted. It was an impressive sound!

“ANNOYING” (I said the words slowly) “INTERRUPTING” (spacing them out) “COW.”

“ANNOYING” (they copied my pace) “INTERRUPTING” (kids mimic well) “C—”

I interrupted, putting the mic right to my mouth, “MOOOOO!!!!”

The laughter was precious! They didn’t all get it at the same time. The humour of it rippled through the kids, laugher peeling like thunder. There’s nothing quite as joyous as children laughing.

After quieting them down, I explained that I had just interrupted them and they had enjoyed it, which meant they had shown interruptability. So, it’s not hard. It’s just something you have to decide to do and that takes Discernment.

Story One - Jesus and the Children

Mark 10 starts and finishes with mirror stories. After a few words about divorce Jesus is interrupted by mothers with their children - wanting a blessing. Jesus was the master of interruptability. He defends the right of these mums and bubs and welcomes them to himself. 

Imagine that when you got up this morning, your mum said, “We’re not going to school today. I’ve just found out that Jesus is going to be at the shops down the street at lunchtime. We’re going to go see Jesus!” 

Kids get right into this type of storytelling. They love imagining a story happening to themselves. And that’s the whole point of Jesus’ stories. They happen to normal people like us. We are drawn to Jesus as we are drawn into each story like a child.

I built up the morning at home, filled with chores and helping Mum. 
Finally, Mum says it’s time to go and you walk, hand-in-hand down the footpath to the shops. You know you are supposed to hold Mum’s hand, but you are just so excited you keep running ahead. Mum calls you back. You come back. Hold Mum’s hand. You run ahead. Mum calls you back. You come back. Hold Mum’s hand. You run ahead... 

In telling this part I make a show of running forward, stopping (shoulders slumped), taking a few steps in reverse, holding my hand up higher than my head (taking Mum’s hand) and then running, stopping, reversing, hand up high, running, stopping reversing, hand up high, etc. Kids love it. They laugh because they see themselves in it. That’s how I believe Jesus would have told stories to kids — with his whole being!

Finally you get to the shops. The place is packed. Everybody is here to see Jesus. Then you hear a man say, “Sorry ladies, Jesus is busy with important people. He doesn’t have time to kiss babies.” 
You look up at Mum. She’s got tears in her eyes. But she keeps pushing into the crowd. “At least we can see Jesus from a distance,” Mum says. There are so many people. So many other kids with their mums. You hear another man tell another group of women to go away. 
Your lip starts to stick out. 

I make a real play out of my lip having a mind of it’s own. Trying to cry. 

“It’s not fair,” you think. And your lip comes out further. It starts to shake. Then it pops out all the way. Your lip is not happy and he’s called the sniffles to come join him. It’s time to cry! 

I mime the beginning of a fit - lip out, shaking, eyes tearing up, nose sniffling, taking ragged breaths. 

Then you hear another voice, loud and demanding. “Let the children come see me! I love kids!” Kids start rushing through the gaps, squeezing through knees and rushing to Jesus. Mum squeezes your hand and says, “Go! Go see Jesus!” You push to the front and Jesus picks you up and sits you on his knee.
“What can I do for you, little one?” Jesus asks.
“I just want a hug,” you say. And he hugs you with such a big warm hug. It’s perfect!

As Jesus hugs you, he looks over your head at the onlooking adults. "Don't ever stop one of these little ones from running to me!" Jesus says this, almost like he's angry. He looks down at your face for a moment and then back at the crowd. "In fact, no one can get into the Kingdom of God unless they run to me, like a child. So, run to me. Let other's run to me! And the Kingdom will be alive in you!"

Jesus give you one final squeeze and sends you back to your mum. 

I then explain there was a day just like this story in the Bible. 

Heaps of people wanted to see Jesus. His disciples told the kids and mums to go away. And Jesus heard it. So, Jesus did the three things that interruptability makes you do.

STOP. LISTEN. HELP. 
I get the kids to say these three things with me.
STOP. LISTEN. HELP. 

Jesus shouted, “STOP!” And he invited the children to come.
Then he LISTENED to the kids.
Then he did what he could to HELP them. He blessed them. He prayed for them. He hugged them. 

Story Two - Blind Bartimaeus

The final story in Mark 10 is also about Jesus’ Interruptability. 

There is a blind man named Bartimaeus sitting on the side of the road just inside the gates of Jericho. He’s been sitting there every day for years. He knows the sounds of people. One person sounds like “plop plop” (mime footsteps). A small group is a bit noisier. And a crowd is a loud very busy sort of sound. 
Today, the crowd is big. REALLY BIG. And Bartimaeus knows something big is happening. 
“What’s going on?” Bartimaeus shouts. (I say this loudly in the mic)
Nobody answers. 
“What’s going on?” Bartimaeus shouts again, louder.
“Be quiet!” Someone shouts back.
“What’s going on?” Bartimaeus shouts again, even louder.
“Be quiet!” The crown shouts back. The Bible actually says the people actually shouted at Bartimaeus! He must have been making a lot of noise for the crowd to respond at full volume. Usually people ignore the blind, disabled — different — people. But they shouted at Bartimaeus and told him to be quiet.
But he didn’t listen. He kept asking what was going on.
Finally someone said, “Jesus is coming.”

Suddenly Bartimaeus’ shout changed, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”
He continued shouting this as the crowd moved past him.
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”
“Be quiet!”
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”
“Be quiet!”
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.”
“Be quiet!!!!” 
“JESUS!! SON!! OF!! DAVID !!” (the kids love this escalating back-n-forth shouting match!)
Finally Jesus hears Bartimaeus.
“STOP!” Jesus commands.
Everyone goes quiet.
Except Bartimaeus, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Jesus heard Bartimaeus that time! Jesus walked through the crowd to the blind man.
“What do you want?” Jesus asked and then LISTENED.
Bartimaeus answered without pausing for a breath, “I want to see!”
The Jesus HELPED. “Go. Your faith has made you well.”
Bartimaeus stood up and followed Jesus.

Conclusion

To have interruptability is to be like Jesus.

Jesus had plans. He was busy. He was on a mission.
But Jesus always had time to STOP, LISTEN and HELP.
Jesus was a master of interruptibility.

Imagine how would your day be different if you practiced interruptability.
Someone falls on the playground. STOP. LISTEN. HELP.
Someone forgets their lunch. STOP. LISTEN. HELP.
Someone is crying. STOP. LISTEN. HELP.

Be Interruptable. 
Be like Jesus!

Join with me in saying 1 John 4:7,8
“MY FRIENDS, love one another.
EVERYONE, who loves is born of God and knows God.
ANYONE, who does not love, does not know God.
Because, GOD IS LOVE!”

Let’s pray:
Dear Jesus,
Help us to be like you.
Help us to love each other. 
Help us to have interruptability.
Help us to STOP, LISTEN and HELP.
Amen

The Serpent Scroll (from Chapter 10)

James, feeling he had made a connection, asked a question that had been niggling at him ever since the Lord’s large hand touched on his shoulder. “What is your name? I mean, are you just ‘God’ or do you have a name like us?”

“Hmmmm. . . .” God rumbled. “That, my little friend, is a very good question!” And then he began to laugh—really laugh! The ground shook. The trees seemed to be reaching toward His laughter. Never had the children felt such joy. They began to laugh too, though they didn’t know why.

Finally, God wiped his eyes, “Aaahhhh, that felt good. Nothing like a belly laugh to clear the head and heart,” He said.

“What was so funny?” James asked.

“Well, James,” God replied, “I am rarely asked to introduce myself! It just caught my funny bone! Yes, I do have a name—I have many. But my favorite is Michael.”

“Michael?” all three children asked as one.

“Yes, that was my name before . . .” He paused, looking sadly at the now empty tree, “before death. And it speaks most clearly of my true nature.”

The three children stared into the timeless eyes of God. He seemed like a friend they had always known, and a superhero beyond imagination. Michael, Paul thought to himself, He’s in Daniel and Revelation. He’s a dragon-slayer! Paul looked up to see those eyes staring deep into his. Michael nodded his head ever so slightly and raised an eyebrow. One corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile and his eyes twinkled.

Hannah broke the silence, “Michael, do you know how we can get home? Or, I mean, how can we get back out of the Bible and into the bedroom again?”

.....

For the rest of the story, order a copy today!

A humorous thought, with a twist

God worked for 6 days creating the Earth and rested on the 7th day. He therefore blessed the 7th day and set it aside as a day of rest - the Sabbath.

The Jews rest on the 7th day, Saturday, as established at the beginning of their faith. Christians, on the other hand, worship on the 1st day of the week, Sunday, because Jesus came out of the tomb on Sunday, thus sealing the promise of salvation with physical proof.

Thus there are two philosophies of life:

1. A holiday (holy day) is something you take after you work hard.
2. A holiday is something you take first, before you work hard.

This explains why Jews make more money than Christians and why many Christians never get around to doing much. 

---

For those Adventists that read my blog... 

Where do we fit in? 
What is a healthy relationship between work and rest?
Do our good works earn us anything? 
So, if the Sabbath is neither a reward for hard work, nor a holiday, what is it?
How can we ensure the Sabbath is a joyful day of worship which inspires hearts young and old?

PS. If you didn't laugh because you're frustrated by the second paragraph and want to sit me down for a Bible study — relax — I was just setting up the joke. Yes, the Sabbath is the 7th day for some Christians, too! Now, get to work! lol

July 20 - The Word: The Foundation of Revival

A Sabbath School resource from the Victoria Conference of the Adventist Church in Australia

Study Guide:

Personal Revival and the Word
Do a life sketch of a few of the “heroes of faith” listed in Hebrews 11. Consider, particularly: Abraham, Moses and David. What were the high and low points of their faith journey? How did the Word of God play a role in their spiritual revivals? What impact did their decisions have on those around them?

Think back over the times in your life when you have experienced personal revival. When were your times of personal spiritual revival? At high points? Low points? What was the story behind your renewal of spiritual interest and activity? What role did the Word of God play in your times of personal spiritual reformation? What verses or stories were key in your journey? What impact did your personal revival have on those around you?

Corporate Revival and the Word
Spend some time reflecting on a few historical revivals. Explore and discuss the revivals involved in: The Reformation, The early church in Acts, the early Adventists, the NT/OT expected and revealed Messiah. Were they generated at high points or low points? How did the Word of God play a role? What impact did the decisions of the group have on those around them?

Think back over the times in your life when you have been part of corporate revival. When were these times? At high points? Low points? What was the story behind the corporate renewal of spiritual interest and activity? What role did the Word of God play in these revivals? What impact did your corporate revival have on those around you?

For Teachers: Discovering the Word again for the first time
In your preparation, read the following articles and take note of the personal excitement that builds within you as you explore new views of scripture. Each of these articles reveals a new way of seeing an old question. Depending on your experience with these topics, you may have already encountered both the old and new view. But, perhaps, one of the articles will invigorate you with a new view of the Word of God. Revival is an outflowing of this spiritual excitement into your life until it becomes action.

The Question of Suffering

Remembering Jesus

Four Gospel Beginnings

While these articles are too long for use in your discussion time, you may wish to recommend this exercise to your Sabbath School group. Distribute this study guide to them after your Sabbath School discussion. As a Sabbath School teacher, it is your distinct  privilege to encourage personal and corporate revival by helping your class see the Word again for the first time! 

Four Gospel Beginnings

Organising the four Gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke, John) in the order they were written (Mark, Mathew, Luke, John) reveals some very interesting things about them as retellings of the Story of the Ages. 

Each Gospel reaches further back into history to anchor Jesus into place as Messiah and Lord. The journey is fascinating!

Mark
Mark reaches back to the baptism of John the Baptiser. Mark reveals that John’s ministry was prophecied by Isaiah. Jesus was baptised by the prophet held dear by the Jewish people. John the Baptiser declared Jesus to be “one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:7, 8). and to the first Christians ears, most of whom were Jewish converts, the word of the prophet John was enough.

Mathew
Mathew, written a few years later, starts with the birth of Jesus. He tells of Joseph and Mary discovering the pregnancy and meeting the angel. He tells the stories of Bethlehem, the Wisemen, the escape to Egypt, the return to Nazareth and a bit about Jesus growing up. So, Matthew reaches back, not to the baptism of John to anchor Jesus’ identity but beyond - to His birth. He even includes a linage that shows Jesus’ connection to Abraham—the father of the Jewish Nation.

Luke
Luke is the next to be written. Luke does something strategic and interesting. Knowing his audience would be familiar with the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, he leads into the story by reliving their beginnings. He even tells his listeners he is doing this in his introduction: “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write...” (Luke 1:1-3).

Then, Luke goes through the prophesied births of John the Baptiser and Jesus, the joy they brought their parents, Jesus growing up, and John baptising people. Finally, as Jesus shows up to be baptised (Mark’s anchor point) Luke inserts his linage of Jesus (Matthew’s anchor point) but goes back beyond Abraham—beyond “... the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God” (Luke 3:38)—twice as far into history, to Adam—the father of human family.

John
John’s Gospel comes onto the scene decades later. How can John reach any further back that Adam—the first man—present on freshly created Earth, before sin? Surely there is no anchor point beyond Creation to which a human reader would feel both compelled and identified. 

Revisiting the starting point of the first Gospel, written years before, John joins Mark in beginning at Jesus’ baptism. But he doesn’t anchor Jesus to an Old Testament prophecy. Similar to Mathew and Luke, John starts by connecting Jesus to an ancient beginning. Not through a linage of mankind, however, but instead through a linage of Light. Rather than begin with baby Jesus, born in the darkness of a stable; John begins with the Light which first dispelled darkness—and in that light, and on that light, there rode and wrote, a Word.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5)

John has done the seemingly impossible task of anchoring his Gospel—his Jesus—to a time before time, a day without night. Jesus, the light, joined us as a light-bearer—to be baptised, to call, to care, to teach, to love, to give, to forgive and to shine eternally, as he already had been doing—in the beginning. 

The 1-2-3 of Planning a Story (to tell)

When I tell a story, there are only three things I plan ahead. The rest I leave until the story is being told. This allows me to keep the audience in mind (because they are right in front of me!) while shaping the story. These three areas, properly planned, separate amateur storytellers and experienced storytellers. They allow you to shine and your story to sing! And it’s really easy to do! 

The Beginning 
When a person takes to the stage to tell a story, preach a sermon or give a talk of any kind, the first words to come out of their mouth reveal a world of information about them. Whether you are nervous, distracted, funny, self-important, friendly, ready or not will be revealed in the words that greet the audience. If you do not plan what to say first, you will most likely say something pointless. And, that is certainly not the first impression any of us want to make! If you have your opening sentence planned and deliver it with confidence, the next sentence will come naturally and the story will follow. 

It is not necessary to memorise your entire story. In fact, this can be detrimental to the story because it will lock you in to "remembering" it rather than "telling" it. Every time you tell a story well it will have been altered to meet the needs of the audience and the environment. Locking down the first sentence or two allows you to start with clarity and gives direction to the story. The rest of the story can be quite flexible as long as you know the characters.

The Characters 
Know your characters as if they were your best friend. Spend time developing characters by talking to them off stage. Ask any and every question you can imagine of that character. Imagine them answering it. What would they say? How would they say it? Then, when you share your characters with an audience, they will be believable and alive. If you are good with voices and body language, go for it. If not, don’t worry about it. Know the characters deeply and revealing them, in your way, will happen. 

The next important aspect of character knowledge is to know who you will include and who you will leave out of the story. This is particularly true of stories from real life (or history) where there were many characters in, around and involved with the story as it happened. There is only room on stage for two characters and the narrator. Any more than two characters on stage at a time will create frustration for both the teller and the audience — it’s hard to follow. One of my favourite stories to tell is about a donkey and a farmer. It used to be about a donkey, a farmer and the farmer’s wife. Then, one day, as I was struggling to give the farmers wife more depth of character I realised why she was such a tough character to bring to life — she was unnecessary. I put her lines into the “internal musings” of the farmer and POOF! she was gone. (and good riddance!)

The End 
To be seen, stand up. To be heard, speak up. To be appreciated, shut up! 
It seems like nonsense-talk to say, “When you reach the end, stop.” But, amazingly, vast multitudes of public speakers reach the end of their talk and then... keep talking. STOP! 

This is why I plan my final statement ahead of time. I know the last sentence.  When I hear that sentence come out of my mouth, I leave the stage. It’s that easy. And it’s so hard! I love to talk. I love using my imagination on stage. And when I get going, I hate stopping. So, having a clear moment in mind which is recognised when it arrives is very important. A planned ending is a powerful thing!

For Story to do her best work, we’ve got to give her a definite start, great characters and a powerful ending. This gives her the momentum to move from our imagination into the hearts of our listeners where Story does her — caressing, chiseling; watering, pruning — life-long work of speaking to the soul.

The Ten Bridesmaids

We get so used to repeating the answers that we forget to ask questions. 

What is the REAL point of this parable? Have a close look at Matthew 15:1-13

All 10 Virgins slept. Not just the "foolish five."

None of their lamps were completely out. They were "going out" or sputtering with the dregs of oil.

5 brought extra oil. 5 brought only the oil in their lamps. Perhaps, this was not their foolishness. 

When the bridegroom took so long, fearing the darkness, the foolish five went shopping with lit lamps. Moments later, when the bridegroom arrived and they were off finalising their purchases, those who remained at the ready went inside with Him.
Perhaps we get too transfixed on our personal wakefulness (knowledge) or our own little lights (good deeds) and risk missing the point ... Jesus is the Light. 

Stick around. Nobody sleeps through the second coming! And darkness flees when He approaches.

What are your thoughts?

July 13 - Prayer: The Heartbeat of Revival

A Sabbath School resource from the Victorian Conference of the Adventist Church in Australia

Discussion Guide:

This week our discussion will revolve around the theme of prayer. This discussion guide is meant to complement your daily study of the Sabbath School Bible Study Guide. 

A Praying People

There are quite a few people who turned to prayer in the Bible. As a group, make a list of Biblical stories about people who prayed. Who was the person? What was their station in life? What were the key elements of their prayer? Explore the stories in the Bible.

Who Station in Life Prayer Elements

           (Add some space here, to make a list, if printing it out!)

Ask each group member, which story stands out as special to you? Why? Why is this prayer important enough to be included in Scripture? What does it teach us? (Choose a new story, if someone has already spoke about yours!)

Your Story

Now do the same exercise with your own life. What key prayer or prayers, which you have said, stand out at the highs or lows in your life. What was your station when you said that prayer? What were the key elements of your prayer? What was the result?

(As the teacher of the group, have a prayer story of your own ready to share. Tell one requiring some transparency and humility as this will have the most impact on the group, helping them to open up and share their own stories.)

Once everyone in the group has had time to share, ask:
Which of the stories you just heard from each other stands out a special to you? Why?
Compare our stories to the stories told in the Bible. What do you notice? 

Our Prayer

The stories we just shared from the lives of people of faith, be they in the Bible or here among us this morning, are examples of the power of prayer. When God’s people pray, sometimes miracles happen. Other times when God’s people pray it seems like nothing happens for a very long time. But one thing is certain. One thing has been proven repeatedly by every story this morning. God’s people pray.

Let’s spend time in prayer now. What can we pray for? What are your joys? What are your cares? What are your desires? What are your hopes? 

Spend the remainder of your group time in prayer. Break into groups of three or more. Stay together as a large group, if you wish. 

Focus your prayers on the messages from God that emerged in the stories told during Sabbath School and on the requests made by group members.

To Consider...

You may wish to commit to a regular prayer time, as a group. There is amazing power in praying together. Why let it end? 

The Serpent Scroll (from Ch 5)

As Paul said “serpent” there was a rustling noise above them—like a page turning, or paper-thin wings flapping. All three children looked up. And there, flying over their heads was a serpent.

“Hey!” James shouted, “Snakes can’t fly.”

“They can’t now,” said Paul, “But before sin, they could.”

“But that was a long time ago!” whispered Hannah. “How can there be one here?”

“Well,” said Paul, “where exactly is ‘here’ Hannah?” The three kids stood quietly watching the serpent circle far above them. It was as if it couldn’t see them, even though they were the only other things in this white world—or whatever it was.

“Maybe,” said Paul, “a better question is ‘when’ is here?”

“That doesn’t even make sense.” James replied. “It’s now. Wherever you are, it’s ‘now.’ And snakes can’t fly now!”

“What if we aren’t in the same time as we were in our bedroom?” Paul asked, “What it we are actually in another time, when snakes could fly?”

“Do you mean we might be at the time of the Tree on the. . .” Hannah paused to get her words right, “The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?”

“I don’t know,” said Paul, “but what if?”

Something shimmered in the distance. It wasn’t above them, like the flying serpent, but in front of them—as if they could get to it by walking toward it.

“Did you see that?” James asked, “When Hannah said the name of the tree from Genesis, that glimmering thing in front of us appeared. What is it?”

“Let’s go find out!” Hannah said, now completely finished being scared. She ran toward the newest object on their blank page. James and Paul chased after her. They seemed to be able to run much faster than at home. The shining object quickly became many shining objects dangling from a huge tree. They were fruit. Lots of shining, beautiful fruit!

.....

For the rest of the story, order a copy today!

July 6 - Revival: Our Great Need

Sabbath School - July 6 - Revival: Our Great Need

A Sabbath School resource 

from the Victoria Conference of the Adventist Church in Australia

This week our discussion will revolve around the message from Jesus to the church in Laodicea - found in Revelation 3:14-22. There’s a lot in these 9 verses. Hopefully the following will add to your own thoughts and questions and lead to a vibrant conversation in your Sabbath School Small Group.

Read Revelation 14:14-22

In Verse 14 there are three titles/descriptions on Jesus Christ. Let’s think about each. 

“The Amen”  This is not the word usually translated as “let it be so”. It is, in this case, a transliteration of a Hebrew term meaning “Master Workman.” How would this title for Jesus be useful in speaking to the heart of a people accustomed to wealth? How familiar are wealthy people with Master Workmen? What would it mean to them that Jesus was the “Master Workman”?

“The faithful and true witness”  Wealthy people are accustomed to manipulating the truth - in the courtroom and in life - to suit their needs. How would it affect them to know that this message comes from a witness who is both faithful and true? Can you feel the lawyers’ knees shaking?

“The ruler of God’s creation”  Above the commoner, above the landowners, above the lords and ladies, above the government, above the king and queen is One — the Creator of it all. What impact would this title have had on the Laodicean creme-de-la-creme? Where will the listener be emotionally after merely the introduction to the speaker of the words to come?

Why do you think Jesus chose to introduce Himself in triplicate as “the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation”? What was He trying to accomplish?

Read Revelation 14:15-16

The next word that stands out quite vividly in this passage is in verse 16. When Jesus says, “I am about to spit you out of my mouth” the most accurate word for the action referred to is “Vomit!” Spitting is a nasty habit. Vomiting, on the other hand, is not a choice. When it comes, it comes. Why does lukewarm faith trigger God’s gag reflex? 

It’s pretty gross, isn’t it? The image created by the word “vomit” in our imagination is both shocking and clear. Why do you think God chose to use this word? 

What does God want the church in Laodicea to do?

Read Revelation 14:17-18

This brings to mind the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes. 

How do you like the thought of yourself naked in front of a crowd? 

Jesus saves the word “naked” for last. He first says the people of Laodicea are wretched, pitiful, poor and blind. Then He says, “And Naked!” Much like the word “vomit” the word “naked” creates a powerfully uncomfortable reaction. Why do you think Jesus was being so brash with these well-to-do people?

The medical school in Laodicea was known for it’s usage of a special eye salve. Wether  the Laodicean Christians had used that salve or not, they would have known about it. They had probably bee asked (or offered) to bring some salve when visiting family and friends who lived elsewhere. Now, Jesus offers salve which will allow them to see their true condition. What might that Salve be? Consider the story of the Emeror’s New Clothes. What impact does someone who sees clearly have on others? 

In Verse 18 Jesus offers a remedy to each of their problems. What are the remedies mentioned and how are they different than both the truth and the assumed truth of the current condition of the Laodiceans? 

What is Jesus’ goal for those He loves?

Read Revelation 14:19-20

Why does Jesus rebuke and discipline His children? Is this a comfortable teaching? Why?

How does earnest repentance help?

The original text of Verse 20 is in the present tense: “I am standing at the door knocking.” Jesus is consistently at the door of our hearts, always knocking. How is this good news? What benefit does it have for someone in a lukewarm state? 

The one who hears the knocking and opens the door receives a visitor. What does eating together signify about people? What happens when you eat together?

Does God’s grace sometimes seem too permissive and inclusive? Why? 

Read Revelation 14:21-22

Considering the journey the Laodicean people have taken (if they follow the advice in these verses) what does it mean to be victorious? Does it mean they have become better people and now God accepts them? If not, what does it mean? What have they accomplished victory over? How? 

The rich are accustomed to sitting on thrones. What is the difference in the heart and mind of the “overcomer” who is invited to sit with God on His throne? What transitions have taken place? Who is the centre of their universe, now?

What is the message God wants those of us with ears to hear?