Saying and Doing:

An Adventist Youth Group Dynamic Discussion Idea.

Read and tell the story first of the Parable of the Two Sons in Matthew 21:28–32.

What to prepare:

1. Write in small sheets of paper the choices: Father, First Son, Second Son, Vineyard/Field, Work,

Divide congregation into 4 to 5 groups. Let them pick from the rolled papers with the choices.

Father

Discussion Questions:

1. Who does it symbolize?

2. What does He require from His children?

3. Which son did the will of the Father? And why is it not commended?

4. Why should we not delay obedience?

5. What are cherished sins and what must be done to overcome them?

Vineyard

1. What does the vineyard represent?

2. What must be done to the vineyard?

3. How do you expand it?

4. What are ways to be used in expanding it these last days?

First Son

1. Who is represented by the first son?

2. What are their characteristics?

. Who are they in these last days?

4. Why do you think the son did not just say yes while asked?

5. Why does God not commend this kind of character?

Second Son

1. Who is represented by the second son?

2. What are their characteristics?

3. Who are they in these last days?

4. Why do you think he did not obey his Father in the end?

5. What must they do to enter heaven?

Work

1. What does work means mean in this parable?

2. Which of the sons did the will of the Father?

3. What does co-laborer with God means?

4. Why does Jesus be the type of son we should aim to be?

Conclusion:

Do not think that because you do not manifest decided hostility to Christ you are doing Him service. We thus deceive our own souls. By withholding that which God has given us to use in His service, be it time or means or any other of His entrusted gifts, we work against Him.

Satan uses the listless, sleepy indolence of professed Christians to strengthen his forces and win souls to his side. Many, who think that though they are doing no actual work for Christ, they are yet on His side, are enabling the enemy to pre-occupy ground and gain advantages.

By their failure to be diligent workers for the Master, by leaving duties undone and words unspoken, they have allowed Satan to gain control of souls who might have been won for Christ.

We can never be saved in indolence and inactivity. There is no such thing as a truly converted person living a helpless, useless life.

It is not possible for us to drift into heaven. No sluggard can enter there. If we do not strive to gain an entrance into the kingdom, if we do not seek earnestly to learn what constitutes its laws, we are not fitted for a part in it.

Those who refuse to co-operate with God on earth would not co-operate with Him in heaven. It would not be safe to take them to heaven. There is more hope for publicans and sinners than for those who know the word of God but refuse to obey it.

He who sees himself a sinner with no cloak for his sin, who knows that he is corrupting soul, body, and spirit before God, becomes alarmed lest he be eternally separated from the kingdom of heaven. He realizes his diseased condition, and seeks healing from the great Physician who has said, “Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. These souls the Lord can use as workers in His vineyard.

God’s great object in the working out of His providences is to try men, to give them opportunity to develop character. Thus He proves whether they are obedient or disobedient to His commands.

Good works do not purchase the love of God, but they reveal that we possess that love. If we surrender the will to God, we shall not work in order to earn God’s love. His love as a free gift will be received into the soul, and from love to Him we shall delight to obey His commandments.

There are only two classes in the world today, and only two classes will be recognized in the judgment—those who violate God’s law and those who obey it.

Christ gives the test by which to prove our loyalty or disloyalty.

“If ye love Me,” He says, “keep My commandments….

He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me. And he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him…. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings; and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.”

“If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.”

Reference: COL Chapter 22

Continue to be a blessing,

Chummie