AY Program Idea: The Two Kingdoms

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4, NKJV).

Our Beliefs, no. 11, Growing in Christ: “No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life. . . . As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience.”

No matter where we are or what our circumstances are, God is with us. When we trust Him, we do not have to be afraid of anything in this world. As we learn more about Jesus and His love, the Holy Spirit helps us to grow more like Jesus—becoming aware and showing compassion to those who are hurting around us.

Group Activity/Questions:

1. How can we reflect the loving kingdom of God in our lives?
2. What can you visualize when we say God’s kingdom?
3. How do earn a citizenship in the kingdom of God?
4. Is it possible that so many people can be misled as to which kingdom is real and which kingdom is temporary?
5. Read Matthew 5:3-12. As a group, organize the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) in order of their relevance to your life.
6. On the sample chart below, list the three beatitudes that you want most to live by this week.
7. In the second column, focus on a specific arena of your life (example: best friend, teacher, problems with parents, someone who hates you). You might write the name of someone to whom you need to be merciful, or in what arena of your life you want to practice purity, humility, and so on.
8. Write in the last column your reflections on what happens and how you might continue to experience the real joy of being an agent of God’s kingdom.

Conclusion:

The whole idea of a “kingdom” may seem unreal today. But even though God’s kingdom isn’t something you can touch with your hands, it is real.

Jesus would even say it is more real than the world you are living in. The freedom you feel when you forgive someone is real. The joy people feel when they devote their whole lives to service is real. That’s what makes the kingdom of God real.

Just look at the “real” world around you. Depression is common. Suicide is on the rise. Consider the music and movies that are popular today. Are people claiming to be happy, fulfilled, full of joy, certainty, meaning, and purpose? No, a lot of them are uncertain or disappointed about life.

Citizens of God’s kingdom face many things, but always with certainty of their future. Always with the knowledge that suffering will end. Always with the joy that being of service in a forever kingdom is better than trying to be king of one that is coming to an end.

Is it possible that so many people can be misled as to which kingdom is real and which kingdom is temporary? Obviously they are, and it is for that very reason that we should wear our heavenly citizenship where everyone can see it.

The desire you have for joy and happiness is there because God put it in you.

Life in God’s kingdom may seem foreign now, but the more you think about it the more real it will seem. The opposite kingdom is a place where there is never mercy, only a love of power. It’s where everyone looks out for their own interests and never thinks of others. It’s a pretty scary place.

In the Beatitudes God seems to be sneaking us a peek of our future home in heaven. It is almost as if God is reminding us, “Don’t make yourself at home in this world, because your home is somewhere else.”

Consider the rewards of being part of that kingdom—heirs to the King, children of an awesome Father. God wants us to experience joy more than we know, and while the path of God’s kingdom has challenges, what an adventure to be a part of such a wonderful kingdom!

AY Program Idea: Christian Character

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22, 23, NKJV).

Our Beliefs, no. 22, Christian Behavior: “We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with biblical principles in all aspects of personal and social life. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our Lord, we involve ourselves only in those things that will produce Christlike purity, health, and joy in our lives. This means that our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest standards of Christian taste and beauty.”

Story 1

Prior to his conversion, Joe had gained the reputation of being a dirty wino for whom there was no hope, only a miserable existence in the ghetto. But following his conversion to a new life with God, everything changed. Joe became the most caring person those at the mission had ever known.

Joe spent his days and nights hanging out at the mission doing whatever needed to be done. There was never any task that was too lowly for Joe to take on. There was never anything that he was asked to do that he considered beneath him. Whether it was cleaning up the vomit left by some violently sick alcoholic or scrubbing the toilets after careless men left the bathroom filthy, Joe did what was asked with a smile on his face and with a seeming gratitude for the chance to help.

One evening when the director of the mission was delivering his evening evangelistic message to the usual crowd, there was one man who looked up, came down the aisle to the altar, and knelt to pray, crying out for God to help him to change. The repentant drunk kept shouting, “O God, make me like Joe! Make me like Joe! Make me like Joe! Make me like Joe!”

The director of the mission leaned over and said to the man, “Son, I think it would be better if you prayed, ‘Make me like Jesus!’ ” The man looked up to the director with a quizzical expression on his face and asked, “Is He like Joe?”—Wayne Rice, More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995), pp. 114, 115.

Story 2

At a national spelling contest in Washington, D.C., U.S.A., an incident occurred that made me wonder. In the fourth round of the
contest Rosalie Elliot, then an 11-year-old from South Carolina, was asked to spell avowal. In her soft Southern accent, she spelled it. But did the seventh grader use an a or an e as the next-to-the-last letter? The judges couldn’t decide.

For several minutes, they listened to tape recording playbacks, but the critical letter was accent-blurred. Chief judge John Lloyd finally put the question to the only person who knew the answer, “Was the letter an a or was it an e?” he asked Rosalie.

Surrounded by whispering young spellers, she knew by now the correct spelling of the word. Without hesitating, she replied that she had misspelled it. She walked from the stage. The entire audience stood and applauded, including half a hundred newspaper reporters, one of whom was heard to remark that Judge Lloyd had put quite a burden on an 11-year-old.—James S. Hewitt,
Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1988), pp. 62, 63.

Our purpose in life isn’t to satisfy our own desires. We should find fulfillment in helping others learn of Jesus. The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we become like Him. And the more we become like Him, the more others will see Him in us.

Group Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways do we reflect God and His love to those around us?
2. Choose a character quality you feel God is calling you to work on.
3. Who do you know in the Bible that demonstrates that quality? How?
4. How do you see that quality in the person of God?
5. As a group, choose 3 bible characters or persons of history you know, that you want to be like. In the first circle, write their name and what you love most about them (person). In the second circle, write a general principle of life they live by (principle). In the third circle, write out a law that you think they would write about that principle if they were asked to write a law (precept).

Conclusion:

Young people are clearly heard by the Savior when they ask, “What’s the point of all this?” The Savior smiles and says, “I knew you were going to ask that! I made you in such a way that you would ask that question!” (Read Deuteronomy 6:20.)

God’s goal has never been for us to mindlessly obey a bunch of rules. God wants us to know Him, and to be changed into His image by getting a look at Him through His rules. God has given us some windows into His living room to see what He is like.

So the question “What’s the point?” should be “Who’s the point?”

Often the question “Who gets to make the rules?” is asked in a sassy, confrontational way—challenging authority and demanding independence. But if it becomes an honest question about knowing the “who,” then there is a God who is eager to reveal the answer to us.

In every culture, there are values—written or unstated rules that people live by. Also, in every culture there are heroes, people who are the very picture of what that culture believes to be good, right, and true.

Christ is our greatest hero, who banishes the ridiculous claim that Christianity is all about rules. Christians are all about a Person. The marks of that Person (love, kindness, goodness, honesty, peace, courage, etc.) make the world a better place.

Have you ever looked at a three-dimensional picture and tried to see the hidden picture? It can be difficult at times, but the more you do it, the better you get at seeing through the picture to the image behind.

Sometimes we forget to see the person of God in the rules and the qualities of truth, purity, faithfulness, justice, and so on. But remember that God wants to reveal Himself to you through His Word. He isn’t interested in your seeing “just” the rules. Even knowing why we should be honest is not enough for God.

He wants you to discover Him! He is not some mystical cloud or a ghostlike force. He is our loving Father. He knows we will
be better off becoming more like Him. He doesn’t want us to become like others who are only preoccupied with their own pursuits.

What an honor to be a child of God. What a joy it is to follow in His footsteps. What a day it will be to see Him face to face and recognize Him because He is everything you have chosen to become.

AY Program Idea: The Great Controversy

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24, NKJV)

Our Beliefs, no. 8, The Great Controversy: “All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. . . . To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the way of salvation.”

“ It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

“ The First approached the Elephant,
And, happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl,
‘God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!’

“ The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, ‘Ho! What have we here
So very round and smooth and
sharp?
To me ‘tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!’

“ The Third approached the animal,
And, happening to take
The squirming trunk within his
hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
‘I see,’ quoth he, ‘the Elephant
Is very like a snake!’

“ The Fourth reached out his eager
hand,
And felt about the knee.
‘What most this wondrous beast
is like
Is mighty plain,’ quoth he;
‘Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!’

“ The Fifth, who chanced to touch
the ear,
Said, ‘E’en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!’

“ The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Then seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
‘I see,’ quoth he, ‘the Elephant
Is very like a rope!’

“ And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the
right,
And all were in the wrong!

“ So oft in theologic wars
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!”
—John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887)

The main reason some people stay away from Christianity is that they have a hard time with what other people say about God and what they think they see God doing or not doing in our world. Here are three questions that young and old have shared as to why they don’t believe in God or choose to follow Him:

1. If God is good, then why do evil and bad seem to reign in the world?
2. If God is all-powerful, why doesn’t He do something about pain and suffering?
3. If God is supposed to be so close, why do I feel only His absence?

There has been enmity [hostility] between God and His children and Satan and his followers since Adam and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden. The devil does not want us to trust and know God. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to resist the devil and follow God.

Activity/Group Discussion:

1. Read Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:12-21; 1 Peter 5:8
2. What do these verses say to you about the great controversy?
3. The internal war for your loyalty to God is like having two lions living inside you—the lion of good and the lion of evil. Pick three things you want to do to feed the good lion (things that feed and strengthen your connection to God).
4. Also, what things you normally feed the bad lion (things that draw you away from God and others).
5. What is your role in the great controversy?

Conclusion:

Have you heard songs on the radio or listened to people talk about prayer in the news, magazines, and in movies? The world is not afraid to talk about God anymore, but what are they saying?

The problem is that many know that there is a God, but rarely do people agree on what He is like. While many speculate, Christians have a message about God, and it is not just a snapshot; it is a view of the big picture.

If you stand in front of a painting on the wall with your nose two inches from the canvas, you see up close but only a small portion.

The great controversy, as explained in the Bible, has been the most amazing topic for many because it paints the big picture, and when you step back to see it, you can make sense out of the little parts in the scene. What if someone had the answer to “Why is this world so bad?” Do you think people might listen? What if someone had the answer to the question “Will there ever be a time when there is no pain?” Do you think people might be curious?

What if someone had a good answer to the heart cry “Is God really there, and does He know me?” Do you know some people who might listen?

God has spoken to us through His Word, and while we don’t know everything, we see enough of the truth to say, “Choose God. He’s worth it.”

Young people often say, “I don’t care what others think of me. If they don’t like me for who I am, then forget them!”

Is it really true that we don’t care what others think of us? We do care.

In fact, God created us with the capacity to care and feel hurt if others don’t care. We may choose to live as if their opinions don’t affect us, but we do care, especially if we are being misunderstood or falsely accused.

You can be sure that God cares what you think about Him. The most important thing a human can learn is what they believe about God. Why do you think God has stepped into our world to communicate to us what He is like and what His thoughts about us are? What about the times when God has spoken—at the Red Sea? in the fire from Mount Carmel? through David and Goliath? during Gideon’s miraculous victory? with Daniel in the lions’ den? at the feeding of the 5,000? the healing of the leper? the calming of the sea? What about Calvary?

God has spoken to you through His Word, and although everything has not been explained, you have enough information to say yes to God. God has more than said yes to you. He has endured centuries of people’s misunderstanding Him just for your love and friendship.

AY Program Idea: The Sinner’s Need

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23, NKJV)

Our Beliefs, no. 10, The Experience of Salvation: “Led by the Holy Spirit we sense our need, acknowledge our sinfulness, repent of our transgressions, and exercise faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. . . . Through the Spirit we are born again and sanctified; the Spirit renews our minds, writes God’s law of love in our hearts, and we are given the power to live a holy life.”

The very first steps to conquer sin is to admit that you are powerless over your problem and to ask a higher power for help.
As Christians, citizens of God’s kingdom, we know God is our higher power. Alcoholics talk about having to hit rock bottom, even if that means begging for money on the street, before they realize how much they need help.

But we’re not all homeless or down-and-out. Many of us are pretty well-off, popular, clean-living people, aren’t we? Do we all
need to hit rock bottom before we can accept God’s offer to help us?

For some of us lately, nothing seems to be going right at school, at home, even with your friends. We might wonder if “giving your heart to Jesus,” would make a big difference. What would it even mean? How will your life change if you take this step?

Group Activity:

Questions:

1. What in your life is holding you back from making the life-changing decision to live a life for Him instead of yourself?
2. What does it mean to “accept Jesus” or “give your heart to God”? Do you have to “hit rock bottom” first?
3. Personally for you, what does salvation means?
4. Why does God loves us so much?

Individual Question: (Leaders must be able to provide all the members of the congregation with papers and pens. Answers to the following question, need not be shared to the rest of the congregation, but instead the participants can keep it to themselves.)

Write a personal letter to God. Tell Him the worst things that are going on in your life, and the best. Tell Him about the areas in which you need His help. Finish up your letter by telling God that you need Him, and that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to give Him first place in your life. Thank Jesus for dying on the cross for your sins, and tell Him you accept His sacrifice—His payment of your debt.

When you’ve finished, imagine God is answering your letter. Beneath your message, write God’s reply. What would He say to you?

Conclusion:

God loves you. He sent His Son to die in your place, so you might live forever with Him. He has also sent the Holy Spirit to help you resist the devil and live a life filled with His goodness and love.

If you grew up in church, you’ve probably heard about “salvation” for as long as you can remember.

It isn’t just about getting baptized because you’re “old enough” and all your friends are doing it. It isn’t even about going up to the front after a special meeting when the preacher has everyone feeling kind of guilty.

It’s about knowing in your own heart that you need God. That doesn’t mean you have to “hit rock bottom.” It just means knowing you can’t live a perfect, holy, happy life all on your own strength. You need God to make you complete. You need God’s power to become the person you were created to be.

Most of all, you need Jesus’ death on the cross for your sins as your only ticket to heaven. See, eternal life isn’t something we can earn or deserve, no matter how good we are. We’re human, sinful, and born to die. Imperfect beings can’t live forever in a perfect world unless we accept the prepaid ticket Jesus bought for us at Calvary.

“Accepting Jesus” means you get His power in your life today and the promise of eternal life in the future. All you have to do is admit you can’t do it alone.

“But when the heart yields to the influence of the Spirit of God, the conscience will be quickened, and the sinner will discern something of the depth and sacredness of God’s holy law, the foundation of His government in heaven and on earth” (Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 24).

Sometimes we hear about someone’s “search for God.” Really, it should be the other way around. God is searching for you. He’ll do anything to get your attention; He’ll stop at nothing to make sure you notice Him.

Why does He love us so much? He made you and me. Only He knows us inside out. He knows the worst about us and loves us anyway. And only He knows the person we’re capable of becoming, with His help.

What is He waiting for? Well, He won’t force His way into our lives. He’s waiting for one simple thing: for us to respond to His Spirit and admit that we need Him, that we want Him in our life.

AY Program Idea: Growing in Grace

Memory Text: “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Colossians 2:6, NKJV).

Our Beliefs, no. 11, Growing in Christ: “Jesus’ victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us. . . . Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character.”

Someone might say that they don’t like being a Christian, that it’s too difficult, or it’s no fun. Too many rules to follow and they can’t get away with anything. What do you think? Is being a Christian hard, easy, or would you explain it some other way?

How wonderful that God has made a way for us to live and grow in His will. When we accept Him as our Savior, He sends the Holy Spirit to help us overcome sin. The Holy Spirit also works in us to transform us into God’s image, so we can live the lives God intended for us.

Group Activity:

1. List the ways you have seen the Holy Spirit work in your life.
2. Is being a Christian difficult or easy?
3. List of five things you’d like to change, accomplish, or improve in your life over the next six months.
4. When you’ve finished making your list, pray as a group, telling God what you’d like Him to change in your life and asking for His strength to do it.
5. To finish your prayer time, read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and claim God’s promise to make you a new person.

Conclusion:

The secret is that being a Christian is both the easiest and the most difficult thing you’ll ever do. Getting right with God is easy. Just let Him know you want your sins forgiven. He does all the rest.

But then God begins the work of shaping you into the person you were created to be. He takes you just as you are. But He loves you too much to let you stay in your sinful state. And just like an Olympic athlete in training, you put in the effort to run the race, keep your rebellious muscles surrendered to the program, stay in top form. Not because you want to earn God’s approval or buy your way into heaven, but because you’re starting to catch His vision of the kind of person He wants you to be—a gold-medal Christian, someone transformed into His image.

Maybe sometimes you’re the one who says, “Christianity’s too difficult.” You may look at the kind of life adults in church expect you to lead, and feel judged or criticized.

That’s not God’s attitude. God has high expectations for us, but He’s pleased with every step we take toward Him. He won’t rest until you’re the best you can be. But He doesn’t expect you to do it alone. He gives you His Holy Spirit power every step of the way.

And He doesn’t criticize or judge you when you slip and fall. He’s right there, helping you up again, cheering you on.

AY Program Idea: Finding My Place

Memory Text: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).

Our Beliefs, no. 14, Unity in the Body of Christ: “We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation.”

We all face the attacks of the enemy at one time or another. But Jesus is our big brother who has defeated Satan and has provided a way of escape by dying on the cross for each one of us. He is our example, and He asks you to be a big brother to others who need protection.

If you see someone being hurt or bullied, don’t hesitate to step in and protect your neighbor.

Belonging to a group of friends is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Being on the outside of a group is one of the most painful and miserable. You have probably felt lonely at times. Maybe you’ve found it hard to fit in with a group—or maybe you’ve been the one excluding someone else.

The words of Jesus offer hope when facing life’s painful situations: “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” (John 16:33).

Jesus can heal the heartaches you might experience. He also offers second chances to those who have hurt the feelings of others. He invites all to live in harmony with Him and with each other. Best of all, Jesus wants to be your personal Savior and Friend!

Group Discussion Questions:

The need to have friends who accept and include you is important. It is equally important that you include others in your circle of friends. God’s Word offers guidelines for positive friendships and for treating others with respect.

1. How can you resist negative peer pressure and do what is right for Jesus at all times?
2. If you know of a bully or of someone who is being bullied, what steps can you take to help?
3. According to the Bible passages for today, how should we treat others?
4. How does being a friend fit with being one in Christ and being members of His body?
5. Cite an example of a great friendship from the Bible.
6. What do you do if you don’t have friends or does not want to, or can’t find good ones?
7. What can you do today to show your gratitude to Jesus for His wonderful friendship?
8. How can your words and actions reflect your love for God?

Conclusion:

The Bible tells us that although we are all different, we are equal in the eyes of Jesus, who is the Savior of all who accept Him.

“In calling God our Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren. We are all a part of the great web of humanity, all members of one family” (Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 105).

A lot of times we’re tempted to change ourselves in order to fit in with friends. Sometimes change can be a good thing. For example, you can learn to be more tactful, more thoughtful, more outgoing, all of which will help you get along better with people.
You might even take up a new sport or hobby just to make new friends.

But other times, change can carry very negative consequences to you and to others. When you replace good values with bad choices just to please your friends and be accepted, that is a very dangerous path that is self-destructive.

Drinking or smoking because your friends do, impairs your thinking, and negatively impacts your relationships, your health, and ultimately your connection with God. Also, criticizing others, so you can stay part of the popular crowd, is offensive to God.

Jesus experienced what it is like to be loved by some, but hated by others. He is a trusted friend to whom you can always turn
for help.

We all need friends, but friends come and go. The one Friend who will always stick with you if you accept Him is Jesus. His
love is unchanging and unconditional.

The best friends to have are friends who will encourage and support you in your walk with Jesus—because they’re walking with
Him too!

Pray about it. Talk to your parents, your Sabbath School teacher, any adult who knows you and cares. Yes, you can be friends
with a wide variety of different kinds of people—in fact, it’s good for you!

But to grow as a Christian, you need to find Christian friends. Maybe you need to reach out to a friend at church you haven’t gotten to know that well.

Maybe you can broaden your horizons and include friends who share your beliefs, even if they’re a little “different” from you in
other ways. God has people for you—people who’ll pray for you and build you up instead of tearing you down as a Christian. Ask
Him to help you find them.

“Live in contact with the living Christ, and He will hold you firmly by a hand that will never let go” (Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 119).

AY Program Idea: Living Beyond Ourselves

Memory Text: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

Our Beliefs, no. 13, The Remnant and Its Mission: “The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days . . . a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. . . . Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness.”

When we come to know Jesus, an amazing transformation takes place in our lives. The real joy of knowing Jesus will show in everything we do. Our priorities change. Our lives receive true meaning and purpose. Our number-one mission is to share Jesus everywhere—in the family, at school, in our community, and, if necessary, even before government officials.

Group Discussion Questions:

1. Read Jeremiah 23:3. Can you have a missionary activity without sharing Jesus?
2. In what ways would you be able to share Jesus?
3. Read Revelation 14:6-12; 2 Peter 3:10-14. “What are you doing, dear youth, to make known to others how important it is to take the word of God for a guide, to keep the commandments of Jehovah?
4. Read Colossians 4:5, 6. How are you like a missionary?
5. Have you shared with others your love for Jesus?
6. In what ways does the church participate in spreading the gospel of God’s love?
7. Create a mission plan for your group in your local community. Include your plan, the draft program. List down the needed resources.
8. What is keeping you from fulfilling this plan?
9. Challenge yourselves to enact the mission plan you created.

Conclusion:

If we took some time to get off the phone, leave our electronic devices, or get out of the mirror, we would see the needs of the world around us. We would realize that many people do not know about Jesus and the joy He brings. This is true in faraway
lands and right in our neighborhoods.

“The greatest want of the world is the want of [men and women] . . . who will not be bought or sold, . . . who in their inmost souls are true and honest, . . . who do not fear to call sin by its right name, . . . whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, . . . who will stand for the right though the heavens fall” (Ellen G. White, Education, p. 57).

People desperately need to know about Jesus. Our Savior has asked us to tell them. Even if it is not always an easy, popular, or
safe task, but we have to think beyond ourselves. When we live for Jesus, God will bless our efforts and empower us to welcome souls into His kingdom.

God’s love can be shared in words and in more practical, tangible ways, such as feeding the hungry or helping those who have fallen victim to natural disasters, war, and poverty. When you decide to live for Jesus, you decide to really live!

“How great is the responsibility placed upon the disciple of Christ. How imperative the duty to reflect the light of heaven upon a world enshrouded in darkness” (Ellen G. White, In Heavenly Places, p. 312).

This call to share is not just with your friends and neighbors; it may take you to faraway places. Everybody needs to hear the gospel, and many need your help. There are so many people who have not been as blessed as you are.

For some people, you will be the blessing. Giving of your time, your money, and your heart will be worth more to them than anything money can buy. It is not going to be easy, but God promises to send His Holy Spirit to give you the words to say. He promises that His love will take your fear away and His grace will make up whatever you lack. You just have to be bold enough to
trust Him and obey Him!

“The soul that turns to God for its help, its support, its power, by daily, earnest prayer, will have noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth and duty, lofty purposes of action, and a continual hungering and thirsting after righteousness” (Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 85).

It is time to get started with your mission work right now. Although there are some places you can’t reach on your feet, you can reach them on your knees.

Take some time and write a prayer for people who need the gospel. Pray for those who are being persecuted for their faith. Also, pray that God will show you how He wants you to work for Him.

AY Program Idea: Holiness

Memory Text: “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22).

Our Beliefs, no. 4: “God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. . . . Forever truly God, He became also truly human,
Jesus the Christ. He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness and love of God.”

Introduction

The path of following Jesus’ example of holiness and obedience is what God desires for each of us. We are saved through the grace of Jesus Christ alone, and all those good things we do are a response to His love for us —a manifestation of His transforming grace working in us.

We cannot earn salvation by our good works. However, if we accept Jesus’ sacrifice, good works will follow naturally. As James has written: “He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25).

When we experience God’s saving grace, we will want to obey His commandments. Jesus says: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). As we live to honor God, He extends to us salvation freely. What a marvelous gift!

Group Discussion Questions:

1. Read Philippians 4:8. What is the difference between asking for God’s help and becoming obedient to His will?
2. How can we use our community/environment to help us with problems in obedience?
3. Read Isaiah 45:22; Romans 10:17; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Titus 3:3-7.
4. Becoming more like Christ is dependent on how we occupy our minds—what we focus on, look at, read, and think about. How do the above texts help us live a life free of fear, so we have confidence in our eternal future?
5. Read Hebrews 12:14. Why is holiness important?
6. Read 2 Peter 1:3, 4. What are you going to do with this knowledge?

Conclusion:

“The cross of Calvary is to be lifted high above the people, absorbing their minds and concentrating their thoughts. . . . Then there will be a concentration of the energies in genuine work for the Master. The workers will send forth to the world beams of light, as living agencies to enlighten the earth” (Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 44).

Holiness is a mandate from God. However, don’t be confused. We still have sinful natures. We know that total perfection is received only through the grace of God and at the second coming of Jesus. But we have been called to be obedient to Christ and His will for us in every way that He reveals. This obedience always includes a desire not to sin and hurt our Best Friend, and to overcome temptation through the power of His grace.

As we seek what the Lord wants for us, we continue to grow in His grace. This becomes a more powerful desire in us the more we seek the heart of God. While we leave the work of perfecting to God, we concentrate on an ever closer walk with Him, and a better understanding of His grace.

As well, God has said He wants to give us life more abundantly. That is a life without the regrets that come from living our own way instead of His way. We want to be Christians who are walking in the light of God and looking at our past with happiness, not with regret. Obedience to God helps us with that.

You are the one who makes the choices in your life. “The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness” (Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 43).

God is waiting for you to ask for His help, and He will bless you abundantly. Continue on in making good decisions, and be encouraged in your pursuit of holiness.

“God is the fountain of life, and we can have life only as we are in communion with Him” (Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 61).

Let us work on being obedient to God’s will in our lives. By God’s grace, we will commit the coming days to overcome bad habits we have.

Encouragements:

Proverbs 3:5, 6—“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

1 Timothy 4:12—“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Colossians 4:2—“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”

Colossians 3:23, 24—“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

AY Program Idea: Law meets Love

Scripture Story: Genesis 3.
Commentary: Patriarchs and Prophets (or Beginning of the End ), chapters 3 and 4

Source: Cornerstone Connections Lesson 2

“He [Christ] bade the angelic host to be in accord with the plan that His Father had accepted, and rejoice that, through His death, fallen man could be reconciled to God. Then joy, inexpressible joy, filled heaven. The glory and blessedness of a world redeemed out measured even the anguish and sacrifice of the Prince of life” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 65).

Key Text : “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:8, 9, NIV)

Activity/Group Discussion:

Ask the congregation the following questions and tally how many agrees or disagrees to each question.

1. The real sin in the garden was not so much listening to the serpent’s lie as it was distrusting what God had already said.
2. The plan of salvation enables us to be closer to God than Adam and Eve were before the Fall.
3. The fact that Christ died to pay the debt of sin is evidence that God’s law of love is unbending.
4. If a person is generally good or does enough good things for others, they will earn a place in heaven.
5. The whole idea of sin is outdated.

According to the happenings in the world, what do these say about people’s understanding of sin and salvation?

Questions:

Group 1: The Warning

How does God warn us?

Does God still warn us even today?

How have you learned to rest in God’s grace and what specific ways you are reminded of God’s redeeming love?

Group 2: The Temptation

What are the most common temptations you have experienced these days?

When has God touched your heart “while” you were far away from Him?

Group 3: The Sin (Romans 5:18, 19)

“Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God
and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:18, 19, NLT). What is the most meaningful part of the verse to you? Why?

If you were to answer the question “Where are you?” that God asked Adam and Eve, what would be your answer today?

Group 4: The Consequence

Why do you think God asked Adam and Eve, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8, NIV).

What if Adam and Eve had never come out of hiding when God called to them?

What kind of emotions do you think Adam and Eve were experiencing as they hid in the bushes from God?

Whom do you know who might be staying away from God’s grace because they feel ashamed or alone in their sin?

What can you do to help restore them?

Highlights/Conclusion:

“It was Satan’s purpose to bring about an eternal separation between God and man; but in Christ we become more closely united to God than if we had never fallen.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 25.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, NIV).

“The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” (John 12:31, 32, NLT).

“The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17, NLT).

“Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:18, 19, NLT).

AY Program Idea: Living as Heaven’s Citizen

Memory Text: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34, 35).

Reference: Our Beliefs, no. 11, Growing in Christ: “As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience.” Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 35-38.

Source: Real Time Faith Lesson 1

Group Discussion Questions

Group 1MAGNET: Matthew 20:25-28

1. How do these verses help us grow in Christ and become witnesses for Him?
2. Read Isaiah 43:10-12. What is the importance to stand with God even in the little things?
3. Read Philippians 2:14-16. Why is it so important to say something?
4. Why should you or I share Jesus with others?
5. Why can’t we just let someone else who is more qualified do it?
6. Read 1 John 1:1-4. As a Magnet—How can I attract someone to God this week?

Group 2 LIGHT: Matthew 25:31-46

1. How do these verses help us grow in Christ and become witnesses for Him?
2. Read Isaiah 43:10-12. What is the importance to stand with God even in the little things?
3. Read Philippians 2:14-16. Why is it so important to say something?
4. Why should you or I share Jesus with others?
5. Why can’t we just let someone else who is more qualified do it?
6. Read 1 John 1:1-4. As a Light—How can I make the darkness in someone’s life go away?

Group 3WITNESS: John 20:21

1. How do these verses help us grow in Christ and become witnesses for Him?
2. Read Isaiah 43:10-12. What is the importance to stand with God even in the little things?
3. Read Philippians 2:14-16. Why is it so important to say something?
4. Why should you or I share Jesus with others?
5. Why can’t we just let someone else who is more qualified do it?
6. Read 1 John 1:1-4. As a Witness— How can I take the witness stand for God this week? How can I stand up for Him?

Group 4 SALT: Galatians 5:22-25

1. How do these verses help us grow in Christ and become witnesses for Him?
2. Read Isaiah 43:10-12. What is the importance to stand with God even in the little things?
3. Read Philippians 2:14-16. Why is it so important to say something?
4. Why should you or I share Jesus with others?
5. Why can’t we just let someone else who is more qualified do it?
6. Read 1 John 1:1-4. As a Salt—How can I bring zest and flavor to someone’s life this week?

Highlights and Conclusion:

Being a witness for Jesus does not always come easy. It often means taking a stand for Him and His truth, even when it is not convenient. It sometimes means taking risks that may involve personal injuries or losses.

Some people think that when the big question comes to them about their allegiance to God, they will be able to stand and say, “I believe in Christ, and I will not deny Him!”

When you look at the stories of Scripture, it’s not those life-or-death ultimatums that make the great witness for God, but the little moments along the way. “In all ages Satan has persecuted the people of God. He has tortured them and put them to death, but in
dying they became conquerors.

They revealed in their steadfast faith a mightier One than Satan. Satan could torture and kill the body, but he could not touch the life that was hid with Christ in God” (Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 30).

Frankly, if we can’t stand up for God when it’s easy, why do we think it will be any easier when our life is on the line?

Jesus told the disciples to be witnesses first in Jerusalem, starting close to home before working their way out to the ends of the earth. “When the heart is aglow with the love of Jesus, you will express it to others, and become witnesses for Christ” (Ellen G. White, in Youth’s Instructor, May 4, 1893)

You may remember a letter written to a person named Philemon in the New Testament. The whole drama is about a slave named Onesimus, who was owned by Philemon but ran away and ended up running into Paul on the way. Onesimus actually means “useful.” Paul makes a point to play on this, saying, “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me” (Philemon 10, 11).

Poor Onesimus. He has a name that means “useful,” but apparently he turns out to be “useless” until he meets up with Paul and becomes a giant help to the apostle, who is stuck in prison. Paul pleads for grace for this man, and we assume he received it from Philemon.

The same grace is extended to us, even though we may or may not feel useful to God at this moment. You may feel as if what you say or do doesn’t matter.

However, when we receive God’s grace in our hearts, we have something to do and say on behalf of the One who saved us. It’s safe to say that Onesimus wasn’t perfect, but he gave Paul all he could, and it turned out to be a bigger help than he thought.

Onesimus was immortalized in the words of Scripture because he did his best to be salt and light for an old person in prison. Who would have thought that in the end Paul would say about him, “I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart” (Philemon 12)?

The important thing to remember from this story is that you may not know the value of your witness until later on.

“It is through personal contact and association that men are reached by the saving power of the gospel. . . . The savor of the salt represents the vital power of the Christian—the love of Jesus in the heart, the righteousness of Christ pervading the life.

The love of Christ is diffusive and aggressive. If it is dwelling in us, it will flow out to others” (Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 36).