Unshakable Faith by Mark Finley
In his book, Unshakable Faith, Evangelist Mark Finley focuses on the bond of Thomas Cranmer, Nicholas Ridley, and Hugh Latimer, the Oxford martyrs of the Reformation. He notes: “How did these men spearhead the Reformation in England? By studying God’s Word together, by praying together. They stood in a circle based on Scripture. They discovered truth in a circle. . . . These men give us a glimpse of what God’s last day church, called the ‘remnant,’ will be like” (pp. 31, 36.
His closing on this subject that he calls, “Standing in a Circle” asks some important questions, including, “Are you making exciting discoveries with a group of believers?” (p. 36, emphasis supplied). I think that Sabbath School is so much more engaging when members and their friends meet not to review the lesson day by day but to share what they have learned and applied during the week. Then the lesson session becomes a time of discovery.
Are you having this experience in your Sabbath School? Please, share what’s happening.
Research into the traits, attitudes, and lifestyle choices most associated with emotional and psychological health resulted in a five-point happiness equation:
1. Resilience to challenges
2. Healthy social life
3. Ability to prevent or manage depression
4. Embracing some form of higher spirituality
5. Skill at defusing common stress
How does your Sabbath School help participants success in these areas?
In the summer 2009 issue Best You magazine reported recently polling 1,000 magazine readers ages 25-54 the kind of advice they seek. The percentage of respondents who said they were extremely or very interested in getting advice in a particular subject included 20 percent seeking advice about becoming more spiritual and 12 percent seeking advice about becoming more religious (p.12).
TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU: Specifically how could/couldn’t the current Sabbath School lesson meet the needs of both groups of seekers? How can you use the survey information to help fulfill the goal of Sabbath School community outreach?
In the Shadow of the Shekinah is the Sabbath School Helps book for the 4th quarter. From the back cover:
“After delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, God had to teach them how to live and journey with Him. Centuries of bondage had taken a toll on His chosen people, and He worked patiently to turn their hearts to Him—despite their chronic rebellion and incessant grumbling.
So how could the Israelites possibly question whether God was among them? They knew without a shadow of a doubt—they had seen His presence, heard His voice, and eaten the food He provided. Yet they were still inclined to act as if they had never gotten the memo!
Roy Gane fills in background details that help us understand their wilderness experience and God’s sometimes-puzzling decisions. Not surprisingly, our journey parallels that of the Israelites—and we too must learn those same lessons before we enter the Promised Land.”
Click here to read a portion of this book.
