Sharing Scripture for December 20 – 26
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This is a tool for you to use if you lead a Sabbath School (SS) class or small group. It is keyed to the Bible texts used in the current week’s Adult SS lesson and includes a brief story from current news you can use to introduce the discussion and then a series of discussion questions in a relational pattern designed to build fellowship and spiritual reflection.
For use: December 20 – 26
Texts: John 3:16; 1 John 5:13; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Zechariah 13:6
One way many people have filled their time during COVID lockdowns is by taking continuing education classes. These online studies help them stay up-to-date with ever-evolving fields such as Information Technology and Health Care Services.
Besides taking such courses to maintain a license, continuing education is a good way to learn the newest and latest techniques in one’s discipline. AZ Big Media lists several major motivating reasons for furthering one’s education, including that some courses provide access to new technology. Many companies reward those who complete certain courses with higher salaries or promotions. Further studies can enable one to develop skills in other fields if the student is thinking about a career change. And, if nothing else, continuing education can help stave off boredom while bolstering a sense of personal achievement during times of quarantine lockdowns.
Just as fields evolve and its employees never stop learning, the same can be said for God’s ceaseless character revelations and the things we learn about the Lord’s plan of salvation. If we’ve learned anything this quarter, it’s that we never stop learning. Curious students of the Bible will always find new and exciting aspects of God’s character and revelations about the plan of salvation to keep our attention throughout eternity.
The lesson begins with the familiar text “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT). That promise invigorates those of us who love learning. We won’t simply absorb new knowledge, however; this verse implies that heaven and eternity are filled with new adventures to experience, new challenges to conquer.
And the greatest aspect of our future university is that our professor is none other than Jesus Christ, our Savior. While it’s enticing to envision the wonders of the universe that will be opened to us, the most intriguing opportunity that we’ll experience is exploring the wonders of Jesus’ love for us. We have such a limited grasp of what true love is that it’s mind-boggling to consider what we will learn about the depths of God’s love. That love is the foundation of our universe; everything is built on that love. If it’s true that by beholding we become changed, then we’ll have eternity to develop godly characters through our study of the beautiful nature of Christ.
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Connecting: If you could take any course of study available, which would you choose? What would you study if time and money were no object? Why? Share your thoughts with your group through your online social platforms.
Sharing: What aspect of eternal education are you most excited about?
- Learning the physics of how the universe works
- Visiting new worlds; meeting new heavenly beings
- Gaining a deeper understanding of myself—who am I, really?
- Plumbing the depths of God’s love for us
- Examining the history of God’s interaction with this world; watching the video archives from creation to new creation
- Other:
Applying: Your teenager is bored with school. What are some strategies to help him or her learn to love learning?
Valuing: It’s easy to get bogged down with the stresses and struggles of our everyday lives. Do you take time to imagine life beyond this world and consider that you are really a citizen of heaven? Can you see yourself living in heaven and the new earth someday? Safely connect with another group member and pray for each other to be able to keep a heavenly outlook on life, even in the midst of this messy world.
~ Chuck Burkeen