Sharing Scripture for February 28 – March 6, 2021
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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: February 28 – March 6
Texts: Isaiah 50:4–10, Isaiah 52:13–53:12, Isaiah 53:3–9, Isaiah 53:10–12
On February 23, legendary golfer Tiger Woods barely escaped alive after his vehicle rolled off of Hawthorne Boulevard. USA Today reports that evidence seems to point to the accident being a result of Woods’ reckless driving, and Lt. Michael White notes that the section at which the accident occurred, due to its steep downgrade, has been a site of many driving infractions. Nevertheless, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has now launched a safety review to see if the roadway can be made safer.
Woods’ accident comes just five days after the 20th anniversary of the fatal accident of Dale Earnhardt, whose death in the Daytona 500 led to numerous safety improvements in the sport. As a result of the enhanced safety regulations put forth, not one NASCAR driver has died on the track since.
In both of these cases, a well-known individual was critically injured or killed before corrective action was made. Although unfortunate that increased life-saving measures are usually reactive rather than preventive, the lessons we come away with are reflective of our walk with Jesus.
It took the Creator, innocent and benevolent, to be sacrificed on a cross to save the lives of sinners who often take the Lord’s provisions for us for granted. It wasn’t fair, but it serves as a wake-up call to the rest of us. Through the blood of the Redeemer we are sanctified and no longer need to suffer a spiritual death separating us from the Creator.
As we honor Woods and Earnhardt with red shirts and HANS devices, we should also honor the ultimate Sacrifice with our lives as depicted in Isaiah 50:4-10.
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Connecting: If you’ve ever been a “guinea pig,” how did you feel about it? How do you see it now, retrospectively, if improvements have been made since your experience?
Sharing: Read Isaiah 50:4-10. Which spiritual principle here do you most need to apply to your life?
- To stay on the path
- To turn the other cheek
- To be brave rather than fearful
- To listen to the Spirit
- To share God’s wisdom
- Other:
Applying: Read Isaiah 52:13–53:12 and then journal an entry, imagining you’re in Jesus’ place and recording the sights and sounds around you, and your feelings in response to how the people you love are treating you. Then pray, thanking God for the free gift of salvation.
Valuing: Who in your church has made a major sacrifice for the good of the congregation? Over your online connections, discuss with your small group how to collectively thank that person, and follow through on it.
~ Stefani Leeper
