Sharing Scripture for March 29 – April 4

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: March 29 – April 4

Texts: Deuteronomy 32:45-47; Genesis 49:8-12; Isaiah 53:3-7; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, 51-55; Romans 12:2

It’s not very often that you stumble across a book in your local library that’s worth over $3 million. That’s what happened a few weeks ago in a library on the Mediterranean island of Corsica. The director of conservation at the Fesch public library in Ajaccio, the capital of Corsica, was reading through an index of the library of Lucien Bonaparte (brother to the famous Napoleon Bonaparte). That’s when she spotted the unique volume—a rare first edition of Isaac Newton’s groundbreaking book on the three laws of motion titled Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy), written in Latin in 1687.

“I found the Holy Grail in the main room, hidden in the upper shelves,” she told Agence France-Presse (AFP). “The cover has a little damage but inside it’s in excellent condition — this is the cornerstone of modern mathematics.” [1]

First editions of Principia Mathematica are rare. These unique books are highly sought after by collectors, and a similar copy was sold in 2016 by Christie’s in New York for $3.7 million to an undisclosed buyer. That sale was “the most expensive printed scientific book ever sold at auction,” Christie’s reported.

In this week’s Sabbath school lesson, we begin a study on a book that Christians regard as far more unique than Newton’s rare tome. Unlike Newton’s incredible study, the Bible, we believe, was inspired by the One who has the power to change people’s lives for eternity.

For the next three months we’ll tackle “How to Interpret Scripture,” and begin this week by understanding “The Uniqueness of the Bible.” After reviewing some incredible facts about the book of books, we grapple with the unusual power of the Bible as the living Word of God. It’s a source of light, hope, and blessing to all who humbly pursue learning its message.

The Scriptures were written by people inspired by the Holy Spirit to communicate, in human language, messages from heaven. Whether they were high government officials, shepherds, prophets, fishermen, or priests in the temple, many types of authors were moved by God to pen these inspirations. The variety of messages includes history, poetry, law, health practices, stories, prophecy, teachings, letters to churches, and even musical lyrics.

Whether you are lonely, curious, discouraged, looking for advice to a problem, or simply want to learn how to walk with God, the Bible is the first and best place to begin. When you prayerfully open the Word of God, seeking to learn with an open mind, you’ll find this rare volume will touch your life beyond the best scientific book in the world.

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