Sharing Scripture for November 3 – 9

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: Nov. 3 – 9

Texts: Nehemiah 8:1-8; Deuteronomy 31:9-13; Matthew 17:5; Acts 8:26-38; Nehemiah 8:9-12; Leviticus 23:39-43

The recent availability of DNA tests that reveal a person’s ethnic roots is inspiring an increase in travel as people explore their ancestral homes. Airbnb reports a 500-percent increase in the number of guests visiting places connected with their ancestry in the past five years. Jackie Hogan, author of the book Roots Quest, has some tips to maximize this experience.

Doing plenty of research ahead of time, hiring a local contact, and expecting to uncover unpleasantries in your family’s past are a few of her suggestions. “There is always the possibility that you’ll find something you didn’t want to find,” says Hogan.

And, of course, there is the possibility of failing to find what you’re seeking on your trip. Hogan urges acceptance of, and gratitude for, whatever you discover: “If you go into the trip with a goal of soaking in your environment,” she says, “the sights, smells, tastes and sounds of that place—you will not be disappointed.” [1]

Once the returned exiles had completed much of their building project, they felt a need to refresh their understanding of who they were as a nation. They gathered together in the square at the Water Gate and asked Ezra to read the Book of the Law of Moses—essentially their ancestral, historical record. This mass gathering, however, became more than just a recital of laws, dates and genealogical facts—it developed into a national praise service.

This was a massive undertaking. First of all, that’s a long text to read. At that time, the Law of Moses was written on huge, heavy scrolls. Finally, many of the people had lost the ability to understand Hebrew (the language of the scrolls) and only spoke Aramaic, the language they learned in Babylon. It took the well-coordinated effort of two teams of 13 people each to hold the massive scrolls, read the texts, and translate it into the common language. Their efforts paid off. The congregation responded with hearty amens and then bowed in a humble attitude of worship. (Basking in the sights, smells and sounds of Palestine also gave them a sense that they were finally home.)

This service led them to experience all of the facets of meaningful worship: They connected with their past with an attitude of thanksgiving to God, they gained a comforting sense that God was in the midst of their current situation, and they increased their faith in God as they looked to the future with hopeful encouragement. While it’s good to understand our history and God’s leading in it, Nehemiah sent them out from this service with the ultimate benediction of encouragement: The joy of the Lord is your strength.

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