Lesson 5 (April 27-May 2), Christ and the Sabbath

1. The Jewish Sabbath?
2. Why would God give the fourth commandment differently in Exodus and Deuteronomy? What effect does the existence of two versions have on readers? Which is the original version of the fourth commandment? 
3. If the reason for keeping the sabbath is deliverance from the slavery of Egypt would the Sabbath then be only for the Jews?
4. Can anything having its origin in one thing take on added significance along the way from a later event?

A Time for Rest and Worsip

1. Was the Sabbath established for rest or for going to church?
2. Was the instruction to the Israelites not to go outside the house, just for collecting manna or for the whole day?
3. Do we have any examples of group worship on Sabbath in the Old Testament?

A Time for Enjoyment

1. Does it make a difference whether we are hungry or not if we pluck grain or fruit on Sabbath? 
2. What would be similar to plucking grain today?
3. What are some things that are okay for other days, but wrong to do on Sabbath? What principle can guide us for deciding what activities are okay for Sabbath?

A Time for Healing

1. Is it okay for doctors and nurses to work on Sabbath?  If yes, are there some conditions?
2. Is it okay for dentists to work on Sabbath? What about other staff in hospitals who keep the hospital running?

A New Creation

1. Do creatures on other planets observe a Sabbath?
2. Do they have Sabbath in heaven?
3. Will we need a Sabbath in the new earth? Why or why not?

Lesson 4 (April 20-26), Christ and the Law in the Sermon on the Mount

"One Jot and Tittle"

1. What does jot and tittle symbolize?
2. Will the reign of the law end when heaven and earth are no more?

Murder

1. When does dislike become hate? Can we avoid disliking some people?
2. What should you do if even after trying to make things right someone holds a grudge against you?
3. Why is hate and murder the most serious of sins?

Adultery

1. Why is adultery considered one of the most serious sins, perhaps next only to murder?
2. At what point does admiration become lust?
3. Is a woman ever to be blamed perhaps through dress (or lack of it), for being lusted after?

Promises, Promises

1. What is the difference between a promise and an oath? Is breaking an oath more serious? Why or why not?  Does it make a difference if it was a good thing or bad?
2. Is a spoken vow more binding than an unspoken one?
3. Is it good or bad to include God's name in an oath?

Lex Taliones

1. Why did Moses prescribe revenge, such as an eye for an eye?  Did that not obstruct love and forgiveness?
2. Can we really love everyone, especially our enemies?
3. Is it good to keep questioning our religious and social traditions, and consider changing them?

Lesson 3 (April 13-19), Christ and Religious Tradition

Seat of Moses

1. Are all pharisees hypocrites or are some sincere? 
2. Who fights more for what they believe, conservatives or liberals?  Why?
3. Are people born with pharisaical characteristics or do they acquire them?

Human Commandments

1. Is there such a thing as major and minor laws? Are all the ten commandments equally important? Is love to God more important than love to man? 
2. Did Jesus obey some man-made rules?
3. Does the Adventist church have some man-made rules?

Traditions of the Elders

1. Was non-observance of Mosaic laws a  sin or just unhealthful?
2. Is it a sin to be unhealthful?
3. Who is eligible or authorized to explain God's law to others?

The Precepts of Men

1. Are we expected to observe laws even if we cannot discern any sense in them?
2. What the apostles instructed--such as women keeping silent in church, from God or from themselves?
3. Are our services too traditional? Should they be less structured and more informal? Is there a reason we follow more or less the same format for each service?

Excessive Righteousness

1. Is it possible to be too righteous?
2. What did Solomon mean (Eccl 7:16), when he advised people not to be overly righteous or overly wicked? 

Lesson 2, (April 6-12), Christ and the Law of Moses

Circumcision and Dedication

1. Why did Jesus participate in the rituals and ceremonies of Judaism?
2. What purpose did the laws of ceremonial uncleanness of women serve?
3. How much of a sacrifice was it for Jesus to descend to adopt human culture besides human body and human nature?

Jewish Feasts

1. Why did Jesus participate in the rituals and ceremonies of Judaism?
2. What purpose did the laws of ceremonial uncleanness of women serve?
3. How much of a sacrifice was it for Jesus to descend to adopt human culture besides human body and human nature?

1. Jesus in the Temple
2. Why did Jesus participate in the rituals and ceremonies of Judaism?
3. What purpose did the laws of ceremonial uncleanness of women serve?
4. How much of a sacrifice was it for Jesus to descend to adopt human culture besides human body and human nature?

Taxes

1. Why did Jesus participate in the rituals and ceremonies of Judaism?
2. What purpose did the laws of ceremonial uncleanness of women serve?
3. How much of a sacrifice was it for Jesus to descend to adopt human culture besides human body and human nature?

Law Enforcement

1. Why did Jesus participate in the rituals and ceremonies of Judaism?
2. What purpose did the laws of ceremonial uncleanness of women serve?
3. How much of a sacrifice was it for Jesus to descend to adopt human culture besides human body and human nature?

Lesson 1 (Mar 30-Apr 5), Laws in Christ's Day

What makes right right?

Roman Law

1. Where do secular lawmakers such as Romans get their ideas of what is right and wrong?
2. Since Romans occupied Palestine by force, why would Jesus advocate obedience to their law?

Mosaic Law (Civic)

1. If the Mosaic law was from God why would it not be permanent since God does not change?
2. Why did the Sanhedrin at the time of Jesus act falsely to condemn Jesus? 

Mosaic Law (Ceremonial)

1. Why did the Mosaic law not treat men and women equally? 
2. Since the Old Testament is full of rituals, ceremonies and festivals, should we have more of these in the Adventist church?
3. How successful was the sanctuary system in conveying the truths of salvation?

Rabbinic Law

1. What do you think prompted the rabbis to multiply the rules for sabbath observance?
2. Should Adventists become less strict with sabbath observance?
3. What are principles to guide us in determining what is right or wrong to do on Sabbath?

The Moral Law

1. Is it possible to keep the ten commandments and still not love people?
2. Is it possible to love God and people and still not be keeping the ten commandments?
3. Why do you think God gave ten and not more commandments?