Lesson 9 (August 22-28), Peter and the Gentiles

Why do you think Peter was chosen by God to open the door for Gentiles?

Peter at Pentecost

1. Does the commission to take the gospel to the "uttermost parts of the earth" have to be fulfilled literally, or does preaching to all nationalities who gather in one place as at pentecost fulfil it? 
2. Does taking the gospel by radio and TV into all nations satisfy the gospel commission?
3. Was Peter appointed a leader by Jesus?

The Conversion of Cornelius

1. Why do you think the Jews would forbid their people to "keep company or come unto one of another nation," such as Peter quoted to Cornelius?
2. Could there be any truth in the interpretation of most Christians that the vision given to Peter also indicated that there is no longer any such thing as unclean meat?
3. Is is there any occasion when it is okay to bow before human beings?
4. What made the Jews avoid eating and fellowshipping with gentiles? What was wrong in Peter eating and fellowshipping with gentiles, but avoiding when Jewish Christians were around? Can such practice be defended by saying that it was to prevent placing an obstacle between Peter and the Jewish Christians?
5. When Christians recognises that God does not discriminate, what causes Christians to discriminate?
6. Is it necessary to reserve quotas for each community in (a) educational institutions, (b) government positions, and (c) church administration? What are the advantages and what are the disadvantages?
7. If gentiles can be saved according to the light that they have received, why do we have to give them more light?

Peter's Vision

1. What is involved in changing one's attitude on discrimination on the basis of race or gender? Is it increased knowledge or conviction by the Holy Spirit?
2. What made Peter understand the interpretation of the vision? At what point was the Spirit needed most--to give the vision, to understand the vision, or to declare the message?
3. Why would Peter's residing with a tanner (leather worker) be offensive to certain peoples?

The Jerusalem Decree

1. Who is the final authority on how much the gospel may be contextualised--General Conference in session, General Conference Executive Committee or the Biblical Research Institute?
2. Is the ordination of women a theological issue or a missiological one?
3. How was the final decision made in Jerusalem, consensus, majority, or declaration by the chair? Which is the best way to make an important decision? 

Lesson 8 (August 15-21), Cross-cultural Missions

Is culture good or bad?

The Samaritan Woman

1. Are Adventists justified in evangelising Christians first when they enter a new country, or should they target the non-Christians there?
2. What makes women more receptive to the gospel than men? 
3. What made the disciples marvel that Jesus would talk to a Samaritan woman? Did they not know Him that well?

The Roman Army Officer

1. Why do higher ranking officers seem better-mannered than lower ranking soldiers? 
2. Is it good for Adventists to support the local government and army even if they are not Christian?
3. Did the Centurian who believed in distance healing have more faith than the widow who struggled to touch the hem of Jesus' garment?

Dealing with Demons

1. Did Jesus demonstrate any preference for His own people? Is there room for "community" feelings among Christians?
2. What does the devil get out of possessing people? 
3. What did the demons gain out of causing the pigs to drown?

Ten Lepers

1. Is the attitude of gratitude inherited or cultivated? What can parents or teachers do to promote it?
2. Why did Jesus say that He was sent only "to the lost sheep of Israel?
3. Is it necessary to 'like' all comments and posts on your wall on FB?

The Greeks and Jesus

1. What makes people feel that they must approach God through a human intermediary? 
2. Is approachability a desirable trait?
3. Why do you think Philip talked to Andrew first before approaching Jesus with Him about the Greeks who wanted to see Jesus?
4. Did the Greeks end up meeting Jesus?

Lesson 7 (August 8-14), Jesus

Jesus in the Old Testament

1. Can the Servant Songs of Isaiah be applied to others, besides Jesus, who also demonstrated the same servant leadership?
2. What kind of assurance was Isaiah giving the king if the sign of a baby to be born would be fulfilled after six hundred years?
3. Can Isa 42 "I will put my Spirit upon Him" be used as evidence of the Trinity in the Old Testament?
4. Can a prophecy have multiple fulfillments?

The Desire of Ages

1. Why did Jesus not tour all the countries of the world preaching salvation?
2. Did the prophecies of the Messiah have to be fulfilled or could they have been considered conditional (upon the responses of people and Israel)?
3. Why was a "cousin" selected as the forerunner of Jesus? Wouldn't it seem like conflict of interest to keep it within the family? 

Mission to the Jews

1. Why do you think Jesus instructed the disciples on their first tour without Him, to avoid the gentiles and samaritans?
2. How successful was Jesus in establishing a strong base in Israel as centre from which to reach out to the world?
3. How well has the plan worked for Adventists--to establish a mission base before launching out?

Mission to the Gentiles

1. Who was Jesus referring to as the "salt of the earth?"
2. When Bible writers used words like "whole world" how much could they have comprehended the whole globe?
3. Who could Jesus have meant by those "from the highways and byways" who were finally invited to the banquet? How can we say that Jesus is not partial?

The Great Commission

1. Why do you think Jesus spent several weeks on earth after His resurrection when He could have instructed His disciples accordingly before His crucifixion?
2. Why did Jesus appear only to His disciples after the resurrection and not to His enemies?
3. Could the apostles have completed their mission in the first century itself? Are we closer to completing it in our generation that they were? What needs to happen if we are to finish it within our generation?

Lesson 6 (August 1-7), Esther and Mordecai

Esther in Persia

1. Why did Vashti refuse to appear before the king?
2. Was it okay for Esther to join the beauty contest? Does an order from the king make such participation okay?
3. Can Adventist girls today join beauty pageants?

Esther in the Court of the King

1. Why did Esther and Mordecai conceal their religious and racial identity since apparently it did not matter to the king?  
2. Were Esther and Mordecai being deceptive? 
3. Are Adventists too secretive about their identity?

For Such a Time as This

1. Was it wrong to bow down to Haman? Are any customs of protocol today equally wrong, such as calling a priest "father," or bowing before a king?
2. Was it worth Mordecai endangering his entire race because of his stubborn refusal? 
3. Is it acceptable for girls to use their beauty to get favours from their husbands?

Mordecai and Haman

1. Why do you think Esther did not immediately inform the king of the plot of Haman? What were the advantages in delaying? What could have been the risks?
2. How do you think it was possible for Mordecai to conceal his religious identity? Is it possible for a good Adventist to keep his religion secret?
3. Is it right for Adventist believers to support the governments of their nations even if they are communist of dictatorships? 

When Some Gentiles Became Jews

1. How can we defend the inclusion of the Book of Esther in the Bible when their is no mention of God in the entire book?
2. If people "convert" out of fear because a king or authority has so commanded, is it valid?
3. What makes it acceptable for people to raid possessions of people they may kill?
4. Is it all right to kill in self defence?