Lesson 13 (June 20-26), Crucified and Risen

Gethsemane

1. If we can be judged by intent--the thief on the cross will be saved, could the world have been saved by Jesus'victory at Gethsemane? Was that enough?
2. What was Jesus battling in Gethsemane?
3. Why did Jesus not explain things fully to His disciples?

Judas

1. What made Judas more susceptible to the temptations of the devil? What could Judas have done to put himself on safer ground?
2. Was Judas sincere?
3. Didn't Judas have the right motives for saving money? What made it wrong?

Either For Him or Against Him

1. If there were a middle ground for people who wished to be neutral and neither suffer hell nor enjoy heaven, how many would choose that? Why is that not an option?
2. Could the people have done anything to prevent the crucifixion of Jesus?

He is Risen

1. Why were the disciples so slow to accept the fact of the resurrection? 
2. Why do you think women were given the privilege of being the first to witness the resurrection? Would men have been more credible?
3. What are the evidences that convince us that the resurrection was real?

All Things Must Be Fulfilled

1. Did Jesus do things  to fulfill prophecy? Does that make the prophecy less impressive?
2. What convinced the disciples that Jesus was actually resurrected from the dead?
3. Why do you think Jesus appeared first to disciples other than from among the twelve?
4. Why does Jesus not appear to more people nowadays to convince them of the resurrection? 

Lesson 12 (June 13-19), Jesus in Jerusalem

Why do you think Jesus didn't choose to live longer on this earth so He could accomplish more? 

Why do Adventists not observe the Holy Week and Easter when those are on dates we can confirm, while many Adventists celebrate Christmas which date we know is wrong?

The Triumphal Entry

1. Why did Jesus decided to ride a donkey into the city? 
2. Why did Jesus allow the Jews to spread their clothes on the ground and proclaim Him king as he rode into the city?  Didn't that confuse their expectations?
3. Why do you think the disciples couldn't understand what Jesus had explained to them about his coming suffering?

Jerusalem

1. Is selling fruits and vegetables in for investment and other offerings the same as what the money changers and animals sellers were doing in Jesus' day?
2. Is there any thing we do in church that Jesus might condemn as making it a den of thieves and robbers?

The Unfaithful

1. How do we measure up compared to the farm tenants in the parable who beat the servants and the master's son when they were sent to collect the owner's share of the profits?
2. Is ignoring the writings of Ellen White as serious as ignoring the writings of the prophets in the Bible?

God Versus Caesar

1. Are we sinning by trying to avoid paying taxes by not asking for a receipt, neglecting to declare all items at customs, concealing some bonus incomes. etc?
2. Does God expect tithes on gifts?
3. Is it wrong to live in a housing society and refuse to contribute to the development of the society?

The Lord's Supper

1. How strict do we need to be with what we use for the bread and the wine at communion? If grape juice is not available can any other red juice substitute?
2. Do both feet have to be washed at the ordinance of humility or would one be enough as a symbol?
3. How important is it to wash feet before partaking of communion? Why do you think other churches do not observe this practice?

Lesson 11 (June 6-12),The Kingdom of God

Characteristics of the Kingdom

1. Is the sentence "Thy kingdom come" connected more to the preceding sentence "Our Father which art in heaven hallowed by Thy name," or to the following: "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven?"
2. How much are we as Adventists (as a church and as individuals) doing to "proclaim the kingdom?"
3. What does it mean to "Seek first the kingdom of God?"
4. In this kingdom of God are we citizens or the kings?
5. What did Jesus mean when he said that the kingdom of God was of such (children)?
6. Is it impossible or merely difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God?

The kingdom of God: Already, Not Yet

1. When did/will the kingdom come?
2. Is there more than one kingdom? What is the kingdom "within you?" What do we mean by the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory? Do they come together or at different times?

The Kingdom and the Second Coming of Jesus

1. How can I know if I am a citizen of the kingdom of God? 
2. What does the ending of most Adventist prayers -- "Save us when you come in the clouds of glory" accomplish?

Witnesses

1. How sure are Christians in general that Jesus is coming again?
2. Can we delay or hasten the coming of the kingdom by the quality and quantity of our witness?
3. How does our belief about the nearness of the second coming shape the way we live? How should it be?

Lesson 10 (May 30-June 5), Following Jesus in Everyday Life

Flee Pharisaism

1. Is it possible that there were some good Pharisees?
2. Why was Jesus sarcastic with Pharisees? Is that the best way to treat some people?
3. Who are the equivalent of Pharisees today? How can they be countered?

Fear God

1. Should we fear God or not?
2. Is it true that no righteous man has starved to death?
3. How much should we plan our future and how much leave to God?

Be Prepared and Watchful

1. Could the church have done a better job preparing for the coming of Jesus if they knew exactly when He would come?
2. Can failure of humans to witness delay the second coming?
3. Will more be required of Adventists than of other people because we have the truth?

Be a Fruitful Witness

1. Will some crowns have more stars than other crowns in heaven? Is that a reward?
2. Can a person get to heaven without helping bring anyone to Jesus?
3. Is the parable of the talents frightening? Is it better to have less talents than more?

Be A Servant Leader

1. When the disciples were fighting for positions in the kingdom, why did Jesus hold up a child and say "Whoever welcomes a child, welcomes me?" What kind of people cause us to cringe when we see their names calling us on the mobile?
2. Must a servant leader go last in the line for food at a potluck?

Lesson 9 (May 23-29), Jesus the Master Teacher

The Authority of Jesus

1. How is it that devils were more obedient to Jesus' commands than human beings?
2. What makes one more authoritative than another?
3. Why don't Christians today not command in the name of Jesus for healing like they do for exorcism?

Christ's Greatest Sermon

1. What makes a sermon appreciated or popular?
2. Why is the Sermon on the Mount quoted so much?
3. Is the Golden Rule practical? Is it practiced?

A New Family

1. Are Adventists as much like a family as we should be? Does calling one another "brother," and " "sister" help family feeling?
2. What are obstacles to family feeling among Adventists in Southern Asia?

Love Defined

1. Who are the "Samaritans" in our culture or society? What makes them that way? How can we address that situation?
2. Will it help to wear a symbol of the law on the wrist and attach one to the doorpost? Do we break the law because we forget about it?
3. Can I love my neighbor if I do not love myself?
4. Aren't some people unlovable?  Did Jesus love everyone around Him?
5. What would be the prescribed way to help an injured stranger on the road in today's modern world?
6. Was Mother Theresa's ministry inspired by conversion or not?
7. How can one increase one's love for humanity?

Lesson 8 (May 16-22), The Mission of Jesus

The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin

1. Why did Jesus use the numbers 99 and 100 in His parable of the lost sheep?  Is the number 100 important to Him? 
2. What percentage of sheep brought into the church get lost? Should Adventists be doing more to keep sheep from getting lost?
3. How can Jesus save a person who does not know he/she is lost like the woman found the lost coin?

The Parable of the Lost Son

1. What does "prodigal" really mean? Are we correct in using the word to refer to people who left and return?
2. Do children have a right to inherit the parents' wealth?
3. Is it wrong to waste money?
4. Do parents love children more than children love them? Why or why not?
5. How hard or easy is it for a runaway child to return home? Are some parents and homes easier to return to.  What makes it that way?
6. Should the father have gone out in search of his son instead of waiting at home? Why or why not?
7. Did the father go overboard when his son returned? If he had controlled himself more could he have kept the elder brother happy?
8. Did Jesus tell the parable more to help those who have left home and or those who stayed home? How well do we as a church score as older brothers?  

Lost Opportunities

1. Is it wrong to enjoy a luxurious life?
2. If God gave humans second chances would more people be saved? Why does God not give the wicked at the very end of time before they are burned in hell, another opportunity to come to His side?

Was Blind But Now I See

1. Is sight the most valuable of our senses? Why do we use "see" to mean comprehend such as in "I see?"
2. How significant are motives?  If Zacchaeus had died before he could have actually reimbursed those he had cheated would he have been saved because of his motive?
3. Can we or our church do more to make outcasts feel at home in our church?

Lesson 7 (May 9-15), Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Prayer

Jesus and the Holy Spirit

1. Since He had retained his divinity why did Jesus need the Holy Spirit?
2. How can I know if I have been baptized by the Spirit? Does baptism of the Spirit coincide with baptism of water? Are there some who have been baptized of one and not the other? Ideally, which one should come first?
3. What does it mean that Jesus was "born of the Spirit"?

The Prayer Life of Jesus

1. How much time did Jesus spend in prayer? Why did He spend so much time in prayer?
2. What guided Jesus in the selection of His disciples? What did He pray for before the selection?
3. Why did Jesus pray for His disciples?  How much does it help to pray for someone else?

The Model Prayer

1. Did Jesus intend for us to memorize the prayer he taught or model ours after that one? Is it important for us to repeat it in King James English?
2. Is there a difference in "hallowing God," and "hallowing His name?" 
3. When does God's kingdom come?
4. Does daily bread mean hand to mouth?
5. If we have difficulty forgiving others does it mean that God will not forgive us our sins?
6. Is temptation necessary or not?

More Lessons on Prayer

1. Why should we persevere in prayer? Will God relent and grant a petition that He would not have if we did not persist?
2. Is there a correct posture for prayer?
3. Does God need to be addressed in King James English?