Sabbath School Summary
Developing a Winning Attitude
Memory Text: 1 Peter 3:15
SABBATH: In His earthly ministry, Christ went about doing good. His life was marked with acts of love & mercy. Though He rebuked the Pharisees, He was never rude but spoke the truth in love. None was afraid to come to Him or beyond His love. He mingled with sinners & children. All was in God’s image & winnable to Him. His belief in people transformed their lives. They became what He envisioned.
SUNDAY: Samaritans & Jews were bitter foes because of doctrine & worship. Yet, Christ did not allow past history to be a barrier to the gospel. While the disciples would skip Samaria as an infertile ground for sharing the gospel, Christ saw in Samaria “receptive hearts” (John 4:27-30, 39-42). We need the Holy Spirit to see possibilities amidst difficulties. Samaria became a land for the gospel (Acts 8:4, 5, 14).
MONDAY: True witnesses cherish hospitality & not hostility. We ought to be friendly to all in spite of their weaknesses & flaws. Our attitudes often determine the altitude of our witnessing. A positive attitude draw others to God. Christ tested the faith of a Canaanite woman & inspired hope in a sinful woman (Matt. 15:21-28, Mark 14:6-9). To all, He gave a positive compliment. Christ bid us to be positive too.
TUESDAY: Friendship alone cannot win souls & unfriendly attitude alone can drive people from Christ. Our friendship should be built on positivity. We should strive to look for the good in others & commend them, & not the bad to condemn them. Apostle Paul rebuked error but focused on the positive attitude of the Thessalonians (Eph. 4:15, 2 Thess. 1:1-4). Love & humility can win more souls for God (9T, p. 189).
WEDNESDAY: The human heart is full of evil. Despite our flaws, Christ died to forgive us our sins. He accepted us into His family. As the bedrock of acceptance, He bid us to imitate His steps; to accept & forgive everyone. Christ knows everything about us but love us (Rom. 5:6-10). We must first accept people as they are, care for them & share the truth in love with them. Help others create a better future.
THURSDAY: Love is not only having fun, it is also having the gospel truth. “Love always seeks the best for another”. Truth & love are not two opposites. “Truth presented humbly & kindly is a statement of love”. Christlike love is not legalism, it is a love that leads to salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). We must be able to explain our beliefs humbly (1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Tim. 4:2, Titus 3:4, 5). Truth should be lovingly presented.
FRIDAY: Christ is the embodiment of all the heavenly blessings & gifts. He is the father of all the human race & a shepherd to the flock of God. He presents His gifts to us in an attractive manner to excite our passion for them. All who have tasted His blessings will endeavor to bless others too. They would be a comforter to the weary & the voice of God for the voiceless.
—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 826, 827. Isaiah 40:1, 9-11.
Keyword
9T- Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9
Captions
SUNDAY- Receptivity To The Gospel
MONDAY- An Attitude Adjustment
TUESDAY- Presenting The Truth In Love
WEDNESDAY- The Foundation Of Acceptance
THURSDAY- Truth Lovingly Presented
Discussion Questions
📌 It’s unfortunate, but some people can make themselves feel better by pointing out the faults of others. How can we be sure that we don’t fall into that same mind frame?
📌 Consider this scenario: A friend has just returned from a funeral and makes this comment: “I am so glad my aunt is up in heaven looking down at me. It makes me feel so good.” Based on the principles we studied in our lesson this week, how would you respond? That is, however important the state of the dead is, why might this not be the best time to give that person a Bible study on this topic?
📌 Discuss the following statement in the light of our witness to others: “The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. But by beholding Jesus, talking of His love and perfection of character, we become changed into His image. By contemplating the lofty ideal He has placed before us, we shall be uplifted into a pure and holy atmosphere, even the presence of God. When we abide here, there goes forth from us a light that irradiates all who are connected with us.”—Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 479.
For August 22-28. Happy Sabbath.