Central Study Hour

Wisdom for righteous living is gained through the dynamics of life with God amid temptations and challenges.

God’s people take comfort in the fact that the Lord is faithful to His covenant.

The Lord is longsuffering and holds His wrath in His great forbearance, not wanting anyone to perish but to repent and change their ways (2 Pet. 3:9–15).

As we already have seen, the psalmists acknowledge God’s sovereign rule and power, as well as His righteous judgments.

We should remember that the proper response to the Lord’s nearness consists in a life of faith in Him, and of obedience to His commandments.

God has both the perfect knowledge of us and of our circumstances, and also the means to help us. Therefore, His promises of help and deliverance are not shallow platitudes but firm assurances.

This week we will look at the role the Psalms played in helping God’s people traverse their life journey and grow in their relationship with God.

The Psalms are inspired prayers and praises of Israel, and so in the Psalms the voice is that of God intermingled with that of His people.

In this quarter’s final lesson, we will see that Revelation is a missionary book focused on a missionary God who is calling us to be a missionary church.

In its own unique way, this story shows how God’s people, even in foreign environments, can witness for truth. What are some of the challenges to your faith that you face in your own culture? How do you respond to them?

What is the difference between faith and belief? Why might people who have the correct belief be found void of faith when Christ returns?

What bridges and points of contact can you think of that would open opportunities for deeper conversation with others with whom you come in contact?

Why must we be careful of the trap of thinking that because “we have the truth”, then the knowledge of this truth alone is enough to save us? How many souls will be lost who had more than enough knowledge, even of the three angels’ messages, to be saved?

Whatever the situation, we are called to be God’s helpers for all people in need, regardless of their background. Whatever the needs are, we must be ready to do what we can to help. This is a central part of what it means to be a Christian and what mission must include.

How can we learn to distinguish between working for salvation, which is a fatal mistake, and revealing in our lives the salvation that we already have in Jesus?

What are some of the experiences you have had with the reality of God and His love? Why are these times so precious to you, and how do they motivate you to reach out to others with the good news?

Winning souls is hard, too hard for humans to do on their own. How can we learn, instead, to let God win souls, but through us and our life and witness?

How can praying for others in need help us grow spiritually and experience more the reality of God’s love for sinners?

How would you define the word “mission” as you apply it to your own life? In what ways could you, daily, express mission in your attitude and behavior? How can you be more mission minded in your day-by-day tasks?

God has chosen to manifest Himself to us in such a way that we can understand His nature and purpose.

What important truths embedded in Ephesians should continue to shape our lives as believers?

What are ways that you experience God’s presence in your life?

In what ways can we, as a corporate body, work together in the great controversy, in order to help each other in our struggles against evil, in whatever form it comes?

What should Paul's warning that we fight not against flesh and blood but against supernatural enemies teach us about where our only hope of victory is?

Practicing Supreme Loyalty to Christ