Forgiveness and Guilt

• Lesson 5 for the week of April 26 to May 3

Background Considerations Definitions of guilt – the same word in the Old Testament is used for iniquity, guilt and guilt offering. It describes not only the action and attitude creating the offense (something bad committed...

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How Jesus Forgave

• Lesson 4 for the week of April 19 to April 26

Background Considerations Old Testament God and Jesus – what are the differences? the similarities? The vocabulary of grace in the life of Jesus Jesus’ love – agapao – altruistic care for others Jesus’ love –...

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Forgiveness and Repentance

• Lesson 3 for the week of April 12 to April 19

Background Considerations Definitions (use of a good Bible dictionary here would be good) repentance in the Old Testament divine repentance normally means to change plans human repentance normally means to change directions repentance in the...

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Forgiveness in the Hebrew Bible

• Lesson 2 for the week of April 5 to April 12

Background Considerations Cultural considerations – the need in the biblical world for balance and equilibrium in the cosmos. Sin throws things out of balance. This is why sacrifices are to be offered by the elders...

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God and Forgiveness

• Lesson 1 for the week of March 29 to April 5

Background Considerations Quick definitions (a good Bible dictionary would be useful here) sin in the Old Testament (sin [=missing mark], iniquity [bad action committed / good action omitted / guilt], transgression [=rebellion], evil) sin in...

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Ultimate Things

• Lesson 13 for the week of December 21 to December 28

Relevant Biblical Passages: 1 Thess. 4:13-18 Ultimate Things. When it comes to describing the second coming, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is evidence enough that we are clearly in a world which knows no parallel in human...

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Called to One Hope

• Lesson 12 for the week of December 14 to December 21

Relevant Biblical Passages: Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-13 Called to One Hope. Unity in Christ is clearly a dominant theme in the New Testament. But how does one arrive at such unity without any form of coercion?...

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Too Rich to Hope?

• Lesson 11 for the week of December 7 to December 14

Relevant Biblical Passages: Revelation 3:14-22 Too Rich to Hope. In their early experience, Adventists believed that they were the pure Philadelphian church while the other “nominal” Christians were the lukewarm Laodiceans. It came as a...

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Hope and “The Delay”: Part 2

• Lesson 10 for the week of November 30 to December 7

Relevant Biblical Passages: 2 Peter 3:3-15 Hope and “The Delay”: Part 2. In Romans 5:5 Paul declares that “hope does not disappoint us.” Yet Christians have been living with disappointed hope for centuries, indeed for...

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Hope and “The Delay”: Part 1

• Lesson 9 for the week of November 23 to November 30

Relevant Biblical Passages: Matthew 25:1-13 Hope and “The Delay”: Part 1. If you are using the printed study guide you will notice that “The Delay” appears in quotation marks. That suggests that there is no...

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A Living Hope

• Lesson 8 for the week of November 16 to November 23

Relevant Biblical Passages: 1 Peter 1:3-21) A Living Hope. The “blessed hope” is not just something that shapes the future; it also shapes our lives now. The first chapter of 1 Peter blends together two...

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Hope: Too Much or Not Enough?

• Lesson 7 for the week of November 9 to November 16

Relevant Biblical Passages: Luke 24:13-25 Hope: Too Much or Not Enough? Can enthusiasm for Christ’s return be combined with a steady commitment? Are human beings cursed to be either too zealous or not enough? This...

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Hope: Motivation for Mission

• Lesson 6 for the week of November 2 to November 9

Relevant Biblical Passages: Matt. 8:5-13; 9:1-8; Mark 5:1-19; John 5:1-17; Acts 4 Hope: Motivation for Mission: All of the primary passages on which this week’s study is based have to do with miracles of physical...

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The Hope of Our Hope

• Lesson 5 for the week of October 26 to November 2

Relevant Biblical Passages: 1 Corinthians 15; Hebrews 9:28, Revelation 21:3-4 The Hope of our Hope. Within the Adventist community, the phrase “blessed hope,” taken from the KJV of Titus 2:13 is a precious passage: “Looking...

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