The Miracle Worker

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makingitreal CORNERSTONECONNECTIONS Sabbath How do you think the Holy Spirit comes to Tuesday APRILAPRIL16162016 1. When you were younger, did you ever get people today? Do you think God will grant you llen White tells us: “To everyone who lost or separated from your parent? Des cribe a double portion of His Spirit if you ask? E becomes a partaker of His grace, the Lord how that made you feel. appoints a work for others” (Prophets and 3. The water is healed (2 Kings 2:19-22). Kings, p. 222). What is this “work for others” the miracle worker that God has for you to do? Discuss possible Ellen White offers this commentary on the story service projects your youth group could get of the healing of the waters: involved in. 2. If you were to go anyplace in the world to Scripture Story: 2 Kings 4. explore, where would you go? Why? Who The healing of the waters of Jericho was Wednesday Commentary: Prophets and Kings (or Royalty in Ruins), would you want as a guide with you? accomplished, not by any wisdom of man, but fter reading the Punch Lines, write one chapter 19. by the miraculous interposition of God. Those A parable that illustrates the lessons that who had rebuilt the city were undeserving of the combination of these texts teach us. the favor of Heaven; yet He who “maketh His PREPARING TO TEACH and discuss what peace and contentment look like sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and Thursday 3. Do you believe we need a guide to get us sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust,” hapter 18 of Prophets and Kings ends with today. Another theme that emerges from this study through life? Why or why not? Who has been saw fit in this instance to reveal, through this these texts: “‘Give, and it shall be given I. SYNOPSIS is the topic of kindness. Ellen White comments: “The C cornerstone connections a guide for you? token of compassion, His willingness to heal unto you;’ for the Word of God is ‘a fountain of Summarizing the heart of this lesson, Ellen White kindly spirit that enabled Elisha to exert a powerful Israel of their spiritual maladies. Matthew 5:45. gardens, a well of living waters, and streams said: “The lesson is for God’s children in every age. influence over the lives of many in Israel is revealed in from Lebanon.’ Luke 6:38; Song of Solomon When the Lord gives a work to be done, let not men the story of his friendly relations with a family dwelling The restoration was permanent; “the waters were 4:15” (p. 234). stop to inquire into the reasonableness of the com- at Shunem” (Prophets and Kings, p. 237). Whatever healed unto this day, according to the saying of mand or the probable result of their efforts to obey” direction you take this lesson, clearly God is calling us 4. In what way did Elijah serve as a guide to Elisha which he spake.” 2 Kings 2:22. From age What does this promise mean to you? (Prophets and p. 243). This challenge to boldly to do His biddings in the spirit of Elisha. Elisha? to age the waters have flowed on, making that Kings, pursue the work God calls us to do—in spite of how portion of the valley an oasis of beauty. Friday onsider this question: God has given me unreasonable or impossible it seems—is an exciting II. TARGET Many are the spiritual lessons to be gathered C a unique mix of spiritual gifts. What are invitation to put one’s faith fully in Him. When we do The students will: from the story of the healing of the waters these gifts and how is He calling me to use this, miracles are often the result. • Consider the miraculous works of God. (Know) cornerstone connections Sunday (Prophets and Kings, p. 231). them to build up His kingdom—this week? Second Kings 4 tells of the following miracles: • Sense the possibilities when fully trusting God. 12 (Use the Notes pages at the back of your Bible the widow’s oil multiplied, the dead boy raised to life, (Feel) study guide to write your answers to the rest of What do you see as the “spiritual lessons to the poison in stew purified, and the prophets’ food • Be challenged to live a life of faith. (Respond) this week’s questions.) be gathered” from this story? What symbols multiplied. To teach about these miracles, it is helpful do you find in the story (the cruse, salt, spring, hom has God called you to mentor? to understand the context of the ancient world and III. EXPLORE 1. God uses Elijah to call Elisha (1 Kings etc.)? What’s keeping you from doing it? W the popularity of Baal worship. Baal was a false god • Gift of prophecy1 19:19-21). 4. Elisha is jeered (2 Kings 2:23-25). worshipped by many Israelites. He was the god of rain, • Authority/respect What is your calling? Is there someone God has fire, and crops; moreover he required child sacrifice. • Contentment/peace What does this story teach us about respecting put into your life as a mentor? If so, who? Elisha’s miracles demonstrate the power of the true • Miracles and the miraculous God’s chosen representatives? Do you think Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International God over the domain of Baal. The story of the dead You will find material to help you explore these God acted too harshly against the young peo- Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. 2. Elisha requests and receives a double mea- ple? Why or why not? Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. boy being raised to life stands in contrast to Baal’s and other topics with your students at www.corner- sure of the Spirit (2 Kings 2:7-10, 15). requirement of child sacrifice and illustrates the prior- stone connections.net. ity God puts on the life of a child. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when Monday this week’s reading* While this lesson is primarily about miracles, there TEACHING you hear someone talk about the Holy Spirit? an you think of anyone today who has Prophets and Kings (or Royalty are other topics you may wish to explore with your How would you describe the Holy Spirit to a C been blessed by God with a double portion in Ruins), chapters 17, 18. friend? What can the Holy Spirit do for you? In of the Holy Spirit? Share who you think that group. The key text emphasizes that Elisha was a holy I. GETTING STARTED Acts 2 we read of how the Holy Spirit came to person is and why you believe he or she is man. You could unpack what that means and chal- *Royalty in Ruins is a special adaptation of Prophets and Kings, the disciples at Pentecost in a dramatic way. doubly blessed by God. created for you by the Ellen G. White Estate and Pacific Press. Get lenge your students to live similar lives of holiness. The Activity more information about it at http://www.cornerstoneconnections. corresponding chapter in Prophets and Kings is titled Refer the students to What Do You Think? net/article/191/about-us/conflict-of-the-ages-companion-books#. the URlhF1rBO9s. By following the weekly reading plan, you will read “A Prophet of Peace.” You could look at this virtue section of their lesson. After they have completed it, at least one book of the Conflict of the Ages Series each year. www.cornerstoneconnections.net www.cornerstoneconnections.net 27 discuss their responses. that Jesus can calm the storms in our lives.” Divide the class into two groups and separate Another stretch of awkward silence ensued until them so they cannot hear the other group. Give each another replied, “Well, if Jesus calmed the wind and group two minutes to write down all the miracles they the waves, He must be a powerful man!” 2 can think of that are in the Bible. They are not allowed to use their Bibles. After the two minutes have each II. TEACHING THE STORY team read their list. Cancel out all of the same miracles that are on both lists. Have each team tally up the mir- Bridge to the Story acles listed that were not included on the other team’s Share the following in your own words: list. The team with the most miracles wins! Mark Galli follows his story with this postscript: “At Next, share a personal experience of a miracle. this, they all nodded vigorously and chattered excitedly This might be a story of surviving an accident, receiv- to one another in Lao. Except for me, the room was full ing a miraculous healing, observing an event that can’t of wonder. I suddenly realized that they grasped the logically be explained, etc. Another option would be to story better than I did.” invite a guest who would share either a personal story In what way did the Laotian refugees understand of a miracle or tell of a story they have heard. A third the miracle of Jesus calming the waters better than option would be to simply read a story of a miracle. the pastor? Do the miracles in the Bible ever seem as if they Illustration are from another time and another place, and God Share this illustration from Mark Galli’s book, doesn’t perform the same kind of miracles today? Jesus Mean and Wild: How does one retain a sense of wonder for the A group of Laotian refugees who had been attend- miracles that occur today? ing the Sacramento church I pastored approached me after the service one week and asked to become Out of the Story for Teachers members. Our church had sponsored them, and they After you read the Into the Story section with your had been attending the church only a few months. students, use the following in your own words to pro- They had only a rudimentary understanding of the cess it with them. Christian faith, so I suggested we study the Gospel of Divide the students into four groups and have Mark together for a few weeks to make sure they knew them act out the four miracles in 2 Kings 4 (the wid-

cornerstone connections what a commitment to Christ and His church entailed. ow’s oil, the Shunammite’s son restored to life, death They happily agreed. in the pot, and the feeding of a hundred). After you Despite the Laotians’ lack of Christian knowl- have enjoyed the dramatic sketches of the stories, edge—or maybe because of it—the Bible studies were engage the students in a conversation by using the some of the most interesting I’ve ever led. After we following questions: read the passage in which Jesus calms the storm, I When you see God at work caring for the widow, began as I usually did with more theologically sophis- raising the Shunammite’s son from the dead, and so ticated groups: I asked them about the storms in their on, what does this tell you about God? Is the God of lives. There was a puzzled look among my Laotian the New Testament any different than the God of the friends, so I elaborated: We all have storms—prob- Old Testament? Explain. How might these miracles lems, worries, troubles, crises—and this story teaches help us keep God’s harsh judgment toward the unre- that Jesus can give us peace in the midst of those pentant in proper perspective? storms. “So what are your storms?” I asked. Elisha is remembered as a man who performed Again, more puzzled silence. Finally, one of the many miracles to help those in need. Can you think of a men hesitantly asked, “Do you mean that Jesus actu- better legacy that you could leave? Explain. How do you ally calmed the wind and sea in the middle of a storm?” want to be remembered? How should you live today so I thought he was finding the story incredulous, and that you can be remembered as you want to be? I didn’t want to get distracted with the problem of miracles. So I replied: “Yes, but we should not get hung Sharing Context and Background up on the details of the miracle. We should remember Use the following information to shed more light on

28 www.cornerstoneconnections.net the story for your students. Share it in your own words. in them (Acts 14:3). Hebrews 2:3, 4 (NIV) puts it like There are different words in the Bible that can be this: “This salvation, which was first announced by the translated as “miracle.” However, each word carries Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. with it a unique nuance. Among the most common God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various words we call “miracles” are the following: miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed 1. Terata—Wonders according to his will.” Terata is usually translated “wonders” (see 3. Dunamis—Power Matthew 24:24; John 4:48; Acts 2:43; 5:12; 6:8; 15:12; Dunamis is usually translated “power.” Miracles Romans 15:19). This word indicates the state of mind can be considered “powers” in that they show the of those eyewitnesses who experienced miracles. To mighty power of God that was evident in Jesus, “the the witnesses, such a display of power was contrary Great Power of God” (Acts 8:10, NASB). This word to their expectations—opposite to anything with which suggests that there are higher forces at work in this they were accustomed. lower world of ours (see Hebrews 6:5). The plural Such miracles, however, were not merely “won- form, “powers,” is the same word translated “mighty ders,” producing momentary amazement. The focus works” (Matthew 11:20; Mark 6:14; Luke 10:13) and was on their purpose and their inner spiritual appeal. “miracles” (Acts 19:11; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28; A good example of this is the healing of the crippled Galatians 3:5). man in Lystra (see Acts 14:8-15). These three words are combined in one 2. Semeia—Signs verse—”Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Semeia is usually translated “signs.” In Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you cornerstone connections 2 Corinthians 12:12 the apostle Paul wrote: “I perse- by miracles [dunamesi], wonders [terasi] and signs vered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true [semeiois], which God did among you through him, as apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles” (NIV). you yourselves know” (Acts 2:22, NIV). The purpose in these “signs” was to be an indication of the near presence and working of God and proof III. CLOSING of the authentic nature of revelation. For example, the “signs” or “miracles” of Christ authenticated His divine Activity calling and His nature as the Son of God. These signs Close with an activity and debrief it in your own were evident in the work of the disciples (see Mark words. 6:30). Similarly, the signs and miracles performed by Ask the students to form small groups and discuss Paul and Barnabas testified of God’s Spirit at work the following question: If you had a guarantee that

Teaching From . . . Refer your students to the other sections of their lesson.

• Other Eyes • Punch Lines Ask them how the quotes in Other Eyes con- Point out to your students the verses listed vey the point of the story in this lesson. in their lesson that relate to this week’s story. • Flashlight Have them read the passages and ask each one Read the Flashlight statement, pointing out to choose the verse that speaks most direct- that most of the time it is from the commen- ly to them today. Then ask them to explain tary on this week’s story found in the book why they chose the one they did. Prophets and Kings. Ask what relationship Or you might assign the passages to pairs they see between the statement and what they of students to read aloud and then discuss, in have just discussed from Out of the Story. order to choose the most relevant one to them.

www.cornerstoneconnections.net 29 ✁ real.solid.stories Summary Tips for Top-notch Teaching Share the following as a conclusion to this lesson: Dr. Ben Carson tells of facing the seemingly inevita- The Power of Personal ble death of a patient, the father of three children. Testimony RABBI 101 It is important not to allow this lesson to Lord, I need a booster here, I remember praying. slip into the ethereal realm—totally removed You could do wonders for my faith right now. CORNERSTONECONNECTIONS from any reality in the life of the teenager sitting Within two days, Rob was off the respirator. A APRILAPRIL16162016 in your Sabbath School class. Students might few days after Rob went home there was an inter- be tempted to blow off the topic of miracles esting development. Since I first entered the field as something that “possibly happened in Bible of medicine, I have met doctors who have difficulty times but they certainly don’t happen today.” dealing with unanswerable situations. Often they’ll Included in the teacher’s helps this week finally admit, “Well, there’s some explanation, we just Scripture Story: 2 Kings 4. are a couple of contemporary miracle stories. don’t understand it.” Commentary: Prophets and Kings (or Royalty in Ruins), chapter 19. While you can share these stories—and hope- One of the neurosurgeons, an especially brilliant fully they will make a strong impact—there is no man and one who doesn’t acknowledge a belief in substitute for the power of a personal testimony. God, pondered this matter of Rob for several days. the miracle worker Therefore, to really make this lesson sing, share He asked question after question, determined to figure from your own story. While you may not have out an answer. None of us could offer an explanation

a personal story of some dramatic miracle (“I for Rob’s recovery. cornerstone connections died and then four days later I was raised from “I know, but I think I’ve finally figured it out,” he the dead—just like Lazarus . . .”), chances are said. “It’s the mitrochondria at the subcellular level, you have experienced signs, wonders, and the and they can go into shock.” power of God in your life. Share these stories I listened to his explanation before I asked him and help the young people see the miracles in a question. “Tell me, did you ever see such a thing everyday life. before?” “No, not really, but. . . .” “This is a miracle,” I said. “Why not accept it for God would perform any miracle in your life right now, what it is? They don’t come any more blatantly than what miracle would you pray for? Covenant with one this. Rob was gone and now he’s back. This is the

cornerstone connections another in your small group to make each individual only time I’ve ever seen an adult sink to such a low request a matter of prayer. Keep one another posted neurological level and then recover.” 13 on any answers to prayer. As my final statement I said, “We don’t have to explain miracles; all we have to do is accept them.” 3

1 Fundamental Belief No. 18. 2 Mark Galli, Jesus Mean and Wild (Baker, 2006), p. 112. 3 Adapted from http://homeandholidays.com/its-a-miracle-story/.

Photo by Jacqui Janetzko keytext “She“After said she to had her given husband, him ‘Ia knowdrink, flashlight thatshe thissaid, man ‘I’ll whodraw often water comes for your our way is a holy man of God.’” “The lesson is for God’s children in every age. When the Lord gives a work to be camels too, until they have fin- done, let not men stop to inquire into the reasonableness of the command or the (2ished Kings drinking’” 4:9, NIV) Remind the students about the reading plan that will take them through the inspired commentary of the Bible, the Conflict of the Ages Series. The reading that probable result of their efforts to obey. . . . (Genesis 24:19, NIV). goes with this lesson is Prophets and Kings (or Royalty in Ruins), chapter 19. “A fuller sense of God’s relationship to those whom He has purchased with the gift of His Son, a greater faith in the onward progress of His cause in the earth—this is the great need of the church today” (Prophets and Kings, p. 243).

30 www.cornerstoneconnections.net www.cornerstoneconnections.net real.solid.stories

CORNERSTONECONNECTIONS APRILAPRIL16162016

Scripture Story: 2 Kings 4. Commentary: Prophets and Kings (or Royalty in Ruins), chapter 19. the miracle worker cornerstone connections

probable result of their efforts to obey. . . . (Genesis 24:19, NIV). “A fuller sense of God’s relationship to those whom He has purchased with the gift of His Son, a greater faith in the onward progress of His cause in the earth—this is the great need of the church today” (Prophets and Kings, p. 243).

www.cornerstoneconnections.net 31 And a well-to-do For this is what the woman was there, who Lord says: “They will eat punch lines urged him to stay for a meal. So and have some left over.”’ Then “This is what the Lord says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from whenever he came by, he stopped he set it before them, and they ate tears, for your work will be rewarded,’ declares the Lord. ‘They will return from the what there to eat. She said to her husband, and had some left over, according to the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendants,’ declares the Lord. do you think? ‘I know that this man who often comes word of the Lord.” ‘Your children will return to their own land’” (Jeremiah 31:16, 17, NIV). What do you think of the following statements—do you our way is a holy man of God. . . .’ A (agree) or D (disagree)? “Then Elisha said, ‘Call her.’ So he (2 Kings 4:1-4, 8, 9, 15, 16, 32, 35, 36, 38-44, NIV) “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all ___ God works as many miracles today as He did in Bible times. called her, and she stood in the who believe” (Romans 3:22, NIV). ___ Many times we experience miracles and don’t realize it. doorway. ‘About this time next year,’ I stand in awe of your ___ If we had more faith we’d see more miracles. Elisha said, ‘you will hold a son in your “Lord, I have heard of your fame; deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make ___ If we saw more miracles we’d have more faith. arms.’ . . . INTO them known; in wrath remember mercy” ___ The greatest miracle is our salvation. OUT (Habakkuk ___ There is no such thing as a miracle. THE “When Elisha reached the house, there 3:2, NIV). ___ Faith will take away all your doubts was the boy lying dead on his couch. . . . OF THE “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you forever. STORY will find; knock and the door will be opened to ___ Faith will make everything in your life easier. “Elisha turned away and walked back STORY you” (Matthew 7:7, NIV). ___ The faith healers on TV are legitimate and forth in the room and then got on In 2 Kings 4 we find four miracle stories. Read the four stories then reflect miracle workers. The Widow’s Olive Oil: “The the bed and stretched out on him once “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now on these questions: ___ If we truly believed in miracles there wife of a man from the company more. The boy sneezed seven times and look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold would be no world hunger. of the prophets cried out to Elisha, opened his eyes. cornerstone connections Which of the four miracles do you think was the greatest? Why? the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation ‘Your servant my husband is dead, 1:18, NIV). and you know that he revered the “Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, ‘Call Lord. But now his creditor is coming the Shunammite.’ And he did. When she to take my two boys as his slaves.’ came, he said, ‘Take your son.’”

What impresses you most in each story? Explain. “Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I Death in the Pot: “Elisha returned other help you? Tell me, what do you have to Gilgal and there was a famine in in your house?’ that region. While the company of the did you prophets was meeting with him, he said eyes “‘Your servant has nothing there at to his servant, ‘Put on the large pot and What do the stories have in common? What are the unique aspects of each all,’ she said, ‘except a small jar of cook some stew for these prophets.’ . . . “Anything God has ever cornerstone connections know? story? olive oil.’ The stew was poured out for the men, done, He can do now. Any- 14 he word “miracle” is but as they began to eat it, they cried 15 derived from the Latin word “Elisha said, ‘Go around and ask out, ‘Man of God, there is death in the thing God has ever done miraculum meaning “something all your neighbors for empty jars. pot!’ And they could not eat it. anywhere, He can do here. wonderful.” Simply defined, a Don’t ask for just a few. Then Have you heard of any modern-day miracles that are similar to these miracle is an event or action that go inside and shut the door “Elisha said, ‘Get some flour.’ He put Anything God has ever done stories in 2 Kings 4? contradicts known scientific laws behind you and your sons. it into the pot and said, ‘Serve it to the for anyone, He can do for you.” and that can be explained only as an act of Pour oil into all the jars, and people to eat.’ And there was nothing What do these stories tell us about Elisha? God. Miracles recorded in the as each is filled, put it to harmful in the pot.” —A. W. Tozer, 20th-century U.S. Protestant Bible can be classified in the one side.’” pastor, author, and magazine editor. following way: power over Feeding of a Hundred: “A man came nature, power over disease, The Shunammite’s from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man power over death, and power Son Restored to of God twenty loaves of barley bread What do these stories tell us about God? “We are all faced with innumera- over demons. Bible scholar Her- Life: “One day baked from the first ripe grain, along bert Lockyer claims that a “study Elisha went with some heads of new grain. ‘Give it to ble opportunities brilliantly disguised of Bible miracles to Shu- the people to eat,’ Elisha said. as impossible situations.”—Chuck Swindoll, U.S. will prove that the Lord nem. is triumphant over all human “‘How can I set this before a hundred pastor and author. disorders, whether physical, mental men?’ his servant asked. or nervous; over all cosmic forces, on land “The world is not lacking in wonders, but in a sense or sea, organic and inorganic; over the spirit-world “But Elisha answered, ‘Give represented by the devil, demons, and death.”* it to the people to of wonder.”—G. K. Chesterton, early 20th-century English author. eat. 32 And a well-to-do For this is what the woman was there, who Lord says: “They will eat punch lines urged him to stay for a meal. So and have some left over.”’ Then “This is what the Lord says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from whenever he came by, he stopped he set it before them, and they ate tears, for your work will be rewarded,’ declares the Lord. ‘They will return from the what there to eat. She said to her husband, and had some left over, according to the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendants,’ declares the Lord. do you think? ‘I know that this man who often comes word of the Lord.” ‘Your children will return to their own land’” (Jeremiah 31:16, 17, NIV). What do you think of the following statements—do you our way is a holy man of God. . . .’ A (agree) or D (disagree)? “Then Elisha said, ‘Call her.’ So he (2 Kings 4:1-4, 8, 9, 15, 16, 32, 35, 36, 38-44, NIV) “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all ___ God works as many miracles today as He did in Bible times. called her, and she stood in the who believe” (Romans 3:22, NIV). ___ Many times we experience miracles and don’t realize it. doorway. ‘About this time next year,’ I stand in awe of your ___ If we had more faith we’d see more miracles. Elisha said, ‘you will hold a son in your “Lord, I have heard of your fame; deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make ___ If we saw more miracles we’d have more faith. arms.’ . . . INTO them known; in wrath remember mercy” ___ The greatest miracle is our salvation. OUT (Habakkuk ___ There is no such thing as a miracle. THE “When Elisha reached the house, there 3:2, NIV). ___ Faith will take away all your doubts was the boy lying dead on his couch. . . . OF THE “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you forever. STORY will find; knock and the door will be opened to ___ Faith will make everything in your life easier. “Elisha turned away and walked back STORY you” (Matthew 7:7, NIV). ___ The faith healers on TV are legitimate and forth in the room and then got on In 2 Kings 4 we find four miracle stories. Read the four stories then reflect miracle workers. The Widow’s Olive Oil: “The the bed and stretched out on him once “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now on these questions: ___ If we truly believed in miracles there wife of a man from the company more. The boy sneezed seven times and look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold would be no world hunger. of the prophets cried out to Elisha, opened his eyes. cornerstone connections Which of the four miracles do you think was the greatest? Why? the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation ‘Your servant my husband is dead, 1:18, NIV). and you know that he revered the “Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, ‘Call Lord. But now his creditor is coming the Shunammite.’ And he did. When she to take my two boys as his slaves.’ came, he said, ‘Take your son.’”

Sabbath Monday ead the passage below from Matthew he Shunammite woman recognized Elisha R 12:38-42 and discuss how Jesus’ answer T as “a holy man of God” (2 Kings 4:9, NIV). to the Pharisees might inform your answers in What attributes do you think she saw in Elisha Thursday the What Do You Think? section. What was that led her to this conclusion? Who comes to s it possible to emulate the kind of faith Jesus saying in His answer? mind for you when you think about a “holy per- I that we read about in people like Abraham, son”? How can you be known as a holy person? David, and Peter? How can I exercise more “Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of faith? Does faith produce miracles? Or is it in the law said to him, ‘Teacher, we want to see seeing miracles that my faith is strengthened? a miraculous sign from you.’

“He answered, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none Tuesday will be given it except the sign of the prophet llen White points out that this lesson is Friday Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three E for God’s children in every age: “When ead the following passage from Ellen nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son the Lord gives a work to be done, let not men R White then write down what this means of Man will be three days and three nights in stop to inquire into the reasonableness of the in your life today. the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will command or the probable result of their efforts stand up at the judgment with this generation to obey.” “What condescension it was on the part of and condemn it; for they repented at the Christ, through His messenger, to work this preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Where is the line between absolute faith in God miracle to satisfy hunger! Again and again Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will (“I believe God will take care of me if I donate since that time, though not always in so marked rise at the judgment with this generation and my entire paycheck to an orphanage”) and and perceptible a manner, has the Lord Jesus condemn it; for she came from the ends of the reckless foolishness (“I believe God will protect worked to supply human need. If we had clearer earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now me in jumping off the Empire State Building”)? spiritual discernment we would recognize more one greater than Solomon is here.’” What do you think Ellen White means when she readily than we do God’s compassionate dealing counsels us not to “inquire into the reasonable- with the children of men” (Prophets and Kings, Sunday ness of the command”? Was God’s command p. 241). cornerstone connections eview the four miracles in 2 Kings 4. Next of Abraham to kill his son Isaac a “reasonable 16 R to each miracle see if you can find a sim- command”? Explain. What this means for my life today: ______ilar miracle recorded in the Bible. ______The miracle of the widow’s oil is similar to ______. ______

______Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International What is one thing that you believe God is ask- Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. The miracle of the healing of the Shunammite’s ing you to do that you know is WAY out of your Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. son is similar to ______abilities? Do you think it’s out of God’s?

______. *Herbert Lockyer, All the Miracles of the Bible (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Books, 1961), p. 23. The miracle of the poisoned pot is similar to ______Wednesday ______. ompare the Punch Lines to the following this week’s reading* C verses about faith: Prophets and Kings (or Royalty The miracle of the feeding of a hundred is sim- in Ruins), chapter 19. ilar to ______John 20:24-29 Hebrews 11:1 ______. *Royalty in Ruins is a special adaptation of Prophets and Kings, Hebrews 11:6 created for you by the Ellen G. White Estate and Pacific Press. Get Romans 10:17 more information about it at http://www.cornerstoneconnections. net/article/191/about-us/conflict-of-the-ages-companion-books#. URlhF1rBO9s. By following the weekly reading plan, you will read at least one book of the Conflict of the Ages Series each year 34