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A Good Body
Proverbs 25:8-9 (The Message)
“Don't jump to conclusions—there may be
a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.
“In the heat of an argument,
don't betray confidences;
Word is sure to get around,
and no one will trust you.”
“Let there be peace in the home, and there will be peace in the church. This precious experience brought into the church will be the means of creating a kindly affection one for another. Quarrels will cease. True Christian courtesy will be seen among church members. The world will take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus and have learned of Him. What an impression the church would make upon the world if all the members would live Christian lives!” (Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 503).
“The cause of division and discord in families and in the church is separation from Christ. To come near to Christ is to come near to one another. The secret of true unity in the church and in the family is not diplomacy, not management, not a superhuman effort to overcome difficulties--though there will be much of this to do--but union with Christ.
“Picture a large circle, from the edge of which are many lines all running to the center. The nearer these lines approach the center, the nearer they are to one another.
“Thus it is in the Christian life. The closer we come to Christ, the nearer we shall be to one another. God is glorified as His people unite in harmonious action. (The Adventist Home, p. 170).
“Human beings are Christ's property, purchased by Him at an infinite price, bound to Him by the love that He and His Father have manifested for them. How careful, then, we should be in our dealing with one another! Men have no right to surmise evil in regard to their fellow-men. Church-members have no right to follow their own impulses and inclinations in dealing with fellow-members who have erred. They should not even express their prejudices regarding the erring; for thus they place in other minds the leaven of evil. Reports unfavorable to a brother or sister in the church are communicated from one to another of the church-members. Mistakes are made and injustice is done because of an unwillingness on the part of some one to follow the directions given by the Lord Jesus.
" ‘If thy brother shall trespass against thee,’ Christ declared, ‘go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.’ Do not tell others of the wrong. One person is told, then another, and still another; and continually the report grows, and the evil increases, till the whole church is made to suffer. Settle the matter ‘between thee and him alone.’ This is God's plan” (Gospel Workers, p. 498).
A GOOD BODY
Heather’s miniskirt split the church. Well, sort of.
One Sabbath morning Heather came to the Anyville Seventh-day Adventist Church wearing a skirt that was . . . pretty short. OK, it was really, really short. It left very little to the imagination. Heather’s mom was out of town, so she didn’t have a chance to clear her daughter’s wardrobe.
When Heather walked into church, Elder Jones rolled his eyes. He said to Sister Smith, “That girl looks like she belongs out on the streets, not in church!”
Sister Smith went over to Heather and said, “Heather, honey, I think that skirt is just a little inappropriate for church.”
Heather was humiliated. She was furious. She went down stairs and told her teen Sabbath School class what Sister Smith had said. The youth pastor, Pastor Bob, said, “That’s terrible! That woman shouldn’t be so judgmental!”
Word got around quickly. Sister Smith complained to the senior pastor when she heard what Pastor Bob had said about her. Heather’s mother heard the story when she got back in town and phoned Sister Smith to tell her off. Pastor Bob lost his temper at the senior pastor in board meeting and said he wasn’t sure he wanted to work for a church where there was so little love for the young people.
The church began to divide into two camps. Soon everyone had forgotten about Heather and her miniskirt. There were so many other issues to quarrel about. The people who like lively, hand-clapping worship choruses lined up against those who liked traditional hymns. The people who wanted to put new carpet down in the fellowship hall squared off against those who said linoleum would be more practical. Pastor Bob quit. The senior pastor went on vacation. Accusations flew. Phone lines sizzled. Church business meetings began to resemble World Wrestling matches.
Two years later, Heather’s family and four others were meeting on Sabbath mornings in a rented Baptist church. They had split off from the Anyville Adventist Church. They just disagreed on too many issues. Lots of tears were shed over the church split. Some former friends didn’t feel comfortable visiting in each other’s houses anymore. Heather watched it all and wondered why people who were all suppose to love Jesus could hurt one another so much.
One Sabbath morning, Heather got up and looked at her closet, trying to decide what to wear to church. She looked at her miniskirt. She looked at her jeans. She looked at the nice blue dress she usually wore on Sabbaths.
Then Heather put the skirt, the jeans and the dress back in her closet, pulled her nightshirt back on, and went back to bed. If church couldn’t even make people nicer to each other, she didn’t really see the point of going.
- The above story could have had a very different ending IF the people involved had read some of the Scripture texts and Spirit of Prophecy quotations that are in today’s reading. On the lines below write a different ending to this story by including problem—solving skills Jesus has suggested.
- What would have been a better way for Mrs. Smith deal with her feelings about Heather’s short skirt?
- What about the youth pastor, Pastor Bob? Would could he have done differently?
- What were all of these church members lacking or forgetting?
- Ultimately, what should the concern of the church be?
“Peter exhorts his brethren to ‘grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ [2 Peter 3:18.] Whenever the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end. But as real spiritual life declines, it has ever been the tendency to cease to advance in the knowledge of the truth. Men rest satisfied with the light already received from God's word, and discourage any further investigation of the Scriptures. They become conservative, and seek to avoid discussion.
“The fact that there is no controversy or agitation among God's people, should not be regarded as conclusive evidence that they are holding fast to sound doctrine. There is reason to fear that they may not be clearly discriminating between truth and error. When no new questions are started by investigation of the Scriptures, when no difference of opinion arises which will set men to searching the Bible for themselves, to make sure that they have the truth, there will be many now, as in ancient times, who will hold to tradition, and worship they know not what.
“I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth, know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others, who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested, they knew not their great ignorance.
“And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe, but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith, and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth. Certain it is that there has been among us a departure from the living God, and a turning to men, putting human wisdom in place of divine.
“God will arouse His people; if other means fail, heresies will come in among them, which will sift them, separating the chaff from the wheat. The Lord calls upon all who believe His word to awake out of sleep. Precious light has come, appropriate for this time. It is Bible truth, showing the perils that are right upon us. This light should lead us to a diligent study of the Scriptures, and a most critical examination of the positions which we hold” (Gospel Workers, pp. 297-299).
- According to “Today’s Reading,” what should we as a church do when we find ourselves in disagreement?
- Is it good if there is no controversy in the church? What could having no controversy mean?
- What happens when the people of God are growing in grace?
- What may happen if we are not studying the bible to find answers for ourselves?
- What does God call us to do?
HERE’S WHAT I THINK
Imagine that, like Heather’s church, yours is in a big uproar. Last year the new music director threw a cover over the organ and brought in drums, electric guitars, and a worship team. Now every service starts with hand-clapping and praise choruses, and they crank the volume loud.
Some people love it. The bring friends to enjoy the lively music. Other people hate it. They’re talking about leaving the church.
Is there a way to resolve this problem that will keep the church working together instead of splitting apart? If you were a member in this church, what could you do to contribute to a solution?
Go to www.guidemagazine.org/rtf to post your answers. However, writing down your thoughts is always good because your thoughts and feelings can become clearer. The lines below are provided as an alternative to posting. You may wish to share your thoughts with your class later. Be up-front and honest. Say what you think.
Below is the prayer Jesus prayed just before he was betrayed in the garden by Judas. Before the prayer I have included a quotation from Ellen White with a brief explanation of John 17.
Read the prayer, and then answer the questions that follow.
“The prayer of Christ to His Father, contained in the seventeenth chapter of John, is to be our church creed. It shows us that our difference and disunion are dishonoring to God. Read the whole chapter, verse by verse” (Manuscript 12, 1899).
John 17 (Contemporary English Version)
“After Jesus had finished speaking to his disciples, he looked up toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the time has come for you to bring glory to your Son, in order that he may bring glory to you. And you gave him power over all people, so that he would give eternal life to everyone you give him. Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent. I have brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you gave me to do. Now, Father, give me back the glory that I had with you before the world was created.
“You have given me some followers from this world, and I have shown them what you are like. They were yours, but you gave them to me, and they have obeyed you. They know that you gave me everything I have. I told my followers what you told me, and they accepted it. They know that I came from you, and they believe that you are the one who sent me. I am praying for them, but not for those who belong to this world. My followers belong to you, and I am praying for them. All that I have is yours, and all that you have is mine, and they will bring glory to me. Holy Father, I am no longer in the world. I am coming to you, but my followers are still in the world. So keep them safe by the power of the name that you have given me. Then they will be one with each other, just as you and I are one. While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost, except the one who had to be lost. This happened so that what the Scriptures say would come true.
“I am on my way to you. But I say these things while I am still in the world, so that my followers will have the same complete joy that I do. I have told them your message. But the people of this world hate them, because they don't belong to this world, just as I don't.
“Father, I don't ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. They don't belong to this world, and neither do I. Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours. I am sending them into the world, just as you sent me. I have given myself completely for their sake, so that they may belong completely to the truth.
“I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.
“I have honored my followers in the same way that you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. I am one with them, and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world's people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me.
“Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory that you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. Good Father, the people of this world don't know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love that you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.”
Philippians 2:1-4 (The Message)
“If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”
What is the theme of Jesus prayer?
What is it that Jesus wants for His followers?
Tuesday | Today’s Reading
“Men and women professing to serve the Lord are content to occupy their time and attention with matters of little importance. They are content to be at variance with one another. If they were consecrated to the work of the Master, they would not be striving and contending like a family of unruly children. Every hand would be engaged in service. Every one would be standing at his post of duty, working with heart and soul as a missionary of the cross of Christ. . . . The workers would carry with them into their service the prayers and sympathies of an awakened church. They would receive their directions from Christ and would find no time for contention or strife” (Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 498).
SO WHAT?
The Bible says that all the members of God’s church are supposed to work together as smoothly as the parts of a human body. The trouble is, in real life we see the feet arguing with the eyes, the ears insisting they can smell better than the nose—even right and left hands thumb-wrestling with each other! It’s not easy being part of a church that includes lots of different kinds of people.
Working together starts with accepting differences. We’re not all going to think or act alike. We accept people better when we understand them.
Maybe your church includes a lot of people from different racial or cultural groups—maybe even people from different countries who speak different languages. The more you learn about another person’s culture, the better you’ll understand where he or she coming from. Some of our disagreements might not seem so big if we understood each other better.
The same thing goes for younger and older people in the church. Senior citizens may not understand what it’s like being a teenager today. And you may not realize how different things were when they grew up, and how much that shapes the way they look at the world. Taking a little time to talk to each other and learn about differences can smooth a lot of gaps.
Match the phrase with the text.
- Galatians 3:28 __________ (The Message)
- John 13:34, 35 __________ (CEV)
- Ephesians 4:5, 6 _________ (CEV)
- Ephesians 4:31, 32 _______ (NIV)
- Romans 15:1, 2 _________ (CEV)
- 1 Corinthians 3:3 _________ (CEV)
- 2 Timothy 2:23, 24 ________ (CEV)
- Psalm 133:1_________ (NIV)
- “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”
- “Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments.”
- “You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual. . . .”
- “If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord’s followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them. . . .”
- “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander. . . .”
- “We have only one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. There is one God who is the Father of all people . . . .”
- “I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you.”
- “In Christ’s family there can be no division. . . .”
John 15:1-17 (Contemporary English Version)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts away every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit. But he trims clean every branch that does produce fruit, so that it will produce even more fruit. You are already clean because of what I have said to you.
“Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don't stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire.
“Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your prayer will be answered. When you become fruitful disciples of mine, my Father will be honored. I have loved you, just as my Father has loved me. So remain faithful to my love for you. If you obey me, I will keep loving you, just as my Father keeps loving me, because I have obeyed him.
“I have told you this to make you as completely happy as I am. Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. And you are my friends, if you obey me. Servants don't know what their master is doing, and so I don't speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything that my Father has told me.
“You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. So I command you to love each other.”
“The testimony of every believer in the truth must be as one. All your little differences, which arouse the combative spirit among brethren, are devices of Satan to divert minds from the great and fearful issue before us. The true peace will come among God's people when through united zeal and earnest prayer the false peace that exists to a large degree is disturbed. Now there is earnest work to do. Now is the time to manifest your soldierly qualities; let the Lord's people present a united front to the foes of God and truth and righteousness. . . .” (Selected Messages, Book 3, p. 20).
- Jesus says He is the vine, we are the ______________________________.
- Jesus says He will trim every branch that doesn’t produce fruit. What does he mean by “produce fruit”?
- As Jesus’ followers, we are compared to branches of the vine or members of Christ’s Body. Why would Jesus use these as a way of describing our church membership?
- Why can’t a gardener leave branches on a vine that don’t produce fruit?
- What would our church look like if we produced fruit that would last?
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?
You’re part of the church—part of Christ’s body. (Find and read 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 and 27.) You may be an eye, clearly seeing what’s going on. You may be an ear, excellent at listening to both sides of the story. You may be a hand, ready to help in practical ways. You may be the tongue—quick to say the words everyone needs to hear.
You have a role to play in helping the church work together smoothly. Your part might be reaching out to someone who’s new and doesn’t fit in yet. You may have to try to understand and get along with someone who really irritates you. You may be called on to pitch in and help with a project.
Christianity is about your relationship with God—one on one. But that’s not all it’s about. When you join Jesus’ kingdom, you join a family. Growing closer to God also means growing closer to God’s people, learning to understand one another, forgiving each other, and working together.
1 Corinthians 12:12-20 (Amplified Bible)
“For just as the body is a unity and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
“For [by means of the personal agency of] one [Holy] Spirit we were all, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free, baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit.
“For the body does not consist of one limb or organ but of many.
“If the foot should say, Because I am not the hand, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not [a part] of the body?
“If the ear should say, because I am not the eye, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not [a part] of the body?
“If the whole body were an eye, where [would be the sense of] hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where [would be the sense of] smell?
“But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation.
“But if [the whole] were all a single organ, where would the body be?
1 Corinthians 12:27 (Amplified Bible)
“Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function].”
“As a family you can be happy or miserable. It rests with yourselves. Your own course of action will determine the future. You both need to soften the sharp points of your characters and to speak such words only as you will not be ashamed to meet in the day of God. . . . You may contend about little things that are not worthy of contention, and the result will be trouble. The path of the upright is the path of peace. It is so plain that the humble, God-fearing man can walk in it without stumbling and without making crooked paths. It is a narrow path; but men of different temperaments can walk side by side if they but follow the Captain of their salvation” (Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, p. 50 D).
"‘God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.’ 1 Corinthians 14:33. He requires that order and system be observed in the conduct of church affairs today no less than in the days of old. He desires His work to be carried forward with thoroughness and exactness so that He may place upon it the seal of His approval. Christian is to be united with Christian, church with church, the human instrumentality co-operating with the divine, every agency subordinate to the Holy Spirit, and all combined in giving to the world the good tidings of the grace of God” (Acts of The Apostles, p. 96).
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Find an illustration of a body (your RTF lesson contains an illustration). Color in or circle the part that you think best represents the role you have to play in Christ’s body, the church. Next to the picture, write why you think that part represents you, and what you can do to contribute to bringing your church closer together and closer to God.
Why?
What can I do?