(SSQ 2024-Q1) LESSON 10- LESSONS OF THE PAST (TEACHERS' POINTERS)

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SABBATH AND SUNDAY FIVE IMPORTANT POINTS:

1. Psalms as Historical Narratives: Numerous psalms serve as narratives of God's mighty acts of salvation, recounting historical events in Israel's past.
2. Learning from History: The historical psalms urge God's people to glean lessons from the mistakes of their ancestors and to trust in God's faithfulness, drawing insights from past experiences.
3. Adoption into God's Family: Through Christ, believers are adopted into the historic people of God, making their spiritual ancestry intertwined with the history of ancient Israel.
4. Lessons from Israel's Past: Israel's history reveals God's faithfulness contrasted with the people's unfaithfulness, emphasizing the consequences of forgetting God's deeds and failing to trust Him.
5. Core Sin: Failure to Trust God: The root of Israel's unfaithfulness is identified as their failure to trust in the Lord, leading to rebellion, idolatry, and neglect of God's covenant.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Discussion Question 1: Reflection on Generational Learning
   • Why do you think each new generation in Israel seemed slow to learn from the past mistakes of their ancestors, despite God's repeated acts of deliverance and faithfulness?

Answer: Each generation's slowness to learn from past mistakes may stem from a variety of factors, including cultural influences, societal pressures, and individual predispositions. Additionally, human nature tends to forget quickly and focus on immediate concerns rather than historical lessons. Moreover, the influence of sinful inclinations and lack of spiritual maturity might have contributed to their reluctance to internalize the lessons from the past.

2. Discussion Question 2: Application to Personal Life
   • Reflecting on Psalms 78 and the theme of trusting God's faithfulness, how can we ensure that we don't repeat the mistakes of the past in our personal lives? What practical steps can individuals take to cultivate a deeper trust in God?

Answer: To avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, individuals can cultivate a habit of regular reflection on God's faithfulness in their lives, both individually and corporately. This can involve practices such as daily prayer, studying scripture, participating in community worship, and seeking accountability from fellow believers. Additionally, actively engaging in acts of obedience and faithfulness to God's Word can strengthen one's trust in Him and help to avoid the pitfalls of unfaithfulness and disobedience witnessed in Israel's history.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY FIVE IMPORTANT POINTS:

1. Historical Narratives in Psalms: Psalms serve as narratives of God's actions throughout Israel's history, highlighting key events and lessons from the covenantal relationship between God and His people.
2. God's Faithfulness: Psalms emphasize God's faithfulness to His promises and His people, demonstrating how past acts of deliverance serve as a foundation for trust and hope in future circumstances.
3. Lessons from Patriarchs: Psalms like 105 recount the lives of patriarchs, encouraging emulation of their faith and patience in enduring hardships, showcasing God's providential leading throughout generations.
4. Continuity of God's Covenant: Psalms emphasize the continuity between the patriarchs and subsequent generations, reminding believers of their place in God's covenant and calling them to faithfulness in every generation.
5. Confession and Repentance: Psalms like 106 highlight the importance of confession, repentance, and acknowledgment of past failures, while also emphasizing God's steadfast love and grace that prevail over human shortcomings.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Discussion Question 1: Continuity of Covenant
   • How should Seventh-day Adventists perceive themselves in the lineage of Abraham, considering Galatians 3:29? What lessons can we draw from the history of God's faithfulness to His covenant in our present context?

Answer: Seventh-day Adventists, as believers in Christ, are considered heirs of the promise given to Abraham, indicating a spiritual continuity with the patriarchs and their covenant relationship with God. This connection underscores our responsibility to uphold the principles of faith and obedience exemplified by Abraham and other faithful ancestors. Drawing from the history of God's faithfulness, we should prioritize fidelity to His covenant, remaining steadfast in our commitment to His truth and mission, especially in the face of contemporary challenges and temptations.

2. Discussion Question 2: Forgetting God's Works
   • Psalms 106:13 mentions the tendency to forget God's works and not wait for His counsel. Why do you think it's easy for individuals, even believers, to forget God's past interventions and rush into decisions without seeking His guidance?

Answer: Forgetting God's works and failing to seek His counsel often stem from human tendencies toward self-reliance, distraction, and spiritual apathy. In the midst of daily challenges and distractions, individuals may prioritize immediate solutions or rely on their own wisdom rather than acknowledging God's sovereignty and seeking His guidance. Moreover, complacency or spiritual neglect can lead to forgetfulness of past blessings or interventions, hindering individuals from recognizing God's presence and guidance in their lives. Therefore, cultivating a habit of mindfulness, prayer, and dependence on God's wisdom can help individuals overcome this tendency and align their decisions with His will.

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FIVE IMPORTANT POINTS:

1. Metaphor of Israel as God's Vineyard: Psalms 80 portrays Israel as a vineyard planted and cared for by God, emphasizing His election and providential care for His people.
2. Appeal for Restoration: The psalm pleads for God to restore His favor and presence to His people, acknowledging their current state of distress and longing for divine intervention.
3. Connection to Aaronic Blessing: Psalms 80 invokes the blessing pronounced by Aaron in Numbers 6:22-27, emphasizing the hope that God's perpetual blessing will overcome the people's troubles.
4. Repentance and Return to God: The concept of restoration in Psalms 80 involves repentance and a return to God, echoing the theme of returning to Him with a whole heart.
5. Supremacy of God in History: Psalms 135 praises God for His supremacy demonstrated in creation, the Exodus, and the conquest of the Promised Land, urging His people to trust in Him alone and reject idolatry.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Discussion Question 1: Recognizing Idolatry
   • How can individuals ensure that they don't have idols in their lives, as mentioned in Psalms 135:15-18? Why might idolatry be more prevalent than we realize?

Answer: Individuals can guard against idolatry by regularly examining their hearts and priorities, seeking God's guidance through prayer and Scripture, and consciously choosing to prioritize their relationship with Him above all else. Idolatry can be subtle and pervasive, manifesting in various forms such as material possessions, relationships, success, or even religious rituals. It might be more prevalent than realized due to its deceptive nature, where individuals may inadvertently elevate other aspects of life above God, leading to a gradual shift in allegiance away from Him.

2. Discussion Question 2: Lessons from God's Supremacy
   • Reflecting on Psalms 135, what lessons can believers draw from God's supremacy in creation and history? How can acknowledging God's sovereignty influence our faith and actions?

Answer: Psalms 135 emphasizes the unparalleled power and authority of God as the Creator and Savior of His people. Acknowledging God's supremacy encourages believers to trust in His providence, seek His guidance in all aspects of life, and reject the allure of false gods or idols. Recognizing God's sovereignty can inspire a deeper sense of awe and reverence, motivating believers to worship Him wholeheartedly and align their lives with His purposes. Additionally, understanding God's role in history can provide comfort and assurance, knowing that He remains faithful to His promises and actively works for the good of His people.

FRIDAY (FURTHER STUDY) THREE IMPORTANT POINTS:

1. God's Faithful Leading in History: The New Testament affirms that the ultimate goal of God's sovereign leading of His people in history is the fulfillment of His divine promise of salvation, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ.
2. Encouragement from Psalms: The Psalms serve as a powerful witness to God's fidelity to His people throughout history, encouraging believers to remain faithful and hopeful in the Lord, even amidst trials and challenges.
3. Importance of Remembering History: Remembering God's faithful leading in history brings blessings such as encouragement, faith-building, and assurance of God's promises. Conversely, forgetting or ignoring the lessons of the past can lead to spiritual complacency, disobedience, and the loss of divine blessings.

Discussion Questions:

1. Discussion Question 1: Significance and Consequences of Remembering History
   • What are the blessings of remembering God’s faithful leading of His people in history? What are the consequences of forgetting or ignoring the lessons of the past? How can we apply that same principle to us, as a church called to do the same thing that ancient Israel had been called to do?

Answer: Remembering God's faithful leading in history brings blessings such as encouragement, strengthened faith, and a deeper understanding of God's character and promises. Conversely, forgetting or ignoring the lessons of the past can lead to spiritual complacency, disobedience, and a loss of divine blessings. As a church, we can apply this principle by prioritizing the study of God's Word and history, learning from past mistakes, and remaining faithful to God's calling and mission.

2. Discussion Question 2: Recognizing God's Providence
   • How do the Psalms encourage us to recognize God’s providential care in our life and to exercise patience and trust in God’s sovereign ways, even when it’s not easy to understand why things are happening as they are?

Answer: The Psalms remind us of God's providential care and faithfulness throughout history, encouraging us to trust in His sovereignty and wisdom even when circumstances seem unclear or challenging. By reflecting on God's past faithfulness and the testimonies of His deliverance, we can cultivate patience and trust in His sovereign ways, knowing that He works all things for the good of those who love Him.

3. Discussion Question 3: Emphasis of History in Worship
   • How can we make the study of the history of God’s people more emphasized in our personal and communal worship services? How can we be more intentional in telling our children about the more recent history of God’s people?

Answer: To emphasize the study of God's people's history in worship, we can incorporate elements such as testimonies, hymns, and sermons that highlight God's faithfulness throughout history. Additionally, integrating historical narratives and teachings into children's programs and educational materials can help younger generations appreciate and learn from the experiences of God's people in recent history. This intentional approach fosters a deeper understanding of God's work in the past and strengthens faith for the present and future.

MODIFY OR PRINT THIS TEACHERS' POINTERS

For your additional insights, you may contact Sulad Jhun Cardeinte at acardeinte@aiias.edu or share them at the comment section below.

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