Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “The School of the Hereafter,”
pp. 301–309, in Education; “Help in Daily Living,” pp. 470, 471, in The
Ministry of Healing.
“Into the experience of all there come times of keen disappointment
and utter discouragement—days when sorrow is the portion, and it is
hard to believe that God is still the kind benefactor of His earthborn
children; days when troubles harass the soul, till death seems prefer-
able to life. It is then that many lose their hold on God and are brought
into the slavery of doubt, the bondage of unbelief. Could we at such
times discern with spiritual insight the meaning of God’s providences
we should see angels seeking to save us from ourselves, striving to
plant our feet upon a foundation more firm than the everlasting hills,
and new faith, new life, would spring into being.”—Ellen G. White,
Prophets and Kings, p. 162.
Discussion Questions:
Ê Ellen G. White says that “all” of us experience times of “keen
disappointment and utter discouragement.” How well do we notice
each other as we go through such times? How can we better learn
to be agents of hope for each other when we experience such bitter
disappointments?
Ë As a class, go over your answers to Tuesday’s final question.
What difference did it make in your life as you kept the reality of
God’s nearness ever before you?
Ì In class, read aloud sections in Job 38–41. What kind of picture
of God does it present? What do you learn that gives you hope and
encouragement? How does the Sabbath fit into this picture? How
does it help keep before us the nature and character of God?
Í Hope that transforms comes from heaven. This means that we
can pray for hope to be brought into each other’s lives. Spend some
time praying for those whose hope has been faltering recently, that
their hope may be renewed. More than that, what can you do for
others who are in a losing struggle to find hope?
Î If someone is willing, ask that person to recount a time that
despair and trials caused him or her to lose hope and faith. What
turned that person around? What can we share with one another
that can help when we are in times of doubt and despair?
