As I studied I would watch for a keyword or sentence. One time I read about how Jesus is like a magnet to draw all people to Him.

I got a magnet and a bunch of straight pins. I gave it to one of the class members and told him/her to draw the magnet over the pins. Every eye was riveted on the demonstration. Some jumped right onto the magnet and others did not.

The idea being, that while Jesus appeals to all for salvation, some respond and some do not.

Another time I wrapped a package in gold or silver papers and offered it to someone with whom I had explained my plan.

I told the person that it was a gift beyond price, like the hope diamond, and begged them to accept it and they made all kinds of excuses to reject it.

Then we discussed that Jesus offers us salvation and how some resist His pleas and find all types of excuses not to surrender their lives to Him.

My 'show and tell' always led to a discussion of that part of the lesson and we had fun in learning truths that may have seemed boring if we had just read about them.

Jesus used 'show and tell' like a lost coin or a lily and would point out different things in nature as He presented His parables to the folks in His daily commune with them.

Shirley

Quote:

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Another time I wrapped a package in gold or silver papers and offered it to someone with whom I had explained my plan.

I told the person that it was a gift beyond price, like the hope diamond, and begged them to accept it and they made all kinds of excuses to reject it.

Then we discussed that Jesus offers us salvation and how some resist His pleas and find all types of excuses not to surrender their lives to Him.

---

Clever. Praise God!

Boring - ho hum SS? Is it not due to a boring teacher and a ho hum audience?

Gerry

Any of you know if your pastor takes an interest in the sabbath school? Do they keep in touch with the SS superintendent and offer advice, continuing education, or training for SS techers? (especially if several.. to many find the class boring)
Is there any interest expressed as to why people don't show to SS? I know from my experience that many show up late becuase they find the front end boring...the part til the lesson starts. The churches I have gone to recently only have the lesson study and show Mission Spotlight.

I don't know how all of you approach your sabbath school class...
I think it is really a waste or irrelevant if it is strictly an ancient religious history class.
I know it isn't 100% that but the veteran SDA's know what I am referring to.

I was thinking just this morning...
because in the 4th chapter Jonah says he wants to die 2 times..and given that this time of the year there is supposed to be more suicides than the rest of the year...

I will inject in the class some theme regarding suicide and depression and how the hope of salvation and eternal life... and the value of a single human being ...as we are taught that Jesus would die for just one person on this planet...is the antidote for suicide.

There is actually a day in October that is set aside as National Depression Screening Day

Depression Inventory:
1. Sadness: Have you been feeling sad or down in the dumps?
2. Dicouragement: Does the future look hopeless?
3. Low self-esteem: Do you feelworthless or think of yourself as a failure?
4. Inferiority: Do you feel inadequate or inferior to others?
5. Guilt: Do you get self-critical and blame yourself for everything?
6. Indeciveness: Do you have trouble making up your mind about things?
7. Irritability and frustration: Have you been feeling resentful and angry a good deal of the time?
8. Loss of interest in life: Have you lost interest in your career, your hobbies, your family, or your friends?
9. Loss of motivation: Do you feel overwhelmed and have to push yourself hard to do things?
10. Poor self-image: Do you think you are looking old or unattractive?
11. Appetite changes: Have you lost your appetite? Or do you overeat or binge compulsively?
12. Sleep changes: Do you suffer from insomnia and find it hard to get a good night's sleep?
Are you excessively tired and sleeping too much?
13. Loss of libido: Have you lost your interest in sex?
14. Hypochondriasis: Do you worry a great deal about your health?
15. Suicide impulses: Do you have thoughts that life is not worth living or think that you might be better off dead?

Dr David Burns survey

Tainted here is something that has helped me many a mile. It is probally the last article that Ellen White wrote.
==============
Sanitarium, California, June 14, 1914. Dear Friend: The Lord has given
me a message for you, and not for you only, but also for other faithful
souls who are troubled by doubts and fears regarding their acceptance
by the Lord Jesus Christ. His word to you is, "Fear not: for I have
redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine." You
desire to please the Lord, and you can do this by believing His
promises. He is waiting to take you into a harbor of gracious
experience, and He bids you, "Be still, and know that I am God." You
have had a time of unrest; but Jesus says to you, "Come unto Me, . . .
and I will give you rest." The joy of Christ in the soul is worth
everything. "Then are they glad," because they are privileged to rest
in the arms of everlasting love. p. 1, Para. 1, [VICTLIFE].
Put away your distrust of our heavenly Father. Instead of talking of
your doubts, break away from them in the strength of Jesus, and let
light shine into your soul by letting your voice express confidence and
trust in God. I know that the Lord is very nigh to give you victory,
and I say to you, Be helped, be strengthened, be lifted out of and away
from the dark dungeon of unbelief. Doubts will rush into your mind,
because Satan is trying to hold you in captivity to his cruel power;
but face him in the strength that Jesus is willing to give you, and
conquer the inclination to express unbelief in your Saviour. p. 1,
Para. 2, [VICTLIFE].
Do not talk of your inefficiency and your defects. When despair would
seem to be sweeping over your soul, look to Jesus, saying, He lives to
make intercession for me. Forget the things that are behind, and
believe the promise, "I will come to you," and "abide with you." p. 1,
Para. 3, [VICTLIFE].
God is waiting to bestow the blessing of forgiveness, of pardon for
iniquity, of the gifts of righteousness, upon all who will believe in
His love and accept the salvation He offers. Christ is ready to say to
the repenting sinner, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass
from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." The blood of
Jesus Christ is the eloquent plea that speaks in behalf of sinners.
This blood "cleanseth us from all sin." p. 2, Para. 1, [VICTLIFE].
It is your privilege to trust in the love of Jesus for salvation, in
the fullest, surest, noblest manner; to say, He loves me, He receives
me; I will trust Him, for He gave His life for me. Nothing so dispels
doubt as coming in contact with the character of Christ. He declares,
"Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out;" that is, there is
no possibility of My casting him out, for I have pledged My word to
receive him. Take Christ at His word, and let your lips declare that
you have gained the victory. p. 2, Para. 2, [VICTLIFE].
Is Jesus true? Does He mean what He says? Answer decidedly, Yes, every
word. Then if you have settled this, by faith claim every promise that
He has made, and receive the blessing; for this acceptance by faith
gives life to the soul. You may believe that Jesus is true to you, even
though you feel yourself to be the weakest and most unworthy of His
children. And as you believe, all your dark, brooding doubts are thrown
back upon the archdeceiver who originated them. You can be a great
blessing if you will take God at His word. By living faith you are to
trust Him, even though the impulse is strong within you to speak words

Ed

I know you didn't direct that post to me, but I believe the Lord prompted you to put those words up at this particular time. I have been having some serious spiritual problems recently and those words were exactly what I needed to read.

Thank you very much

Graeme