803 - Sabbath School - 16.Oct Fri

Further Thought: “Love, the basis of creation and of redemption, is
the basis of true education. This is made plain in the law that God has
given as the guide of life. The first and great commandment is, ‘Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.’ Luke 10:27. To love Him,
the infinite, the omniscient One, with the whole strength, and mind, and
heart, means the highest development of every power. It means that in
the whole being—the body, the mind, as well as the soul—the image of
God is to be restored.
“Like the first is the second commandment—‘Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as thyself.’ Matthew 22:39. The law of love calls for the devo-
tion of body, mind, and soul to the service of God and our fellow men.
And this service, while making us a blessing to others, brings the great-
est blessing to ourselves. Unselfishness underlies all true development.
Through unselfish service we receive the highest culture of every fac-
ulty. More and more fully do we become partakers of the divine nature.
We are fitted for heaven, for we receive heaven into our hearts.”—Ellen
G. White, Education, p. 16.
Discussion Questions:
 Like Israel of old, we are to love God and to fear God at the
same time (Matt. 22:37, Rev. 14:7). In class, talk more about how
we can do both. Also, answer the question: Why are these two com-
mandments not in conflict with each other?
 What is the difference between setting a standard and making
a rule? In your experience, is Adventism more concerned with set-
ting high standards within its community of believers or in mak-
ing rules that unite its community? What does Scripture say about
setting high standards for oneself? One’s family? One’s church?
 How do we strike the right balance in showing the importance
of obedience to the law of God and, at the same time, showing why
this obedience is not the source of our salvation?
 Read through Psalm 119 and note how many times notions of
obedience, freedom, laws, rules, and commands are stated. What
does the author of Psalm 119 want to convey about these themes?