Advent Focus Media

29/03/2024

_Sabbath School Summary_
*Wait on the Lord*
_Lesson 13_
_Memory Text: Psalm 27:14_

*SABBATH*: Waiting is a difficult posture to learn. But that’s what the Lord asks of us. A final word we can draw from all the Psalms is to “wait on the Lord” always. The waiting isn’t inaction but full trust & faith in God revealed in action. Those who wait on God see a bright morning & have a renewed heart, hope, & peace (Ps. 30:5, 143:8, 126:6, Matt. 9:36-38). We’re not shamed but blessed at last (Ps. 37:7-11, 18, 34; 71:1; 119:137, 138).

*SUNDAY*: Naturally, waiting isn’t a thing we like to do. But in this life, we all have to wait at a point—in line at a store or to hear a medical outcome. To wait on the Lord is a theme found in Scriptures. It is seen as “perseverance”; not to succumb to fear but to trust in God. God’s child isn’t possessed with a spirit of fear but trust in Him. He deeply longs for Him (Ps. 63:1). God’s with us as we wait for a new world (Rom. 8:19, 22, Acts 1:4-8).

*MONDAY*: Unparalleled suffering in is our world & it’s only by looking at God that we can gain hope. To look at self is to be blinded to the higher reality of the Almighty God (Ps. 131). The righteous lift their eyes & see God amid a storm but the proud lift their eyes & see self (Ps. 123:1, 2). The righteous is humble & free from vain ambition. They’re like a weaned child with its mother. God gives the solid food—to do God’s will/work & witness Him (John 4:34, Heb. 5:12-14).

*TUESDAY*: Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. That’s, the past deliverance from God offers hope to face the future (Ps. 126:1, 4, Isa. 29:7, 8). Newer generations kept biblical history alive through songs for God’s deliverance in the past. They claim the memory of the past as theirs. God’s rain in the south of Judah brought harvest (Ps. 125:4-6, Deut. 28:12, Exod. 34:22, 26). So shall we receive showers of blessings (Amos 9:13-15, Matt. 9:37).

*WEDNESDAY*: A memorable wait the Lord has given us is the Sabbath rest. It calls us to praise God’s great works. As seen in Psalms, the second theme of the Sabbath is redemption from evil (Ps. 92, Deut. 5:12-15). God is the Most High but reaches down to save those who call on Him & anoint them with fresh oil (Ps. 92:10, Exod. 40:15, 1 Sam. 10:1; Exod. 29:2, Lev. 2:4, 5, Rom. 12:1). His people are like the cedars of Lebanon (Exod. 31:13, Ezek. 20:20, Heb. 4:1-10).

*THURSDAY*: Joy comes in the morning. Psalm tell us the morning is a time when God’s redemption is anticipated. It ends the long night of despair & trouble. The light of morning reverses the darkness of death, & from being in the pit into a land of uprightness (Ps. 143, 5:3, 30:5, 49:14, 59:16, 92:2, 119:147, 2 Pet. 1:19, Rev. 22:16, 21:16; Mark 16:1-8). At the resurrection morning, Christ paved the way for the eternal morning of salvation.

*FRIDAY*: The Psalms encourage waiting on the Lord patiently (Ps. 37:7). Like the disciples awaiting Jesus' return, we are called to trust in His promises. Through the Holy Spirit's work in us, we find strength to abide in Christ. As we wait on the Lord, our prayers and songs become a meeting place of God's heart and ours. Christ in us, the hope of glory!

—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 75 & 785.

*Keywords*

_Waiting on God- It’s not an idle and desperate biding of one’s time. Instead, waiting on the Lord is an act full of trust and faith._

_Adventist- Our very name contains the hope that we await._

_Peace of a Weaned Child- It points to the loving relationship a child has with its mother at various stages in that child’s young life as we have in God._

_Cedars of Lebanon- It signifies God’s people growing in faith and true appreciation of God’s wonderful purposes and love._

*Captions*

_SUNDAY- The Call of Waiting_
_MONDAY- Peace of a Weaned Child_
_TUESDAY- Bringing in the Sheaves_
_WEDNESDAY- Waiting in God’s Sabbath Rest_
_THURSDAY- Joy Comes in the Morning_

*Discussion Questions*

📌 Why is waiting significant in our spiritual life? Discuss the experiences of waiting of some biblical heroes of faith. How did waiting purify and strengthen their faith? (Rom. 4:19–22, Hebrews 11).

📌 What is the end of our waiting? (Ps. 37:34–40). That is, what are we promised when all things are, finally, resolved? What hope do we find in these texts, for instance, about the justice that has so long been missing in this life?

📌 Why, as far as the dead are concerned, and as far as their own experience goes (Eccles. 9:5), is their waiting for Jesus almost done? What hope can we take from the answer?

_For March 23–29. Happy Sabbath. Thanks for being part of the lesson. God bless you!_

*Next Quater (Q2) Title: The Great Controversy*

—Michael Agyemang Adarkwah

16/02/2024

SABBATH SCHOOL SUMMARY

*Your Mercy Reaches Unto the Heavens*
_Lesson 7_
_Memory Text: Psalm 57:9, 10_

*SABBATH*: One thing in life that never falls short is God’s mercy. All His mercy to the fallen race is gratis. He never sells it, but gives it freely. The psalmists knew that they were spiritually poor & had no good thing to offer God. As do all men, God’s grace & mercy are all they need. That’s, they need the gospel (Ps. 40:17). Our independence depend on our dependence on the dependable God (Ps. 136, 103:3, 5, 13, 15, 68:5, 89:26).

*SUNDAY*: “The Lord is the God of gods & the Lord of Lords.” This Hebrew idiom means “the greatest God” (Ps. 136:1-4). He’s great because His mercy endures forever, (seen 26 times in Psalm 136), His wonders are mighty & it’s His works that are worshipped by pagans. We’re called to praise God’s mercy (Hebrew khesed, steadfast love). He is loyal to His creation & covenant. He cares (Ps. 136, Luke 2:10, John 3:16, Acts 15:17).

*MONDAY*: Can there be mercy still reserved for the chief of sinners? King David chose to fall on God’s mercy that he’s not dealt with as he deserves (Ps. 51:1-5). He prayed for a clean heart (Ps. 51:1; Exod. 34:6, 7). Divine mercy is not a mere legal declaration of innocence. It makes the sinner anew & transformed. Only God can create (“bara” in Hebrew) anew (Gen. I:1, Heb. 4:12, John 3:3-8, 2 Cor. 4:6, Lev. 20:10; Ps. 51:1-19).

*TUESDAY*: “If you, Lord, should mark iniquities, who could stand?” (Ps. 130). Belshazzar was weighed in the balances & found wanting. Our sins are so grave & can separate us from God (Ps. 51:1, 9; Jer. 31:34; Mic. 7:19, Dan. 7:10, Rev. 20:12). What’s your record in the Book of Remembrance? Is your name in the Book of Life? (Exod. 32:32, 69:28, Rev. 13:8, Hos. 6:1, 2). We need to wait; hope in God’s mercy/Word (Ps. 27:14, 37:34).

*WEDNESDAY*: God is “the King of Kings & Lords of Lords.” His majesty & mercy is seen in His mighty name & His throne is above all nations & heavens. There is no one like Him. The Psalms heap praise on God who is Great but Humble. His greatness doesn’t stop Him from caring for His creatures below. He’s involved in our world & our burdens our His too. He exalts the downcast (Ps. 133 & 123, Phil. 2:6-8). We have a reason to worship!

*THURSDAY*: “Forget not all His benefits” is an admonition in Psalm 103 for us to count our blessings. The gift of life is a great miracle. The blessings of God are rooted in His nature. He sees our needs. He delivers & sustains (Ps. 103:1-18). His grace abounds (DA, p. 83, Isa. 55:9, Gen. 49:25, Ps. 5:12, 1 Kings 8:66, Job 29:13). How then should we respond? By blessing the Lord & remembering all His benefits & covenant. Praise Him!

*FRIDAY*: In Psalms, God's people unite in praising "His enduring mercy," & eternal love. God's covenantal loving-kindness, His unchanging faithfulness, shines amid sin. Acknowledging unworthiness, seeking God's grace, and experiencing His righteousness and justice bring reassurance (Jer. 14:21, Ps. 106:1, 107:1, 118:1-4, 29). Personal testimonies aim to inspire others to open their hearts to God's saving grace & join in His praise.

—Ellen G. White, “The Sinner’s Need of Christ,” pp. 17–22, in Steps to Christ, Deliverance in the Psalms, p. 17 & Object Lessons, p. 148.

*Keywords*

_DA- The Desire of Ages_

_Mercy- khesed in Hebrew to mean,“steadfast love”._

_Blessing God- God is the Source of all blessings, how can human beings bless God? An inferior can bless a superior as a means of thanking or praising him._

_Praising God- Praise is not limited by time and space._

_Wait- qawah in Hebrew, literally means “to stretch,” and is the root of the Hebrew word for “hope”._

*Captions*

_SUNDAY- His Mercy Endures Forever_
_MONDAY- Create in Me a Clean Heart_
_TUESDAY- “If You, Lord, Should Mark Iniquities”_
_WEDNESDAY- Praise to the Majestic and Merciful God_
_THURSDAY- Forget Not All His Benefits_

*Discussion Questions*

📌 What are the practical implications of the fact that God’s mercy is everlasting for the people’s salvation? Why does this not mean that one can continue sinning because God’s mercy is forever?

📌 How do we reconcile God’s forgiveness of our sins with the idea of God’s judgment on sin?

📌 How do the expressions of God’s mercy in the New Testament fit with those in the Psalms (Eph. 2:4, 5; 1 Tim. 1:16; Titus 3:5; Heb. 4:16)?

_For February 10–16.

05/01/2024

_Sabbath School Summary_
*How to Read the Psalms*
_Lesson 1_
_Memory Text: Luke 24:44, 45_

*SABBATH*: The book of Psalms is the book of Christ (2 Pet. 1:21). Psalms give a voice to anyone of faith who wants to put a case before God. It bear witness to a spiritual journey that’s common to many of God’s children. Both Christians & Jews have used it through ages as a prayer & hymn book. As in any book of the Bible, it testifies Christ & we find it cited in the NT (Mark 12:10, John 10:34, 35; 13:18). We’ll learn how to read it.

*SUNDAY*: Psalms is a call to praise God (“tehilim” ~ “praises”). They’re hymns for private & communal worship & were penned in joyful & sad times (1 Chron. 16:7, Neh. 12:8, Ps. 30:1, 92:1, 105:2, Col. 3:16, James 5:13, Ps. 61:1, 9:1, 8:1. “The Songs of Ascents” (Ps. 120-134), The “Egyptian Hallel” (Ps. 113-118), the “Great Hallel” (Ps. 136), & “Daily Hallel” (Ps. 145-150) were all key to worship (Matt. 27:46, Col. 3:16, Eph. 5:19).

*MONDAY*: The authors of Psalms gives vent to the joy & unmerited favor found in God. Yet, it doesn’t deny the fallen state of our world & its sorrows. Psalms ultimately convey hope in God. The authors were inspired by God, were men of genuine faith, who were tempted just like us. Their cries echoes ours’ (Ps. 88:2, 3, 25:1-5, 42:1; 75:1; 77:1; 84:1, 2; 88:1-3; 89:1). David wrote most of them (Matt. 22:43-45; Acts 2:25-29, 34, 35).

*TUESDAY*: Anyone can find in Psalms a song for every season. Herein is a song to magnify God, for thanksgiving, royal psalms that point to Christ, & historical psalms that talks of Israel’s (past) unfaithfulness & God’s faithfulness (Ps. 3, 33:1-3, 109:6-15). We still find in it a host of literary devices although some are lost in translation; parallelism (Ps. 103:1), imagery (Ps. 17:8), merism (Ps. 88:1), wordplays (Ps. 96:4, 5), & the word “selah” (an interlude) (Ps. 61:4).

*WEDNESDAY*: Featured in Psalms is the voice of God & His people intertwined. They’re inspired prayers & praises of Israel that personally call to God to “give ear”, “hear”, “look”, “answer”, & “deliver” (Ps. 5:2, 84:3, 5:1, 39:12, 25:18, 102:2, 6:4; 2 Sam. 23:1, 2 & Rom. 8:26, 27). Thus, the Psalms are the Word of God in the form of pious prayers & praises of believers. Jesus too quoted from Psalms (Luke 20:42, 43; Ps. 110:1).

*THURSDAY*: The Psalms revolve entirely around God; they aim to surrender all life experiences to God through prayer & praise. “God is the Sovereign Creator, the King, & Judge of all the earth. He provides all things for His children.” He’s ever-present & never-failing. He’s to be trusted at all times (Ps. 16:8; 44:8; 46:1; 47:1, 7; 57:2; 62:8; 82:8; 121:7, 42:10, 64:9). Psalms imagines at a time when all creation will worship God in Zion.

*FRIDAY*: The book of Psalms consists of 150 psalms, grouped into 5 books. The books parallel the 5-book division of the Pentateuch. The Psalms give evidence of various existing collections, which continued to grow over the centuries. Scribes, like the psalmists, were devout men of God, whose work was directed by God. They compiled some of the Psalms under the leadership of Ezra. Divinity & humanity unite in Psalms.

—Ellen G. White, “The Temple and Its Dedication,” pp. 35–50, in Prophets and Kings; “The Benefits of Music,” pp. 291, 292, in Messages to Young People.

*Keywords*

_The 5 books of Psalms- Book I (Psalms 1−41), Book II (Psalms 42−72), Book III (Psalms 73−89), Book IV (Psalms 90−106), and Book V (Psalms 107−150)._

_NT- New Testament_

_Authors of Psalms- Numerous psalms were composed by the temple musicians who were also Levites: for example, Psalm 50 and Psalms 73−83 by Asaph; Psalm 42, Psalms 44−47, Psalm 49, Psalm 84, Psalm 85, Psalms 87−88 by the sons of Korah; Psalm 88 also by Heman the Ezrahite; and Psalm 89 by Ethan the Ezrahite. Beyond them, Solomon (Psalm 72, Psalm 127) and Moses (Psalm 90) authored some psalms._

_Psalms- The book of Psalms is derived from the Greek psalmoi._

_“Hallel”- The Hallel such as the “Egyptian Hallel” and “Great Hallel” were sung during festivals. The “Dailey Hallel” was used in morning services._

*Captions*

_SUNDAY- The Psalms in Ancient Israel’s Worship_
_MONDAY- Meet the Psalmists_
_TUESDAY- A Song for Every Season_
_WEDNESDAY- Inspired Prayers_
_THURSDAY- The World of the Psalms_

*Discussion Questions*

📌 What does it mean that the Psalms are divine-human prayers and hymns? How does this idea, however difficult to fully grasp, help us see the closeness that God wants with His people? How does it reveal, in its own way, how close to humanity, and to each of us, God is?

📌 In class, talk about a time in which you found something in the Psalms speaking directly to your own situation. What comfort and hope did you find there?

_For December 30—January 5. Happy New Year! Happy Sabbath. May God bless you this Year!_

—Michael Agyemang Adarkwah

15/12/2023

_Sabbath School Summary_
*Mission to the Unreached: Part 2*
_Lesson 11_
_Memory Text: Matthew 15:28_

*SABBATH*: No toil for God is in vain. Labor for God when called to ripe & uncharted fields. God’s plan since the start of time has been to seek & save the lost. His plan is still the same today. Many are perishing in the cities but many act as Jonah when called to witness to a city. Jonah’s case should be our example (Gen. 3:9, Rev. 14:6-12, Rom. 15:4). Jesus preached to those in & out of cities like Jews, Tyre & Sidon.

*SUNDAY*: We can’t afford to stay in one place in witnessing. Christ took the disciples from Galilee to foreign regions like Tyre & Sidon. In such a pagan city, they could learn more (Matt. 14:34, 15:21). Past ties between pagan regions & Israel had a negative effect on the Israelites’ faith (Judg. 3:1-6, 1 Kings 5:1-12, 11:1-6). Yet, the disciples were sent to these places to initiate them in cross-cultural urban missionary.

*MONDAY*: Jesus surveyed the great city of Jerusalem & wept (Matt. 9:35-38; Luke 19:41). Multitudes were perishing & He had compassion for them. We need to pray to have this love of Christ to minister in cities. In Galilee, Christ touched the heart of those in the 10 city-states of Decapolis. Besides Samaria, Tyre & Sidon were missing. Hence, He went to minister in Tyre & Sidon (DA, p. 399).

*TUESDAY*: The woman of great faith had no religious or national pride to stop her blessings. She was willing to be seen as a dog (Matt. 15:22-28, Mark 7:24-30). Christ didn’t reply her at first to use her despised race to shut down the partition wall Jewish pride had erected. It’s said that Matthew was written for Jews & Mark for Gentiles. Both books depict her differently. Gentiles will read Mark & feel Christ healed their own (DA, p. 400).

*WEDNESDAY*: In God, there’s no partiality. Peter was taught this lesson at his lunch time. From the vision, he understood he had to part with his religious pride & bigotry against the Gentiles (Acts 10:9-16, 28, 34, 35). The disciples called the “Canaanite” woman to be sent away in Tyre & Sidon. On this field trip, they were taught salvation is for all God’s children in urban & rural areas (Titus 2:13, Gal. 2:11-13).

*THURSDAY*: Will God find faithful remnants on the earth when He comes again? Christ is seeking for faith that shines even amid darkness (Matt. 8:10, 13; 9:2; 20:29-34; Mark 2:5; 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43). The centurion, the 4 faith-filled friends of the man with palsy, & Bartimaeus all exemplied true faith in God. In Christ’s hometown, He could do no great works because of their little faith. Go to cities with faith.

*FRIDAY*: Some heathen knew Messiah prophecies better than Israel's teachers. They hoped for Him as their Savior, but Jewish bigotry hindered the spread of the light. Yet, Jesus can awaken, stir, and reveal truth's beauty to indifferent souls. God calls on humans to bring light, having faithful followers in all religious communities. Our mission is to present Jesus humbly, attract others with piety, & share Him.

—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 33 & Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, January 17, 1893.

*Keywords*

_DA- The Desire of Ages_

_Tyre and Sidon- Tyre and Sidon are ancient Phoenician cities mentioned in the Bible. The trip to the region of Tyre and Sidon was one of Jesus’ cross-cultural mission trips._

_Peter’s vision- Peter was given a vision of a rooftop buffet complete with a tablecloth filled with unclean animals and birds. Three times he was told in this vision to get up and eat. God used these visions to confront Peter’s religious pride and bigotry against the Gentiles._

*Captions*

_SUNDAY- Mission to Regions Beyond_
_MONDAY- Seeking the Multitudes_
_TUESDAY- In Tyre and Sidon_
_WEDNESDAY- “Send Her Away!”_
_THURSDAY- Faith on Earth?_

*Discussion Questions*

📌 What are some of the immediate needs in the areas where you live that could give you and your church the opportunity to reach out to souls who don’t know the truths that we do?

📌 Look at Ellen G. White’s words above regarding those of other faiths: “God has jewels in all the churches, and it is not for us to make sweeping denunciation of the professed religious world.” In other words, how can we show people the error of their ways while at the same time not denigrating the people personally?

📌 “ ‘When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?’ ” (Luke 18:8, NKJV). What does Jesus mean by this rhetorical question? What is the difference between faith and belief? Why might people who have the correct belief be found void of faith when Christ returns?

_For December 9–15. Happy Sabbath!_

—Michael Agyemang Adarkwah

16/09/2023

15/09/2023

It's finally tomorrow...

12/05/2023

_Sabbath School Summary_
*Worshipping the Creator*
_Lesson 7_
_Memory Text: Revelation 4:11_

*SABBATH*: Accustomed to our blessings & the routine of our daily lives, we have a tendency to take the things of life (sun, air, the sky, & ground) for granted. How easy for children to take a parent for granted whom they’ve known all their short lives. Every fibre of our being should sound a note of thankfulness to God. He’s the Creator & Sustainer from whom all blessings flow. It’s a miracle that we’re all here!

*SUNDAY*: John was cast into a cardon of boiling oil but he was saved by God. Emperor Domitian exiled him to the Isle of Patmos afterwards but Jesus visited him. Distant from family, friends, & church members, Christ was with him & to use him to deliver a serious message to us; one that calls us to worship God (Rev. 1:9, 14:7; Matt. 13:21, Acts 14:22, John 16:33). We worship something one way or the other.

*MONDAY*: Creation tells us that God is the Creator & repels the claims of evolution (Gen. 1:1). It’s an argument for our faith (Rev. 14:7, Isa. 40:26, John 1:1-3, Rom. 1:20). We won’t grasp issues of the cosmic battle until we know how vital the Creation is; the sun gives more energy than man has ever produced & can house 3 million times planets the size of earth. One star, Pistol Star, gives more energy & can house 1 million stars the size of the sun.

*TUESDAY*: God who cares for every strand of leaf in the forest assures us that he that touches us touches the apple of His eye. Thus, God did not just create us & forsake us. He also sustains us & promises to fight evil forces against us. Theologians call this the transcendence (He’s above all creation) & the immanence of God (God lives with us). God loves & saves us (2 Cor. 5:17, Ps. 139:15-18, Acts 17:27, Col. 1:17).

*WEDNESDAY*: The very name of our church goes against theories of evolution. Our duty is to tell the world that God is the Creator & Redeemer & who will come to judge us. We see this in the first angel’s message; “everlasting gospel”, “hour of judgement”, “worship the Creator”. If we believe in Him, we shall not be condemned (Eph. 3:9, Col. 1:13-17, Rev. 4:11, Rom. 5:17-19). Evolution is a great lie & danger.

*THURSDAY*: Jesus as Creator is the same Jesus as Redeemer. This is evident at the Cross; He whose words called the world into being is the same One who cried out on the cross “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Gen. 1:26, Matt. 27:46). The first angels’ message after the cross tell us the Creator & Redeemer are One. We’re ought to fear & worship God (Rev. 14:7, John 19:16-20, Col. 1:16, Phil. 2:7, 8).

*FRIDAY*: The central issue in the great controversy & also the main theme of the Scriptures is “worship”. God through prophets in the OT called the mind of His people to the true worship (the worship God, the Creator) & for them to avoid false worship (worshipping other gods). That is, worship is fundamental to our existence. Only the living can worship & praise God; the dead can’t praise & worship Him.

—Ángel Manuel Rodríguez,“The Closing of the Cosmic Conflict: Role of the Three Angels’ Messages,” unpublished manuscript, p. 42.

*Keywords*

_OT- Old Testament_

_Create- “The Hebrew word for “create” in this passage is bara, a verb that is used only and exclusively with God Himself as the subject._

*Captions*

_SUNDAY- A Companion in Tribulation_
_MONDAY- Worship the Creator_
_TUESDAY- A God Who Is Close_
_WEDNESDAY- Gospel, Judgment, Creation_
_THURSDAY- The Creator on the Cross_

*Discussion Questions*

📌 Dwell more on this idea of why, in a fallen world, being created by God is not enough. Why do we need the promise of redemption, as well?

📌 Think about some experience in which you unmistakably saw the power of God work in your life; that is, in a way that showed you God’s love for you personally. And then dwell on the fact that this is God who created the entire cosmos! And this God loves you enough to care about your life. Why should this reality not only be comforting but also humbling?

📌 If evolution were true, think about how we would be called to worship a creator who used billions of years of death, violence, destruction, suffering, and mass extinction in order to create us, while at the same time giving us a completely different story in Genesis about how we were created. And yet, we are supposed to be worshiping him? Worship him for what? For lying to us for thousands of years about how we got here to begin with?

_For May 6-12. Happy Sabbath!_

16/02/2023

Join us in wishing our Founder & (CEO) a special Happy Birthday.

18/01/2023

28/09/2022

Ashers Masempela 4DaysToGo

28/09/2022

4Days