God’s Mission to Us
Part 1

𝐒𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐘 – Introduction

Memory Text

Genesis 3:9

KJV 9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

CEV 9 The Lord God called out to the man and asked, “Where are you?”

A T L G C U A
A S U H
W A T

Lesson

Mission means God’s special purpose for us. It didn’t start with famous people like Abram, Moses, Jesus, or Paul. It began when God created the universe and us – Genesis 1:26-27

KJV 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

CEV 26 God said, “Now we will make humans, and they will be like us. We will let them rule the fish, the birds, and all other living creatures.” 27 So God created humans to be like himself; he made men and women.

From the start, God wanted to be with His children. Even after they messed up (sin entered), God still wanted a relationship with them. His mission is to reconnect with humanity, and one day, He will succeed – Revelation 21-22

KJV 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. 18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. 1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. 7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. 11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. 18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

CEV 1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and so had the sea. 2 Then I saw New Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down from God in heaven. It was like a bride dressed in her wedding gown and ready to meet her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice shout from the throne: God's home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. 4 He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever. 5 Then the one sitting on the throne said: I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted. 6 Everything is finished! I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give water from the life-giving fountain to everyone who is thirsty. 7 All who win the victory will be given these blessings. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 8 But I will tell you what will happen to cowards and to everyone who is unfaithful or dirty-minded or who murders or is sexually immoral or uses witchcraft or worships idols or tells lies. They will be thrown into that lake of fire and burning sulfur. This is the second death. 9 I saw one of the seven angels who had the bowls filled with the seven last terrible troubles. The angel came to me and said, “Come on! I will show you the one who will be the bride and wife of the Lamb.” 10 Then with the help of the Spirit, he took me to the top of a very high mountain. There he showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down from God in heaven. 11 The glory of God made the city bright. It was dazzling and crystal clear like a precious jasper stone. 12 The city had a high and thick wall with twelve gates, and each one of them was guarded by an angel. On each of the gates was written the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 Three of these gates were on the east, three were on the north, three more were on the south, and the other three were on the west. 14 The city was built on twelve foundation stones. On each of the stones was written the name of one of the Lamb's twelve apostles. 15 The angel who spoke to me had a gold measuring stick to measure the city and its gates and its walls. 16 The city was shaped like a cube, because it was just as high as it was wide. When the angel measured the city, it was about 2,400 kilometers high and 2,400 kilometers wide. 17 Then the angel measured the wall, and by our measurements it was about 60 meters high. 18 The wall was built of jasper, and the city was made of pure gold, clear as crystal. 19 Each of the twelve foundations was a precious stone. The first was jasper, the second was sapphire, the third was agate, the fourth was emerald, 20 the fifth was onyx, the sixth was carnelian, the seventh was chrysolite, the eighth was beryl, the ninth was topaz, the tenth was chrysoprase, the eleventh was jacinth, and the twelfth was amethyst. 21 Each of the twelve gates was a solid pearl. The streets of the city were made of pure gold, clear as crystal. 22 I did not see a temple there. The Lord God All-Powerful and the Lamb were its temple. 23 And the city did not need the sun or the moon. The glory of God was shining on it, and the Lamb was its light. 24 Nations will walk by the light of that city, and kings will bring their riches there. 25 Its gates are always open during the day, and night never comes. 26 The glorious treasures of nations will be brought into the city. 27 But nothing unworthy will be allowed to enter. No one who is dirty-minded or who tells lies will be there. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life will be in the city. 1 The angel showed me a river that was crystal clear, and its waters gave life. The river came from the throne where God and the Lamb were seated. 2 Then it flowed down the middle of the city's main street. On each side of the river are trees that grow a different kind of fruit each month of the year. The fruit gives life, and the leaves are used as medicine to heal the nations. 3 God's curse will no longer be on the people of that city. He and the Lamb will be seated there on their thrones, and its people will worship God 4 and will see him face to face. God's name will be written on the foreheads of the people. 5 Never again will night appear, and no one who lives there will ever need a lamp or the sun. The Lord God will be their light, and they will rule forever. 6 Then I was told: These words are true and can be trusted. The Lord God controls the spirits of his prophets, and he is the one who sent his angel to show his servants what must happen very soon. 7 Remember, I am coming soon! God will bless everyone who pays attention to the message of this book. 8 My name is John, and I am the one who heard and saw these things. Then after I had heard and seen all this, I knelt down and began to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown it to me. 9 But the angel said, Don't do that! I am a servant, just like you. I am the same as a follower or a prophet or anyone else who obeys what is written in this book. God is the one you should worship. 10 Don't keep the prophecies in this book a secret. These things will happen soon. 11 Evil people will keep on being evil, and everyone who is dirty-minded will still be dirty-minded. But good people will keep on doing right, and God's people will always be holy. 12 Then I was told: I am coming soon! And when I come, I will reward everyone for what they have done. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 God will bless all who have washed their robes. They will each have the right to eat fruit from the tree that gives life, and they can enter the gates of the city. 15 But outside the city will be dogs, witches, immoral people, murderers, idol worshipers, and everyone who loves to tell lies and do wrong. 16 I am Jesus! And I am the one who sent my angel to tell all of you these things for the churches. I am David's Great Descendant, and I am also the bright morning star. 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”Everyone who hears this should say, “Come!”If you are thirsty, come! If you want life-giving water, come and take it. It's free! 18 Here is my warning for everyone who hears the prophecies in this book: If you add anything to them, God will make you suffer all the terrible troubles written in this book. 19 If you take anything away from these prophecies, God will not let you have part in the life-giving tree and in the holy city described in this book. 20 The one who has spoken these things says, “I am coming soon!”So, Lord Jesus, please come soon! 21 I pray that the Lord Jesus will be kind to all of you.

So, we must share His message – Revelation 14:6-7

KJV 6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

CEV 6 I saw another angel. This one was flying across the sky and had the eternal good news to announce to the people of every race, tribe, language, and nation on earth. 7 The angel shouted, “Worship and honor God! The time has come for him to judge everyone. Kneel down before the one who created heaven and earth, the oceans, and every stream.”

But before we talk about God’s mission, we should understand who God is.

Ellen White Commentary

Just like God guides the complicated world events, He guides your life too. God has a plan for every nation and person. What’s happening now fits into His bigger plan. Everything in history is part of His plan. We must stand up for what’s right and show others how to follow God’s laws.

God wants His message to reach everyone, just like the sun’s rays reach all over the world. His plan, from the time of Abraham until now, is to bless everyone through His people. If you know God’s truth and love Him, you have a mission to share His light with others.

Conclusion

Remember that God’s mission started with Him, and He wants you to be part of it!

Reflection

Why do you think it’s important to understand that God’s mission began with Him and that He wants us to be part of it?

How does knowing this impact your own sense of purpose and relationship with God?

𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘 – The God Who Reaches Out to Us

Lesson

God created us and wanted us to live in a perfect relationship with Him, based on love. He gave us free will, the ability to choose. But Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, and that’s when things went wrong – Genesis 2:16-17

KJV 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

CEV 16 But the Lord told him, “You may eat fruit from any tree in the garden, 17 except the one that has the power to let you know the difference between right and wrong. If you eat any fruit from that tree, you will die before the day is over!”

Genesis 3:5

KJV 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

CEV 5 “God understands what will happen on the day you eat fruit from that tree. You will see what you have done, and you will know the difference between right and wrong, just as God does.”

God’s original plan changed because of sin. But He already had a plan for our salvation, even before the world was created – Ephesians 1:4

KJV 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

CEV 4 Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people.

When God asked Adam where he was, it wasn’t because God didn’t know. He wanted Adam and Eve to realize their mistake. God began to reveal His mission: the plan to save humanity – Genesis 3:14-15

KJV 14 And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

CEV 14 So the Lord God said to the snake: “Because of what you have done, you will be the only animal to suffer this curse — For as long as you live, you will crawl on your stomach and eat dirt. 15 You and this woman will hate each other; your descendants and hers will always be enemies. One of hers will strike you on the head, and you will strike him on the heel.”

God wanted to reconcile us to Himself.

Here’s the important part: Before confronting Adam and Eve and offering reconciliation, God came searching for them. He wanted to save them and be with them.

Ellen White Commentary

When God first created Adam and Eve, they were innocent and clothed in the light of God’s love. But when they sinned, they lost that connection with God. They tried to cover their shame with fig leaves.

Since then, God has been working on a plan to save us. Christ’s death on the cross allows God to forgive repentant souls.

God has always wanted to save humanity. His love for us is beyond measure. Jesus came to save the lost, not just the righteous. We don’t need to make God accept us; He is already working to bring us back to Him. His love and patience are endless.

Conclusion

God’s mission to save humanity began with His pursuit of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

He seeks us out, even in our fallen state, because of His great love.

How have you personally experienced God reaching out to you in your life?

Reflection

Think about a time when you made a mistake or did something wrong.

How did you feel, and what did you do about it?

How does God’s response to Adam and Eve’s mistake in the Bible show His love and willingness to help us when we mess up?

𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘 – The God Who Longs to Be With Us

Lesson

In the Bible, God makes promises to people like Abraham, promising to be their God – Genesis 17:7-8

KJV 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

CEV 7 I will always keep the promise I have made to you and your descendants, because I am your God and their God. 8 I will give you and them the land in which you are now a foreigner. I will give the whole land of Canaan to your family forever, and I will be their God.

Genesis 26:3

KJV 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

CEV 3 You will live there as a foreigner, but I will be with you and bless you. I will keep my promise to your father Abraham by giving this land to you and your descendants.

Genesis 28:15

KJV 15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

CEV 15 Wherever you go, I will watch over you, then later I will bring you back to this land. I won't leave you — I will do all I have promised.

God wanted to be with His people throughout history.

For example, when the people in Babel tried to build a tower to heaven, God scattered them and enlarged His mission. He then called Abraham to bless the world through his descendants.

God was always with people like Joseph and Moses. Even in tough times, the Bible says, “the Lord was with” them.

God wanted to be close to His people, so He set up a special place called the sanctuary – Exodus 29:43

KJV 43 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.

CEV 42-43 You and your descendants must always offer this sacrifice on the altar at the entrance to the sacred tent. People of Israel, I will meet and speak with you there, and my shining glory will make the place holy.

Exodus 29:45

KJV 45 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

CEV 45 I will live among you as your God,

This place helped people understand God’s mission, which ultimately pointed to Jesus.

Ellen White Commentary

Just like God’s glory was hidden when Moses saw Him, God communicated with people through things like the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Jesus, too, came in human form to be with us, though His glory was hidden.

God told Moses to build a sanctuary so He could dwell among His people. Through this, God wanted to make His character and life known to us.

Conclusion

God’s promise to be with Abraham and his descendants is a reflection of His desire for intimate connection with us.

As you go about your day, consider the ways in which you experience God’s presence in your life.

Reflection

What do you think it means when the Bible says, “the Lord was with” people like Joseph and Moses?

How can you experience God’s presence in your own life?

𝐓𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐃𝐀𝐘 – The God Who Became One With Us

Lesson

In the Old Testament, God had a plan to be with us, and everything He did was part of that plan. Through Jesus’ birth, this plan became real. Matthew tells us that Jesus is “God with us,” Immanuel – Matthew 1:18-23

KJV 18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

CEV 18 This is how Jesus Christ was born. A young woman named Mary was engaged to Joseph from King David's family. But before they were married, she learned that she was going to have a baby by God's Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph was a good man and did not want to embarrass Mary in front of everyone. So he decided to quietly call off the wedding. 20 While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. 21 Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, 23 “A virgin will have a baby boy, and he will be called Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”

He’s fully God and fully human, and He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” – John 14:6

KJV 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

CEV 6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father.

John explains that Jesus became one with us, both God and human – John 1:14-18

KJV 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

CEV 14 The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him the complete gifts of undeserved grace and truth have come down to us. 15 John spoke about him and shouted, “This is the one I told you would come! He is greater than I am, because he was alive before I was born.” 16 Because of all that the Son is, we have been given one blessing after another. 17 The Law was given by Moses, but Jesus Christ brought us undeserved kindness and truth. 18 No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.

This shows that God’s mission continued through Jesus.

Ellen White Commentary

Jesus, who was always one with the Father, came to Earth to reveal God’s love to us. He was the Word of God, making God’s thoughts audible. Jesus’ life was full of self-denial and care for others, and every person was precious to Him.

God’s love for us is so great that He sent Jesus to be with us in our humanity. We should respond to this love by sharing it with others.

Conclusion

Through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God made His mission clear.

He came to be “God with us,” bridging the gap between divinity and humanity.

Reflect on how Christ’s incarnation reveals God’s love and mission to you personally.

Reflection

What does it mean to you that Jesus is “God with us” and that He became fully human while still being fully God?

How does this impact your understanding of God’s love, and how can you share this love with others?

𝐖𝐄𝐃𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐃𝐀𝐘 – The God Who Continues to Be With Us

Lesson

Jesus’ life and ministry revealed God’s mission perfectly. In just a few years, Jesus showed more about God’s nature and mission than ever before. Paul tells us that Jesus was the image of God, making peace through the cross – Colossians 1:15

KJV 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

CEV 15 Christ is exactly like God, who cannot be seen. He is the first-born Son, superior to all creation.

Colossians 1:19-20

KJV 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

CEV 19 God himself was pleased to live fully in his Son. 20 And God was pleased for him to make peace by sacrificing his blood on the cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost – Luke 19:10

KJV 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

CEV 10 The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.”

John shows us how God’s love and mission work together: God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son – John 3:16

KJV 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

CEV 16 God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.

Matthew gives us the Great Commission, where Jesus promises to be with us as we go and make disciples – Matthew 28:18-20

KJV 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

CEV 18 Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! 19 Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.

Ellen White Commentary

Jesus had infinite compassion for a fallen world. He took on humanity to touch and elevate us. He reached out to those in misery and elevated them to be with Him.

As followers of Jesus, we have a mission to seek and save the lost, just as He did. We should work like Jesus did, turning away from selfishness and bringing souls from darkness into the light of God’s love.

Conclusion

Jesus’ life and ministry exemplified God’s missionary nature.

His death and resurrection were not the end but the beginning of God’s mission to reconcile humanity.

Consider the ways you can actively engage in God’s mission in your daily life.

Reflection

How does Jesus’ life and the Great Commission demonstrate God’s love and His commitment to be with us in our mission?

In what ways have you experienced Jesus fulfilling His promise to be “with you always” as you engage in your mission to share God’s love with others?

𝐓𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐃𝐀𝐘 – The God Who Will Come Back for Us

Lesson

John records how Jesus comforts His disciples by telling them that He will come back to take them with Him – John 14:1-3

KJV 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

CEV 1 Jesus said to his disciples, “Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.

This promise is connected to the end-time message in Scripture.

John also speaks of God dwelling with humanity, a promise that will be fulfilled when God returns – Revelation 21:3

KJV 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

CEV 3 I heard a loud voice shout from the throne: God's home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people.

Ellen White Commentary

As Jesus prepared to leave His disciples, He was clear about their future challenges. He knew they would face persecution, be cast out of synagogues, and even suffer death for witnessing about Him. But He also gave them hope, promising to come back for them and take them to be with Him.

In the book of Acts, angels reassure the disciples that Jesus will return in the same way they saw Him go into heaven – Acts 1:9-11

KJV 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

CEV 9 After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud. They could not see him, 10 but as he went up, they kept looking up into the sky. Suddenly two men dressed in white clothes were standing there beside them. 11 They said, “Why are you men from Galilee standing here and looking up into the sky? Jesus has been taken to heaven. But he will come back in the same way you have seen him go.”

Conclusion

Jesus promised to return and take us to be with Him.

This blessed hope is a reminder of God’s commitment to be with us for eternity.

How does the assurance of Christ’s return impact your daily life and your involvement in God’s mission?

Reflection

How does the promise of Jesus’ return give us hope and assurance in the face of challenges and trials?

What does it mean to you personally to know that Jesus is coming back for His people?

𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘 – Further Thought

Ellen White Commentary

Ellen White emphasizes that the plan for our redemption was not an afterthought but a revelation of eternal principles. God and Christ knew of Satan’s apostasy and humanity’s fall and made provision to meet the emergency out of love for the world.

She also assures us that Christ did not promise an easy journey for His disciples, but they would never be left to fight alone. His presence would be with them even to the farthest parts of the globe, helping, guiding, comforting, sanctifying, and sustaining them.

Conclusion

God’s plan for our redemption was not an afterthought but a revelation of His eternal principles of love and grace.

As we participate in God’s mission, we can trust in His presence and empowerment.

How can you embrace God’s mission and share the hope of His return with others?

𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

Reflect on the significance of God’s first words to fallen humanity being “Where are you?”

How does this reveal God’s intention and His desire for us and our loved ones?

Reveal Answer

Consider the idea that God, in the person of Jesus, came to Earth to save us.

How does Christ’s sacrifice on the cross reveal God as a God of mission, and what does this tell us about His character?

Reveal Answer

Knowing that the mission belongs to God and that He equips and empowers people for the task, how can you overcome feelings of inadequacy or fear when faced with the challenges of worldwide evangelization?

Reveal Answer

What steps can you take to rely more on God’s guidance and presence in your mission?

Reveal Answer

𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘

Two Boys, Two Prayers: Part 1

In the city of Conakry in Guinea, there was a new Christian school named “Adventist Maranatha School.” A father, excited about this opportunity, enrolled his two sons, Junior (11 years old) and Emile (8 years old), in the school because he wanted them to receive a Christian education.

At the school, Junior and Emile learned about the Bible and memorized verses they had never heard before. They discovered that their teachers worshiped in church on Saturdays, which was something new to them. The boys asked their father if they could attend a Saturday program at the church on the school compound, and their father agreed, thinking it was just an extracurricular activity.

For two years, the boys regularly attended church on Saturdays, and their teachers occasionally invited their father to join them. However, he always declined, citing work as his reason. One day, the church pastor, Matthew, decided to visit the boys’ father along with 15 church members. They asked the father if they could pray together, and he agreed. During the prayer, the father shared his request about a grant he had applied for from the government ministry months earlier.

Surprisingly, just three days later, on a Tuesday, the government ministry approved the grant. The father was grateful for this answered prayer but still did not attend church on Saturdays, even though he had witnessed a powerful response to prayer.

To be continued...

𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘

God’s Missionary Nature

Throughout the week’s lessons, we’ve explored the profound theme of God’s missionary nature and His deep desire to be with humanity. This desire to connect with us has been evident throughout history and culminated in the ultimate act of love: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our redemption.

Sunday reminded us of God’s original plan for a perfect connection with humanity, a relationship centered in love. Even after Adam and Eve’s disobedience, God reached out to them, showing His missionary nature and determination to save us.

Monday revealed that God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants included the key assurance, “I will be with you.” This pattern continued throughout history, emphasizing God’s longing to be with His people.

Tuesday highlighted the extraordinary event of Jesus’ incarnation, where God became one with us. This marked a turning point, as God’s promise to be with us became a concrete reality through Christ’s life and teachings.

Wednesday showcased Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God’s missionary nature. In His ministry, He revealed God’s love and purpose for humanity. His death and resurrection paved the way for the Great Commission, where Jesus promised to be with us always as we engage in God’s mission.

Thursday looked forward to the blessed hope of Jesus’ return. This promise connects with end-time messages in Scripture, affirming that God will ultimately dwell with us eternally, fulfilling His mission to be with His children.

Friday highlighted the profound truth that God’s plan for redemption was not an afterthought but an eternal revelation of His character and love. Ellen White’s writings reinforced the idea that God will always be with us, helping, guiding, comforting, and sustaining us in our mission.