Blessed Are Those Who Believe – Outline

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Blessed Are Those Who Believe

- OVERVIEW

This week, we will explore testimonies from various people in the Bible and how they believed in Jesus. We will examine the faith of people like Abraham, Mary, Pilate, Thomas, and others, and see how their witness helps us strengthen our own faith today. Their stories remind us of the importance of believing, even when we haven't seen, and show how faith in Jesus can transform our lives.

- SATURDAY – Introduction

- Memory Text

John 20:29

KJV 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

CEV 29 Jesus said, “Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!”

J S T H T B Y H S M Y H B B A T W H N S A Y H B

- Lesson

Throughout the Gospel of John, many people from different backgrounds and experiences testify to who Jesus is. Each of these testimonies helps us understand more about Jesus' identity. We hear people calling Him "the Lamb of God," "the Messiah," "the Savior of the world," and "the Son of God." These statements of faith show that Jesus was recognized as more than a man—He was the promised Savior.

This week, we will look at the faith of different people in the Bible. They believed in Jesus and testified to His mission. Through their stories, we learn about what it means to believe, even when we haven't seen, and how Jesus blesses those who trust in Him.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White emphasizes that God uses people from all classes and backgrounds to spread His light. Each person plays a part in sharing the truth about Jesus. No matter who we are, we can be part of God’s mission to bring light to the world. Faith is the key that brings people together, and God calls everyone to believe and share the message of salvation.

- Conclusion

Belief in Jesus brings blessings, even if we haven’t physically seen Him. Through faith, we understand His mission and experience His transforming power.

- Reflection

Why is it important to believe in Jesus, even without seeing Him?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can the testimonies of people in the Bible strengthen our faith?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- SUNDAY – Harking Back to Abraham

- Lesson

Read John 8:56

KJV 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

CEV 56 Your father Abraham was really glad to see me.”

and Romans 4:1-5

KJV 1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

CEV 1 Well then, what can we say about our ancestor Abraham? 2 If he became acceptable to God because of what he did, then he would have something to brag about. But he would never be able to brag about it to God. 3 The Scriptures say, “God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith in him.” 4 Money paid to workers isn't a gift. It is something they earn by working. 5 But you cannot make God accept you because of something you do. God accepts sinners only because they have faith in him.

. Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, was known for his faith. Jesus said that Abraham looked forward to the day when the Messiah would come, and he was glad to see it. This is because Abraham believed in God’s promises, especially the promise that through him, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3

KJV 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

CEV 3 I will bless those who bless you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you.

). This blessing was fulfilled through Jesus.

Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac in Genesis 22

KJV 1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. 3 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. 4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. 5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you. 6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. 7 And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. 13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. 15 And the angel of the Lord called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, 16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. 19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba. 20 And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor; 21 Huz his firstborn, and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of Aram, 22 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel. 23 And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother. 24 And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.

CEV 1 Some years later God decided to test Abraham, so he spoke to him. Abraham answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 2 The Lord said, “Go get Isaac, your only son, the one you dearly love! Take him to the land of Moriah, and I will show you a mountain where you must sacrifice him to me on the fires of an altar.” 3 So Abraham got up early the next morning and chopped wood for the fire. He put a saddle on his donkey and set out with Isaac and two servants for the place where God had told him to go. 4 Three days later Abraham looked off in the distance and saw the place. 5 He told his servants, “Stay here with the donkey, while my son and I go over there to worship. We will come back.” 6 Abraham put the wood on Isaac's shoulder, but he carried the hot coals and the knife. As the two of them walked along, 7-8 Isaac said, “Father, we have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?” “My son,” Abraham answered, “God will provide the lamb.” The two of them walked on, and 9 when they reached the place that God had told him about, Abraham built an altar and placed the wood on it. Next, he tied up his son and put him on the wood. 10 He then took the knife and got ready to kill his son. 11 But the Lord's angel shouted from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am!” he answered. 12 “Don't hurt the boy or harm him in any way!” the angel said. “Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it instead of his son. 14 Abraham named that place “The Lord Will Provide.” And even now people say, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 15 The Lord's angel called out from heaven a second time: 16 You were willing to offer your only son to the Lord, and so he makes you this solemn promise, 17 “I will bless you and give you such a large family, that someday your descendants will be more numerous than the stars in the sky or the grains of sand along the seashore. They will defeat their enemies and take over the cities where their enemies live. 18 You have obeyed me, and so you and your descendants will be a blessing to all nations on earth.” 19 Abraham and Isaac went back to the servants who had come with him, and they returned to Abraham's home in Beersheba. 20-23 Abraham's brother Nahor had married Milcah, and Abraham was later told that they had eight sons. Uz was their first-born; Buz was next, and then there was Kemuel the father of Aram; their other five sons were: Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel the father of Rebekah. 24 Nahor also had another wife. Her name was Reumah, and she had four sons: Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.

showed his trust in God. This act of faith is a symbol of the plan of salvation, where God would send His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Just like Abraham trusted God, we are called to trust in Jesus for our salvation.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that Abraham’s faith was tested when God asked him to sacrifice Isaac. This experience helped Abraham understand the great love of God, who would one day give His own Son as a sacrifice for the world. Abraham’s faith was an example of what it means to trust in God completely.

- Conclusion

Abraham’s faith in God’s promises shows us what it means to believe in Jesus. Just like Abraham, we are called to trust in God’s plan of salvation.

- Reflection

How did Abraham’s faith in God’s promises point to Jesus?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What can we learn from Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- MONDAY – The Witness of Mary

- Lesson

Read John 12:1-8

KJV 1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. 4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

CEV (Matthew 26. 6-13; Mark 14. 3-9) 1 Six days before Passover Jesus went back to Bethany, where he had raised Lazarus from death. 2 A meal had been prepared for Jesus. Martha was doing the serving, and Lazarus himself was there. 3 Mary took a very expensive bottle of perfume and poured it on Jesus' feet. She wiped them with her hair, and the sweet smell of the perfume filled the house. 4 A disciple named Judas Iscariot was there. He was the one who was going to betray Jesus, and he asked, 5 “Why wasn't this perfume sold for 300 silver coins and the money given to the poor?” 6 Judas did not really care about the poor. He asked this because he carried the moneybag and sometimes would steal from it. 7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone! She has kept this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor with you, but you won't always have me.”

. Six days before Passover, Mary anointed Jesus with expensive perfume. This act was a sign of her love and gratitude to Jesus for raising her brother Lazarus from the dead and for forgiving her sins. She may have intended to save the perfume for Jesus' burial, but instead, she used it to honor Him while He was still alive.

Judas, who later betrayed Jesus, criticized Mary for her actions, saying the money should have been given to the poor. However, Jesus defended Mary, saying that she was preparing Him for His burial. Her act of love and worship was a powerful testimony to who Jesus was.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that Mary’s act of anointing Jesus was a display of deep love and gratitude. She did not fully understand the significance of her actions, but the Holy Spirit guided her to show this act of love at the right time. Mary’s faith and love brought comfort to Jesus as He faced the cross.

- Conclusion

Mary’s act of anointing Jesus shows us how we can express our love and gratitude to Him for all He has done for us.

- Reflection

What does Mary’s anointing of Jesus teach us about gratitude?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How did Jesus respond to Mary’s act of love?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- TUESDAY – The Unwitting Witness of Pilate

- Lesson

Read John 18:38

KJV 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

CEV 38 Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?”(Matthew 27. 15-31; Mark 15. 6-20; Luke 23. 13-25)Pilate went back out and said, “I don't find this man guilty of anything!

and John 19:19-22

KJV 19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was Jesus Of Nazareth The King Of The Jews. 20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. 21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. 22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

CEV 19 Pilate ordered the charge against Jesus to be written on a board and put above the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” 20 The words were written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. The place where Jesus was taken wasn't far from the city, and many of the people read the charge against him. 21 So the chief priests went to Pilate and said, “Why did you write that he is King of the Jews? You should have written, ‘He claimed to be King of the Jews.’ ” 22 But Pilate told them, “What is written will not be changed!”

. Pilate, the Roman governor, played a key role in Jesus’ trial. Although he condemned Jesus to be crucified, he repeatedly declared that Jesus was innocent. Pilate’s testimony is important because he was not a Jewish religious leader but a Roman governor, and even he recognized Jesus’ innocence.

Despite this, Pilate gave in to the pressure of the crowd and allowed Jesus to be crucified. Over the cross, Pilate placed a sign that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” This act became an unwitting testimony to who Jesus truly was—the King of all people.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that Pilate knew Jesus was innocent but gave in to the pressure of the people. He even received a warning from his wife, who had a dream that Jesus was the Son of God. Pilate’s decision to crucify Jesus shows the danger of ignoring our conscience and following the crowd.

- Conclusion

Pilate’s actions, though misguided, serve as a testimony to Jesus’ true identity as the King of the Jews. His decision reminds us of the importance of standing up for what we know is right.

- Reflection

What does Pilate’s testimony tell us about Jesus’ identity?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What can we learn from Pilate’s mistake of giving in to the crowd?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- WEDNESDAY – The Witness of Thomas

- Lesson

Read John 20:24-29

KJV 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

CEV 24 Although Thomas the Twin was one of the twelve disciples, he wasn't with the others when Jesus appeared to them. 25 So they told him, “We have seen the Lord!”But Thomas said, “First, I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won't believe unless I do this!” 26 A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples 27 and said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!” 28 Thomas replied, “You are my Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said, “Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!”

. After Jesus’ resurrection, Thomas struggled with doubt. He said he would not believe unless he could see and touch the wounds in Jesus’ hands and side. When Jesus appeared to Thomas and invited him to touch His wounds, Thomas declared, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus gently corrected Thomas, saying, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Thomas’s experience shows us the importance of believing in Jesus, even when we don’t have physical proof.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that Thomas’s doubt was a reminder to all believers that faith does not always require physical evidence. Jesus wants us to trust Him based on the evidence of His Word and His works, even if we haven’t seen Him in person. Thomas’s story encourages us to believe in Jesus without demanding proof.

- Conclusion

Thomas’s encounter with Jesus reminds us that faith does not require physical evidence. We are called to believe in Jesus, trusting in His Word and His promises.

- Reflection

What does Thomas’s story teach us about faith and doubt?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Why did Jesus say, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- THURSDAY – Our Witness of Jesus

- Lesson

Read John 20:30-31

KJV 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

CEV 30 Jesus worked many other miracles for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life.

. Each one of us is called to bear witness to Jesus, just like the people in the Gospel of John. Even though we haven’t seen Jesus perform miracles in person, we have the testimony of the Bible, the evidence of fulfilled prophecy, and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. These things help us believe in Jesus and share our faith with others.

We may not have dramatic stories like those in the Bible, but our personal experiences with Jesus are just as important. By sharing what Jesus has done in our lives, we can help others come to know Him as their Savior.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White encourages us to bear witness to Jesus in our daily lives. Whether through words or actions, we can show others what Jesus has done for us. Our testimony is a powerful way to share the message of salvation with those around us.

- Conclusion

We are all called to bear witness to Jesus. By sharing our personal experiences and the truth of the Bible, we can help others come to believe in Him.

- Reflection

How can we bear witness to Jesus in our daily lives?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Why is our personal testimony important for sharing the gospel?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- FRIDAY – Further Thought

- Lesson

This week’s lesson focused on different people who testified about Jesus and what it means to believe in Him. We learned from Abraham, Mary, Pilate, Thomas, and others about the importance of faith. Each of their stories shows us a different aspect of what it means to trust in Jesus and believe in His mission.

Jesus invites all of us to believe in Him, even if we haven’t seen Him with our eyes. By trusting in His Word, we can experience the blessings of faith.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White reminds us that faith is not just about believing in Jesus with our minds. It’s about trusting Him with our lives and following His example. Faith calls us to action, to live in a way that reflects our belief in Jesus.

- Conclusion

Faith is the key to knowing Jesus and experiencing His salvation. We are blessed when we believe in Him, even without seeing, and our faith grows as we trust in His Word.

- Reflection

What did we learn about faith from the different people in this week’s lesson?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we strengthen our faith in Jesus?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What is the essential difference between the faith of Abraham and the doubt of Thomas?

Reveal Suggested Answer

Why is it important to bear witness to Jesus in our daily lives?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we strengthen our faith and help others believe in Jesus?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- LESSON SUMMARY

Blessed Are Those Who Believe

This week’s lesson focused on the faith of different people in the Bible. We learned from the testimony of Abraham, Mary, Pilate, Thomas, and others, and saw how their stories help us strengthen our own faith in Jesus. Each of these people reminds us that believing in Jesus brings blessings, even if we haven’t physically seen Him. Through faith, we can experience the power of Jesus in our lives and share His love with others.