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Rulership: God’s Managers | Lesson 13 | December 26, 2015
A Star Is Born
Sabbath Afternoon | Today’s Reading
Prophets and Kings, p. 31
“The path of men who are placed as leaders is not an easy one. But they are to see
in every difficulty a call to prayer. Never are they to fail of consulting the great
Source of all wisdom. Strengthened and enlightened by the Master Worker, they
will be enabled to stand firm against unholy influences and to discern right from
wrong, good from evil. They will approve that which God approves, and will strive
earnestly against the introduction of wrong principles into His cause.”
1. Is there ever a situation when a Christian, particularly a Christian leader,
should not pray?
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2. How can a leader resist the temptation to focus only on his or her own
understanding of a situation?
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Numbers 27:18 (New International Version)
“So the Lord said to Moses, ‘Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit
of leadership, and lay your hand on him.’”
Is every church leader chosen by God? If so, what happens if things start to
go wrong? If not, why not?
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A STAR IS BORN
You may have heard the story of King Christian X of Denmark. During World War
II, when the Germans occupied Denmark, they ordered all the Jews to wear yellow
armbands. But the king said that one Dane was exactly the same as another. He
asked the loyal Danish people to wear armbands, and he himself wore one on his
daily morning horseback ride through Copenhagen to demonstrate his opposition to
evil. When the Germans saw the entire population of Denmark, inspired by their
courageous leader, wearing armbands, they decided not to carry out their order.
It’s a great story. But it’s not true. It’s an urban legend. There are various versions
of the same story, but none of them can be proved. In fact, except for the few
Danish Jews who were actually deported, none was ever required to wear the
yellow star.
But what really happened in Denmark is truly inspiring.
On April 9, 1940, German troops overran the country and made Denmark an offer.
If the country offered no resistance, Germany would respect Danish political
independence. Left with no other options, they agreed, and entered into a fiveyear-long occupation. But, although he didn’t wear the yellow star or ask his
subjects to wear it, King Christian X became known as a protector of the Jews. A
number of stories relate how he snubbed Hitler and the Nazis. Every day he made it
a point to ride his horse, unarmed and unescorted, through the streets of
Copenhagen to illustrate his continuing claims for national sovereignty. He rejected
many aspects of the occupation and made speeches against Germany.
As the Danes’ resistance became bolder, Hitler demanded that the Danish
government declare a state of emergency. When the government refused and
resigned, the German commander-in-chief imposed martial law. The arrest and
deportation of Danish Jews was finally ordered on October 2, 1943. But, behind
Germany’s back, the Danish government warned the Jews to go into hiding and
conducted secret negotiations with Sweden to take them in. Only 450 of Denmark’s
7,500 or 8,000 Jews were arrested and sent to Theresienstadt concentration camp
in what is now the Czech Republic. Of those, nearly 90 percent made it back to
Denmark after the war.
Thousands of Danish Jews survived the Holocaust because of the bravery and
courage of not only their government officials but also ordinary people who were
willing to help. The thrilling story of King Christian wearing an armband in
nonviolent opposition to evil may not be true, but the courage of the Danish people
in opposing the Nazis and risking their lives in heroic efforts to shelter their Jewish
neighbors and help them escape the Nazis is every bit as inspiring.
1. How can a leader know when to do what the majority of people he or she is
leading wants is right instead of following his or her conscience?
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2. Does a leader need everyone he or she is leading to agree with what needs
to be done? Or does a leader sometimes have to do what the people need
rather than what they want? Explain your answer.
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3. Does a leader have to be elected in order to be a “real” leader? Or is
“leadership” something more?
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Sunday | Today’s Reading
The Colporteur Evangelist, p. 25
“There must be no exalting of self. What have any of us that we did not receive
from Christ? We must love as brethren, revealing our love by helping one another.
We must be pitiful and courteous. We must press together, drawing in even cords.
Only those who live the prayer of Christ, working it out in practical life, will stand
the test that is to come upon all the world. Those who exalt self place themselves
in Satan’s power, preparing to receive his deceptions. The word of the Lord to His
people is that we lift the standard higher and still higher. If we obey His voice, He
will work with us, and our efforts will be crowned with success. In our work we shall
receive rich blessings from on high and shall lay up treasure beside the throne of
God.”
1. How can we know the difference between being “selfless” and being “selfcentered”? Is it something you can tell right away?
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2. Being a leader may mean setting an example for others to follow. Even
though Jesus was never elected to office, what kind of leader was He?
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3. In what ways can you be a leader and set an example for others to follow?
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1 John 4:7 (King James Version)
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is
born of God, and knoweth God.”
1 John 4:11 (King James Version)
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”
HERE’S WHAT I THINK
Kara comes from a poor family. She wears the same old clothes every day. Not
only that, but she doesn’t eat lunch very often. She says she’s not hungry, but you
know better. She’s not eating because she can’t afford to buy lunch, and there’s not
enough food at home for her to bring a bag lunch.
You’ve got plenty of food and drawers full of clothes at home. How can you be a
good steward of the resources God has given you to help Kara, who is less
fortunate? Would you give her your best? Or the clothes you don’t care for and all
the cans of lima beans?
Go to http://guidemagazine.org/rtf to post your answer. Your thoughts and feelings
may seem clearer to you when you write them down, so we’ve provided space for
you here as well. You may also wish to share them with your class later. Be upfront
and honest.
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Monday | Today’s Reading
Acts 28:17-29 (New International Version)
“Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had
assembled, Paul said to them: ‘My brothers, although I have done nothing against
our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem
and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me,
because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. The Jews objected, so I was
compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any
charge against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk
with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.’
“They replied, ‘We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and
none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad
about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people
everywhere are talking against this sect.’
“They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to
the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening,
explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the
Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he
said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to
leave after Paul had made this final statement: ‘The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to
your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:
“‘“Go to this people and say,
‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’”
“‘Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles,
and they will listen!’”
The Acts of the Apostles, p. 469
“Paul could not tell all that he had seen in vision; for among his hearers were some
who would have misapplied his words. But that which was revealed to him enabled
him to labor as a leader and a wise teacher, and also molded the messages that he
in later years sent to the churches. The impression that he received when in vision
was ever with him, enabling him to give a correct representation of Christian
character. By word of mouth and by letter he bore a message that ever since has
brought help and strength to the church of God. To believers today this message
speaks plainly of the dangers that will threaten the church, and the false doctrines
that they will have to meet.”
1. When a leader knows someone will misunderstand or misinterpret his or her
words or actions, what can they do about it?
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2. When we don’t understand what someone has said or done, or if they have
offended us, what is the best action to take? (See Acts 28:22; Matthew
18:15, 16.)
3.
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4. Not all who Paul told God’s message to believed what he said. But many
people did believe. And Paul continued to share his messages with others.
What can we learn from Paul’s example?
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Tuesday | Today’s Reading
The Adventist Home, p. 404
“Do not see how close you can walk upon the brink of a precipice and be safe.
Avoid the first approach to danger. The soul’s interests cannot be trifled with. Your
capital is your character. Cherish it as you would a golden treasure. Moral purity,
self-respect, a strong power of resistance, must be firmly and constantly cherished.
There should not be one departure from reserve; one act of familiarity, one
indiscretion, may jeopardize the soul in opening the door to temptation, and the
power of resistance becomes weakened.”
Jeremiah 17:3 (New International Version)
“‘My mountain in the land and your wealth and all your treasures I will give away
as plunder, together with your high places, because of sin throughout your
country.’”
Ellen G. White, A Call to Stand Apart, p. 15
“‘One thing thou lackest,’ Jesus said. ‘If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and
follow Me.’ Christ read the ruler’s heart. Only one thing he lacked, but that was a
vital principle. He needed the love of God in the soul. This lack, unless supplied,
would prove fatal to him; his whole nature would become corrupted. By indulgence,
selfishness would strengthen. That he might receive the love of God, his supreme
love of self must be surrendered.”
SO WHAT?
OK, so you get that all your stuff belongs to God and you’re just borrowing it, so
it’s real important to treat it the way God wants you to. But all this ruler stuff
seems so far off in the future. Who could possibly care about politics or the
environment or people in developing countries now? Well, you, for one. Because
the world you live in today is going to be the world the grown-ups give you
tomorrow. You’ve got to start caring about what’s going on with it now so you know
what to do with it when the time comes.
If your brother was going to give you his car as soon as you got your license, when
would you start caring how he treated the car? The day you got your license? No
way! You’d nag him not to get it all scratched up off-roading with his friends. You’d
be sure it was washed and vacuumed.
You’d probably even wax it. You might read the owner’s manual, even though most
of it wouldn’t make sense, just because you know that someday you’ll own the car.
You want it to be in the best shape possible.
It’s the same way with the earth. Now is the time to care about it. Get involved.
Not necessarily in a big way, but in a way that feels comfortable to you, in an area
that interests you. Crazy about dolphins? See what you can do to help protect
them. Like to do nice things for people? Volunteer at a shelter. Everything you do
makes a difference and gets you ready to take over the care of the world when the
time comes.
1. Is stewardship (taking care of things) important even when you don’t own a
lot of stuff? Can learning how to keep things in good condition now help you
later on when you own a car or a home? Explain.
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2. Scripture tells us that the “love” of money is the root of all evil. How can we
resist the temptation to “love” it while being a good steward of the money
God gives us?
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3. In what other areas of our lives is it important to be a good steward?
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Wednesday | Today’s Reading
Counsels on Stewardship, p. 5
“In the realm of Christian life and service the question of stewardship occupies a
large and vital place. Every Christian believer is deeply and continuously concerned.
Our recognition of the sovereignty of God, of his ownership of all things, and of the
bestowal of his grace upon us, is included in a proper understanding of the
principles of stewardship. As our comprehension of these principles grows and
expands, we are led into a fuller understanding of the way God’s love and grace
operate in our lives.”
1 Peter 4:10 (New International Version)
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful
stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Bible Puzzle
Fill in the blanks, using the clues below.
Across
3. A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection
6. A guide or director of a group
7. My_ _ _ _ or your_ _ _ _
8. A social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they
care for
9. To take charge of or care for
Down
1. The collection of sacred writings of the Christian religion, comprising the Old and
New Testaments
2. Something that is owned
4. Another name for Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah
5. An important New Testament apostle who traveled throughout Europe
(Key at the end of the study sheet)
Thursday | Today’s Reading
The Adventist Home, p. 448
“These are guests whom it will lay on you no great burden to receive. You will not
need to provide for them elaborate or expensive entertainment. You will need to
make no effort at display. The warmth of a genial welcome, a place at your fireside,
a seat at your home table, the privilege of sharing the blessing of the hour of
prayer, would to many of these be like a glimpse of heaven.”
1 Timothy 6:19 (New International Version)
“In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the
coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ME?
God doesn’t expect you to go out there and conquer the world alone. In fact, He
doesn’t expect you to conquer the world at all. But He does want you to share what
you have with others—there’s more where it came from because God’s blessing
never ends. And He wants you to take an interest in your little corner of the world.
Not sure just what He wants you to do? Ask Him. God never expects us to do
anything on our own. He always wants us to ask Him for help.
Remember, everything you have and everything you are belongs to God. Dedicate
it all to Him. Start in one corner of your room and put your hands on your stuff—
your clothes, your CDs, your iPod, your Game Boy, your coats, everything in your
room, one by one—and say, “God, I dedicate this _________ to You. It belongs to
You. If You have another purpose for it, tell me.” End with yourself. Dedicate
yourself and all your talents to God. Then stand back and brace yourself for all the
great things God is going to do in your life!
1. Does a Christian leader look out for himself or herself first? Explain.
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2. What’s the difference between “looking out for oneself first” and “taking care
of oneself as a good steward”?
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3. How can you be a good steward of your
•
Body? _________________________________________________
•
Mind?
•
Possessions? ____________________________________________
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Talents? ________________________________________________
•
Money? ________________________________________________
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Friday | Today’s Reading
The Desire of Ages, p. 104
“Christ is sitting for His portrait in every disciple. Every one God has predestinated
to be ‘conformed to the image of His Son.’ In every one Christ’s long-suffering love,
His holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth, are to be manifested to the world.”
Counsels on Health, p. 228
“Although Christ was rich in the heavenly courts, yet He became poor that we
through His poverty might be made rich. Jesus honored the poor by sharing their
humble condition. From the history of His life we are to learn how to treat the poor.
Some carry the duty of beneficence to extremes, and really hurt the needy by
doing too much for them. The poor do not always exert themselves as they should.
While they are not to be neglected and left to suffer, they must be taught to help
themselves.”
1 Thessalonians 4:10 (New International Version)
“In fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you,
brothers and sisters, to do so more and more.”
The Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, p. 204
“We are now a strong people, if we will put our trust in the Lord; for we are
handling the mighty truths of the word of God. We have everything to be thankful
for. If we walk in the light as it shines upon us from the living oracles of God, we
shall have large responsibilities, corresponding to the great light given us of God.
We have many duties to perform, because we have been made the depositaries of
sacred truth to be given to the world in all its beauty and glory. We are debtors to
God to use every advantage He has entrusted to us to beautify the truth by
holiness of character, and to send the messages of warning, and of comfort, of
hope and love, to those who are in the darkness of error and sin.”
HOW DOES IT WORK?
THE TWINKIE PROJECT
Supplies: One individually wrapped Twinkie (or other snack cake).
Mission: You must keep your Twinkie with you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Why, you ask? The Twinkie represents the earth and all its resources. We’re
responsible for the world we live in nonstop. See how well you take care of your
Twinkie world for a week.
Each day you must log the condition of your Twinkie. You are not, under any
circumstances, to leave your Twinkie in the care of another person. Your Twinkie
must be with you every day. Bring your Twinkie to Sabbath School class with you
next Sabbath so your class can vote on whose Twinkie is in the best condition!
Twinkie Name: ________________________________
Day One: Rate your Twinkie on a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (good).
Condition:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Significant events in the life of my Twinkie today:
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Day Two: Rate your Twinkie on a scale of 1 (poor)
to 10 (good).
Condition:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Significant events in the life of my Twinkie today:
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Day Three: Rate your Twinkie on a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (good).
Condition:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Significant events in the life of my Twinkie today
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Day Four: Rate your Twinkie on a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (good).
Condition:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Significant events in the life of my Twinkie today
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Day Five: Rate your Twinkie on a scale of 1 (poor)
to 10 (good).
Condition:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Significant events in the life of my Twinkie today
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Day Six: Rate your Twinkie on a scale of 1 (poor)
to 10 (good).
Condition:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Significant events in the life of my Twinkie today
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Final Sabbath School Scoring (to be done next Sabbath):
Overall Twinkie rating compared to other Twinkies:
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I received ________ votes for my Twinkie.
_______
Key for Wednesday’s puzzle
______
Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible
Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.