FORUM 1
The Readings for the Youth Week of Prayer--1999 take us back to the beginning of life on this earth and examine the issues which triggered the greatest tragedy and the greatest triumph in the history of the universe.
Although the events are well known to us, the perspective presented here is both different and personal. There will be opportunity for us to discuss why God did what He did in the face of open challenge not only of His law but of His motives and very character. This will by no means exhaust this subject, but we believe it will certainly spark new interest in what the Bible calls God's mysteries. Searching into God and His love is infinitely valuable--and possible for all.
"The science of redemption is the science of all sciences; the science that is the study of the angels, and of all the intelligencies of the unfallen worlds; the science that engages the attention of our Lord and Saviour; the science that enters into the purpose brooded in the mind of the Infinite--'kept in silence through times eternal;' the science that will be the study of God's redeemed throughout the endless ages. This is the highest study in which it is possible for man to engage. As no other study can, it will quicken the mind, and uplift the soul." --The Signs of the Times, April 18, 1906.
Even though the General Conference Youth Department would like this Youth Week of Prayer to take place at the same time all around the world--March 26-April 3, 1999--the union, field, and/or local church youth departments should coordinate the reading and discussion of the forums as is best for them. Let the dates and times fit the needs of the youth themselves!
Our earnest prayer is that this Youth Week of Prayer will be a great blessing to the young people not only now but for all eternity!
--The General Conference Youth Department
"Our heavenly Father, we come to Thee this morning just as we are, needy and wholly dependent upon Thee. Help us to have a clear knowledge of what we must be, and of the characters that we must form, in order that we may be prepared to unite with the heavenly family in the city of our God. We ask Thee that Thou wilt remove the reproach that has come upon Thee through the neglect of those who profess to be Thy people, but who have not walked in Thy counsel. Lord, help us to understand our individual responsibilities, that our hearts may be worked by the Holy Spirit. We ask Thee that Thou wilt open blind eyes, that they may see; to enlighten the darkened understanding, that all may understand that there must be a reconversion, that hearts must break before God. Give us hearts of repentance, hearts of humiliation. O my Father, how can we proclaim Thy goodness, and Thy mercy, and Thy love, unless we cherish them in our own hearts, and reveal them in our own experiences?" --General Conference Bulletin, April 2, 1903.
What a prayer! What beautiful words directed to God! They are humble, they are strong, they encompass everything, and they require everything. Will they be ours? Could we form such words ourselves and express them from the bottom of our heart without reserve?
Really, we should acknowledge that in our Christian life we need to emphasize how essential it is for us TO KNOW GOD AND TO LOVE HIM. Do we know God enough to have such communion and such a deep relationship? Do we know God and love Him enough to open our heart to Him and say, without fear: "Take my heart and do with it what You wish, for I know I can trust You; You love me and want me to live"?
We shouldn't be surprised that we do so little for God, nor that the little we do for Him seems to cost us so much. Actually, we don't even know Him. We hardly believe He exists and acts, even though the simple principle in the Bible states, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6.
So, yes--before we engage in deep theological discussions concerning God's will, we have to believe that He is! But where is one to look to become confident in this divine reality? "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:19, 20.
But what are these "things that are made"? Well, we first think of nature. But we are told: "Christ came to teach human beings what God desires them to know. In the heavens above, in the earth, in the broad waters of the ocean, we see the handiwork of God. All created things testify to His power, His wisdom, His love. But not from the stars or the ocean or the cataract can we learn of the personality of God as it is revealed in Christ." --Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 265.
Our earth is an imperfect reflection of God's personality; it is only one facet of its expression and has been spoiled by sin. Therefore, we are told, Read in the divine Book. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4. This says the Holy Scriptures have been given to give us hope. But how? "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
Hope comes from what we find in the Bible--the key to eternal life. "We have a Bible full of the most precious truth. It contains the alpha and omega of knowledge." --Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 299.
And how can we gain confidence in this Book of books? "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17. Nothing can more effectively convince the human mind of the Bible's inspiration than the reading of the Bible itself, and especially the prophecies it contains. The day after His resurrection, when all other means had failed of convincing the disciples that their Master had indeed risen from the dead, Jesus called the Scriptures as witness. "…He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27. And they believed. He also said: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Luke 16:31. This Bible text attests that His origin is divine.
So, let's now apply ourselves and discover and love this God who reveals Himself to us in His Holy Scriptures. A scribe once came to Jesus and asked Him about the law. "…Which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus answered by referring to the depth of the law and the books of the prophets. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:36-40.
And the manner in which the Bible was written is extremely important. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God,…" 2 Timothy 3:16. "…Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:21.
Thus, we can conclude that every word given by God in the Bible has one aim: To make God known through His words and actions and to let man know His will.
| Discussion questions |
| 1. |
What is essential to have a close relationship with someone, especially God? |
| 2. |
Discuss those things which hinder and those things which help establish long-lasting friendships. |
| 3. |
Through what different means does God seek to speak to us, and how can we "tune our ears" to hear Him better? |
| 4. |
In Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 593, 594, we read the following: "The chief subjects of study in these schools [of the prophets] were the law of God, with the instructions given to Moses, sacred history, sacred music, and poetry. The manner of instruction was far different from that in the theological schools of the present day, from which many students graduate with less real knowledge of God and religious truth than when they entered. In those schools of the olden time it was the grand object of all study to learn the will of God and man's duty toward Him. In the records of sacred history were traced the footsteps of Jehovah." Discuss ways in which our own formal education differs from the ideal of the above statement. |
| 5. |
What good habits do we need to acquire or strengthen to have a better relationship with God? |
| 6. |
Make a daily and weekly schedule which puts priority on personal spiritual growth. Try it for three weeks and note any changes in your attitude. |
