MEMORY VERSE: ‘Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.’ Matthew 7:24.
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Matthew 7:24-29.
STUDY HELP: Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pages 146-152.
LESSON AIM: To study the foundation for our beliefs.
‘Jesus ended His teaching on the mount with an illustration that presented with startling vividness the importance of putting in practice the words He had spoken. Among the crowds that thronged about the Saviour were many who had spent their lives about the Sea of Galilee. As they sat upon the hillside, listening to the words of Christ, they could see valleys and ravines through which the mountain streams found their way to the sea. In summer these streams often wholly disappeared, leaving only a dry and dusty channel. But when the wintry storms burst upon the hills, the rivers became fierce, raging torrents, at times overspreading the valleys and bearing everything away on their resistless flood. Often, then, the hovels reared by the peasants on the grassy plain, apparently beyond the reach of danger, were swept away. But high upon the hills were houses built upon the rock. In some parts of the land were dwellings built wholly of rock, and many of them had withstood the tempests of a thousand years. These houses were reared with toil and difficulty. They were not easy of access, and their location appeared less inviting than the grassy plain. But they were founded upon the rock, and wind and flood and tempest beat upon them in vain.’ Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, page 147.
1. In dividing those listening to Him into groups, which group did Jesus first speak of? Matthew 7:24, first part.
NOTE: ‘When we are truly Christ’s, our hearts will be full of meekness, gentleness, and kindness, because Jesus has forgiven our sins. As obedient children we shall receive and cherish the precepts He has given, and shall attend to the ordinances He has instituted. We shall be seeking constantly to obtain a knowledge of Him. His example will be our rule of life. Those who are Christ’s disciples will take the work where He left it, and carry it forward in His name. They will copy the words, the spirit, the practices, of none but Him. Their eye is upon the Captain of their salvation. His will is their law. And as they advance, they catch more and clearer views of His countenance, of His character, of His glory. They do not cling to self, but hold fast His word, which is spirit and life. “If ye continue in My word, then ye are My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” They reduce their knowledge of His will to practice. They hear and do the things that Jesus teaches.’ Review & Herald, May 1, 1913.
2. What likeness did Jesus make to those who both hear and do as He commands? Matthew 7:24, last part.
NOTE: ‘They that are hearers and doers of the words of Christ are the only ones who have built upon the eternal rock, and whose house will stand secure when the storms beat upon it. What foundation have you been building upon, sliding sand or solid rock? If you are not doers of the words of Christ, your house is sure to fall. Do you seek to save souls that are perishing, or do you fold your arms, and leave those unhelped whom you could help? You will gain no strength or encouragement by neglecting to work the works of Christ.’ Review & Herald, February 17, 1903.