February 22, 2025
Standing for Religious Liberty
Sabbath
FOR STUDY
» Memory Text: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me’ ” (John 14:6).
» Our Beliefs, no. 22, Christian Behavior: “We are called to be a godly
people who think, feel, and act in harmony with biblical principles in all
aspects of personal and social life.”
» Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 134-137
GRATEFUL FOR FREEDOM Sunday
A number of years ago religious freedom was severely restricted RESPONDING
in some countries that today enjoy freedom. Students who worshiped
on the seventh-day Sabbath often faced serious challenges in their ac-
» Read Ephesians 5:1-17.
ademic journey. Sometimes they were threatened with being expelled
from school. Many families knelt in prayer asking for God’s intervention
» Discrimination against people because of their religious beliefs can be
minor, serious, or even life-threatening. It can happen across the world or
and direction. here at home. It can happen to Christians as well as to people who hold dif-
Christina’s parents decided to enroll their daughter in a music school. ferent beliefs. We need to show our gratitude to God for the freedoms we
Several days before the scheduled entrance exam, a public announce- enjoy, and pray for those who do not enjoy these freedoms. We also need
ment went out. The principal of that school announced the decision that to utilize these privileges to share the hope we found in Jesus.
Seventh-day Adventist students would not be admitted to the music When religious freedoms are restricted, what should be the Christian’s
school. It was known that Adventist students were determined to keep response? Read Acts 5:29. How can we be Christ’s witnesses when political
the seventh-day Sabbath holy according to the Bible. or religious authorities restrict religious freedom? How can we hold firm to
Christina’s parents received the news with considerable disappoint- God’s great commission to share Jesus with everyone?
ment. Yet they did not lose heart. They prayed and entrusted the matter
in God’s hands. With renewed interest they anticipated the day of the
entrance exam.
On the appointed day, a member of the examination committee was
charged with the specific responsibility of asking each student about the
religious beliefs they held. Notwithstanding their aptitude in music, the
students who would not attend school on Sabbath would not be granted Monday
admission. BIBLE ANSWERS ON CHRISTIAN
Christina waited prayerfully outside the examination room. Right be-
fore it was her turn to enter, a teacher from the examination committee
BEHAVIOR
was asked to leave and assist with an urgent matter. Christina entered » Read Psalm 106:3; Acts 5:12-42; 2 Corinthians 10:5.
and took her turn. One by one the teachers on the committee tested her
musical skills. After the exam was over, Christina left the room. No one » Part of being a follower of Jesus is showing His love to everyone—
had asked her about her religious convictions. especially the person who does not know Him. Jesus has called us to
Christina’s family praised God for the answered prayers! Now share the “good news” with everyone—those close to home and those far
they prayed for guidance in the next step. There remained one more away. We are to love our neighbor. There are no conditions to us loving
challenge—talking to the homeroom teacher. others. We are to stand for what is right and love others—regardless of
To the family’s surprise, the teacher accepted Christina in her class how they respond. God’s message is a message of love.
and offered not to mark Christina’s absences on Saturday. Her desire
was to help her students succeed. Each Friday, at the end of the school » What are some ways we can show God’s love to unbelievers?
day, the teacher gave Christina the homework that she would need to do
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for Monday. Christina had a successful academic year.
It was a time of great joy for many Christians when religious freedom » How can you show respect to others who believe differently and also share
was finally granted and there was no longer instruction in schools on Jesus?
Saturday. God answered in marvelous ways the prayers of His faithful _____________________________________________________________________
children!
» “It is no part of Christ’s mission to compel men to receive Him. . . . But
Christ is ever showing mercy, ever seeking to win by the revealing of His
love” (Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 541).
» Religious Persecution in the Bible?
Stop and think about the Bible stories in the Old and New Testament. The
Bible contains stories about religious persecution and intolerance. Look up
the references below and match them with the person, persons, or group
of people that are mentioned in the stories. All verses are taken from the
NKJV.
Daniel 6:4-24 Stephen A
Acts 8:1-4 Gentiles B
Daniel 3:1-30 Church (Christians) C
Acts 6:8-7:60 Jesus D
Acts 10:40-48 Samaritans E
John 11:30-49 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego F
Luke 10:29-36 Daniel G
© Copyright 2025 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
STANDING FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY / February 22, 2025
Tuesday Wednesday
REFLECTING BIBLE INSIGHTS
» Read Romans 12:18.
» Match the verse with the text. All Bible passages are taken from the New King
James Version.
» How should a Christian young person respond to the different
religious beliefs in the world around us? Do we simply “agree
1. Acts 4:12 “One God and Father of all . . .” A
to disagree”? How can we show tolerance and respect for
people who hold different beliefs and at the same time share 2. Romans 12:18 “Do not be conformed to this world.” B
Jesus with them? 3. 1 John 2:6 “Teaching them to observe all things . . .” C
4. Philippians 2:4 “There is no other name under heaven.” D
» As the citizens of God’s kingdom in this world, how do we live 5. Ephesians 4:4-6 “Walk just as He walked.” E
in society without offending people, turning them off, or being 6. Matthew 28:19, 20 “Also for the interests of others.” F
disrespectful? We have a fine line to walk. Jesus calls us to 7. Romans 12:1, 2 “Live peaceably with all men.” G
be fearless and bold in standing for Him, yet to always treat
others the way we would want to be treated. That means re-
specting other people’s right to their beliefs just as we want
our own rights to be respected.
» “What we do or say may seem to us of little moment, when,
could our eyes be opened, we should see that upon it de- Thursday
pended the most important results for good or for evil” (Ellen
G. White, Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 102). CONNECTING
» Read Matthew 22:37-39.
» Review the memory text.
» In world that says that “there are many different truths for different people,” can
you believe in “the truth” anymore? Seventh-day Adventist Christians say yes! But
Friday
in a world with more diversity, more different views and opinions than ever before,
APPLYING we have to think carefully about how to share that truth.
» Read 1 John 3:23.
» While we have to stand firm on what we believe, we also have to respect and love
» Interview three to five friends whom you know have a differ-
others whose beliefs are different. In fact, love is the key here. Bible doctrines have
their place, but the best way to share Jesus with our world is to live His love in
ent religious background or outlook than you do. Read the
everything we do. When people see our love in action, they’ll be ready to hear our
questions below and be prepared to know how to answer
message of God’s love.
them yourself based on what you believe. Here are some
Bible answers to these questions:
» “When those who profess the name of Christ shall practice the principles of the
golden rule, the same power will attend the gospel as in apostolic times” (Ellen G.
1. Hebrews 11:6. 2. John 3:16. 3. John 11:11, 14, 25, 26;
White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 137).
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. 4. Micah 6:8; Deuteronomy 30:14-16,
19, 20. 5. John 17:3.
» What are possible ways you can speak about God’s truth?
Here are the interview questions: ___________________________________________________________________________
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1. Do you believe in a God?
___________________________________________________________________________
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2. If so, what do you think God is like? ___________________________________________________________________________
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3. What do you think happens to people after they die?
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4. How should people decide what’s right or wrong to do?
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5. What’s the ultimate point of life?
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» Make notes of their answers. Then look back over their an-
swers and think about how their views differ from yours. What
could you say about your belief in Jesus and the teachings of
His Word that would be meaningful to each of these people?
» Pray for your friends and ask God to impress their hearts with
His truth. Ask Jesus for wisdom to know how you can share
Him with your friends.
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» “Doing, not saying merely, is expected of the followers of
Christ” (Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
p. 149).
© Copyright 2025 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
