A Letter to Refugees: From Surviving to Thriving

[David Edgren]

Sabbath School Helps - Lesson 13 - 24 June 2017

Introduction

Ringwood Adventist Church, where I attend with my family, is as close to the Kingdom of God as you can get before the return of Christ. Why do I say this? 

Reason 1. A few weeks ago, during luncheon I noticed something about the people with whom I was eating. I commented that the five of us were from five different families, five different nationalities and five different cultures! That's Kingdom growth if I ever saw it!

Reason 2. At least half of our weekly attendees are refugees. Hearing their stories of suffering from around the world, I have learned so much more about the power of Salvation. The Kingdom of God is ever present due to their presence.

Peter's first letter is written to Refugees. He wrote it to give them courage and confidence in their struggles. Let's take a look.

Read 1 Peter 1:1-9

What do you learn about the blessings give to refugees (exiles) in these verses? 1 Pet 1:1,2 (chosen by God for activity of God in their lives)

What impact might the following statements have on a refugee:
“God has chosen you and sent you out.”
“God knows your future and His Spirit is with you now, working in you and through you.”
“You are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus!”
“May God’s grace and peace be yours!”

Why does Salvation mean more to those who are suffering?

In 1 Pet 1:4 in describes the inheritance exiles for Christ receive. What has happened to the family inheritance of most refugees? What would it mean to hear of an unending inheritance in heaven?

What trials do refugees endure today?

How might salvation mean more to them than those who are not exiles? (1 pet 1:5)

How is suffering improving the eternal character of a refugee? (1 pet 1:6-7)

Why is it important to realise we are all exiles? (1 Pet 1:3)

How does the refugee state of mind benefit us all? (1 Pet 1:8-9)

What does this quote from Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) hint about our story of salvation?

“Shall we be witnesses for the Lord of grace to myriads of worlds which will be wonderstruck when they hear of the incarnate God? Shall we be surrounded by pure intelligences enquiring and searching into the mysteries of God manifest in the flesh? Will the unfallen worlds desire to be instructed in the glorious gospel of the blessed God? And will each one of us have his tale to tell of our experience of infinite love? I think so, since the Lord has saved us “to that intent that now unto the principalities and powers in the heavenly places might be known by the church of the manifold wisdom of God” (Greatest Fight in the World, April, 1891).

Read: 1 Peter 1:10-17

What did both the prophet and the angels want to understand? (Salvation)

What is it about being an exile or refugee that makes a new King and new Kingdom so much more amazing?

Having God as your new King and Lord, how are we called to live until He returns? (sober minded, hope in Christ, obedient, transformed, holy)

Read 1 Peter 5:1-5

What does action of this type of person look like in the world today?

STORM Co – In Australia we have a movement of Seventh-day Adventist youth from many different churches who go into various communities and show: “Service To Others Really Matters”. For a week, these young people do community service projects and run daily worship programs. STORM Co started in1992 and is a regular part of the Adventist experience in Australia. 

What does STORM Co teach to our youth? 

What does it teach the children who look up to our youth? 

What does it teach to the communities STORM Co crews serve? 

What does it teach to the churches these STORM Co crews come from?

What happens to a family where service to others isn’t modelled?

What happens to a country where service to others isn’t valued?

What happens to a church where service to others isn’t organised?

What happens to a Christian who doesn’t serve others?

How is service to others the fullest revelation of the character of Jesus to today's world?

What character strength is required to truly serve others? 1 Pet 5:5

Conclusion

As you closing prayer, read 1 Peter 5:6-11

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