Easy Reading Edition

7 November 9–15

God Blesses People Who Believe

SABBATH—NOVEMBER 9
READ FOR THIS WEEK’S LESSON: John 8:56; Genesis
18:16–18; John 12:1–3; John 19:4-22; John 20:19–31;
Matthew 24:2.

MEMORY VERSE: “ ‘God will bless people who believe

though [even if; while] they have not seen me’ ” (John
20:29, WE).

IN THE BOOK OF JOHN, we read about many people who

met Jesus. These people have different beliefs and expe­
riences. Their stories tell us something important about Jesus.
Let’s look at what these people say about the Lord. John
the Baptist: “ ‘Look, the Lamb of God!’ ” (John 1:36, ERV).
Philip: “ ‘We have found the man that Moses wrote about in
the law’ ” (John 1:45, ERV). Nathanael: “ ‘Teacher, you are the
Son of God. You are the King of Israel’ ” (John 1:49, ERV). The
Samaritan woman: “ ‘Can this be the Christ [the Savior]?’ ”
(John 4:29, NLV). The Samaritans: “ ‘Now we believe because
Their stories tell us we heard him ourselves. We know now that he really is the one
something important who will save the world [sinners]’ ” (John 4:42, ERV). Peter:
about Jesus. “ ‘Lord, where would we go? You have the words that give eter-
nal [everlasting] life’ ” (John 6:68, ERV). Martha: “ ‘Yes, Lord. I
believe that you are the Christ [the Savior], the Son of God. You
are the One who was coming to the world [to sinners]’ ” (John
11:27, ICB). A blind man: “ ‘I was blind, and now I can see’ ”
(John 9:25, ERV). Pontius Pilate to the Jews: “ ‘See, your King!’ ”
and “ ‘I do not find Him guilty’ ” (John 19:14, 6, NLV). Thomas:
“ ‘My Lord and my God!’ ” (John 20:28, ERV). Who were these
people? Why did they say these things about Jesus?

52 GOD BLESSES PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE

 SUNDAY—NOVEMBER 10 Lesson 7
ABRAHAM SHOWS HIS FAITH IN JESUS (John 8:56)

Jesus wasn’t afraid to tell people about Himself. He also

shared what other people said about Him long ago in the past.
Abraham was one of the people who talked about the Savior.

Why did John include Abraham’s story about the Savior

in his book? Read Genesis 12:3; Genesis 18:16–18;
Genesis 26:4; Matthew 1:1; and Acts 3:25 for the answer.

“ ‘The Scriptures [the Old Testament] told what would

happen in the future. These writings said that God would
make the non-Jewish people right [accepted; clean] through
[because of] their faith. God told this Good News to Abraham
before it happened.’ Galatians 3:8 [ERV]. Abraham showed
faith in the coming Savior. Jesus told the Jews, ‘Your father
Abraham was very happy that he would see the day when
I came. He saw that day and was happy.’ John 8:56 [ERV].
God gave Abraham a male sheep to offer as a substitute for
Isaac. This sheep was a symbol of Jesus, the Son of God.
Humans sinned and broke God’s law. Their punishment was
death. The Father looked at His Son and said to sinners, ‘Live.
I have found a substitute who will die for your sins.’ ”—Ellen G.
White, Patriarchs and Prophets, page 154, adapted.
Abraham was the father of the Jewish people. God gave
Abraham the promise that everyone on earth would be ­blessed
in the future because of him. This future blessing was the
Savior. The Savior was born from Abraham’s future children.
Abraham also was the father of everyone who accepts
God in faith (Hebrews 11:8, 17–19). Abraham was willing to
give his son Isaac as an offering to God (Genesis 22). This
action showed Abraham’s faith. Abraham’s offering also
helps us understand God’s plan to save sinners.
Jesus said to the Jews, “ ‘Your father Abraham was very “God gave Abraham
happy that he would see the day when I came’ ” (John 8:56, a male sheep
ERV). The leaders answered, “ ‘What? How can you say to offer as a substitute
you have seen Abraham? You are not even [so much as] 50 for Isaac.”
years old!’ ” (John 8:57, ERV).
Jesus’ answer is amazing. He says, “ ‘For sure, I tell you,
before Abraham was born, I was and am and always will
be!’ ” (John 8:58, NLV). Jesus uses words that help us
remember what God said to Moses at the burning bush.
When Jesus says these words, the leaders understand that
Jesus is saying He is God. So, the leaders pick up stones
to throw at Jesus (John 8:59).

GOD BLESSES PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE 53

 Lesson 7 MONDAY—NOVEMBER 11
MARY SHOWS HER FAITH IN JESUS (John 12:1–3)

Six days before Passover, Jesus visits Mary, Martha,

and their brother Lazarus. Passover was the time when
God saved the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. A little while
before, Jesus woke Lazarus up from the dead. Jesus also
healed Simon, their neighbor, from a terrible skin disease.
Simon invited people to honor Jesus at a feast. Simon was
thankful that Jesus healed him. Martha served at the feast.
Lazarus sat at the table with the guests (John 12:1–8).

What does Mary do at the feast? What does her

behavior show us about her? Also, how do her actions
show us who Jesus really is? Read John 12:1–3 for the
answers.

The perfume was very expensive. It was worth about a

year’s pay for the everyday worker at that time. Mary may
have brought this perfume to show Jesus that she was
thankful to Him for forgiving her sins. Jesus also woke her
brother up from the dead. Mary planned to use the perfume
someday to pour on Jesus’ body after He died and was laid
in the grave. But then Mary heard that Jesus was going to
become King. She wanted to be the first one to pour oil on
Him and bring Him honor.
Mary didn’t want anyone to notice what she was doing.
But John tells us, “And the sweet smell from the perfume
filled the whole house” (John 12:3, ERV). Judas scolded
Mary. Judas said that the perfume should have been sold
Jesus knows what is and the money given to the poor. But Jesus said, “ ‘Leave
in people’s hearts.
her alone. She has kept this oil for the time when they will
bury me. You will have poor people with you always. But you
will not always have me with you’ ” (John 12:7, 8, WE).
Jesus knows what is in people’s hearts. We see this
important idea in the Book of John again and again (John
2:24, 25; John 6:70, 71; John 13:11; John 16:19). Jesus
knows what is in Judas’s heart at Simon’s feast. John
makes sure to tell us that Judas was selfish and a thief
(John 12:6).

Jesus knew what was in Mary’s heart and in Judas’s

heart. Jesus knows what’s in your heart, too. What
should this important truth teach us about our need
for Jesus to change our hearts and fill us with His holy
life?

54 GOD BLESSES PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE

 TUESDAY—NOVEMBER 12 Lesson 7
PILATE ANNOUNCES WHO JESUS IS (John 19:4–22)

John tells us how the Jewish leaders try, again and again,
to arrest Jesus, put Him on trial, and kill Him. The leaders
failed many times. Jesus says, His time to die had not come
(John 2:4; John 7:6, 8, 30; John 12:7, 23, 27; John 13:1;
John 17:1).
In chapter 19, the time comes for Jesus to die. Soldiers
arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The soldiers
take Jesus to Annas, then Caiaphas, the top Jewish spiritual
leader. Then the soldiers take Jesus to Pilate two times.
As we saw already, John writes about many people who
announce that Jesus is the Savior. Now John writes about
one more person who announces who Jesus is. Pilate
puts Jesus on trial. Pilate’s announcement about Jesus is
important because Pilate is a Roman, a governor, and a
judge. Most people who tell us about Jesus were Jews or
people who were not rich and powerful.

What does Pilate say about Jesus? What important

idea in the Book of John does Pilate’s announcement
show us? Read John 18:38 and John 19:4–22 for the
answers.

The soldiers bring Jesus to Pilate early on Friday morning

(John 18:28). Pilate’s plan was to send the prisoner quickly
to die. But Pilate is surprised when He meets Jesus. Jesus
is so filled with peace. The governor then carefully asks
Jesus questions. Pilate listens to Jesus’ answers. Jesus
says, “ ‘You say that I am a king. The reason that I was born
was that I should tell what is true [Bible truth]. That is why I
came into the world [to the people on earth]. Everyone who
likes what is true listens to what I say’ ” (John 18:37, WE). Pilate’s announcement
In the end, the governor sends Jesus to die on the cross. about Jesus is important
But before Pilate sends Jesus to the cross, he announces because Pilate is a Roman,
three times that Jesus is innocent (John 18:38; John 19:4, a governor, and a judge.
6). Above the cross, Pilate put a sign with these words:
“jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews” (read John 19:19,
ERV). This sign is part of Pilate’s announcement about who
Jesus is. But Pilate sent Jesus to die on the cross anyway.
The Truth Himself, Jesus, stood in front of Pilate. But
Pilate let the mob bully him into making the wrong decision.
Pilate is a sad example of what happens when we pay no
attention to what our hearts and minds tell us is correct!

GOD BLESSES PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE 55

 Lesson 7 WEDNESDAY—NOVEMBER 13
THOMAS SHARES HIS FAITH IN JESUS (John 20:19–31)

Read the story about Thomas in John 20:19–31. What

can we learn about faith and doubt from Thomas’s
story? What big mistake did Thomas make?

Jesus showed Himself to His followers after He woke up

from the dead. Jesus’ followers were afraid. So, they hid
together in a room and shut the door. Thomas wasn’t with the
other followers. Later, Thomas heard the news from the other
followers that Jesus woke up from the dead. But Thomas
was sad. The news didn’t match his idea about God’s king-
dom. Maybe Thomas wondered why Jesus showed Himself
to His other followers when Thomas wasn’t there.
Thomas said, “ ‘I will not believe it until I see the nail
marks in his hands. And I will not believe until I put my fin-
ger where the nails were and put my hand into his side’ ”
(John 20:25, ICB).
Do you see how Thomas refuses to believe until Jesus
gives him enough proof first? We see many people who
behave this way in the Book of John. Nicodemus argued
with Jesus, saying, “ ‘But if a man is already old, how can
Jesus says,
he be born again?’ ” (John 3:4, ICB). The woman at the
“ ‘God will bless people well asked Jesus, “ ‘Sir, where will you get that living water?
who believe The well is very deep, and you have nothing to get water
though [even if; while] with’ ” (John 4:11, ERV). After Jesus fed the crowd with the
they have not seen me’ ” bread and fish, they asked Him, “ ‘What miracle will you do?
(John 20:29, WE). If we can see a miracle, then we will believe you. What will
you do?’ ” (John 6:30, ICB).
Many people will not believe until they see proof first. But
the Book of John warns us against doubting. After Jesus
woke up from the dead, He asks Thomas to come, see, and
touch His body. Then Jesus says, “ ‘God will bless people
who believe though [even if; while] they have not seen me’ ”
(John 20:29, WE).
“God doesn’t ask us to believe without giving us proof
for our faith. The proof God gives us is in His life, His love,
and the Bible. These things give us many good reasons to
believe. But God doesn’t remove all reasons for doubt. So,
we must trust the proof that God gives us. We must not ask
God to prove Himself to us before we have faith in Him.”
—Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, page 105, adapted.

What if someone asked you, “Why do you believe in

Jesus?” What would you say?

56 GOD BLESSES PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE

 THURSDAY—NOVEMBER 14 Lesson 7
OUR STORY ABOUT JESUS (Matthew 24:2)

Imagine in your mind that you were there with Jesus and
saw Him do His miracles. We’d believe in Jesus after seeing
these signs and wonders, right? We’d like to think so. In some
ways, we have more reasons to believe in Jesus than the peo-
ple did who saw in person the miracles He did.
What are those reasons?

What are some of the happenings and knowledge that

we, as Christians, have today that the people who lived at
the time of Jesus didn’t have? How do these things help
us believe in Jesus? Read Matthew 24:2; Matthew 24:14;
and Matthew 24:6–8 to answer the questions.

Yes, we have the powerful story about Jesus’ life in the Book
of John. We also can look back at history and see how the
things that Jesus and other Bible writers promised came true.
Jesus said that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed
(Matthew 24:2). Jesus promised that His followers would share
Each one of us can have
the Good News everywhere on earth (Matthew 24:14). We a story to tell about Jesus.
also can see the terrible falling away and separation that Paul
said would happen in the church (2 Thessalonians 2:3). We
can see that this earth continues to be an evil place, just as
Jesus said (Matthew 24:6–8). All during the life and work of
Jesus, His group of followers was small. People attacked and
hurt them because of their faith. So, Jesus’ followers should
have disappeared from history a long time ago. How could
these Christians know, as we do, that all the things the Bible
promised would happen? Those things did happen. Our faith
is itself a part of the promise that Jesus made when He said
His followers would share the Good News everywhere on
earth.
Today, 2,000 years later, we can tell people about Jesus. We
can share what He did for us in the past and what He does
for us now. People can tell us why they believe in Jesus, too.
Their reasons may help us. But we must learn about Jesus
for ourselves. We learn about Jesus when we read the Bible.
The Holy Spirit helps us to understand its wisdom and accept
Jesus as our Savior.
Each one of us can have a story to tell about Jesus. But first
we must have a relationship with God. Our story may not be
as amazing as seeing the dead wake up. Maybe we never saw
someone, who was born blind, see for the first time. But if we
know Jesus, as a Friend, we can tell other people about Him.

GOD BLESSES PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE 57

 Lesson 7 FRIDAY—NOVEMBER 15
ADDITIONAL THOUGHT: Read Ellen G. White, “The Test of
Faith,” pages 145–155, in Patriarchs and Prophets; “In Pilate’s
Judgment Hall,” pages 723–740, in The Desire of Ages.

Thomas “knelt down at the feet of Jesus. ‘Thomas said to

Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” ’ [John 20:28, ERV]. . . .
“Jesus accepted Thomas’s faith. At the same time, in a soft
and loving way, Jesus also scolded Thomas about his doubts.
‘Jesus said to him, “You yourself have seen me. Is that why
you now believe? God will bless people who believe though
they have not seen me.” ’ [John 20:29, WE]. Thomas’ faith
would please Jesus more if Thomas was willing to believe
what the other followers told him about Jesus. If we now fol-
lowed Thomas’ example, no one would believe and be saved.
Everyone who accepts Jesus must accept Him because of
the stories that other people share about Him.
“Many people doubt. They excuse their doubt because they
say that if they had the proof that Thomas had, they would
believe. These people don’t understand that they already
have that proof. They also have so much more. Many people
wait, the same as Thomas, for God to remove all cause for
doubt. But if they wait, they will never have faith. After a while,
they will not believe. People who look on the dark side of
things and complain don’t understand what they are doing.
They are ‘planting’ seeds of doubt. They must collect the
terrible crop of doubt that grew from these seeds. Then they
Everyone who accepts will have no power to hope and believe in a time when they
Jesus must accept Him need faith and trust the most.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of
because of the stories Ages, pages 807, 808, adapted.
that other people
share about Him.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1 How were Abraham and Thomas different in their faith?

What can we learn from their stories?

2 Ask for volunteers in class to share their faith about Jesus.

Our stories about Jesus may be different. But how do our sto-
ries about Jesus show us the same Bible truths about Him?

3 Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” How does the Book of

John help us answer this question?

4 Look at Daniel 2 and 7. How do these chapters give us more

reasons to believe in Jesus?

58 GOD BLESSES PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE

 Story
FROM PIN TRADER TO CAMPER INSIDE
J acob Pierce’s family loved to trade pins. They were excited
to find new pins at the big Pathfinder meeting in the United
States. At the meeting, Jacob’s mom saw a man with an Alaska
by Andrew McChesney
pin. Mother knew Jacob loved Alaskan wildlife and nature. So,
Mother tried to convince the man to trade her the pin.
The man said, “I can’t trade. This pin is special and only for
pastors in Alaska.”
Mother asked, “What do you do in Alaska?”
The man introduced himself as Tobin Dodge. Tobin was in
charge of Alaska Camps. Alaska Camps is a summer camping
program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for children ages
8 to 17.
Mother asked, “Could my son work there?”
Tobin said, “Yes, we train people to become camp super­
visors when they are 16. We give them jobs when they’re 18.”
Jacob was excited about spending the summer in Alaska.
He joined the camp as a helper. Jacob worked there for three
years.
Jacob said that working at camp can be hard at times. One
year, Jacob enjoyed spending time with an American Indian
boy at Camp Polaris. Jacob and the boy both loved nature. They
climbed Jackknife Mountain, which is near the camp. But the
boy refused to behave. He also used bad words. Jacob thought
the boy was more interested in false ideas than in learning
about Bible truth. The boy blamed a rainy day on another boy
who killed a spider. The Alaskan boy told Jacob, “If you kill a The boy blamed
the rainy day
spider, rain starts falling.”
on another boy
Jacob felt upset with the boy at times. But at the end of camp, who killed a spider.
the boy hugged Jacob and walked to his dad. When Jacob saw
the two of them together, he started to understand the boy’s
behavior. Jacob could see that the boy’s father was not a good
parent.
Jacob, who is 20, said, “Most of the kids who come to Camp
Polaris don’t have Christian parents or know anything about
Christianity. So, when they come here, many of them learn
about Jesus for the first time.”
Many of the kids who come to Camp Polaris have different
problems from children at other summer camps in the Alaska
Conference. The kids who come to Camp Polaris are almost
all Alaskan Indians. These kids must fight against false beliefs,
alcohol and drugs, and pain and suffering from their past lives.
Jacob says, “Being here is worth it. God really needs volun-
teers here.” Part of your 13th Sabbath Offering will help open a
new center at the Adventist church in Bethel, Alaska. The Bethel Jacob Pierce
church sends local children to Camp Polaris every year.
Provided by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission, which uses Sabbath School 59
mission offerings to spread the gospel worldwide. Read new stories daily at AdventistMission.org.