Come and Let us Reason together

OPENING PRAYER [1 minute]: Choristers

SONG SERVICE [10 minutes]: Choristers

OPENING/THEME SONG [3 minutes]: Choristers

Welcome:

Scripture Reading:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;I Peter 2:9 NKJV

Prayer:

Mission Story:

OPENING REMARKS :

I love that the word of God is not  unrealistically. The issues and our fallen world are written on every page. This great book doesn’t shy away from issues of human conflict. It isn’t free from discussions of anger and disappointment. Many controversial things occurred and were discussed within the great book. Discussions that lead to arguments that to this day still occur. However, it  still holds the answers to our complex lives.

Today’s Sabbath school would be in the form of a debate where we have 6 questions to discuss. The church would be the protagonist, where you’ll be defending the beliefs of Adventism and (the superintendent or someone who could debate) would be the antagonist. Since I know you weren’t prepped much for it I would give you all the motions for today. We would like as much as possible biblical or scientific responses to help your group’s stance. The motions are:

1. Are Adventists limited in the days we worship?
2. Are Adventists limited in the activities we can participate in? As in where we can go, who we can do it with, why we do certain things.                     
3. Are Adventists limited in the foods they can eat?
4. Are Adventist limited in their dress?
5. Given modern times are Adventists limited in their wait to marriage and spousal choices?
6. Is Adventism a limiting belief?

Let’s take a quick pause to hear from out secretary.

SECRETARY’S REPORT:

SPECIAL:

START OF DEBATE: Church VS Debater

Hello and welcome to our first Church Debate for 2022. We are excited today to be discussing the topic of limiting beliefs of Adventism. I’m certain that most of us don’t think we are limited but we often have to defend our beliefs so today would be no different. We have spoken about the motions earlier and now the question we need to ask ourselves if we indeed limited. The rule of engagement is the antagonist opens with his statement, the protagonist opens with theirs, then the antagonist give his rebuttal, the protagonist gives their rebuttal. Anyone who believes they can defend Adventism can respond.

Let’s begin,

Antagonist

1.         Globally we are one of the minorities who choose to worship on Sabbath and keep the Sabbath holy. Many religions believe that the Sabbath day has been done away with and nailed to the cross. Are we limited in our archaic thoughts and beliefs? What supports this thought process?

Protagonist (Members of the church responds)

Antagonist rebuttal

Protagonist rebuttal

Antagonist

2.         Growing up as an Adventist, there were many events we automatically had to be excluded from, whether be it Friday night limes with friends, parties, many of the things persons call enjoyable. Are we limited?

Protagonist (Members of the church responds)

Antagonist rebuttal

Protagonist rebuttal

Antagonist

3.         Many of my friends have told me you haven’t eaten meat yet if you haven’t tasted a BBQ pork. It is like heaven on earth and they would not give it up for the world. Being Adventist some of us have never had this apparently nice delicacy. Are we limited?

Protagonist (Members of the church responds)

Antagonist rebuttal

Protagonist rebuttal

Antagonist

4.         Many women, I’m sure can attest to thinking about whether or not this dress is appropriate for church or would they be the topic of discussion due to how short or how inappropriate their dress is but fashion and culture changes so no one should really care what we have on or what jewels adorns my body. Are we limited due to dress?

Protagonist (Members of the church responds)

Antagonist rebuttal

Protagonist rebuttal

Antagonist

5.         In this tinder ready world where sex is such a cheap commodity, you don’t even need to give up a ring to get it, am I limited in waiting? There are so many beautiful men and women outside of the church and that’s who many of us tend to go on dates with, am I limited in only wanting to marry an Adventist boy or girl?

Protagonist (Members of the church responds)

Antagonist rebuttal

Protagonist rebuttal

Antagonist

6.         I have been an Adventist all my life and this is only one very small world view perspective given so many rules and regulations. Is Adventism a limiting belief?

Protagonist (Members of the church responds)

Antagonist rebuttal

Protagonist rebuttal

LESSON STUDY

CLOSING REMARKS:

The responses you heard from the antagonist were real responses I’ve heard my whole life. Now the program was meant to be thought provoking and allow you to question why do you believe what you believe. It is believed that this is a good thing from time to time. In each one of these “limiting belief” there is an underlying reason behind it. A reason if you are willing to search for it you’ll find it. For most of it its health reason, learning to be temperate, rest is important. Some of it is because we are different, we are a peculiar people, the importance of modesty. Some of it is more philosophical, like why date in the church. Some of it may be spiritual but at the end of the day, when all is said and done, these “limiting beliefs” make each one of us better, in health, wealth and peace of mind, the combination of which gives us happiness on earth.Moral and spiritual choices have an impact on biological life, as Solomon instructed his son: “Do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you” (Prov. 3:1, 2, NKJV).

Exodus 20:6 says, and shewing mercy unto thousand if them that love me and keep my commandments. How do you love God? John 14:15 tells us If ye love me, Keep my commandments. So no we aren’t limited, we are just showing our love for God!