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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE WELCOME

Welcome

Welcome to 6 Weeks of Discovery. Over the next few weeks your experience of the plan of salvation will explode with clarification and new understanding. In addition, your Bible reading will take on new meaning as familiar terms brighten with relevant definitions.

The 6 Weeks of Discovery is a time of focus for the entire church family. The weekly Sabbath messages compliment and expand upon the topics discussed in each of the small groups. The small groups meet weekly to worship, pray, study and plan an outreach event. Each individual is encouraged to read the chapter of the week using the Reader’s Guide as an aid and source of discussion in the small group sessions.

In the last days of earth’s history, people around the world and in our communities will be hungry to hear the words of God. The Lord will use the same means of spreading the “good news” at the end of time as he did at the beginning—believers sharing God’s word with others. In Acts 2 we find the early church organized into meeting together in large groups in the temple courts and small groups in homes to share God’s words. As a result “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47 (NIV)

We pray your time spent in personal devotions, small group interaction and attending Sabbath services will ignite a flame of anticipation of the Lord’s Second Coming and the necessity to share the “good news” with your friends, family and neighbors.

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE INTRODUCTION

Introduction

The book we’re reading is titled I Used to Be Perfect: A study of Sin and Salvation by George Knight. George Knight is professor of church history at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. He has faithfully served the church for over 40 years.

The following is a short list of some of the topics we’ll share over the next 6 weeks.

What does it mean to sin? What is temptation? What is the law? What does it mean to “be saved”? What does it mean to “be perfect”?

What I like about Knight’s book is his ability to get to the point of “theology” though clear and short sentences. His book is actual his personal experience of growing in Jesus. Chapter 6 is essentially George Knight’s God-story of how he came to a personal relationship with Jesus and stopped trying to earn his salvation. His desire to be “perfect” leads him along pathways filled with deceptive pitfalls that some of us have visited in our own faith-journeys. Knight’s conversion is thrilling when he trades-in his “self-centered” perfection for the gift of Christ’s love and his perfection. As you read, you’ll realize that Chapter 6 is an illustration of the previous 5 chapters of I Used to Be Perfect.

George Knight quotes from the Revised Standard Version (RSV) which was the Bible version we used in college. However, be aware that many of the scriptures in his book are quoted from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. He does this to assist those still reading their KJV as their primary Bible with a better translation and hence a more accurate translation. The newer translations of the Bible are more accurate than the KJV because the KJV was translated in 1611 and word usage and definitions have changed. As you’re reading his book, keep your New International Version (NIV) of the Bible or any other modern translation handy as a comparison to the KJV.

Reader’s Guides

Reader’s Guides are provided as an aid to emphasize the central points in each chapter. The questions and answers come directly from the book. The idea is to fill-in the answers in your Reader’s Guide as you read. The answers are taken directly from the text of your book. This way you’ll immediately know the answer to the question.

There are six chapters in your book I Used to Be Perfect. Take time to reflect upon your faith-journey as you accompany George Knight through his ruckus experience of coming to trust Jesus as his Savior.

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE INTRODUCTION

You’re embarking on a very exciting adventure. May God open your heart to receive all that he has in store for you.

Reading Schedule

Reading ScheduleMeeting

for the week beginningReadings

Pre-WeekOctober 1

Meet and handout books and Reader’s Guides

#1October 8

Sin is Love

#2October 15

Adventists Neglect the Law

#3October 22

Justification the Work of a LifetimeSanctification the Work of a Moment

#4October 29

Temptation is not Temptation

#5November 6

Perfect but Not Yet PerfectSinless but Not Yet Sinless

#6November 12

I Used to Be Perfect

November 19 Celebration Sabbath

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE SMALL GROUPS

Helpful Hints

Begin your groups on time to honor those who are there and establish the habit of beginning and ending on time.

Be certain everyone is introduced each meeting. As people are gathering, talk about answered prayers, God’s miracles,

spiritual experiences and needs. What is talked about in the groups stays in the groups. Use the calendar to share the responsibility of refreshments. List the prayer needs of those in your group. There are four sections of the small groups:

a. Welcome and Worship: 15 minutesb. Prayer: 15 minutesc. Steps to Christ Lesson Guides’ discussion: 30 minutesd. Outreach: 30 minutes

Invite members of your group to help facilitate one of the four sections. Never ask a person to pray or facilitate unless you’ve cleared it with him/her in advance.

Welcome and Worship

Greet one another in love and be sure everyone is introduced at each meeting.

Sing with the iworship@home DVD one or two selections.

Prayer

On the first night the small group leader leads in the prayers. Reassure the group no one will be asked to pray spontaneously. Before the prayer ask if there are any prayer needs. Invite a brief discussion about prayer. Many are shy or unsure how to

pray. Remind the group that prayer is like talking with a friend. Talk about other ways to pray beside just one person. Pair-up for prayer

or try praying a conversational prayer a group. Make a prayer list of people the group is praying to give their hearts to the

Lord. The list might include friend, neighbors and relatives. People who live in the local area. No one is beyond God’s loving compassion.

I Used to Be Perfect Reader’s Guides Discussion

Use the Reader’s Guides to promote discussion. Compare modern translations of the scriptures with the King James

Version of the Bible quoted in I Used to Be Perfect.

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Outreach: Plan an outreach project to put into practice what you’re learning.

Outreach Ideas

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Outreach Ideas

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Week 1 Outreach:

There are two goals to meet. First ask the group to think of an outreach project and be prepared to share their ideas at the next meeting. Examples of outreach projects include finding an inactive family in the church directory and visit them. Or discover the needs of a neighbor, friend or family member the group could collectively help. Take food or other helpful items to a family. Help a family with a chore around the house. Start tutoring kids in the neighborhood who need help in reading? Provide a ride to church for a person who no longer can dive. At the Sabbath service invite a new person to your group who is not a part of the 6 Weeks to Discovery. Take tapes of the weekly sermons to those who cannot attend. Write cards and letters of encouragement to those who cannot attend.

If you have already made contact with a new family from pervious small group outreaches, move ahead and take the next step to invite them to dinner or lunch or a social outing with your small group.

God-stories

Secondly, share your God-story. We worked on this during our last small group experience. The God-story focus is what God is currently doing in your life. What is God teaching you? How does God communicate with you? How does God speak to your heart while reading the Bible? How are you changed from knowing the Lord?

You’re God-story should be within 5 minutes or “water cooler” time frame. Allow the small group time to read this section and think about his/her God-story. Ask the group to divide up into pairs and share their stories. Allow the group about 15 minutes to share with their partners. Finally, ask for volunteers to share their God-stories with the larger group.

When do you share your God-story? God initiates the opportunity to share your God-story with others. When the time comes you’ll be prepared to share. There are three components of a God-story.

Before You Knew God : Plan to use less than 1 minute to tell this part of your story. I might say, “Before I knew God I was wasting my life with harmful and dangerous decisions. I didn’t have a direction for my life.” This part of your God-story is short because without the Lord we’re on a pathway to sure destruction and there is no good news.

Now You Know God : This is the largest section of your God-story lasting 3-4 minutes. In this section you simply answer the question, “What is God doing in your life right now?” Or “Why are you excited about having God in your life?” Or “How is life different for you now?” I might answer, “I’m a new person. I have a definite direction for my life. I’m a better person to everyone. I might fall down but I know God is there to

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pick me up, dust me off, give me a hug and say ‘sin no more and come and follow me.’” Also, I would give specific examples of answered prayers and God’s miracles in your life. Make your stories current, right up to now.

What Is Your Life’s Outlook : This is good stuff but only take one minute. What are you looking forward to now that God is in your life? I might say, “I’m looking forward to heaven and being with my dad who died in 2000. I’m looking forward to talking with my Lord and asking him to answer my questions. I’m not afraid of life or comparing my life to worldly standards of success or failure. I know I’m a success because my God has given me a reason to live. He is my reason.

Week 2 Outreach

Allow everyone to share their ideas for an outreach project. This part of the small group experience is vital. How important it is to reach out to others in Christ’s name for their salvation?

Practice sharing your God-stories.

Week 3 Outreach

Finalize your outreach project. Divide the outreach up among the small group members. Discuss the specifics of you plan along with time and dates.


Week 4 Outreach

By now your group should have your outreach plan underway. What details are left to consider? Have you set a date for your outreach? If you’re having problems go back to the first outreach lesson and carefully consider your options.


Week 5 Outreach

Call the church office and let Denise know what your outreach plans are and how they are progressing.


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Week 6 Outreach

Celebration Sabbath is November 19. Is it possible to invite those you’ve assisted to attend the celebration service? Share ideas how to take the next step to invite your new friends to your small group or to a social outing.

Practice sharing your God-stories

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE WEEK ONE

Sin is Love

1. Open your Bible and read Genesis 3:1-7.

2. What are Satan’s three points of attack? p.14.

a. To __________ God’s word—to get us to doubt whether God said it.

b. To get us to __________ that God means what He says.c. To __________ God’s good intentions toward us.

3. If one listens to the tempter, the natural conclusion is that __________ can’t be __________.True or False? p. 14.

2. Underline the answer to the question “where does SIN begin?” SIN in the heart leads to __________ in terms of __________. Something happens in the __________ first. First, there is SIN in the heart. That SIN in the heart then gives __________ to sinful actions. p. 15.

3. What do “fig leaves” in Genesis 3 signify? p. 16.

a. Humans seeking to __________ their own __________ through their own __________.

b. Adam and Eve trying to __________ their own __________ problem.

c. Fig leaves represent __________ by __________.

4. Unfortunately, a broken __________ with __________ lead to __________ relationships with other __________. True or False? p 16.

5. Open your Bible to Genesis 3:11-12 and read about the broken relationship between Adam and Eve.

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE WEEK ONE

6. Another consequence of sin is a broken relationship with one’s self. That is reflected in Eve’s inability to confess her part in the fall. Who did Eve blame for her wrong action? see Genesis 3:13 _________________________.

7. Open your Bible and read Genesis 1:26-27 and compare it with Genesis 5:3. Adam was created in __________ image but the sons of Adam were in his own __________. How does the apostle Paul say SIN came into the world? See Romans 5:12: SIN came into the world through __________ man.

8. “SIN is __________ focused on the wrong object. SIN is to love the object __________ than the __________ of the object.” p. 18.

9. SIN is __________ rather than impersonal. “Against you, you only, have I sinned.” (Ps 51:4) SIN is a personal attack against God’s __________. p. 19.

10. The crucial point to recognize is that SIN is . . . a state of __________ and __________. p. 19.

11. Can we overcome SIN through overcoming sins “a,” “b” or “c?” Yes or No p. 20.

12. “Being saved is both accepting the death of Christ as our __________ and having our hearts __________ (this is,

having our agape love refocused from our self back to God and others).” p. 22. See Romans 12:1-2.

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE WEEK TWO

Adventist Neglect the LAW

1. Yes, Adventists have loved God’s __________ and His rules and His laws and His regulations, but too often we have neglected His __________ in both rhetoric and practice. True or False? p 26.

2. The Ten Commandments are the real LAW? True or False? p 26.

3. One doesn’t have to think too long or too hard to come to the conclusion that the law expressed in the __________ __________ is neither __________ nor universal when we think in galactic terms. Why is the statement above true? p 26.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

4. Chapter 1 dealt with __________. This one covers __________. They are related, like heads and tails of the __________ coin. True or False? p 27.

5. Open you Bible to Hebrews 8:10; 2 Corinthians 3:3. Where does God promise to write his laws? p 28.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

6. The Old Testament has at least three laws. What are they? p 28.a. __________________ ____________________

b. __________________ ____________________

c. __________________ ____________________

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7. Open you Bible to Matthew 22:37-40. What is the nature of LAW behind the laws? p 28-29.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

8. What is the fulfillment of the LAW? Romans 13:10 says that “__________ is the fulfillment of the law.” p 29.

9. Remember, the LAW is a reflection of God’ __________, and God’s character centers upon the characteristics of __________ about and loving __________, even when they __________ deserve it. p 29.

10. The point to remember is that the real scene of action in the great controversy is __________ at the level of __________, __________, or __________ acts. Rather, the action in the __________ __________ is at the level of SIN, LAW and RIGHTEOUSNESS. p 30.

11. Give one example of “negative religion” and one example of the “positive nature of biblical law.” p 31-33.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

12. Open your Bible and read Matthew 18:21. In actuality Peter was not asking “How much can I love my neighbor?” but “When can I __________ loving my neighbor?” True or False? p 33.

13. Negative religion is setting up artificial parameters of sins and righteousness. “So we want to know the limits of __________ and Christian __________, so that we can know when we have arrived.” p 34.

14. We can be quite zealous in keeping God’s __________ while utterly and totally failing in keeping God’s (LAW). True or False? p 36.

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15. What are laws and LAW? God’s plea is for us to get our priorities right. He wants us to keep His __________ so that we can truly keep His __________. p 37.

a. LAW means ______________________________________.b. “laws” are ______________________________________.

16. According to John 13:35 the identifying activity of the Lord’s disciples is: p 38

Circle the correct answer.a. The way they keep Sabbath?b. The amount of tithe they return?c. Their dietary choices?d. Love for one another.

17. __________ to God and neighbor is the centerpiece of Christianity. It reflects the __________ that __________ the

laws. p 39

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE WEEK THREE

Justification the Work of a Lifetime

Sanctification the Work of a Moment

Before you read the chapter:

“Justification” appears in Romans 4:25: “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (NIV). We also find the word “justification” used in Romans 5:16, 18. In addition, we find various forms of the same word in the New Testament. For example: “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law” (Rom 3:28, NIV).

While the word “sanctification” doesn’t appear in the Bible, it does appear in other forms like “sanctify” or “sanctified” as found in 1 Corinthians 6:11 “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”(NIV):

Our reading this week will help us appreciate God’s loving work of “justification” and “sanctification” for us and in us. Also, we’ll begin to grasp the transforming work the Holy Spirit in our lives.

1. What does “justification” mean? Justification is God’s legal declaration that those who have __________ the sacrifice of __________ as their __________ are no longer under the __________ of the broken law. . . justification is __________ __________ undeserved. p 42.

2. How are people justified? People are totally justified by __________, defined as God’s __________ favor. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. p 43.

3. What part does our faith play in the justification process? Faith is __________ hold of __________, God’s unmerited forgiveness in Christ. p 43.

4. We only need justification once. True or False. p 43.

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5. Open your Bible to read Matthew 16:24-25. What does “deny himself” and “loses his life for my sake” mean? “Crucifixion is a brutal term that implies the death of __________-__________ living—living that has __________-__________ or SIN at its very core.” p 44.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

6. Find the four events that take place in a person’s life when he/she is justified?

a. __________-__________ or death to the old way of life. p 44.b. Justified Christians are also __________, born from above,

resurrected to a new way of thinking and living based on God’s LAW. p 44.

c. A third event pictured as taking place at the time of initial justification is __________. p 45.

d. A fourth event that takes place simultaneously with initial justification is __________—__________ into the family of God. p 45.

7. What does sanctification mean? . . . the very meaning of sanctification is “to be set __________ for __________ use.” p 46.

8. Getting instantaneously set apart for holy use makes us instantaneously holy or totally sanctified? True or False p 47.

9. What is the three fold process of sanctification?

a. . . . we become part of the __________ people and a __________ priesthood. p 47.

b. . . . “progressive” sanctification is what the Bible writers refer to as __________ __________ __________. p 48.

c. The third level of sanctification might be thought of as “final” sanctification or __________ . . . at the second coming of Christ. p 48.

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10. Explain what “a trivialization of righteousness through a breaking up of the righteous life into manageable blocks of behavior” means? p 49.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

11. What’s the main problem with “trivialization” and negative approaches to sanctification? p 49.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

12. Fill-in the blanks: Sanctification is nothing less than the __________ by which Christians become progressively more __________. p 49.

13. The New Testament is set against three types of works. What are they? p 50.

a.________________________________________________

b.________________________________________________

c.________________________________________________

14. What types of works would Jesus and the Apostle Paul approve of doing? p 50.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

15. A saved person produces good works because he or she is alive in Christ. True or False? p 51.

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16. How does human effort fit into sanctification? p 51.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

17. Both are the work of the moment. Both are the work of a lifetime. Both are by God’s grace. What are we talking about? p 52.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

18. God’s purpose in the judgment is the vindication of believers through confirmation that they are “in Christ.” True or False? p 54.

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE WEEK FOUR

Temptation Is Not TEMPTATION

1. What is the source of all individual or itemized temptations? “There is a central __________ that stands at the very __________ of the Christian life. That __________ is the source of all __________ or __________ temptations.” p 57.

2. What is the essence of TEMPTATION? “Avoiding the __________.” p 58.

3. What was Jesus’ TEMPTATION? “That TEMPTATION was for Jesus to do His __________ thing, to live His __________ life, to __________ His __________.” p 58.

4. Read Philippians 2:5-8. Philippians says Jesus “emptied himself” of something. What was it he “emptied?” “. . . . part of what Jesus did in becoming human was to strip Himself voluntarily—and ‘voluntarily’ is the key word—of the __________ and __________ of Deity.” p 58.

5. What is implied by he [Jesus] “emptied himself?” He “. . . remained God but voluntarily chose not to use His __________ powers on His own __________.” p 58.

6. Read Matthew 4:3. What was really at issue for Jesus? “The real __________ was to __________ the self-emptying of Philippians 2 by using His divine power to __________ His __________ needs.” p 59.

7. What did “all” of Christ’s temptations center on? “All Christ’s temptations were centered on having Him __________ up His on the Father—to take __________ of His own __________ by becoming ‘unemptied.’” p 60.

8. What was also related to Christ’s temptations? “Closely related to that issue was the __________ to follow His own __________ rather than following the __________ of the __________, especially as

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE WEEK FOUR

God’s will led to humbling Himself and becoming ‘obedient unto __________, even death on a __________’ (Phil. 2:8).” p 60.

9. What where the two aspects of Jesus’ TEMPTATION on the cross? “On the cross itself, Jesus faced the combined force of the two aspects of His TEMPTATION: to do His own __________ by coming down from the __________ and to use His __________ for His __________ benefit.” p 61.

10. What is our core TEMPTATION? “The crucifixion of the __________-__________, __________ self stands at the very __________ of Christianity.” p 63.

11. What is the gospel call for the self-centered life? “The gospel call is for __________ and __________ rather than a __________ improvement of the self-centered life (Rom. 12:1, 2).” p 64.

12. Do Christians give up their wills and become automatons in the hands of God?

“. . . Christians do __________ give up their __________. They do __________ become __________ putty in the hands of an omnipotent God. Rather, they __________ over their __________ to the __________ power of God.” p 65.

13. If coming to Jesus for __________ and regeneration can be viewed as initial crucifixion, then the __________ life should be seen as living the __________ of the cross. True or False? p 65.

14. Like Jesus in His TEMPTATION, we also have __________ will and the power of __________. Just as Jesus could have chosen to __________ the plan of salvation by __________ going to the __________, so __________ we. True or False? p 66.

15. The basic human problem is __________—to avoid the __________, to avoid the Christ __________, to avoid being __________ in Jesus, to choose the life of __________-__________ rebellion over the life of __________. True or False? p 67.

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE WEEK FIVE

Perfect but Not Yet PERFECT

Sinless but Not Yet SINLESS

1. The only thing one can conclude from the __________ is that __________ must be __________, or its writers would not have urged it upon believers. True or False? p 69.

2. Does “Perfection” have more than one meaning? “Marvin Moore correctly notes that ‘in one sense, we are perfect in Jesus the __________ we __________ Him as our Saviour, because His righteousness covers our sins.’ In addition, however, ‘__________ perfection __________ during one’s __________.’” p 69-70.

3. It is crucial to note that __________ as it relates to justification is __________ what the Bible is talking about in such texts as Matthew 5:48, Hebrews 6:1, and Ephesians 4:12, 13 . . . True or False? p 70.

4. “In seeking to determine the __________ meaning of perfection, we need to let the __________ of the passage using the word be the __________ of it s meaning. p 72-73.

a. Read Matthew 5:43-48. What is Jesus asking us to do in v 44? Why [see v 45]?

____________________________________________________.

b. Read the parallel passage found in Luke 6:27-36.

Jesus commands us to: “Be __________, just as your __________ is merciful. Luke 6:36. “Merciful” means to see how another person sees and to feel what he/she is experiencing. Then we are to act on their behalf just as our Lord did for us. See Romans 5:6, 8, 10. p 73.

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c. In the parable of the rich young ruler, what pathway did Jesus say to take if he really desired to be perfect? Read Matthew 19:21. p 73-74.

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

5. What is perfection and what is it not? “The __________ of perfection is __________ refraining from certain things and actions but of performing loving actions while in relationship to Christ. Perfection is reflected in daily living that demonstrates Christ-like love toward both other people and God.” p 74.

Write your own definition of “perfection?” _________________________________________________

_________________________________________________

_________________________________________________.

6. What does the Greek word “teleios,” which is translated “perfection,” mean? “The meaning of teleios is not ‘sinless’ but ‘__________.’ Christ could therefore say to the rich young ruler that if he wanted to be perfect __________, he must be totally __________ to God (Matthew 19:21). p 75.

7. Read Hebrews 5:13-6:1. Who is “solid food” for in verse 14? “. . . solid food is for the __________ [teleios] . . .” p 75.

8. The picture in 1 John is the contrast between those who have an attitude of __________ toward God and live in __________ SIN as a way of life (i.e., have a SIN orientation rather that a FAITH orientation) and those who commit sins that they __________ of as they turn to the Mediator for __________ and cleansing. True or False? p 78.

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9. Those in this second group [of the question above] are defined by John as being __________, even though they still __________ acts of sin for which they need to be forgiven. True or False? p 79.

10. What’s the difference between the “already-perfect” and the “not-yet-perfect” status? “The ‘already-perfect’ state refers to the Philippians’ __________ of __________ and ___________ to Christ, while the ‘not-yet-perfect’ status suggests that Paul and his church were in a __________ of __________ and __________ in their perfection.” p 79.

11. Absolute sinlessness, when one begins to think about it, is a rather far-reaching state of being. Those who so glibly __________ it of themselves and others usually __________ sin as merely avoiding __________ acts of rebellion against God. But sin also includes __________ acts of acts of __________. True or False? p 80.

12. Paul’s dichotomy between being __________ perfect but __________ __________ __________ (Phil. 3:9-15) and John’s division between being __________ but __________ __________ __________ (1 John 3:9; 1:8-2:1; compare Rom. 6, 7) must be seen in terms of perfection of __________ versus perfection of __________. True or False? p 81.

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE WEEK SIX

I Used to Be Perfect

Before you read the chapter:

Chapter 6 is essentially George Knight’s God-story of how he came to a personal relationship with Jesus. His desire to be “perfect” leads him along pathways filled with deceptive pitfalls that some of us have visited in our own faith-journeys. Knight’s conversion is thrilling when he trades-in his “self-centered” perfection for the gift of Christ’s love and his perfection. As you read, you’ll realize that Chapter 6 is an illustration of the previous 5 chapters. Take time to reflect upon your faith-journey as you accompany George Knight through his ruckus experience of coming to trust Jesus as his Savior.

1. The Adventist approach to being __________ really starts in the book of Revelation in the great texts in which __________ have seen themselves and their movement pictured. p 86.

a. Revelation 12:17: “. . . those who obey God’s __________ . . .” (NIV)

b. Revelation 14:12: “. . . who __________ God’s commandments . . .” (NIV)

2. As a result, Adventists became the “__________ commandment” people, focusing not only on __________ commandments but on the commandments of __________ as well. True or False? p 87.

3. Describe the perfect people George Knight has known?

a. The lady who is very satisfied with herself because she has gotten the victory over __________. p 89.

b. The local elder who takes communion to shut-ins but will not partake with them because that would be __________ between meals. p 89.

c. The saint who was injured but wouldn’t heal properly after six weeks because of her dietary __________ of “health reform.” “Ellen White labeled such dedication in her day as ‘health __________.’ p 90.

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4. What is the “paradox of my perfection” Knight writes about? “The paradox of my perfection was that the more I thought

about my __________, the more __________-__________ I became.” p 91.

5. Why does Knight says, “In my route to perfectly reproducing the character of Christ, I had more closely mirrored the character of the devil.”? p 91.

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

6. Unfortunately, there is a way of perfection that leads to the very __________-__________ of __________ itself. True or False? p 92.

7. Fill-in the blanks of God’s message to Knight. “George, you’ve been an __________, but you haven’t been a __________. You’ve known all the __________, but you haven’t known __________.” p 92.

8. Too often, we’ve done violence to both the writings of Ellen White and the Bible. One way we do this is by not reading statements in context. True or False? p 93.

9. What does, “When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” mean? “Perfectly reproducing the __________ of Christ is reflecting His __________. The character of Christ centers in the caring relationship.” p 94.

10. True Christianity is a religion that frees us from preoccupation with __________ and __________ to earn our salvation so that we can truly __________ our neighbor, our God, our brother, our wife, our husband, our children, and so on. True or False? p 94.

11. Read Matthew 5:48. “Jesus is telling us that we are to be perfect or __________ in __________ to others even as our ‘heavenly Father is perfect’ in His __________ to us. p 94.

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12. Christianity is not what we don’t do. No one will ever be saved by what he or she avoided. Read Matthew 25:31-46. Those who “go away to eternal punishment” are surprised claiming never to have seen the Lord in need (v 44). “The expression of __________ love to those whom __________ loves is the great criteria in the great final __________.” p 96.

13. __________ is not only the one point on which the judgment turns; it is also the point by which Jesus __________ His disciples. (John 13:35) p 97.

14. When Adventists have both __________ in their __________ and __________ of __________, they will not only have the truth with a small t (that is, doctrinal truth), but they’ll have __________ with a capital T (the Lord of Truth). True or False? p 98.

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I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE PRAYER & PRAISE

Date Person Prayer Request Praise Report

a

I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE PRAYER & PRAISE

Date Person Prayer Request Praise Report

b

I USED TO BE PERFECT READER’S GUIDE CALENDAR

Healthy groups share responsibilities and group ownership. It might take some time for this develop. Shared ownership ensures that no one person or couple has to bear all the responsibilities for the group. Use the calendar to keep track of social events, mission projects, birthdays or days off. Complete the calendar at your first or second meeting. Planning ahead will increase attendance and shared ownership.

Date Session Location Facilitator Snack or meal

c

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