LETTERS TO YOUNG LOVERS

Letters to Young Lovers
Ellen G. White

Table of Contents
Introduction
1- Marriage--a Foretaste of Heaven
2- Finding the Right Mate
3- Is It Really Love?
4- Looking for Help?
5- In Control
6- Sexual Responsibility
7- Shadow Over the Nest

Introduction

"I LOVE YOU!" HOW SPECIAL ARE THOSE WORDS BETWEEN TWO YOUNG PEOPLE! BUT EVEN MORE WONDERFUL THEY BECOME WHEN SPOKEN TO US BY OUR SAVIOUR WHO WANTS US TO BE HAPPY AND FIND JOY IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER.

CHRIST HAS COMPARED HIS LOVE FOR THE CHURCH TO THE LOVE OF HUSBAND AND WIFE. THE SCRIPTURES CONTAIN TENDER LOVE STORIES SUCH AS THAT OF JACOB AND RACHEL, AND THE MOVING STORY OF RUTH, THE MOABITE, WHO THROUGH HER MARRIAGE TO BOAZ BECAME A LINK IN THE GENEALOGY OF THE MESSIAH.

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS CONCERNED OVER OUR LOVE-LIFE. THROUGH THE INSPIRED WRITINGS OF SCRIPTURE AND OF Ellen White, GOD HAS GIVEN COUNSELS TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR QUEST FOR HAPPINESS.

FROM THE BIBLE

"BEHOLD, WHAT MANNER OF LOVE THE FATHER HATH BESTOWED UPON US, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED THE SONS OF GOD" (1 JOHN 3:1). "I AM COME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND MIGHT HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY" (JOHN 10:10). "THESE THINGS HAVE I SPOKEN UNTO YOU, THAT MY JOY MIGHT REMAIN IN YOU, AND THAT YOUR JOY MIGHT BE FULL" (JOHN 15:11).

"HE THAT TOUCHETH YOU TOUCHETH THE APPLE OF HIS EYE"
(ZECHARIAH 2:8). "THIS LOVE OF WHICH I SPEAK IS SLOW TO LOSE PATIENCE--IT LOOKS FOR A WAY OF BEING CONSTRUCTIVE. IT IS NOT POSSESSIVE: IT IS NEITHER ANXIOUS TO IMPRESS NOR DOES IT CHERISH INFLATED IDEAS OF ITS OWN IMPORTANCE.

"LOVE HAS GOOD MANNERS AND DOES NOT PURSUE SELFISH ADVANTAGE. IT IS NOT TOUCHY. IT DOES NOT KEEP ACCOUNT OF EVIL OR GLOAT OVER THE WICKEDNESS OF OTHER PEOPLE. ON THE CONTRARY, IT IS GLAD WITH ALL GOOD MEN WHEN TRUTH PREVAILS. "LOVE KNOWS NO LIMIT TO ITS ENDURANCE, NO END TO ITS TRUST, NO FADING OF ITS HOPE; IT CAN OUTLAST ANYTHING. IT IS, IN FACT, THE ONE THING THAT STILL STANDS WHEN ALL ELSE HAS FALLEN" (1 CORINTHIANS 13: 4-8 PHILLIPS).

"THE LORD HATH APPEARED OF OLD UNTO ME, SAYING, YEA, I HAVE LOVED THEE WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE; THEREFORE WITH LOVING- KINDNESS HAVE I DRAWN THEE" (JEREMIAH 31:3). "FOR I AM PERSUADED, THAT NEITHER DEATH, NOR LIFE, NOR ANGELS, NOR PRINCIPALITIES, NOR POWERS, NOR THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME, "NOR HEIGHT, NOR DEPTH, NOR ANY OTHER CREATURE, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD" (ROMANS 8:38, 39).

"HE THAT TOUCHETH YOU TOUCHETH THE APPLE OF HIS EYE"
(ZECHARIAH 2:8). "THIS LOVE OF WHICH I SPEAK IS SLOW TO LOSE PATIENCE--IT LOOKS FOR A WAY OF BEING CONSTRUCTIVE. IT IS NOT POSSESSIVE: IT IS NEITHER ANXIOUS TO IMPRESS NOR DOES IT CHERISH INFLATED IDEAS OF ITS OWN IMPORTANCE.

"LOVE HAS GOOD MANNERS AND DOES NOT PURSUE SELFISH ADVANTAGE. IT IS NOT TOUCHY. IT DOES NOT KEEP ACCOUNT OF EVIL OR GLOAT OVER THE WICKEDNESS OF OTHER PEOPLE. ON THE CONTRARY, IT IS GLAD WITH ALL GOOD MEN WHEN TRUTH PREVAILS.

"LOVE KNOWS NO LIMIT TO ITS ENDURANCE, NO END TO ITS TRUST, NO FADING OF ITS HOPE; IT CAN OUTLAST ANYTHING. IT IS, IN FACT, THE ONE THING THAT STILL STANDS WHEN ALL ELSE HAS FALLEN" (1 CORINTHIANS 13: 4-8 PHILLIPS). "THE LORD HATH APPEARED OF OLD UNTO ME, SAYING, YEA, I HAVE LOVED THEE WITH AN EVERLASTING LOVE; THEREFORE WITH LOVING- KINDNESS HAVE I DRAWN THEE" (JEREMIAH 31:3).

"FOR I AM PERSUADED, THAT NEITHER DEATH, NOR LIFE, NOR ANGELS, NOR PRINCIPALITIES, NOR POWERS, NOR THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME, "NOR HEIGHT, NOR DEPTH, NOR ANY OTHER CREATURE, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD" (ROMANS 8:38, 39).

SOMO LA NANE : KUWAPENDA NDUGU NA DADA

Kuwapenda Ndugu na Dada

(1 John 3:11-24)

1, 2 & 3 Yohana: Somo la 8

Somo hili limetafsiriwa kutoka katika Copr. 2009, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Majibu yaliyopendekezwa yanapatikana kwenye parandesi (kwenye mabano). Somo limekaa kimtazamo kwamba mwalimu anatumia ubao au sehemu nyingine yoyote ambayo inaweza kuonekana na wanafunzi. Somo hili pia linaweza kupatikana kutoka http://www.GoBible.org kwa lugha ya Kiingereza pamoja na lugha nyingine kama vile Kifaransa, Kijerumani, Kihispania, Kizulu, nk. Mwombe Roho Mtakatifu aongoze mawazo yako.

Utangulizi: Juma hili sote tutafakari kama wanasheria wa “common law”. Walianzisha wazo kwamba sheria haikutokana na vifungu bali vifungu vilitokana na maamuzi ya mashauri yaliyopita. Hapa tunamaanisha vifungu vya sheria, yaani legislations. Katika muktadha ya awali, unatumia kifungu Sahihi cha sheria endapo tu uliuliza swala/swali Sahihi, wakati katika muktadha ya pili unaoanisha maamuzi ya mashitaka/mashauri yaliyopita na mashitaka yaliyopo ili kupata jibu/kanuni/kifungu Sahihi). Yohana anatupatia “mambo” fulani ili kuweza kutafakari namna ya kuishi tunapokuwa tukiendelea na safari yetu kwenye njia ya kuelekea kwenye mwanga. Hebu tuzame ndani ya somo letu la Biblia na tuone kile tunachoweza kujifunza kuhuhu kuishi Kibiblia!

I. Kaini Dhidi ya Yesu

A. Juma lililopita tuliishia kwenye somo letu kwa muhtasari wa Yohana wa jinsi tunavyoweza kuwatofautisha watu wema kutoka kwa watu wabaya. Watu wema hufanya vitu vizuri na watu wabaya hufanya mambo mabaya. Hilo lilituacha na swali, “Ni nini, kwa hakika, ni kitu kizuri?” Hebu tuendeleze mjadala wa Yohana kwa kusoma 1 Yohana 3:11. Jiweke kwenye hali ya kwamba nimekupa kanuni moja: “mpendane.” Unaweza kujua namna ya kuishi?

1. Waweza kukabili tatizo kwa kuchukulia upendo (nia/mtazamo) na kuubadilisha kuwa tendo halisi?

2. Miaka kadhaa iliyopita nilitetea Uhuru wa dini wa waumini wa uchawi - wiccans Hilo lilinifundisha kwamba waumini wa dini hiyo wana kanuni moja kuu (the Wiccan Rede) ambayo kimsingi inasema kuwa “Fanya kile unachotaka maadam tu haumdhuru mtu yeyote.” Je, hiyo ni sawa na kuwapenda wengine? (Ningeshukuru kama kila mmoja angefuata kanuni kwamba hawatanidhuru, lakini hitaji la upendo ni matendo zaidi kuliko nadharia).

B. Soma 1 Yohana 3:12. Yohana sasa anatupatia mfano (shauri) kinyume na kanuni. Ni tafsiri gani ya upendo unayoipata kutokana na hili? (Inaonekana kama ile ya Wiccan Rede-Usiue mtu yeyote.)

1. Je, hicho ndio kipimo? Tunawapenda wengine kama tutajizuia/tutaepuka kuwaua?

2. Gundua kwamba Yohana anaandika kuhusu mitazamo/nia za Kaini. Kwa nini Biblia inajadili nia ya Kaini ya kuua? (Badala ya kubainisha kwa hakika nia za Kaini, Yohana anahusianisha matendo yake maovu na mauaji.)

a. Ni matendo gani maovu kwa upande wa Kaini yalileteleza mauaji? (Kutomtii Mungu).

b. Tumeachiwa kutafakari sisi wenyewe mitazamo tarajali. Unafikiri ilikuwa ni ipi? (Wivu dhidi ya Habili na kumwonea wivu Habili kwa kuwa alisimama na Mungu)

c. Kwa nini hilo lilileteleza Mauaji? (Nia za kiovu hupelekea kuwa na matendo maovu ambayo hupelekea mauaji. Wazo ni kwamba dhambi ni endelevu.)

d. Je, kujizuia na mauaji ndicho kipimo cha Yohana cha Upendo? (Hapana. Kwa kuangalia shauri badala ya kanuni, tunaona kwamba mfano wa jambo hasi la Yohana unasheheni katika somo kuhusu nia/mitazamo na asili ya dhambi.)

C. Soma 1 Yohana 3:13. Je, Kaini ni mfano wa jambo hasi kwetu, au ni mfano unaowakilisha dunia? (Kwa kiwango cha chini kabisa, Yohana anatuonyesha kile kisichomaanisha upendo. Siyo mauaji. Anaendelea kusema kuwa mtazamo wa dunia ni chuki, na chuki huleteleza kifo. Unaweza kutarajia dunia kukuchukia.)

1. Hebu tufanye hili kuwa la kawaida. “Wachukiaji” ni neno linalotumiwa na mashoga kuelezea Wakristo wanaoamini kwamba Biblia inazungumzia kuhusu ushoga Bango la kawaida la “mashoga” linasema kuwa “Chuki siyo maadili ya kifamilia.” Je, wana mantiki fulani hapo? Au, ni sehemu ya machukizo ya dunia kwa Wakristo iliyoakisiwa kwao kutuita wachukiaji?

2. Je, Yohana anaandika kuhusu upendo kwa Wakristo wenzetu? (Nadhani.)

a. Je, hilo linafanya suala hili kuwa jepesi? Tunaambiwa kuwapenda wale wanaojiheshimu? (Mahusiano yetu na mashoga yamefanywa kuwa magumu kwa sababu tunasema tabia yao ni ya kidhambi na wao wanaona kuwa ni mambo ya kawaida. Lakini, hata pale tunapojihusisha na Wakristo wenzetu tuna tatizo bado kwa kuwa nao ni wadhambi).

D. Soma 1 Yohana 3:14-15. Yohana anatupatia jaribu gani kujua kwamba tupo kwenye njia sahihi kuelekea nuruni? (Tunawapenda ndugu zetu. Je, tunapiga hatua yoyote hapa? Tumerejea kutafakari kile ambacho “upendo” humaanisha pale tunapojaribu kuubadili kuwa vitendo.)

1. Soma Mathayo 5:21-22. Yesu anasema “hasira=Kitu kama mauaji.” Awali hilo halionekani kuleta mantiki. Je, Yohana anaelezea kauli ya Yesu? (Nadhani hapa Yohana anaendeleza mantiki ileile. Hasira huleteleza chuki ambayo nayo huleteleza mauaji. Usiwe na hasira na kamwe hutaua. Kama ukifanya upendo usimame badala ya/mahali pa hasira basi upo katika njia ya kuelekea nuruni.)

2. Je, tuna viashiria vyovyote vya msingi vya kupima upendo wetu? (Ndiyo. Hasira siyo upendo. Chuki siyo upendo. Mauaji siyo upendo.)

E. Soma 1 Yohana 3:16. Sasa tunapata mfano wa jambo chanya. Upendo ni nini? (Kujitoa maisha yako kwa ajili ya mtu mwingine.)

1. Je, uko tayari kujitoa maisha yako kwa ajili ya Wakristo wenzako? (Kwa hakika ilikuwa rahisi zaidi pale ambapo tu nilipopaswa kuzuia mauaji!)

2. Je, mjadala wa utoaji mimba unaamuliwa vipi katika muktadha wa hii kanuni ya msingi? (Utoaji mimba ni kuyatoa maisha ya mtu mwingine kwa ajili ya manufaa yetu. Mfano wa Yesu ni kinyume kabisa: kuyatoa maisha yetu kwa ajili ya mtu mwingine).

3. Utoaji mimba ni wito rahisi wa kimantiki pale unapopimwa na mfano wa Yesu. Ni vipi kuhusu nyanja nyingine za maisha, kama vile muda na fedha. Je, uko tayari kuyaacha haya kwa ajili ya Wakristo wengine?

F. Soma 1 Yohana 3:17. Yohana anasema nini kuhusu upendo na kuwasaidia Wakristo wenzetu walio wahitaji? (Anasema kuwasaidia kunaendana na mantiki ya Yesu kuyatoa maisha yake kwa ajili yetu.)

1. Kwa nini inaleta mantiki kumsaidia mtu fulani kama Yesu alitupa mfano wa kuyatoa maisha yetu kwa ajili ya wengine? (Utatoa nini kwa ajili ya maisha yako? Chochote kile kiwacho, kukitoa si vigumu sana kuliko kuyatoa maisha yako.)

G. Soma 1 Yohana 3:18. Yohana anamaanisha nini pale anaposema kupenda “kwa kweli.” (Hata hivyo kufanya jambo kumsaidia mtu fulani huonyesha kwamba unawapenda. Maongezi yanaweza yasiashirie ukweli wowote kabisa.)

H. Chukulia pale tulipofikia. Mfano mbovu wa Kaini unatuambia tusiue, kuchukia au kukasirika. Kuzuia mauaji na chuki inaonekana kuwa ni rahisi sana . Agano la Kale limejawa na kulaaniwa kwa matajiri wanaopora na kuwadhulumu masikini. Hiyo inaonekana kuleta maana/mantiki. Mjadala wetu hadi sasa ni himaya ya “kanuni ya waumini katika dini za uchawi”. Usiwadhuru wengine. Lakini sasa tunaambiwa kuwa tunatakiwa kutoa vitu vyetu kwa ajili ya Wakristo wahitaji. Kwa nini hili ni gumu sana ? (Tu wabinafsi. Siyo kwamba tu hatutaki kuyatoa maisha yetu kwa ajili ya wengine, hatutaki kutoa vitu vyetu. Tunasema: hebu nao wajishughulishe kutafuta vyao!”.

1. Je, kuna tumaini lolote kwa ajili yetu? (Ndiyo. Hiki ndicho kikubwa kujifunza kuhusu neema, njia (njia ya Yohana ya kuelekea nuruni), na sasa rejea za maamuzi ya mashauri yaliyopita. Kwanza, tumeokolewa kwa neema (1 Yohana 2:1-2). Waliookolewa wapo kwenye njia tofauti na mashauri mabovu ya kaini wakielekea katika shauri jema la yesu.) Tunapaswa kuacha nyuma mauaji, chuki na hasira, na mitazamo yetu iwekwe katika mfano wa Yesu. Mfano wake ndilo lengo letu.)

2. Matatizo ya Moyo
1. Soma 1 Yohana 3:19-20. Unadhani Yohana anamaanisha nini pale anapoandika kuhusu dhamira zetu kutushitaki? Je, moyo wako umewahi kukuhukumu? (Hili ndilo jukumu la Shetani na wasaidizi wake-kutushitaki)(Ufunuo 12:10).)
1. Tunawezaje kutofautisha shutuma za Shetani na uhukumu/uhakiki wa Roho Mtakatifu? (Mungu hutusamehe dhambi zetu tulizozitubu, lakini Shetani anakuwa anaendelea kuzileta mbele yetu ili kutukatisha tamaa. Nafikiri Yohana anasema kuwa kama ukijichunguza matendo yako, na kuona kwamba unapiga hatua mbele kuelekea kwenye mfano wa Yesu wa Upendo, basi unaweza kujiamini kuwa upo kwenye njia yenye nuru. Una “uthibitisho” kuwa maisha yako yanaelekea kwenye uelekeo sahihi.)
2. Soma 1 Yohana 3:21-22. Kwa nini Yohana tena anarejea habari za kupokea kitu fulani/chochote? Nilidhani tumekubaliana hivi punde tu kwamba tunahitajika kuwapatia vitu wale Wakristo walio wahitaji. (Picha yote sasa imefunuliwa-kama Yesu alikuwa radhi kutupatia maisha/uhai wake, yuko radhi kutupatia vitu. Yohana anafundisha kwamba kama tukiifungua mioyo yetu (na pochi zetu) kwa wale walio wahitaji, Mungu atafungua pochi yake kwetu.)
3. Soma 1 Yohana 3:23-24. Baada ya huu mjadala kuhusu kuwasaidia wengine, kwa nini Yohana anasema “amri yake” ni “kuliamini jina la Mwana wake?” ( Kama tulivyojadili, Yesu ndiye mfano wa mwisho wa kujitoa kwa ajili ya wengine. Yesu pia ni mfano wa mwisho wa kujitoa kwa ajili ya wengine. Yesu pia ni mfano wa mwisho wa kuheshimiwa kwa ajili ya hili.)
4. Rafiki, vipi kuhusu wewe? Utadhamiria leo kwamba utawasaidia Wakristo wenzako walio wahitaji? Utagawana nao muda wako na vitu vyako pamoja nao?
3. Juma Lijalo: Kumwamini Mwana wa Mungu.

CALAMITIES

In the face of what we hear every day in the news, on what we read on papers and on what we do witness around us (wherever you are) we surely realise that nothing can be far from the truth, we are living on the last days, and the Lord's coming is nigh. Below is the extract from the book of LAST DAYS EVENTS written by the servant of the Lord sister Ellen. G. White.

 

LAST DAYS EVENTS - CHAPTER FOURTEEN

- Calamities -

Manuscript 127, November 22, 1897, (see also 3SM 311-12; UL 340) 

The Lord is teaching men that there are limits to His forbearance. In fires, in floods, in earthquakes, in the fury of the great deep, in calamities by sea and land, the warning is given that God's Spirit will not always strive with men. The times in which we live are times of great depravity and crime of every degree. Why?--because men, whom God has blessed and favored, have reduced His holy law to a dead letter, making void the law of God by the traditions and inventions of the man of sin....

 It is a terrible thing for a nation to wear out the patience of God. Each century of profligacy has treasured up wrath for its iniquity against the day of wrath. Christ is now bidding the abandoned of our day to fill up the measure of their fathers in their iniquity. When that time shall come, and their cup of iniquity is filled up, it will be demonstrated that to wear out the patience of God brings tremendous consequences to the disobedient. The nations of earth will act upon a shortsighted policy. Through their own course of action the priests and rulers will restore the lost ascendancy of the man of sin.

 Behold Satan's miracle-working power. Every object in the earth, in the air, and in the water has been employed to confirm his claims. Those who yield to these claims are alive with intense activity, one influencing and stimulating another by confirming the greatness and glory of their kingdom. See the activity, the restless surging of the masses in their determination to take and occupy the place of the throne of God. What eagerness, what rage they exhibit in their religious enthusiasm. Mark the defiant rebellion written in their countenances. Their warfare is against their Creator and Redeemer. How vast is the procession they form! How mighty they think themselves to be in their countless numbers.

 

Letter 21, February 16, 1902, (see also CM 19-20)

     Is it true that the end of all things is at hand? What mean the awful calamities by sea--vessels shipwrecked and lives hurled into eternity without a moment's warning? What mean the awful accidents by land--fire consuming the riches men have hoarded, much of which has been accumulated by oppression of the poor? The Lord will not interfere to protect the property of those who transgress His law, break His covenant, and trample upon His Sabbath, accepting in its place a spurious rest day. As Nebuchadnezzar set up an image in the plains of Dura, and commanded all to bow before it, so this false sabbath has been exalted before the world, and men are commanded to keep it holy....

     The plagues of God are already falling upon the earth, sweeping away costly structures as if by a breath of fire from heaven. Will not these judgments bring professing Christians to their senses? God permits them to come that the world may take heed, that sinners may be afraid and tremble before Him.

 

Letter 12, December 23, 1909, (see also 7ABC 123-24; 1MCP 40-42)

     Calamities are becoming more and more common, but every report of calamity by sea or by land is a testimony of the fact that the end of all things is near. The world is filled with iniquity, and the Lord is punishing [the world] for its wickedness. As crime and iniquity increase, these judgments will become more frequent and more marked, until the time shall come when the "earth...shall no more cover her slain" [Isaiah 26:21].

Somo la 6: Kutembea Nuruni: Kuwakataa Wapinga Kristo

(1 John 2:18-29, 2 Corinthians 1)

1, 2 & 3 Yohana: Somo la 6

Somo hili limetafsiriwa kutoka katika Copr. 2009, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Majibu yaliyopendekezwa yanapatikana kwenye parandesi (kwenye mabano). Somo limekaa kimtazamo kwamba mwalimu anatumia ubao au sememu nyingine yoyote ambayo inaweza kuonekana na wanafunzi. Somo hili pia linaweza kupatikana kutoka http://www.GoBible.org kwa lugha ya Kiingereza pamoja na lugha nyingine kama vile Kifaransa, Kijerumani, Kihispania, Kizulu, nk.

Utangulizi: Wiki iliyopita tulijifunza kuwa watu werevu walikuwa na matazamio ya masuala ya umilele na utajiri wa milele. Kwa nini ni waerevu kufanya hivi? Kwa sababu dunia hii itaishia kuungua wakati ambapo wale walio na mtazamo wa kimbingu watakuwa na uzima wa milele wakifurahia hazina za milele. Mtazao huo hugawanya "walio wa kidunia" kutoka kwa wale waaminio. Wiki hii Yohana anageukia uzingativu wake kwenye tatizo lisilokuwa la kawaida. Anatuonya kuhusu "wapinga Kristo." Hebu tujitose kwenye kwenye ujifunzaji wetu wa Biblia na kubaini kuhusu hawa  wapinga Kristo na jinsi ya kujizuia kutumbukia katika tatizo la upinga Kristo!

 

 

1. Saa ya Mwisho
   

   
    

   1. Soma 1 Yohana 2:18. Hawa "watoto" ni akina nani? (1 Yohana 2:1 ilianza kwa kauli hiyo hiyo, "watoto wangu." Tuliamua hapo kabla kuwa hawa ni wafuasi wa Yesu. Kumbuka kutoka wiki iliyopita kwamba "watoto," kinyume na "akina baba" au "vijana" (Tazama 1 Yohana 2:12-14), inawarejea waumini wapya. Hawa ni watu ambao wana mengi ya kujifunza.)
      

      
       

      1. "Saa ya mwisho." Yohana anamanisha nini katika hili? Saa ya mwisho ya historia ya dunia?
         

         
          

      2. Soma Kumbukumbu la Torati 18:20-22. Kama Yohana anamaanisha kuwaambia wasomaji wake mwisho wa wakati umekaribia, je, hiyo hufunua kuwa yeye ni nabii wa uongo na kwamba tuache mara moja kusoma barua zake?
         

 

1. Umesikia "mwisho wa wakati," "zama za mwisho," "siku za mwisho" na kauli kama hizo. "Saa ya mwisho" inaonekana kuwa mwisho wa miisho, sawa?
   

 

1. Soma Mathayo 24:30-34. Yesu anasema nini: kwamba wale waliokuwa wakimsikiliza hapo awali watauona ujio wake wa mara ya pili?
   

   
    

   1. Kama ndivyo, je, Yohana alikuwa anarudia tu kitu kisicho sahihi ambacho Yesu alikisema?
      

      
       

   2. Kwa kuwa hatuwezi kumpigia kura Yesu kama nabii wa uongo, tuupigie kura Ukristo wote?
      

 

1. Soma Mathayo 24:1-3? Unafikiria nini juu ya ubora wa swali la faragha la wanafunzi?
   
   1. Tatizo limeunganishwa? (Ndiyo. Wanafunzi wanauliza kuhusu uharibifu wa hekalu na mwisho wa dunia. Waliamini kimakosa kwamba matukio hayo mawili yalikuwa ni tukio moja.)
      

      
       

   2. Yesu anajadili swali lipi? (Uharibifu wa hekalu Yerusalemu. Hili lilitendeka mwaka 70 BK. Kama Yesu bado anaongelea kuhusu ule uharibifu, kauli ya "kizazi hiki" ni ya kweli.
      

   
    

   1. Yesu anaonekana kuunganisha Ujio Wake wa Mara ya Pili na uharibifu wa hekalu. Je, huu ni "usaidizi wa upotoshaji," "uongo wenye manufaa" (ili tusikatishwe tamaa), au kuna kitu kingine kinaendelea? Je, kauli ya Yesu ni kitu ambacho kinatusaidia kuelewa "saa ya mwisho" ya Yohana? (Jiweke katika viatu vya wasikilizaji.. Hekalu ndilo lililokuwa kitovu cha kuabudu kuliopo. Mfumo wa kuabudu wa hekalu ulikuwa ni ishara ya kifo cha Yesu, maisha na kutuombea dhambi zetu. Uharibifu wa hekalu muda mfupi baada ya Yesu kusulubiwa ulianzisha ukurasa mpya kwa wafuasi wa Mungu-siku za mwisho, mwisho wa zama, saa ya mwisho.)
      

      
       

      1. Je hii inaweza kuwa ni sababu kuwa wanafunzi hawakuweza kufikiri dunia bila ya hekalu? (Ndiyo. Kama mfumo wa ibada kwa Mungu wa ukweli ungetoweka, ingemaanisha Mungu hakuwa tena akiuongoza. Hiyo isingewezekana. Wanafunzi hawakuweza kuelewa bado kuwa Yesu ndiyo alikuwa sababu mfumo wa kafara ukawepo.)
         
         
         
         

1. Mpinga kristo
   

   
    

   1. Hebu na tuendelee mbele na 1    Yoh 2:18. Ni kwa jinsi gani makristo wa uwongo wanahusika na saa ya mwisho? ( Haya machafuko katika mfumo wa ibada unatoa fursa kwa walimu wa uwongo.)
      

 

1. Je ni wapinga kristo wangapi tulio nao? (Inaonekana ni wengi)\
   
2. Je unafikiri Yohana anamaanisha nini kwa neon "mpinga kristo" na "wapinga kristo wengi?" (Inaonekana yupo mpinga kristo mkuu. Lakini yaonekana wapo wapinga kristo wengine wadogo pia.)
   

 

1.   Mpinga kristo ni neon tete. Hebu tusome 1 Yohana 2:19-22 kupata picha hasa ya nini neon hilo humaanisha.
   

   
    

   1. Je wapinga kristo ni watu waliokuwa wazuri awali wkitembea katika nuru? ( Walihusiana na kundi la waaminio. Yohana anasema kuondoka kwao kunaonyesha kuwa hawakuwahi kamwe kuwa sehemu ya kundi. Japo, walionekana kuwa sehemu ya kundi.)
      

      
       

   2. Ni njia ipi ya awali kabisa ya kumtambua mpinga kristo? (Yeye asemaye uwongo juu ya kweli. Ukweli wa msingi ukiwa ni kuwa Yesu ni Mungu. Ukikataa ya kwamba Yesu si Bwana, utakuwa unamkataa Mungu baba pia.)
      

 

1. Ni kwa jinsi gani hiyo ni ukweli? Ni kwa jinsi gani hatukuweza kuamini katika "Mungu mmoja (kama ilicyo kwa Wayahudi na Waislamu) wa agano la akale bila kukuibaliana na huu wingi wa Mungu ambao wakristo wanautangaza ? (Kama hukufahamu kwambaYesu ndiyo alikuwa sababu kwa mpango wa hekalu wa Mungu wa ondoleo la dhambi, kivyovyote hutoweza kuelewa ukweli ao kuweza kuelezea ukweli juu ya Mungu. Katika mwaka 70 A.D. saa ya mwisho ilifika ambapo watu aidha walielewa mpango wa Mungu na kufanya mabadiliko kutoka huduma za ishara na kumtazama Yesu, au waliachwa nyuma katika ujinga.)
   

 

 

 

Soma 1Yohana 2:23. Je hii inaleta mantiki kwako? (Kama kukmubali Yesu na kafara yake ni njia mpaaya iliyoainishwa ya kuondokana na dhambi, hivyo itakuwa ndiyo njia pekee ya kumwendea Mtakatifu Mungu Baba.)   

 

1.  Soma 1Yohana 2:24-25. Nini uhusiano kati ya uzima wa milele na Yesu? (Kwa kuwa kifo cha Yesu kwa niaba yetu (tulikuwa na Yesu pale naye alipofariki) ndiyo ufunguo wa ondoleo letu la dhambi, kifo chake pia ni ufunguo kwa maisha yetu ya umilele!)
   

 

   
 

1. Kupakwa mafuta
   

   
    

   1. Tumejifunza kwamba ni muhimu kuhifadhi " kile tulichosikia tangu mwanzo" (1 Yoh 2:24). Ni nini kinachofanya ukweli udumu? (soma tena 1 Yohana 2:20: kutawazwa na Mtakatifu.")
      

   
    

   1. Mtakatifu iatakuwa inazungumzia Mungu. Kupakwa gani mafuta huku kuliko kwa muhimu?
      

 

1. Soma 2 Wakorintho 1:21-22. Fungu hili huelezeaje upakwaji wa mafuta?
   

 

1. Tunafahamu jinsi ya kulipia kitu mapema kidogo kwa kiasi (deposit) kwa kitu tutakachonunua. Ni kwa jinsi gani roho mtakatifu ni deposit kwa ujio wa Yesu mara ya pili? Ni kwa jinsi gani roho mtakatifu ni deposit inayotufanya tuendelee kuamini katika Yesu? (Deposit ni sehemu ya bei ya ununuzi. Ni sampuli ya baki. Tutakapoenda mbinguni wakati wa ujio wa Yesu mara ya pili tutaishi katika uwepo wa Mungu. Tunaweza kuanza kuelewa sasa hivi ni kwa vipi tutaishi mbele ya uwepo wa Mungu wakati tukiwa tumejawana roho mtakatifu.)
   

   
    

1. Hofu yako kubwa ni ipi katika kumwamini kwako Mungu?( kwamba tunaamini kitu ambacho siyo kweli. Kwa kawaida huwa nasoma vitabu maarufu vya kisayansi na jambo kubwa mara nyingi ni kuwa hakuna Mungu, ila palitokea uibikaji (evolution))
   
   
   1. Ni kwa jinsi gani Roho Mtakatifu anatupa uthibitisho wa uwepo wa Mungu? (Kama unajua Roho Mtakatifu anafanya kazi katika maisha yako basi unauthibitisho ya kuwa Mungu yupo na kwamba Biblia ni ya kweli.)
      

 

1. Soma Yohana 16:13. Ni kwa jinsi gani Roho Mtakatifu aweza kutuongoza katika kuujua ukweli kuhusu Mungu? (Mara nyingine huwa nashangaa sana ni kwa jinsi gani hawa wanasayansi wanaweza kuwa wapumbavu. Wanaandika vitabu juu ya kanunni zinazosimamia mfumo wa uumbaji. Wanaafiki ya kwamba wanfahamu kanuni nyingi kupitia vipimo –hawafahamu mantiki ama sababu zinazozunguka kanuni. Wakati katika ulimwengu huu wenye kujali usahihi, kanuni wanaaamini ya kwamba kila kitu kilitokea kwa bahati! Roho mtakatifu anatupa fikra safi na thabiti ya upungufu katika kfumo huo wa fikra.)
   

 

1. Soma 1 Yohana 2:-26-27. Je hii humaanisha kwamba hunihitaji mimi? Huhitaji mwongozo wa kujifunza Biblia? Hatuhitaji nyaraka za Yohana? (Nafikiri Yohana anasema kuwa hatuhitaji walimu wa uwongo. Kama ambavyo unaweza ukawa umeshabaini, jinsi navyoandaa masomo haya ni katika mtindo ambao utakufanya usome Biblia, na kasha kukuuliza maswali juu ya kile ulichokisoma. Lengo langu ni kukusaidia ufikiri juu ya neon la Mungu na kumwacha Roho wa Bwana akuongoze.)
    
   
2. Soma 1 Yohana 2:28-29. Wajib u wetu ni upi? (kuendelea kutembea katika nuru!)
   

 

1. Rafiki, kama unaamini ya kuwa Yesu ni mwana wa Mungu, kama unaikubali kafara yake kwa niaba yako, basi upo katiaka njia ya kuelekea ufalme wa milele. Kama unahitaji msaada (na unauhitaji) je utamwomba roho mtakatifu akujaze?\je utaanza kupata uzoefu sasa wa kuishi mbele za Bwana? Kwa nini usiliombee hilo sasa?
   

 

1. Juma lijalo: Kuishi kama watoto wa Mungu