1. Junior and/or Earliteen Sabbath School October 25, 2008

3. This Quarter the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering is going to the Northern Asia-Pacific Division Information adapted from Adventist Mission, Youth and Adult Magazine and the SDA Encyclopedia. Mongolia China North Korea

4. This quarter the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will be used to help: build a dormitory for Adventist students in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia build a dormitory for Adventist students in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia fund Chinese-language television and Internet broadcasts from Taiwan fund Chinese-language television and Internet broadcasts from Taiwan plant a Chinese-language church in the heart of Tokyo, Japan plant a Chinese-language church in the heart of Tokyo, Japan

5. Almost 1.5 billion people live in the countries that make up the Northern Asia-Pacific Division. Among this huge population 97% are Buddhists, Shintoists, Muslims, Shamans, and Atheists while only 3% are Christians (nearly 563,000 or one in every 2,600 are Seventh-day Adventists). Challenges are everywhere in this area.

6. Shinto Ceremony in Kyoto Encarta Focus on Japan The islands of Japan are located in the North Pacific just east of Korea and China. Japan currently boasts the third strongest economy in the world and is at the forefront of the modern technological age. Shinto is the traditional Japanese religion and until the end of World War II it was the official state religion.

7. The Japanese people are a study in contrast. While the older generation still cherishes the traditions of ancestor worship, hard work, and loyalty, young people reach out and grasp modern materialism and embrace technology. Young women in traditional kimonos Osaka Shoman Castle

8. Japanese who do not claim to be Christian do not seem interested in learning that Jesus loves them. When Adventist missionaries first entered Japan more than 100 years ago, the people responded and the church grew rapidly. But as the Japanese economy prospered after World War II, interest in religion waned. Materialism became the god of the Japanese. Business district in Tokyo

9. Christians remain a very small percentage of the population and there are only some 15,000 Seventh-day Adventist members scattered among the islands. Several new initiatives, such as Hope for Big Cities, have been started to help reach the millions of Japanese people with the saving grace of Jesus. Pray that soon all of Japan will hear of the God whose love is the same in every language. Japanese girl paints banner for Vacation Bible School

10. Most of the new believers in Japan learn about the church through one of the Adventist schools in the country. That makes Adventist schools truly mission schools. Pray that the teachers and Adventist students in the Adventist schools in Japan will share their faith with students who are not Christians. Pray that the children from non-Christian homes will give their hearts to God and share what they are learning with their families. This will help the church in Japan to grow. Toshimichi Wakui

11. Growth is occurring among the non- Japanese in Japan. Churches have been planted among the 450,000 ethnic Japanese from Brazil and Peru who now speak Portuguese or Spanish as their first language. Two Korean congregations and several English speaking congregations also are thriving But the largest ethnic minority in Japan, the Mandarin Chinese- speaking people, are virtually unreached. Part of this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help establish the first Chinese-language Adventist church in Tokyo, Japan. Please give generously this Thirteenth Sabbath. Bo Gao

12. Collect Offering

13. Exploring God’s World In this section we study one of the countries in the division where our Thirteenth Sabbath offering is going.

14. Today we are going to learn about Japan.

15. Where is Japan

18. Japan’s Flag

32. Time for the Mission Story We are taking the good news to the entire world. Read the Mission Story on pages 10 and 11 of the Fourth Quarter Adventist Mission Youth and Adult Magazine while slowly progressing through the next 3 slides.

33. The name of the person in the story is “Erica.”

34. This story is from Taiwan.

35. The title of the story is “Compelled by Christ.”

36. Lesson Study Time

37. The Contented Prisoner Today we will discuss:

38. Have you ever wondered, How much worse can things get?

39. And then you decided you would just make the best of it.

40. Were you able to see God at work, even in your bad circumstances?

41. Continue reading Luke’s account of how Paul chose to serve God while still a prisoner, and the wonderful results. Photo by Neva MacPhee

42. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.... I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV). P O W E R T E X T

43. We can choose to serve God in the most difficult circumstances. P O W E R P O I N T Photo by Neva MacPhee

44. I overheard Julius, the Roman centurion escorting us, tell Paul that he would release him if he could. On arriving in Rome

45. Paul told him he wouldn’t change anything because God had a work for him to do in Rome. He said he was content with that. His positive attitude continues to amaze me.

46. Once we were in the city, Julius made arrangements for Paul to live in his own house with one guard rather than stay at the imperial prison with the other prisoners.

47. He found us a furnished house. At last Paul can live in a little comfort. He will be under house arrest.

48. That means he will be constantly chained to a soldier. But he can freely preach to all who come through the door.

49. Three days later Paul had inquired about the Jewish community here in Rome when he arrived.

50. He discovered that there was once again a large population of Jews. He sat reminiscing about his friends Priscilla and Aquila, whom he had met when they were banished from Rome years before.

51. He repeated his belief that you can serve Christ anywhere under any circumstances. I had to agree with him.

52. Today Paul decided it was time to meet with the Jewish leaders. He wanted to make sure they got the truth about what had happened in Jerusalem.

53. When they arrived, he stated carefully and simply the reason for his imprisonment. He was surprised that they hadn’t already heard the details from the Jews in Jerusalem.

54. They were curious about his belief that the Messiah had come. Instead of having to answer questions about his arrest,

55. he was asked to explain to them why he thought Jesus was the Messiah. Paul asked them to meet with him again in two days.

56. Two days later Paul stated boldly to the Jews that Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the Messiah whom the prophets wrote about.

57. The Roman Jews asked thoughtful questions. Some believed, but in the end, most were unconvinced.

58. Paul reminded them of Isaiah’s prophecy* about their unbelief. Finally he said, with a frustration that has become familiar to me, that salvation would go to the Gentiles. *Isaiah 6:9, 10

59. It didn’t seem to matter to most of these people listening to him.

60. I could tell Paul was disappointed, but he said it didn’t matter. What mattered was that he had to use every opportunity to tell what he knew. “Even though you can’t leave this house?” I asked him.

61. I’ll never forget his reply. As he sat there in chains, he said that regardless of the circumstances, he would preach Christ because it was He who gave him strength.

62. I glanced at the soldier guarding him and saw that even he was moved by Paul’s testimony.

63. Two years later The Jews from Jerusalem arrived today. It almost doesn’t matter that they are here. Their delay in coming has allowed the work to blossom everywhere.

64. Paul has had time to write letters of encouragement to the churches he established. He has sent workers to these churches as well as to places he was not able to go.

65. A leader in chains. I now understand why Paul said two years ago that he was content in any circumstance, no matter how difficult. I have seen our Lord strengthen him for the work, even though his health is never good.

66. Timothy, Mark, Demas, and Tychicus have been staying with us. Mark has made a dramatic turnaround.

67. He has matured in the Lord very well. And he is completely devoted to Paul. He understands how Paul thinks and tries to stay one step ahead of him.

68. We have had a steady stream of visitors to this house. I chuckle sometimes at how often they come—and the numbers.

69. Heads of state probably don’t receive as many people! If I didn’t insist that he stop and rest, Paul would talk with people all night, every night!

70. He grumbles and says he’s not an invalid. I remind him that he will be if he doesn’t follow the advice of his physician!

71. After I repeated it once again today, he looked at me as if he wanted to argue. Instead he said, “You’ve been more than a physician, you’ve been a faithful friend.”

72. Lately he’s been introducing me as “my beloved physician.” I’ve been grateful for the time with him these past years.

73. I’ve learned so much about trusting God and continuing to serve Him in spite of the difficulties.

75. Acts 28:16, NIV “When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard 17 Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: ‘My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar--not that I had any charge to bring against my own people. 20 For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.’ ” Let’s read Acts 28:16-20 together

76. Think what it must have been like to be falsely accused as Paul was.

77. Paul was under house arrest during the time of our story, and probably chained to a Roman guard.

78. Imagine what it would be like to be chained to someone else, day and night, day after day.

79. Did you feel like doing things for others while you were “chained” during today’s lesson? Do you think Paul could have used being chained as an excuse not to serve others?

80. Are there any situations in your life that make it seem impossible to serve others? Praise God that He will help you serve Him in all circumstances.

81. Think of something nice you can do for someone who has falsely accused you.

82. Philippians 4:11, NIV “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Listen to what Paul the prisoner could say:

84. Important Information PowerPoints® art copyrighted © 2003 by the Review and Herald® Publishing Association. Text and illustrations from Adventist Mission Youth and Adult Magazine is copyright © by the General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists. Scriptures quoted from NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright © 1973, 1980, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. ClickArt Infinity by Broderbund, © 1999 TLC Multimedia Inc.

85. You will want to have a hard copy of the Mission Story ready to read during the Mission Story section. You can find the story on pages 10 and 11 of the Fourth Quarter Adventist Mission Youth and Adult Magazine. The title of the story is “Compelled by Christ.” You can go to the website and find the link titled “Publications” to download the Adventist Mission Youth and Adult Magazine. You will want to have a hard copy of the Mission Story ready to read during the Mission Story section. You can find the story on pages 10 and 11 of the Fourth Quarter Adventist Mission Youth and Adult Magazine. The title of the story is “Compelled by Christ.” You can go to the website http://www.adventistmission.org/ and find the link titled “Publications” to download the Adventist Mission Youth and Adult Magazine. http://www.adventistmission.org/ Notes to Teachers

86. Copyright Grants Pass Seventh-day Adventist School Art and graphics copyrighted by the General Conference and the Review and Herald® are included on slides 48, 52-55, 57, 59-64, 66, 67 and 70-73. Images and artwork are copyrighted by the Pacific Press Publishing Assoc., Review and Herald Publishing Assoc., It Is Written and others. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Copyright Notices