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Formerly Sabbath School Leadership, LEAD is a quarterly magazine to bring more power and polish to your Sabbath School programs and Sabbath School teaching.
 Listen to the Sabbath School Theme Music for this Quarter
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03.13.10: The Fruit-Righteousness 
Cultural Context
We live in a world where there is guise of unconditional acceptance, tolerance, and openness to all ideologies—an era of almost altruistic subjectivity. What’s good for you is good for you. What’s good for me is good for me. Everything’s good. There is no right. Wrong is what’s subjectively wrong for you. Philosophically speaking, there is no such thing as righteousness, because no standard for right exists.
Necessary Background/Further Resources
• The Desire of Ages, chapter 50
• Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis
Preparation
Read The Desire of Ages, chapter 50, to study the interaction between Christ and the woman caught in adultery.
Point of Contact
Questions
• Why is acceptance such a commodity in this culture?
• Why are Christians viewed as being intolerant?
• What can we do to be more accepting without denying that a standard for right exists?
“Deep down even the most hardened criminal is starving for the same thing that motivates the innocent baby: Love and acceptance” (Lily Fairchilde, thinkexist.com/quotation).
Points of Conversation
Read Luke 15:1-3.
Questions
• What does the response of the publicans and sinners to Jesus tell us about the nature of Christ’s acceptance?
• What do the statements of the religious leaders tell us about their acceptance?
• What do you think drew people to Jesus?
• What basically draws you to someone?
Jesus’ love for people was evident in His words and countenance. He was the most righteous person that ever lived, yet the scum of society were drawn to Him. He held the highest ideals, yet never scorned the sinner.
Read John 8:1-11. The religious leaders approached Christ with a woman who had been caught in the very act of adultery. They cited a clause in the law of Moses that such a woman should be stoned. Jesus didn’t respond but silently wrote the sins of His accusers in the dust. The accusers silently slipped away. Jesus arose, and looking at the woman asked where her accusers were. “‘Where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’” Then He cautioned her to sin no more.
Questions
• What does this incident reveal about Christ’s belief about righteousness?
• Does Christ believe in a standard of righteousness?
• What was the difference between Christ and the Pharisees?
• Is it possible to be theologically correct and yet wrong in the spirit of execution?
• What does this story tell us about the character of God?
• What does this story tell us about Christ’s belief about the law of God?
• What does this story tell us about Christ’s acceptance of people?
“In His act of pardoning this woman and encouraging her to live a better life, the character of Jesus shines forth in the beauty of perfect righteousness. While He does not palliate sin, nor lessen the sense of guilt, He seeks not to condemn, but to save. The world had for this erring woman only contempt and scorn; but Jesus speaks words of comfort and hope. The Sinless One pities the weakness of the sinner, and reaches to her a helping hand” (The Desire of Ages, p. 462).
Parting Thought
Jesus illustrated beautifully the nature of true righteousness. Christ offers more than the world’s guise of acceptance. He satisfies inner longing for acceptance, regardless of our failings. But He offers more, a future of empowered righteous living.
Reach Out (Bold buzz.)
Ask the Lord to help us love people unconditionally—to accept them as souls for whom Christ died and gave His life. Yet at the same time challenge them with Christ’s word to righteous living: “Go, and sin no more.” Volunteer to work with mentally or physically challenged children or adults through your city Health Department.
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