Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Jehoshaphat,” pp. 190–203,

in Prophets and Kings; “The Fall of Jericho,” pp. 487–498, in Patriarchs

and Prophets.

“Then let us educate our hearts and lips to speak the praise of God

for His matchless love. Let us educate our souls to be hopeful and to

abide in the light shining from the cross of Calvary. Never should we

forget that we are children of the heavenly King, sons and daughters

of the Lord of hosts. It is our privilege to maintain a calm repose in

God.”—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 253.

“And while I adore and magnify Him, I want you to magnify Him

with me. Praise the Lord even when you fall into darkness. Praise Him

even in temptation. ‘Rejoice in the Lord alway,’ says the apostle; ‘and

again I say, Rejoice.’ Will that bring gloom and darkness into your

families? No, indeed; it will bring a sunbeam. You will thus gather

rays of eternal light from the throne of glory and scatter them around

you. Let me exhort you to engage in this work, scatter this light and

life around you, not only in your own path, but in the paths of those

with whom you associate. Let it be your object to make those around

you better, to elevate them, to point them to heaven and glory, and lead

them to seek, above all earthly things, the eternal substance, the immor-

tal inheritance, the riches which are imperishable.”—Ellen G. White,

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, pp. 593, 594.

Discussion Questions:

Ê What role does community praise have in the life of the

Christian? How would you describe the praise in your Sabbath

services? Is it uplifting? Does it encourage members to maintain

faithfulness amid trial and trauma? If not, what can be done?

Ë What does it mean to “praise the Lord even when you fall into

darkness” or to “praise Him even in temptation”? How can praise

help us through these situations?

Ì Let members give testimonies on how praise has affected their

lives. What can you learn from one another’s experiences?

Í As a class, pick a psalm of praise and spend time reading it.

What does it teach you about praise? What impact does praise

have on your faith?