Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Gethsemane,” pp. 685–697,

and “Calvary,” pp. 741–757, in The Desire of Ages.

“Three times has He uttered that prayer. Three times has humanity

shrunk from the last, crowning sacrifice. But now the history of the

human race comes up before the world’s Redeemer. He sees that the

transgressors of the law, if left to themselves, must perish. He sees the

helplessness of man. He sees the power of sin. The woes and lamenta-

tions of a doomed world rise before Him. He beholds its impending

fate, and His decision is made. He will save man at any cost to Himself.

He accepts His baptism of blood, that through Him perishing millions

may gain everlasting life. He has left the courts of heaven, where all is

purity, happiness, and glory, to save the one lost sheep, the one world

that has fallen by transgression. And He will not turn from His mission.

He will become the propitiation of a race that has willed to sin. His

prayer now breathes only submission: ‘If this cup may not pass away

from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.’ ”—Ellen G. White, The

Desire of Ages, pp. 690, 693.

Discussion Questions:

Ê How does it help us in our own sufferings, this knowledge that

God Himself, in the person of Christ, suffered more than any of

us ever could? What should the sufferings of Christ in our behalf

mean to us? What comfort can we draw from this amazing truth?

As you think about your answer, keep in mind the following state-

ment from Ellen White: “All the suffering which is the result of sin

was poured into the bosom of the sinless Son of God.”—Selected

Messages, book 3, p. 129.

Ë As a class, go over the sufferings of Christ examined in this

week’s lesson. What were the crucibles that Christ faced? In what

ways are they like our own, and in what ways are they different?

What can we learn from how He handled these challenges that can

help us amid our own crucibles?

Ì What are some of your favorite Bible promises, promises that

you can cling to amid sorrow and pain? Write them out, claim

them for yourself, and share them in class.

Í Write out a summary paragraph, highlighting whatever main

points you got from this quarter’s lessons. What questions were

resolved for you? What issues still remain unanswered? How can

we help each other work through those things that still greatly

perplex and trouble us?