Here is the link to a new quarter beginning with Lesson Study #1:

http://www.ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/08a/less01nkjv.html

After reading both the Sabbath afternoon and Sunday sections, I have a question to ask here that I hope can be answered.

What does the word discipleship mean?

You are not the only one asking that question. It seems unfamiliar to many Adventists.

I have the notion it will take the whole quarter to discover the real meeing of that word, and yet we may not understand it fully. So let's dig in and study!

Let's beware of patent qualifications unless well grounded in Scripture

What do we know about the principal contributor to our SS lessons? Here is a link to a site that tells us some things about him:

http://www.howard.edu/divinity/Faculty/bmelbourne.htm

It says he is a teacher of "Spiritual Formation," what does that phrase mean?

There a chapter in SC that touches on that.

You got his email on that page, why dont you ask him?

Interesting, thank you Dora. I copied the link on BlackSDA.

See a definition here:
http://news.adventist.org/data/2004/1075843904/index.html.en

I found this from ANN what Angel Rodriguez said about it.

We're trying to provide some guidelines to be used in the formation of Biblical Research Committees in the different divisions of the world," said Dr. Angel Manuel Rodriguez, director of the church's Biblical Research Institute, "with an intention of finding ways to work together in theology."

Rodriguez noted that these are guidelines, not requirements, and that divisions are free to adapt them as desired. One suggestion he hopes would gain traction is that any region establishing a Biblical Research Committee would include one or two Adventist theologians from other parts of the world. This "cross-fertilization" would help avoid regionalism, he said.

"If we want to stay together as a church in the area of doctrine and theology, we will have to continue to work diligently," Rodriguez told ANN. "Let us as theologians spend a little time together and think about our role in the mission of the church and listen to people from other parts of the world."

If such sharing takes place, he added, "we may not have the theological polarization that we have in some areas."

The Seventh-day Adventist Church, formally established 143 years ago, has long placed theology at the center of its life. In 2005, the church voted an additional statement of fundamental belief centering on spiritual formation and devotional life.

Here is that link: http://news.adventist.org/data/2006/1138809705/index.html.en

I also found the 28th belief (11th) which I had not before read in its' entirety.

Again, interesting information, Dora. Thank you!

Now I'd like to know what you think of the term, discipleship. Is it a theological term or rather a term used to stir up our devotional thinking?