Happy Sabbath Jesus! - Ellen G. White ® Estate

Happy SabbathJesus! :-DEllen White Visionary for Kids | 1

FOCUS ON sabbathCaptain Joseph Bates read andreread the small tract he had been given. Hecould hardly believe it. The author claimedthat the seventh day was the true Sabbathand that those who kept the first day of theweek were Sabbath breakers.Could this be true? Had he reallybeen worshipping on the wrong day? Therewas only one way to find out. CaptainBates picked up his Bible and began tosearch for the truth. As he looked up textafter text, he became more and moreconvinced that the Sabbath was, indeed,the seventh day.Captain Bates felt a strong desireto talk this over with Frederick Wheeler,who had initially learned about the Sabbathtruth from a Mrs. Oakes, a Seventh DayBaptist. Frederick Wheeler had shared thenews with Thomas Preble, and ThomasPreble had written the tract that CaptainBates had read.Captain Bates began the long tripto Mr. Wheeler’s home. It was 140 milesaway, and he may have walked the entireway. It was late at night when CaptainBates finally arrived, but he knocked on thedoor anyway, waking up everyone inside.They invited him to come in, and togetherthey stayed up the rest of the night,studying the Bible.On his way back home to Fairhaven,Massachusetts, Captain Bates thought2 | | Ellen White Visionary for for Kidsabout what the Sabbath truth would mean inhis own life. If he kept the seventh day as theSabbath, what would happen to his family,friends, and neighbors? Would they join himin worshipping on God’s day? Or would theyridicule him? Whatever happened, CaptainBates knew that he had to keep the seventhdaySabbath as God had commanded.As he was crossing the bridge betweenNew Bedford and Fairhaven, Captain Batesmet one of his friends. “What’s the news,Captain Bates?” the man asked.Captain Bates boldly replied, “Thenews is that the seventh day is the Sabbath ofthe Lord, our God.”Captain Bates was eager to sharethis new truth with others. He traveled longdistances to tell his friends about the Sabbath.He also wrote a tract called The Seventh-daySabbath, a Perpetual Sign. Among thosewho read the tract and became Sabbathkeepers wereJames andEllen White.To CaptainBates, theSabbath wasa specialday, and hewanted tokeep theSabbathon theday Godhad setaside.

The Sabbath—oh!—make itthe sweetest and happiest day of the week!Both the Sabbath and the family were first made in the Garden of Eden—and itis God’s ideal that the Sabbath and the family be linked together forever. On Sabbath—more than any other day of the week—it is possible for us to live the life of Eden. Godloves and cares for us—and doesn’t want us to work constantly! He puts His hand overthe Sabbath, giving families a chance to communicate with Him, to enjoy nature and toenjoy friends and family.Make the Sabbath a delight, yet holy and sacred.Everyone who loves Jesus shoulddo what they can to make the Sabbath adelight, yet holy and sacred. They cannotkeep the Sabbath while just trying tohave self-centered fun. We should try tomake the Sabbath the most interestingday of the week. Families can take walkstogether outdoors. They can enjoy thewoods and the bright sunshine, and theycan talk together about the wonders ofGod’s creation. This will help childrenunderstand that God is tender and loving,not stern and severe. The Sabbath shouldbe made so interesting to our familiesthat everyone will look forward to it.adapted fromChild Guidance, pp. 532, 535, 536Ellen White Visionary for Kids | 3

You’ve Got IssuesIs it wrong to goshopping on the Sabbath?Did You Know?Jesus intended that honoring the seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday)be a joy and delight! It is the Lord’s Day (Isaiah 58:13; Mark 2:27-28), not ours. Because it is His special day, God tells us quite clearlyhow we can keep it sacred in His honor.In fact, the Bible even specifically mentions shopping! In Nehemiah13:15-22, we find that Nehemiah honored God’s Sabbath by not allowingthe merchants to come into the city gates on the Sabbath day. Nehemiah wasGod’s agent to help God’s people understand how important it was to keep the Sabbathholy. The Sabbath commandment (#4) also reminds us to not do unnecessary work on theSabbath. And in Isaiah 58:13-14 we find that God has special promisesfor those who honor the Sabbath by not engaging in recreation orconversation that is not God-centered. After all, even the wordSabbath means rest from ordinary work!The Sabbath is a blessingto us when we lay aside ourregular activities and centerour thoughts on God andheaven on His holy day.Adapted from: Child Guidance, p. 528.But the Sabbath is not to be a burden or to be composed of just abunch of rules. We can make it a delight by thinking especially ofGod and how much He loves us on that day. We can go tochurch to worship God on the day that Jesus honored whenHe was on earth (Luke 4:16). We can spend time with ourfamilies—maybe taking a walk in God’s beautiful creation orvisiting a shut-in or playing/singing praise music.Yesterday my three-year-old friend Roderic told me, “I singon Sabbath because it’s Jesus Day!” He ‘nailed it’, don’t youthink? The Sabbath is Jesus Day—and that’s good enoughreason to sing, and even shout!“The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty.”The Great Controversy, pp. 604-605So where did keeping Sunday instead of Saturday (Sabbath) as a holy day of worshipcome from? Well, check this out! The Catholic Church says they changed it!“We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferredthe solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.” ~ Peter Geierman. The Convert’s Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, p. 50.But if God blesses one day and makes it holy, no one else has the right to change it toanother day instead!4 | Ellen White Visionary for for Kids Kids

Break out your Bible and dig deep! Match the questions below with the Bible text answers at the bottom ofthe page. Memorize these texts to defend your observance of God’s holy day—the Sabbath!1. According to the New Testament, what day immediately precedes the first day of theweek? _____2. After the crucifixion, what day was kept holy by the women who followed Jesus? _____3. What day is the Sabbath according to the commandment? _____4. What was Christ’s custom concerning the Sabbath? _____5. In what instruction to His disciples did Christ recognize that the Sabbath would still existlong after His ascension? _____6. On what day was John in the Spirit? _____7. Who is the Lord of the Sabbath? _____8. Through the prophet Isaiah, what does the Lord call the Sabbath? _____9. Why does the Lord call the Sabbath His day? _____10. How long is the Sabbath to be a sign of loyalty toGod? _____11. According to the Bible, when does the Sabbathbegin? _____12. When does the “evening” begin? _____13. Just how are we to keep the Sabbath? _____14. Will the Sabbath be observed as a day of worship in the newearth? _____A. Mark 1:32B. Luke 23:56C. Matthew 24:20D. Isaiah 66:22, 23E. Mark 2:28F. Exodus 20:11G. Matthew 28:1H. Exodus 20:8-11, and Isaiah 58:13, 14I. Exodus 31:17J. Luke 4:16K. Isaiah 58:13L. Exodus 20:10M. Revelation 1:10N. Leviticus 23:32Ellen White Visionary for Kids | 5

Rules, rules, rules. They wereeverywhere, dictating how the Jewishpeople should live every little detail oftheir lives. Even young children weresurrounded by numerous dos anddon’ts. These rules had been made bythe Jewish rulers, known as the rabbis.The rules had not been commanded byGod.As a boy, Jesus did not follow thelaws set up by the Jewish rulers. Instead,He studied the Scriptures and obeyedthe laws of God. He grew to realize thatthe rules created by the rabbis werenot in tune with God’s Word. Their ruleshad no virtue. Their ceremonies weremeaningless.The Jewish rulers tried to getJesus to follow their rules. Jesus did notspeak disrespectfully to them, but Hetried to explain what the Scripturestaught. When Jesus talked to themabout the Scriptures, the rabbisbecame angry. They knew that theirrules were contrary to the Scriptures.The rabbis complained aboutJesus to His parents. Joseph and Marythought the rabbis were good men,so they scolded Jesus for not followingtheir ways. Jesus’ brothers took sideswith the rabbis, too. They believed aperson should do what the Jewish rulerstaught, since only the Jewish rulerscould understand the Word of God.The rabbis thought theywere better than everyone else.They despised the poor and theuneducated. They offered no hopeor comfort to those who were sickor suffering. In contrast, Jesus loved6 | Ellen White Visionary for for Kids Kids

everyone He met. He helped everysuffering person. He fed the hungry andlater when He was older, He healed thesick, the lame, the blind, and the leper.When His brothers spoke harshly to thepoor, Jesus would go to those samepeople and speak kind and encouragingwords. He would take water to the thirstyand sometimes give his own meal tothe hungry. Jesus’ kindness to othersdispleased His brothers.During His life, Jesus faced manytrials and temptations. Satan was alwayswatching for a chance to overcomeHim. If Jesus had done one wrong act orspoken one impatient word, He could nothave been our Savior and the whole worldwould have been lost forever. Satan knewthis, so his only goal was to make Jesus failHis earthly mission. Satan tried everythingto lead Jesus into sin. Not one of us willever have to meet such fierce temptationsas He did.The other children called Jesus acoward because He would not join themin doing wrong. He enjoyed being outsidein nature with God, and He loved to singand pray and study the Scriptures.Adapted fromThe Story of JesusArtwork byEllen White Visionary for Kids | 7

Give a Bible Studywhy weCHOOSE to keep theSABBATH(Find out why in God’s word — the Bible!)Genesis 2:1-3The Sabbath was given as a memorialof Creation (long before there wereJews).Exodus 16Double miracle of manna gave a weeklyreminder of how God wants the Sabbathto be kept. Pretty explicit instructions inverse 23!Exodus 20:8-11The Sabbath commandment is theheart of The Ten. It reminds us that Godcreated the earth in six literal days—notin millions of years.Nehemiah 13:15-22We should not buy or sell on theSabbath.Isaiah 58:13, 14God gives His best promise to thosewho make even their conversationChrist-centered on the Sabbath.8 | Ellen White Visionary for for Kids KidsIsaiah 66:22, 23This promise to the ancient Jews is nowfor us. (See Galatians 3:28, 29.) We willkeep the Sabbath in heaven!Ezekiel 20:12, 20True Sabbath-keeping sets us apart asGod’s special people.Matthew 24:20God intended the Sabbath to be keptyears after Jesus’ resurrection.John 14:15We will keep the Sabbath becausewe love Jesus, not just from habit.Acts 13:26-44The disciples continued tokeep the Sabbath after Jesus’resurrection.Copyright © 2001 GoodSalt, The Professional Image Collection, vol. 2

how theSABBATH wasCHANGEDGenesis 2:2, 3God Himself set the 7th day apart as the Sabbath, His holy day.Deuteronomy 4:13God Himself wrote the Ten Commandments, including the 4th, ontablets of stone to show that the commandments are unchangeable.The Sabbath of thefourth commandment isthe seal of God.—Great Controversy, p. 640.Matthew 5:17, 18Jesus upheld God’s Law.Acts 18:4, 11Jesus’ disciples kept the Sabbath.Daniel 7:25Daniel foretold that a power would arise whowould attempt to change God’s law.2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4Paul also predicted that someone would arisewho would claim to have the rights of God.Matthew 15:9God hasn’t had a change of mind about the7th day Sabbath: men and women have.Mark 7:6-8If God blesses one day, people don’t have theauthority to bless another day instead.NOWHERE INSCRIPTUREDOES THE BIBLEMENTION ACHANGE FROMTHE 7 TH DAYSABBATH TOSUNDAYSo who saidpeople shouldworship on Sunday?(see p. 4 -Did You Know?)Revelation 22:14Obedience to God’s commandments is a test of our loyalty to Him.But obeying God doesn’t save us—only Jesus can do that!These are 2 of 41 Bible studies made especially for young people. You can findthese studies, 41 Bible Studies by Cindy Tutsch, at AdventSource.com.Ellen White Visionary for Kids | | 9

Ask Cindy!Does it really matter what dayof the week you keep holy?Good question! Suppose you send an invitation toyour friends to celebrate your birthday on Tuesday.You spend a lot of time and effort to make the party fun andhappy. The decorations are up. The food is ready. Yourentertainment arrives. But yourfriends decide to come onWednesday, instead. Would youcare? I suspect you would be hurt. Theflowers would have wilted. The food wouldn’t befresh. The band would no longer be there. Yourfriends showed up a day late, and they missedthe party.Every seventh-day Sabbathis a party—a celebration of thecreation of our world (Genesis 2:1-3). We are reminded again in the4 th Commandment that the Sabbathis the anniversary of God’s creationof Planet Earth. The Sabbathcommandment is the heart of theTen (Exodus 20:8-11). When wehonor the day that God honors,we are brought especially close toHis heart. Keeping Sabbath is asign to God that we have acceptedJesus’ sacrifice on Calvary’s crossas our only way to heaven (Ezekiel20:12, 20; Acts 4:12).Soon there will be a globalbattle over who controls our hearts says that it is God that blesses,and deserves our loyalty. The honors and sanctifies* the seventhSabbath will be at the center of that day. We are asked to keep it holy,war. Those who believe that Jesus not make it holy. Therefore, theis Lord of the 7 th Day Sabbath only day that can be kept holy iswill stand bravely for the Sabbath the day that God made holy—thewhen it seems the whole world has 7 th day.rejected it. After that war, Jesus will *sanctifies – to make holyreturn for His loyal family andwe will celebrate the Sabbath Ask youth minister Cindy Tutsch anywith Him in heaven (Isaiah question about Ellen White, the SeventhdayAdventist Church, or even Bible66:22-23).So, does it matterquestions on next quarter’s topic—JESUS’which day I keep or honor? 2ND COMING! Just send your e‐mail toRemember that you or I do cindytutsch@hotmail.com. All of yourquestions will be answered—and we’llnot have the power to makeeven put some of them in the next Ve.Za day holy. The Scripturefor Kids! So what do you want to know?10 | Ellen White Visionary for for Kids Kids

This is your bulletin board, so please shareyour talents and expressions. Our next topicwill be on JESUS’ 2ND COMING. E-mail usyour creations relating to this theme, suchas artwork, a poem, or a short paragraphabout JESUS’ 2ND COMING and what itmeans to you. But hurry, we’re alreadyworking on next quarter’s e•Zine!YOURThings I like about Sabbath1. I love that my Mama always makes somethingsweet to eat and a special dinner.2. I like spending time with the God of Heaven.3. Reading the Bible with my parents.4. Telling my little brother Bible stories andpraying with him.5. Singing6. Taking nature walks with my Mama orDaddy and praying outside in our specialprayer spot.7. Going to Sabbath School, Church andBible Study.CORNERCecilia with little brother, Anton (3)By: CeciliaAge: 5From: FloridaArtwork by: HannahAge: 8From: DenmarkArtwork by: HannahAge: 8From: DenmarkArtwork by: AdrianAge: 15From: TobagoEllen White Visionary for Kids | 11

Sabbath DelightDIRECTIONSM H A K E T S H E S A B R B AT T H A D E I L I G E H E T AN A D A A J N O Y U H U H U MA B K N J L G X O R T N T F IN B D T H C Z E J A E Q E B BJ A R I O B D J V N P B G K QR S P M J E A L O S R Q O Z WE O I F Q G H H E Y A Y T Q UD N N Q U I Z T L B Y Y D L OG B C O Q N W I I Q X V T X ZL N X Z H S M M T W N Q I T XJ V S Z N A K U P O T M I W MQ H F E F Z H F P T E H I V OS K N R X M R M A X Q D R J XM I R T D F Q B M F N V E P KFind the red words from the quote in the puzzle above and circle them. After you havecircled all the words, you will discover a hidden message within the left-over letters in thepuzzle describing what the Sabbath should be for you. Write the letters from left to right,starting at the top, on the blank lines below.Honor the Sabbath by coming togetherwith the family to sing and pray as the Sabbath begins.- Adapted from Child Guidance, p. 529__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ____ __ __ __ __ __ __ ! Adapted from Child Guidance, p. 531.12 | Ellen White Visionary for for Kids Kids

Loyalty2GodUse the cryptogram code below to discoverhow we show God we are loyal to Him.(Quote adapted from The Great Controversy, p. 437.)___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ______ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ______ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ .Ellen White Visionary for Kids | 13

God’s Hug to MeFit each word from the quote below into the squares by counting the number of letters in theword and the number of squares on the puzzle. One word is already put into place for you.ISSABBATH IS THE HUG THAT UNITES GOD AND HIS PEOPLE.Adapted from The Faith I Live By, p. 33.14 | Ellen White Visionary for for Kids Kids

NotPeeking,Are You?Sabbath DelightMake the Sabbath a delight and a joy!Loyalty 2 GodKeeping Sabbath is the sign that we are loyal to God.God’s Hug to MeCOME ON! You can figure this one out!Ellen White was born in 1827 in Maine, U.S.A. Seventh-dayAdventists believe that God called her to be a prophet andgave her messages through dreams and visions, as foretold bythe Bible (Joel 2:28-29; Ephesians 4:11-13). Ellen White’s writings bringmessages of hope that express the love of Jesus for every person. Sheproclaimed that the Ten Commandments are based on God’s great loveand that God will help His children keep His commandments as aresponse to that love. Ellen White dedicated her entire life toserving others.The editors of Visionary invite you to read Ellen White’s writingsfor yourself. You could start with Messiah, Steps to Jesus, or ACall to Stand Apart, all rewritten in youth-friendly language andavailable through adventistbookcenter.com. Discover, enjoy,and build a stronger friendship with Jesus!Ellen White Visionary for Kids | 15

Ellen White Visionary for Kids(Ve.Z) is produced andpublished online by theEllen G. White ® Estate, Inc.Jesus’2nd ComingNext Time inVe.Z for KidsOur next issue focuses on Jesus’ 2nd Coming. Sendvia e-mail your letters, questions, photos, drawings,and poetry about Jesus’ 2nd Coming before June 1,2009. Don’t forget to send us your picture with yoursubmission. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! E-mailyour submissions to: vezforkids@gmail.com (Not allsubmissions may be published, but all questions will be answered!)Director: James R. NixVice Director: Tim PoirierAssociate Directors: William Fagal,Cindy Tutsch, Ivan Leigh WardenEditor: Cindy TutschAssociate Editors: Joy Sorensen, DarrylThompsonContract Writer: Helen Lee RobinsonArtwork and Design: Joy Sorensen,Darryl ThompsonWriter-Researchers: Joy Sorensen, DarrylThompson, Cindy TutschOnline: Joy Sorensen, Darryl ThompsonConsultants: Larry Blackmer,Linda Koh, Kimberly Luste Maran,Baraka MugandaOther Resources100 Creative Activities for Sabbath—Karen Holford52 Sabbath Activities for Teen Groups—Don Pate52 Things to Do on the Sabbath—Glen RobinsonBible Treasures - Sabbath - Primary Treasure pkg. of 25Guide Thematic Unit Issue Pack: Sabbath—Stephen’sSabbath Odyssey - Guide Magazine pkg. of 10Guide’s Greatest Sabbath Stories—Helen Lee Robinson, editorThese great resources and more are available at anyAdventist Book Center:phone: 1.800.765.6955web: www.adventistbookcenter.comContact Usaddress: Ellen G. White Estate,12501 Old Columbia Pike,Silver Spring, MD 20904e-mail: vezforkids@gmail.comweb: www.whiteestate.orgphone: 1.301.680.6540fax: 1.301.680.6559Ve.Z Website16Our| EllenonlineWhiteinteractiveVisionaryversionfor Kidsof Ve.Z canbe found atWhiteEstate.org/VEZCopyright © 2001 GoodSalt, The Professional Image Collection, vol. 1