| Author | Message | ||
| Windmotion Registered user Username: Windmotion Post Number: 102 Registered: 6-2001 |
Has anyone heard anything about Gracelink, a series of Sabbath school lessons for kids? I sort of stumbled across it while Web surfing. Apparently it came out a couple of years ago, and the more conservative Adventists don't like it at all. Do a search and you will come across positive and negative Web sites about it. Still it is difficult to find out exactly what the curriculum is. It almost makes me laugh how many negative Adventist Web sites are hosted by conservative adventists. They are their own worst enemy. Although they do bring up a few valid points, their main disagreements seem to be about the idea that salvation has no strings attached. To that I can only say, Amen!! --Hannah | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 194 Registered: 7-2004  |
Here is a link to a criticism of GraceLink. Itís just too classic in regard to why these SDA Sabbath School lessons are so anti-historical SDA! Here are some of the better quotes: http://www.greatcontroversy.org/reportandreview/kir-gracelinkreview.php3
I think the fact that the GC is printing and supporting GraceLink is further evidence that the cognitive dissonance will only increase in current SDAism. The funny part is, GraceLink has Ellen White references in every lesson, and yet clearly, these lessons go very much against EGWís teachings! Thatís where the criticism is coming fromóthere are SDAís who understand how blatantly these lessons are the opposite of EGWís position. | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 113 Registered: 7-2004 |
Isn't it wonderful that they are teaching this approach to grace to the very young. This will insulate these little ones, I pray, against all of the works teachings they will be facing as they age. The most beautiful thing I ever found out about was grace, the fact that I have nothing to do, that I must do nothing save depend in total faith on the completed work of the Savior. Before gaining clarity on this issue it was like squeezing water out of a rock when I was trying to "be good for Jesus." Lots of effort, little result. I'm not bragging, because I'm still not doing anything, but I see results in my life now, and I don't have to do a thing to see them. Praise God through Jesus Christ my Savior that he has found a way for sinful mankind to be made right and that he has so freely made that righteousness available to us, through His Grace! Let's keep praying that enough SDA's will become acquainted with grace that they no longer have to seek guidance from the babblings of a 19th century epileptic woman. Give me Jesus, only Jesus. Belva | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 1408 Registered: 12-2003  |
I think we need to keep praying that God will expose and break the spirit of Adventism. This Grace Link curriculum brings back the old familiar lump in my stomach--Jesus does it all; how, then, do we explain the Sabbath? I believe there are many Adventists who are looking for truth and want to know Jesus. They are finding Him--and we all know what a process that can be when one is inside the church. The fact still remains that sooner or later people have to decide whether or not they're going to remain Adventist or not. Can one really embrace the gospel and also support a church founded on a lie? I believe that many Adventists stop short of really finding out what their church espouses. They grow up with "grace talk" and a firm belief that Ellen herself taught grace, and they are still in bondage. If they can learn to love Jesus, though, and not their comfortable church and community, they will be able to find freedom. Just yesterday a young woman approached me at church saying that her good friend is engaged to an Adventist who is currently teaching at an SDA school in Africa. He's the son a well-respected SDA doctor. The woman speaking to me said she's helping her friend with the wedding, and she's feeling very uneasy. The engaged woman, she said, told her that "her heart is at peace" because Walter Martin said that Adventism was not a cult. I explained the deception of Qestions on Doctrine and said Martin had re-opened his investigation of Adventism before his death. She told me the engaged woman said she would read material, but she's not willing to visit this website because she knows it's part of the ministry of Former Adventist Fellowship (the Friday night Bible study is well-known among Loma Linda Adventists, and they have been quite upset with Trinity Church for hosting such a ministry), and, she says, "They're just Adventist-bashers at Trinity." Sigh--and this accusation from a mouth of a non-Adventist who has no experience with FAF at all. Sigh. I gave the woman two copies each of Greg Taylor's book and of Ratzlaff's Cultic Doctrine and Sabbath in Christ. I can only hope and pray the engaged one reads them and is willing to know the truth. I know another twenty-something Christian who was a friend of my older son's. She came to me about three years ago and talked to me about Adventism, took the Ratzlaff books, and told me she had an Adventist friend. The SDA friend, it turns out, was a medical student whom she had begun to date. He said all the right words about Christianity, etc., and he even went to church with her at a non-SDA church. BUT--they went to a local church that holds Saturday services as well as Sunday ones. They went on Saturday. This couple married in December. She believes he's a Christian who just wishes to worship on Saturday. Even her youth pastor talked to us and said he warned her that she was getting into something she would likely regret. But they say the right words, they talk about grace, they say you don't have to go to church on Saturday to be saved--and then the couple has their first child. We all know what turmoil comes next. I pray for truth to be known--both inside Adventism and outside. Colleen | ||
| Madelia Registered user Username: Madelia Post Number: 128 Registered: 2-2003 |
Oh, Colleen, When I read your post about those 2 young women, I just want to run and find them, and say "please, don't marry them, you don't know what you're getting into!" But, of course, it wouldn't do any good. Even though those around me were trying to tell me to consider what I was doing, I wouldn't have listened. | ||
| Carol_2 Registered user Username: Carol_2 Post Number: 258 Registered: 2-2002  |
That's funny to me now! When my husband and I were dating, a few people warned him, but he'd read Martin's book on cults and his "diagnosis" about SDAism. He felt OK, plus my friends and I, as well as my church, were among the most liberal of SDA churches. I'm so thankful he didn't listen! But I know in my case God had a much bigger plan! And now on this day of sweethearts, as always, I thank God for bringing this wonderful Christian man into my life! Love you all, Carol | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 1503 Registered: 11-2002 |
What is the age group this program is geared to? Is this program also available in the Spanish churches? It's interesting that they call it a grace cirriculum yet it's full of EGW quotes.She did not say anything that I know of that indicates she understood grace. Therefore, I believe they are taking the EGW quotes out of context. But, what the hey? Why not? They take a lot of Bible out of context too, so they are following their pattern of deception. Which reminds me, last week I asked for prayer for my baby grandson who had attended SS or the first time in his breif life. Well, now add to this prayer his twin sister who went to SS for the first time in her short life two days ago. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and direct these wonderful children, as well and their seven year old sister who loves going to SS into truth and understanding of His word ONLY. Thank-you. | ||
| Cy Registered user Username: Cy Post Number: 8 Registered: 1-2005  |
The GraceLink curriculum was introduced just as I was "volunteered" to teach the juniors in my church about 6 or 7 years ago. Not having had much to do with kids before that point (my oldest is now 4), it was a real challenge. I didn't realize there was so much negativity directed at the curriculum, although I can certainly understand because the simple fact of grace fully challenges the fundamentals of the church (Praise God!). The GraceLink curriculum seemed like a breath of fresh air compared to what I'd had when I was young. At the time I thought it helped confirm the changes in the church. I pray I was a positive influence on the children -- I shared from my heart and from the Bible. And I pray that the one student I seemed to reach the best is equipped to find her way! BTW, I love the quote: "I don't know whether you caught that, but the 'full impact' is such that if we are saved by grace, we shall have nothing to do. It has all been done apart from us, and anything and everything that we do can only, at the very most, be mere response." They see it, but they don't get it. Sigh... "Cy" | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 337 Registered: 7-2004 |
One of the "founders" of GraceLink is a local youth pastor in my area. I had no idea that there was a negative back-lash. Funny thing about this youth pastor, I got into a discussion with him regarding my 7th grade daughter studying EGW books rather than studying Scripture for Bible class...he did not see anything wrong with it! | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 195 Registered: 7-2004 |
Susan, the GraceLink curriculum is for Cradle Roll through Earliteens. Of course, they have different quarterlies for Cradle Roll, Kindergarten, Primary, Juniors and Earliteens. Actually, I was a Primary teacher (which is definitely NOT my calling and I'll never do it again) for the first year GraceLink was out. I thought it was a decent set of lessons and it emphasized service to people we interact with regularly as well as service to community. The focus was much more on helping others and enjoying the Christian life (as well as realizing what Jesus has done for us), instead of making sure our life was progressing towards perfection. | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 196 Registered: 7-2004 |
One other thing, I don't think there are any direct EGW quotes directly in the lessons. It's just that every lesson references where a parent or teacher can supplement the lesson by reading EGW's version of whatever Bible story is being taught. As has been pointed out earlier, what the lessons actually teach is in direct conflict with much of what EGW taught. That's what the criticism is all about. | ||
| Windmotion Registered user Username: Windmotion Post Number: 103 Registered: 6-2001 |
Another site that cracks me up is www.adventist4truth.com. They have a series of letters written by SS teachers, along with A LOT of other stuff. Their biggest complaint seems to be the addition of details to the Bible stories that, huh, aren't in the Bible or the "SOP." Well, gee, I wonder where the curriculum writers would have gotten the idea that that wouldn't be a problem!!! Im not sure this will link anywhere, but here is the link: http://www.adventist4truth.com/index2.php?HandsPages=gracelink-1 They criticize even the artwork " Page 21-23. Samson had hair, not a few sprigs of stubble, at the time of his renewed strength and his death. (See PP page 566.)Page 50-51. No mouse came to comfort and cheer John the Baptist.Page 62-63. The sheaves bowing to Joseph's sheaf. Joseph's is depicted as puffed up and haughty. One observer noted that Joseph's sheave is depicted as a male genital." Interestingly, it is just as horrifying to not match the "SOP" as it is the Bible. Here is another attempt to denigrate "cheap grace." "Cover Page. The pigs did not follow the prodigal son home clinging to his rags as he ran to his father. He left the sin when he came to himself. This is gross error in art and in the theology it symbolizes. When we as sinners come to our senses and turn to the Father, we leave our pigpen of sin. We don't drag our sin with us to Christ. This picture symbolizes the thread of error that I see woven into nearly every lesson of this past year; that being: I need to do nothing to gain salvation except come to God and be loved, because God does it all. This cheap grace concept is chanted repeatedly in the student's lesson, the power point and the teacher's guide." There is a ton of stuff on this site, just as there is on the greatcontroversy site, and some of it seems to have a basis, which makes me think the people who wrote the curriculum are trying very hard to be "mainstream" but they still don't quite get it. Curiously, Hannah | ||
| Bmorgan Registered user Username: Bmorgan Post Number: 13 Registered: 7-2000 |
Hannah, As sad as it is, the critics of the SS Lesson Quarterlies are correct in their assessment. Think about it. They revere and read the SOP(which is on the same level with the Bible) then the Departmental leaders give them material different from the church's core beliefs. What confusion and tension. You cannot put old wine in new wineskin. I have to say I do sympathize with the critics. They are the honest and sincere ones trying to live their beliefs. (What a travesty) Bmorgan | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 197 Registered: 7-2004 |
In reading the link Hannah referenced above, I found one person's observation that reminded me of what I didn't like about GraceLink. I think this was an example from the Primary lessons:
I remember at the time, with my kids in Primary and with me as the teacher, I felt it was entirely too childish for even this age group. It also seemed like so much time was taken up with these type activities as well as so many games and crafts, that actually digging into the Bible lesson was a very small part of the class. At the time I discussed this with a friend who was also in a conference leadership position for children's ministries, and she told me the purpose was to have many different learning styles so that everyone could find some way to connect to the lesson and come away with the message. That was what bugged me the most about it, was how extremely childish it was, which I thought bored the kids and made them even more likely to act up. It's such a contrast to the BSF class our kids are currently in! They have nearly two hours of class, and only a very small part of it consists of games or singing. The kids learn a ton of meaningful Bible truths, and enjoy it at the same time. I was especially impressed that BSF has a special job for one of the ladies to do during the kids class time--this lady sits in the hallway outside of the classrooms and spends almost the entire time praying for each of the children that they will stay focused and be able to understand and learn from the lesson. That really impressed my youngest daughter! | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 1507 Registered: 11-2002 |
Is this program used in the Spanish language churches? My granddaughter is 7. She is in Primary. She eagerally shows me her SS projects. What I have figured out is that her SS is craft time. She is the one who last year while she was in kindergarten I asked her one afternoon to tell me what she likes best about school. She said chapel. So I told her to tell me what she learns in chapel and I got the biography of EGW. Yeah, a 5 yers old in kindergarten! | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 348 Registered: 10-2004  |
Do all SDA churches use this GraceLink curriculum? And if not, what percentage of SDA churches do? Jeremy | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 722 Registered: 7-2003  |
That Walter Martin book has mislead a lot of us trying to be prudent in exploring what adventism is prior to jumping into something we were unsure about.... Colleen's stories sound so familiar.... | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 1412 Registered: 12-2003 |
Bmorgan and Raven, you make such good points. The curriculum does not address Adventist theology, and siimultaneously it doesn't teach the kids Bible. All the focus on how we "show love" to people is just one more way of doing good works. If it's not about keeping Sabbath holy and studying the lesson seven times and eating a vegan diet, it's about "being loving". Even the exercises of mimicking/mocking and then applying REAL compassion are misguided. Since when do we teach truth by practicing an untruth? But then, the concept isn't foreign to Adventism. After all, we also learned that the parable of Lazarus and rhe rich man was "just a parable" and not really true/real. Jesus just used it to teach a different truth. Jesus didn't teach truth by using untruth as His model. Jesus' new commandment to us was to love one another as He loved us. That is impossible to learn to do by practicing exercises and discussing love. The kind of love Jesus commanded us to give is "learned" only as we get to know Jesus. His Spirit loves through us. Children need to know God's word, and they need to be encouraged to know and accept Jesus. Primary-aged children are frequently baptized at our church, and they have to give their testimonies before they are baptized. Their stories of learning about Jesus and about accepting Him as their Savior--often at early ages--make me cry often. The curriculum for 5 and 6th graders at our church is asontishing. They have the most ambitious Scripture-memorizing program I've ever seen for children. Every week they are clearly taught about Jesus and about the Bible, and they have fun activities as well. Your point, Raven, about the BSF children's program is so good. Children CAN learn the Bible; they CAN know Jesus and accept Him and be born again. But ADventism probably cannot construct a curriculum that is designed to bring children into a relationship with Jesus becaue try as people might to make it "evangelical", Adventism is founded on a lie, and Jesus is not central in the church. I know people will be angry with that last statement, but it is true. Adventism is a deception. When Jesus is taught, the veil falls away from people's eyes, and Adventism is revealed for what it is: an empty shell that offers no security and nor real understanding of God's word. To quote an old proverb: "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear." I pray that God will break the spirit of Adventism and reveal the truth about it. I pray that those who want to know Jesus will be able to awaken to Him without hindrances and deceit. Colleen | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 1511 Registered: 11-2002 |
The Confirmation children at the church I attend give their presentations also. It is amazing to hear what these youth know in their understanding of the gosple and of Jesus, His life and His ministry. At age 7 the children study for their first communion and then in high school they have the opportunity to make their statement for Christian committment. The youth get to sit in the front pews at the church with the acolites in the very first pew. They pay attention. But, truthfully the Lutherans have their service set up so one really must pay attention-with all that standing up and sitting down and then kneeling once in awhile, it's like an aroebics class in church. Frankly, I just plain don't like the idea of having the children mock someone with a disability. I don't care if it is in the guise of teaching compassion. It just seems wrong. | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 199 Registered: 7-2004 |
Just wanted to point out that the quote I posted earlier are the words from a critic of GraceLink (not actual words from the GraceLink lesson), and that critic uses negative words to describe those lessons. I'm pretty sure the lessons don't tell the kids to mock anyone; it's a simple role-playing exercise. However, I think these activities and others are extremely childish, are reminiscent of Barney episodes, and omit discovering a relationsihp with Jesus. |
