Sabbath School on April 14, 2018 at the Laurelbrook Seventh-day Adventist Church began with a song service led by Leilani (sophomore) and Sarah (senior), accompanied by Samantha (sophomore) on the piano. The opening song was “I’ve Found a Friend”.
Elena (9th grader) welcomed everyone and had prayer. Lindsey (9th grader) read the scripture reading – John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
CJ (9th grader) read a mission story from the Marshal Islands about a member of the chiefs society who was converted and helped establish an Adventist school on one island. This 13th Sabbath offering is going to help rebuild this school.
He then called for the Laurelbrook Missions Offering, which was collected by Ashur and Felix (9th graders) and which goes to support Laurelbrook mission trips. Jenna Westcott and her boyfriend Daniel Henriquez had special music.
David Smith had the theme talk. Elena had the closing prayer and explained the classes. Jester Felarca led the lesson study in the main sanctuary, Elizabeth Castle the class in the nursing home, Ricardo Reid in the CNA House, and Rich Sutton “behind the glass” in the rear of the church sanctuary.
Following are a few notes from David Smith’s talk:
- Friends can be very close – getting in trouble together, taking part in activities together
- Jonathan and David were very close friends. Jonathan was very courageous, taking on a host of Philistines on a mountaintop and killing them.
- David was taken into the court scene after David defeats Goliath. At this point, David and Jonathan become friends.
- 1 Samuel 18:1-5 “1 ¶ And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. 4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that [was] upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle. 5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, [and] behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.”
- But the women sing praises of David, something Saul’s ego couldn’t live with.
- 1 Samuel 19:1-7 “1 ¶ And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. 2 But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret [place], and hide thyself: 3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou [art], and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee. 4 And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works [have been] to thee-ward very good: 5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest [it], and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause? 6 And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, [As] the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain. 7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.”
- Later Saul threw a spear at David and talked to Jonathan about it. David was worried about being killed.
- David absented himself from a feast, telling Jonathan that his excuse was that he was going to a family gathering.
- 1 Samuel 20:16-17 “16 So Jonathan made [a covenant] with the house of David, [saying], Let the LORD even require [it] at the hand of David’s enemies. 17 And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.”
- Saul eventually dies at the hands of the Philistines, Jonathan with him. David took care of any remaining family members.
- Jesus laid down His life for each of us, making Him closer than a brother.
Personel Other Than Students:
David Smith – one of the academy classroom teachers / husband of Juanita Smith, academy registrar
Jenna Westcott – daughter of Jeremy Westcott, one of the academy teachers