The following is commentary on the Sabbath School Bible Study Guide lesson for March 1.

It counts for something that the first book of the Bible to record the lives of the apostles after the resurrection is entitled “The Acts of the Apostles.” It is not called “The Beliefs of the Apostles,” or “The Apostolic Enlightenment.” Although the deeds of the believers were heavily grounded in beliefs and spiritual vision, it was their works and lives that attracted attention. This supports the commonly held view that people do not respect what a person or organization says, until they respect what that person or organization does.

Of course, the apostles were not the only ones active in behalf of the gospel in the book of Acts. We are given glimpses of a church body that was very motivated to spread the good news. Among the deeds attributed to them, we find they:

• Held all possessions in common (Acts 2:44; 4:32)
• Prayed for the apostles, especially during times of crisis (Acts 12:5)
• Sent missionaries (Acts 15:22)

Discipleship is not merely inward restructuring of thoughts, aims, motives, and ambitions. It is discipline that shapes who we are and how we live our lives. It is training for service. The simple fact that discipleship imparts spiritual graces requires that those who have been discipled share those blessings with others. As Jesus said, “Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8. To the extent we have been lifted up and helped by God, we are obligated to benefit others.

Of course, what we speak is part of who we are and what we do. The apostles understood that having a testimony and speaking it are inseparable. This is evidenced by the following texts: “We … believe, and therefore speak.” 2 Corinthians 4:13. “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:11.

The tendency among believers seems to be to drift from practical testimony (what God has done for me) to theological argument, and to drift from Christian practice to pseudo-Christian philosophy. This tendency is something to guard against. As James sternly warns, “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22.

In my lesson study class, most of our discussion of this topic was taken up in exploring how we can help others who face obstacles to service and witnessing. I had not intended to spend so much time on it, but there were so many good comments that we remained on this point until the end of the class.

Obstacles to service

I might mess up / I’m not perfect. God could have sent angels, but He chose humans. Why? Precisely because of our humanness, weakness, and imperfection. We have a bond with one another. We can sympathize with one another. (See 2 Corinthians 1:3-6.) And through our weakness, we are led to give praise to God. (See 2 Corinthians 4:7.) Furthermore, when Jesus sent out His disciples, He did not send perfect evangelists. They did not do everything right. But He still sent them. It is also worth noting that sometimes He sent them two by two, so that one could help and learn from the other.

Clay Trumbull, former editor of a religious publication, is quoted as saying: “There can be no mistake so bad, in working for an individual soul for Christ, as the fatal mistake of not making any honest endeavor…. NOT doing is the WORST of doing.”

People might reject me / My help may not be appreciated. The weakness here is the focus on self. Being accepted and appreciated is not my mission as a Christian. Jesus was rejected, ridiculed, mistreated. He was killed by those He came to save. He told His disciples, “The servant is not greater than his lord.” (John 13:16 and 15:20.) Bearing our cross of shame, whatever it might be, is an essential part of what it means to be a Christ-follower. Nevertheless, this sacrifice is not all loss. It is this quality that will attract those who are seeking salvation.

I don’t know what to do. Christianity is the perfect religion for amateurs. God doesn’t expect us to use our human reasoning alone. He guides us. He gave us an example in Jesus’ life. He explains what to do in the Bible. On top of that, He tells us, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally.” James 1:5. And even though we make mistakes, we learn from them. We grow and improve.

My family doesn’t approve / My friends will think I’m weird.Sometimes the greatest obstacles in our mind are the people in our own household or in our circle of friends and associates. But to refuse to do what we need to do on their account is to make an idol of them. Jesus said, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37 (also see verses 32-42). While our family and friends are important, and even the strangers we meet, God’s will always comes first. Following God’s will is the only way to do what is best for all the others we care about.

I have no time / I’m too tired. God does not give us more than we are able to bear. But He does expect us to prioritize and do the most important things. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1. “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” Matthew 13:22 (also see Mark 4:19).

“It is wrong to waste our time, wrong to waste our thoughts. We lose every moment that we devote to self-seeking. If every moment were valued and rightly employed, we should have time for everything that we need to do for ourselves or for the world. In the expenditure of money, in the use of time, strength, opportunities, let every Christian look to God for guidance. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5.” Ellen White, The Ministry of Healing, 208.

Types of service — what should we be doing?

Do the work that lies nearest. Start by being a Christian in your home. Work out from there. Jesus told His disciples to begin at Jerusalem (our community, our church), and then expand to Judea (our denomination, county, state), Samaria (broader circles of nationality and religion), and the world.

Care for the urgent needs. Deal with family crises. Look after the widows and orphans. Help the sick and destitute. Help the cow in the ditch.

Share your testimony. Tell others what God has done for you.

Don’t hide. Jesus said we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Let your salt season those around you, and your light shine. There are two ways to hide our light. One way is to run from God, like Jonah. The other way is hiding our light passively: Failing to make something of opportunities that we know about is hiding our light. Job went further: “the cause which I knew not I searched out.” Job 29:16.

Other “do’s”: Continue in His word (John 8:31)—keep studying and learning. Abide in Him (John 15:4, 5)—maintain the connection. Bear fruit (John 15:8)—reach out and blossom. Practice love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Cultivate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25).