Read Ellen G. White, "The Creation," pp. 44–51, in Patriarchs and Prophets; "Social Purity," pp. 567–671, in Counsels on Health; "Saved to Serve," pp. 95–107, in The Ministry of Healing; "Development and Service," pp. 497–502, in The Ministry of Healing.

"Many feel that it would be a great privilege to visit the scenes of Christ's life on earth, to walk where He trod, to look upon the lake beside which He loved to teach, and the hills and valleys on which His eyes so often rested. But we need not go to Nazareth, to Capernaum, or to Bethany, in order to walk in the steps of Jesus. We shall find His footprints beside the sickbed, in the hovels of poverty, in the crowded alleys of the great cities, and in every place where there are human hearts in need of consolation.

"We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the suffering and afflicted. We are to minister to the despairing, and to inspire hope in the hopeless.

"The love of Christ, manifested in unselfish ministry, will be more effective in reforming the evildoer than will the sword or the court of justice. These are necessary to strike terror to the lawbreaker, but the loving missionary can do more than this. Often the heart that hardens under reproof will melt under the love of Christ."—Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing, pp. 105, 106.

Dwell more on the idea that, as beings made in the image of God, our first parents were somewhat like Christ, even though they still had a lot to learn. How does this help us understand our need for a Savior (After all, we can compare ourselves, to Jesus and see just how far we have fallen.)

Consider your own church situation, and discuss with your Sabbath School class whether the quality of fellowship could be improved. What can you do personally to improve the level of fellowship within your church? What could your class do as a whole to better strengthen the relationships within your church body? How well does your church deal with those who have special needs, such as shut-ins?

In class, talk about the benefits and happiness that come from serving others. Why do we get so much satisfaction from serving others? What things hold us back from doing this more often? How can we, through the power of Christ, fight against the inherent selfishness in us that keeps us focused on ourselves and our own needs rather than on the needs of others? What is your own experience with selfishness? That is, how have you seen in your own life just how ultimately unsatisfactory and empty existence can be when lived selfishly?