God's Mission My Mission
This quarter's Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide is designed to focus attention on getting out there and doing something. We will examine many wonderful Bible stories. We will read about exciting experiences and illustrations. We will learn about available resources to assist us in reaching out to our neighbors (especially to those who have no Christian background). but those will just be ways of illustrating and motivating us. The real focus, the real heart of each lesson, is what will be shared on Thursday each week—a challenge to get out and, actually, do something. Principal Contributors: Global Mission Center Directors
Ephesians
Writing from prison, Paul worries that the believers in Ephesus may “lose heart,” forgetting any active sense of what it means to be disciples of Jesus.
If wobbly Christian disciples are to regain their footing, it will be because they recapture their first love for Jesus and establish fresh trust in His grace and power.
Ephesians speaks especially to times like our own, in which the allure of the world and the passing of time threaten to dull Christian discipleship.
This quarter we have the privilege of listening prayerfully to Ephesians and
experiencing anew the excitement of following Jesus in challenging times. Principal Contributor: John K. McVay
If wobbly Christian disciples are to regain their footing, it will be because they recapture their first love for Jesus and establish fresh trust in His grace and power.
Ephesians speaks especially to times like our own, in which the allure of the world and the passing of time threaten to dull Christian discipleship.
This quarter we have the privilege of listening prayerfully to Ephesians and
experiencing anew the excitement of following Jesus in challenging times. Principal Contributor: John K. McVay
Three Cosmic Messages
Marx, Nietzsche, Darwin—three influential figures whose work has caused humanity irreparable harm. But amid all these errors, God did not leave the world without a witness to His truth, which is why, amid these destructive ideologies, He raised up a movement that would, over time, morph into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and that would proclaim His last-day truth to the world—the three angels' messages. These are messages that, at their core, refute the errors and misconcep-tions promoted by those three terribly deceived men. The three angels' messages are, in a sense, the marching orders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. At at their core, they are the gospel, pure and simple, but the gospel presented in the context of "present truth" (2 Peter 1:12). Principal Contributor: Mark Finley.
Managing for the Master
It is difficult for us to fully comprehend the relationship that our God, the Creator of the universe, wants to have with us as human beings. (The mere idea of it is astounding!) “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, NKJV). Or as Ellen G. White wrote: “Can any human dignity equal this? What higher position can we occupy than to be called the sons of the infinite God? . . . Can any worldly honor equal this?”--God’s Amazing Grace, p. 341. It’s only the dark- ness of this sin-laden world that causes us not to appreciate fully the status that we have been given in Jesus. Principal Contributor: G. Edward Reid
On Death, Dying, and the Future Hope
On Death, Dying, and the Future Hope deals with the subject of the great controversy between good and evil from two perspectives. One is the origin and ongoing existence of sin and death. The other is God’s enduring work to solve these problems and bring the world back to its original perfect condition. Special emphasis is given also to the mortal nature of human beings and how the resurrection is the condition for immortality. In reality, we should not fear death because Christ died for us and overcame the power of death. Actually, we are assured that He holds “the keys to death and to the place of the dead” (Rev. 1:18, NCV).
In the Crucible With Christ
The Crucified Creator. Our God is a suffering God. “The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God.”--Education 263. Our lessons are not a theodicy, the justification of God in the face of evil. Instead, they’re an attempt to help us work through the inevitable suffering we all face here in a world in which sinning is as easy as breathing.What we will try to show is that pain, suffering, and loss don’t mean that God has abandoned us; they mean only that, even as believers, we now share in the common lot of a fallen race. Principal Contributor: Gavin Anthony
Genesis
The Book of the Beginning. Genesis is about Jesus: Jesus our Creator, Jesus our Sustainer, Jesus our Redeemer. Writing millennia after the Genesis text itself had been penned by Moses, and reaching back across those ages to the patriarch’s very words, the apostle John reveals Jesus in the Creation account: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:1–4, NKJV). Principal Contributor: Jacques B. Doukhan
The Message of Hebrews
In These Last Days. The portrait of Jesus in the Letter to the Hebrews can exert a similar captivating force upon us. Jesus is described, first of all, as the ruler of the universe enthroned at God’s right hand. Innumerable angels celebrate Him, worship Him, and serve Him (Heb. 1:5–14, Heb. 12:22–24). He has won the right to rule because He has ensured the destruction of the devil (Heb. 2:14–16) through His own death. Jesus also is the exalted High Priest. Sinless and perfectly holy, He lives forever to minister in our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary (Heb. 7:26–8:5). He has won the right to do so because He offered Himself as a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, effective for everyone and forever (Heb. 10:1–14). Jesus also has mediated a new covenant between God and His people that will stand forever (Heb. 8:6–13).
Principal Contributor: Felix Cortez
Principal Contributor: Felix Cortez
Present Truth in Deuteronomy
The Book of the Covenant. Having left Egypt and having entered into the covenant at Sinai with the Lord, the children of Israel—instead of going directly to Canaan—wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. When the 40 years were finished and the Hebrews were finally about to cross over to the Promised Land, Moses spoke to them in a series of speeches. The essence of those speeches was: You’re now about to enter the Promised Land. Finally! Don’t forget what the Lord has done for you, and don’t forget what He asks of you now, which is to love Him with all your heart and soul and to reveal that love by obedience to all His commandments, all according to the covenant. Principal Contributor: Clifford. R. Goldstein.
Rest in Christ
Rest for the Restless. In this quarter, we will tackle some of those fears head on. Rest in Christ is not just a title for a study guide or a captivating logo of an evangelistic campaign or camp meeting. Resting in Christ is the key to the promise of the type of life that Jesus promises to His followers: “ ‘The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly’ ” (John 10:10, NKJV). Principal Contributors: Gerald and Chantal Klingbeil.
The Promise
The Covenant. God made a covenant with Israel, a covenant whose roots, in fact, went back even further in time. This covenant was initiated and promulgated by the true Sovereign, the Creator of heaven and earth. God’s covenant is motivated by love, His love for the fallen race, a love that led Him to the Cross.
Thus, because of what Christ has done for us, we love God back; we surrender our sinful ways, our fears, our twisted notions of right and wrong. We do this not to gain something in return, but because we already have been given the best that the Sovereign can give—Jesus Christ and the Redemption found only in Him.
Thus, because of what Christ has done for us, we love God back; we surrender our sinful ways, our fears, our twisted notions of right and wrong. We do this not to gain something in return, but because we already have been given the best that the Sovereign can give—Jesus Christ and the Redemption found only in Him.
Isaiah
“Comfort My People.” “From the time they were first uttered, the words of the prophet Isaiah have been etched, even embedded, into our consciousness. There are unforgettable words, heavy laden not only with meaning but with hope and with promise, words like “ ‘God is with us’ ” (Isa. 7:14 NLT), “For unto us a child is born” (Isa. 9:6), “Every valley shall be exalted” (Isa. 40:4), and “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5).
“When the slender thread of God’s remnant line was confined to one city doomed by Assyrian legions, it was Isaiah’s prophetic words that strengthened King Hezekiah to look for the miracle that was Jerusalem’s only hope (Isaiah 36, 37). If Jerusalem had fallen then, rather than to the Babylonians a century later, the Assyrian policy of scattering conquered peoples could have vaporized the national identity of Judah. Thus, there would have been no Jewish people from whom the Messiah, the Savior of the world, would arise.” Principal Contributor: Roy Gane.
“When the slender thread of God’s remnant line was confined to one city doomed by Assyrian legions, it was Isaiah’s prophetic words that strengthened King Hezekiah to look for the miracle that was Jerusalem’s only hope (Isaiah 36, 37). If Jerusalem had fallen then, rather than to the Babylonians a century later, the Assyrian policy of scattering conquered peoples could have vaporized the national identity of Judah. Thus, there would have been no Jewish people from whom the Messiah, the Savior of the world, would arise.” Principal Contributor: Roy Gane.
Education
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10, NKJV).
Think about the above text. It entails, really, two closely related concepts: “fear,” as in awe, as in marveling at the glory and power of God; and “knowledge,” as in learning truth about the character of God. Hence, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are rooted in God Himself.
This makes perfect sense. After all, God is the source of all existence, the One alone who created and sustains all existence (John 1:1–3; Col. 1:16, 17). Whatever we learn, whatever we know about—quarks, caterpillars, supernovas, angels, demons, “principalities and powers in heavenly places” Eph. 3:10), everything--they exist only because of God. Hence, all true knowledge and wisdom and understanding ultimately have their source in the Lord Himself. Principal Contributors: Presidents of Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities in North America.
Think about the above text. It entails, really, two closely related concepts: “fear,” as in awe, as in marveling at the glory and power of God; and “knowledge,” as in learning truth about the character of God. Hence, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding are rooted in God Himself.
This makes perfect sense. After all, God is the source of all existence, the One alone who created and sustains all existence (John 1:1–3; Col. 1:16, 17). Whatever we learn, whatever we know about—quarks, caterpillars, supernovas, angels, demons, “principalities and powers in heavenly places” Eph. 3:10), everything--they exist only because of God. Hence, all true knowledge and wisdom and understanding ultimately have their source in the Lord Himself. Principal Contributors: Presidents of Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities in North America.
Making Friends for God
Making Friends for GodNot only has God placed within each one of us a longing for Himself, but He also sends His Holy Spirit to draw us to Himself.
Every desire to do right and every conviction of sin is prompted by the Holy Spirit. Every desire for goodness and inclination toward kindness and unselfishness is motivated first by the Holy Spirit. Even though we may not fully understand orealize it, the Holy Spirit is working in our lives to draw us to Jesus (John 16:7–15). But Jesus Himself is the greatest gift of all.
When the human race was hopelessly lost in sin, condemned to eternal death, the love of God took the initiative. Luke writes, “ ‘For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost’ ” (Luke 19:10, NKJV). The apostle Paul adds, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8, NKJV). God took the initiative in our salvation. Christ left the glory and splendor of heaven and came to this sin-darkened world on a redemptive mission. Principal Contributor: Mark A. Finley
Every desire to do right and every conviction of sin is prompted by the Holy Spirit. Every desire for goodness and inclination toward kindness and unselfishness is motivated first by the Holy Spirit. Even though we may not fully understand orealize it, the Holy Spirit is working in our lives to draw us to Jesus (John 16:7–15). But Jesus Himself is the greatest gift of all.
When the human race was hopelessly lost in sin, condemned to eternal death, the love of God took the initiative. Luke writes, “ ‘For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost’ ” (Luke 19:10, NKJV). The apostle Paul adds, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8, NKJV). God took the initiative in our salvation. Christ left the glory and splendor of heaven and came to this sin-darkened world on a redemptive mission. Principal Contributor: Mark A. Finley
How to Interpret Scriptures
We begin with the assumption that Scripture, as the Word of God, is “the infallible revelation of His will” and “the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history.”--Seventh-day Adventists Believe.
From this starting point, then, we will examine how the Bible teaches us to interpret itself. For instance, how did Paul or the other gospel writers interpret the Old Testament? If what they wrote was inspired by God, then certainly how they read and interpreted the Scriptures could be central to helping us learn to do the same, as well. And how did Jesus Himself use and interpret Scripture? We won’t find a better example on how to read the Bible than from Jesus. Principal Contributors: Frank M. Hasel and Michael G. Hasel.
From this starting point, then, we will examine how the Bible teaches us to interpret itself. For instance, how did Paul or the other gospel writers interpret the Old Testament? If what they wrote was inspired by God, then certainly how they read and interpreted the Scriptures could be central to helping us learn to do the same, as well. And how did Jesus Himself use and interpret Scripture? We won’t find a better example on how to read the Bible than from Jesus. Principal Contributors: Frank M. Hasel and Michael G. Hasel.
Daniel
From a worldly perspective, the world still seems in pretty dismal shape and, worse, holds little prospect of improvement. Humans seem just as inclined toward greed, oppression, violence, conquest, exploitation, and self-destruction now as our ancestors were in ages past. Meanwhile, many of our great technological advances, though sometimes serving humanity well, have aided us in our greed, oppression, violence, conquest, exploitation, and self-destruction. And yet, amid all this despair and calamity, we have the book of Daniel, our study for this quarter, a book that’s especially relevant for us who are living in the ayt qatz, “the time of the end” (Dan. 12:9). And that’s because in the sacred pages of Daniel we have powerful, rational, faith-affirming evidence not only for our belief in God but in the Lord Jesus Christ and His death on the cross, as well as the promise of His return and all that His return entails. Principal Contributor:Elias Brasil de Souza.
Ezra and Nehemiah
The key theological themes of these two books are God’s providence, faithfulness, and covenant. God fulfilled His prom- ises, even though His people were narrow-minded, disoriented, distracted, and stubborn. Through His servants, He called them from their state of lethargy to revival and reformation. Ezra and Nehemiah are historically linked, and they cover a crucial transition in the life of God’s people. These 23 chapters form one big story—but with subunits; they are complemen- tary and cover similar theological issues. By carefully studying the pattern revealed in the composition of these two books, we can discern God’s great historical actions and gracious leadership. Principal Contributor: Jiří Moskala
The Least of These: Ministering to Those in Need
According to one count, Scripture contains 2,103 verses expressing God’s special concern for the poor and oppressed. Compared to many other aspects of faith, doctrine, and Christian living in general, the weight of references about ministering to those in need is overwhelming. We must get serious about working to relieve the pain and suffering that exists around us. This doesn’t take away from our work of spreading the gospel; on the contrary, it can become a powerful way of doing it. Principal Contributor: Jonathan Duffy.
Family Seasons
Our imaginations have been formed in a world radically different from the one God had first created. How different are the two worlds, the world before sin and the world after? Here’s one example. As Adam and Eve, wrote Ellen White, “witnessed in drooping flower and falling leaf the first signs of decay, Adam and his companion mourned more deeply than men now mourn over their dead. The death of the frail, delicate flowers was indeed a cause of sorrow; but when the goodly trees cast off their leaves, the scene brought vividly to mind the stern fact that death is the portion of every living thing.”--Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 62. We don’t have that reaction to a falling leaf because, having lived only in a world of sin, we have come to take death and suffering as inevitable parts of the cycles of life. And that’s what this quarter’s lesson is about: the cycles of life, at least for us now, in this fallen world. And we are going to look at these cycles in the one place most of us cycle through them, and that is within the framework of family. Principal Contributors: Claudio and Pamela Consuegra.
The Book of Revelation
Almost two millennia ago, the apostle John was exiled on a small rocky island in the Aegean Sea because of his faithful witness to the gospel. The aged apostle endured all the hardships of Roman imprisonment. On one particular Sabbath, he had a special visit from Jesus Christ, who came to encourage His servant in his suffering. In a series of visions, Jesus showed him the panoramic history of the church and what God’s people would experience as they waited for their Lord’s return.
What John had seen in vision he faithfully recorded in a scroll that he titled “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:1). The book that he wrote reveals Jesus’ work in heaven and on earth since His ascension and what He will do when He returns. It was intended to assure Christians through the ages of Christ’s presence and to sustain them as they experience the trials of daily life amid a fallen world immersed in the great controversy. Principal Contributor: Ranko Stefanovic.
What John had seen in vision he faithfully recorded in a scroll that he titled “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 1:1). The book that he wrote reveals Jesus’ work in heaven and on earth since His ascension and what He will do when He returns. It was intended to assure Christians through the ages of Christ’s presence and to sustain them as they experience the trials of daily life amid a fallen world immersed in the great controversy. Principal Contributor: Ranko Stefanovic.
Oneness in Christ
The church is the people of God all over the earth. And though Christ has faithful followers in various denominations (many of whom will in the final crisis join God’s remnant [Rev. 18:1–4]), this quarter we are going to focus on our church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and what unity in Christ means to us.
The purpose of this series of Bible study lessons is to provide biblical instruction on the topic of Christian unity for us as Seventh-day Adventists, who, now, as always, face challenges to that unity, and will until the end of time.
However, in the Scriptures we find numerous insights and instructions on how to live God’s gift of oneness in Christ. Those insights, those instructions about living out and expressing in our church the unity we have been given, are the focus of this quarter. Principal Contributor: Denis Fortin
The purpose of this series of Bible study lessons is to provide biblical instruction on the topic of Christian unity for us as Seventh-day Adventists, who, now, as always, face challenges to that unity, and will until the end of time.
However, in the Scriptures we find numerous insights and instructions on how to live God’s gift of oneness in Christ. Those insights, those instructions about living out and expressing in our church the unity we have been given, are the focus of this quarter. Principal Contributor: Denis Fortin
The Book of Acts
Acts deals with the formative period of the early church, in which there was considerable administrative and even theological growth. We can see this, for example, in the way the church dealt with questions concerning the time of Jesus second coming, the status of the Gentiles, and the role of faith for salvation. When the early church was able to accomplish in such a short period of time, however, is a perpetual testimony of what God can do through those who humble their hearts in prayer, live beyond individual differences, and let themselves be used by the Spirit for God's honor and glory. Principal Contributor: Wilson Parochi
Preparation for the End Time
This quarter the focus is on the end time, but not totally. The real focus is on Jesus, but in the context of the last days and how to be prepared for them. Yes, we need to look at historical dates, at world events, at history itself, because the Bible talks about them in relation to the end. But even in this context, the Bible talks about Jesus—about who He is, what He has done for us, what He does in us, and what He will do when He does return. Christ and Him crucified must be the center of our faith; or, as Paul said: “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2, NKJV). The more that we focus on Him, the more we become like Him, the more we obey Him, and the more prepared we will be for all that awaits us, both in the immediate future and in the end, the day when we do enter “the place” that Jesus has prepared for those who love Him. Principal Contributor: Norman R. Gulley
Stewardship: Motives of the Heart
As taught in the Bible, stewardship becomes, among other things, a powerful tool against the dangers of materialism (the love of owning things), or worldliness in general—one of the great spiritual snares the enemy of souls sets before us. Many people fail to realize that wealth and possessions are cheap, artificial seasonings that eventually lose their flavor. Unfortunately, many souls will be lost because of their failure to break free from their love of the world. The ways of the world—“the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16)--can all be tempered, even avoided, through the principles of stewardship lived out in our lives. Principal Contributor: John H. H. Mathews
The Book of Romans
Over the long years the Reformation stalled. In some places the progress was replaced by a cold formalism and pluralism, many of the distinctive truths that spurred the Reforma-tion have become blurred, covered up under a fusillade of semantic chicanery that seeks to hide fundamental differences that have been resolved no more now than they were in Luther's day. The prophecies of Daniel 7:23-25; 8:9-12; and Revelation 13, 14, as well as the great news of salvation by faith found in the book of Romans, show why those faith to the Bible must firmly adhere to the truths that our Protestant forefathers defended, even at the cost of their lives. Principal Contributor: ABSG Staff
The Gospel to Galatians
In a manner unlike any other book in the Bible, Galatians addresses a number of themes crucial to the Christian soul. It is in Galatians that Paul tackles issues such as freedom, the role of the law in salvation, our condition in Christ, and the nature of the Spirit-led life, as well as the age-old question: How can sinful humans be made right before a holy and just God? This quarter's Bible study guide invites us to journey with the apostle Paul as he pleads with the Galatians to remain true to Jesus. At the same time, it gives us a chance to reflect on our own understanding of the truths. Principal Contributor: Carl Cosaert.
"Feed My Sheep:" 1 and 2 Peter
Peter has very practical words on how Christians should live. First and foremost, Christians should love one another (1 Peter 4:8). He sums up his view by saying "Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind" (1 Peter 3:8, NRSV). This same Peter, who so openly and crassly denied his Lord (even with cursing) saying, " 'I do not know the Man' " (Matthew 26:74, NKJV), is the one to whom Jesus later said, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:17). Principal Contributor: Robert K. Melver.
The Holy Spirit and Spirituality
Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Fundamental Belief no. 5: “GOD THE eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is as much a person as are the Father and the Son. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth.” Principal Contributor: Frank M. Hasel
The Book of Job
If God exists and is so good, so loving, and so powerful, why so much suffering? Job,
which deals with the perennial question, was one of the first books of the Bible written.
God gave us, early on, some answers to the most difficult of all issues. Of course, even
after we study Job, even in the context of the rest of the Bible, the perennial question
remains. We are assured, though, of the perennial answer: Jesus Christ, in whom "we
have redemption through Hid blood" (Eph. 1:7, NKJV)--the One through whom all
answer come. Principal Contributor: Clifford R. Goldstein
which deals with the perennial question, was one of the first books of the Bible written.
God gave us, early on, some answers to the most difficult of all issues. Of course, even
after we study Job, even in the context of the rest of the Bible, the perennial question
remains. We are assured, though, of the perennial answer: Jesus Christ, in whom "we
have redemption through Hid blood" (Eph. 1:7, NKJV)--the One through whom all
answer come. Principal Contributor: Clifford R. Goldstein
The Role of the Church in the Community
What is the whole gospel? Jesus' mission and ministry depicted in Luke 4:16-21 portray
the whole gospel as more than preaching the truth of salvation by faith, however
foundational that is to all that we do. Jesus shows us that preaching the gospel also means
tangible expression of love and compassion for the poor, hungry, sick, broken hearted,
oppressed, outcast, and imprisoned. It's about biblical justice and undoing what the devil
has done at least to whatever degree we now can as we look forward to Jesus' ultimate triumph over evil at the end of the age. Principal Contributors: Gaspar Colon and May-Ellen Colon.
the whole gospel as more than preaching the truth of salvation by faith, however
foundational that is to all that we do. Jesus shows us that preaching the gospel also means
tangible expression of love and compassion for the poor, hungry, sick, broken hearted,
oppressed, outcast, and imprisoned. It's about biblical justice and undoing what the devil
has done at least to whatever degree we now can as we look forward to Jesus' ultimate triumph over evil at the end of the age. Principal Contributors: Gaspar Colon and May-Ellen Colon.
The Book of Matthew
Matthew, a Jewish believer in Jesus, and one of the original disciples of Jesus, recounts the story of Jesus from His own Spirit-inspired perspective. Though in common with Mark, Luke, and John, Matthew's theme is the incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Matthew focuses strongly on the fact that Jesus is the Promised Messiah. He wanted his readers to know that the redemption of Israel was to be found in Jesus, the One of whom the prophets spoke and to whom all the Old Testament types pointed. Principal Contributor: Andy Nash.
Rebellion and Redemption
Jeremiah
"If ever there is one book of the Old Testament revealed the reality of God's desire for human to obey Him, and the human tendency not to, it would be the book of Jeremiah. Set against the background of great geographical changes in the ancient Near East , the book recounts the ministry and message of the prophet as he, with passion and faithfulness, preached God's message to a people who, for the most part, didn't want to hear it." Principal Contributor: Imre Tokics
Biblical Missionaries
"This quarter we look at mission first and foremost as God's means of communicating the gospel to those who don't know it. Mission is a core part of God's sovereign activity in the process of redeeming humanity. Thus, we will study how God's eternal purpose has been accomplished in the lives of individual in the Bible whom He has used to be missionaries to the lost." Principal Contributor: Børge Schantz
The Book of Luke
"Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Luke surveyed the historical materials, interviewed the witnesses (Luke 1:2), and then, with 'perfect understanding of all things,' written 'an orderly account' that the readers 'may know the certainty' of Jesus and His good news (vss 3, 4, NKJV)." Principal Contributor: John M. Fowler |
Proverbs
"While many books of the Bible are filled with deep spiritual and theological truths, the book of Proverbs is filled with practical and down-to-earth advice for family living. The book of Proverbs is a witness to the wisdom that had been accumulated over generations. Yet the book of Proverbs is the Word of God, because it was under divine inspiration that the authors pulled their materials together. The God of Proverbs is not just the God of a religious person. Godliness is here put into working clothes. It teaches about what it means to fear God as we go about our daily lives.” Words of the Wise, p. 4. Principal Contributor: Jacques B. Doukham
The Book of James
"The epistle of James has been one of the most misunderstood books of the Bible. Luther denied the epistle's inspired authorship, mainly on the mistaken claim that it taught justification by works. He called it 'really an epistle of straw' because it had 'nothing of the nature of the gospel about it.' Melanchthon, Luther's closest associate, believed that the writings of Paul and James were not in conflict. We see the great controversy being played out as James attacks counterfeit forms of wisdom and faith."--An "Epistle of Straw"?
Principal Contributor: Clinton Wahlen
Principal Contributor: Clinton Wahlen
The Teachings of Jesus
"We will study some of the teachings of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospels. Our Savior taught many things pertaining to our spiritual and practical lives. He presented His teachings to different audiences, being careful to adapt His method to each person. Sometimes He preached a sermon, other times He dialogued with individuals or with groups. Sometimes He spoke openly, other times He had to conceal the meaning of His words. In every case, however, He taught much about God and salvation."--The Divine Teacher, p. 5
Principal Contributor: Carlos A. Steger
Principal Contributor: Carlos A. Steger
Christ and His Law
"God created humans as creatures who can love. Love, though, can't exist without freedom, moral freedom, And moral freedom can't exist without law, moral law. Love rests on freedom, and freedom rests on law. Hence, the core of God's government, the foundation of love—has to be His law."--The Law and Love, p. 169
Principal Contributor: Keith Augustus Burton.
"God created humans as creatures who can love. Love, though, can't exist without freedom, moral freedom, And moral freedom can't exist without law, moral law. Love rests on freedom, and freedom rests on law. Hence, the core of God's government, the foundation of love—has to be His law."--The Law and Love, p. 169
Principal Contributor: Keith Augustus Burton.
Discipleship
"A comprehensive understanding of discipleship is incomplete until it incorporates a passionate desire to follow Jesus and, as a supernatural result, a passionate desire to lead others to Christ, as well."--The Master of Discipleship, p. 5.
Principal Contributor: Dan Solis.
Principal Contributor: Dan Solis.
The Sanctuary
"The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ's work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. It opens to view the plan of redemption, bringing us down to the very close of time and revealing the triumphant issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. It i of the utmost importance that all should thoroughly investigate this subjects."--The Great Controversy, p. 488.
Principal Contributor: Martin Probstle
Principal Contributor: Martin Probstle
Revival and Reformation
In every generation, God's Spirit strives to bring revival to the hearts of His people. Revival is an ongoing, daily experience. Revival is all about a God of lovingkindness seeking to deepen His relationship with us. The initiative in revival is His. His Spirit creates longings within us. His Spirit convicts us of our need. His Spirit reveals Jesus" goodness and grace. Principal Contributor: Mark Finley.
"Seek the Lord and Live"
The Minor Prophets together have a powerful message, one which is about God's grace toward undeserving sinners, God wants to save us from our sins, to save us from the devastation that sin, rebellion, and disobedience bring. Over and over in these books we see the Lord pleading with His people to repent, to put away their sins, to return unto Him and to find life not death, salvation not damnation, hope not despair. Principal Contributor: Zdravko Stefanovic.
Origins
Creation is the foundational truth of Scripture. All other biblical teachings—the Incarnation, the Cross, the Second Coming, and every other biblical teaching are founded upon the truth that our world was created by the Lord. This quarter's lesson delve into the doctrine of Creation as depicted in Genesis 1 and 2 and explores its implications for a number of our beliefs, including morality, sin, marriage, stewardship, and more. Principal Contributor: L. James Gibson.
Growing in Christ
For Seventh-day Adventists, what holds us together as a community are our "fundamental beliefs," all 28, which are fundamental for growing in Christ and living as a community of faith in the light of eternity. This quarter, we are going to focus on some of these teachings, hoping to present a systematic and coherent guide to so of these beliefs. Principal Contributor: Kwabena Donkor.
1 and 2 Thessalonians
The Thessalonians faced stresses, strains, struggles, even outright persecution. Life for them, as for all of us, has its hard moments. How easy and understandable it would have been for them to fall into futility, nihilism, and pessimism. Instead, the Thessalonians had a sure hope, a hope based on what Christ had done for them, a hope that pointed to the greatest promise of all—the Second Coming. Principal Contributor: Jon Paulien
Evangelism and Witnessing
God raised up this church to proclaim "present truth," the three angels' messages of Revelation 14:6-12. Thus, whatever else our church is doing, first and foremost, we should purposefully attempt to lead as many people as we can into God's kingdom. Whether we call it "spreading the gospel," "evangelizing the world," or preaching "present truth," our core business is to tell the Jesus story with the intention that people will accept Him as Lord and Savior and become disciples and even disciple makers. Principal Contributor: Joe A. Webb
Glimpses of Our God
The picture of God in the Bible is very expansive. Yes, God’s love is underscored, again and again, but there is so much more about Him that He wants us to know. For example, there are hundreds of different names for God in Scripture. Each one
of them could give a deeper and more informed understanding of the great God of heaven and earth. Principal Contributor: Jo Ann Davidson
of them could give a deeper and more informed understanding of the great God of heaven and earth. Principal Contributor: Jo Ann Davidson
The Gospel in Galatians
This quarter's Bible study guide invites is to journey with the apostle Paul as he pleads with the Galatians to remain true to Jesus, At the same time, it also gives us a chance to reflect on our own understanding of the gospel. It;s our sincerest revival in our hope that over the course of this quarter God's Spirit will spark a spiritual revival in our hearts as we rediscover what God has done for us in Christ. Principal Contributor: Carl Cosaert.
Worship
This quarter, as we study worship, these motifs [from Revelation 14:6, 7] will appear again and again. And with worship as such a central component of "present truth," we should do well to learn what it means to truly worship the only One who, by virtue of who He is, is worthy of that worship. Principal contributor: Rosalie Haffner (Lee) Zinke
Garments of Grace: Clothing Imagery in the Bible
This quarter’s lessons focus on biblical symbolism of a certain kind: clothing imagery. We will consider the garments that people in the Bible wore and what that clothing really meant, what truths it symbolized, what great realities it pointed to, and what lessons we can learn from it. Principal contributors: Office of the Adult Bible Study Guide Staff
Jesus Wept: The Bible and Human Emotions
This quarter's lessons look at human emotions and give us biblical principles on how we can understand our emotions and seek the power of the Lord to bring them under His loving sovereignty. Principal contributor:Dr. Julian Melgosa.
Background Characters of the Old Testament
All of this quarter's lessons are about stories but not always the common and well known ones with such "stars" as Abraham and Isaac on Mount Moriah, Daniel in the lions' den, or David and Goliath. We will look, instead, at characters who did not make the headlines but who existed in the background, the ones easily overlooked and forgotten. Principal contributors: Gerald and Chantal Klingbeil.
Redemption in Romans
All great movements in Christianity back to the pure gospel and to the theme of justification by faith have found their starting point in Paul's Epistle to the Romans. Principal contributor: Don Neufeld
Health and Healing
Here [Exod. 15:26], we can see God's concern for not just the spiritual well-being of His people but for their physical well-being, their health, as well. This idea also is found in the Hebrew word shalom, commonly translated as "peace." Yet, the word conveys a deeper sense, that of a completeness, of a wholeness and a fullness that involves the total person, physical health included. Principal contributor: The General Conference Health Ministries Department.
The Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit is not a theory. It is not a lifestyle. Instead, the fruit of the Spirit is a change of being. The key is surrender, a willingness to die to self and live for God and for others. The fruit of the Spirit is just that—the "fruit," the result of salvation, not the means. The means is always Jesus and what He has done for us, which we claim by faith. Richard O'Ffill, principal contributor.
The Book of Numbers
As a people on the move, as a people seeking to reach the Promised Land, as a people called out by God, we could learn from the Book of Numbers. "These things happened to them as an example, and they have been written down as a warning to us, upon whom the the end of the ages has come." (1Cor. 10:11, NAB). Perhaps the most important lesson in Numbers is that God will fulfill His promises. Frank B. Holbrook, principal contributor.
John's Epistles
Although addressed to certain churches and individuals in his time, John's epistles deal with issues relevant to us today, issues such as false doctrine, sin, love, apostasy, and obedience. But most important of all, they deal with Jesus Christ, the One through whom we were created ("How did we get here?"), the One who gives our existence meaning and purpose ("Why are we here?"), the One who promises to come again and raise us to eternal life (Where are we going?"). In short, in Jesus we find the answer to the most important questions. Ekkelhardt Mueller, principal contributor.