Study Guide: Counsels for the
Church
By: Ellen G. White
Study
Guide Index
- Copyright 1990 by the Ellen G.
White Estate
- General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists
- 12501 Old Columbia Pike
- Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
Foreword
Counsels for the Church, a
compilation drawn largely from the three volumes of Testimony Treasures,
the world edition of the nine volumes of Testimonies for the Church,
was first published in 1971 for use in India and the islands of the South Pacific.
It appeared initially in the form of two 200-page paperbacks. These paperbacks
have now been combined into one 400-page volume, which, since 1989, has been
published by Pacific Press.
The special value of Counsels
for the Church is that in this one book may be found Ellen White's principal
comments on Christian beliefs, Christian living, and the Seventh-day Adventist
lifestyle. Ellen White was eager for these counsels to be brought to the attention
of Seventh-day Adventists everywhere. In 1880 she wrote:
"The volumes of Spirit of Prophecy,
and also the Testimonies should be introduced into every Sabbathkeeping family,
and the brethren should know their value and be urged to read them."--Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 390.
Two years later she wrote further:
"The Testimonies contain instruction
which meets the case of all, both parents and children. Should these be read
aloud to the entire family, the children as well as the parents would be benefited
by their counsels, warnings, and reproofs. While these are placed out of sight
and neglected for the reading of fictitious, sensational literature, both yourselves
and your children will be retrograding mentally and spiritually."--Review
and Herald, December 26, 1882.
After Testimonies volumes
6 and 7 were published in 1900 and 1902, respectively, Ellen White implored
Adventists to study these books. She wrote:
"I have been impressed to call upon
the members of our churches to study the last two volumes of Testimonies
for the Church. When I was writing these books, I felt the deep moving of
the Spirit of God. . . . They are full of precious matter. In the visions of
the night the Lord told me that the truth contained in these books must be brought
before the members of our churches, because there are many who are indifferent
in regard to the salvation of their souls."--Life Sketches, p. 433.
In 1907, after the publication of
another Testimony volume, Ellen White again strongly encouraged Adventists
to read these books. She declared:
"I am instructed to say to our churches,
`Study the Testimonies.' They are written for our admonition and encouragement
upon whom the ends of the world are come. If God's people will not study these
messages that are sent to them from time to time, they are guilty of rejecting
light. Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little,
God is sending instruction to His people. Heed the instruction; follow the light."--Letter
292, 1907.
Concerning one passage in particular,
she counseled, "I advise that these directions and warnings and cautions be
read to our people at some time when they are gathered together."--Ibid.
This study guide to Counsels for
the Church is intended to help carry out Ellen White's appeals quoted above.
May God bless all who earnestly examine and prayerfully contemplate the counsels
that the Lord has graciously given His people.
Lesson 1
Reading Assignment, pages 3, 9-32
(The numbers in parentheses at the
end of each question refer to the pages in Counsels for the Church where
the answers may be found.)
A. Preparing to Meet Christ
1. Is the following statement true
or false? Bible history reveals that only men have been divinely called to
the prophetic office. (9)
2. What have prophets led men and
women to understand? (10)
3. Why is it important for God's
remnant church to have the prophetic gift? (10)
4. How has the prophetic gift been
manifested in the Seventh-day Adventist Church? (10-11)
B. The Vision of the Great Controversy
1. The Great Controversy vision
of March 14, 1858, was (1) historical (2) prophetic (3) pastoral (4) historical
and prophetic (5) historical and pastoral. (12, 13) (Underline one)
2. Describe four aspects of Ellen
White's condition while in vision. (10-12)
1.
2.
3.
4.
3. Name the five books (Conflict
of the Ages Series) that eventually were written to communicate the light
given by the Lord during the schoolhouse vision. (12-13)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
C. How the Light Came to the Prophet
1. Through what channels does God
communicate with His prophets? (13, 14)
2. Describe the process by which
the dream or vision finally appeared in written form. (15-17)
D. The Life and Work of Mrs. E. G.
White
Fill in the blanks:
1. Mrs. White was born at _____________________,
_____________________, in the United States, on November _____, 18 _____.
(17)
2. She had her first vision in
_____________________, 18 _____. (17)
3. The youthful Ellen Harmon married
_____________________ in ___________, 18 _____. (17)
4. For ______ years this dedicated
couple worked together until the death of _____________________ in _____________,18
_____. (17) There were ______ boys born to the Whites. (18)
5. Sister White spent ________
years working for the Lord outside of her own country. (18)
6. She died on ______________,
19 _____. (19)
E. Mrs. E. G. White As Others Knew
Her
1. Give a description of Ellen
White as a person. (19-20)
2. How would you describe the White
home in 1859? (20)
3. In what ways did Ellen White
especially plan for the Sabbath? (20)
4. Review Ellen White's battle
to change her diet. (20-21)
5. Describe some recreational activities
Mrs. White enjoyed. (21)
6. How did Mrs. White describe
her own faith? (21-22)
7. What one word does Mrs. White
use to describe her attitude? (21)
8. How did she deal with her own
suffering and discouragement? (22)
F. Messages That Changed Lives
1. How does the experience at Bushnell,
Michigan, illustrate the purpose of the visions? (23, 24)
2. What does the experience of
the hairnet teach us? (24, 25)
Fill in the blanks:
3. "God has, in that __________,
promised to give _____ in the '__________'; not for a new _____ of _____,
but for the _____ of His people, and to _____ those who _____ from Bible truth."
(25)
G. The Vision That Could Not Be Told
Underline the correct statements:
(25-29)
The Salamanca vision was of vital
importance because it:
1. Assured a continual flow of
business for the publishing house.
2. Taught right policies and goals
for our religious liberty journal.
3. Revealed that the Spirit of
Prophecy counsels were out of date.
4. Demonstrated that God was guiding
and guarding the interests of His cause and that His hand was on the wheel.
H. The Testimonies and the Reader
The Bible gives four tests by which
a prophet's work may be examined. State briefly what they are. Give a supporting
text for each. (29, 30)
1.
2.
3.
4.
I. Practical Tests of a True Prophet
The gift of prophecy stands or
falls according to certain practical tests. Mention three of these tests.
(30-32)
1.
2.
3.
Thought Question: If you were asked
by a non-Adventist friend why you believe in the inspiration of Ellen White,
what reason or reasons would you give?
Lesson 2
Reading Assignment, pages 33-71
1. A Vision of the Reward of the
Faithful
1. Describe the pathway upon which
the saints traveled. (33)
2. What was said to be the destination
of the Advent people?(33)
3. Did they succeed in reaching
the golden city? (34, 35)
4. Fill in the missing words: "You
have washed your __________ in My _________, stood stiffly for My _______,
enter _____." (34)
5. What part of Ellen White's description
of the new earth appealed to you the most? (33-36)
6. What did Mrs. White exclaim
as her thoughts turned to "the better land" that she had seen? (36)
2. The Time of the End
Fill in the missing words:
1. "The agencies of _____________________
are _____________________ their _____________________ and consolidating.They
are _____________________ for the _____________________ great crisis. Great
_____________________ are _____________________ to take _____________________
in our world, and the final _____________________ will be _____________________
ones." (37)
2. What lessons does God teach
us through the vision of the burning buildings? (37, 38)
3. In the closing struggle of the
great controversy, what will distinguish God's people from those who oppose
God? (39)
3. Prepare to Meet the Lord
How many times is the expression
"I saw" or its equivalent used in this chapter? What do you make of this phenomenon?
4. Union With Christ, and Brotherly
Love
1. Why is unity among believers
so important? (43-46)
2. What endangers God's people
the most? (44)
3. Which sin is most nearly hopeless
and why? (46)
5. Christ Our Righteousness
Fill in the missing words:
1. "We must not _____________________
that our own _____________________ and _____________________ will save us;
the _____________________ of Christ is our only _____________________ of _____________________."
(47)
2. What are the lessons to be learned
in the school of Christ?(47-49)
6. The Sanctified Life
1. Describe false sanctification.
(50)
2. Describe true sanctification.
(50-57)
7. God Has a Work for You to Do
1. When will the work of God in
this earth be finished? (58)
2. Supply the missing words:
"God has a work for _____________________
to do. . . . _____________________ can search the Scriptures for _____________________
. . . _____________________ pray for the work . . . _____________________
are to work according to _____________________ ability." (59)
3. Mention two practical ways to
win souls. (62)
1.
2.
8. "Here Am I, Lord, Send Me"
1. How does Satan divert the minds
of men and women away from their eternal interests? (64)
2. Describe what can happen if
God's people are filled with His Spirit. (65, 66)
3. What lesson can God's people
learn from the vision of the ball of fire falling on houses? (66-68)
4. What is the responsibility of
each minister? List some ways this responsibility can be carried out. (68-71)
Thought Question: Will the time ever
come when Christians will "move the world"? (69) What can we do to hasten the
finishing of the Lord's work in the earth?
Lesson 3
Reading Assignment, pages 72-106
9. The Publications of the Church
1. For what specific purpose has
God established the publishing work? (72)
2. What importance does God place
upon the canvassing work? (72)
3. What is the divine plan for
the minister and the canvasser?(73)
4. How will canvassing work benefit
students? (73)
10. Belief in a Personal God
1. How do we know that God is a
personal being? (74)
2. What does the incarnate Son
teach about God? (75)
3. What did the Holy Spirit enable
the disciples to do? (76)
Fill in the missing words:
4. "The _____________________ that
_____________________ between _____________________ His _____________________
does not _____________________ the _____________________ of either. They are
one in _____________________, in _____________________, in _____________________,
but not in _____________________. It is thus that _____________________ and
_____________________ are one." (76, 77)
11. Christians to Represent God
1. What is the ideal of Christian
character? (78)
2. With what unit of time are Christians
to be concerned? (79)
3. What are the results of keeping
the mind and thoughts fixed on God? (79, 80)
4. Name the sin that causes the
most spiritual disorders. (80)
5. Describe the unpardonable sin.
(81)
12. In the World But Not of the World
Fill in the blanks:
1. "In every business _____________________
be rigidly _____________________." (83)
2. Describe an honest person. (83-85)
13. The Bible
What are the evidences that Ellen
White believed the Bible to be the Word of God? (86-90)
14. The Testimonies for the Church
1. What was God's purpose in having
Ellen White's testimonies put into published form? (91)
2. What relationship exists between
the Bible and the Testimonies for the Church? (92, 93)
3. What does Ellen White mean when
she says that the Testimonies are to be judged by their fruits? (93)
4. Give the true reason why the
Testimonies are rejected by some. (93)
5. By what means does Satan work
to weaken faith in the Testimonies? (93)
6. What happens when a person loses
faith in the Testimonies? (93, 94)
7. How have the Testimonies
been misused? (94, 95)
8. Outline the right and the wrong
attitude toward reproof. (96, 97)
15. The Holy Spirit
1. Why are God's people to plead
for the Holy Spirit? (98)
2. At what point did the disciples
receive the power of the Holy Spirit? At what point will we receive this power?
(98-100)
16. Keep Clear God's Connection With
Man
1. Through what medium does God
communicate with man? (101)
2. What happens if this means of
communication is disturbed? (101)
3. How does Ellen White look upon
moderate drinking? (102)
Supply the missing words:
4. "Tobacco is a _____________________,
_____________________, but most _____________________ poison. In whatever
_____________________ it is used, it tells upon the _____________________;
it is all the more _____________________ because its effects are _____________________,
and at first _____________________ perceptible." (103)
5. "Tea _____________________ as
a _____________________, and to a _____________________ extent, produces _____________________.
The action of _____________________ and many other _____________________ drinks
is _____________________." (104)
6. "The only _____________________
course is to _____________________ not, _____________________ not, _____________________
not, _____________________. _____________________, _____________________,
_____________________, _____________________, and ______________ drinks."
(105)
Lesson 4
Reading Assignment, pages 107-147
17. Purity of Heart and Life
1. On what matter did Mrs. White
lift her voice in solemn warning? (107)
2. What is said to be "a terrible
admission for any person to make"? (107)
3. To what does idleness lead?
(108)
4. If we would be pure-minded,
what should we avoid? (108)
5. What should be the motto of
every Christian? (108, 109)
6. Why is self-abuse a bad habit?
Give several reasons. (109, 110)
1.
2.
3.
7. Where only can safety against
all sinful habits be found? (110, 111)
18. The Choosing of a Husband or
a Wife
1. What questions are to be asked
by a man considering marriage? (112, 113)
2. What questions are to be asked
by a woman considering marriage? (113, 114)
3. Describe love. (114, 115)
4. How does prayer and Bible study
fit into the choice of a marriage partner? (115, 116)
5. What procedures does Ellen White
favor in selecting a marriage partner? (116, 117)
6. How does Ellen White apply the
commandment, "Thou shalt not steal," to courtship? (118, 119)
19. Marry Not an Unbeliever
1. What did the Lord specifically
command ancient Israel? (120)
2. What similar prohibitions are
found in the New Testament? (120, 121)
1.
2.
3. What will be the result of following
one's own desires in unsanctioned marriages? (121, 122)
4. What is Ellen White's position
on canceling an engagement? (123)
5. Under what circumstances only
can a marriage alliance be safely formed? (123)
Thought Question: Think of some practical
reasons why the marriage of two people whose religious faith is different is
not wise.
20. Marriage
1. How do a husband and a wife
fulfill God's purpose for marriage? (125)
2. What is the impact of divine
love upon human love? (125)
3. Who is to maintain rulership
in the home? (126, 127)
4. What five things are newlyweds
told to remember? (127, 128)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
21. A Happy, Successful Partnership
Copy several thought-provoking sentences
from this chapter; note key words
1. "At the beginning" (129)
2. "The expression of love" (129)
3. "Determine . . . Continue .
. . Encourage" (130)
22. The Relationship Between Husband
and Wife
1. What did Jesus come to do for
the marriage relationship? (133)
2. What is the divine counsel on
the privileges of marriage? (133, 134)
3. Why does Satan seek in the marriage
relationship to lower the standard of purity and to weaken self-control? (134,
135)
Supply the missing words:
4. "Sexual _____________________
will effectually _____________________ a love for _____________________ exercises,
will take from the _____________________ the _____________________ needed
to _____________________ the system, and will most effectively _____________________
the vitality." (135)
5. What should be the position
of a marriage partner when unreasonable sexual demands are made by the other
party? (136, 137)
23. The Mother and Her Child
1. Name at least five important
things that will keep a wife and mother from becoming a "mere household drudge."
(138)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2. How do prenatal influences affect
the unborn child? (138-140)
3. At what two periods in the mother's
life should her cares and labors be lightened? (140, 141)
4. What should the mother do when
her child becomes ill? (141)
5. How may the battle of wills
be won by the mother in conflict with her child? (142)
24. The Christian Father and Mother
1. What is the position God designed
for the wife? (143)
2. How does inspiration describe
the position and work of a mother? (143)
3. In what ways does a mother influence
the family? (144, 145)
4. What is the father's responsibility
as priest of the family? (146)
5. What advice does Ellen White
give with respect to large families? (147)
Lesson 5
Reading Assignment, pages 148-183
25. The Christian Home
1. Where is the best place to build
a home and rear a family? Why? (148)
2. In what does home happiness
consist? (149)
3. What are parents to "bear in
mind" as a great goal in the rearing of their children? (149, 150)
26. Spiritual Influence in the Home
Supply the missing words:
1. "We can have the _____________________
of God in our _____________________; but we must _____________________ for
it, _____________________ for it, and have a continual, abiding _____________________
and _____________________ in God." (151)
2. Name five blessings that result
from the restraints imposed on us by God's Word. (151)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
3. When is Satan successful in
leading Christians away from God? (151)
4. What good can be achieved by
regular morning and evening worship? (151-153)
5. Who is to lead out in family
worship? (152, 153)
6. What counsel does Ellen White
give as to the length of family worship? (153)
7. To what extent are the interests
of the children to be taken into account when planning family worship? (153)
27. Finance in the Home
1. Give Ellen White's picture of
a thrifty home. (154)
2. How does Ellen White's counsel
on debt compare with today's practices? (155)
3. In ranking the necessities of
life, what comes first? (155)
4. What practical lesson in handling
money should every child be taught? (156)
5. What advice is given regarding
saving money? (157)
6. How should the wife fit into
the financial structure of the family? (157)
28. Family Activities During Holidays
and Anniversaries
1. How can parents make holidays
worthwhile for their families? (158, 159)
2. If we observe the holidays as
we should, who will be benefited? (159)
1.
2.
3.
3. How did Mrs. White use money
given to her on her birthday or at Christmas time? (159)
29. Recreation
1. How can Christians tell which
recreational activities are acceptable to God? (160)
2. What counsel is given to young
people about their choice of companions? (162)
3. What does God require us to
give up in the way of pleasure and recreation? (163)
4. Why are theatrical amusements
dangerous? (164)
1.
2.
3.
30. The Avenues to the Mind That
Must Be Guarded
What are the avenues to the mind,
and why must they be guarded? (166, 167)
31. Choice of Reading
1. Give Ellen White's definition
of education. (168)
2. Name some of the influences
of unwholesome reading upon the mind. (168)
1.
2.
3.
3. What source of danger to spirituality
should be avoided? Why? (168, 169)
4. What is revealed by the type
of books we choose to read? (170)
5. What will reading the Bible
do for us? (171)
32. Music
1. What was God's intention when
He gave the human race the gift of music? (172)
2. What does the abuse of music
do to the human being? (172, 173)
Thought Question: By what standard
should we judge the music we listen to or play in our homes and churches? (172)
33. Criticism and Its Effects
1. People who tell you about the
faults of others would never tell other people about your faults. True or
False? (174)
2. Describe an envious person and
the fruit envy produces. (175, 176)
3. How will true Christians deal
with the faults and deficiencies of others? (177)
4. What is the fallout from unjust
criticism of church leaders? (177, 178)
34. Counsel Concerning Dress
1. What is the relationship between
dress and character? (180)
2. Name four features of desirable
attire. (180)
1.
2.
3.
4.
3. What two texts in the New Testament
offer the best guidance in the Christian's choice of dress? (181)
1.
2.
4. What influence does dress have
for good or evil ? (182, 183)
Lesson 6
Reading Assignment, pages 184-217
35. An Appeal to Youth
1. How do young people shape their
own destinies? (184)
2. Why do Christians find living
a religious life so hard? (185)
3. Why is it that the heavenly
character must be acquired on earth, or it can never be acquired at all? (186,
187)
4. What does Ellen White mean when
she says, "The submission on our part must be proportionate to the gift of
God"? (188)
36. The Proper Discipline and Education
of Children
1. Identify the relationship between
parents and the fruits of their children's lives. (190, 191)
2. Give the title of the book on
child psychology that Ellen White holds out as recommended reading for parents.
(191)
3. How does Ellen White recommend
that discipline should be carried out? (191, 192)
4. What can be the results of too
severe training? (192)
5. How can the sin of permitting
children to grow up in ignorance be remedied? (193-195)
6. What is the prescription for
correcting children? (197)
Fill in the blanks:
7. "Parents, never _____________________;
never tell an _____________________ in _____________________ or in _____________________.
If you want your child to be _____________________, be _____________________
yourself." (198)
8. What are the signs of strength,
greatness, and nobility? (198)
9. What example does Ellen White
give in dealing with her boys? (199, 200)
10. Describe the power of a mother's
prayers. (201)
11. How is courtesy looked upon
by Ellen White? (201)
37. Christian Education
1. Describe in your own words the
nature of true education. (202)
2. What is the duty of parents
living in a place where there are but "a few Sabbathkeepers"? (203, 204)
3. What course on the part of parents
and their children sometimes brings "great harm" to the church and school?
(204, 205)
4. When is the highest standard
of manhood attained? (205, 206)
5. Which is more important in a
teacher "his habits and principles or his literary attainments? (206, 207)
6. Why are the first eight or ten
years of a child's life most important? (207)
7. What important emphasis is needed
to give proper balance in the education of the children? (208, 209)
8. What is one earnest, conscientious,
faithful young man in school declared to be? (212)
9. Upon whom does much of the blame
lie for the wild, reckless character that is seen in many of the youth today?
(213)
38. The Call to Temperate Living
1. How sacredly should the health
be guarded? Why? (214)
2. What is the ultimate goal of
health reform? (214)
3. Why is the violation of natural
law a moral issue? (214)
4. How intimate is the connection
between health reform and the third angel's message? (214)
5. What is one sure mark of conversion?
(215, 216)
6. Explain the relationship of
one's state of mind to his physical well being. (216)
7. Nine words contain God's prescription
for healing man's ills. What are they? (217)
39. The Importance of Cleanliness
1. What is the function of each
of the following? (218)
a) Good blood
b) External application of water
c) Exercise
d) Oxygen
e) Cleanliness
Lesson 7
Reading Assignment, pages 221-253
40. The Food We Eat
1. What should determine the kinds
of food we choose to eat? (221)
2. What was the original diet chosen
by God for humans? (222)
3. What combination of foods should
be avoided? (223)
4. What danger lies in the use
of condiments? (223)
5. How often should a person eat?
Why? (223, 224)
6. Why cannot exact rules be laid
down when it comes to diet? (224)
7. What should the Sabbath meal
be like? (226)
41. Flesh Foods
1. What was it that helped to shorten
people's lives after the Flood? (228)
2. Why is it better to eat grains
and vegetables and nuts than flesh foods? (229)
3. Why is the use of meat now "doubly
objectionable"? (229)
4. Why is swine's flesh such objectionable
food? (229, 230)
5. What is the effect of flesh
food upon the mind and soul of man? (230)
6. What is absolutely essential
when a flesh diet is discarded? (231)
Note: There may be some areas in
the world where adequate supplies of nuts, grains, and such foods as milk and
eggs are not available, in which case the change from flesh foods to a more
natural diet will be difficult until the lack is supplied. But usually the change
can be made.
7. What will be the dietary practice
of those waiting for the coming of the Lord? (231)
42. Faithfulness in Health Reform
1. Why do some Seventh-day Adventists
reject portions of the Testimonies? (233, 234)
2. Describe the downward path of
those who disregard light on the subject of flesh foods. (234)
3. Are the Spirit of Prophecy counsels
on health reform applicable today? (235)
4. What dangerous diseases are
associated with the use of flesh foods? (236)
5. What sometimes causes health
reform to fall into disrepute? (237)
6. What invitation did Jesus extend
to all? (239; Luke 9:23)
43. The Church on Earth
1. What does Ellen White mean when
she says that the world is God's workshop? (240)
2. What are individual church members
called upon to respect? (241)
3. Without discipline and government,
what would be the fate of the church? (241, 242)
4. What lessons are we to learn
from the apostle Paul? (242, 243)
44. Church Organization
1. For what purpose has the church
been organized? (244)
2. Name three things upon which
the angels of God cannot place their blessing. (244)
1.
2.
3.
3. In apostolic times what was
an important factor in the spiritual growth of new converts? (245)
4. Did all the believers agree
with the decision made by the early Jerusalem council? (246)
5. What danger awaits those who
bypass God-appointed leadership? (246, 247)
6. Why must the business of the
church always be kept in a secure state? (247, 248)
45. The House of God
1. Where is the sanctuary for the
individual? for the family? for the congregation? (249)
Fill in the blanks:
2. "Common _____________________,
_____________________, and _____________________ should not be permitted in
the house of worship. . . . Ardent, active _____________________ should characterize
_____________________." (249)
3. In what manner are all services
to be conducted? (250)
Fill in the blanks:
4. Reverence should be shown for
1. "God's _____________________."
(252)
2. "God's _____________________."
(252)
3. "God's _____________________."
(252)
Lesson 8
Reading Assignment, pages 254-291
46. Treatment of the Erring
1. Upon whom "especially" did Christ
bestow His most earnest labors? (254)
2. In what cases do the instructions
of Galatians 6:1 and Romans 15:1 apply? (254)
Fill in the blanks:
3. "_____________________ measures,
_____________________ answers, and _____________________ words are much better
fitted to _____________________ and _____________________, than _____________________
and _____________________." (254)
4. What chapter in the New Testament
provides specific counsel for dealing with erring church members? (255, 256)
5. Under what circumstances only
are the names of people to be removed from the church books? (257)
6. What should be the church's
attitude toward those who have been disciplined? (257, 258)
7. Which sins are especially offensive
to God? (259, 260)
47. The Observance of God's Holy
Sabbath
1. List the various things of which
the Sabbath is a sign. (261, 262)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Fill in the blanks:
2. "To those who _____________________
His holy _____________________ the Sabbath is a _____________________ that
God _____________________ them as His _____________________ people." (262)
3. When is preparation to be made
for the Sabbath? (263)
4. List three practical things
that ought to be done before sunset on Friday. (263)
1.
2.
3.
5. What is meant by the expression,
"guard the edges of the Sabbath"? (263)
6. How should sundown worship be
conducted? (263, 264)
7. What lessons may be drawn from
nature during a Sabbath afternoon walk? (264, 265)
8. What is the object of the Sabbath
school? (266)
9. How particular is God about
Sabbathkeeping? (269)
48. Counsels on Stewardship
1. What single word reveals the
spirit of heaven? What reveals the spirit of worldlings? (272)
2. What is the giving of offerings
calculated to do for the giver? (272)
3. What would be the condition
within the church if all were faithful in tithing? (274)
4. What rule does Paul lay down
for giving to God's cause? What results follow? (277, 278)
5. What is the responsibility of
each child of God while he is alive? (278)
6. To what extent is a pledge made
to God binding upon the one who made the pledge? (280)
49. The Christian Attitude Toward
Want and Suffering
1. Who is it that truly loves God
and his fellow men? (283)
2. What should be written upon
the conscience "as with a pen of iron upon a rock"? (283)
3. What four things does God call
for? (284)
1.
2.
3.
4.
4. Describe the two classes of
poor within the church. (284)
5. What two questions should we
consider when we give to the poor? (285)
6. What does Ellen White mean when
she says that widows and the fatherless "are lent to Christians in trust for
God"? (286)
50. Christians in All the World Become
One in Christ
1. What spiritual lesson may be
drawn from the Jewish temple? (287, 288)
2. Why does God want His people
of different nationalities to mingle together? (288)
Fill in the blanks:
3. "Christ recognized no distinction
of _____________________ or _____________________ or _____________________.
. . . But Christ came to break _____________________ every _____________________
of partition. He came to show that His gift of _____________________ and _____________________
is as _____________________ as the _____________________, the _____________________,
or the showers of _____________________ that _____________________ the earth."
(288)
4. Where is the "secret of unity"
found? (289-291)
Thought Question: Did Brother Howland
go too far when he visited the fisherman and knelt before him? Do our own hard
hearts need to be broken?
Lesson 9
Reading Assignment, pages 292-321
51. The Prayer Meeting
1. What can be done to make the
prayer meeting more interesting? (292)
2. What is often behind long, tedious
prayers offered in public? (293)
3. What should we take to God in
prayer? (294)
52. Baptism
1. Name two "monumental pillars"
upon which God's name is inscribed. (295)
1.
2.
2. Of what is baptism a sign? (295)
3. What two things do those who
are baptized "declare publicly"? (295)
1.
2.
4. Besides the doctrines of the
church, what else is to be made plain to those who are preparing for baptism?
(295, 296)
5. What is the responsibility of
parents in preparing their children for baptism? (296, 297)
Thought Question: What is the proper
age when young children may be baptized?
53. The Lord's Supper
1. How are the purposes of the
Passover service and the Lord's Supper similar? (298)
2. What lesson can we learn from
Jesus as He washed the feet of His disciples? (299, 300)
3. Describe the spiritual condition
of the disciples as they gathered for the Passover. (300, 301)
4. What is embraced in the preparatory
service? (301)
5. What is accomplished within
the soul of the worshiper by the communion service? (302)
6. What was the communion service
designed to do? (302)
54. Prayer for the Sick
1. What are we to expect today
in regard to the healing of the sick? (303)
2. What is the condition upon which
God will heal? (303, 304)
3. What is to be the attitude of
those who pray for the sick? (305)
4. In what ways can the sick cooperate
with God while praying for divine healing? (306, 307)
55. The Medical Work
1. What is medical missionary work,
and how is it conducted? (308)
2. Where is the Christian to begin
in elevating the moral standards of those to whom the gospel is preached?
(309)
3. How has the medical missionary
work been described in relation to the gospel ministry? (309)
4. What broad type of ministry
has promise of great success? (310)
5. What twofold work may be done
by missionary nurses? With what results? (311)
56. Relations With Those Not of Our
Persuasion
1. How are God's people to relate
to those who do not believe as we do? (312)
2. When will the society of unbelievers
do God's children no harm? (312)
3. What is God's desire for non-Adventist
ministers? (313)
57. Our Relation to Civil Rulers
and Laws
1. What will the child of God do
when confronted with human laws that conflict with God's law? (314, 316, 317)
2. Why did Jesus not attempt civil
reforms, nor attack national abuses? (314, 315)
3. Is it right for a Christian
to testify under judicial oath? (315, 316)
4. Should Seventh-day Adventists
participate in political strife? Why, or why not? (316)
5. What should God's people do
when Sunday laws are enforced? (317, 318)
58. Satan's Deceptive Work
1. What is the responsibility of
each person in his conflict against the forces of evil? (319)
2. What spiritual lesson can be
learned from the experience of King Ahaziah? (320)
Fill in the blanks:
3. "At the sound of fervent _____________________,
Satan's whole _____________________ trembles." (319)
4. "All who do not earnestly search
the _____________________ and _____________________ every _____________________
and _____________________ of life to that unerring test, all who do not seek
God in _____________________ for a knowledge of His _____________________,
will surely _____________________ from the _____________________ path and
_____________________ under the _____________________ of _____________________."
(320)
5. What are the differences between
Satan's approach to Christ in the wilderness and the way he approaches us
with temptations now? (321)
Thought Question: Where is the chief
interest of your life? Who or what is it that commands your attention and affection?
Lesson 10
Reading Assignment, pages 322-359
59. False Science--Satan's Modern
Robe of Light
1. What did Adam and Eve gain by
accepting Satan's subtle ideas? (322)
2. What theory misrepresents God
and brings dishonor to Him? (322)
3. What power alone can break the
hold of evil on men's hearts? (324)
Thought Question: Is God a person
or merely an influence?
4. What evil results will follow
the holding of spiritualistic theories? (323)
5. What is meant by the words,
"The experience of the past will be repeated"? (323)
6. Why is Satan so intent upon
winning to his side those who have had the most spiritual light? (324)
7. What evidence exists that there
is an ever-present God? (324, 325)
8. Why does the Bible ask questions
that man cannot answer? (325)
9. What type of experience will
place God's people in a position to receive the Pentecostal power that has
been promised? (326)
10. "Let not _____________________
be placed where _____________________, _____________________ truths should
be. . . . Let not _____________________ theories receive _____________________
from the people who ought to be standing _____________________ on the _____________________
of eternal _____________________. God calls upon us to hold _____________________
to the _____________________ principles that are based upon _____________________
authority." (326)
Fill in the blanks:
11. "Let us go to the _____________________
of _____________________ for guidance. Let us _____________________ for a
'Thus saith the Lord.' We have had _____________________ of human methods."
(327)
60. Satan's Lying Wonders
1. How does Colossians 2:8 depict
modern spiritualism? (329)
2. What is "mind cure" and why
is it dangerous? (330)
3. In ancient times Satan worked
through magicians; in Ellen White's day he worked through spirit mediums,
clairvoyants, and fortune tellers. How does he work today?(330, 331)
61. The Coming Crisis
1. Upon whose forehead will God's
seal be placed? (333)
2. Give a text telling when the
work of preparation and character-building will be completed. (334)
3. On what battlefield will the
final conflict between truth and error be fought? (334, 335)
4. Under what circumstances will
some of God's people be called to stand for truth? (335, 336)
5. When will the "retributive judgments"
of God begin to fall? (336, 337)
6. What do God's people need to
do in view of the coming crisis? (336, 337)
62. The Sifting Time
1. What causes the shaking of the
church? (338, 339)
2. What two classes will be developed
in the sifting time? (338, 339)
1.
2.
3. Describe the two armies and
the results of the conflict. (340, 341)
63. Some Things to Remember
1. What personal answers can you
give to the questions raised on page 342?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
2. What should be the keynote of
every message we give? (343)
3. What two attitudes or experiences
could cause us to fail to be ready? (344)
1.
2.
4. What is the high aim to be constantly
before every Christian? (345)
5. What command is heard ringing
above all discouragement? (345)
64. Christ, Our Great High Priest
1. Why is "the correct understanding
of the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary . . . the foundation of our
faith"? (347-349)
Fill in the blanks:
2. "As ________ ministration was
to _____________________ of two great _____________________, each occupying
a _____________________ of _____________________ and having a distinctive
place in the _____________________ sanctuary, so the typical ministration
consisted of two _____________________, the _____________________ and the
_____________________ service, and to each a _____________________ of the
tabernacle was devoted." (347)
3. What happens to the sins of
the repentant sinner? (347, 348)
4. Following the example of the
typical service, what should God's people be doing now in the great antitypical
day of atonement? (348)
5. What will happen when the investigative
judgment closes? (349)
Fill in the blanks:
6. "Silently, _____________________
as the midnight _____________________, will come the decisive _____________________
which marks the _____________________ of every man's _____________________,
the final _____________________ of mercy's offer to _____________________
men." (349)
65. Joshua and the Angel
1. What experience would better
prepare God's people to withstand the devices of Satan? (350)
2. What words does Jesus our Advocate
speak to Satan? (351)
3. What words does Jesus speak
to those who rely on Him? (351, 352)
4. To whom does Zechariah's vision
have special meaning? (352, 353)
5. Who will be the only hope, and
what will be the only defense of the saints? (352, 353)
1.
2.
66. Behold, I Come Quickly
1. If the Lord is coming as soon
as we believe He is, what should our experience be like today? (355)
2. What signs have you seen in
recent times that give evidence the nearness of Jesus' return. (see 355, 356)
3. In view of Christ's soon return,
what is our responsibility? (356)
4. What will the work that lies
just before us demand of us? (357)
5. Of what is the resurrection
and ascension of our Lord a sure evidence? (358, 359)
Fill in the blanks:
6. "I have been deeply _____________________
by _____________________ that have recently passed before me in the night
season. There seemed to be a great _____________________ --a work of _____________________
--going forward in many places. Our people were _____________________ into
_____________________, _____________________ to God's call." (357)
7. "It will not be _____________________
till we shall _____________________ Him in whom our _____________________
of eternal _____________________ are centered. And in His _____________________,
all the _____________________ and _____________________ of this _____________________
will be as _____________________." (358)
8. "We have _____________________
to _____________________ for the _____________________, except as we shall
_____________________ the way the Lord has _____________________ us, and His
_____________________ in our _____________________ history." (359)
Suggestion: Obtain as many Spirit
of Prophecy books as you can and make it a rule to read something from these
volumes every day.
Study
Guide Index