July 23-29, 2000
MEMORY VERSE: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:2.
STUDY HELP: Christian Service, 113–131.
INTRODUCTION: “The people of God are to come close to Christ in self-denial and sacrifice, their one aim being to give the message of mercy to all the world. Some will work in one way and some in another, as the Lord shall call and lead them. But they are all to strive together, seeking to make the work a perfect whole. With pen and voice they are to labor for Him. The printed word of truth is to be translated into different languages and carried to the ends of the earth. My heart is often burdened because so many who might work are doing nothing. They are the sport of Satan’s temptations. Every church member who has a knowledge of the truth is expected to work while the day lasts; for the night cometh, wherein no man can work. Erelong we shall understand what that night means.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 26.
“That by My Voice I Might Teach Others”
1 How is the work of teaching to be carried out? Isaiah 28:9, 10.
NOTE: “Those who are learning should be patiently instructed, precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little. Every effort should be made, by precept and example, to teach them right methods.” Christian Leadership, 57. See also Evangelism, 152.
2 What special work of teaching are parents called upon to perform? Deuteronomy 6:4–7; 11:9.
NOTE: “Parents should in a special sense regard themselves as agents of God to instruct their children, as did Abraham, to keep the way of the Lord. They need to search the Scriptures diligently, to know what is the way of the Lord, that they may teach it to their household. Micah says, ‘What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?’ Micah 6:8. In order to be teachers, parents must be learners, gathering light constantly from the oracles of God and by precept and example bringing this precious light into the education of their children.” The Adventist Home, 184.
“As Ye Go, Preach”
3 How did Jesus describe the work committed to Him? Luke 4:16–21.
NOTE: See Christ’s Object Lessons, 127.
4 How did Paul describe the work of preaching and its divinely appointed purpose? 1 Corinthians 1:17–21.
NOTE: “This is God’s devised plan; and through successive generations, through centuries of heathenism, this plan has been carried forward, not as an experiment, but as an approved way for the spreading of the gospel. Through this method from the beginning, conviction came upon man, and the world was enlightened concerning the gospel of God.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 360.
“Let the men who are engaged in the solemn work of bearing the last message to the world, heed the exhortation of Paul, “Preach the Word,” not the…productions of human speculations. Listen to the words of inspiration addressed to Timothy: “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they [the people] heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.’” Bible Echo, June 15, 1893. See also Testimonies, vol. 5, 300.
“We Persuade Men”
5 What example are we given of Paul’s method of giving Bible studies? Acts 28:23.
NOTE: “Of all the gifts that God has bestowed upon men, none is more precious than the gift of speech. If sanctified by the Holy Spirit, it is a power for good. It is with the tongue that we convince and persuade; with it we offer prayer and praise to God, and with it we convey rich thoughts of the Redeemer’s love.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 337.
“We are living in the closing scenes of this earth’s history. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The hours of probation are fast passing. We have no time—not a moment—to lose. Let us not be found sleeping on guard.…Let us persuade men and women everywhere to repent and flee from the wrath to come. Let us arouse them to immediate preparation, for we little know what is before us. Let ministers and lay members go forth into the ripening fields to tell the unconcerned and indifferent to seek the Lord while He may be found. The workers will find their harvest wherever they proclaim the forgotten truths of the Bible. They will find those who will accept the truth and will devote their lives to winning souls to Christ.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 252.
6 In all our efforts to persuade people of the truth, what must we remember? John 16:8.
NOTE: “God requires that His agents may put forth practical, personal efforts in doing whatever He calls upon them to do, so that the truth may be set before human minds, and the Holy Spirit have an opportunity to convict and convert the soul. No man can do this part of the work.” Home Missionary, December 1, 1894.
“Present the truth as it is in Jesus. There must be no combative or controversial spirit in the advocacy of the truth. Those who study the manner of Christ’s teaching and educate themselves to follow His way, will attract and hold large numbers, as Christ held the people in His day. The Saviour is our example in all things. His love abiding in the heart will be expressed in words that will benefit the hearers, and win souls to Him. When the truth in its practical character is urged upon the people because you love them, souls will be convicted, for the Holy Spirit will convict of the truth.” General Conference Bulletin, February 25, 1895.
“Exhort With All Longsuffering and Doctrine”
7 What counsel did Paul give Timothy to help him in his ministry? 2 Timothy 4:2.
NOTE: “If ministers who preach the gospel would do their duty, and would also be ensamples to the flock of God, their voices would be lifted up like a trumpet to show the people their transgressions and the house of Israel their sins. Ministers who exhort sinners to be converted should distinctly define what sin is and what conversion from sin is. Sin is the transgression of the law. The convicted sinner must exercise repentance toward God for the transgression of His law, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Confrontation, 75.
“He is to ‘preach the word,’ not the opinions and traditions of men, not pleasing fables or sensational stories, to move the fancy and excite the emotions. He is not to exalt himself, but as in the presence of God he is to stand before a dying world and preach the word. There is to be no levity, no trifling, no fanciful interpretation; the minister must speak in sincerity and deep earnestness, as a voice from God expounding the Sacred Scriptures. He is to bring to his hearers those things which most concern their present and eternal good. My ministering brethren, as you stand before the people, speak of those things that are essential, those things that will instruct. Teach the great practical truths that must be brought into the life. Teach the saving power of Jesus, ‘in whom we have redemption,…even the forgiveness of sins.’ Strive to make your hearers comprehend the power of truth.” Gospel Workers, 147.
8 How is the faithful witness for God to combat false teaching? Titus 1:9.
NOTE: See Evangelism, 136.
“Let Us Go Again”
9 How did Paul express his continued care for those whom he had brought to Christ? Acts 15:36.
NOTE: See Evangelism, 340.
10 What example are we given of Paul and Barnabas confirming and strengthening those brought to the truth? Acts 14:21, 22.
NOTE: “Jesus, our great High Priest, is touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and He works to bind up those who are wounded and bruised by the enemy. He does not leave the tempted soul to the mercy of the destroyer. The children of God are to work in Christ’s lines. They are to seek the wandering, straying sheep of His pasture. Those who claim to love God are to form a guard around perishing souls to save them from ruin. Instead of saying, ‘Let the erring go, we will not try to help them,’ we are to strengthen the hands which hang down, and confirm the feeble knees. We shall never form characters after the divine similitude if we cherish the meager, stunted piety that looks out only for our individual selves, and does not lead us to do earnest, positive work for the salvation of others. We are
to let our light shine in such a way as to guide souls into the haven
of safety, that they may find refuge in Christ.” Signs of the Times, August 20, 1896. See also Acts of the Apostles, 185.
“I Will be With Thy Mouth”
11 What encouraging promise did the Lord give to Moses? Exodus 4:12–15.
NOTE: See Acts of the Apostles, 599.
12 What was the effect of this promise on the ministry of the apostles? Acts 4:33.
NOTE: See Christ’s Object Lessons, 121 and Acts of the Apostles, 48, 49.