Bible Study Guides – Discerning the Counterfeits

April 15, 2012 – April 21, 2012

Key Text

“Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not?” Isaiah 55:2.

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 5, 542–549; Ibid., vol. 8, 305–311.

Introduction

“Through educational processes he [Satan, the master mind in the confederacy of evil] is doing all in his power to obscure heaven’s light.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 305.

1 PHILOSOPHICAL SPECULATIONS

  • What warning is found in God’s word concerning human philosophy? Colossians 2:8.

Note: “Philosophical speculation and scientific research in which God is not acknowledged are making skeptics of thousands of the youth. In the schools of today the conclusions that learned men have reached as the result of their scientific investigations are carefully taught and fully explained; while the impression is distinctly given that if these learned men are correct, the Bible cannot be. Skepticism is attractive to the human mind. The youth see in it an independence that captivates the imagination, and they are deceived.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 305.

  • How did certain philosophers react upon seeing Paul? Acts 17:18. What only can be expected of those who know not God? Jeremiah 8:9.

Note: “It is because the human heart is inclined to evil that there is so great danger in sowing the seeds of skepticism in young minds. Whatever weakens faith in God, robs the soul of power to resist temptation. It removes the only real safeguard against sin.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 305.

2 THE INFLUENCE OF UNBELIEVERS

  • Why are unbelieving teachers so dangerous, regardless of their intellectual capabilities? Romans 1:22; I Corinthians 1:20.

Note: “There is nothing that he [Satan] desires more than to destroy confidence in God and in His word. Satan stands at the head of the great army of doubters, and he works to the utmost of his power to beguile souls into his ranks. It is becoming fashionable to doubt. There is a large class by whom the word of God is looked upon with distrust for the same reason as was its Author—because it reproves and condemns sin. Those who are unwilling to obey its requirements endeavor to overthrow its authority. They read the Bible, or listen to its teachings as presented from the sacred desk, merely to find fault with the Scriptures or with the sermon. Not a few become infidels in order to justify or excuse themselves in neglect of duty. Others adopt skeptical principles from pride and indolence. Too ease-loving to distinguish themselves by accomplishing anything worthy of honor, which requires effort and self-denial, they aim to secure a reputation for superior wisdom by criticizing the Bible. There is much which the finite mind, unenlightened by divine wisdom, is powerless to comprehend; and thus they find occasion to criticize.” The Great Controversy, 526.

  • How are the ideas of the young affected by infidel influences, whether from authors, teachers, or friends? I Corinthians 15:33; Luke 6:39.

Note: “Can we … expect the youth to maintain Christian principles and to develop Christian character while their education is largely influenced by the teachings of pagans, atheists, and infidels?” Testimonies, vol. 8, 306.

“If parents desire their children to be pure, they must surround them with pure associations such as God can approve.” Child Guidance, 114.

  • Instead of reading the works of unbelieving authors, what should young people do? Isaiah 34:16; Matthew 11:28–30.

3 EVALUATING OUR BOOKSHELVES

  • What happens to those who study history or theology written by unbelieving authors? Ecclesiastes 12:12; Isaiah 50:11.

Note: “Many who are seeking a preparation for the Lord’s work think it essential to accumulate large volumes of historical and theological writings. They suppose that the study of these works will be a great advantage to them in learning how to reach the people. This is an error.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 307.

  • What warning is given against myths, fairy tales, romance novels, and other fiction, even if they are renowned as “classics”? Isaiah 55:2.

Note: “In the education of children and youth, fairy tales, myths, and fictitious stories are now given a large place. Books of this character are used in the schools, and they are to be found in many homes. How can Christian parents permit their children to use books so filled with falsehood? When the children ask the meaning of stories so contrary to the teaching of their parents, the answer is that the stories are not true; but this does not do away with the evil results of their use.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 308, 309.

  • What effect does reading such publications have upon the minds of children and young people? Proverbs 14:12.

Note: “The ideas presented in these [make-believe] books mislead the children. They impart false views of life and beget and foster a desire for the unreal.

“The widespread use of such books at this time is one of the cunning devices of Satan. … He means that our children and youth shall be swept away by the soul-destroying deceptions with which he is flooding the world. Therefore he seeks to divert their minds from the word of God, and thus prevent them from gaining a knowledge of those truths that would be their safeguard.

“Never should books containing a perversion of truth be placed before children or youth.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 309.

4 PEER PRESSURE AND COMPETITION

  • In many schools, what oppressive influence often carries more weight with the students than either their teachers or their books? Isaiah 3:4.

Note: “The influence of association is never stronger than in school life.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 297.

“Very many of those who leave their homes innocent and pure, become corrupted by their associations at school.” Ibid., 40.

“Little do parents consider that injurious impressions are far more readily received by the young than are divine impressions; therefore their associations should be the most favorable for the growth of grace and for the truth revealed in the word of God to be established in the heart. If children are with those whose conversation is upon unimportant, earthly things, their minds will come to the same level. If they hear the principles of religion slurred and our faith belittled, if sly objections to the truth are dropped in their hearing, these things will fasten in their minds and mold their characters. … When a wrong impression is left upon the mind in youth, a mark is made, not on sand, but on enduring rock.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 544, 545.

“Those who attend school could have an influence for the Saviour; but who name the name of Christ? and who are seen pleading with tender earnestness with their companions to forsake the ways of sin and choose the path of holiness?

“This is the course which the believing young should take, but they do not; it is more congenial to their feelings to unite with the sinner in sport and pleasure.” Messages to Young People, 205.

  • What evil characteristic of human nature corrupts and pollutes much learning that might have been useful? II Corinthians 10:12.

Note: “More harm than good results from the practice of offering prizes and rewards.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 270.

“You have loved to debate the truth and loved discussions; but these contests have been unfavorable to your forming a harmonious Christian character, for in this is a favorable opportunity for the exhibition of the very traits of character that you must overcome if you ever enter heaven.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 424.

5 A PURE SOURCE

  • What change in our educational ideas does God call us to make if we truly want to follow His ways? Jeremiah 2:13; 6:16; Psalm 119:9, 10.

Note: “In His [Christ’s] teaching we may drink of the pure streams that flow from the throne of God.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 309.

  • What challenge should be our foremost aim? Proverbs 4:23.

Note: “Heart education is of more importance than the education gained from books.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 311.

“We can not afford to separate spiritual from intellectual training. Well may parents dread intellectual greatness for their children, unless it is balanced by a knowledge of God and His ways. It is of great importance that the youth take with them from school an intelligent love for God and His truth. This lies at the foundation of all true knowledge. We are in a world subject to disease and death. He who during his lifetime serves God faithfully has the assurance that he will come forth from the grave to a glorious immortality. Of such a one it may indeed be said, ‘It is well with his soul.’ In every school in our land the Lord God of Israel should be exalted, revered, and honored. In the place of unsanctified rivalry for earthly honor, the highest ambition of students should be to go forth strengthened, established missionaries for God, educators who can teach what they have learned.

“Goodness alone is true greatness.” The Youth’s Instructor, August 31, 1899.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What danger lurks in bowing to the authority of modern science?

2 Why is so much that is taught in today’s typical education a snare?

3 Against what temptation should all guard when studying theology?

4 What types of reading and influences pervert the mind of a child?

5 What should be our real purpose in education?

Copyright © 2008 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.