Bible Study Guides – Godly Fear

November 24-30, 2002

MEMORY VERSE: “Let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Hebrews 12:28.

SUGGESTED READING: Testimonies, vol. 5, 491–500; Ibid., vol. 8, 284–286.

INTRODUCTION: There should be an intelligent knowledge of how to come to God in reverence and Godly fear with devotional love. There is a growing lack of reverence for our Maker, a growing disregard of His greatness and His majesty.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 315.

1 How is our duty to God summarized? Ecclesiastes 12:13.

NOTE: “In the precepts of His holy law, God has given a perfect rule of life; and He has declared that until the close of time this law, unchanged in a single jot or tittle, is to maintain its claim upon human beings. Christ came to magnify the law and make it honorable. He showed that it is based upon the broad foundation of love to God and love to man, and that obedience to its precepts comprises the whole duty of man. In His own life He gave an example of obedience to the law of God. In the Sermon on the Mount He showed how its requirements extend beyond the outward acts and take cognizance of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The Acts of the Apostles, 505.

“Our duty to obey this law is to be the burden of this last message of mercy to the world. God’s law is not a new thing. It is not holiness created, but holiness made known. It is a code of principles expressing mercy, goodness, and love. It presents to fallen humanity the character of God, and states plainly the whole duty of man (Manuscript 88, 1897).” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, 1104, 1105.

2 In what way does our duty to God differ from the attitude of the popular churches today? 2 Timothy 3:1, 2, 5.

NOTE: “Christ’s followers today should guard against the tendency to lose the spirit of reverence and godly fear. The Scriptures teach men how they should approach their Maker—with humility and awe, through faith in a divine Mediator.” Prophets and Kings, 48.

3 How do we display a healthy fear of God? Malachi 3:16; Colossians 3:16, 17.

NOTE: “Do not gratify the enemy by dwelling upon the dark side of your experience; trust Jesus more fully for help to resist temptation. If we thought and talked more of Jesus, and less of ourselves, we should have much more of his presence. If we abide in him, we shall be so filled with peace, faith, and courage, and shall have so victorious an experience to relate when we come to meeting, that others will be refreshed by our clear, strong testimony for God. These precious acknowledgments to the praise of the glory of his grace, when supported by a Christlike life, have an irresistible power, which works for the salvation of souls.” The Southern Watchman, March 7, 1905.

“To the Christian is granted the joy of gathering rays of eternal light from the throne of glory, and of reflecting these rays not only on his own path, but on the paths of those with whom he associates. By speaking words of hope and encouragement, of grateful praise and kindly cheer, he may strive to make those around him better, to elevate them, to point them to heaven and glory, and to lead them to seek, above all earthly things, the eternal substance, the immortal inheritance, the riches that are imperishable.” Ibid.

4 In what way did the Hebrew midwives of Egypt show that they feared God? Exodus 1:15–17.

NOTE: “The king [of Egypt] commanded that the male children should be killed as soon as they were born. Satan was the mover in these matters. He knew that a deliver was to be raised up among the Hebrews to rescue them from oppression. He thought that if he could move the king to destroy the male children, the purpose of God would be defeated. The women feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. The women dare not murder the Hebrew children, and because they obeyed not the command of the king, the Lord prospered them.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 3, 179, 180.

5 What can we learn from the examples of Job and Obadiah? Job 1:1, 8; 1 Kings 18:3, 13.

NOTE: “It were well for parents to learn from the man of Uz a lesson of steadfastness and devotion. Job did not neglect his duty to those outside of his household; he was benevolent, kind, thoughtful of the interest of others; and at the same time he labored earnestly for the salvation of his own family. Amid the festivities of his sons and daughters, he trembled lest his children should displease God. As a faithful priest of the household, he offered sacrifices for them individually. He knew the offensive character of sin, and the thought that his children might forget the divine claims, led him to God as an intercessor in their behalf.” Review and Herald, August 30, 1881.

“During the apostasy of Israel, Obadiah had remained faithful. His master, the king, had been unable to turn him from his allegiance to the living God.” Prophets and Kings, 138.

6 How was Cornelius blessed because he feared God? Acts 10:1–6.

NOTE: “Here we are given positive evidence that the Lord does not leave in darkness those who follow all the light given them, but sends His angels to communicate with them. Cornelius was living in accordance with the instruction given in the Old Testament Scriptures, and the Lord sent a messenger to tell him what to do.

“God could have given Cornelius all the instruction he needed by the angel, but this was not His plan. His purpose was to place Cornelius in connection with those who had been receiving knowledge from on high, whose work it was to impart this knowledge to those seeking for light. Thus God always deals with His people. . . .

“Cornelius obeyed the instruction given. He united with the church, and became a useful and influential laborer together with God (Manuscript 67, 1900).” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1060.

7 What blessings are promised to all who truly fear God? Psalms 34:7, 9; 85:9; Luke 1:50.

NOTE: “Those who are true to God need not fear the power of men nor the enmity of Satan. In Christ their eternal life is secure. Their only fear should be lest they surrender the truth, and thus betray the trust with which God has honored them.” The Desire of Ages, 356.

8 As the time of trouble comes upon this world, from what fear will we be delivered? Psalms 46:1–3; 91:1, 5, 6.

NOTE: “When we put away our sins and come to him in faith, he takes our names on his lips, and presents them to his Father, saying, ‘I have graven them upon the palms of my hands; I know them by name.’ And the command goes forth to the angels to protect them. Then in the day of fierce trial he will say, ‘Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.’ What are the chambers in which they are to hide?—They are the protection of Christ and holy angels. The people of God are not at this time all in one place. They are in different companies, and in all parts of the earth; and they will be tried singly, not in groups. Every one must stand the test for himself.” Review and Herald, November 19, 1908.

9 How should our attitude be governed by a proper fear of God as we witness to those about us? 1 Peter 3:15.

NOTE: “[1 Peter 3:15 quoted.] The fear here spoken of does not mean distrust or indecision, but with due caution, guarding every point, lest an unwise word be spoken, or excitement of feeling get the advantage, and thus leave unfavorable impressions upon minds, and balance them in the wrong direction. Godly fear, humility, and meekness are greatly needed by all in order to correctly represent the truth of God.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 258, 259.

10 In what way does a proper understanding of God’s judgments strengthen our faith? Matthew 10:28.

NOTE: “When for the truth’s sake the believer stands at the bar of earthly tribunals, Christ stands by his side. When he is confined within prison walls, Christ manifests Himself to him and cheers his heart with His love. When he suffers death for Christ’s sake, the Saviour says to him, They may kill the body, but they cannot hurt the soul. ‘Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’ [John 16:33.]” The Acts of the Apostles, 85, 86.

11 How are we to show glory to God? Isaiah 58:6–8.

NOTE: “As Christians, we are to have a righteousness that represents the character of Christ. We are to feel for our fellow men the same sympathy and compassion that Christ has felt for us. His sympathy, His love, led Him to redeem us at the cost of his lifeblood. If we would carry out the great principles that He laid down for His followers, we must love our neighbor as ourselves.” Signs of the Times, July 14, 1909.

12 What is a necessary part in worshiping God? Revelation 14:7.

NOTE: “By the first angel, men are called upon to ‘fear God, and give glory to Him’ and to worship Him as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In order to do this, they must obey His law.” The Great Controversy, 436.

13 Why does our duty to worship God involve keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, and what three things are associated with keeping the Sabbath? Exodus 31:16, 17; Hebrews 4:3–5, 9, 10; Genesis 2:2, 3.

NOTE: “To all who receive the Sabbath as a sign of Christ’s creative and redeeming power, it will be a delight. Seeing Christ in it, they delight themselves in Him. The Sabbath points them to the works of creation as an evidence of His mighty power in redemption. While it calls to mind the lost peace of Eden, it tells of peace restored through the Saviour. And every object in nature repeats His invitation, ‘Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28.” The Desire of Ages, 289.