March 12-18, 2000
MEMORY VERSE: “And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15.
STUDY HELP: Steps to Christ, 77–83; Desire of Ages, 141, 142.
INTRODUCTION: “The Christian is in the world as a representative of Christ for the salvation of other souls.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 67.
“God might have committed the message of the gospel, and all the work of loving ministry, to the heavenly angels. He might have employed other means for accomplishing His purpose. But in His infinite love He chose to make us co-workers with Himself, with Christ and the angels, that we might share the blessing, the joy, the spiritual uplifting, which results from this unselfish ministry.” Steps to Christ, 79.
“How Will They Hear?”
1 What vital questions about the salvation of souls does Paul ask? Romans 10:14.
NOTE: “The Saviour looked forward with joy to His work in preaching good tidings to the meek, binding up the brokenhearted, and proclaiming liberty to the captives of Satan. At thought of the precious blessings He had brought to men, Jesus added, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” The Desire of Ages, 142.
2 What was the work that Jesus gave to each member of His church? Mark 16:15.
NOTE: “The Christian is in the world as a representative of Christ, for the salvation of other souls. There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in self. If you have accepted Christ as a personal Saviour, you are to forget yourself, and try to help others. Talk of the love of Christ, tell of His goodness. Do every duty that presents itself. Carry the burden of souls upon your heart, and by every means in your power seek to save the lost.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 67, 68.
“My Meat is to Finish His Work”
3 How did Jesus state the aim of His life and ministry? John 4:34.
NOTE: “All who are consecrated to God are channels of light. God makes them instruments of righteousness to communicate to others the light of truth.” The Desire of Ages, 141.
How is the influence of the Christian pictured? Ezekiel 34:26.
NOTE: “All who are consecrated to God will be channels of light. God makes them His agents to communicate to others the riches of His grace.” Desire of Ages, 141.
“Come and See”
5 What method of evangelism did Philip employ? John 1:46. (See also Matthew 5:16.)
NOTE: “Philip said to Nathanael, ‘Come and see.’ He did not ask him to accept another’s testimony, but to behold Christ for himself.” Desire of Ages, 141, 142.
6 Where is our field of service? John 4:35.
NOTE: We need not go to heathen lands, or even leave the narrow circle of the home, if it is there that our duty lies, in order to work for Christ. We can do this in the home circle, in the church, among those with whom we associate, and with whom we do business.” Steps to Christ, 81.
“Tell Them How Great Things the Lord Hath Done for Thee”
7 What instruction did Jesus give to one man who wanted to serve Him? Mark 5:19.
NOTE: See Desire of Ages, 339,142.
8 What impression was made by the words of Peter and John? Acts 4:13.
NOTE: “The word of God, spoken by one who is himself sanctified through it, has a life-giving power that makes it attractive to the hearers, and convicts them that it is a living reality.” Desire of Ages, 142.
“He That Watereth Shall be Watered Also Himself”
9 What blessing comes to those who seek to share God’s blessings with others? Proverbs 11:25.
NOTE: “He who seeks to give light to others will himself be blessed.” Desire of Ages, 142.
10 What experience of the disciples’ shows the need for fervent prayer and cultivating faith? Matthew 17:14, 21.
NOTE: “This is the science of the gospel. The Scripture declares, ‘Without faith it is impossible to please God.’ The knowledge of what the Scripture means when urging upon us the necessity of cultivating faith, is more essential than any other knowledge that can be acquired. We suffer much trouble and grief because of our unbelief, and our ignorance of how to exercise faith. We must break through the clouds of unbelief. We cannot have a healthy Christian experience; we cannot obey the gospel unto salvation, until the science of faith is better understood, and until more faith is exercised. There can be no perfection of Christian character without that faith that works by love, and purifies the soul.” Review and Herald, October 18, 1898. (See also Steps to Christ, 80.)
“Adorn the Doctrine of God Our Saviour in All Things”
11 How should the character of the Christian be affected by the things he has learned from God’s Word? Titus 2:10, last part.
NOTE: “The spirit of unselfish labor for others gives depth, stability, and Christlike loveliness to the character, and brings peace and happiness to its possessor. The aspirations are elevated. There is no room for sloth or selfishness. Those who thus exercise the Christian graces will grow and will become strong to work for God. They will have clear spiritual perceptions, a steady, growing faith, and an increased power in prayer. The Spirit of God, moving upon their spirit, calls forth the sacred harmonies of the soul in answer to the divine touch. Those who thus devote themselves to unselfish effort for the good of others are most surely working out their own salvation.” Steps to Christ, 80.
12 How does Malachi describe the spiritual growth of those who are willing to work for the Lord? Malachi 4:2.
NOTE: “The only way to grow in grace is to be disinterestedly doing the very work which Christ has enjoined upon us,—to engage, to the extent of our ability, in helping and blessing those who need the help we can give them.” Steps to Christ, 80, 81.
13 What obligation does Christ place upon all who follow Him? Matthew 28:18–20.
NOTE: “The church of Christ is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. Its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. And the obligation rests upon all Christians.” Steps to Christ, 81.