Bible Study - Organization

February 11 – 17, 2024

Key Text

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

Study Help: Prophets and Kings, 638–645, 659

Introduction

“God wants His people to be united in the closest bonds of Christian fellowship; confidence in our brethren is essential to the prosperity of the church; union of action is important in a religious crisis.” Testimonies, Vol. 3, 446

Sunday

1 IN THE AIR WE BREATHE

1.a. As the originator of disorganization was expelled from heaven, with what atmosphere has he tainted this earth? Revelation 12:7–10; James 3:15, 16

Note: “The world is filled with strife for the supremacy. The spirit of pulling away from fellow laborers, the spirit of disorganization, is in the very air we breathe.” Testimonies, Vol. 9, 257

“We are inclined to exalt self. But God wants no self-exaltation in His work.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 4, 354

1.b. Since the Roman Catholic organizational system is thoroughly hierarchical, what do some Protestants fear will be the results of following order and organization? 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4

Note: “By some, all efforts to establish order are regarded as dangerous—as a restriction of personal liberty, and hence to be feared as popery. These deceived souls regard it a virtue to boast of their freedom to think and act independently. They declare that they will not take any man’s say-so, that they are amenable to no man. I have been instructed that it is Satan’s special effort to lead men to feel that God is pleased to have them choose their own course independent of the counsel of their brethren.” Testimonies, Vol. 9, 257

Monday

2 THOROUGH ORGANIZATION ESSENTIAL

2.a. In order to avoid self-exaltation, what must we learn? Psalm 84:10; Philippians 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:6

Note: “Talent is too much idolized, and station too much coveted. There are too many who will do nothing unless they are recognized as leaders; too many who must receive praise, or they have no interest to labor. What we need to learn is faithfulness in making the utmost use of the powers and opportunities we have, and contentment in the lot to which Heaven assigns us.” Education, 117

2.b. What is God’s plan for His gifts to the church? Ephesians 4:13

Note: “God is leading a people out from the world upon the exalted platform of eternal truth, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. He will discipline and fit up His people. They will not be at variance, one believing one thing, and another having faith and views entirely opposite, each moving independently of the body. Through the diversity of the gifts and governments that He has placed in the church, they will all come to the unity of the faith. If one man takes his views of the Bible truth without regard to the opinions of his brethren, and justifies his course, alleging that he has a right to his own peculiar views, and then presses them upon others, how can he be fulfilling the prayer of Christ? … Where will be that harmony which existed between Christ and His Father, and which Christ prayed might exist among His brethren?” Testimonies, Vol. 3, 446, 447

2.c. What principle, associated with diverse gifts, will promote unity in the church? Romans 12:6–9; Ephesians 4:15, 16

Note: “Oh, how Satan would rejoice if he could succeed in his efforts to get in among this people and disorganize the work at a time when thorough organization is essential and will be the greatest power to keep out spurious uprisings and to refute claims not endorsed by the word of God! We want to hold the lines evenly, that there shall be no breaking down of the system of organization and order that has been built up by wise, careful labor.” Testimonies, Vol. 9, 257, 258

Tuesday

3 IDENTIFYING AND OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

3.a. How much can we accomplish if we work without using practical wisdom? Proverbs 24:3, 4; Ecclesiastes 10:10. Explain the importance of cooperation.

Note: “It is not a good sign when men refuse to unite with their brethren and prefer to act alone. Let laborers take into their confidence the brethren who are free to point out every departure from right principles. If men wear the yoke of Christ, they cannot pull apart; they will draw with Christ.

“Some workers pull with all the power that God has given them, but they have not yet learned that they should not pull alone. Instead of isolating themselves, let them draw in harmony with their fellow laborers. Unless they do this, their activity will work at the wrong time and in the wrong way. They will often work counter to that which God would have done, and thus their work is worse than wasted.” Testimonies, Vol. 9, 258, 259

3.b. In the days of Nehemiah, how did the enemies try to hinder God’s work? Nehemiah 4:7–16. How did the reformer respond to distractions, and with what result? Nehemiah 4:6, 17, 18; 6:1–4, 15

Note: “They [the enemies of Israel] attempted to cause division among the workmen by suggesting doubts and arousing unbelief as to their success. They also ridiculed the efforts of the builders, declared the enterprise an impossibility, and predicted a disgraceful failure. … Emissaries of the enemy, professing friendliness, mingled with the builders, suggesting changes in the plan, seeking in various ways to divert the attention of the workers.” Christian Service, 173

“Every device that the prince of darkness can suggest will be employed to induce God’s servants to form a confederacy with the agents of Satan. Repeated solicitations will come to call them from duty; but, like Nehemiah, they should steadfastly reply, ‘I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.’ God’s workers may safely keep on with their work, letting their efforts refute the falsehoods that malice may coin for their injury. Like the builders on the walls of Jerusalem they must refuse to be diverted from their work by threats or mockery or falsehood. Not for one moment are they to relax their watchfulness or vigilance, for enemies are continually on their track. Ever they must make their prayer to God ‘and set a watch against them day and night.’ Nehemiah 4:9.” Prophets and Kings, 659

Wednesday

4 DANGERS

4.a. What is one of the greatest problems for those who are called to be saved? Psalm 119:176; Isaiah 53:6

4.b. How does Jesus deal with those who have a tendency to go astray? Matthew 18:12–14; 1 Peter 2:25

Note: “If one strays from the fold, he is not followed with harsh words and with a whip, but with winning invitations to return.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 273

4.c. What happens if we refuse to be rescued? Hebrews 12:25; 2:3; Isaiah 1:20

Note: “Those who are inclined to regard their individual judgment as supreme are in grave peril. It is Satan’s studied effort to separate such ones from those who are channels of light, through whom God has wrought to build up and extend His work in the earth. To neglect or despise those whom God has appointed to bear the responsibilities of leadership in connection with the advancement of the truth is to reject the means that He has ordained for the help, encouragement, and strength of His people. For any worker in the Lord’s cause to pass these by, and to think that his light must come through no other channel than directly from God, is to place himself in a position where he is liable to be deceived by the enemy and overthrown. The Lord in His wisdom has arranged that by means of the close relationship that should be maintained by all believers, Christian shall be united to Christian and church to church. Thus the human instrumentality will be enabled to cooperate with the divine. Every agency will be subordinate to the Holy Spirit, and all the believers will be united in an organized and well-directed effort to give to the world the glad tidings of the grace of God.” The Acts of the Apostles, 164

“We are living amid the perils of the last days, and if we have a spirit of self-sufficiency and independence we shall be exposed to the wiles of Satan and be overcome. Self-importance must be put away from you, and you be hid in God, depending alone upon Him for strength. The churches do not need your labor. If you are consecrated to God, you can labor in new fields, and God will work with you. Purity of heart and life God will accept. Anything short of this, He will not regard. We must suffer with Christ if we would reign with Him.” Testimonies, Vol. 3, 66

Thursday

5 PRESS TOGETHER

5.a. What was Christ’s greatest concern for the young church after His departure? What “credentials” must we show before outsiders can believe that we are Christ’s true followers? John 13:34, 35; 17:21

Note: “The world is against us, the popular churches are against us, the laws of the land will soon be against us. If there was ever a time when the people of God should press together, it is now. God has committed to us the special truths for this time to make known to the world. The last message of mercy is now going forth. We are dealing with men and women who are judgment bound. How careful should we be in every word and act to follow closely the Pattern, that our example may lead men to Christ. With what care should we seek so to present the truth that others by beholding its beauty and simplicity may be led to receive it. If our characters testify of its sanctifying power, we shall be a continual light to others—living epistles, known and read of all men. We cannot afford now to give place to Satan by cherishing disunion, discord, and strife.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 236

“God has made His church a channel of light, and through it He communicates His purposes and His will. He does not give one an experience independent of the church. He does not give one man a knowledge of His will for the entire church, while the church, Christ’s body, is left in darkness.” Ibid., Vol. 3, 414

“God has invested His church with special authority and power which no one can be justified in disregarding and despising, for in so doing he despises the voice of God.” Ibid., 417

5.b. Will there ever be a time when church fellowship will cease to be appropriate for God’s people? John 10:16; Hebrews 10:25

Note: “Some have advanced the thought that, as we near the close of time, every child of God will act independently of any religious organization. But I have been instructed by the Lord that in this work there is no such thing as every man’s being independent. The stars of heaven are all under law, each influencing the other to do the will of God, yielding their common obedience to the law that controls their action. And, in order that the Lord’s work may advance healthfully and solidly, His people must draw together.” Testimonies, Vol. 9, 258

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What attitude is in the very air we breathe? What is the difference between a hierarchy and God’s system of organization?

2 What has God provided in His church to facilitate unity of action?

3 In order to succeed in accomplishing the work assigned to us in God’s great vineyard, how must we work in relation to our fellow workers?

4 What are some great dangers we face in these last days?

5 What is a key component in our preparation for Christ’s soon advent?