Adaptation of Bible Studies
MARGARET COSBY: Bible Instructor, New Jersey Conference
"the reception of the gospel does not depend on learned testimonies, eloquent speeches, or deep arguments, but upon its simplicity, and its adaptation to those who are hungering for the bread of life." "Your success will not depend so much upon your knowledge and accomplishments, as upon your ability to find your way to the heart." Gospel Workers, pp. 155, 193.
We know that these divine principles are true. The problem of the Bible instructor is to find the way to apply these principles so that she may claim the di vine promises of success. Two recent experiments in adaptation may be of interest.
Faith, Prayer, and Bible Study
Mrs. Y is recovering from a severe stroke of paralysis. My first calls were very brief, with the reading of a short Scripture and prayer. As her strength increased I gradually lengthened my reading, until I felt she was ready for studies. Special prayer and planning led to a series of Christ-centered studies. God's eternal purpose revealed in Christ, God's love revealed in Christ, Jesus' lessons on prayer such were our first studies. These led us to the blessed hope of our Lord's soon return.
Since then the doctrines have been presented in quite the usual order, as the teachings of Jesus. At Christmas we studied the 490 years of the ninth chapter of Daniel, to establish the prophetic import of the first advent.
We have spent much time studying the Sab bath, the Lord's day, instituted by Jesus Christ, commanded and sanctified by His blessing and example. One lesson dealt with Jesus' Sabbathkeeping. We noted His many miracles of healing on the Sabbath, that men might always associate God's love and power with His holy day of rest. Soon after this lesson Mrs. Y took her first steps alone one Sabbath afternoon. She told her husband that God was doing the same work for her on the Sabbath as Jesus did while here on earth. She is looking forward to the time when she can attend church.
Teaching the Kingdom
When I started studying with Mrs. D, again I sought and prayed for the right avenue of approach, the way to her heart. She is a woman of keen intelligence and straight thinking, earnestly searching for truth.
We are centering our studies around the theme of the kingdom" of God. Our very first study on God's eternal purpose was based on the assurance, "The earth is the Lord's," "His kingdom ruleth over alL" God is preparing citizens for His kingdom, and when that work is done the kingdom will be restored to its original perfection. Qualifications for heavenly citizenship, preparation for citizenship, Christ's example of citizenship thus we are developing our theme.
The appreciation and enjoyment of the studies by these two women assure me that God has opened for me the way to their hearts. I believe He will lead them into full fellowship with the remnant people.
Health and Temperate Living ( Bible study outline)
ZELDA FORRESTER REISS: Former Student, S.D.A. Theological Seminary
I. INTRODUCTION:
A. We are bought with a price. 1 Cor. 6:20.
B. God's purpose is that we may prosper and be in health. 3 John 2.
C. God can heal our diseases as well as forgive our iniquities. Ps. 103:3.
II. OUR BODIES BELONG TO GOD.
A. Body is temple of Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 6:19, 3:16, 17.
B. Body temple likened to earthly temple or church. Ex. 25:8.
C. "Ye are the temple of God." 2 Cor. 6:16;1 Cor. 3:16.
III. OUR BODIES MUST BE KEPT SACRED TO GOD, AS HIS EARTHLY TEMPLE.
A. Glorify God in the body. 1 Cor. 6:20.
B. We must eat and drink to the glory of God.1 Cor. 10:31.
C. Be temperate in all things. 1 Cor. 9:25, 27.
D. Moderation is important. Phil. 4:5.
E. God will destroy the individual who defiles the temple of God, or his body. 1 Cor. 3:17.
IV. CARE OF THE BODY SHOULD INCLUDE GOOD HEALTH HABITS.
A. Balanced diet.
B. Proper rest.
C. Proper exercise and fresh air.
D. Proper warmth and modesty of dress.
E. Proper work program.
V. GOD'S ORIGINAL DIET LIST.
A. Fruits, grains, nuts, vegetables. Gen. 1:29; 2:16.
B. After Flood clean meats were added to original diet. Vegetation had been destroyed. Gen. 7:1-3.
1. Clean meats differentiated from unclean meats. Lev. 11:1-30, 44, 46; Deuteronomy 14.
2. God knew how the animals were made, and in His kindness He told us which to leave alone.
3. Into the ark God commanded to take seven each of the clean animals, male and female, and two each of the unclean animals, male and female.
4. Unclean animals are scientifically harm ful to the body. (Use scientific statement showing the facts concerning trichinosis of swine's flesh.)
5. Those eating swine's flesh will not be found in kingdom of heaven. Isa, 66:17.
C. God's original diet for man included nothing that is harmful to man. Strong drinks, habit-forming drinks, drugs, and all alcoholic beverages are excluded from the diet of the Christian, for these harm the body; These include:
1. coffee
2. tea
3. tobacco
4. alcoholic beverages of all kinds
5. all unhealthful combinations of foods.
VI. GOD'S PROMISE TO THE OBEDIENT.
A. He will keep him in health. Ex. 15:26; Ps. 103:1-5.
B. His body will be changed into a glorious body at coming of Jesus. Phil. 3:20, 21; 1 John 3:1-3.
VII. CLIMAX.
A. God's challenge to us is to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, wholly accept able to Him. Rom. 12:1.
Repairing the Breach in God's Law (Bible study outline)
MRS. GERTRUDE BATTLE: Bible Instructor, Georgia-Cumberland Conference
[EDITORIAL NOTE. The following Bible study, with its unique diagram, will help to teach lessons on the importance of entering the remnant church to assist in repairing the breach in God's law. Mrs. Gertrude Battle is here presenting some excellent thoughts for making clear the call out of modern Babylon or Egypt. She has been successful in using this diagram to convince people of the solemn importance of such a step. Though this is a Heaven sent message, it involves more than changing one's rest day from Sunday to Saturday. Mrs. Battle here with stresses letting the experience serve to enter into Christ's true rest of soul. That will be a preparation for entering the New Jerusalem at last. Helpful thoughts, Mrs. Battle! L. C. K.]
I. The Commandment Wall.
1. In the parable of the vineyard (Isaiah 5) God "fenced it," or, as the margin reads, "made a wall about it." Verse 2, margin.
2. There is peace within this wall. Ps. 122:7; Isa. 48:18. (No peace outside. Isa. 48:22.)
3. No matter what part of the wall one breaks through, he is on the outside of the whole enclosure. James 2:10.
4. God's church is a commandment-keeping church. He also calls it Jerusalem. False churches are termed Babylon; the world is symbolized by Egypt.
II. The Breach in the Law.
1. The people who do this work are called repairers of the breach. Isa. 58:12.
2. This breach to be repaired is the restoration of the true Sabbath. Isa, 8:16; 58:13; Eze. 22:26.
3. In the 1844 movement opportunity had been given the nominal churches to build up this breach. They refused. Rev. 14:6-12; Eze. 13:2, 5; 22:30.
III. Called Out of Babylon and Egypt.
1. God's people called out of Babylon and Egypt came into His commandment-keeping church, Jerusalem. Rev. 18:4. (See Isa. 27:12, 13.)
2. Repairing the breach and the sealing work identical movements. Eze. 9:1-6; 13; Rev. 7:1-3.
IV. Completing the Repairing of the Breach.
1. After their severity years' captivity God called ancient Israel out of Babylon. The completion of the rebuilding of the wall was done in "troublous times." Dan. 9:25; Neh. 4:17, 18- They were safely established in their city when this wall was Completely restored.
2. When the sealing work is finished (the re pairing of the breach) then modern Israel will also be safely inside God's great law of love. Isa. 4:3.
3. As the closing of the door of Noah's ark marked the end of probation for the antediluvian world, so the repairing of this breach in the law of God will mark the end of probation. Rev. 14:9-12, 14-16; 10:7; 22:11.
V. Entering Into Rest.
1. True Sabbathkeeping is not just a matter of another day. It is the outward sign of an inner life. Eze. 20:12. Of the thousands who entered Canaan only a few entered into God's rest. Heb. 4:1,2; Isa. 28:12.
2. True Sabbathkeeping prefigures the saints' rest in Christ. Matt. 11:28-30; Heb. 4:9.
VI. Appeal.
Shall we not leave the confusions of modern Babylon and the worldliness of modern Egypt to help repair the breach in God's law? Entering into God's Sabbath truth is a foretaste of entering into the rest Jesus has promised us in the New Jerusalem. (Heb. 4:9.) He is coming soon, and we must prepare for His return by holy living. (1 John 3:2-4.)
