IN 1965 the Ecumenical Council issued a statement encouraging Catholics to study the Bible. 1966 has been proclaimed "The Year of the Bible" by the American Bible Society in celebration of its 150th anniversary. Many public officials including the governors of various
States have issued public declarations urging the people in this country to read and study the Bible during this year. This recognition of the need to study the Scriptures is a golden opportunity for Seventh-day Adventists to carry the Bible to their neighbors and friends, and to urge them to become acquainted with God's plan for their lives.
Doors Thrown Open
The following statement can be fulfilled literally if we take advantage of the opening that has been created by these two proclamations: "In visions of the night, representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God's people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great Day of Pentecost. Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 126.
A new system of encouraging our non-Adventist friends to study our message has been developed in the Southeastern California Conference during the past year and a half. Using a set of lessons called "The Bible Speaks" and a Friendship Bible, thousands of students have begun to study the third angel's message. The set of lessons named above contains 24 simple, concise lessons covering most of our vital teachings. A brief introduction is followed by the question-and-answer system of teaching. A Bible is lent to the student with the understanding that he may keep the Bible when he has completed the 24 lessons. All the answers to the questions in the lessons are answered by a text which the student easily finds in the Bible. There are approximately 12 to 15 questions, which are followed by a brief summary and an appeal to which the student may respond if he wishes.
Twenty-one Lessons in One Week!
The enthusiasm with which the lessons have been received on the part of both the laymen who deliver them and the students who study them has been thrilling. Thousands of our laymen have found real joy in helping those not of our faith in gaining a new understanding of God's Word. Many of the students have stated that the Bible has become a new book since they have used this simple study plan. Some of the most thrilling conversions we have witnessed have occurred in connection with the study of these lessons. One woman did 21 lessons in one week at the suggestion of her mother. When she had completed the lessons she attended an evangelistic meeting, and just one week later was asking for baptism. A Church of Christ member studying the lessons was asked what she thought of them. She stated, "What I like about them is that it is not doctrine one studies, it is the Bible, and the Bible only." The fact that the student finds the answers in the Bible seems to take away completely the prejudice that is so often found in the one who studies one of our correspondence courses where the texts are printed in the lesson sheet. The student becomes acquainted with the Bible as he systematically studies the lessons.
Carry the Word to Every Door
The pen of inspiration has advised us, "A great work can be done by presenting to the people the Bible just as it reads. Carry the Word of God to every man's door, urge its plain statements upon every man's conscience, repeat to all the Saviour's command, 'Search the Scriptures.' Admonish them to take the Bible as it is, to implore the divine enlightenment, and then, when the light shines, to gladly accept each precious ray, and fearlessly abide the consequences.' —Evangelism, p. 434. (Italics supplied.)
This plan has spread across the United States until there are well over 50,000 students studying the Bible in this manner. The enthusiasm expressed by the students as they take the Bible and quickly find the answer to the questions has worked miracles in sustaining the interest on the part of the laymen in delivering the lessons week after week.
How the Plan Works in Detail
Using the Friendship Bible, someone enrolls the student. This may be done by the layman who is to deliver the rest of the lessons, a colporteur, a chaplain in one of our hospitals, a doctor, or a minister. The Bible and the first two lessons are left with the student, with the understanding that the Bible will be given to him free when he has completed the 24 lessons. A brief explanation is given about the Bible and the lessons. It is necessary to show him that "NT" means that the text is found in the New Testament, and "OT" before the page number indicates that the texts are found in the Old Testament. A brief instruction sheet has been prepared and is left with the first two lessons. The student is told that each week someone will drop by and pick up the two completed lessons and leave two new lessons. A schedule is set up that will be convenient to the student and the one who delivers the lessons. A special report form has been prepared on which the visitor registers the responses of the student as he progresses. Three times during the period the lessons are being studied the layman sends a report to the pastor, keeping him informed, and he also seeks his help when it is needed.
An instruction sheet is also given to the visitor, which gives suggestions as to how he can draw out the student and discover how he feels about what he has studied. A bond of friendship between the student and the visitor is soon formed, and when the time comes for meetings to be held, or an invitation is given to attend church services, the student has a friend and trusted instructor with whom he can attend the meetings.
Reaping the Harvest
The program has been in use only about nine months at this writing, but results are being seen. One pastor reports 35 won by this means. Another claims 27 baptized as a result of taking the lessons in this way. Two colporteurs working as a team point to 24 persons who enrolled in this plan in the past nine months and have now been baptized. The publishing secretary calls it the greatest plan that has ever been developed to win souls through the colporteur work.
One pastor states that he has a complaint to register against the plan: "We have more interest than we can possibly follow up." One of the unique parts of this plan is the manner in which the student will in turn enroll his neighbors and relatives. One student who was baptized has involved six other young families in the studies, and all of these are looking forward to baptism in the near future. Another man who experienced a miraculous conversion through the influence of the Holy Spirit has influenced members of five other families related to him to accept the Lord through this study plan. One of our evangelists using the lessons in connection with his meetings knows of more than 200 persons who in 1965 united with churches in the area as a result of the lessons and the follow-up of them by the evangelistic team.
At the present time plans are being formed to use all the various departments of our work to develop interest in the study of the Bible in this way. We believe that before long the contacts made by our medical work, literature evangelists, and Ingathering work will supply all the interest that we can possibly contain.
