The Marked Word represents Bible truth in a systematic, easy-to-understand way. The author does not pretend to offer an exhaustive series of lessons but success fully gives a foundation for the distinctive features of Adventism. She enhances the studies with useful charts and visual aids.
The carefully worked out Bible-marking plan precedes the study program (constituting about a third of the package), and will take some patience and time on the part of those who use it. The marking guidebook moves sequentially through every book in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, showing what to underline and cross-reference and annotate at every step. While marking the Bible one wonders how the various texts will eventually be tied together in the lessons that follow. But once you complete the mechanical aspect of Bible marking, you can give every lesson in the study plan.
The series includes collateral readings from Ellen White. Anyone unacquainted with her writings will gain a judicious and appealing exposure to them, because the studies use them solely to illuminate and magnify Bible truth.
These studies reveal a clear vision of the gospel and a skillful arrangement of subjects. Their appealing treatment of life-changing truths is Christ-centered. Usu ally Adventist Bible study plans place the Sabbath before lessons on the sanctuary and the judgment. However, the Sabbath derives its prophetic significance from Christ's sanctuary ministry, especially in the Most Holy Place. After all, the first angel's message proclaims the hour of God's judgment before pointing to the Sabbath (Rev. 14:7). Recognizing this, the author places the Sabbath after an in-depth study of the atonement. I know of no other major series of published Bible studies that arranges the subject matter in this way. Battle's treatment of the new birth, though interesting and sound, could use fuller development. On the whole the lessons are clear, enjoyable, inspirational, and practical. I would especially recommend them for new Adventists and to those who want to gain a fuller grasp of present truth. This series not only conveys the fundamentals of Adventist faith, but develops careful Bible students.