Study Guide: Christian Service
By Ellen G. White
Study
Guide Index
Prepared under the auspices of the
Ellen G. White Estate and the Department of Lay Activities of the General Conference
- Review and Herald Publishing Association
- Silver Spring, MD.
- Copyright 1971 by
- The Ellen G. White Estate, Inc.
- PRINTED IN U.S.A.
This study guide groups the twenty-seven
chapters of the book Instruction for Effective Christian Service into
ten lessons. Each lesson calls for the reading of two or three chapters or about
thirty pages of text. Thus in a convenient and systematic study program all
church members may become well acquainted with the best and most effective methods
of witnessing for their Lord.
Before the book Christian Service
was compiled and published in 1925 the Seventh-day Adventist layman and worker
found it necessary to peruse a number of Spirit of Prophecy volumes to gain
the full picture of the privileges and responsibilities and to discover the
best method by which the Christian may share his faith. It was to make these
valuable Spirit of Prophecy counsels available in one convenient source book
that the little volume was issued. Not only were the vital statements appearing
in the Ellen G. White books drawn together in one volume, but many choice statements
from the thousands of Ellen G. White periodical articles were also included.
The reader is impressed that Ellen
White in her counsels wrote as one who enjoyed a rich experience in sharing
her faith under many and varied circumstances, but always as a joyful, buoyant,
confident Christian.
As to procedure, it is suggested
that after studying the material in each lesson the student turn to the questions.
Page numbers in parentheses indicate location of the answers as found in the
book Christian Service. Questions are to be answered, quotations are
to be completed by filling in the missing word or words, or the correct answers
are to be indicated in matching statements.
To facilitate locating readily the
item in question, the paragraph on the page in Christian Service is indicated
by number. Paragraph 1 is the first full paragraph on the page. The balance
of a paragraph carried over from the preceding page is numbered 0. Thus page
8 carries paragraphs 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
This guide is made available through
the joint effort of the Department of Lay Activities of the General Conference
and the Ellen G. White Estate. A meaningful, prayerful participation in this
study course can only lead to a deeper understanding of practical Christianity
and a more effective witnessing.
THE TRUSTEES OF THE ELLEN
G. WHITE PUBLICATIONS
Washington, D.C.
March 23, 1971
CONTENTS
- Lesson 1--God's Call to Service
- The Call to Young People
- Students to Do Missionary Work
- Lesson 2--Facing the Situation
- Conditions Among God's People
- World Conditions Facing the
Christian Worker
- Lesson 3--Assessing Our Potentials
- The Church a Training Center
- Cooperation of Ministers and
Laymen
- The Home a Missionary Training
Center
- Lesson 4--Organizing for Service
- Organizing Christian Forces
- Arousement
- Lesson 5--Divine Techniques of
Service
- Methods
- Medical Missionary Work
- Bible Evangelism
- Lesson 6--Contacting the Public
- Ministry of the Printed Page
- Religious Liberty
- Harvest Ingathering
- Lesson 7--Enlarging the Kingdom
- The Church Expansion Movement
- Christian Help Work
- The Camp Meeting an Aid to Christian
Service
- The Home-Foreign Field
- Reaching the Influential
- Lesson 8--Incentives and Variety
of Service
- The Prayer and Missionary Meeting
- Miscellaneous Lines of Missionary
Work
- Lesson 9--Qualifications for Service
- Qualifications for Successful
Christian Service
- The Holy Spirit
- Lesson 10--The Triumphant Note
- Assurance of Success
- Reward of Service
LESSON 1
GOD'S CALL TO SERVICE
READING ASSIGNMENT: Christian
Service, pp. 7-34; 64-66
STUDY TEXT: "As thou hast sent me
into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world." John 17:18.
STUDY QUESTIONS: Fill in the missing
word or words or answer the questions in the appropriate blanks. The numbers
at the end of each question indicate where the answers are found.
1. Christ has given His life" _____________________
a church capable of _____________________, the _____________________, and the
_____________________." (p. 13, par. 4)
2. Whom has He chosen to do this
work? (p. 7, par. 1)
3. "_____________________ could have
proclaimed His truth through _____________________, but this is not His plan.
He chooses _____________________, _____________________ compassed with infirmity,
as instruments in the working out of His designs." (p. 7, par. 5)
4. Give the reason humanity is needed,
in combination with divinity, for the work of bringing salvation to the world.
(p. 8, par. 4)
5. "God _________________________________________
without human agencies." (p. 9, par. 2)
6. "_______________________ should
be the life work of every one who professes Christ." (p. 10, par. 1)
7. Each one of us has a Heaven-assigned
work to do, which no one can do in our place. Prove this statement with two
references.
a. __________________________________________
(p. 9, par. 3)
b. __________________________________________
(p. 10, par. 4)
8. What happens when we leave the
work of benevolence to organizations? (p. 10, par. 2)
a. ______________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________
9. "Every individual, from the lowest
and most obscure to the greatest and most exalted, is a _____________________
for which he is _____________________." (p. 13, par. 2)
10. What part is the church to play
in carrying forward the work of God? (p. 14, par. 2; p. 15, par. 1)
11. "Enfeebled and defective as it
may appear, _____________________ is the one object upon which God bestows in
a special sense _____________________." (p. 13, par. 5)
12. We are to "acknowledge His grace
as made known through the holy men of old," but what will be "most effectual"?
(p. 16, par. 3)
13. What does each of us have that
is different from what anyone else in the world has? (p. 16, par. 3)
14. In what three respects is our
witness to be like that of the first missionaries whom Christ sent to Decapolis?
(p. 17, par. 2)
a. ______________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________
15. Each one of us has three gifts,
given to us of God, that are to be used in winning souls to Christ. They are:
a. _____________________ b. _____________________
c. _____________________ (p. 19, par. 3)
16. For Christ we are to be:
a. Consecrated " _____________________
of light" (p. 18, pars. 1, 2)
b. "a living _____________________"
(p. 19, par. 1)
c. Christ's " _____________________
upon earth" (p. 19, par. 4)
d. "_____________________ in the
world" (p 20, par 3)
e. "Instruments of _____________________,
_____________________, _____________________ stones, emitting light" (p. 20,
par 4); "Every soul is to be _____________________ and _____________________."
(p 21, par. 5)
17. If we fail "to give light to
others," we will be "_____________________ to God." (p. 21, par. 3)
18. What will working for Christ
do for our own souls? (p. 22, par. 1)
19. Our divine commission is:
a) "to be a _____________________"
(p. 22, par 4) and
b) "to proclaim _____________________"
(p. 23, par. 3) "to every _____________________, _____________________, _____________________,
and the tidings of _________ through Christ." (p. 23, par. 3)
20. What is the "most powerful argument"
for Christianity? (p. 26, par. 1)
21. Who can do a work "that will
exceed that of men," and why? (p. 27, par. 2)
22. "With such an army of workers
as _____________________, _____________________, might furnish, how soon the
message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to _____________________!"
(p. 30, par. 2)
23. Youthful workers must " _____________________
to God" They must be "_____________________, and led to see that He _____________________
something to _____________________." They must be taught how to _____________________
for the Master. They must be _____________________, _____________________, _____________________
in the best method of winning souls to Christ. (p. 30, par. 5)
24. What group of people are youth
best qualified to work for? (p. 33, par. 2)
25. While they are in training for
their life work, students in schools should take "time to do _____________________
time to become _____________________ with the _____________________ of the families
in the community around them." (p. 64, par. 5)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. What is God's plan for passing
on the truth from those who know it to those who are seeking it? (p. 8, par.
2)
2. Could God have accomplished His
work without our help? (p. 8, par. 3)
3. Why does He involve us in sharing
His work? (p. 8, par. 3; p. 10, par. 2)
4. Are only the educated and specially
trained men and women to engage in missionary work? (pp. 24, 25)
LESSON 2
FACING THE SITUATION
READING ASSIGNMENT: Christian
Service, pp. 35-57
STUDY TEXT: Isaiah 60:1-5
1. "Our faith testifies that we are
living under the proclamation of the most solemn and important message that
was ever given to mortals. Yet . . . our _____________________, our _____________________,
our spirit of _____________________, do not compare with the character of the
work." (p. 35, par. 3)
2. Our churches give donations in
money, but what have they withheld from God? (p. 35, par. 4)
3. Compare the experience of those
complacent folk who possess unused talents and qualities with those who begrudge
blessings to others. Is their condition any better before God? (pp. 36, 37)
4. "Greater perils are before us,
and yet we are not awake." Where does this "death stupor" come from? (p. 37,
par. 1)
5. Why does this "pall of death"
surround our churches today? (p. 37, pars. 2, 3)
6. As a result of the "church's neglect
to work in Christ's lines" "a spirit of _____________________ and _____________________
has come into the church, and the _____________________ of many has been dimmed."
(p. 38, par. 3)
7. Why is the church not alarmed
about their spiritual lethargy and lack of spiritual power? (p. 39, par. 1)
8. God's people will perish, not
"because they do not know the way, the truth, and the light," but why? (p. 39,
par. 1)
9. Define "our neighbor." (p. 39,
par. 2 through p. 40, par. 0)
10. Satan works to lead men away
from the work of the third angel's message by bringing in "_____________________
on one hand and _____________________ on the other." (p. 40, par. 1)
11. In a message from Ellen White
read to the General Conference session of 1893, what percentage of registered
church members did she say were then "prepared to close their earthly history"?
(p. 41, par. 1)
12. God calls for Christians to be
prepared for what "is soon to break upon the world" by a _____________________
and a _____________________in their lives (p. 41, par. 3; p. 42, par. 1)
13. Revival is defined as: (p. 42,
par. 2)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
c. _____________________
14. Reformation signifies (p. 42,
par. 2)
a._____________________
b. _____________________ and _____________________
c. _____________________ and _____________________
15. Because many in the church refuse
to "lift the burdens," what is happening to those who are willing to work? (p.
45, par. 3)
16. "Professors" of the truth, in
the last days, will be "found wanting" because
a. "they have _____________________"
b. "their conversion _____________________"
c."they do not know _____________________"
d. "they can give no intelligent
reason _____________________"
e. "others are not _____________________
or edified by their experience." (p. 45, par. 4 through p. 46, par. 0)
17. Describe briefly Mrs. White's
dream concerning the berry-picking episode. What was the meaning of it? (pp.
46-49)
18. There are two events that will
herald the coming of Jesus. They are:
a. "The substitution of the _____________________
for the _____________________" and
b. "the exaltation by merely human
authority, of _____________________ in _____________________ of the Bible _____________________."
(p. 50, par. 2)
19. "In quick succession the judgments
of God will follow one another--_____________________, and _____________________,
and _____________________, with _____________________ and _____________________."
(p. 51, par. 1)
20. List ten activities in which,
even in the face of crisis, men are engaged. (p. 51, par. 2)
21. Who is working harder than ever
during this period? Why? (p. 54, pars. 2, 3)
22. Even during this time "the professed
Christian churches are not converting the world." Why are they unable to do
so? (p. 55, par. 2)
23. What is the definition of "infidelity"
as it prevails in many of the churches in the world today? (p. 56, par. 1)
24. In spite of all the iniquity
in the earth, "God has _____________________ who have not bowed the knee to
Baal." (p. 57, par. 2)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. Why was Meroz, spoken of in this
chapter, cursed? What is the application to our lives? (see Judges 5:23)
2. On page 44 Mrs. White speaks of
a class of people that God will reject. Do I fit into this classification?
3. What is the application of the
berry-picking dream to my own life?
LESSON 3
ASSESSING OUR POTENTIALS
READING ASSIGNMENT: Christian
Service, pp. 58-63; 67-71; 206-210
STUDY TEXT: "All scripture is inspired
by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for resetting
the direction of a man's life and training him in good living." 2 Timothy 3:16,
Phillips translation.*
1. We have established that there
is a great work to be done and workers to carry it on. Given the need and the
workers, what is the next great need? (p. 58, par. 1)
2. To provide efficient workers,
"God expects His church to _____________________ and _____________________ for
the work of enlightening the world." (p. 58, par. 2)
3. Our people should be taught not
to depend upon the ministers, but to " _____________________" and "_____________________."
(p. 58, par. 5)
4. "By _____________________ and
_____________________" our people are "to be qualified to meet any emergency."
(p. 59, par. 2)
5. The church teaching curriculum
should include instructions in--
a. "How to _________________________________,"
b. "how to conduct and _______________________________,"
c. "how best to help ______________________________
and to care _________________________," and
d. "how to _____________________."
(p. 59, par. 3)
6. What should be the organizational
plan of these training schools? (p. 59, par. 3)
7. How many people in the church
are to be given an opportunity to work in God's cause? (p. 61, pars. 3, 4; p.
62, par. 1)
8. God "desires us to obtain all
the education possible" so that, "if it is necessary we can present the truths
of His word _____________________ in such a way as to glorify His name." (p.
62, par. 4)
9. What does the parable, told by
Mrs. White, of the cutting of the garments, mean to you? (p. 63, pars. 1, 2)
10. Why should the minister not be
compelled to carry most of the burden of "sowing the seeds of truth" alone?
(p. 67, pars. 2, 4)
11. There is an ideal twofold working
combination that should be found in the church. What do these involve? (p. 67,
par. 5)
a. _____________________ and
b. _____________________
12. Why has the labor of "our most
able ministers" at times been "productive of little good"? (p. 69, par. 3)
13. "The best help that ministers
can give the members of our churches is not _____________________, but _____________________."
(p. 69, par. 4)
14. To what positions is a minister
compared? (p. 70, par. 2)
a._____________________
b._____________________
15. The church is an important training
center, but where is the foundation training of a life of service to be found?
(p. 206, pars. 1-5)
16. In the work of the church and
the training of workers, who can be "one of the greatest missionaries in the
world"? (p. 207, par. 2)
17. What is "a powerful argument
in favor of the reality of the Christian religion"? (p. 208, par. 1)
18. Even though "our sphere of influence
may seem narrow, our ability small, our opportunities few, our acquirements
limited," yet we can provide channels for "streams of healing" if we will but
"_____________________ and _____________________ to the divine principles of
life." (p. 209, par. 1)
19. To bring our homes up to this
standard, what is necessary? (p. 209)
20. Children who have been "dedicated
to God" through daily prayer are guarded by "_____________________." It is the
parents "to _____________________" by "earnest prayer and persevering faith."
(p. 210, par. 3)
21. When roving bands of Canaanites
came upon an encampment that Abraham had deserted, what did they find beside
the place he had pitched his tent? (p. 210, par. 4)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. Can a minister be a very hard
worker and yet be failing in his ministry to his church? (p. 70, par. 3)
2. Does God have a place in His work
especially for me? Am I training myself to better fill that position?
3. What will happen if I do not do
the work that has been left for me to do? (See the parable of the berries in
last week's lesson)
* Text from The New Testament in
Modern English, J. B. Phillips, 1958. Used by permission of The Macmillan Company.
LESSON 4
ORGANIZING FOR SERVICE
READING ASSIGNMENT: Christian
Service, pp. 72-112
STUDY TEXTS: Titus 1:5; 1 Corinthians
14:40
1. What are the three characteristics
of companies of workers that are to be formed in every church? (p. 72, pars.
2-4, 7)
a. _____________________,
b. _____________________,
c. _____________________
2. Since "God is a God of order,"
how are we not to work for Him? (p. 73, par. 1)
3. God gives us two examples of order
and discipline in organization. They are: (p. 73, pars. 2-5)
a. _____________________
b._____________________
4. At the time of conversion "every
one" should be "_________________________________________." (p. 74, par. 1)
5. God does not require His church
to provide "numerous institutions, large buildings, or great display," but He
does require "__________________________________________ of a peculiar people."
(p. 74, par. 2)
6. To what is the orderly organization
of our denomination compared? (p. 74, par. 4)
7. Can we expect the help of the
angels in heaven if we do not characterize our work with harmony and order?
(p. 75, pars.1-3)
8. What would make Satan rejoice?
(p. 75, par. 5 through p. 76, par. 0)
9. We are involved in the great battle
against wrong, and our Leader is the King of kings. What are the marching orders
that have come from Him? (p. 77, par. 3 through p. 78, par. 0)
10. Why must we work hard now--"double
our vigilance"? (p. 79)
11. "The work is fast closing up.
. . . We have but a short time in which to work. Let us ___________________________________."
(p. 80, middle)
12. Complete the following phrases
by finishing a line from the upper section with the correct phrase from the
lower section: (pp. 80, 81)
A. "If the followers of Christ
were awake to duty, . . .
B. "Wake up, brethren; . . .
C. "Not one in a hundred among
us . . .
D. "Evil angels are . . .
E. "We are not half awake . . .
F. "We have but a short time .
. .
1. in which to work."
2. upon our track every moment."
3. to the worth of the souls for
whom Christ died."
4. for your own soul's sake, wake
up."
5. is doing anything beyond engaging
in common, worldly enterprises."
6. there would be thousands where
there is one today."
13. Should we wait for "a compelling
power to take hold" of us before we start to work for Christ? What will happen
if we do this? (p. 82, par. 4)
14. What two agencies are combined
in the work of saving souls? (p. 83, par. 4)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
15. " and religion _____________________
hand in hand. . . . The _____________________ will become weak and useless if
they _____________________, and so it is with the _____________________." (p.
84, par. 3)
16. How much work is each of us individually
held accountable for? (p. 86, par. 1)
17. "If every Seventh-day Adventist
____________________________, the number of _____________________. " (p. 86,
par. 3)
18. "In every religious movement
there are some who, . . . still hold themselves aloof, refusing to make any
effort to help." What warning is given to such? (p. 87, par. 2)
19. In the book which Mrs. White
was shown in heaven were recorded the sins of those who profess the truth. What
was "the general heading" under which every other sin was cataloged? (p. 87,
par. 4)
20. Why does God require more of
us than of our fathers? (p. 88, par. 2)
21. What questions will we ask ourselves
at the last day if we find ourselves separated forever from loved ones who are
lost? (p. 91, par. 3 through p. 92, par. 0)
a. __________________________________________
b.__________________________________________
c.__________________________________________
22. On pages 92-94 Mrs. White gives
four forceful illustrations of what others have done to save humanity. List
the stories. (pp. 92-94)
a.__________________________________________
b. __________________________________________
c.__________________________________________
d.__________________________________________
23. "Our standing before God depends,
not __________________________________________, but upon the __________________________________________"
(p. 96, par. 1)
24. Our work is progressing slowly
in the earth--more slowly than God wants it to. Why is this? (p. 97, par. 3)
25. What is the danger involved in
always being "in a bustle of activity"? (p. 98, par. 5 through p. 99, par. 0)
26. "Not more surely is _____________________
for us in the heavenly mansions than is the _____________________ on earth where
we are to __________________________________________." (p. 99, par. 4)
27. Are we to wait for great occasions
on which to witness for Christ? (pp. 99-105)
28. What are the three "watchwords"
for the Christian? (p. 106, par. 2)
a._____________________
b._____________________
c._____________________
29. A three-part remedy is given
for those who are disheartened. What is it? (p. 107, par. 1)
a._____________________
b. _____________________
c._____________________.
30. "It was the joy of Christ to
save souls." As followers of Christ, what should be our "joy" and work? (p.
110, par. 3)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. "If a working church is a living
church," do you suppose we could say "a working church member is a living church
member"?
2. Am I a "living" church member
or a "dead" one?
3. Why do you think Mrs. White refers
to Calebs as "men most needed in these last days"? (p. 85, par. 6)
4. Why was the fig tree cursed? Am
I like that tree? (p. 87, par. 4 through p. 88, par. 0)
5. Compare the last paragraph on
page 84 with the first sentence of paragraph 2 on page 90. How will I have to
answer the question "What are we doing?"
LESSON 5
DIVINE TECHNIQUES OF SERVICE
READING ASSIGNMENT: Christian
Service, pp. 113-144
STUDY TEXT: "Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15.
1. There are two types of work--public
efforts and house-to-house work. Compare these two types of special effort.
(p. 113, par. 1)
2. What are some of the things that
can be done by those who go from house to house? (pp. 113-116)
a._____________________
b. _____________________
c. _____________________
d. _____________________
e. _____________________
3. "The work of Christ was largely
made up of _____________________. He had a faithful regard for the _____________________.
" (p. 116, par. 3)
4. How did the calling of the disciples
illustrate this "one soul" approach? (p. 118, par. 1)
5. Where will we find these "one
soul" audiences to work with? (pp. 118, 119)
6. Mrs. White speaks of four things
we should tell these people we meet. What are they? (p. 124, par. 3)
a. __________________________________________
b. __________________________________________
c. __________________________________________
d. __________________________________________
7. Jesus "varied" His messages. "He
had _____________________ meet the prejudiced minds, and surprise them with
_____________________." (p. 125, par. 2)
8. Before his conversion, Paul "often
sought to impress his hearers by _____________________ ." But after his conversion
he "sought by the use of _____________________ to bring home to the heart the
truths that are of vital importance." (p. 126, par. 1)
9. How should one meet opposition?
Whose help will we have to meet it? (p. 126, par. 2. )
10. What different places are mentioned
as areas in which ministers and canvassers should be located in order to meet
those searching for Christ? What two books are mentioned as being "peculiarly
adapted" for use here? (p. 127, par. 1)
11. Why did Jesus send the twelve,
and later the seventy, two by two? (pp. 127, 128)
12. Is this method to be recommended
for use at this time? (p. 128, par. 0)
13. What particular things can be
done for the poor? (p. 129)
14. What special field is there here
for women? (p. 129, par. 4)
15. Complete the following phrases
by finishing a line from the upper section with the correct phrase from the
lower section: (pp. 132-134)
A. "The medical missionary work
is to bear the same relation to the work of the third angel's message that
. . .
B. "First meet the temporal necessities
of the needy, . . .
C. "The gospel and the medical
missionary work . . .
D. "During His ministry, Jesus
de- voted more time to healing the sick . . .
E. "Genuine medical missionary
work is . . .
F. "Medical missionary work is.
. .
1. are to advance together."
2. the gospel practised."
3. the arm and hand bear to the
body."
4. the pioneer work of the gospel."
5. and you will then find an open
avenue to the heart."
6. than to preaching"
16. Christ did medical missionary
work while He was on earth. He "is no longer in this world in person . . . but
_____________________ to carry forward the . . . work that He began." (p. 135,
par. 5)
17. What will give character to the
work of God? (p. 136, par. 2)
18. Two other lines of medical endeavor
are mentioned in Testimonies, vol. 7, that could well be established.
These are: (pp. 138, 139)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
19. Those who come to such places
"should be supplied _____________________" on "_____________________ and _____________________
reform, and leaflets treating on the lessons of _____________________ should
also be given them." (p. 138, par. 4)
20. What chapter of the Bible is
strongly recommended for study by all Sabbathkeepers who believe in the third
angel's message? (pp. 139, 140)
21. Relate the vision Mrs. White
saw of the two Bible workers. (p. 142, par. 6) What is its application to our
denominational work today?
22. But before we can give Bible
studies, what is necessary? (p. 143, par. 2)
23. "A great work can be done by
_____________________ the _____________________ just as it reads. . . . Admonish
them to take the Bible _____________________, to implore _____________________."
(p. 144, par. 2)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. What is the message of Isaiah
58, and what is its application to my Christian experience?
2. Can only those with extensive
technical training do "medical missionary work"?
3. What are some phases of this work
that we all can help in?
4. Suppose that I am, for some reason,
unable to conduct Bible studies. Are there other ways in which I can take the
Bible to my friends and neighbors?
LESSON 6
CONTACTING THE PUBLIC
READING ASSIGNMENT: Christian
Service, pp. 145-177
STUDY TEXTS: Mark 16:15; 1 Corinthians
9:22
1. "If there is one work more important
than" any other, what is it? (p. 145, par. 1)
2. Mrs. White lists two "silent messengers"
that are "the Lord's means of keeping the message for this time continually
before the people." What are they? (p. 145, par. 3)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
3. What was the instruction given
by the "messenger from heaven" that Mrs. White speaks of? (p. 146, par. 4)
4. Since the book work is a "means
of quickly giving the sacred light of present truth to the world," it follows
that Satan will be trying to counteract its influence. How is he doing this?
(p. 146, par. 5)
5. How widely is the "unvarnished
truth" in printed form to be distributed? (p. 147, par. 3)
6. "The greatest wealth _____________________
ever _____________________, the most solemn and fearful _____________________,
have been committed to them to be given to the world." (p. 148, par. 0)
7. Who does "them" refer to in the
above statement? (p. 147, par. 5)
8. Under whose direction was our
publishing work established, and who supervises it? (p. 148, par. 1)
9. Complete the following phrases
by finishing a line from the upper section with the correct phrase from the
lower section: (pp. 148-151)
A. "The printed word of truth is
. . .
B. "From city to city, from country
to country, they are to . . .
C. "Every dollar of our means should
be considered . . .
D. "Some will be reached by our
literature who . . .
E. "Part of the money that comes
in from the sale of our publications should be used to . . .
F. "I was shown men and women studying
with intense interest . . .
G. "Sell what you can, and lend
or give them away. . .
1. would not be reached in any
other way."
2. papers and a few pages of tracts
upon present truth."
3. as the case may seem to require.
Important results will follow."
4. increase our facilities for
the production of more literature."
5. as the Lord's, not ours; and
as a precious trust from God to us."
6. to be translated into different
languages, and carried to the ends of the earth."
7. carry the publications containing
the promises of the Saviour's soon coming."
10. What twofold advantage can there
be in "the good work of selling our books"? (p. 151, par. 5)
a. _____________________
b._____________________
11. There is "a famine in the land
for the pure gospel," Mrs. White says. What can be done to alleviate this hunger?
(p. 152, pars. 1, 2)
12. What are the six points canvassers
should bring out to "tell" people about our health publications? (pp. 152, 153)
a. __________________________________________
b __________________________________________
c. __________________________________________
d. __________________________________________
e.__________________________________________
f. __________________________________________
13. What other message, which is
to be taken to the public, has been "committed to our hands"? (p. 161, par.
3)
14. What point of Seventh-day Adventist,
teaching is to be the basis for the last struggle between "Christ and His angels
and Satan and his angels"? (p. 155, par. 2)
5. How many escape the test that
will come upon this point? (p. 157, par. 2)
16. Why does God allow reproach,
slander, and contempt to be heaped upon His people? What will be accomplished
by this persecution? (p. 159, par. 2)
17. Why is there little persecution
of the church today? (p. 159, par. 3)
18. "Let there be a _____________________
of the _____________________, and the spirit of persecution will _____________________,
and the fires of _____________________." (p. 160, par. 0)
19. Name the two biblical teachings
that will be involved in the last great persecutions. (p. 160, par. 1)
a. ____________________________
b. ____________________________
20. What three religious powers or
groups will be united in this union? (p. 160, par. 1)
21. Since we know from prophecy that
this persecution will come, shall we sit still and calmly let it happen? (p.
162, pars. 1, 2)
22. What should be our attitude?
(p. 163, pars. 1-3)
23. What can be done on Sundays to
keep the peace and yet refrain from work that will offend? (pp. 163, 164)
24. "When the storm of persecution
really breaks upon us, the true sheep" will make "self-denying efforts" "_____________________,
and many _____________________ will come back to follow the great Shepherd."
(p. 166, par. 1)
25. What plan has been devised to
enable us to reach the homes of many people and at the same time help raise
"funds adequate for the support of the missions which the Lord has gone before
us to open?" (p. 167)
26. Is it proper to receive gifts
from unbelievers? (p. 167, par. 3)
27. Who has possession of most of
the riches and treasure of this earth? (p. 168, par. 3) _____________________.
But to whom does it really belong? _____________________
28. If we do not diligently tell
others about Christ, what accusation may someday be brought against us? (p.
169, par. 1)
29. How can business people support
Christ's work "twenty-four hours a day"? (pp. 170, 171)
30. Why should we, as workers in
God's cause today, study the experience of Nehemiah? (pp. 173-177)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. The statement on pages 147, 148
speaks of God as cutting "them out from the quarry of the world." Does this
indicate that His people should have the firmness and steadiness of rock in
their characters?
2. As I travel from place to place,
how can I spread the message?
3. Why do you think Mrs. White spoke
of women as being able to "work efficiently" in getting periodical subscriptions?
4. During the time of persecution,
by refraining from offending secular work on Sunday and instead devoting ourselves
to missionary work, are we not thus "keeping Sunday," and as such likely to
receive the "mark of the beast"? (See pp. 163, 164)
5. Can we, even if we cannot go into
the mission field, help support the mission program? How?
6. What lessons can we learn from
the way Nehemiah conducted his work?
LESSON 7
ENLARGING THE KINGDOM
READING ASSIGNMENT: Christian
Service, pp. 178-205
STUDY TEXT: "And this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and
then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14.
1. What is one of God's plans for
scattering the message over the country? (p. 178, par. 1)
2. Where one or two "well grounded"
families move into unentered territory, this divine plan for starting new work
should be put into operation. (pp. 178, 179)
a. The lay members can "distribute
_____________________,"
b. "hold _____________________
in _____________________, "
c. "become _____________________,"
and
d. "invite _____________________."
3. Who are "robbing themselves of
the most precious blessings," "crippling their way to heaven," "waiting for
someone to carry you to the vineyard," feeling "dissatisfied if there is not
much preaching . . . while they are doing literally nothing"? (pp. 179, 180)
4. In what way was Abraham's test
similar to what may be presented to some of God's children today? (pp. 181,
182)
5. Satan tries "to thwart the divine
purpose" of God by
a. causing some "to _____________________,"
b. leading some "to _____________________,"
c. causing others "to _____________________"
To such, God puts the question
"What _____________________?" (p. 182, par. 1)
6. There are large churches, with
many members crowded together where they can accomplish little. (pp. 183, 184)
They are compared ______________________________________. What is the remedy
for such overcrowding?
7. What example do we have of a people
who settled down to enjoy the fruit of their victory rather than pressing on
to conquer new territory? (pp. 184, 185) _____________________
Did God approve of this attitude?
_____________________ Is it possible for Christians today to be just as guilty
of this error as were His people of old? (p. 185) _____________________
8. If we are followers of Christ,
we must labor as He did. What were three of His lines of endeavor? (p. 186,
par. 3)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
c. _____________________
If we do His work, what promise
of God will then be fulfilled to us?
9. Complete the following phrases
by finishing a line from the upper section with the correct phrase from the
lower section: (pp. 186-189)
A. "He never meant that one man
should have an abundance . . .
B. "The widow of Zarephath shared
her morsel with Elijah; and in return, . . .
C. "Jesus worked to relieve . .
.
D. "The means over and above the
actual necessities of life . . .
E. "Every merciful act to the needy,
the suffering, . . .
F. "To all who, in time of trial
and want, give sympathy and assistance to others more needy, . . .
G. "The love of Christ, manifested
in unselfish ministry, will be more effective in . . .
1. reforming the evil-doer than
will the sword or the court of justice."
2. while the children of others
should cry for bread."
3. is regarded as though done to
Jesus."
4. her life and that of her son
were preserved."
5. every case of suffering that
He saw."
6. are intrusted to man to do good,
to bless humanity."
7. God has promised great blessing."
10. What chapter in Isaiah shows
us why "our prayers are so lifeless" and our "faith so feeble"?
What is God's remedy that is prescribed?
(p. 188, par. 2)
11. There are "multitudes" who "have
neither faith in God nor confidence in man." How are we to reach such people
with the gospel message? (p. 190, pars. 1, 2)
2. Why are the widows, orphans, blind,
deaf, et cetera, placed in close relationship to the church? (p. 191, pars.
3, 4)
13. The story of the good Samaritan
shows the love of God and man put into action. What class does each character
represent? (p. 192, pars. 1-3)
a. The Samaritan __________________________________________
b. The Levite __________________________________________
c. The priest __________________________________________
14. What are the objectives of our
camp meetings? (p. 194, par. 3)
a. __________________________________________
b. __________________________________________
c. __________________________________________
15. At camp meetings, besides the
spiritual meetings, there should be:
a. "opportunities for instructing
our people _____________________,"
b. organizing "strong companies
of workers" to "go out into _____________________." (p. 195, pars. 2-5)
16. What can happen to those who
do not attend camp meeting? (p. 197, par. 3)
Why should we attend? (p. 198)
17. Which is more important, foreign
mission work or home mission work? (p. 199, pars. 1-3)
18. What is meant by the term "home-foreign"
work? (pp. 199, 200)
19. Why has God permitted these people
from other lands to come to our nation? (p. 200, par. 1)
20. What is the main problem of the
wealthy? (p. 202, par. 1)
21. What special work does the Lord
want converted wealthy people to do for Him? (p. 202, par. 4)
22. Name two illustrations of rich
men in biblical days who were converted. What good did they do after their conversion?
(pp. 204, 205)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. Do you think God ever brings the
foreign-born into contact with believers in their neighborhood as a means of
bringing the truth to them?
2. Does it require special qualifications
to work for the wealthy and highly educated?
3. What can I do personally to help
"enlarge the kingdom"?
LESSON 8
INCENTIVES AND VARIETY OF SERVICE
READING ASSIGNMENT: Christian
Service, pp. 211-222
STUDY TEXT: "I am debtor both to
the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So,
as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome
also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek." Romans 1:14-16.
1. List several ways in which the
missionary meetings of the church can be made more interesting. (pp. 211, 212)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
c. _____________________
2. "Far more than we do, we need
to speak _____________________." (p. 212, par. 3)
3. Prayer is a Christian's duty;
but what is just as much a duty as prayer? (p. 213, par. 2)
4. The "exercises" of thanks and
praise to God for His goodness contain a reward for the Christian:
a. They "drive _____________________;"
b. "they expel the _____________________."
c. "They cultivate those _____________________."
(p. 213, par. 2)
5. What reason do some give for neglecting
prayer and attendance at church meetings? (p. 214, par. 1)
Actually, what losses do they incur
because of this reasoning?
6. List the various miscellaneous
lines of missionary work in which we can take part. (pp. 215-222)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
c. _____________________
d. _____________________
e._____________________
7. What special care does God give
to the blind? (p. 215, par. 1)
8. What should be the Christian attitude
toward orphans (pp. 215, 216)
9. True or false: (pp. 216, 217)
a. Those who refuse to take care
of orphans do so because it will cost too much money to clothe and feed extra
members of the family.
b. Heaven is for those who have
worked for Christ.
c. The King threatened terrible
punishment for those on His left hand because of awful crimes they had committed.
d. We should work for the orphans
of the church merely from the standpoint of duty.
e. God will not hearken to the
prayer of His people while the orphan, the fatherless, the lame, the blind,
and the sick are neglected.
10. When Christians obey the Word
of God, what will happen to the wall of separation that has been built up between
the whites and the blacks? (p. 217, par. 3)
11. Of what two privileges were the
black people robbed by slavery? (pp. 217, 218)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
12. Why is the white race under obligation
to labor for the black people? (p. 218, par. 4)
13. In what ways can Seventh-day
Adventist laymen help the temperance work? (pp. 218, 219)
14. Why is follow-up work so important
after a series of public meetings? (p. 219, par. 5)
15. Money cannot be taken into heaven
with us. But in what way can money be used to place a "treasure" in the heavenly
courts? (pp. 220, 221)
16. Who keeps the record books of
heaven? What is recorded in these books? (p. 222)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. Are the church services dull to
me? If so, could it sometimes be my own fault that they are so?
2. Since Seventh-day Adventists do
not drink or smoke, why should they be concerned with the temperance work?
3. Why does Mrs. White say that if
work is not followed up, "it would have been better had no interest been awakened'?
(p. 220, par 1)
LESSON 9
QUALIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE
READING ASSIGNMENT: Christian
Service, pp. 223-256
STUDY TEXT: "And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets, and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for
the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying
of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature
of the fulness of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-13.
1. Why is cultured speech important
for a Christian worker? Name some of the elements included in the phrase "cultured
speech." (pp. 223, 224)
2. "True education is _____________________;
it is the training of _____________________ This is the education that will
_____________________" (p. 225, par. 5)
3. Complete the following phrases
by finishing a line from the upper section with the correct phrase from the
lower section: (pp. 226-228)
A. "The world is watching Seventh-day
Adventists, . . . and when it sees those who do not . . .
B. "If we wish to direct others
in the path of righteousness, . . .
C. "The lack of true dignity and
Christian refinement in the ranks of Sabbathkeepers is. . .
D. "The laborer for souls needs
. . .
E. "The unstudied, unconscious
influence of a holy life is . . .
1. consecration, integrity, intelligence,
industry, energy, and tact."
2. the most convincing sermon that
can be given in favor of Christianity."
3. the principles of righteousness
must be enshrined in our own hearts."
4. live up to their profession,
it points at them with scorn."
5. against us as a people, and
makes the truth which we profess unsavory."
4. What will be the fate of those
who merely sit and wait for the Holy Spirit to do the work? (p. 228, par. 3)
5. What kind of workers does He need?
(p. 228, par. 5)
6. True or false: (p. 229)
a. God needs only silver-tongued
orators to give His message.
b. We must show animation and determination
in the work of winning souls.
c. To be co-workers with Jesus,
we must have all patience with those for whom we labor.
d. There is no use for Marthas
in God's work.
e. Earnest Christian zeal is wanted
in God's work.
7. What particular ways and methods
of businessmen and politicians would it be wise for Christians to study and
adopt in their work for God? (p. 231, par. 3)
8. The man who loves and works for
God "does not measure his work by the eight-hour system." (p. 232, par. 2) Instead
a. he works _____________________
hours,
b. he is _____________________
duty,
c. he does good when _____________________
9. What kind of people need our sympathy?
(p. 232, par. 6)
10. Intellectuals are often influenced
by the "simple words of _____________________, and who can speak of that love
_____________________ as the worldling speaks of the things that interest him
most deeply." (p. 233, par. 4)
11. What happens to those who delay
obedience to God until all uncertainty and all risks of failure are gone? (p.
234, par. 3)
12. The characteristics of _____________________,_____________________,
and _____________________ are required when difficulties are in the way. (p.
235, par. 2)
13. Holiness is not rapture. It is:
a. "an entire _____________________;"
b. "living _____________________;"
c. "doing _____________________;"
d. "trusting _____________________,
in _____________________ as well as in the light;"
e. "walking _____________________;"
f. "relying _____________________."
(p. 235, par. 5)
14. "God's people are to be distinguished
as a people who _____________________, _____________________." (p. 236, par
1)
15. If we find ourselves working
long hours and not getting our work done, what ought we to do? (p. 237, par.
1)
16. Who is set forth as an example
of prudence and forethought (p. 239, pars. 1, 2)
17. Should we be surprised when we
find ourselves discouraged? (p. 239, par. 3)
How can we handle this feeling? (p.
240, par. 0)
18. A tender _____________________
a gentle, winning _____________________ are a help in saving "the erring." (p.
241, pars. 1-3)
19. What three qualifications are
necessary for an individual who is to be entrusted with responsibilities? (p.
242, par. 2)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
c. _____________________
20. "_____________________ and a
spirit of _____________________ have always been and always will be the first
requisite of acceptable service." (p. 242, par. 4)
21. What three men are cited as examples
of workers who bore their message without regard to the consequences? (p. 245,
par. 2)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
c. _____________________
22. What are some of the characteristics
of the Good Shepherd? (pp. 245, 246)
23. If we cut down on our efficiency
and shorten our lives by the way we live and work, of what sin are we guilty?
(p. 248, par. 1)
24. After a period of hard labor,
what was Christ's advice to His disciples? (p. 249, par. 1)
Is this good instruction for us?
Why?
25. Whose help did Christ promise
His followers? (pp. 250, 251)
26. What do we have to do to receive
the Holy Spirit? (pp. 252, 253)
27. Why does God give us the Holy
Spirit--what will He do for us? (p. 253, par. 4)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
c._____________________
d. _____________________
28. What is the Holy Spirit, and
why was it necessary that He come to this earth after Christ's ascension? (p.
255, par. 3)
29. Did God begin to work through
the Holy Spirit at the time of Christ's ascension? Discuss. (p. 256)
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. Of all the qualifications for
Christian service listed in this chapter, which do I need most to cultivate
in my life?
2. Granted, a good Christian worker
should study to prepare himself for God's work. But I am too busy to find time
for study. What can I do?
3. Why, actually, did Jesus reprove
the hard-working Martha? Didn't He appreciate her devotion to the home duties?
4. How can I be sure that the Holy
Spirit is in me and working through me?
LESSON 10
THE TRIUMPHANT NOTE
READING ASSIGNMENT: Christian
Service, pp. 257-275
STUDY TEXT: "For he will finish the
work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord
make upon the earth." Romans 9:28.
1. Where do our opportunities come
from? (p. 258, par. 0)
Upon what does success depend?
2. When we work for God, we have
the cooperation of _____________________, "the Master Worker," and _____________________.
(pp. 258, 259)
3. Those who "engage in ministry"
are
a. _____________________
b. "_____________________" (p.
261, par. 1)
4. Of what possibility are we never
to speak, or even think about in our work? (pp. 261, 262)
5. What is it that gives us success?
(p. 262, par. 5)
6. In the parable of the ten virgins,
what was the one thing that the five foolish virgins lacked? (p. 263, par. 1)
And what did this represent?
7. What is the relationship of talents
to our success? (p. 264, par. 1)
8. "The value of service to God is
measured _____________________, rather than by _____________________ spent in
labor." (p. 266, par. 4)
9. Which parable illustrates this
point? (p. 266, par. 7)
10. Can we be sure of a reward for
our service? (p. 267)
11. What rewards are promised to
us in the present life? (pp. 269, 271)
a._____________________
b. _____________________
c. _____________________
d._____________________
e. _____________________
12. What happens to a strong man
who ceases to work? What happens to a church that does nothing for God? (p.
271, par. 3)
13. What are some of the rewards
God has promised to us in the future? (pp. 271-274)
a. _____________________
b. _____________________
c. _____________________
d. _____________________
14. What will be our greatest joy
in heaven? (pp. 273, 274)
15. Give the three reasons why we
are left on earth "to encounter storms" when we are impatient for the Lord's
coming? (pp. 274, 275)
a. __________________________________________
b. __________________________________________
c. __________________________________________
THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. If I really believed that "angels
speak through their voices, and work by their hands" (p. 261, par. 1), would
I be bolder and braver in my efforts to win others to Him?
2. God could warn the world without
my assistance. Why, therefore does He ask for my help?