Sunday
September 8
1. YOUR MISSION
a. What was Christ’s mission while on earth? John 18:37. What did He focus on in order to fulfil His mission? Hebrews 12:2.
“Ever before Him He saw the result of His mission.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 410.
“He saw in all, souls whom it was His mission to save.”—Gospel Workers, p. 117.
“In all things He brought His wishes into strict abeyance to His mission. He glorified His life by making everything in it subordinate to the will of His Father.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 19.
b. What is to be our mission in life? John 15:12.
“When we love the world as [Jesus] has loved it, then for us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 641.
“The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 551.
Monday
September 9
2. A PLACE FOR ALL
a. What is significant about a lighted city on a dark night? Matthew 5:14.
“In the night of spiritual darkness God’s glory is to shine forth through His church in lifting up the bowed down and comforting those that mourn.
“All around us are heard the wails of a world’s sorrow. On every hand are the needy and distressed. It is ours to aid in relieving and softening life’s hardships and misery.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 417.
b. What are we all called to be? Isaiah 43:10. Upon whom, then, does the responsibility of preaching the gospel fall?
“Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 195.
“It is the privilege of every soul to be a living channel through which God can communicate to the world the treasures of His grace, the unsearchable riches of Christ. . . . All heaven is waiting for channels through which can be poured the holy oil to be a joy and blessing to human hearts.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 419.
c. What responsibility is given to each lay member? Mark 13:34.
“The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work, and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.”—Gospel Workers, p. 352.
“[W]here there is an opening to obtain a livelihood, let families that are well grounded in the truth enter, one or two families in a place, to work as missionaries. . . . They can distribute our publications, hold meetings in their homes, become acquainted with their neighbors, and invite them to come to these meetings.”—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 245.
“Let church members awake. Let them take hold and help to stay up the hands of the ministers and the workers, pushing forward the interests of the cause. . . . If a man exercises faith, and walks humbly with his God, he . . . can fill his appointed place.”—The Review and Herald, July 9, 1895.
Tuesday
September 10
3. A LIVING CHURCH
a. What was Jesus’ parting instruction? Mark 16:15.
“God calls for Christian families to go into the dark places of the earth and work wisely and perseveringly for those who are enshrouded in spiritual gloom. To answer this call requires self-sacrifice. While many are waiting to have every obstacle removed, souls are dying, without hope and without God. For the sake of worldly advantage, for the sake of acquiring scientific knowledge, men are willing to venture into pestilential regions and to endure hardship and privation. Where are those who are willing to do as much for the sake of telling others of the Saviour?”—Prophets and Kings, pp. 172, 173.
b. What is God calling us to do right now? Why? Romans 13:11, 12.
“A working church is a growing church. The members find a stimulus and a tonic in helping others.”—Gospel Workers, p. 198.
“The only way to grow in grace is to be disinterestedly doing the very work which Christ has enjoined upon us—to engage, to the extent of our ability, in helping and blessing those who need the help we can give them. Strength comes by exercise; activity is the very condition of life.”—Steps to Christ, p. 80.
c. How may we hasten the second coming of Christ? Matthew 24:14.
“It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (2 Peter 3:12, margin). Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69.
“When the members of the church of God do their appointed work in the needy fields at home and abroad, in fulfillment of the gospel commission, the whole world will soon be warned and the Lord Jesus will return to this earth with power and great glory.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 111.
Wednesday
September 11
4. HOW JESUS WORKED
a. What methods did Jesus use in His work for others? Matthew 9:35, 36.
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 143.
“He sought them in the public streets, in private houses, on the boats, in the synagogue, by the shores of the lake, and at the marriage feast. He met them at their daily vocations, and manifested an interest in their secular affairs. He carried His instruction into the household, bringing families in their own homes under the influence of His divine presence. His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 151.
“Let the world see that we are not selfishly absorbed in our own interests, but that we desire others to share our blessings and privileges. Let them see that our religion does not make us unsympathetic or exacting. Let all who profess to have found Christ, minister as He did for the benefit of men.”—Ibid., p. 152.
b. Who sought a private interview with Jesus? John 3:2. How does this visit illustrate a large part of Jesus’ ministry?
“We are not to wait for souls to come to us; we must seek them out where they are. When the word has been preached in the pulpit, the work has but just begun. There are multitudes who will never be reached by the gospel unless it is carried to them.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 229.
“To a great degree this must be accomplished by personal labor. This was Christ’s method. His work was largely made up of personal interviews. He had a faithful regard for the one-soul audience. Through that one soul the message was often extended to thousands.”—Ibid.
“He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the healing remedy to every soul. . . . He sought to inspire with hope the roughest and most unpromising, setting before them the assurance that they might become blameless and harmless, attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God.”—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 25, 26.
Thursday
September 12
5. SHINE
a. What does Jesus direct us to do? Matthew 5:16.
“Christ does not bid His followers strive to shine. He says, Let your light shine. If you have received the grace of God, the light is in you. Remove the obstructions, and the Lord’s glory will be revealed. The light will shine forth to penetrate and dispel the darkness. You cannot help shining within the range of your influence.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 420. [Emphasis in original.]
“Heavenly intelligences are waiting to cooperate with human instrumentalities, that they may reveal to the world what human beings may become and what, through their influence, they may accomplish for the saving of souls that are ready to perish. He who is truly converted will be so filled with the love of God that he will long to impart to others the joy that he himself possesses.”—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 30.
“There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 159.
b. What impact is the church to have upon the world? Acts 17:6.
“When those who profess to serve God follow Christ’s example, practicing the principles of the law in their daily life; when every act bears witness that they love God supremely and their neighbor as themselves, then will the church have power to move the world.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 340.
Friday
September 13
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What can we learn from Jesus’ mission as related to our own?
2. What personal mission has God given me?
3. How can a church remain a living church?
4. What was Jesus’ method of reaching people?
5. How does a follower of Jesus shine their light?