Sunday
April 21
1. A NECESSARY REQUIREMENT
a. What mandatory condition of salvation did Jesus present to His listeners? John 3:5–7; Matthew 18:1–3.
b. To what does Peter point as the means by which we may be converted (born again)? 1 Peter 1:23.
“The change of heart by which we become children of God is in the Bible spoken of as birth. . . .
“When truth becomes an abiding principle in the life, the soul is ‘born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.’ This new birth is the result of receiving Christ as the word of God. Then by the Holy Spirit divine truths are impressed upon the heart, new conceptions are awakened, and the energies hitherto dormant are aroused to cooperate with God. . . . Christ was the revealer of truth to the world. By Him the incorruptible seed—the Word of God—was sown in the hearts of men.
“The Word destroys the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes to the soul as a Comforter. By the transforming agency of His grace, the image of God is reproduced in the disciple; he becomes a new creature. Love takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the divine similitude.”—The Faith I Live By, p. 19.
Monday
April 22
2. ETERNAL VS. TEMPORAL AND CORRUPTIBLE
a. What prophetic words did Peter quote when speaking of the fragility of human life? 1 Peter 1:24; Isaiah 40:6–8.
b. Throughout the Bible, to what is the life of a human compared—and why? Psalm 103:15, 16; James 4:14.
“We have no time to lose. We know not how soon our probation may close. At the longest, we have but a brief lifetime here, and we know not how soon the arrow of death may strike our hearts. . . .
“Are we prepared? Have we become acquainted with God, the Governor of heaven, the Lawgiver, and with Jesus Christ whom He sent into the world as His representative? When our lifework is ended, shall we be able to say, as did Christ our example: ‘I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. . . . I have manifested Thy name’? John 17:4–6.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 454.
c. In contrast to human life being like grass and vapor, what is as eternal as God? 1 Peter 1:25; Psalm 119:89.
“Like the builders of these houses on the rock, said Jesus, is he who shall receive the words that I have spoken to you, and make them the foundation of his character and life. Centuries before, the prophet Isaiah had written, ‘The word of our God shall stand forever’ (Isaiah 40:8); and Peter, long after the Sermon on the Mount was given, quoting these words of Isaiah added, ‘This is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you’ (1 Peter 1:25). The word of God is the only steadfast thing our world knows. It is the sure foundation. ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away,’ said Jesus, ‘but My words shall not pass away.’ Matthew 24:35. . . .
“In receiving the word, we receive Christ. And only those who thus receive His words are building upon Him. . . . Christ, the Word, the revelation of God—the manifestation of His character, His law, His love, His life—is the only foundation upon which we can build a character that will endure.
“We build on Christ by obeying His word. . . . Holiness is . . . the result of surrendering all to God.”—Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 148, 149.
Tuesday
April 23
3. REMOVING THE STUMBLING BLOCKS
a. Name some stumbling blocks which hinder us from receiving the Word of God as it is in Jesus. 1 Peter 2:1, 2.
“Receive in the fullness of your heart the words of Christ, and be doers of His word. We cannot receive the blessings that the love and presence of Christ can bring us, if we cherish feelings that will mar the unity that Christ prayed might exist among His disciples.”—The Review and Herald, July 25, 1893.
“It is self that we have first to do with. Criticize the heart closely. Search it to see what hinders the free access of God’s Spirit.”—Our High Calling, p. 21.
“There is to be no sharp speaking, no fretful scolding, for angels of God are walking up and down in every room. . . . Little mistakes may be made, but words of censure arouse feelings of retaliation, and God is dishonored. . . . Any word spoken thoughtlessly or unadvisedly should be retracted on the spot. . . . This is our work.”—In Heavenly Places, p. 182.
b. Give examples of how unsurrendered bitterness, hypocrisy and envy have hindered people from receiving the Word of God. Genesis 4:5–8; Mark 15:10; Acts 13:44, 45.
“Our prayers do not always seem to receive an immediate answer. . . . When we make request of Him, He may see that it is necessary for us to search our hearts and repent of sin. Therefore He takes us through test and trial, He brings us through humiliation, that we may see what hinders the working of His Holy Spirit through us.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 143.
“Envy is not merely a perverseness of temper, but a distemper, which disorders all the faculties. . . .
“The envious man shuts his eyes to the good qualities and noble deeds of others. He is always ready to disparage and misrepresent that which is excellent. Men often confess and forsake other faults, but there is little to be hoped for from the envious man. Since to envy a person is to admit that he is a superior, pride will not permit any concession. If an attempt be made to convince the envious person of his sin, he becomes even more bitter. . . .
“The envious man diffuses poison wherever he goes, alienating friends and stirring up hatred and rebellion against God and man.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 56.
Wednesday
April 24
4. DESIRING THE SINCERE MILK OF THE WORD
a. After pointing to the Word of God as a power to convert our souls, what kind of “desire” is Peter exhorting us to exercise? 1 Peter 2:2.
“The appreciation of the Bible grows with its study. . . .
“There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than a study of the Bible. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God’s Word were studied as it should be, men would have a breath of mind, a nobility of character, that is rarely seen in these times.
“No knowledge is so firm, so consistent, so far reaching, as that obtained from a study of the Word of God.”—In Heavenly Places, p. 135.
b. Name one of the reasons why people refuse to study the Word of God. John 3:19, 20.
“You have neglected the Scriptures. You despise and reject the testimonies because they reprove your darling sins and disturb your self-complacency.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 49.
c. What did many philosophers of Athens spend all their time doing, and what similar problem faces us today, especially with the intemperate use of the Internet and social media? Acts 17:21–23, 32;2 Corinthians 4:3, 4.
“Oh, that the young would reflect upon the influence which exciting stories have upon the mind! Can you, after such reading, open the word of God and read the words of life with interest? Do you not find the book of God uninteresting?”—The Adventist Home, p. 416.
“Many are enfeebling the mind by the reading of stories and novels, and are losing their relish for the word of God. They are becoming mental inebriates, and will be unable to look at the solemn questions of life and destiny in the right light, unless they put away this practice.”—The Review and Herald, April 14, 1891.
Thursday
April 25
5. GROWING SPIRITUALLY
a. What is impossible if we do not remain diligent students of God’s word? 2 Peter 3:18 (first part).
“The apostle exhorted the believers to study the Scriptures, through a proper understanding of which they might make sure work for eternity. Peter realized that in the experience of every soul who is finally victorious there would be scenes of perplexity and trial; but he knew also that an understanding of the Scriptures would enable the tempted one to bring to mind promises that would comfort the heart and strengthen faith in the Mighty One.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 521.
b. In what danger are those who have tasted “that the Lord is gracious” but neglect applying God’s word to their hearts? 1 Peter 2:3; Hebrews 6:4–6.
“Many are looking with self-complacency upon the long years during which they have advocated the truth. They now feel that they are entitled to a reward for their past trials and obedience. But this genuine experience in the things of God in the past makes them more guilty before Him for not preserving their integrity and going forward to perfection. The faithfulness for the past year will never atone for the neglect of the present year. A man’s truthfulness yesterday will not atone for his falsehood today.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 63.
“Let us individually seek the Lord. Let those whose religious experience in the past has been only a surface work, draw near to God.”—Ibid., vol. 9, p. 216.
Friday
April 26
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What are the fruits of a true conversion experience?
2. How can I know if I’m ready to meet the Lord if I were to die tonight?
3. Is there any brother or sister in the church that I don’t like? If yes, why? Could the cause of my feeling towards them be hidden jealousy or envy?
4. How often would it be advisable for me to have personal Bible study?
5. Describe the difference between growing in Christ and stagnating.