Sunday
September 23
1. THE EXPERIENCE OF ENOCH
a. How does Inspiration describe the spiritual life of the patriarch Enoch? Genesis 5:24 (first part); Hebrews 11:5.
“Pray in your closet, and as you go about your daily labor let your heart be often uplifted to God. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. These silent prayers rise like precious incense before the throne of grace. Satan cannot overcome him whose heart is thus stayed upon God.”—Steps to Christ, pp. 98, 99.
b. As the saints prepare for translation in these last days, how does the experience of Enoch connect reverence for God’s presence with true sanctification? Genesis 5:24; 1 John 3:2, 3.
“Day by day [Enoch] was growing away from his own way into Christ’s way, the heavenly, the divine, in his thoughts and feelings. He was constantly inquiring, Is this the way of the Lord? His was a constant growth, and he had fellowship with the Father and the Son. This is genuine sanctification.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 6, p. 1098.
“As Enoch was translated to heaven before the destruction of the world by water, so the living righteous will be translated from the earth before its destruction by fire.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 89.
Monday
September 24
2. THE OUTWARD REVEALS THE INWARD
a. Explain an important outward requirement that God enjoins upon all in the preparation to meet Him in peace. Exodus 19:10, 11.
“If God was so particular to enjoin cleanliness upon those journeying in the wilderness, who were in the open air nearly all the time, He requires no less of us who live in ceiled houses, where impurities are more observable and have a more unhealthful influence.”—Counsels on Health, p. 82.
“The Lord commanded the children of Israel to wash their clothes and put away all impurity from their encampment, lest in passing by He should see their uncleanness. God is passing by our homes today, and He looks upon the unsanitary conditions of families and the lax habits. Had we not better reform, and that without delay?”—Child Guidance, p. 106.
b. What does this cleanliness symbolize? Revelation 19:8; Matthew 5:8; 1 Timothy 5:22 (last part).
“I saw that God would not acknowledge an untidy, unclean person as a Christian. His frown was upon such. Our souls, bodies, and spirits are to be presented blameless by Jesus to His Father, and unless we are clean in person, and pure, we cannot be presented blameless to God.
“I saw that the houses of the saints should be kept tidy and neat, free from dirt and filth and all uncleanness. I saw that the house of God had been desecrated by the carelessness of parents with their children and by the untidiness and uncleanness there. I saw that these things should meet with an open rebuke, and if there was not an immediate change in some that profess the truth in these things they should be put out of the camp.”—Selected Messages, bk. 3, pp. 273, 274.
“Unclean, neglected corners in the house will tend to make impure, neglected corners in the soul.”—Child Guidance, p. 114.
c. Regarding the Christian’s appearance, name some principles that all believers—including the youth—should understand. 1 Timothy 2:9, 10; Titus 2:11–14; 3:2.
“Dress is an index of the mind and heart. That which is hung upon the outside is the sign of what is within.”—Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, p. 289.
Tuesday
September 25
3. AN INDEX TO THE HEART
a. What solemn realization about dress is to be upheld in the antitypical Day of Atonement? Ecclesiastes 11:9; Romans 13:14.
“Many a soul who was convinced of the truth has been led to decide against it by the pride and love of the world displayed by our sisters. The doctrine preached seemed clear and harmonious, and the hearers felt that a heavy cross must be lifted by them in taking the truth. When these persons have seen our sisters making so much display in dress, they have said: ‘This people dress fully as much as we do. They cannot really believe what they profess; and, after all, they must be deceived. If they really thought that Christ was soon coming, and the case of every soul was to be decided for eternal life or death, they could not devote time and money to dress according to the existing fashions.’ How little did those professedly believing sisters know of the sermon their dress was preaching!
“Our words, our actions, and our dress are daily, living preachers, gathering with Christ or scattering abroad. This is no trivial matter to be passed off with a jest. The subject of dress demands serious reflection and much prayer. Many unbelievers have felt that they were not doing right in permitting themselves to be slaves of fashion; but when they see some who make a high profession of godliness dressing as worldlings dress, enjoying frivolous society, they decide that there can be no wrong in such a course. . . .
“All heaven is marking the daily influence which the professed followers of Christ exert upon the world. My sisters, your dress is telling either in favor of Christ and the sacred truth or in favor of the world. Which is it? Remember we must all answer to God for the influence we exert.”—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 641.
“The love of dress endangers the morals and makes woman the opposite of the Christian lady characterized by modesty and sobriety. Showy, extravagant dress too often encourages lust in the heart of the wearer and awakens base passions in the heart of the beholder.”—Ibid., p. 645.
“The world is crazy after show and fashion and pleasure. Licentiousness is steadily and fearfully on the increase. Why will not Christians be true to their high profession!”—Ibid., p. 647.
“There is a terrible sin upon us as a people, that we have permitted our church members to dress in a manner inconsistent with their faith. We must arise at once and close the door against the allurements of fashion. Unless we do this, our churches will become demoralized.”—Ibid., p. 648.
Wednesday
September 26
4. A CIRCUMSPECT LIFE
a. Explain the long-forgotten theme underlying the basic characteristics that Christians of all ages should cultivate. Titus 2:1–7.
“We are living in perilous times. Seventh-day Adventists are professedly the commandment-keeping people of God; but they are losing their devotional spirit. This spirit of reverence for God teaches men how to approach their Maker—with sacredness and awe through faith, not in themselves, but in a Mediator. Thus man is kept fast, under whatever circumstances he is placed.”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, pp. 314, 315.
b. What kind of speech will characterize a true Christian? Ephesians 5:17, 20. Name the irreverent speech habits of today which are in contrast to the spirit of the gospel. Ephesians 5:4 (first part).
“When men cast off the fear of God they are not long in departing from honor and integrity.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 557.
“Be careful how you speak. Be careful how you represent the religion you have accepted. You may feel it no sin to gossip and talk nonsense, but this grieves your Saviour and saddens the heavenly angels.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 457.
“A man’s character may be quite accurately estimated by the nature of his conversation. . . . Jesting and joking may please a class of cheap minds, and yet the influence of this kind of conduct is destructive to spirituality. I speak to you as a class and also as individuals: Guard your words. Let sobriety and sound common sense characterize your conversation. Do not trifle with the purity and nobility of your souls by condescending to indulgence in stale jokes, and in cultivating habits of trifling conversation. . . .
“In speaking foolish words, you have dishonored the name of Christ; for you have misrepresented Him in character. No word of guile was found in His lips, no word of prevarication or falsehood. The people that are described as making up the one hundred and forty-four thousand, have the Father’s name written in their foreheads, and of them it is said: ‘In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God’ (Revelation 14:5).”—Our High Calling, p. 292.
Thursday
September 27
5. WITNESSING FOR CHRIST
a. When questioned about our faith, how important is our choice of words in responding? Proverbs 15:23, 28 (first part).
“You must respect your own faith in order successfully to introduce it to others. By example as well as precept, you must show that you reverence your faith, speaking reverently of sacred things. Never allow one expression of lightness and trifling to escape your lips when quoting Scripture. As you take the Bible in your hands, remember that you are on holy ground. Angels are around you, and could your eyes be opened, you would behold them. Let your conduct be such that you will leave the impression upon every soul with whom you associate that a pure and holy atmosphere surrounds you. One vain word, one trifling laugh, may balance a soul in the wrong direction. Terrible are the consequences of not having a constant connection with God.”—Fundamentals of Christian Education, pp. 194, 195.
b. Name some essential points in effective witnessing for Christ. Proverbs 15:33; Colossians 4:6. What evidence should we be prepared to give, and in what manner? 1 Peter 3:15.
“[1 Peter 3:15 quoted.] The fear here spoken of does not mean distrust or indecision, but with due caution, guarding every point, lest an unwise word be spoken, or excitement of feeling get the advantage, and thus leave unfavorable impressions upon minds, and balance them in the wrong direction. Godly fear, humility, and meekness are greatly needed by all in order to correctly represent the truth of God.”—Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 258, 259.
Friday
September 28
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. To what characteristics of Enoch are we to relate in these last days?
2. Why is cleanliness so important for Christians?
3. How is reverence to affect our clothing and our manners?
4. What is wrong with light, trifling conversation, and joking?
5. What factor must balance all zealous Christian witnessing? Why?