Sunday
July 29
1. NOURISHMENT FOR THE SOUL
a. How did the Lord seek to impress ancient Israelites with a sense of their spiritual need? Deuteronomy 8:2, 3. How does this lesson also apply to spiritual Israel today? 1 Corinthians 10:11, 12.
b. What depicts the life-giving nourishment gained from communion with God and His word? Psalm 63:1, 5 (first part); Isaiah 55:1, 2; John 6:51–63.
“The creative energy that called the worlds into existence is in the word of God. This word imparts power; it begets life. Every command is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God.
“The life thus imparted is in like manner sustained. ‘By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4) shall man live.”—Education, p. 126.
“The Bible unfolds truth with a simplicity and a perfect adaptation to the needs and longings of the human heart, that has astonished and charmed the most highly cultivated minds, while it enables the humble and uncultured to discern the way of salvation.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 700.
Monday
July 30
2. THE POWER OF DIVINE INSPIRATION
a. How did Jesus affirm the sacred inspiration of the Old Testament scriptures? Mark 12:24; Luke 16:29, 31; John 5:39, 46, 47.
“Many professed Christians now discard the Old Testament, claiming that it is no longer of any use. But such is not Christ’s teaching. . . .
“The Saviour is revealed in the Old Testament as clearly as in the New. It is the light from the prophetic past that brings out the life of Christ and the teachings of the New Testament with clearness and beauty.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 799.
b. How are the Old and the New Testaments depicted? Revelation 11:3, 4.
“The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament. Both are important testimonies to the origin and perpetuity of the law of God. Both are witnesses also to the plan of salvation. The types, sacrifices, and prophecies of the Old Testament point forward to a Saviour to come. The Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament tell of a Saviour who has come in the exact manner foretold by type and prophecy.”—The Great Controversy, p. 267.
c. There is power in the Scripture’s fulfilled prophecy. How should it affect our faith? 2 Corinthians 5:7.
“[The Bible’s] simply stated truths lay hold upon subjects so elevated, so far-reaching, so infinitely beyond the power of human comprehension, that we can accept them only because God has declared them. . . . Beneath these truths, so easily understood, lie mysteries which are the hiding of His glory—mysteries which overpower the mind in its research, yet inspire the sincere seeker for truth with reverence and faith. . . .
“Those are blessed with clearest light who are willing thus to accept the living oracles upon the authority of God. If asked to explain certain statements, they can only answer: ‘It is so presented in the Scriptures.’ . . . It is as the Lord intended it should be, that we find ourselves compelled to accept some things solely by faith.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 700, 701.
Tuesday
July 31
3. A POWERFUL TOOL
a. Similar to a surgeon’s scalpel, how does the Word of God cut away spiritual disease? Hebrews 4:12.
“Practical truth must be brought into the life, and the Word, like a sharp, two-edged sword, must cut away the surplus of self that there is in our characters [Hebrews 4:12 quoted].
“The Word makes the proud humble, the perverse meek and contrite, the disobedient obedient. The sinful habits natural to man are interwoven with the daily practice. But the Word cuts away the fleshly lusts. It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the mind. It divides the joints and marrow, cutting away the lusts of the flesh, making men willing to suffer for their Lord.”—The SDA Bible Commentary [E.G. White Comments], vol. 7, p. 928.
“Let the word of God stand just as it is. Let not human wisdom presume to lessen the force of one statement of the Scriptures.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 711.
b. How can the powerful Word of God become a spiritually dangerous weapon when it is wrongly used? 2 Peter 3:16 (last part); Luke 11:52.
“There is much reading of the Bible that is without profit and in many cases a positive injury. When the word of God is opened without reverence and without prayer; when the thoughts and affections are not fixed upon God or in harmony with His will, the mind is clouded with doubt; and in the very study of the Bible, skepticism strengthens. The enemy takes control of the thoughts, and he suggests interpretations that are not correct.”—Ibid., pp. 704, 705.
“Every student, as he opens the Scriptures, should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit; and the promise is sure that it will be given.
“The spirit in which you come to the investigation of the Scriptures will determine the character of the assistant at your side. Angels from the world of light will be with those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance. But if the Bible is opened with irreverence, with a feeling of self-sufficiency, if the heart is filled with prejudice, Satan is beside you, and he will set the plain statements of God’s word in a perverted light.”—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 108.
Wednesday
August 1
4. THE SUPREME EDUCATOR
a. What words of caution apply to some of the teachings in secular and even in religious schools? 1 Timothy 6:20, 21; 2 Timothy 3:7; 4:4. How do many follow the example of Judas to distort the Scriptures?
“[Judas, the betrayer] would introduce texts of Scripture that had no connection with the truths Christ was presenting. These texts, separated from their connection, perplexed the disciples, and increased the discouragement that was constantly pressing upon them. Yet all this was done by Judas in such a way as to make it appear that he was conscientious. And while the disciples were searching for evidence to confirm the words of the Great Teacher, Judas would lead them almost imperceptibly on another track. Thus in a very religious, and apparently wise, way he was presenting matters in a different light from that in which Jesus had given them, and attaching to His words a meaning that He had not conveyed.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 719.
“Those who look to the Scriptures to find discrepancies have not spiritual insight. With distorted vision they will see many causes for doubt and unbelief in things that are really plain and simple. But to those who take God’s word with reverence, seeking to learn His will that they may obey it, all is changed. They are filled with awe and wonder as they contemplate the purity and exalted excellence of the truths revealed.”—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 705.
b. Why are the Scriptures, when reverently employed, appropriate to be the chief textbook in educational settings? Psalms 12:6; 119:105, 130; Proverbs 9:10.
“In true science there can be nothing contrary to the teaching of the word of God, for both have the same Author. A correct understanding of both will always prove them to be in harmony.”—Ibid., vol. 8, p. 258.
“The Bible contains all that is needful for the saving of the soul, and at the same time it is adapted to strengthen and discipline the mind. Used as a textbook in our schools, it will be found far more effective than any other book in guiding wisely in the affairs of this life, as well as in aiding the soul to climb the ladder that reaches to heaven. The Bible gives the true seeker an advanced mental drill; he comes from the contemplation of divine things with his faculties enriched.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 448.
Thursday
August 2
5. NO ORDINARY BOOK
a. Long deprived of easy access to the Word of God, how have some individuals manifested an intense respect for it? 2 Chronicles 34:14–21; Nehemiah 8:9 (last part).
b. How and why should we treasure God’s Word, especially in these last days? Psalm 119:161; Amos 8:11, 12; John 12:48.
“The Bible is God’s voice speaking to us, just as surely as if we could hear it with our ears. If we realized this, with what awe we would open God’s Word and with what earnestness we would search its precepts. The reading and contemplation of the Scriptures would be regarded as an audience with the Infinite One. . . .
“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.”—My Life Today, p. 283.
“When a real love for the Bible is awakened, and the student begins to realize how vast is the field and how precious its treasure, he will desire to seize upon every opportunity for acquainting himself with God’s word. Its study will be restricted to no special time or place. And this continuous study is one of the best means of cultivating a love for the Scriptures. Let the student keep his Bible always with him. As you have opportunity, read a text and meditate upon it. While walking the streets, waiting at a railway station, waiting to meet an engagement, improve the opportunity to gain some precious thought from the treasure house of truth.”—Education, p. 191.
Friday
August 3
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Describe the power of the Word of God.
2. Why is the Old Testament so important?
3. How did Judas twist the Scriptures to confuse Christ’s disciples?
4. What place should the Bible have in our schools?
5. Explain the importance of handling God’s Word with reverence.