Sabbath School

Adult Sabbath School Bible study guide.

Our study of the Bible should be focused on two main purposes: personal spiritual growth and leading others into a saving relationship with Jesus. Christ defined the true Christian as one who is guided by the Holy Spirit “into all truth” (John 16:13), who lives “ ‘by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ ” (Matt. 4:4, NKJV), and who teaches others “all things” that He has commanded us (Matt. 28:20).

Read Luke 4:16–30 and Luke 24:25–27, 44–49. What can we learn from the way Christ explained the Scriptures here?

Jesus Christ was, still is, and always will be “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6, NKJV). Even so, His preaching was strongly anchored in the Scriptures. For instance, Mark 1:14, 15 says, “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand’ ” (NKJV). The time was clearly pointing to Daniel 9:24–27. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), He quoted Exodus 20:13, 14 (Matt. 5:21, 27). In Luke 4, He quoted Isaiah 61:1, 2. Jesus was a thoroughly biblical preacher.

In another example, Acts 8 tells us that the Ethiopian eunuch “had come to Jerusalem to worship” (Acts 8:27, NKJV), which means that he was familiar with the Jewish religion and at least with some of its ceremonies. He even owned a copy of the book of Isaiah, which he was avidly reading during the trip home. Yet he could not understand the prophecy of the sin-bearing Servant, so he sought someone to explain it to him.

This experience teaches us a few important lessons. First, the simple reading of a passage of Scripture does not always lead to a deeper understanding of the passage. Second, in the study of Scripture we can, and should, learn from each other. Third, we have a personal obligation to share sound Bible messages with others.

Philip’s exposition of the book of Isaiah and other Old Testament passages led the eunuch to baptism (Acts 8:35–39; compare with Ps. 51:12). Our expositions of Scripture should have the same purpose (see John 17:17).

Even though at times we might need help in understanding texts, why must we always be convinced in our own minds of what we believe?

Supplemental EGW Notes

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. The great motive powers of the soul are faith, hope, and love; and it is to these that Bible study, rightly pursued, appeals. The outward beauty of the Bible, the beauty of imagery and expression, is but the setting, as it were, for its real treasure—the beauty of holiness. In its record of the men who walked with God, we may catch glimpses of His glory. In the One “altogether lovely” we behold Him, of whom all beauty of earth and heaven is but a dim reflection. “I, if I be lifted up,” He said, “will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32. As the student of the Bible beholds the Redeemer, there is awakened in the soul the mysterious power of faith, adoration, and love. Upon the vision of Christ the gaze is fixed, and the beholder grows into the likeness of that which he adores. The words of the apostle Paul become the language of the soul: “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: . . . that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings.” Philippians 3:8–10. The springs of heavenly peace and joy unsealed in the soul by the words of Inspiration will become a mighty river of influence to bless all who come within its reach. Let the youth of today, the youth who are growing up with the Bible in their hands, become the recipients and the channels of its life-giving energy, and what streams of blessing would flow forth to the world!—influences of whose power to heal and comfort we can scarcely conceive—rivers of living water, fountains “springing up unto everlasting life.”—Education, pp. 191, 192.

The above quotations are taken from Ellen G. White Notes for the Sabbath School Lessons, published by Pacific Press Publishing Association. Used by permission.