BBATH SCHOOL LESSON THE PARABLES OF JEST.) 'SENI'OR DIVISION, No, 251; FIRST OUARTER. 195R pter< THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY "He who by faith receives the word is receiving the very life and character of God. Every seed brings forth fruit after its kind. . . . Receive into the soul by faith the incorruptible seed of the word, and it will bring forth a character and a life after the similitude of the character and the life of God."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 38. "Appreciation of the Bible grows with its study."—Ibid., p. 132. "God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting people. They will find that Christ is a personal Saviour. As they feed upon His word, they find that it is spirit and life. The word destroys the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus."—The Desire of Ages, page 391. "The neglect of the word means starvation to the soul."—Counsels on Sabbath School Work, page 44. My Daily Lesson Study Pledge As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sab- bath-school lesson each day of the week. Name LESSON TITLES FOR THE QUARTER r. Jesus' Model Parable, the Sower 8. The Growing Seed; The Barren 2. The Tares; The Net Fig Tree 3. The Leaven; The Mustard Seed 9. The Importunate Friend; The 4. The Hidden Treasure; The Pearl Unjust Judge of Great Price; The Rich Fool io. The Wicked Husbandmen; The 5. The Rich Young Ruler; Great Supper Laborers in the Vineyard The Two Worshipers; The Mar- 6. The Two Sons; The Unmerciful riage Feast Servant 12. The Good Samaritan; The 7• The Lost and Found Entrusted Talents 13. The Ten Virgins Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No. 251, January-March, 1958. 20 cents a single copy, 75 cents a year (four issues) ; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the U.S.A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain View, California. When a change of address is desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses. Copyright, 1957, by Pacific Press Publishing Association Printed in U.S.A. Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly THE PARABLES OF JESUS GENERAL INTRODUCTION These lessons cover twenty-five of the every part of the illustration would have most important parables of Jesus. They some spiritual application. Some persons are studied not according to the order in go too far in the interpretation of the para- which they appear in the Gospels, but bles when they attempt to do what Jesus according to a sequence in the lessons which did not have in mind. they teach. When two or three parables are Jesus revealed in the scenes of nature the included in one study, it is because they deeper meanings that had always existed in teach a similar or related truth. them, but which had been overlooked by The Greek term parabole means "a plac- men. The truths He taught are eternal and ing side by side for comparison." Jesus strike at the heart of our spiritual needs took the everyday happenings and the today. Let us come to these lessons with scenes of nature about Him to teach vital open minds to receive whatever rebuke, truths concerning the kingdom of heaven. encouragement, or enlightenment there are In every parable Jesus had some general in them for us. lesson in mind. He did not intend that Lesson 1, for January 4, 1958 Jesus' Model Parable, the Sower LESSON SCRIPTURES: Matt. 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20;Luke 8:4-15. MEMORY VERSE: "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with, patience." Luke 8:15. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 33-61 (1923 ed., pp. 27-59); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of December 19. PURPOSE OF PARABLE: To show the various attitudes of men toward the reception of the gospel seed, and to appeal for an open mind and heart toward Christ's teachings so that the seed may find secure lodgment and be able to bear fruit unto rightdoing. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Read general Tuesday: Questions 6-11. 0 introduction. Following the Wednesday: Questions 12-14; read outline, survey the entire lesson. ❑ further from Study Helps. Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction; Thursday: Read further from Questions 1, 2. ❑ Study Helps. Monday: Questions 3-5; read from Friday: Review the entire lesson. Study Helps. ❑ [3] Lesson Outline IV. Good Soil Ready for the Good Seed 12. The good and honest hearers. Introduction Luke 8:8, 15. 13. That which makes the soil good. I. Why Jesus Taught in Parables John 7:17. 1. To stimulate inquiry. Mark 4:10; 14. The blessed results. Mark 4:8, 20. Matt. 13:10. 2. To awaken the conscience. Mark Key Thoughts: 4:11, 12. 1. The Model Parable. That this is a II. Sowing the Good Seed model parable is evident from the words of Jesus to the questioning disciples, "Know 3. Christ, the Sower. Matt. 13:37. [understand] ye not this parable? and how 4. Word of God, the seed. Luke 8:11. then will ye know [understand] all para- 5. Men's hearts, the soil. Matt. 13:19. bles?" Mark 4:13. By this He meant that III. Three Kinds of Unprofitable Soil this parable and its interpretation would in general show how other parables could be 6. Hardened wayside ground. Matt. understood and applied. 13:4, 19. 7. Seed snatched up. Luke 8:12, 2. Emphasis in the Parable. The em- last part. phasis in the parable of the sower is not 8. Stony ground with shallow cover- on the seed, or the sower, but on the quality ing of soil. Matt. 13:5, 6. of the soil, which symbolizes the receptive- 9. Experience of stony-ground hearers. ness of the hearers. Matt. 13:20, 21. 3. When the Word Cannot Bear Fruit. 10. Ground in which there are the roots The parable suggests three reasons why the of thorns and weeds. Matt. 13:7. preaching of the word cannot bear fruit: 11. Thorns represent the cares of life. (1) Inattention; (2) Impulsiveness; (3) Mark 4:18, 19. Preoccupation. THE LESSON Introduction the parable of the sower? Mark 4:10; Matt. 13:10. Parable Illustrates Spiritual Truth: "By the parable of the sower, Christ illustrates the things of the kingdom of heaven, and the work of the great Husbandman for His 2. How did Jesus explain His rea- people. Like a sower in the field, He came to scatter the heavenly grain of truth. And son for speaking in parables? Mark His parable teaching itself was the seed 4:11, 12. with which the most precious truths of His grace were sown. Because of its simplicity the parable of the sower has not been valued as it should be. From the natural seed cast NOTE.-"For His own wise purpose the into the soil, Christ desires to lead our minds Lord veils spiritual truths in figures and to the gospel seed, the sowing of which re- symbols. Through the use of figures of sults in bringing man back to his loyalty to speech, the plainest and most telling rebuke . God. He who gave the parable of the tiny was often given to His accusers and enemies, seed is the Sovereign of heaven, and the and they could find in His words no occasion same laws that govern earthly seed sowing to condemn Him. In parables and compari- govern the sowing of the seeds of truth." sons He found the best method of communi- -Christ's Object Lessons, page 33. cating divine truth. In simple language, using figures and illustrations drawn from Why Jesus Taught in Parables the natural world, He opened spiritual truth to His hearers, and gave expression to pre- 1. By what question did the disci- cious principles that would have passed ples and others reveal their interest in from their minds, and left scarcely a trace, [4] had He not connected His words with stir- NoTE.—The heart is hardened by unbelief ring scenes of life, experience, or nature.... and worldliness. Heb. 3:12, 13. In this way He was able to make sufficient "The heart that has long yielded to the impression upon the heart so that afterward influences of the world, that has long in- His hearers could look upon the thing with dulged in the gratification of its own selfish which He connected His lesson, and recall desires, is not prepared for the reception of the words of the divine Teacher."—Ellen G. the word."—Ellen G. White, Review and White, Review and Herald, Nov. 28, 1893. Herald, May 31, 1892. 7. Why is the wicked one so quick Sowing the Good Seed to snatch away the seed? Luke 8:12, last part. 3. Who is represented by the sower of the good seed? Matt. 13:37. NOTE.—"As the birds of the air are ready to catch up the seed from the wayside, so NOTE.—"The Sower is the Son of God, or Satan is represented as ready with his unseen he to whom He delegates His work; for by agencies of evil, to catch away the seeds of co-operating with Christ, man is to become divine truth from the heart, lest it should a laborer together with God. Those who by find a lodgment there, and bring forth fruit personal ministry open to others the Scrip- unto eternal life. He fears that the word of tures, are sowing the good seed."—Ellen G. God may awaken the careless, and take White, Review and Herald, May 31, 1892. effect upon the hardened heart."—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, May 31, 1892. 4. What does the good seed illus- trate? Luke 8:11. 8. What occurs when the seed falls upon stony places? Matt. 13:5, 6. NoTE.—Matthew 13:19 calls it "the word of the kingdom." Mark 4:14 calls it "the 9. What is the experience of this word." In the parable of the tares, the class of hearers? Matt. 13:20, 21. good seed is called "the children of the king- dom." This refers to the fruitage that comes from the sowing of the word of God. NOTE.—"A large number who make a pro- 5. Where is the seed sown? Matt. fession of religion. may be represented by 13:19, next to last clause. the stony-ground hearers. They are a class that are easily convinced; but they have only a superficial religion. . . . "For a time many who have only a super- NoTE.—The seed is sown in the heart. ficial faith, appear to be charmed with the Luke 8:15 speaks of the good seed being truth; but when the word of God points sown in "an honest and good heart." Luke out some cherished sin, and rebukes some 8:12 speaks of the devil taking "away the chosen course of action, or requires self- word out of their hearts." All through the denial and self-sacrifice, they are offended." parable of the sower, Jesus speaks of hear- —Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, June ing the word. To His followers in every 7, 1892. age He says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear." 10. What takes place when the good seed falls among thorns? Matt. Three Kinds of Unprofitable 13:7. Soil 6. What happened to the seed that 11. To what did Jesus compare the fell by the wayside? Matt. 13:4, 19. thorns? Matt. 4:18, 19. [5] his guilt, and feels his need of the mercy and love of God. He has a sincere desire to know the truth, that he may obey it. The good heart is a believing heart, one that has faith in the word of God."—Christ's Object Les- sons, pages 58, 59. 13. What promise is made to those who desire to understand the word of God? John 7:17. NoTE.—"The word of God often comes in collision with man's hereditary and culti- vated traits of character and his habits of life. But the good-ground hearer, in receiv- BE FOUND ing the word, accepts all its conditions and PLACES. requirements. . . . With the whole heart, with undivided purpose, he is seeking the NOTE.—See also Luke 8:14. The thorns life eternal, and at the cost of loss, persecu- are not seen when the good seed is sown. tion, or death itself, he will obey the truth." The roots of worldly care and pleasure that —Christ's Object Lessons, page 60. lurk in the heart if not removed, will some- 14. What will take place when day choke the word of truth. good seed is sown in good ground? Good Soil Ready for the Mark 4:8, 20. Good Seed 12. What is said of the good- NoTE.—"The whole Bible is a revelation ground hearers? Luke 8:8, 15. of the glory of God in Christ. Received, believed, obeyed, it is the great instrumen- tality in the transformation of character. NoTE.—"The 'honest and good heart' of . . . The truths of the Bible, received, will which the parable speaks, is not a heart uplift the mind from its earthliness and without sin; for the gospel is to be preached debasement. If the word of God were ap- to the lost. Christ said, 'I came not to call preciated as it should be, both young and the righteous, but sinners to repentance.' old would possess an inward rectitude . . . He has an honest heart who yields to the that would enable them to resist tempta- conviction of the Holy Spirit. He confesses tion."—Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 319. Lesson 2, for January 11, 1958 The Tares; The Net LESSON SCRIPTURE: Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43, 47-50. MEMORY VERSE: "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matt. 13:43. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 70-75, 122, 123 (1923 ed., pp. 69- 73, 123, 124); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Les- son Help in "Review and Herald" of December 26. [ 6 ] PURPOSE OF PARABLES: To teach patience and forbearance with wrongdoers in the church, and to warn of a time of judgment when the unrepentant finally will be separated from the righteous. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Questions 5-8. ❑ outline, survey the entire Wednesday: Questions 9-13. ❑ lesson. ❑ Thursday: Read from the Study. Helps. ❑ Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction. ❑ Friday: Review the entire lesson. ❑ Monday: Questions 1-4. ❑ Lesson Outline Key Thoughts: 1. Conditions in the Church. These para- Introduction bles speak of the good and evil that is intermingled in the church and do not refer I. Two Classes Illustrated to conditions in the world. 1. Good seed in the field. Matt. 13:24. 2. Satan's Enmity Toward the Church. 2. Presence of tares. Matt. 13:25, 26. Satan will do all he can to hinder the work 3. The servants' question. Matt. 13:27, of the church by weakening the Christian 28, first part. witness of its members. 4. The parable interpreted. Matt. 13: 3. Separation After Probation. Com- 36-39. plete separation of good and bad is deferred II. How to Deal With the Tares until full fruitage is seen at the close of probation. However, patience with wrong- 5. The servants' suggestions. Matt. 13: doers in the church does not do away with 28, last part. the responsibility of carrying out church 6. The Master's reply. Matt. 13:29. discipline. Even so, church discipline is for 7. Final separation. Matt. 13:30. the purpose of saving men, not casting them 8. Right method of church discipline. out. Matt. 18:15-20. 4. Impracticability of Separation Now. III. A Further Illustration The parable of the tares teaches that it is 9. The net gathering good and bad. not possible to make a complete separation Matt. 13:47. of good and evil in the church now. Hence 10. Sorting of the fish. Matt. 13:48. it condemns any wholesale attempt to pu- rify the church by human methods. The IV. Final Rewards parable of the net emphasizes the warning that such a separation will take place in the 11. Harvest, the end of the world. day of judgment at the end of the world. Matt. 13:39 (last part), 40. 12. Severance of the wicked. Matt. 5. Parables Correct Error. The parables 13:41, 42, 49, 50. correct the error of those who decline to 13. Reward of the righteous. Matt. enter into church membership because the 13:43. church is not perfect. THE LESSON Introduction the reason why the tares were not to be plucked up; it was lest the wheat be rooted God's Forbearance and Love: "In the up with the tares. Human opinion and parable of the wheat and the tares, we see judgment would make grave mistakes. But 7 rather than have a mistake made, and one NOTE.—"The great deceiver has many single blade of wheat rooted up, the Mas- agents ready to present any and every kind ter says, `Let both grow together until the of error to ensnare souls—heresies prepared harvest;' then the angels will gather out to. suit the varied tastes and capacities of the tares, which will be appointed to de- those whom he would ruin. It is his plan to struction. Although in our churches, that bring into the church insincere, unregenerate claim to believe advanced truth, there are elements that will encourage doubt and un- those who are faulty and erring, as tares belief, and hinder all who desire to see the among the wheat, God is long-suffering and work of God advance and to advance with patient. He reproves and warns the erring, it."—The Great Controversy, page 520. but He does not destroy those who are long in learning the lesson He would teach them; How to Deal With the Tares He does not uproot the tares from the wheat. Tares and wheat are to grow to- gether till the harvest; when the wheat 5. What suggestion did the serv- comes to its full growth and development, ants make? Matt. 13:28, last part. and because of its character when ripened, it will be fully distinguished from the tares." —Testimonies to Ministers, pages 45, 46. 6. Why was their plan rejected? Two Classes Illustrated Matt. 13:29. 1. To what does Jesus liken the kingdom of heaven? Matt. 13:24. NoTE.—"There are many who are treated as tares and hopeless subjects, whom Christ is drawing to Himself. Men judge from the outward appearance, and think they dis- NOTE.—"The field,' Christ said, `is the cern the true measurement of a man's char- world.' But we must understand this as acter; but they make many blunders in signifying the church of Christ in the their judgments."—Ellen G. White, Review world. The parable is a description of that and Herald, Jan. 3, 1893. which pertains to the kingdom of God, His work for the salvation of men, and this 7. What did the householder tell work is accomplished through the church. his servants to do? Matt. 13:30. True, the Holy Spirit has gone out into all the world; everywhere it is moving upon the hearts of men; but it is in the church that we are to grow and ripen for the gar- NoTE.—"The church of Christ on earth ner of God."—Christ's Object Lessons, will be imperfect, but God does not destroy page 70. His church because of its imperfection. 2. What happened while the serv- There have been and will be those who are ants were sleeping, and with what filled with zeal not according to knowledge, who would purify the church, and uproot later result? Matt. 13:25, 26. the tares from the midst of the wheat. But Christ has given special light as to how to deal with those who are erring, and with those who are unconverted in the church. 3. What question did the servants There is to be no spasmodic, zealous, hasty of the householder ask, and what re- action taken by church members in cut- ply was given? Matt. 13:27, 28, first ting off those they may think defective in part. character."—Testimonies to Ministers, page 46. 8. On a later occasion what did 4. How did Jesus interpret this Jesus say about dealing with wrong- parable? Matt. 13:36-39, first part. doers in the church? Matt. 18:15-20. [8 ] NOTE.—"No church officer should ad- vise, no committee should recommend, nor should any church vote, that the name of a wrongdoer shall be removed from the church books, until the instruction given by Christ has been faithfully followed. When this instruction has been followed, the church has cleared herself before God. The evil must then be made to appear as it is, and must be removed, that it may not become more and more widespread. The health and purity of the church must be preserved, that she may stand before God unsullied, clad in the robes of Christ's righteousness."—Testimonies, vol. 7, pp. 262, 263. ' • K. A Further Illustration WE SHOULD DEAL IN LOVE AND TENDERNESS WITH THE WEAK AHO ERRING IN THE CHURCH. 9. How is the gospel work of gath- ering in a diversity of people further illustrated? Matt. 13:47. 12. What happens to the wicked at the end of the world? Matt. 13:41, 42, 49, 50. NoTE.—This parable does not condone a careless gathering in of members into the church. Conversions must be realized, and church standards met in the lives of those NOTE.—"Those who have been favored who request entrance into the church. The with great light and many opportunities, church should know this, so far as possible, but who have not accepted the light nor before a vote is given to take anyone into improved the opportunities, who have not its fellowship. followed correct principles in dealing with their brethren or with unbelievers, will re- 10. What was done with the fish ceive punishment in accordance with their after they had been gathered in? Matt. sin. They will meet with some sad sur- 13:48. prises in the last great day, when every case shall be brought up in review before God."—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, April 1, 1902. I\ToTE.—"When the mission of the gospel is completed, the judgment will accomplish 13; How is the reward of the right- the work of separation. Christ saw how eous described? Matt. 13:43. the existence of false brethren in the church would cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of. . . . Because these sinners were in the church, men would be in danger of NOTE.—"My brother, my sister, I urge thinking that God excused their sins. There- you to prepare for the coming of Christ in fore Christ lifts the veil from the future, the clouds of heaven. Day by day cast the and bids all to behold that it is character, love of the world out of your hearts. Un- not position, which decides man's destiny." derstand by, experience what it means to —Christ's Object Lessons, pages 122, 123. have fellowship with Christ. Prepare for the judgment, that when Christ shall come, Final Rewards to be admired in all them that believe, you may be among those who will meet Him 11. In the parable of the tares what in peace. In that day the redeemed will is represented by the harvest? Matt. shine forth in the glory of the Father and 13:39 (last two dauses), 40. the Son."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 285. 9 Lesson 3, for January 18, 1958 The Leaven; The Mustard Seed LESSON SCRIPTURES: Matt. 13:31-33; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-21. MEMORY VERSE: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 76-79, 95-102 (1923 ed., pp. 75- 79, 93-99); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of January 2. PURPOSE OF PARABLES: To show the inward power and the outward influence of the gospel. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Read from Study Helps. ❑ outline, survey the entire Wednesday: Questions 8-13. ❑ lesson. ❑ Thursday: Read further from Study Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction; Helps. ❑ Questions 1-3. ❑ Friday: Review entire lesson. ❑ Monday: Questions 4-7. ❑ Lesson Outline replaced by the kingdom of Christ. Rev. 11:15. Introduction 12. The people who inherit the king- dom. Dan. 7:27. I. A Transforming Agent 13. Getting ready for the kingdom. Eph. 2:13, 18, 19. 1. Inward work of gospel described. Luke 13:20, 21. Key Thoughts: 2. Not a natural quality. Matt. 13:33, first part. 1. The Kingdom of Heaven Within and 3. "Till the whole was leavened." Without. The parable of the mustard seed Matt. 13:33, last part. illustrates the outward advance of the gos- pel. The leaven reveals its work within the II. The Gospel Leaven heart of the individual. The parable of the 4. "The power of God unto salva- leaven should be studied first because the tion." Rom. 1:16. gospel work begins with the individual, ex- 5. The new birth. John 3:3. tends to others, and then spreads through- 6. The incorruptible word. 1 Peter out the world. 1:23. 2. The Outward Evidence of an Imper- 7. Saving the whole man. ceptible Work. The gospel, like the leaven, 1 Thess. 5:23. does its work imperceptibly in the heart of a sincere believer, bringing about a mar- III. Spread of the Gospel ' velous change in the outlook and motives. 8. A growing power. Matt. 13:31, 32. Like the new birth, its beginning may not 9. Jesus' work scorned. Matt. 13:55. be discerned; but if genuine, its results will 10. Into all the world. Acts 1:8. soon be manifest to all. 3. Something New in the World. The IV. The Triumph of the Gospel seed and the leaven at first are not a part 11. The kingdoms of this world of the medium in which they work. They [101 must be placed there by some outside agent. body, soul, and spirit must be transformed, Man's salvation had to come from with- or sanctified. This, we are told, "is the out, for corrupt man cannot save- himself. work of a lifetime." Something new had to be put in the world 5. Leaven. "Among the Jews, leaven to save it. This was the gospel. was sometimes used as an emblem of sin. 4. The Work of a Lifetime. It takes . . . But in the Saviour's parable, leaven time to bring about a complete change of is used to represent the kingdom of heaven. character. It is not an instantaneous work. It illustrates the quickening, assimilating The leaven remained in the meal "till the power of the grace of God."—Christ's Ob- whole was leavened." The whole man, ject Lessons, pages 95, 96. THE LESSON Introduction on the meal, so the Holy Spirit operates on the human heart, absorbing all its capa- Kingdom of Heaven Established in the bilities and powers, bringing soul, body, and Heart: "With this leaven, the word of God, spirit into conformity to Christ."—Ellen G. true goodness, righteousness, and peace are White, Review and Herald, July 25, 1899. introduced. This brings the entire affections into conformity to the mind and will of 2. How did the leaven get into the God. Wherever it goes, the leaven of truth meal? Matt. 13:33, first part. makes a change in mind and heart. The en- tire character is transformed. All who will receive into the heart the truth as it is in Jesus, will reveal its leavening power. When NOTE.—The leaven was not in the meal the kingdom of heaven is established in the by nature. It had to be put there. With- heart, the whole character is conformed to out the act of the woman there could be the character of Christ; for the truth is a no leavening work in the meal. life-giving principle. The power of God is "The leaven—something wholly from working, like the leaven, to subdue the en- without—must be put into the meal be- tire being. Even the thoughts are brought fore the desired change can be wrought in into captivity to the will of Christ. 'If any it. So the grace of God must be received man be in Christ, he is a new creature: by the sinner before he can be fitted for the old things are passed away ; behold, all kingdom of glory."—Christ's Object Les- things have become new.' "—Ellen G. sons, page 96. White, Review and Herald, Sept. 21, 1897. 3. How much of the meal was transformed by the leaven? Matt. 13: A Transforming Agent 33, last part. 1. How did Jesus describe the in- ward work of the gospel? Luke 13: 20, 21. The Gospel Leaven 4. What is the greatest transform- ing power in the world? Rom. 1:16. NoTE.—Jesus was here speaking of a common practice in everyday life. No one who heard Him could easily forget these words which proclaimed the power of His NoTE.—We are to be made new creatures message to change men's lives. in Christ Jesus. 2 Cor. 5:17. But it is the "This parable illustrates the penetrating leaven of the grace of Christ alone that and assimilating power of the gospel, which does the work. Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:8. is to fashion the church after the divine similitude by working on the hearts of the 5. How does this work of trans- individual members. As the leaven operates formation begin? John 3:3. NoTE.—The meal cannot adequately rep- resent man, for the meal has no power of itself to reject the leaven. Man has the power of choice. He can either receive or reject the leaven of truth. In the new-birth experience man places himself in the hands of God. He opens his heart to the leav- ening influence of the gospel. But the leav- ening work then has just begun. As a new- born babe must grow into the stature of a man, so the one who has received the new leaven into his life must permit it to work throughout his lifetime. 6. What agency does the Holy Spirit use to bring about this new re- generating experience? 1 Peter 1:23. GOD'S . CHURCH, THOUGH SMALL IN "'" THE WORLD, HAS DIVINE POWER TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF MILLIONS. MB -3 NOTE.—"When our minds are controlled by the Spirit of God, we shall understand tions. He emphasized the thought, Despise the lesson taught by the parable of the not the day of small things. leaven. Those who open their hearts to re- ceive the truth will realize that the word 9. How did the people show con- of God is the great instrumentality in the tempt for Jesus and His work? Matt. transformation of character. 'The entrance 13:55. See also Luke 16:14; John 7: of Thy words giveth light,' the psalmist 15; 10:20. declares, 'it giveth understanding unto the simple.' And Christ prayed, for His disci- ples, 'Sanctify them through Thy truth: NOTE.—"When Christ spoke this parable, Thy word is truth.' "—Ellen G. White, Re- there were only a few Galilean peasants to view and Herald, July 25, 1899. represent the new kingdom. Their poverty, the fewness of their numbers, was urged 7. What did Paul say about the over and over again as a reason why men extent of the believer's transforma- should not connect themselves with these tion? 1 Thess. 5:23. simple-minded fishermen who followed Je- sus."—Christ's Object Lessons, pages 77,78. NOTE.—The complete leavening of the 10. How widely did Jesus say the whole man by' the sanctifying power of gospel story would be disseminated? Christ is a work of a lifetime. Day by day, Acts 1:8. Compare Matt. 24:14. year by year the silent, transforming proc- ess goes on. The Triumph of the Gospel Spread of the Gospel 11. According to John, when will the gospel finally triumph? Rev. 11: 8. How did Jesus illustrate the 15. Compare Dan. 2:44. spread of the gospel? Matt. 13:31, 32. See also Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18, 19. 12. Who then will inherit the king- dom? Dan. 7:27. NOTE.—The mustard seed was proverbi- ally the smallest of seeds. Christ chose it to illustrate the small beginnings of His work, 13. How may we become citizens which later would grow to large propor- of that kingdom? Eph. 2:13, 18, 19. [ 12 ] Lesson 4, for January 25, 1958 The Hidden Treasure; The Pearl of Great Price; The Rich Fool LESSON SCRIPTURES: Matt. 13:44-46; Luke 12:16-21. MEMORY VERSE: "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, 0 Lord God of hosts." Jer. 15:16. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 103-121, 252-259 (1923 ed., pp.' 101-121, 253-259); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of January 9. PURPOSE OF PARABLES: To show the supreme value of the gospel of salvation in Christ. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Questions 10-13. ❑ outline, survey the entire Wednesday: Read from Study Helps. ❑ lesson. ❑ Thursday: Read further from Study Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction; Helps. Questions 1-3. ❑ Friday: Review entire lesson. 0 Monday: Questions 4-9. ❑ Lesson Outline 11. The source of heavenly wisdom. Ps. 119:105, 130. Introduction 12. The joy that this treasure gives. I. Finding the Hidden Treasure Jer. 15:16. 1. The unexpected discovery. Matt. 13. The treasure hid in Christ. Col. 13:44, first part. 2:2, 3. 2. The price of the field. Matt. Key Thoughts: 13:44, last part. 3. The joy of giving all. Matt. 1. Emphasize Value and Not Cost. The 13:44, middle part. value and not the cost of the treasure and II. Looking for Goodly Pearls the pearl is emphasized. Since the value was greater than the cost, the man in both 4. The merchant's search. Matt. cases was happy with the transaction even 13:45. though it took all he had. 5. The pearl of great price. Matt. 13:46, first part. 2. The Treasure Hidden. The treasure is 6. The ready response. Matt. 13:46, hidden, but not in the sense that God last part. would keep it from us. It is hidden to those only who have not yet found it. All who III. The Hoarder's Mistake earnestly search will find it. 7. The prosperous farmer. Luke 3. Salvation an Individual Matter. There 12:16-19.- is no gain in merely hearing about the 8. What he should have remembered. treasure. We must possess it for ourselves. Dent. 8:18; 15:11. See John 4:39-42. 9. What the rich fool overlooked. Luke 12:20, 21. 4. Worthlessness of Earthly Treasure. The worthlessness of material things is re- IV. Seeking Everlasting Riches vealed by the rich fool. He overlooked the 10. The value of heavenly wisdom. most important lesson of life, our obliga- Job 28:12-18. tion to God and to the needy. [ 13 ] THE LESSON Introduction treasures of truth."—Christ's Object Les- sons, page 104. The Unsearchable Riches of Christ: "The 3. How did the man feel about pay- Saviour saw that men were absorbed in getting gain, and were losing sight of eter- ing the great price of the field? Matt. nal realities. He undertook to correct this 13:44, middle part. evil. He sought to break the infatuating spell that was paralyzing the soul. Lifting up His voice He cried, 'What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, NorE.—The man was filled with joy and lose his own soul? or what shall a man even though he had to sell all that he had give in exchange for his soul?' He presents to buy the field. This is understandable before fallen humanity the nobler world when we realize that the treasure represents they have lost sight of, that they may be- the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. Sal- hold eternal realities. He takes them to the vation makes a man happy. The Bible threshold of the Infinite, flushed with the speaks much of the joy of salvation. Da- indescrible glory of God, and shows them vid prayed, "Restore unto me the joy of the treasure there."—Christ's Object Les- Thy salvation." Ps. 51:12. Isaiah said, sons, page 106. "Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Isa. 12:3. Finding the Hidden Treasure Looking for Goodly Pearls 1. How did Jesus illustrate the un- expected discovery of heavenly truth? 4. How did Jesus describe those Matt. 13:44, first part. who diligently search for saving truth? Matt. 13:45. NOTE.—"The treasures of the gospel are said to be hidden. By those who are wise NOTE.—In the parable of the hidden in their own estimation, who are puffed up treasure Christ was speaking of those of by the teaching of vain philosophy, the whom the Lord had said, "I am found of beauty and power and mystery of the plan them that sought Me not." Isa. 65:1. In of redemption are not perceived. Many the parable of the pearl of great price He have eyes, but they see not; they have ears, was speaking of another group to whom but they hear not; they have intellect, but the Lord says, "And ye shall seek Me, and they discern not the hidden treasure."— find Me, when ye shall search for Me with Christ's Object Lessons, page 104. all your heart." Jer. 29:13. 2. How much of the man's posses- 5. How was the merchant's search sions did it take to buy the field? Matt. rewarded? Matt. 13:46, first part. 13:44, last part. 6. What was his response to the NoTE.—"This parable illustrates the value price asked? Matt. 13:46, last part. of the heavenly treasure, and the effort that should be made to secure it. The finder of the treasure in the field was ready to part with all that he had, ready to put forth NoTE.—There was no hesitation on the untiring labor, in order to secure the hid- part of the merchant to give up all his den riches. So the finder of heavenly treas- earthly possessions in order to obtain the ure will count no labor too great and no perfect pearl for which he had been search- sacrifice too dear, in order to gain the ing all his life. When Paul had a vision of [ 14 ] the Lord Jesus, he, too, was ready to give up all his former interests in life to follow Christ. Afterward he expressed his feelings thus: "But what things were gain to me, those I cdunted loss for Christ. Yea doubt- less, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." Phil. 3:7, 8. This will be the attitude of all who know the riches that God offers in Christ. The Hoarder's Mistake 7. In another of Christ's parables what did the prosperous farmer say WHAT ARE WE PROFITED IF WE GAIN EARTH'S TREASURES, BUT LOSE THE to himself? Luke 12:16-19. PEARL OF GREAT PRICE? 068-4 9. What did the foolish rich man NOTE.—Christ told this parable in an- overlook? Luke 12:20, 21. swer to a man who interrupted His teach- ing and requested, "Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me." Luke 12:13. Jesus was displeased Seeking Everlasting Riches with the covetousness manifested in this request, and He replied, "Man, who made 10. What value does Job place Me a judge or a divider over you? . . . Take heed, and beware of covetousness." upon heavenly wisdom? Job 28: Little did this man realize that he was 12-18. talking with One who could have given him the eternal riches. The parable that Christ then gave is not alone for this man, but for everyone whose motive in life is to 11. Where is this wisdom found? seek "the abundance of the things." Ps. 119:105, 130. Verse 15. 8. Instead of using his wealth for his own pleasure, what should the NoTE.—"But there must be earnest study rich man have remembered? Deut. 8: and close investigation. Sharp, clear per- 18; 15:11. ceptions of truth will never be the reward of indolence. No earthly blessing can be obtained without earnest, patient, persever- ing effort. . . . It is essential for old and NoTE.—This man, having no thought of young, not only to read God's word, but his responsibility to God or regard for the to study it with wholehearted earnestness, needs of the poor, stored up all his goods praying and searching for truth as for hid- for himself. "He lived as if there were no den treasure. Those who do this will be God, no heaven, no future life; as if every- rewarded; for Christ will quicken the un- thing he possessed were his own, and he derstanding."—Christ's Object Lessons, page owed nothing to God or man. The psalm- 111. ist described this rich man when he wrote, `The fool hath said in his heart, There is no 12. How did Jeremiah feel when God.' "—Christ's Object Lessons, pages this treasure had been found? Jer. 257, 258. 15:16. [15] 13. In whom are all these treasures ther's glory and the express image of His hid? Col. 2:2 (last clause), 3. person. The glory of the attributes of God is expressed in His character. . . . All that can satisfy the needs and longings of the human soul, for this world and for the NOTE.—"Christ Himself is the pearl of world to come, is found in Christ. Our Re- great price. In Him is gathered all the deemer is the pearl so precious that in com- glory of the Father, the fullness of the parison all things else may be accounted Godhead. He is the brightness of the Fa- loss."—Christ's Object Lessons, pages 115, 116. Lesson 5, for February 1, 1958 The Rich Young Ruler; Laborers in the Vineyard LESSON SCRIPTURE: Matt. 19:16-30; 20:1-16. MEMORY VERSE: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of your- selves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 9. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 390-404 (1923 ed., pp. 397-413); "The Great Controversy," pages 675-678 (subscription ed., pp. 665-668); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of January 16. PURPOSE OF PARABLE: To demonstrate that the eternal reward comes not by works, but by grace alone, and to show the true motive in Christian service. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Questions 10-14. ❑ outline, survey the entire Wednesday: Read from Study Helps. 0 lesson. ❑ Thursday: Read further from Study Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction; Helps. 0 Questions 1-3. _ ❑ Friday: Review entire lesson. 0 Monday: Questions 4-9. ❑ Lesson Outline II. Compensation Versus Grace 5. The householder. Matt. 20:1. Introduction 6. First laborers bargain for wages. Matt. 20:2. I. The Rich Young Ruler 7. Other calls to work during_he day. 1. "What good thing shall I do?" Matt. 20:3-7. Matt. 19:16. 8. No specific remuneration sug- 2. Keep the commandments. Matt. gested. Matt. 20:4, 7. 19 9. All paid alike at close of day. 3. "What lack I yet?" Matt. 19:21. Matt. 20:8-10. 4. "What shall we have therefore?" 10. The complaint of the first men Matt. 19:27. hired. Matt. 20:11, 12. [is l III. Grace Versus Merit the Work. The first group of laborers worked on the basis of hirelings. The other 11. God's right to be generous. groups trusted the householder to be fair Matt. 20:13, 15, first part. with them. 12. Basis of salvation stated clearly. Eph. 2:8, 9. 3. Reward by Grace Alone. Heavenly reward is given not according to the IV. The True Motive in Christian amount of work done, but by grace alone. Service 4. No Place for Bargaining. The bar- gaining spirit has no place in Christian serv- 13. Love for God and man. Matt. ice. It is the spirit of a hireling to ask, 22:35-40; Rom. 13:10. "What shall we get ?" It is the spirit of 14. The eternal reward. 1 Cor. 2:9; heaven to ask, "What can we give ?" Rev. 21:1, 4, 5, 7. 5. Not According to Worldly Ways. Je- Key Thoughts: sus presented this parable as He did in or- der to show the contrast between the way 1. The First May Be Last. The one who God deals with men and the way men deal has begun well must not be overconfident. with men. Grace is the only possible way It is not necessarily those who have been for God to deal with men, for no matter long in the vineyard who will receive the how much a man may work he never could final reward. deserve even a small portion of the marvel- 2. Motive Determines the Character of ous joys of eternal life. THE LESSON Introduction condition of eternal life,—the same condi- tion that was required of Adam before his God's Favor Not Earned: "The truth of fall. The Lord expects no less of the soul God's free grace had been almost lost sight now than He expected of man in Paradise, of by the Jews. The rabbis taught that perfect obedience, unblemished righteous- God's favor must be earned. The reward ness. The requirement under the covenant of the righteous they hoped to gain by of grace is just as broad as the requirement their own works. Thus their worship was made in Eden,—harmony with God's law, prompted by a grasping, mercenary spirit. which is holy, just, and good."—Christ's From this spirit even the disciples of Christ Object Lessons, page 391. were not wholly free, and the Saviour sought every opportunity of showing them 3. When the young man answered their error."—Christ's Object Lessons, page that he had kept the commandments 390. from his youth up, and then asked, "What lack I yet?" what did Jesus The Rich Young Ruler tell him to do? Matt. 19:21. 1. What question did a rich young man ask Jesus? Matt. 19:16. NOTE.—"The lover of self is a transgres- sor of the law. This Jesus desired to reveal to the young man, and He gave him a test . 2. What reply did he receive? that would make manifest the selfishness of Matt. 19:17. his heart. He showed him the plague spot in his character. The young man desired no further enlightenment. He had cherished an idol in the soul; the world was his god. NozE.—"Christ does not lessen the . . . He did not possess true love for God claims of the law. In unmistakable lan- or man."—Christ's Object Lessons, page guage He presents obedience to it as the 392. [ 17 ] 4. As Peter thought of the young man's failure to respond to Christ's call, what did he say? Matt. 19:27. NOTE.—Peter's question, "What shall we have therefore?" placed him in a wrong relation to Christ. It was the spirit of a hireling, which is self-centered, suspicious, and grudging. It measured carefully the amount of work to be done with the com- pensation that has been offered. This bar- gaining spirit could never operate in the spiritual world, chiefly because man could never carry out his end of the bargain. God's offer of eternal life is so great that " WHAT DO I GET ?" on any man could never in a million millen- "WHAT CAN I G I VE ? " niums earn enough to deserve the least portion of it. Compensation Versus Grace they received the amount specified, noth- ing more. Those later hired believed the master's promise, 'Whatsoever is right, that 5. In order to counteract the spirit shall ye receive.' They showed their con- Peter manifested by his question, fidence in him by asking no question in what parable did Jesus relate? Matt. regard to wages. They trusted to his jus- 20:1. tice and equity. They were rewarded, not according to the amount of their labor, but according to the generosity of his purpose." —Christ's Object Lessons, page 397. NOTE.—"Lest the disciples should lose sight of the principles of the gospel, Christ 9. How were all the men paid at related to them a parable illustrating the the close of the day? Matt. 20:8-10. manner in which God deals with His serv- ants, and the spirit in which He desires them to labor for Him."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 396. NOTE.—This parable has caused much 6. What agreement did the house- discussion. It is so different from others Christ related which had to do with natu- holder make with the first group of ral occurrences in life. Although the house- laborers? Matt. 20:2. holder acted in an unusual manner, it was the way Christ chose to illustrate the un- usual dealings God has with man. The pe- culiar action of the householder made clear 7. What later calls for laborers did the words of God, "My thoughts are not the householder make? Matt. 20:3-7. your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways." Isa. 55:8. If man was to be saved, God could not do it by any ordinary means. It must be accomplished not on the 8. What pay did the householder basis of worthiness, but on the basis of promise the laborers? Matt. 20:4, 7. grace. No wonder the redeemed, as they think upon the plan by which they were saved, exclaim, "Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and NoTE.—"In the parable the first laborers true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints." agreed to work for a stipulated sum, and Rev. 15:3. 1 18 1 10. When the first laborers saw The True Motive in what they considered an injustice, Christian Service what did they say? Matt. 20:11, 12. 13. What is to be the underlying motive of our commandment keep- ing? Matt. 22:35-40; Rom. 13:10. NOTE.—Now the true spirit of the first laborers becomes manifest. They had re- ceived what they had bargained for be- NoTE.—The rich young man who pro- fore they entered the vineyard, but because fessed to keep all the law, and hence felt others received the same amount for less worthy of eternal life, had the wrong kind work they murmured and protested. Is it of love. His was a love of self, rather than not this spirit of covetousness that is abroad a love for God and man. That is why he in the world today which is the root of did not respond to Christ's call to give his much of our troubles? No covetous per- riches to the poor and come follow Him. son can enter the kingdom of heaven. Eph. "The Lord desires us to rest in Him with- 5:5. out a question as to our measure of reward. Grace Versus Merit Wheri Christ abides in the soul, the thought of reward is not uppermost. This is not the motive that actuates our service. . . . We 11. How did the householder an- should not be so anxious to gain the re- swer the laborers' complaint? Matt. ward as to do what is right, irrespective of 20:13, 15, first part. all gain. Love to God and to our fellow men should be our motive."—Christ's Ob- ject Lessons, pages 398, 399. 12. How does the apostle Paul 14. What does the Bible say of the clearly state the basis of man's salva- reward of those who love God? 1 Cor. tion? Eph. 2:8, 9. 2:9; Rev. 21:1, 4, 5, 7. Lesson 6, for February 8, 1958 The Two Sons; The Unmerciful Servant LESSON SCRIPTURES: Matt. 7:21-27; 18:23-34; 21:28-31. MEMORY VERSE: "And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." 1 John 4:21. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 243-251, 272-283 (1923 ed., pp. 243-251, 273-285); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of January 23. PURPOSE OF PARABLES: They show that the evidences of true repentance are love to God and love to man. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Questions 7-10; read fur- outline, survey the entire ther from Study Helps. 0 lesson. ❑ Wednesday: Questions 11-14; read Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction; further from Study Helps. Questions 1, 2. ❑ Thursday: Read further from Study Monday: Questions 3-6; read from Helps. ❑ Study Helps. ❑ Friday: Review entire lesson. 0 [ 19 ] Lesson Outline V. Love for God and Man 13. Forgiveness conditional. Matt. Introduction 18:35. 14. Evidence of true repentance. I. The Son Who Repented 1 John 4:21; John 13:34, 35. 1. Avowed disobedience. Matt. 21: Key Thoughts: 28, 29, first part. 2. Later repentance. Matt. 21:29, 1. All Men Must Come to Repentance. last part. Jewish leaders had no privileged status over others in the matter of salvation. Pub- II. The Son Who Promised and licans and sinners would repent and be re- Went Not ceived while their leaders would be rejected 3. Appearance of assent. Matt. 21:30, for lack of repentance. first part. 2. Two Classes in the Church. The two 4. True state of heart revealed. Matt. sons in the parable represented the two 21:30, last part. classes among the Jews in Christ's day, 5. Meaning of parable. Matt. 21:31. those who said but did not and those who 6. Example of Jewish leaders con- rejected John's appeal to repent, but later demned. Matt. 23:3. confessed their sins under the ministry of Christ and His disciples. The same classes III. The Test of Obedience are in the church today. 7. Two classes of people. Matt. 3. A Lesson for All Time. "Words are of 7:24-27. no value unless they are accompanied with 8. Doing the will of God. Matt. 7: appropriate deeds."-Christ's Object Les- 21-23. sons, page 272. 4. How Often a Brother Should Be For- IV. The Man Who Would Not Forgive given. In the parable of the unmerciful 9. The measure of forgiveness. servant, Christ made it clear that one Matt. 18:21, 22. should possess the forgiving spirit which 10. An insurmountable debt forgiven. sets no limits on the amount of forgiveness Matt. 18:24-27. he will extend to another. 11. Treatment of a fellow servant. 5. Forgiveness Is Conditional. God for- Matt. 18:28-30. gives us if we forgive others. An unforgiv- 12. A rebuke and punishment given. ing' spirit toward others, cancels God's for- Matt. 18:31-34. giveness toward us. THE LESSON Introduction love God supremely is it possible to love our neighbor impartially."-The Desire of Living by the Principle of Love: "The Ages, page 607. first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one great precept, 'Thou The Son Who Repented shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.' The last six are included in the 1. In the parable of the two sons other, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as how did the first one answer the call thyself.' Both these commandments are an expression of the principle of love. The of his father? Matt. 21:28, 29, first first cannot be kept and the second bro- part. ken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken. When God has His rightful place on 'the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We 2. What did the first son do later? shall love him as ourselves. And only as we Matt. 21:29, last part. [ 20 ] NOTE.—This son is not to be commended ward repented, and obeyed the call of God. because he so boldly rejected his father's When the gospel came to them in the mes- plea. He was in grave danger. The father sage of John the Baptist, 'Repent ye; for might never have called him again, and the the kingdom of heaven is at hand,' they re- work might have been ffnished by- the time pented, and confessed their sins."—Christ's he was ready to take it up. Some may Object Lessons, pages 275, 276. pride themselves on the fact that they are not hypocrites because they make no pro-, 6. What did Jesus say of the Jew- fession of religion. There is no virtue in ish leaders? Matt. 23:3, last part. such an attitude. Furthermore, when the Compare Matt. 15:8. sin of rebellion is added to other sins there is less likelihood of repentance. The Test of Obedience The Son Who Promised and Went Not 7. What two classes of people does Christ point out in His illustration of 3. When the second son heard his the house built on the sand and the father's call to work, how did he re- one built on a rock? Matt. 7:24-27. ply? Matt. 21:30, first part. NOTE.—"Good works can never purchase salvation, but they are an evidence of the 4. How was the real state of this faith that acts by love and purifies the son's heart revealed? Matt. 21:30, last soul. And though the eternal reward is not part. bestowed because of our merit, yet it will be in proportion to the work that has been done through the grace of Christ."—The Desire of Ages, page 314. NoTE.—This son is not to be commended for his promise, for either he did not mean 8. In what words does Jesus de- what he said, or he took the assent too scribe those who will enter the king- lightly. To make a promise to man and dom of heaven? Matt. 7:21-23. not strive in every way to keep it is a great offense. But to make a vow of re- pentance to God, and for little reason to break it, is a greater one. One should count NOTE.—"The test of sincerity is not in the cost when he gives his heart to God. words, but in deeds. Christ does not say One must know first that the price of fol- to any man, What say ye more than oth- lowing the Lord is surrender of body, soul, ers? but, 'What do ye more than others?' and spirit to Him. Full of meaning are His words, 'If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.' " 5. What lesson is pointed out by —Christ's Object Lessons, page 272. this parable? Matt. 21:31. The Man Who Would Not Forgive NOTE.—"In this parable the father rep- 9. In reply to Peter's question as to resents God, the vineyard the church. By the measure of his forgiveness, what the two sons are represented two classes of did Jesus say? Matt. 18:21, 22. people. The son who refused to obey the command, saying, 'I will not,' represented those who were living in open transgres- sion, who made no profession of piety, who 10. In the parable how did the king openly refused to come under the yoke of deal with the servant who owed him restraint and obedience which the law of an overwhelming debt? Matt. 18: God imposes. But many of these after- 24-27. 21 ] "I WANT TO BUY "I SURRENDER AU-- BODY AND of the servant whom he had forgiven, A TICKET TO HEAVEN WITH SOU TO GOD FOR HIS KIN GD M." what did the king do? Matt. 18:31-34. MY MONEY." Love for God and Man 13. What lesson does this parable teach? Matt. 18:35. Compare Matt. 6:15. ' NOTE.—God's forgiveness is conditional. If we do not keep the forgiving spirit, then WHO WILL REACH HEAVEN--THE we cannot expect forgiveness from God. BUYER OF GOOD OR THE GIVER OF ALL? "He who is unmerciful toward others shows that he himself is not a partaker of God's pardoning grace. In God's forgive- NOTE.—"The pardon granted by this ness the heart of the erring one is drawn king represents a divine forgiveness of all close to the great heart of Infinite Love. sin. Christ is represented by the king, who, The tide of divine compassion flows into moved with compassion, forgave the debt the sinner's soul, and from him to the of his servant. Man was under the con- souls of others. . . . But 'if any man have demnation of the broken law. He could not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.' not save himself, and for this reason Christ He is alienated from God, fitted only for came to this world, clothed His divinity eternal separation from Him. with humanity, and gave His life, the just "It is true that he may once have re- for the unjust."—Christ's Object Lessons, ceived forgiveness; but his unmerciful spirit page 244. shows that he now rejects God's pardoning love. He has separated himself from God, 11. After being forgiven his great and is in the same condition as before he debt, how did the servant deal with a was forgiven. He has denied his repentance, fellow servant who owed him a much and his sins are upon him as if he had not smaller debt? Matt. 18:28-30. repented."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 251. 14. What is the evidence of true 12. When other servants com- repentance? 1 John 4:21; John 13: plained to the king about the severity 34, 35. Lesson 7, for February 15, 1958 The Lost and Found LESSON SCRIPTURES: Matt. 18:12, 13; Luke 15:1-32. MEMORY VERSE: "For theSon of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10. 1227 STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 185-211 (1923 ed., pp. 185-213); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of January 30. PURPOSE OF PARABLES: To show the joy at recovery of the sin ner lost from God. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Questions 9-12; read from outline, survey the entire Study Helps. ❑ lesson. ❑ Wednesday: Questions 13, 14; read Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction; further from Study Helps. ❑ Questions 1-3. ❑ Thursday: Read further from Study Monday: Questions 4-8. ❑ Helps. ❑ Friday: Review entire lesson. ❑ Lesson Outline 11. The prodigal's awakening. Luke 15:17-19. Introduction 12. The prodigal's return. Luke 15:20-24. ' I. Christ's Mission Among Men V. Man's Relation to Sinners 1. The taunt of the Pharisees. Luke 13. The elder son's self-righteousness. 15:1, 2. Luke 15:25-32. 2. The sick need a physician. Matt. 14. Man's part in saving sinners. 9:10-12. 1 Cor. 3:9. 3. Christ came to seek and save the lost. Luke 19:10. Key Thoughts: II. The One Lost Sheep 1. Lost in the Home. Some are lost • 4. Christ's concern for even one when they are far from home influences, sinner. Luke 15:4. others are lost even when they are living 5. The loit treated with tenderness. under the influence of a godly home. Luke 15:5. 2. The Sense of Loss. The first two para- 6. Joy over finding the lost sheep. bles emphasize God's sense of loss and His Luke 15:6. search for the sinner. The last one empha- sizes the sinner's sense of loss, and his III. The Lost Piece of Silver search for God. 3. Diligent Search Needed. The lost can 7. Lost in the home. Luke 15:8. only be found after diligent and sympa- 8. Heaven's joy over finding the lost thetic search. sinner. Luke 15:7, 10. 4. Joy in Soul Winning. The exuberant joy felt in finding the lost is emphasized in IV. The Prodigal Son all three of the parables. 9. The wayward youth. Luke 15: 5. Part in Saving the Lost. Man has a 11, 12. part in rescuing the lost. He must not show 10. The prodigal's downfall. Luke a self-righteous spirit of indifference to- 15:13-16. ward sinners as did the elder son. THE LESSON Introduction the wonderful love of Christ for the erring, wandering ones. He does not choose to re- Christ's Tender Pity for the Sinner: "In main with those who accept His salvation, the parable of the lost sheep is represented bestowing all His efforts upon them, and [ 23 ] receiving their gratitude and love. The True Shepherd leaves the flock that love Him, and goes out into the wilderness, en- during hardship and facing danger and death, to seek and save the sheep that has wandered from the fold, and that must perish if not brought back. When after diligent search the lost is found, the Shep- herd, though suffering from weariness, pain, and hunger, does not leave it in its weak- ness to follow Him. He does not drive it back, but, oh wondrous love! He tenderly gathers it in His arms, and placing it upon His shoulder bears it to the fold. . . . "The parable of the prodigal son, and that of the lost piece of silver teach the same lesson. . . . "These lessons are for our benefit. Christ WE INSURE ouR.womes AND CARS, HAVE WE INSURED OVR DEAREST POSSESS 0145 has enjoined upon His disciples that they 10S8-7 WITH HEAVEN? co-operate with Him in His work."—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, Nov. 30, 1886. NOTE.—"In the parable the shepherd Christ's Mission Among Men goes out to search for one sheep,—the very least that can be numbered. So if there had 1. What taunt of the Pharisees been but one lost soul, Christ would have brought forth the three parables in died for that one."—Christ's Object Les- sons, page 187. this lesson? Luke 15:1, 2. "In the parable of the lost sheep, Christ teaches that salvation does not come through our seeking after God, but through God's seeking after us."—Ibid., p. 189. NOTE.—"The Pharisees had only scorn and condemnation for them [sinners] ; but Christ greeted them as children of God, 5. When the sheep was found, with estranged indeed from the Father's house, what care did the shepherd treat it? but not forgotten by the Father's heart. Luke 15:5. And their very misery and sin made them only the more the objects of His compas- sion. The farther they had wandered from Him, the more earnest the longing and the NOTE.—"The soul, bruised and wounded greater the sacrifice for their rescue."— and ready to perish, He encircles in His Christ's Object Lessons, page 186. arms of love, and joyfully bears it to the' fold of safety."—Christ's Object Lessons, 2. Who, did Christ say, need a page 189. physician? Matt. 9:10-12. 6. After returning with the lost sheep, how did the shepherd reveal his joy? Luke 15:6. 3. What was Christ's mission in this world? Luke 19:10. The Lost Piece of Silver The One Lost Sheep 7. How did Jesus illustrate a loss 4. How did Jesus illustrate His that takes place in the home? Luke concern for the sinner? Luke 15":4. 15:8. [ 24 ] NOTE.—"This parable has a lesson to NOTE.—"What a picture here of the sin- families. In the household there is often ner's state! Although surrounded with the great carelessness concerning the souls of blessings of His love, there is nothing that its members. Among their number may be the sinner, bent on self-indulgence and sin- one who is estranged from God; but how ful pleasure, desires so much as separation little anxiety is felt lest, in the family rela- from God. Like the ungrateful son, he tionship, there be lost one of God's en- claims the good things of God as his by trusted gifts. . . . right. He takes them as a matter of "If there is in the family one child who course, and makes no return of gratitude, is unconscious of his sinful state, parents renders no service of love. As Cain went should .not rest. Let the candle be lighted. out from the presence of the Lord to seek Search the word of God, and by its light let his home; as the prodigal wandered into everything in the home be diligently ex- the 'far country,' so do sinners seek happi- amined, to see why this child is lost. Let ness in forgetfulness of God."—Christ's Ob- parents search their own hearts, examine ject Lessons, page 200. their habits and practices."—Christ's Object Lessons, pages 194, 195. 11. When the prodigal son awak- ened to his need, what did he say to 8. How do heavenly beings show himself? Luke 15:17-19. their great interest in the salvation of sinners? Luke 15:7, 10. 12. How did the father receive the NorE.—"The connection of heavenly an- prodigal son when he reached home? gels with the Christian's work is here Luke 15:20-24. brought clearly to light. There is more joy in the presence of the angels in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety and' nine just persons who need no repent- NOTE.—"The very first reaching out of ance. There is joy with the Father and the heart after God is known to Him. with Christ. All heaven is interested in the Never a prayer is offered, however falter- salvation of man. He who is instrumental ing, never a tear is shed, however secret, in saving a soul is at liberty to rejoice; for never a sincere desire after God is cherished, angels of God have witnessed his efforts however feeble, but the Spirit of God goes with the most intense interest, and rejoice forth to meet it. Even before the prayer with him in his success."—Testimonies, is uttered, or the yearning of the heart vol. 4, p. 264. made known, grace from Christ goes forth to meet the grace that is working upon the The Prodigal Son human soul."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 206. . 9. What did the younger of two sons ask his father to do? Luke 15:11, Man's Relation to Sinners 12. 13. How did the elder son react to the father's love for the prodigal, NOTE.—"In the parable of the prodigal and what did the father say to him? son is presented the Lord's dealing with Luke 15:25-32. those who have once known the Father's love, but who have allowed the tempter to lead them captive at his will."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 198. NoTE.—What would have happened if the elder son had seen his brother before 10. How did this son spend his the father met him? His cruel, unfeeling wealth, and with what result? Luke attitude might have so discouraged the 15:13-16. prodigal son that he would not have waited [ 25 ] to see his father. No one knows how many NOTE.—"If you are in communion with sinners have been turned from their thought Christ, you will place His estimate upon of repentance by the harsh criticism of the every human being. You will feel for self-righteous members of the church. others the same deep love that Christ has felt for you. Then you will be able to win, 14. What part does man have in not drive, to attract, not repulse, those for saving the lost? 1 Cor. 3:9. Compare whom He died."—Christ's Object. Lessons, Matt. 4:19. page 197. Lesson 8, for February 22, 1958 The Growing Seed; The Barren Fig Tree LESSON SCRIPTURES: Mark 4:26-29; Luke 13:6-9. MEMORY VERSE: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor. 5:10. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 62-69; 212-218 (1923 ed., pp. 61- 67, 213-221); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Les- son Help in ';"/\view and Herald" of February 7. PURPOSE OF PARAb.. "" To picture the mystery of Christian growth and to warn of the final judgment .all men. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Questions 4-6. ❑ outline, survey the entire Wednesday: Read further from lesson. ❑ Study Helps. Sunday: Key ThoUghts; Introduction; Thursday: Questions 7-13. 0 Questions 1-3. ❑ Friday: Review entire lesson. 0 Monday: Read from Study Helps. 9 Lesson Outline 5. A work of faith and confidence. Isa. 55:10, 11. Introduction 6. The path of the just. Prov. 4:18. I. The Marvel of a Growing Seed III. A Cumberer of the Ground 1. The mystery of growth. Mark 7. Calamity no indication of sinful- 4:26, 27. ness. Luke 13:4, 5. 2. A limit to human effort. Mark 8. The troubled husbandman. Luke 4:28, first part. 13:6. ,3. Successive steps to maturity. 9. The barren fig tree. Luke 13:7. Mark 4:28, last part. 10. The patient vinedresser. Luke 13:8. II. Spiritual Lessons From the Natural World IV. The Day of Final Judgment 4. As the earth brings forth fruit. 11. When the grain is mature. Mark Isa. 61:11. 4:29. [ 26 ] 12. Result of continued barrenness. turity. In spiritual things sanctified growth Luke 13:9. "is the work of a lifetime." 13. All men to be judged. Eccl. 12:14; 4. Do Not Look for Maturity Until It Is 2 Cor. 5 :10. Due. In dealing with children and those young in the faith, the same patience should Key Thoughts: be shown as that manifested by the farmer 1. Good Seed Must Be Sown. Weeds who waits for his crop to mature. propagate themselves and grow where they 5. Forbearance Toward Sinners. The are not wanted. Good seed must be sown same forbearance, long-suffering, and ten- where we want it and be carefully culti- der interest should be shown the erring vated. Seeds of righteousness must be and barren ones as was shown by the placed in the life and tended skillfully if dresser to the barren fig tree. evil is to be excluded. 6. Respite Is Not Pardon. The sinner 2. Man Sows, God Gives the Increase. must not think that delay of judgment Man sows the seeds of truth, but he can- means that God condones and overlooks not make them grow and mature. Only sin. There is a limit to His forbearance. the grace of Christ can do that. See Eccl. 8:11; Prov. 29:1; 2 Peter 3:3-10; 3. Gradual Spiritual Growth. In nature Gen. 6:3. the seed does not burst into immediate ma- THE LESSON Introduction when placed in the proper soil will unfold according to the laws of its being. Man Continual Advancement in Christian Ex- knows little of the mystery of what occurs perience: "The germination of the seed rep- between sowing and reaping. Although "he resents the beginning of spiritual life, and knoweth not how" the seed will grow, man the development of the plant is a beauti- acting in, faith prepares the soil, plants the ful figure of Christian growth. As in na- seed, and then leaves the rest to God, or ture, so in grace; there can be no life with- as is mistakenly said more often, "to na- out growth. The plant must either grow ture." or die. As its growth is silent and imper- ceptible, but continuous, so is the develop- 2. How did Jesus emphasize man's ment of the Christian life. At every stage limitation? Mark 4:28, first part. of development our life may be perfect; yet if God's purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be continual advancement. Sanctifica- tion is the work of a lifetime. As our op- NOTE.—The husbandman can do many portunities multiply, our experience will en- things with the soil. He can plow, harrow, large, and our knowledge increase. We and enrich it. He can also choose the shall become strong to bear responsibility, quality of the seed he uses. He can re- and our maturity will be in proportion to move obstructions to its growth. But he our privileges."—Christ's Object Lessons, cannot make the seed grow. At a certain pages 65, 66. point in his labors he must wait patiently for the seed to develop to maturity. This The Marvel of a Growing Seed it does silently and almost imperceptibly while he wakes or sleeps. 1. How did Jesus describe the mys- "There is life in the seed, there is power terious growth of the seed? Mark in the soil; but unless an infinite power is 4:26, 27. exercised day and night, the seed Will yield no returns. . . . The life which the Crea- tor has implanted, He alone can call forth. Every seed grows, every plant develops, by NOTE.—God has fitted the seed to the soil the power of God."—Christ's Object Les- and the soil to the seed. Thus good seed sons, page 63. [ 27 ] • 3. How did Jesus describe the grad- ual process and the distinctive steps in the growth of the seed? Mark 4:28, last part. NOTE.—While there are distinct stages in the growth of the seed, the process is so gradual one cannot discern just when one stage passes into another. Its progress from day to day is almost imperceptible, al- though one can see certain evidences of growth. Spiritual Lessons From the Natural World THE SOLE OBJECT IS THE GROWTH THE SEED FOR THE HARVEST. ‘056-E1 4. How does the prophet Isaiah compare spiritual growth with that seen in nature? Isa. 61:11. present good for a larger return. He casts the seed away, expecting to gather it many- fold in an abundant harvest. So Christ's servants are to labor, expecting a harvest NOTE.—"As in the natural, so in the from the seed they sow."—Christ's Object spiritual sowing; the teacher of truth must Lessons, pages 64, 65. seek to prepare the soil of the heart; he 6. In what words is the sanctified must sow the seed ; but the power that alone can produce life is from God. There life described? Prov. 4:18. is a point beyond which human effort is in vain. While we are to preach the word, we cannot impart the power that will quicken the soul, and cause righteousness and praise NoTE.—Christian growth must first be to spring forth. In the preaching of the manifested in the character as described in word there must be the working of an Gal. 5:22, 23 and 2 Peter 1:5-8. When agency beyond any human power. Only man's character is changed, he will be able through the divine Spirit will the word be to lead others to bear the fruitage of a living and powerful to renew the soul unto Christlike character. eternal life."—Christ's Object Lessons, pages 63, 64. A Cumberer of the Ground 5. With what faith and confidence 7. What did Christ say concerning should we sow the gospel seed? Isa. calamity or disaster as a retribution 55:10, 11. upon sinners? Luke 13:4, 5. NOTE.—"The work of the sower is a work of faith. The mystery of the germina- 8. With what parable did Jesus tion and growth of the seed he cannot un- follow this warning? Luke 13:6. derstand. But he has confidence in the agencies by which God causes vegetation to flourish. In casting his seed into the ground, he is apparently throwing away the 9. How did the owner of the vine- precious grain that might furnish bread yard regard the barren fig tree? Luke for his family. But he is only giving up a 13:7. [ 28 ] 10. How did the dresser of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Were all vineyard intervene? Luke 13:8. 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 • NOTE.—"You realize, though it may be but dimly, that you are a cumberer of the ripened, and Christ would come to gather ground. Yet in His great mercy God has the precious grain."—Christ's Object Les- not cut you down. He does not look coldly sons, page 69. upon you. He does not turn away with 12. In the parable of the barren indifference, or leave you to destruction. fig tree what did He'say would finally Looking upon you He cries, as He cried so many centuries ago concerning Israel, 'How take place if the tree did not finally shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall bear fruit? Luke 13:9. I deliver thee, Israel? . . . I will not exe- cute the fierceness of Mine anger. I will not return to destroy Ephraim; for I am God, and not man.' The pitying Saviour NOTE.—"The warning sounds down along is saying concerning you, Spare it this year the line to us in this generation. Are you, also, till I shall dig about it and dress it." 0 careless heart, a fruitless tree in the —Christ's Object Lessons, pages 217, 218. Lord's vineyard? Shall the words of doom erelong be spoken of you? How long have you received His gifts? How long has He The Day of FinalAtidginent watched and waited for a return of love? Planted in His vineyard, under the watch- 11. In the parable of the growing ful care of the gardener, what privileges seed, what did Jesus say would take are yours! How often has the tender gos- place when the grain had come to pel message thrilled your heart! . . . maturity? Mark 4:29. "The heart that does not respond to di- vine agencies becomes hardened until it is no longer susceptible to the influence of NorE.—"Christ is waiting with longing the Holy Spirit. Then it is that the word desire for the manifestation of Himself in is spoken, 'Cut it down; why cumbereth His church. When the character of Christ it the ground?' "—Christ's Object Lessons, shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, pages 216-218. then He will come to claim them as His own. - 13. What effect should the coming "It is the privilege of every Christian, judgment have on our everyday lives? not only to look for, but to hasten the Eccl. 12:14; 2 Cor. 5:10. Lesson 9, for March 1, 1958 The Importunate Friend; The Unjust Judge LESSON SCRIPTURES: Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-8. MEMORY VERSE: "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Luke 11:9, 10. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 139-149, 164-180 (1923 ed., pp. 137-149, 167-183); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of February 20. PURPOSE OF PARABLES: To illustrate important qualities of prevailing prayer. [ 29 ] DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Questions 8-10; read from outline, survey the entire Study Helps. lesson. ❑ Wednesday: Questions 11-13; read Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction; further from Study Helps. ❑ Questions 1, 2. ❑ Thursday: Read further from Study Monday: Questions 3-7. ❑ Helps. ❑ Friday: Review entire lesson. ❑ Lesson Outline 12. According to God's will. Luke 22:42, last part. Introduction 13. Necessity of abiding. John 15: 7, 10. I. "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" Key Thoughts: 1. The disciples' request. Luke 11:1. 2. The answer of Jesus. Luke 11:2-4. 1. Lessons by Contrast. The lessons in these two parables are shown by contrast II. Unselfish, Persevering Prayer and not by comparison. In contrast to the reluctant friend we have a loving heavenly 3. The persistent friend. Luke 11:5-8. Father. In contrast to the unjust judge we 4. A specific and unselfish request. have a just and merciful God. Most surely Luke 11:5 (last part), 6. He will answer our pleas for aid. 5. The request granted. Luke 11:8, 2. Our Prayers Do Not Change God. last part. Prayer is not needed to overcome God's re- III. A Loving Heavenly Father luctance, but to bring us to the place where God can pour out the blessing upon us that 6. Positive assurance. Luke 11:9, 10. He is anxious to give us. 7. Appeal for confidence in God. 3. Why Prayers Are Not Answered. Luke 11:11-13. Prayers are not answered because we do IV. A Widow Seeks Justice not meet the conditions laid down in the word of God. One of the chief conditions 8. Diligence in prayer. Luke 18:1. . of answered prayer is summed up in the 9. The widow's plea. Luke 18:2-6. words, "Not My will, but Thine, be done." 10. God will avenge His people. Luke 4. Delay Does Not Mean Rejection of 18:7, 8. Request. Delay in having our prayer an- V. Conditions of Prevailing Prayer swered may mean that God is working out the answer in a different way from that 11. Faith and confidence. Mark 11: which we expect. We may be sure that 22, 24; John 11:40. His way is always the best. THE LESSON Introduction sities are. He does not give to men those things which will gratify a debased appe- Attitude of Mind in Prayer: "The Lord tite, and which will prove an injury to the sees that prayer is often mixed with earth- human agent, and make him a dishonor to liness. Men pray for that which will gratify God. He does not give men that which their selfish desires, and the Lord does not will . . . work simply for self-exaltation. fulfill their requests in the way which they When we come to God, we must be sub- expect. He takes them through tests and missive and contrite of heart, subordinating trials, he brings them through humiliations, everything to His sacred will."-Ellen G. until they see more clearly what their neces- White, Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1895. 1341 "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" wanted the bread for someone else than himself. 1. When the disciples heard. Jesus "Our prayers are not to be a selfish ask- pray, what request did they make? ing, merely for our own benefit. We are Luke 11:1. to ask that we may give. The principle of Christ's life must be the principle of our lives. 'For their sakes,' He said, speaking of His disciples, 'I sanctify Myself, that 2. What prayer did Jesus give the they also might be sanctified.' "—Christ's disciples at that time? Luke 11:2-4. Object Lessons, page 142. 5. How was the request of this man granted? Luke 11:8, last part. NoTE.—"In order to strengthen our con- fidence in God, Christ teaches us to ad- dress Him by a new name, a name en- twined with the dearest associations of the NOTE.—The answer comes according to human heart. He gives us the privilege of our need and our capacity to receive it. We calling the infinite God our Father. This are told that "God shall supply all your name, spoken to Him and of Him, is a sign need according to His riches in glory by of our love and trust toward Him, and a Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19), and that "unto pledge of His regard and relationship to every one of us is given grace according to us."—Christ's Object Lessons, pages 141, the measure of the gift of Christ" (Eph. 142. 4:7). Unselfish, Persevering Prayer A Loving Heavenly Father 3. How did Jesus illustrate the 6. With what positive assurance need of perseverance in prayer? Luke did Christ bid His disciples make 11:5-8. their requests? Luke 11:9, 10. NOTE.—"Christ's lessons in regard to prayer should be carefully considered. There NOTE.—"Every saint who comes to God is a divine science in prayer, and His illus- with a true heart, and sends his honest tration brings to view principles that all petitions to Him in faith, will have his need to understand."—Christ's Object Les- prayers answered. Your faith must not let sons, page 142. go of the promises of God, if you do not "Our prayers are to be as earnest and see or feel the immediate answer to your persistent as was the petition of the needy prayers. Be not afraid to trust God. Rely friend who asked for the loaves at mid- upon His sure promise: 'Ask, and ye shall night. The more earnestly and steadfastly receive.' God is too wise to err, and too we ask, the closer will be our spiritual good to withhold any good thing from union with Christ. We shall receive in- His saints that walk uprightly. . . . God creased blessings because we have increased gives us blessings; if we could look into faith."—Ibid., p. 146.. His plan, we would clearly see that He knows what is best for us and that our 4. In what words does this parable prayers are answered. Nothing hurtful is teach us to make specific requests given, but the blessing we need, in the place in prayer? Luke 11:5 (last part), 6. of something we asked for that would not be good for us, but to our hurt."—Testi- monies, vol. 1, pp. 120, 121. NOTE.—The petition of this man was 7. How certain can we be of God's definite. He asked for three loaves of willingness to answer prayer? Luke bread. He was unselfish in his request. He 11:11-13. A Widow Seeks Justice 8. In connection with a discourse on His second coming, what did Jesus say in regard to persistence in prayer? Luke 18:1. Nom—The emphasis in this parable is unwearied prayer for the second coming of Christ. While the principles illustrated here may be applied to prayer in general, it is for His coming that He desires His disci- ples to pray earnestly. If the church prayed more zealously for His coming as He bade us do when He told us to pray, "Thy king- dom come," there would be fewer members in the church who would excuse their worldliness by declaring, "My Lord delay- eth His coming." longingly pray, "Even so, come, Lord Je- 9. How did Jesus illustrate impor- sus." tunate prayer? Luke 18:2-6. Conditions of Prevailing Prayer 11. What is the first condition of NOTE.—"Christ here draws a sharp con- prevailing prayer? Mark 11:22, 24; trast between the unjust judge and God. The judge yielded to the widow's request John 11:40. merely through selfishness, that he might be relieved of her importunity. He felt for her no pity or compassion; her misery was NoTE.—Faith inspires boldness and con- nothing to him. How different is the at- fidence. God bids us, "Come boldly unto titude of God toward those who seek Him. the throne of grace" (Heb. 4:16), and The appeals of the needy and distressed further He says, "Cast not away, there- are considered by Him with infinite com- fore your confidence, which hath great passion. . . . The elect of God are dear to recompense of reward." His heart. . . . God loves His children with infinite love. To Him the dearest ob- 12. To what supreme condition ject on earth is His church."—Christ's Ob- should we subject all our prayers? ject Lessons, pages 165, 166. Luke 22:42, last part. 10. With what startling question did Jesus reveal the necessity of perse- vering faith in preparation for His 13. To be assured of answered coming? Luke 18:7, 8. prayer, what further experience is re- quired? John 15:7, 10. NoTE.—At the time when the church should be praying with persevering faith NOTE.—When Christ abides in the heart for the soon coming of Christ to free His there is love and obedience in the life. people, there is lukewarm indifference in Christ says, "If ye love Me, keep My com- regard to this subject. This is a sign of the mandments." When we love and obey God, times. Christ will come when many in the He is pleased to hear and answer our peti- church have become weary with watching. tions because we then ask according to His Only those will be saved who patiently and will. [ 32 ] Lesson 10, for March 8, 1958 The Wicked Husbandmen; The Great Supper LESSON SCRIPTURES: Matt. 21:33-44 (compare Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19); Luke 14:12-24. MEMORY VERSE: "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?" Matt. 21:42. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 284-306, 219-237 (1923 ed., pp. 287-311, 223-241); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of February 27. PURPOSE OF PARABLES: To show man's ungrateful response to God's abundant love, and to warn all of the great loss that will be sustained by those who reject the gospel invitation. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Questions 8-11; read fur- outline, survey the entire ther from Study Helps. 0 lesson. ❑ Wednesday: Questions 12-14; read Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction; further from Study Helps. 0 Questions 1, 2. ❑ Thursday: Read further from Study Monday: Questions. 3-7; read from Helps. ❑ Study Helps. ❑ Friday: Review entire lesson. ❑ Lesson Outline 9. Christ's answer. Luke 14:16, 17. 10. Invitations to banquet rejected. Introduction Luke 14:18-20. 11. Efforts made to fill house. Luke I. The Vineyard of the Lord 14:21-23. 1. Special privileges provided. Matt. 12. Divine judgment pronounced. 21:33. Luke 14:24. 2. Fruitful response expected. Isa. IV. Last-Day Conditions and Warnings 5:1-4. 13. Attitudes to gospel invitation. The Householder Disappointed Luke 17:26-30. 3. Mistreatment of servants sent to 14. Warning for the last days. Luke gather fruit. Matt. 21:34-36. 21:31, 34-36. 4. The only son finally sent. Matt. Key Thoughts: 21:37. 5. The son rejected and slain. Matt. 1. Privilege Entails Responsibility. The 21:38, 39. greater the privileges God grants us and 6. A significant question asked and the more blessings we receive, the greater answered. Matt. 21:40, 41. the responsibility we have toward God and 7. Divine pronouncement made. man. Matt. 21:42-44. 2. Days of Great Light and Blessing. To- III. The Great Gospel Banquet day we are living in a time of the greatest light and of richest spiritual blessings. How 8. A self-righteous remark. are we responding to God's bounties? He _ Luke 14:15. longs as much to see signs of gratitude in [33 1 His people today as He did in the time then with Jesus which is called Christ ?" when Christ gave the parable of the vine- 4. The Gospel a Spiritual Feast. The gos- yard. pel is a feast of abundant spiritual provi- 3. The Greatest Sin Is to Reject Christ. sions. The psalmist, thinking of this, ex- When the husbandmen rejected the son of claimed, "0 taste and see that the Lord is the householder they had reached the cli- good." Ps. 34:8. max of their sinning. God could do no more 5. Rejection of Gospel Invitation Means for them and could expect nothing more Eternal Loss. As in the parable of the vine- from them. How are we treating the only- yard, men's rejection of the Son led to the begotten Son of God today? Do we heed Lord's rejection of the wicked husband- the pleas of His Spirit? Do we seek to men, so in the parable of the great supper, bear fruit to His glory? Are we rejecting the virtual rejection of the invitation led Him by outright disobedience or by luke- to the eternal loss of those who made their warm indifference? To everyone comes trivial excuses. Thus our decisions may the compelling question, "What shall I do have eternal import for weal or woe. THE LESSON Introduction what did He justly expect? What did He find instead? Isa. 5:1-4. A Spiritual Banquet Set Before Us: "The spiritual banquet has been set before us in rich abundance. We have had presented to us by the messengers of God the richest NorE.—Here the prophet Isaiah declares feast,—the righteousness of Christ, justifi- that "the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is cation by faith, the exceeding great and the house of Israel." He describes in de- precious promises of God• in His word, free tail how God had planted a vineyard in a access to the Father by Jesus Christ, the fruitful hill, fenced it, gathered out the comforts of the Holy Spirit, and well- stones, planted the choicest vine, built a grounded assurance of eternal life in the tower and a wine press and then "looked kingdom of God. We ask, What could God that it should bring forth grapes, and it do for us that He has not done in pre- brought forth wild grapes." He then ex- paring the great supper, the heavenly ban- claimed, "What could have been done more quet? ... If men, plunged in sin and degrada- to my vineyard ?" In Isaiah's day rebel- tion, refuse these heavenly benefits, refuse lion among God's chosen people was well a life of obedience, scorn the gracious in- on its way. In Christ's day it had come vitation of mercy, and choose the paltry to a climax in the rejection of Christ Him- things of earth, Christ will carry out the self, the Son of the Householder. figure used in the parable. Such will not taste of His glory, but the invitation will be extended to another class. Those who The Householder Disappointed choose to make excuses, and continue in 3. How were the householder's sin and conformity to the world, will be left to their idols."—Ellen G. White, Re- servants treated when he sent them to view and Herald, Jan. 17, 1899. receive the fruits of the vineyard? Matt. 21:34-36. The Vineyard of the Lord 1. In order to impress the Jewish leaders that they had special privi- 4. When the householder saw how leges, what familiar Old Testament the husbandmen treated his servants, illustration did Jesus use? Matt. 21:33. what did he do and say? Matt. 21:37. 2. As a result of God's bounteous Nora.—"Having yet therefore one son, care and demonstrated love for Israel, his well-beloved, he sent him also last unto [341 them, saying, They will reverence my son." Mark 12:6. Luke uses the term, "my be- loved son." We think of John 3:16, where we are told, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son." Christ was referring to Himself and intended to emphasize the fact that the Householder had only one Son, who was the heir, and that therefore He was beloved above all others. To have shown disrespect for this Son would have been a grave act of dis- obedience, but to kill Win was an un- paralleled crime. 5. How did the husbandmen deal with the householder's only son and heir? Matt. 21:38, 39. NOW WILL YOU RESPOND TO YOUR INVITATION? 6. What significant question did Jesus ask the Jews, and how did they Hoping to turn the conversation into an- unconsciously condemn themselves by other channel, one of them, with a sancti- their answers? Matt. 21:40, 41. monious air, exclaimed, 'Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.'"— Christ's Object Lessons, page 221. 7. What divine pronouncement did 9. In reply to this exclamation of Jesus then make? Matt. 21:42-44. self-praise, what parable did Jesus re- late? Luke 14:16, 17. The Great Gospel Banquet 10. What excuses did those make 8. When Jesus was attending a who received the invitations to the feast given by a chief Pharisee, what supper? Luke 14:18-20. self-righteous remark did one of the guests make to Him? Luke 14:15. NOTE.—"The excuses urged for refusing the invitation to the feast cover the whole NOTE.—On this occasion Christ was at- ground of excuses for refusing the gospel tending a feast on the Sabbath day given invitation. Men declare that they cannot by a "chief" Pharisee. See verses 1-11. imperil their worldly prospects by giving Christ made every feast He attended the attention to the claims of the gospel. They occasion for presenting a lesson. On this count their temporal interests as of more occasion He deliberately healed a man to value than the things of eternity."— show that it was proper to do good on the Christ's Object Lessons, page 224. Sabbath day. He then indirectly rebuked the pride of position and honor in refer- 11. Seeing that those who were in- ring to those who seek the chief seats. Fol- vited did not•come, how did the host lowing this He sought to teach that true fill the banquet room? Luke 14:21-23. hospitality is not manifested in inviting one's own friends who can reciprocate, but by inviting the poor and needy. "Christ's words were a rebuke to their selfishness. To NOTE.—"In the command to go into the the Pharisees His words were distasteful. highways and hedges, Christ sets forth the [ 35 1 work of all whom He calls to minister in manifested in the last days? Luke 17: His name. The whole world is the field 26-30. for Christ's ministers. The whole human family is comprised in their congregation. The Lord desires that His word of grace shall be brought home to every soul. NOTE.—"So it is today. Men are rush- "To a great degree this must be accom- ing on in the chase for gain and selfish in- plished by personal labor. This was Christ's dulgence as if there were no God, no method. His work was largely made up of heaven, and no hereafter. In Noah's day personal interviews. He had a faithful re- the warning of the Flood was sent to gard for the one-soul audience. Through startle men in• their wickedness and call that one soul the message was often ex- them to repentance. So the message of tended to thousands."—Christ's Object Les- Christ's soon coming is designed to arouse sons, page 229. men from their absorption in worldly things. It is intended to awaken them to a 12. What final word of warning sense of eternal realities, that they may was given to those who heard Jesus? give heed to the invitation to the Lord's Luke 14:24. table."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 228. 14. What warning did Jesus give Last-Day Conditions and Warnings to His people as they await the king- dom of God? Luke 21:31, 34-36. 13. What general attitude will be Lesson 11, for March 15, 1958 The Two Worshipers; The Marriage Feast LESSON SCRIPTURES: Luke 18:9-14; Matt. 22:1-14. MEMORY VERSE: "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou may- est be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Rev. 3:18. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 150-163, 307-319 (1923 ed., pp. 151-165, 313-325); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of February 27. PURPOSE OF PARABLES: To picture the attitude of a self-righteous person, and to show that righteousness can never be obtained by meritorious work, but only as a free gift of Christ. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Questions 7-9; read furthe'r outline, survey the entire from Study Helps. ❑ lesson. ❑ Wednesday: Questions 10-14. ❑ Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction; Thursday: Read further from Study Questions 1-4. ❑ Helps. ❑ Monday: Questions 5, 6; read from Friday: Review entire lesson. ❑ Study Helps. ❑ [361 Lesson Outline 12. Judgment announced. Matt. 22:13. Introduction V. The Marriage of the Lamb I. Two Worshipers Contrasted 13. Many called, but few chosen. 1. Lesson for the self-righteous. Matt. 22:14. Luke 18:9. 14. Spotless-robes. Rev. 19:8. 2. Pharisee and publican. Luke 18:10. 3. Pharisee's self-righteous prayer. Key Thoughts: Luke 18:11, 12. 1. The Self-Righteous Feel No Need. 4. Contrasting prayer of the publican. There was no expression of need in the Luke 18:13. prayer of the Pharisee, because he had no consciousness of need. In contrast to this, II. The Sins of Pride and Self-Sufficiency the publican spoke only of his need. He Condemned pleaded, "God be merciful to me a sinner." God 'has no way to bless or hell') those 5. Christ's pronouncement. Luke who feel no need. They are left to them- 18:14. selves. 6. Laodicean warning against spir- itual pride. Rev. 3 :16-19. 2. Emphasis on Preparation. The dif- ference between the parable of the great III. The Call to the Wedding Feast supper studied last week and the parable of the wedding feast is in the emphasis. 7. Attitudes toward the invitation. The former sets forth the responses to the Matt. 22:1-6. gospel invitation, while the latter empha- 8. Judgment on those who rejected sizes the absolute need of proper prepara- the invitation. Matt. 22:7, 8. tion. It is not enough to accept the invita- 9. Others invited to the feast. tion. There must be a change in the life. Matt. 22:9, 10. 3. Four Ways of Treating the Gospel In- IV. The Self-Righteous Guest vitation. These are illustrated in the para- ble of the wedding feast. (a) Complacently 10. The man without a wedding ignore it. (b) Violently reject it. (c) Ac- garment. Matt. 22:11. cept it but fail to meet the conditions. (d) 11. The unanswered question. Accept the invitation wholeheartedly and Matt. 22:12. comply with conditions attached to it. THE LESSON Introduction garment provided for them. "There are many, many, professed Chris- A Christless Experience: "Read care- tians who are waiting unconcernedly for fully and critically the parable of the wed- the coming of the Lord. They have not ding garment, and make a personal appli- on the garment of His righteousness. They cation of the lessons it teaches. There are may profess to be children of God, but those who, having heard the truth, assent they are not cleansed from sin. They are to it, yet are not transformed by it. The selfish and self-sufficient. Their experience truth has not been received into the soul, is Christless."-Ellen G. White, Review and and therefore it cannot carry forward its Herald, Feb. 26, 1901. work of purification in the life. . . . "God is dishonored when those who claim to believe His precious, elevating Two Worshipers Contrasted truth refuse to put on the royal robe of Christ's righteousness. These offer insult 1. To whom especially was the par- to the Saviour. Wherever they go, they able of the two worshipers spoken? show that they have refused to accept the Luke 18:9. [ 37 ] 2. What two men are presented in The Sins of Pride and Self- this parable? Luke 18:10. Sufficiency Condemned 5. What comment did Jesus make about the publican, and what lessons NOTE.—"The Pharisee goes up to the did He draw from the publican's atti- temple to worship, not because he feels tude? Luke 18:14. that he is a sinner in need of pardon, but because he thinks himself righteous, and hopes to win commendation. . . . "Whoever trusts in himself that he is NOTE.—"Never can we safely put con- righteous, will despise others. As the Phari- fidence in self, or feel, this side of heaven, see judges himself by other men, so he that we are secure against temptation. judges other men by himself. His right- Those who accept the Saviour, however eousness is estimated by theirs, and the sincere their conversion, should never be worse they are, the more righteous by con- taught to say or to feel that they are trast he appears. His self-righteousness saved. This is misleading. Everyone should leads to accusing."—Christ's Object Les- be taught to cherish hope and faith; but sons, pages 150, 151. even when we give ourselves to Christ and know that He accepts us, we are not be- 3. In what spirit did the Pharisee yond the reach of temptation."—Christ's pray? Luke 18:11, 12. Object Lessons, page 155. 6. What warning and counsel is given to those who have spiritual pride and complacency in the Laodi- NOTE.—"The religion of the Pharisee cean church? Rev. 3:16-19. does not touch the soul. He is not seeking Godlikeness of character, a heart filled with love and mercy. He is satisfied with a re- ligion that has to do only with the out- NOTE.—"There is nothing so offensive ward life. His righteousness is his own,— to God, or so dangerous to the human the fruit of his own works, and judged by soul, as pride and self-sufficiency. Of all a human standard."—Christ's Object Les- sins it is the most hopeless, the most in- sons, page 151. curable."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 154. 4. How is the attitude of the publi- can contrasted with that of the Phari- The Call to the Wedding Feast see? Luke 18:13. 7. When the call went out to the invited guests that the wedding feast was ready, how did they respond? NoTE.—"No outward observances can Matt. 22:1-6. take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then 8. What extreme measures did the the language of the soul will be, Lord, take king take toward those who abused my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy and killed his servants, and what did property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep he say of those who merely made light it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, of the invitations? Matt. 22:7, 8. my weak, un-Christlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul."—Christ's NoTE.—Those who violently rejected the Object Lessons, page 159. invitation to the wedding feast were de- [ 38 ] be Christians are true disciples. Before the final reward is given, it must be de- PRAYER ‘Nt: cided who are fitted to share the inheritance LORD. TAKE MY HEART; FOR I CANNOT OWE IT. of the righteous."—Christ's Object Lessons, IT IS THY PROPERTY. I CN- KEEP IT PU RE , Fo TH EE. NOT KEEP IT EAR page 310. SAVE ME IN SPITE OF MY- SELF,MY WEAK, uNCNIOST. LIKE SELF. MOLD ME, FASHION ME, RAISE ME 11. How did the unprepared guest INTO A PURE AND HOLY ATMOSPHERE, WHERE respond to the king's question? Matt. THE RICH CURRENT OF TOY LOVE CAN PLOW THROUGH MY SOUL. 22:12. NoTE.—"The man who came to the feast without a wedding garment repre- sents the condition of many in our world today. They profess to be Christians, and lay claim to the blessings and privileges of the gospel; yet they feel no need of a transformation of character. They have never felt true repentance for sin."— Christ's Object Lessons, page 315. stroyed. Their judgment was final, and 12. What judgment was pro- there was no more chance for them to re- nounced upon this man? Matt. 22:13. pent and obtain the joy of attending the feast. Those who made light of the wed- ding invitation also were excluded from the feast, and others took their place. The Marriage of the Lamb Though these did not reject the invitation, but only dallied with it while professing to 13. What comment did Jesus make accept it, they came to the same end as at the close of the parable? Matt. those who rejected it. They had no second invitation to the feast, and lost its joys 22:14. and blessings. To lose a place in heaven we need only to be indifferent to the merciful calls of the Lord to repentance. 14. What is said of the bridal robes 9. How did the king seek to fur- of the church? Rev. 19:8. Compare nish the wedding feast with guests? Eph. 5:25-27. Matt. 22:9, 10. NOTE.—"By the wedding garment in the parable is represented the pure, spotless The Self-Righteous Guest character which Christ's true followers will possess. . . . This robe, woven in the loom 10. When the king came in to see of heaven, has in it not one thread of hu- the guests, who especially attracted man devising. Christ in His humanity his attention? Matt. 22:11. wrought out a perfect characters and this character He offers to impart to us.. . . When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is NoTE.—"By the king's examination of merged in His will, the mind becomes one the guests at the feast is represented a with His mind, the thoughts are brought work of judgment. The guests at the gos- into captivity to Him; we live His life. pel feast are those who profess to serve This is what it means to be clothed with God, those whose names are written in the the garment of His righteousness."—Christ's book of life. But not all who profess to Object Lessons, pages 310-312. [39] Lesson 12, for March 22, 1958 The Good Samaritan; The Entrusted Talents LESSON SCRIPTURES: Luke 10:25-37; Matt. 25:24-30. MEMORY VERSE: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neigh- bor as thyself." Luke 10:27. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 376-389, 325-365 (1923 ed., pp. 381-395, 327-369); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of March 6. PURPOSE OF PARABLES: To picture,a life of service for God and man, and to illus- trate the day of final reckoning. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Questions 7-10; read fur- outline, survey the entire ther from Study Helps. ❑ lesson. ❑ Wednesday: Questions 11-14. Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction; Thursday: Read further from Study Questions 1-4. ❑ Helps. Monday: Questions 5, 6; read from Friday: Review entire lesson. Study Helps. ❑ Lesson Outline V. Man's Obligation to God and His . Fellow Men Introduction 9. Talents given for use. Matt. 25:14, 15. I. A Lawyer Questions Jesus 10. Various attitudes toward responsi- 1. Concerning eternal life. Luke bilities. Matt. 25:16-18. 10:25-28. VI. The Reckoning Day 2. "Who is my neighbor ?" Luke 10:29. 11. Servants called to account. • Matt. 25:19. II. On the Road to Jericho 12. Response of each. Matt. 25:20, 3. The wounded traveler. Luke 10:30. 22, 24, 25. 4. Priest and Levite reveal no con- 13. Rewards for faithfulness. Matt. cern. Luke 10:31, 32. 25:21, 23. 14. Punishment for unfaithfulness. III. A Certain Samaritan Matt. 25:26-30. 5. His immediate reaction. Luke 10:33. Key Thoughts: 6. His ready response. Luke 10:34, 35. 1. An Opportunity Missed. The Scripture states that it was "by chance," meaning "by IV. Application of the Lesson. coincidence," that the priest and Levite 7. Jesus' question and the lawyer's saw the wounded man on the way to Jeri- answer. Luke 10:36. cho. Opportunities and events come to us 8. Jesus' pointed command. Luke as tests of character. Opportunities missed 10:37. can never be recalled. [ 40 ] 2. Our Neighbor Is Anyone in Need. ble of the talents Christ "showed what it "Our neighbor is every person who needs means to watch for His coming. The time our help. Our neighbor is every soul who is to be spent, not in idle waiting, but in is wounded and bruised by the adversary. diligent working."—Christ's Object Les- Our neighbor is everyone who is the prop- sons, page 325., erty of God."—The Desire of Ages, page 5. A Place for Every Man. Talents were 503. given to every servant. "Not more surely 3. The Object of Our Love. The exercise is the place prepared for us in the heavenly of our love and sympathetic service is not mansions than is the special place desig- to be determined by race, creed, or kin- nated on earth where we are to work for dred. God."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 327. 4. Working While Waiting. In the para- THE LESSON Introduction NOTE.—"The lawyer knew that he had kept neither the first four nor the last six The Nature of True Religion. "In the commandments. He was convicted under story of the good Samaritan, Christ illus- Christ's searching words, but instead of trates the nature of true religion. He shows confessing his sin, he tried to excuse it. that it consists not in systems, creeds, or Rather than acknowledge the truth, he rites, but in the performance of loving endeavored to show how difficult of fulfill- deeds, in bringing the greatest good to ment the commandment is."—Christ's Ob- others, in genuine goodness."—The Desire ject Lessons, pages 378, 379. of Ages, page 497. Every Individual a Moral Agent Account- able to God. "The parable of the talents On the Road to Jericho should be a matter of the most careful and prayerful study; for it has a per- 3. What did Jesus say befell a cer- sonal and individual application to every tain man? Luke 10:30. man, woman, and child possessed of the powers of reason. Your obligation and responsibility are in proportion to the tal- ents God has bestowed upon you. . . . 4. When'a priest and a Levite saw Every individual, from the lowliest and the afflicted man, how did each react? most obscure to the greatest and most ex- Luke 10:31, 32. alted, is a moral agent endowed with abili- ties for which he is accountable to God."— Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, May 1, 1888. NOTE.—"All Heaven watched as the Le- vite passed down the road, to see if his A Lawyer Questions Jesus heart would be touched with human woe. 1. What conversation did Jesus As he beheld the man, he was convicted of what he ought to do; but as it was not an have with a certain lawyer? Luke 10: agreeable duty, he wished he had not come 25-28. that way, so that he need not have seen the man who was wounded and bruised, naked and perishing, and in want of help from NoTE.—"Man's destiny will be deter- his fellow men. He passed on his way, per- mined by his obedience to the whole law. suading himself that it was none of his Supreme love to God and impartial love business, and that he had no need to trou- to man are the principles to be wrought out ble himself over the case. Claiming to be in the life."—The Desire of Ages, page 498. an expositor of the law, to be a minister in sacred things, he yet passed by on the 2. What searching question did the other side."—Ellen G. White, Review and lawyer finally ask? Luke 10:29. Herald, Jan. 1, 1895. [ 41] A Certain Samaritan 5. When a certain Samaritan passed by, how did he react to what he saw? Luke 10:33. NoTE.—"A certain Samaritan, in his jour- ney, came where the sufferer was, and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. He did not question whether the stranger was a Jew or a Gentile. If a Jew, the Samaritan well knew that, were their condition reversed, the man would spit in his face, and pass him by with contempt. But he did not hesitate on account of this. NO PICTURE CAN SETTER PORTRAY THE He did not consider that he himself might NE ED OP THE WORLD TODAY. be in danger of violence by tarrying in the place. It was enough that there was before him a human being in need and suffering." —The Desire of Ages, page 503. our profession, we are not Christians."— The Desire of Ages, page 504. 6. What did the Samaritan im- mediately do? Luke 10:34, 35. Man's Obligation to God and His Fellow Men Application of the Lesson 9. On another occasion how did Jesus illustrate man's obligation to 7. After relating this parable, what both God and his fellow men? Matt. question did Jesus ask the lawyer? 25:14, 15. Luke 10:36. NoTE.—"All men have been bought with 8. How did the lawyer reply, and this infinite price. . . . Whether believers what command did Jesus make? Luke or unbelievers, all men are the Lord's prop- 10:37. erty. All are called to do service for Him, and for the manner in which they have met this claim, all will be required to ren- der an account at the great judgment day." —Christ's Object Lessons, page 326. NOTE.—"The lesson is no less needed in the world today than when it fell from 10. How did each of the servants the lips of Jesus. Selfishness and cold handle the talents committed to them? formality have well-nigh extinguished the Matt. 25:16-18. fire of love, and dispelled the graces that should make fragrant the character. Many who profess His name have lost sight of the fact that Christians are to represent Christ. Unless there is practical self-sacri- NoTE.—"The talents, however few, are fice for the good of others, in the family to be put to use. The question that most circle, in the neighborhood, in the church, concerns us is not, How much have I re- and wherever we may be, then whatever ceived? but, What am I doing with that [ 42 ] which I have? The development of all our to his lord's questioning? Matt. 25: powers is the first duty we owe to God and 20, 22, 24, 25. to our fellow men. No one who is not growing daily in capability and usefulness is fulfilling the purpose of life."—Christ's Object Lessons, pages 329, 330. 13. How did the Lord deal with those who had properly used the tal- ents given to them? Matt. 25:21, 23. The Reckoning Day 11. What happened when the lord of the servants returned? Matt. 14. What sentence was passed upon 25:19. the one who despised his talent? Matt. 25:26-30. NoTE.—"When the Lord takes account NOTE.—"In the parable of the man who of His servants, the return from every buried his one talent in the earth, the Lord talent will be scrutinized. The work done has faithfully pointed out your duty. It reveals the character of the worker."— shows to everyone, high or low, rich or Christ's Object Lessons, page 360. poor, educated or uneducated, that he has "Our heavenly Father requires no more a personal responsibility. You must arouse nor less than He has given us ability to do. from your lethargy, your carnal security, He lays upon His servants no burdens that and go to work to make use of every tal- they are not able to bear."—Ibid., p. 362. ent, every power, given you by God. You "In the great judgment day those who may reason that because your \ talent is have not worked for Christ, those who small,, it is no matter whether you use it or have drifted along, carrying no responsi- not; but it matters just as much to you as bility, thinking of themselves, pleasing it did to that man in the parable. Your themselves, will be placed by the Judge of life is bound up with the lives of others. all the earth with those who did evil. They If you feel no care to be a blessing to oth- receive the same condemnation."—Ibid., p. ers, if you are not laboring together with 365. God here, right here in this life, you will have no place in the mansions above."— 12. How did each servant respond Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, Aug. 11, 1891. Lesson 13, for March 29, 1958 The Ten Virgins LESSON SCRIPTURE: Matt. 25:1-13. MEMORY VERSE: "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Matt. 24:44. STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 405-42.1 (1923 ed., pp. 415-431); "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," volume 5; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of March 13. PURPOSE OF PARABLE: To show the need for those who are waiting for the second coming of Christ, to be ready at all times to meet Him. 43 1 DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: Following the Tuesday: Questions 8-11; read from outline, survey the entire Study Helps. ❑ lesson. ❑ Wednesday: Questions 12-14; read Sunday: Key Thoughts; Introduction; further from Study Helps. ❑ Questions 1-3. ❑ Thursday: Read further from Study Monday: Questions 4-7. ❑ Helps. ❑ Friday: Review entire lesson. ❑ Lesson Outline IV. The Lesson for Us 12. Unceasing watchfulness. Matt. Introduction 25:13. 13. Constant readiness. Matt. 24:44. I. Two Classes of Watchers Contrasted 14. The true standard of readiness. 1. Waiting for the bridegroom. Matt. 1 John 3:2, 3. 25:1, 2. Key Thoughts: 2. Difference between the wise and the foolish virgins. Matt. 25:3, 4. 1. Not a Contrast Between Good and 3. While the bridegroom tarried. Bad. This parable was not emphasizing the Matt. 25:5. difference between the good and the bad, the repentant and the unrepentant. It II. True State Revealed in a Time of shows the difference between those in the Crisis church who are foolishly negligent of their preparation for Christ's coming, and those 4. The bridegroom announced. Matt. who make ample provision by daily seeking 25:6. the oil of grace in abundance through the 5. All hurriedly made ready. Matt. ministry of the Holy Spirit. 25:7. • 2. All Apparently Alike. All of the vir- 6. Foolish virgins' lack revealed. gins desired to meet the bridegroom. All Matt. 25:8. took lamps which were lighted. All had 7. Reply of the wise virgins. Matt. vessels for extra oil. All slumbered and 25:9. slept. Then the difference between them III. "And the Door Was Shut" was revealed. The wise ones were pre- pared. They could not be taken unawares. 8. The search for oil. Matt. 25:10, 3. Opportunities Lost Cannot Be Re- first part. called. All should remember the words, "Be- 9. The disappointment of the foolish hold, now is the accepted time; behold, now ones. Matt. 25:10, last part. is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2) lest 10. Their plea. Matt. 25:11. they be led to cry at last, "The harvest is 11. The declaration of the bridegroom. past, the summer is ended, and we are not Matt. 25:12. saved" (Jer. 8:20). THE LESSON Introduction of Jesus, and learn of Him. They have not the knowledge of His way ; they are The Oil of Grace From Heaven. "Every not prepared for His coming. They have specification of this parable should be care- made a pretense of waiting for their Lord. fully studied. We are represented either by They have not watched and prayed with the wise or by the foolish virgins. There that faith which works by love and purifies arc many who will not remain at the feet the soul. They have lived a life of careless- [44 1 ness. They have heard and assented to the vessels with their lamps. They are desti- truth, but they have never brought it into tute of the Holy Spirit."—Christ's Object their practical life. The oil of grace is not Lessons, page 408. feeding their lamps, and they are not pre- pared to enter into the marriage supper of 3. What did all ten virgins do the Lamb. The oil is the holy grace that is when the bridegroom tarried? Matt. sent from heaven; and there must be an 25:5. inward adorning with that grace, if we would stand when He appears."—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, Oct. 31, 1899. True State Revealed in a Two Classes of Watchers Time of Crisis Contrasted 4. What call was heard at mid- 1. What is said of the ten virgins night? Matt. 25:6. who were waiting for the bride- groom? Matt. 25:1, 2. NOTE.—"It is in a crisis that character is revealed. When the earnest voice pro- claimed at midnight, 'Behold, the bride- NoTE.—"The two classes of watchers groom cometh; go ye out to meet him,' and represent the two classes who profess to be the sleeping virgins were roused from their waiting for their Lord. They are called vir- slumbers, it was seen who had made prepa- gins because they profess a pure faith. By ration for the event. Both parties were the lamps is represented the word of God. taken unawares; but one was prepared for The psalmist says, `Thy word is a lamp the emergency, and the other was found unto my feet, and a light unto my path.' without preparation. . . . The great final The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit."— test comes at the close of human probation, Christ's Object Lessons, pages 406, 407. when it will be too late for the soul's need The oil is also spoken of as "the holy to be supplied."—Christ's Object Lessons, grace that is sent from heaven," by which page 412. men are cleansed and made perfect. As the Holy Spirit is the minister of this grace, 5. What did all the virgins then He is also referred to as the oil in the para- do? Matt. 25:7. ble. 2. What was the basic difference between these two classes of virgins? Matt. 25:3, 4. 6. How did the foolish virgins try to remedy their embarrassing plight? Matt. 25:8. NOTE.—"In the parable, all the ten vir- gins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps, and vessels for oil. For a time 7. What reply did the five wise there was seen no difference between them. virgins make? Matt. 25:9. So with the church that lives just before Christ's second coming. All have a knowl- edge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ's near approach, and con- NOTE.—"When startled from their leth- fidently expect His appearing. But as in argy, they [the foolish virgins] discern their the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting destitution, and entreat others to supply intervenes, faith is tried; and when the their lack; but in spiritual things no man cry is heard, 'Behold, .the Bridegroom can make up another's deficiency. The cometh; go ye out to meet Him,' many grace of God has been freely offered to are unready. They have no oil in their every soul. . . . But character is not trans- 45 not participate. Its light would fall on blinded eyes, its melody upon deaf ears. Its love and joy could awake no cord of glad- ness in the world-benumbed heart. You, are shut out from heaven by your own unfit- ness for its companionship."--Christ's Ob- ject Lessons, page 413. The Lesson for Us 12. What lesson did Jesus draw from the parable of the ten virgins? Matt. 25:13. 13. On another occasion what had IS THIS A TIME FOR OR OWSY SLUMBER? Christ said to the disciples regarding His second coming? Matt. 24:44. ferable. No man can believe for another. No man can receive the Spirit for another. NOTE.—"The crisis is stealing gradually No man can impart to another the char- upon us. The sun shines in the heavens, acter which is the fruit of the Spirit's passing over its usual round, and the heav- working."—Christ's Object Lessons, pages ens still declare the glory of God. Men are 411, 412. still eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying, and giving in marriage. "And the Door Was Shut" Merchants are still buying and selling. Men are jostling one against another, contending 8. What happened while the five for the highest place. Pleasure lovers are foolish virgins were searching for still crowding to theaters, horse races, gam- oil? Matt. 25:10, last part. bling hells. The highest excitement prevails, yet probation's hour is fast closing, and every case is about to be eternally decided. Satan sees that his time is short. He has 9. On their return what did they set all his agencies at work that men may find? Matt. 25:10, last part. be deceived, deluded, occupied and en- tranced, until the day of probation shall be ended, and the door of mercy be forever shut."—The Desire of Ages, page 636. 10. What was their plea? Matt. 14. By what standard should those 25:11. live who hope for Christ's coming? 1 John 3:2, 3. 11. What did the bridegroom an- swer? Matt. 25:12. NorE.—"It is the privilege of every soul to be a living channel through which God can communicate to the world the treas- NorE.—"Saddest of all words that ever ures of His grace, the unsearchable riches fell on mortal ear are those words of doom, of Christ. . . . All heaven is waiting for `I know you not' The fellowship of the channels through which can be poured the Spirit, which ybu have slighted, could alone holy oil to be a joy and blessing to human make you one with the joyous throng at hearts. the marriage feast. In that scene you can- "Christ has made every provision that [ 46 ] His church shall be a transformed body, il- rounded with a spiritual atmosphere of lumined with the Light of the world, pos- light and peace. He desires that we shall sessing the glory of Immanuel. It is His reveal His own joy in our lives."—Christ's purpose that every Christian shall be sur- Object•Lessons, page 419. THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING March 29, 1958 The overflow of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering on March 29 goes to the Southern European Division to help to open two new mission stations in the West African mission fields of that division. The two particular fields to benefit are French Guinea and the Ubangi-Shari section of French Equatorial Africa. These are two very needy mission fields where practically no mission work has been done to date; but now the people from Ubangi-Shari have learned something of our work at the Batouri Mission, and they are calling for a school in their territory. In the whole of French Guinea we have only one lone believer. It is high time that we took the third angel's message into these needy fields. When the people are calling for light, that is the time to send it. May we bespeak on behalf of French West and Equatorial Africa a liberal Thirteenth Sabbath Offering on March 29? LESSONS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER, 1958 Sabbath school members who have failed to receive a senior Lesson Quarterly for the second quarter of 1958 will be helped by the following outline in studying the first lesson. The subject of the quarter's lessons is "Studies in the Book of Revelation." The title of the first lesson is: "The Counsel of Jesus Christ to His Church Through the Ages." The Memory Verse is Revelation 1:3. The texts to be studied are: Ques. 1. Rev. 1:1. Ques. 8. Rev. 2:8-10. Ques. 2. Rev. 1:3. Ques. 9. Rev. 2:12-17. Ques. 3. Rev. 1:4, 11. Ques. 10. Rev. 2 :18-20, 24-29. Ques. 4. Rev. 1:7. Ques. 11. Rev. 3:1-6. Ques. 5. Rev. 1:10. Ques. 12. Rev. 3:7, 8, 10, 12. Ques. 6. Rev. 1:13, 20; 2:1. Ques. 13. Rev. 3:14, 17. Ques. 7. Rev. 2:1-7. Ques. 14. Rev. 3:18. 47 FRENCH WEST AND EQUATORIAL AFRICA (SOUTHERN EUROPEAN DIVISION) (Shaded areas represent fields to benefit.) i r• SAHARA (1 1 MAURITANIA NIGER 1 FRENCH WEST AFRICAN MISSION C HAD Yomputyou / / FRENCH SUDAN •• All SENEGAL FJ P 4.1.1Z -.7.1.• -• 1r. vr Itz,,A, lib BA .0 ......./. \ s- • • 5,7V,, ile ,,/i‘,// • . . 1 $r s • .-Q,. ' , iii----- . ;, 2 0 A NEW MISSION STATION , *A I/ • GHANA ,:g i's s:1 it 4.Z, A IVORY COAST •',.. __,_,,,,, A NEW MISSION STATION " ":. • E-5 DOUALA • YAOUNDE //k/ / coHCO R. 10 rorm..mom tmukcmrs cm. onm. SS. MEM. UPC .Enrra FR. EQUATORIAL BELGIAN CONGO Eq. AFRICAN U.M. 22.500,000 22 4,206 11.745 FR. W. AFRICAN M. 10,600,030 1 12 10 LAKE GABON ICTOINA TOTALS 33.100.000 23 4.218. 11:755 RUANOA URUNDI, MAU OIL • LEOPOLDVILLE t la n a ic O renn LAKE TAN ANGOLA \ °NY" ‘