Bible Study - Sabbath School Podcast

A Clearer Picture of God The Bible gives the truest, clearest, and most consistent picture of God. The entire Bible seeks to peel back the unseen veil between our visible world and the invisible; to show us where we’ve come from and where we’re going; and, ultimately, to show us who is in control and what He is like. From Genesis to Revelation, we read about the one true God, who makes Himself kno...

Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study:   Gen. 3:1-5, Lev. 20:26, 1 Sam. 2:2, 1 John 4:7-19, Gen. 1:1, Gen. 2:7, Matt. 1:23, Matt. 28:20 Memory Text:  “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” ( John 17:3 , NKJV). Having a clear understanding of God’s character is foundational to having a strong relationship with Him. This is w...

Further Thought:  Before we were born, God loved us; He had a plan to know us and for us to know Him. He seeks us out, like a good Shepherd, and invites us to abide in Him every day. We merely need to choose to respond to Him, and then to exchange our wretchedness and our Laodicean condition for His good gifts (see  Rev. 3:18-19 ). Like the slow growth of a grapevine’s branches, our relationship w...

Linked to The Vine Abiding in Christ can sometimes feel like one of the hardest things to do. We might know that it’s what we need, but the rush of life pulls us into its stream, and it all feels too hard. Following God can seem like the biggest burden ever, especially for those badgered by someone trying to get them to follow Jesus. This kind of religion can feel like drudgery because it’s all ab...

Abide The disciples followed Jesus down the stairs from the upper room onto the street below. As they walked together to Gethsemane, on what was one of the most significant nights in earth’s history, they probably didn’t realize how poignant some of Jesus’ last words to them in the Upper Room really were. What  did Jesus say in  John 15:1-11 ? What does this mean for us? These words, spoken by Jes...

Everlasting Love After depicting our apathetic condition, Jesus tells us that this is something to be overcome. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” ( Rev. 3:21 , NKJV). For some of us, it may be the greatest battle we ever face--simply realizing our weak, self-sufficient condition; accepting Jesus’ rebuke; re...

Rebuke, Repent, and Reward “ ‘As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten,’ ” Jesus tells us in  Revelation 3:19 . “ ‘Therefore be zealous and repent’ ” (NKJV). None of us, for even a second, could justly say that Jesus doesn’t care about us or our future. How much easier it would have been for Jesus to give up on humankind and not travel the painful road He chose on this earth. It’s precisely because...

Our Condition Have you ever wondered what Jesus might say if He were to describe your relationship with Him right now? Perhaps He’d say it is strong, or that it has been stronger in the past. Have you ever wondered what Jesus might say if He were to describe His people in these last days? In  Revelation 3:14-22 , Jesus actually does describe it. He begins by stating that He’s the “ ‘ “Faithful and...

Whether you’ve grown up a Seventh-day Adventist or are new to the faith; whether you’ve read many or few  Adult Bible Study Guides ; and, finally, no matter where you find yourself spiritually today, the topic of how to grow in a meaningful relationship with God is crucial. This topic affects all others. Your picture of God may have become tainted or blurred; if so, pray for greater clarity as you...

Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study:   Rev. 3:14-22; Rev. 4:9-11; Gen. 2:7; Gen. 3:8-10; Jer. 31:3-4; John 15:1-11; Rom. 8:9-11 Memory Text:  “ ‘As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love’ ” ( John 15:9 , NKJV). How would you describe your relationship with God today? Is it vibrant and strong? Do you spend time investing in this relationship, searching His inspired Wo...

Further Thought: "The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitab...

A Message for Laodicea Read  Colossians 4:16-18 ; compare  Colossians 2:1-3 . Thinking about Jesus' message to Laodicea  (see yesterday's study) , what correlations do you find with that of Colossians, which was to be read also in the Laodicean church of Paul's day? Looking at the history of God's people through the ages, the same problems occur over and over. The prophets rebuked...

Living in This World but Not of It Read  Colossians 4:14-15 , and  2 Timothy 4:10-11 . How is Luke distinguished from Demas and why? The apostle John tells us, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" ( 1 John 2:15 ). Luke's love for Jesus and His kingdom led him to stand by Paul to the end, come w...

Standing Perfect and Complete Books have been written about the purpose-driven life and the purpose-driven church. While "purpose-driven" may not be quite right, a clear "purpose focus" is vital for accomplishing any meaningful endeavor. Paul's life and ministry, as well as that of his coworkers and the other apostles, exemplify this focus (see  Phil. 3:13-14 ). The results...

Church Connectivity In a world connected by the internet, social media, and countless devices, it is difficult to imagine the challenge that Paul faced in helping churches feel they were a part of something bigger than their own local congregations. Read  Colossians 4:10-11 . Besides sending news back and forth through emissaries ( Col. 4:7-9 ), what other ways did Paul encourage connectivity? In...

Lessons on Outreach We learn much from Paul about spreading the gospel. His travels covered an estimated 13,400 miles. This is astonishing, since much of it was on foot and some of the time he was also in prison. Paul spent considerable time in centers of trade, such as Corinth and Ephesus, from which the message could then spread to inland towns. He also returned to churches that he had raised up...

Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week's Study:   Col. 4:7-18; Eph. 6:21; Acts 15:36-40; 2 Tim. 4:10-11; 2 Pet. 3:10-14; Isa. 60:1-3 Memory Text:  "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18 , NKJV). This final portion of Colossians reveals Paul's wider network of coworkers. Acts shows him teaming up first with Barnabas, then with Silas, an...

Further Thought: "Every member of the family should realize that a responsibility rests upon him individually to do his part in adding to the comfort, order, and regularity of the family. One should not work against another. All should unitedly engage in the good work of encouraging one another; they should exercise gentleness, forbearance, and patience; speak in low, calm tones, shunning con...

Walking in Wisdom What is the most important truth that we, as Christians, can know? Of course, it is that Jesus Christ died for our sins and that, through faith in Him, we can have eternal life. This is a truth that we could have never figured out on our own. Instead, it was a truth that had to be told, or revealed, to us. And it has been revealed to us--in the Word of God. There's a great de...

Praying for One Another Read  Colossians 4:2-4 . What principles for prayer do you find in these verses? What prayer requests does Paul make? Some of the most important words we can say to someone who is struggling with issues of various kinds, be they family, health, money, or something else, are "I'm praying for you." This is heaven's chosen means of connectivity and interactiv...

Work Relations Read  Colossians 3:22-25  and  Colossians 4:1 . What instructions are given to slaves? What principles are here for work relations generally? People today sometimes bring up slavery as a way to relegate some of the Bible's counsels to the past, if not to discredit Scripture entirely. But, ironically, this takes little to no account of the historical contexts within Old Testament...

Parents and Children Children have a vital role as part of the family firm. They need to know they are loved and valued as members of the family and citizens of the heavenly kingdom. Family worship is crucial, simple but regular, morning and evening. At an early age, children can start helping with cleaning and other responsibilities. Most important, they should heed Paul's command: "Obey your par...

Husbands and Wives Several sets of instructions for Christian homes are included in the New Testament (see Eph. 5:21-6:9, Col. 3:18-4:1, Titus 2:1-10, 1 Pet. 2:18-3:7). Notably, these "household codes," as they are called, are not completely hierarchical but include elements to make the relationships more reciprocal and mutually edifying. Read Colossians 3:18-19. What balance do you see? What addi...

Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week's Study:   Col. 3:18-4:6; Eph. 5:22-25, 33; Prov. 22:6, 15; 1 Pet. 2:16; 1 Thess. 5:17 Memory Text:  "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" ( Colossians 4:6 , NKJV). When people live and work in close proximity, they meet a variety of challenges. Differences of opinion may cause tensions; a...

Further Thought:  "When the Spirit of God controls mind and heart, the converted soul breaks forth into a new song; for he realizes that in his experience the promise of God has been fulfilled, that his transgression has been forgiven, his sin covered. He has exercised repentance toward God for the violation of the divine law, and faith toward Christ, who died for man's justification. &#3...