Sunday
June 7
1. AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF MISSIONARY WORK
a. Why was physical healing an especially important part of the work of spiritual deliverance wrought by Jesus and His disciples? Luke 4:18; Matthew 10:1.
“The body is a most important medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character. Hence it is that the adversary of souls directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of the physical powers. His success here often means the surrender of the whole being to evil. The tendencies of the physical nature, unless under the dominion of a higher power, will surely work ruin and death.”—Prophets and Kings, pp. 488, 489.
b. Why does Jesus give so much attention to humanity’s physical needs? John 3:16. Why are the branches of missionary, medical, and educational work inseparable? Matthew 9:35.
“It was [Christ’s] mission to bring to men complete restoration; He came to give them health and peace and perfection of character.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 17.
Monday
June 8
2. AN ENTERING WEDGE
a. Why must the medical work precede the missionary work? Give an example of this. John 5:6–8, 14.
“The medical missionary work is to be a great entering wedge, whereby the diseased soul may be reached.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 76.
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’ ”. . .
“. . . God often reaches hearts through our efforts to relieve physical suffering.”—The Ministry of Healing, pp. 143, 144.
b. What effect will medical missionary work have upon honest souls? Matthew 8:28–34. What about those hardened in sin and prejudice? Mark 5:16, 17.
“The evil spirits are forced to release their victims, and a wonderful change comes over the demoniacs. Light shines into their minds. Their eyes beam with intelligence. The countenances so long deformed into the image of Satan become suddenly mild, the bloodstained hands are quiet, and the men lift their voices in praise to God. . . .
“But those who behold this wonderful scene do not rejoice. The loss of the swine seems to them of greater moment than the deliverance of these captives of Satan. In terror they throng about Jesus, beseeching Him to depart from them, and He complies, taking ship at once for the opposite shore.”—Ibid., p. 97.
c. What is God’s purpose in healing or in prolonging life? Psalm 71:18.
“Our confession of [God’s] faithfulness is Heaven’s chosen agency for revealing Christ to the world. We are to acknowledge His grace as made known through the holy men of old; but that which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own experience. We are witnesses for God as we reveal in ourselves the working of a power that is divine.”—Ibid., p. 100.
Tuesday
June 9
3. A GREAT DANGER FOR MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORKERS
a. What dangerous trait of character can affect medical missionary workers? James 4:6.
“There is nothing so offensive to God or so dangerous to the human soul as pride and self-sufficiency. Of all sins it is the most hopeless, the most incurable.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 154.
“Strife for the supremacy makes a spirit that, if cherished, will eventually shut out from the kingdom of God those who cherish it. The peace of Christ cannot dwell in the mind and heart of a workman who criticizes and find fault with another workman simply because the other does not practice the methods he thinks best, or because he feels that he is not appreciated. The Lord never blesses him who criticizes and accuses his brethren, for this is Satan’s work.”—Evangelism, p. 102.
“Pride of position is a deep-seated evil which has ruined thousands . . . because they have lost sight of principle.”—Selected Messages, bk. 2, pp. 184, 185.
b. How can we avoid this danger? James 4:10; 1 Corinthians 10:12.
“In choosing men and women for His service, God does not ask whether they possess worldly wealth, learning, or eloquence. He asks, ‘Do they walk in such humility that I can teach them My way? Can I put My words into their lips? Will they represent Me?”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 37.
“In such cases of affliction where Satan has control of the mind, before engaging in prayer there should be the closest self-examination to discover if there are not sins which need to be repented of, confessed, and forsaken. Deep humility of soul before God is necessary, and firm, humble reliance upon the blood of Christ alone. Fasting and prayer will accomplish nothing while the heart is estranged from God by a wrong course of action.”—Healthful Living, pp. 236, 237.
“The one who best knows himself works in all humility. He feels like making no proud boasts; he bears a weight of responsibility as he sees the woes of suffering humanity, and he will not take human life into his hand to deal with even the bodies of men without connecting with the experienced Physician, regarding him as a father and himself as a child to be instructed and corrected, if in error.”—Ibid., pp. 258, 259.
Wednesday
June 10
4. EDUCATE DISCIPLES
a. What should be one of the highest priorities of missionary workers? Matthew 28:19 (first part).
“Every church should be a training school for Christian workers. Its members should be taught how to give Bible readings, how to conduct and teach Sabbath-school classes, how best to help the poor and to care for the sick, how to work for the unconverted. There should be schools of health, cooking schools, and classes in various lines of Christian help work. There should not only be teaching, but actual work under experienced instructors. . . .
“Let all cultivate their physical and mental powers to the utmost of their ability, that they may work for God where His providence shall call them.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 149.
b. Why is it so important to train disciples? Give an example. Exodus 33:11; Numbers 27:18.
“Educated workers who are consecrated to God can do service in a greater variety of ways and can accomplish more extensive work than can those who are uneducated. Their discipline of mind places them on vantage ground.”—Ibid., p. 150.
c. In training the disciples, what practical example did Jesus give, reinforcing the twofold nature of His work? Luke 9:6.
“[Christ] went about doing good, teaching the ignorant, and healing the sick. His work did not stop with an exhibition of His power over disease. He made each work of healing an occasion of implanting in the heart the divine principles of His love and benevolence. Thus His followers are to work. Christ is no longer in this world in person, but He has commissioned us to carry forward the medical missionary work that He began; and in this work we are to do our very best.”—Counsels on Health, p. 249.
Thursday
June 11
5. THE LAST WARNING
a. What part will medical missionary work play in the last warning message that is given to the world during the Loud Cry? Why is this so important? Acts 24:25.
“The work of health reform is the Lord’s means for lessening suffering in our world and for purifying His church.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 77.
“The principles of health reform are found in the word of God. The gospel of health is to be firmly linked with the ministry of the word. It is the Lord’s design that the restoring influence of health reform shall be a part of the last great effort to proclaim the gospel message. Our physicians are to be God’s workers. They are to be men whose powers have been sanctified and transformed by the grace of Christ. Their influence is to be knit up with the truth that is to be given to the world. In perfect and complete unity with the gospel ministry the work of health reform will reveal its God-given power. Under the influence of the gospel great reforms will be made by medical missionary work.”—Medical Ministry, p. 259.
b. What will be our attitude toward health reform as we draw near the end? Proverbs 4:18.
“As we near the close of time we must rise higher and still higher upon the question of health reform and Christian temperance, presenting it in a more positive and decided manner. We must strive continually to educate the people, not only by our words, but by our practice. Precept and practice combined have a telling influence.”—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 112.
Friday
June 12
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Why must so much time be dedicated to the work of healing the body?
2. How does medical missionary work help us spread the gospel?
3. What danger is there for successful medical missionary workers?
4. What is an extremely important duty for every worker? Why?
5. What part will medical missionary work play in the last warning message to the world?