1. God Reveals Himself Sun, Aug 30

a. By what things in this world is the Lord seeking to draw men to Himself? Psalm 19:1–6; Proverbs 2:1–5. “Many are the ways in which God is seeking to make Himself known to us and bring us into communion with Him. Nature speaks to our senses without ceasing. The open heart will be impressed with the love and glory of God as revealed through the works of His hands. The listening ear can hear and understand the communications of God through the things of nature. The green fields, the lofty trees, the buds and flowers, the passing cloud, the falling rain, the babbling brook, the glories of the heavens, speak to our hearts, and invite us to become acquainted with Him who made them all.”—Steps to Christ, p. 85. b. What did Jesus use to fix truth in the minds of His hearers? Matthew 13:3, 34. “Our Saviour bound up His precious lessons with the things of nature. The trees, the birds, the flowers of the valleys, the hills, the lakes, and the beautiful heavens, as well as the incidents and surroundings of daily life, were all linked with the words of truth, that His lessons might thus be often recalled to mind, even amid the busy cares of man’s life of toil.“God would have His children appreciate His works and delight in the simple, quiet beauty with which He has adorned our earthly home.”—Ibid.

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2. God’s Created Works Mon, Aug 31

a. What lesson may be learned from nature—for example in the flowers, birds, and stars? Romans 1:20; Acts 14:17. “In the study of the sciences . . . we are to obtain a knowledge of the Creator. All true science is but an interpretation of the handwriting of God in the material world. Science brings from her research only fresh evidences of the wisdom and power of God. Rightly understood, both the book of nature and the written word make us acquainted with God by teaching us something of the wise and beneficent laws through which He works.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 599.“If we will but listen, God’s created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust. From the stars that in their trackless courses through space follow from age to age their appointed path, down to the minutest atom, the things of nature obey the Creator’s will. And God cares for everything and sustains everything that He has created.”—Steps to Christ, pp. 85, 86. b. When we contemplate the beauty and peace of unspoiled nature, what should be remembered of the promised new earth? 1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21:1. “Let your imagination picture the home of the saved, and remember that it will be more glorious than your brightest imagination can portray. In the varied gifts of God in nature we see but the faintest gleaming of His glory.”—Ibid., pp. 86, 87.“The church of God has been given revelations of the eternal purpose of Jehovah. His people have been permitted to look beyond the trials of the present to the triumphs of the future, when, the warfare having been accomplished, the redeemed will enter into possession of the promised land. These visions of future glory, scenes pictured by the hand of God, should be dear to His church today.”—Prophets and Kings, p. 722.“In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called ‘a country.’ Hebrews 11:14–16. There the heavenly Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations. There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God’s people, so long pilgrims and wanderers, shall find a home.”—The Great Controversy, p. 675.

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3. The Witness of Providence Tue, Sep 1

a. What precious lessons may be learned from the prophets to encourage us in times of discouragement and temptation? James 5:17; Romans 8:28; 1 John 5:14. “In our circumstances and surroundings, in the changes daily taking place around us, we may find precious lessons if our hearts are but open to discern them. . . . [The patriarchs and prophets] men ‘subject to like passions as we are.’ James 5:17. We see how they struggled through discouragements like our own, how they fell under temptation as we have done, and yet took heart again and conquered through the grace of God; and, beholding, we are encouraged in our striving after righteousness.”—Steps to Christ, pp. 87, 88. b. If God provides for the things of nature, how much more for His children? Psalms 107:43; 145:15, 16. “Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love. Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator’s love.”—Ibid., p. 9. c. On what should the promise of God’s care lead us to focus? Matthew 6:30–34. “When we take into our hands the management of things with which we have to do, and depend upon our own wisdom for success, we are taking a burden which God has not given us, and are trying to bear it without His aid. We are taking upon ourselves the responsibility that belongs to God, and thus are really putting ourselves in His place. We may well have anxiety and anticipate danger and loss, for it is certain to befall us. But when we really believe that God loves us and means to do us good we shall cease to worry about the future. We shall trust God as a child trusts a loving parent. Then our troubles and torments will disappear, for our will is swallowed up in the will of God.”—Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pp. 100, 101.

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4. God’s Revelation Wed, Sep 2

a. Wherein has Christ placed the clearest revelations of God’s plan for the salvation of men? John 5:39; Isaiah 34:16. “God speaks to us in His word. Here we have in clearer lines the revelation of His character, of His dealings with men, and the great work of redemption.”—Steps to Christ, p. 87. b. What should be done daily by all who desire to grow in the strength and power of God? John 6:53, 63; Colossians 3:1, 2. “The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? The infinite mercy and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, call for the most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should meditate upon the mission of Him who came to save His people from their sins.”—Ibid., pp. 88, 89. c. How are we to take God’s word into our hearts? Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 2:15. “No one with a spirit to appreciate its teaching can read a single passage from the Bible without gaining from it some helpful thought. But the most valuable teaching of the Bible is not to be gained by occasional or disconnected study. Its great system of truth is not so presented as to be discerned by the hasty or careless reader. Many of its treasures lie far beneath the surface, and can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous effort. The truths that go to make up the great whole must be searched out and gathered up, ‘here a little, and there a little.’ Isaiah 28:10.“When thus searched out and brought together, they will be found to be perfectly fitted to one another. Each Gospel is a supplement to the others, every prophecy an explanation of another, every truth a development of some other truth. The types of the Jewish economy are made plain by the gospel. Every principle in the word of God has its place, every fact its bearing. And the complete structure, in design and execution, bears testimony to its Author. Such a structure no mind but that of the Infinite could conceive or fashion.”—Education, pp. 123, 124.

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5. Bible Study Thu, Sep 3

a. What brought comfort and help to Jeremiah in his tumultuous time? Jeremiah 15:16. “There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God’s word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in these times.”—Steps to Christ, p. 90.“He who gives the Scriptures close, prayerful attention will gain clear comprehension and sound judgment, as if in turning to God he had reached a higher grade of intelligence.”—Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, p. 95. b. How should the Scriptures be studied and what must precede such Bible study? Psalm 119:9, 11, 16. “The truth of God, like gold, is not always lying right on the surface; it is to be obtained only by earnest thought and study.”—Gospel Workers, p. 76.“As the miner discovers veins of precious metal concealed beneath the surface of the earth, so will he who perseveringly searches the word of God as for hid treasure find truths of the greatest value, which are concealed from the view of the careless seeker. The words of inspiration, pondered in the heart, will be as streams flowing from the fountain of life.“Never should the Bible be studied without prayer. Before opening its pages we should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and it will be given. . . . Angels from the world of light will be with those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance.”—Steps to Christ, p. 91.

Personal Review Questions Fri, Sep 4

1. What teaching method was used by our Saviour to reach the people? 2. What provision has God made to reveal Himself to all—including those who have no access to His Word? 3. What may be learned through the providences of God? 4. Describe the attitude we are to have toward the Bible as the revelation of God. 5. What experience of Jeremiah with reference to the scriptures should be repeated?