SSLS 2017-01-04
2017 1st Quarter
Lesson 1, December 31-January 6, The Spirit and the Word
Wednesday, January 4
“Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” KJV, Ephesians 4:18.
“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” KJV, 1 Corinthians 2:13, 14.
“He who receives the light and walks in it will follow the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. But he who refuses the aid of the Holy Spirit in seeking to understand the word of God, will choose darkness rather than light; for he will walk in the sparks of his own kindling, and will lie down in sorrow. Then, accepting the enlightenment of the divine Spirit, let the youth search the word for themselves, remembering that they are under the tutorship of the greatest Teacher the world ever knew.” (Ellen White, Sabbath School Worker, October 1, 1892.)
“In Sabbath school work we shall be called upon to deal with those who make mistakes, who fall into sin and error. Christ has given us lessons in his word that are very plain in regard to the treatment of the erring; but many have failed to practice these lessons. They have not studied and treasured them in the heart, so that the Holy Spirit could enlighten the darkened understanding, and melt and break the stony heart of both teacher and pupil. The Holy Spirit will make the heart sensitive, sympathetic, and rid it of pride and selfishness.” (Ellen White, Sabbath School Worker, December 1, 1892.)
“It is not enough for us to read the Word of God. The Scriptures are given for our instruction, and we are to search them carefully and diligently. We are to study the Word of God, comparing one portion with another. Scripture is the key that unlocks scripture. As we read and study and pray, there is beside us a divine Teacher, the Holy Spirit, enlightening our understanding, that we may comprehend the great truths of God’s Word.” (Ellen White, Pacific Union Recorder, February 23, 1905.)
“We need to recognize the Holy Spirit as our enlightener. That Spirit loves to address the children, and discover to them the treasures and beauties of the Word of God. The promises spoken by the great Teacher will captivate the senses and animate the soul of the child with a spiritual power that is divine. There will grow in the fruitful a familiarity with divine things, which will be as a barricade against the temptations of the enemy.” (Ellen White, The General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1898.)
“The many contradictory opinions in regard to what the Bible teaches do not arise from any obscurity in the book itself, but from blindness and prejudice on the part of interpreters. Men ignore the plain statements of the Bible to follow their own perverted reason. Priding themselves on their intellectual attainments, they overlook the simplicity of truth; they forsake the fountain of living waters to drink of the poisonous stream of error.
“But however much man may pervert the words of God, his purposes will be accomplished. Men may reject the truth, but it is the truth still. To us is committed the most solemn warning ever given to man; for us who are now upon the stage of action are reserved the most important scenes in this world’s history.” (Ellen White, Review and Herald, January 27, 1885, emphasis added.)