Chapter 2 Highlights

Jesus Christ built His life on the Holy Scriptures. He understood the practical importance of the word of God.

How did He come to learn these lessons?

Listen to this from Ministry of Healing, page 363:

"Jesus came to this earth to accomplish the greatest work ever accomplished among men. He came as God's ambassador, to show us how to live so as to secure life's best results. What were the conditions chosen by the infinite Father for His Son? A secluded home in the Galilean hills; a household sustained by honest, self-respecting labor; a life of simplicity; daily conflict with difficulty and hardship; self-sacrifice, economy, and patient, gladsome service; the hour of study at His mother's side, with the open scroll of Scripture; the quiet of dawn or twilight in the green valley; the holy ministries of nature; the study of creation and providence; and the soul's communion with God—these were the conditions and opportunities of the early life of Jesus."

And Desire of Ages, page 70:

"The very words which He Himself had spoken to Moses for Israel He was now taught at His mother's knee. As He advanced from childhood to youth, He did not seek the schools of the rabbis. He needed not the education to be obtained from such sources; for God was His instructor."

This chapter reminds us that Jesus understood what is means to "live by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God."

So, unless we as disciples of Jesus Christ learn the same lessons we will fail in our christian experience.

Here are some Bible verses that tell us the importance of God's Holy Word:

Matthew 4:4 - It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Psalm 12:6 - The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Psalm 119:105 - Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

This chapter gives us 5 practical ideas regarding how to study the Bible:

1. Follow a daily reading plan, so you will always have something to read (see appendix B).

2. As you read, ask yourself questions to help you focus on the text and discover practical lessons for your life. Here are some questions you could ask:

What? 

• What does the passage say? 
• What does the passage tell me about Jesus or God? 
• What does the passage tell me about the help that God gives?

So What

• Why is the passage important or relevant?

Is the passage convicting me of a sin that God wants me to confess?

Now What? 

• Is this passage describing some change that God wants me to make in my life? 
• Is there an example here that I am to follow? 
• Is there a promise in this passage that I can claim? 

3. Write in a notebook at least one lesson God taught you from your reading, and how you will apply it to your life.

4. Conclude with prayer, talking to God about what you learned and asking Him to help you live it out.

5. Meditate on those verses during the day, and share with someone else what you learned.

Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department, General Conference,Howard, Jim,DeVasher, Kameron,Howard, Mark,Ringstaff, Justin,Schefka, Staci. Discipleship Handbook (GROW Series) (pp. 17-18). Review and Herald Publishing Association. Kindle Edition.