Bible Study - Sabbath School Podcast

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English Sabbath School Bible Study podcast - an unpretentious and fun way to study the Bible Classe da Escola Sabatina em inglês do Unasp SP. English Sabbath School Class at Unasp SP Brazil

  1. 23h ago

    Epiosde 2926 - Lesson 5 - Wednesday Oct 28 - Written Messages✍🏼

    Written Messages Some famous speeches have deeply impacted people's lives and even changed the course of history. If these speeches were not recorded, the words would have faded or become distorted with the passage of time. Thus, writing gives permanence to the spoken word, and that permanence allows the message to be transmitted through time. Shortly after the Israelites left Egypt and defeated the Amalekites, God instructed Moses to "write this for a memorial in the book" (Exod. 17:14, NKJV). Beginning with Moses, who authored the first five books of the Bible, Psalm 90, and Job, the Holy Spirit guided the canonical prophets to produce the writings that now comprise the 66 books of the Bible. Read Exodus 17:14; John 20:30-31; 1 Corinthians 10:11; and Revelation 1:19. What are some of the reasons God asked His prophets to write down the messages that He gave them? The various books of the Bible reflect the literary style and skills of their respective writers. As we will discuss in next week's study, the personal nuances and various styles of each author don't take away from their messages, because there are no "degrees" of inspiration. Some parts of the Bible are obviously more relevant and applicable to our lives and faith today than are other parts. But this truth doesn't make one part of the Bible more inspired than another part. Sometimes Bible writers recorded the inspired messages that they first delivered orally, by themselves, or by a trusted associate. In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses recorded the last speeches that he made to the Israelites before his death. The four Gospels register many of the sermons and teachings of Jesus during His earthly ministry. But there are instances in which prophets quoted non-inspired sources (Acts 17:28, 1 Cor. 15:33, Titus 1:12) and even the words of Satan (Gen. 3:1-5, Matt. 4:1-11). We should remember that as the prophets recorded the feelings and desires of other people, they also expressed their own human reactions (see Dan. 8:27; Rev. 22:8-9). Furthermore, the Bible describes many good examples to be imitated but also many bad ones to be avoided (1 Cor. 10:1-11). While reading the Bible, we should keep in mind that, while not written in perfect language, it carries an infallible message that will stand the test of time.

  2. 1d ago

    Episode 2925 - Lesson 5 - Tuesday October 27 - Oral Messages 🗣️

    Oral Messages Read 2 Peter 1:18-21. What assurance do we have that the oral messages delivered by God's prophets were as inspired and reliable as the written ones? God spoke to Adam and Eve before the Fall (Gen. 2:16-17) and after (Gen. 3:9-19). In both cases, they perfectly understood His words. His voice was heard in clear terms also at Sinai (Exod. 20:1-20), as well as at the baptism and the transfiguration of Jesus (Matt. 3:17, Matt. 17:5). We might misinterpret when other people talk to us. But, surely, when God talks to anyone, there will be no miscommunication or deception. The Bible affirms that "God spoke to Moses and said to him: 'I am the Lord' " (Exod. 6:2, NKJV). Many Bible writers acknowledged hearing the voice of God as He spoke to them. This was the case, for example, with Isaiah (Isa. 8:1, 11), Jeremiah (Jer. 1:4, 9, 11), and Ezekiel (Ezek. 3:16, Ezek. 6:1). Any attempt to deny these and other similar claims ends up questioning the honesty of the prophets and the reliability of the Bible itself. As God spoke to the prophets in an intelligible human language, so did the prophets to their respective audiences. For instance, Noah was a true prophet of God and a faithful "preacher of righteousness" (2 Pet. 2:5). He did not write any portion of the Bible, but he delivered God's message orally to his contemporaries, and his message was no less inspired than the writings of the canonical prophets. Several other prophets, including Nathan, Elijah, Elisha, and John the Baptist, never wrote any portion of the Bible; instead, they delivered their message orally. And what about Jesus Christ Himself? The Gospel record mentions that during His earthly ministry He "wrote on the ground with His finger" (John 8:6, NKJV). That's it. We have no record of Jesus' writing anything else. But He taught and preached orally "as one having authority" (Matt. 7:29, NKJV). Some of His listeners even confessed, "No man ever spoke like this Man" (John 7:40, 46, NKJV). Jesus was primarily an oral communicator of God's messages. His messages were no less authoritative or binding simply because He Himself did not write any books of the Bible. How fascinating that God has prophets who had no writings in the Bible. Why do these noncanonical prophets also carry authority?

  3. 2d ago

    Episode 2924 - Lesson 5 - Monday Oct. 26: The Process of Inspiration 🕊️

    The Process of Inspiration Many books and writings, not just the Bible, have come down to us through the ages. And yet we deem the Bible as the Word of God. What separates it from other writings? Read 2 Timothy 3:15-17 and James 1:17. What important message should we take from these verses? There is some discussion about the best translation of 2 Timothy 3:16, but most Bible translations render this passage in a similar way, emphasizing that the whole Bible is of divine origin (2 Pet. 1:20-21). One Bible commentator explains that "it seems more likely that Paul is contemplating scripture as a whole here and that he would say that the whole of scripture is 'profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness,' than that every scripture passage is profitable in these ways."—G. W. Knight III, The Pastoral Epistles: A Commentary on the Greek Text (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1992), p. 445. But how should we understand the inspiration process that originated the Bible? We should recognize that prophetic inspiration is the Holy Spirit assisting true prophets for the reliable communication of divine messages. That assistance is provided not only in the process of receiving the messages but also in communicating the messages clearly to their recipients. God's messages came through visions and dreams (Num. 12:6; Isa. 6:1, 8). God also used eyewitnesses (1 John 1:1-3), Spirit-inspired historical research (Luke 1:1-3), and divine impressions on the mind (2 Pet. 1:21). Regardless of the means used by the Holy Spirit, the prophets and biblical authors were given objective, rather than subjective, messages of truth to be shared. That is, God's messages were not to be tampered with or in any way distorted by His messengers, even if they used their own words to express those messages. The task of communicating prophetic messages to their original audiences could be done orally (2 Pet. 1:19-21), or in written form (John 20:30-31), or even through dramatization (Ezek. 4:1-8). Though many questions remain about how the Bible was inspired, or how inspiration works in general, why is it so important to trust the Bible as God's inspired Word, regardless of what we may not fully understand about how it was written?

  4. 3d ago

    Episode 2923 - Lesson 5 - Sunday October 25 - General and Special Revelation

    General and Special Revelation Read Hebrews 1:1-2. Why is God so interested in speaking to us? What is He telling us through Jesus and the prophets? What would the Creator of the cosmos have to say to us? Why does He communicate with us? It is because we are fallen human beings in a sinful world and face death, suffering, and trials; God, therefore, speaks to us because He wants us to know why we are here, why things are so bad, and why, despite it all, we can hope in His love for us. God's general revelation, as seen in the natural world, speaks eloquently of His infinite power and caring love. King David exclaimed, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork" (Ps. 19:1, NKJV). The apostle Paul added, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse" (Rom. 1:20, NASB). It is also amazing to reflect on God's restoring power manifested in the mysterious healing processes in our world. Indeed, "God's healing power runs all through nature. If a tree is cut, if a human being is wounded or breaks a bone, nature begins at once to repair the injury. Even before the need exists, the healing agencies are in readiness; and as soon as a part is wounded, every energy is bent to the work of restoration."—Ellen G. White, Education, p. 113. As beautiful and instructive as the natural world can be, it reveals not only God's power and love but also the presence of evil (see Gen. 3:14-19, Matt. 13:24-30). This ambiguous message can be properly understood only in light of God's special revelation—in both Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God, and in the Bible, the Written Word of God that testifies of Him (John 5:39). The Scriptures are the inspired record of God's messages to all human beings throughout the ages. They tell us about the Creation of the world and its tragic fall, and about God's amazing plan of redemption and the final restoration of planet Earth. As brief and selective as some biblical narratives can be, they are always reliable, because it's God speaking to us (see 2 Tim. 3:16, 2 Pet. 1:19-21). Though nature surely points to the reality of the Creator's power and love, why do we still so desperately need the Written Word, as well? What does the Word tell us that nature, in and of itself, doesn't?

  5. 4d ago

    Episode 2922 - Lesson 5 - Sabbath October 24 - Revelation and Inspiration

    Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Heb. 1:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 1:18-21; Exod. 17:14; Rev. 1:19; Ezek. 4:1-8 Memory Text: "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things he saw" (Revelation 1:1-2, NKJV). The apostle John had been part of the inner circle of the Twelve Apostles (Luke 8:51; Matt. 17:1; Matt. 26:36-37). After Christ's ascension, he continued his ministry, in Jerusalem. Yet, before the fall of the city (A.D. 70), he moved to Ephesus in order to oversee churches in the Roman province of Asia Minor. During the Christian persecution under the Roman emperor Domitian, the apostle was exiled to Patmos, an island in the Aegean Sea. On Patmos, John received special prophetic messages that were addressed not only to the seven churches of Asia Minor but to Christians throughout the ages (Rev. 1:1-3, 9-11). The prophetic message delivery chain, of which John was a part, looked something like this: God the Father, to Jesus Christ, to the angel, to the apostle John, and to the readers and hearers. This is a classic example of the revelation-inspiration process in which God uses prophets to communicate His messages to humanity. This week's lesson specifically examines the multiform revelation-inspiration process, with special focus on the oral, written, and dramatized ways the divine message has been communicated to human beings. *Study this week's lesson to prepare for Sabbath, October 31.

  6. 5d ago

    Episode 2921 - Lesson 4 - Friday October 23 - Keeping Jesus and His Word at the Center

    Keeping Jesus and His Word at the Center As we have learned, God called prophets at specific times and gave them important tasks. Their primary function was to bring people to a knowledge of God and a faithful relationship with Him. This was Ellen G. White's guiding orientation. Her ministry had two primary functions: to lead people to Jesus and to point them to His Word—the Bible. Ellen G. White had a lifelong passion for Jesus and a desire to share the love of God with others. Her famous five-book series, The Conflict of the Ages, begins and ends with the words "God is love." In Steps to Christ, perhaps her most popular book, she wrote: "Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness—all depend upon our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily, hourly—by abiding in Him—that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the Author, but the Finisher of our faith."—Steps to Christ, p. 69. During the 1890s, when she was working on The Desire of Ages, she wrote in her diary: "In writing upon the life of Christ I am deeply wrought upon. I forget to breathe as I should. I cannot endure the intensity of feeling that comes over me as I think of what Christ has suffered in our world."—Manuscript 70, 1897. Ellen G. White loved to speak about Jesus. The Bible was the second focus of Ellen White's ministry. She saw her writings as a "lesser light" leading people to the "greater light"—the Bible (Selected Messages, book 3, p. 29). She always encouraged people to go to Scripture, where God has revealed His loving character and plan of salvation. As she put it early in her ministry: "I recommend to you, dear reader, the Word of God as the rule of your faith and practice."—Selected Messages, book 3, p. 30. Years later she would write: "The Lord desires you to study your Bibles. He has not given any additional light to take the place of His Word. . . . If eaten and digested, [His Word] is as the life-blood of the soul. Then good works will be seen as light shining in darkness."—Letter 130, 1901. Ellen G. White also believed that all who claim the prophetic mantle of Christ must teach "what Christ had taught. That which He had spoken, not only in person, but through all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament, is here included. Human teaching is shut out."—The Desire of Ages, p. 826. Ellen G. White kept Jesus and Scripture at the center of her Christian experience. Next Friday, we will explore her views on revelation and inspiration. To discover more, visit https://whiteestate.org/absg/4.

  7. 6d ago

    Episode 2920 - Lesson 4 - Thursday October 22 - False Prophets in the New Testament

    False Prophets in the New Testament Read Matthew 24:23-24. What does Jesus warn us about here? Why should we take this warning so seriously? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Jesus Himself couldn't have been clearer: " 'For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect' " (Matt. 24:24, NKJV). The deceptions that He warns about must be quite persuasive, if, indeed, "great signs and wonders" will be part of it. Supernatural events, in and of themselves, are not evidence of God's working, however persuasive they can appear. We have supernatural enemies. As Paul has warned us: "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12, NKJV). And these powers work through false prophets. In fact, false prophets are nothing new. The New Testament refers to the false prophets in Old Testament times (Luke 6:26). In the New Testament false prophets are likened to " 'ravenous wolves' " who are " 'in sheep's clothing' " (Matt. 7:15, NKJV), and we are told that we will " 'know them by their fruits' " (Matt. 7:16, NKJV). Their main work is deception (Matt. 7:17–20). Jesus Himself declared that " 'many false prophets will rise up and deceive many' " (Matt. 24:11, NKJV), and " 'if possible, even the elect' " (Matt. 24:24, NKJV; see also Mark 13:22, 1 John 4:1). According to Ephesians 6:10-18, how can we shield ourselves from any kind of deception? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Living by faith, putting on the "breastplate of righteousness," being girded in the "truth," along with surrendering to the Holy Spirit through prayer, and being grounded in His Word—these are the ways we can be protected from all that would otherwise lead us spiritually and theologically astray. What can you do to arm yourself better against all the deceptions sweeping our world?

  8. Oct 21

    Episode 2919 - Lesson 4 - Wednesday October 21 - Female Prophets and Young Pastoral Associates

    Female Prophets and Young Pastoral Associates Read Luke 2:36-38 and Acts 21:9. What do these passages tell us about female prophets? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ In Old Testament times, God called both men and women to be His messengers. In New Testament times, there is clear evidence of female prophets. Anna was the first one called a "prophetess" in the New Testament. She is someone who, in her full-time ministry, "served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And . . . she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him" (Luke 2:37-38, NKJV). Acts 21:9 says that Philip had "four virgin daughters who prophesied" (NKJV). New Testament historians, such as Eusebius, have found later texts that mention where they possibly lived, and then were buried. Either way, what we do see are women, most likely young women, who have the prophetic gift. We don't know exactly what they prophesied or the extent of their ministry. One thing, however, that we do know about these young women with the prophetic gift: none of their prophetic words made it into the canon, the Bible. That is, like many others, they were noncanonical prophets, true prophets whose words, writings, whatever, were not made into biblical books. In addition to women prophets, young pastors worked in close association with apostles. Apostles mentored young leaders for ministry. Paul, for instance, addressed Timothy as "a true son in the faith" (1 Tim. 1:2, NKJV; see also 1 Tim. 4:12). Paul taught Timothy the basics of pastoral ministry. He states concerning his calling: "This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare" (1 Tim. 1:18, NKJV). In Titus 1:4, Paul introduced Titus as "a true son in our common faith" (NKJV). Paul gave Titus the task of appointing leaders for the believers in Crete, a challenging congregation. He offered young Titus spiritual counsel on how to approach this important responsibility, then concluded: "Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you" (Titus 2:15, NKJV). Young, old, male, female—we all can have a role to play in God's work. What is your role, and how can you do even more?

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English Sabbath School Bible Study podcast - an unpretentious and fun way to study the Bible Classe da Escola Sabatina em inglês do Unasp SP. English Sabbath School Class at Unasp SP Brazil

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