Sabbath School

Adult Sabbath School Bible study guide.

Read Matthew 11:28, 29. What does Jesus tell us to do? What does He promise all who come to Him?

God has always been concerned about the well-being of human beings. Before creating Adam and Eve, God prepared a perfect dwelling for them that would both excite and delight them (Genesis 1). God provided everything needed for their comfort. After the holy pair fell, God came in search of them (Gen. 3:9), prophesied the coming of a Savior (Gen. 3:15), and fashioned clothing to cover their nakedness (Gen. 3:21). God is invested in the well-being of His creatures.

Perhaps no blessing of the gift of prophecy is more overlooked than its function as a source of comfort and renewal for God’s people down through time.

Read Isaiah 40:1–5. What message does God give His prophet for His hurting people? How can we apply that principle to us today?

God wanted Judah to know that, although He had to punish them, He would not utterly cast them off. He does not simply give Isaiah a message of encouragement for His broken people. He instructed Isaiah exactly how to deliver the message. The message needed to be delivered with great tenderness, love, and care. God was so concerned about this message of comfort reaching the hearts of His people that He left nothing to chance. Such messages of comfort were repeated throughout the book of Isaiah (Isa. 12:1, Isa. 49:13, Isa. 51:3, etc.).

The apostle Paul warned that those who live godly in Christ Jesus would experience fierce persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). In the difficult times ahead, we will need words of comfort and hope. The gift of prophecy is the means that God will use to soothe and strengthen His people before Jesus returns to take them home.

In what area of your life do you need to hear a word of comfort and hope? What does God empower us to do after He comforts us? (2 Cor. 1:3, 4).

Supplemental EGW Notes

The end is near, and we must be prepared for what we will have to meet. Our lives must be hid with Christ in God. We need the education of the Holy Spirit. It is our privilege to be cheerful. At times I have been tempted to feel a depression of soul, as I see how blind and mistaken many of our brethren are. It makes my heart ache to think of the men who are unsettled, and who have lost their bearings. May the Lord work to remove the cloud of uncertainty, that truth and righteousness may prevail. It seems scarcely possible that the power of deception can be so strong. I pity these men, but the impression they have made on other minds is so strong that it makes me tremble. A stormy future is before us, but we have with us One who is mighty to prevail. At times as I see a cloud in the sky, I involuntarily exclaim, “Come, Lord Jesus, and come quickly.” Such times as this will reveal character. I long to see the deceptive power of the enemy broken. But we will not let our faith fail. The only real comfort I find is to look beyond this conflict, and see the final triumph, the glory of God reflecting brightness on the overcomers. Prophecy points out the sure result of the conflict, and by faith we may see it. I long to realize the experiences opened before me in the visions the Lord has given to me. The restraining power of the Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the earth. Our work must be done quickly. We must put forth every effort in our power to save souls from death. Soon the Lord God of heaven will set up His kingdom, which shall never be destroyed. Now is the time for us to develop a pure, heavenly character. The work will increase more and more in earnestness and intensity until the end. We need an increase of faith. We must watch unto prayer. For weeks I have been as a cart beneath sheaves, not because I have the least question regarding the work God has given me to do, nor because of any desire to shun the responsibilities He has placed upon me; but my heart aches for those who are walking in the blindness of error, who have lost their discernment, and who cannot distinguish truth from error.—This Day With God, p. 198.

The above quotations are taken from Ellen G. White Notes for the Sabbath School Lessons, published by Pacific Press Publishing Association. Used by permission.