Great Controversy Bible Study Guide: The Final Warning

Our lesson and program idea for this week will be about the Final Warning, and can still be found in the Great Controversy Book.

Introduction

WHAT FINAL DAY MESSAGE OF WARNING IS PROCLAIMED BY THE “ANGEL” OF REVELATION 14:8?

WHEN THIS WARNING IS RESTATED BY JOHN IN REVELATION 18 WHAT PLEA IS GIVEN TO GOD’S
LOYAL FOLLOWERS?

This scripture points forward to a time when the announcement of the fall of Babylon, as made by the second angel of Revelation 14:8 is to be repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the various organizations that constitute Babylon, since that message was first given, in the summer of 1844. A terrible condition of the religious world is here described. With every rejection of truth the minds of the people will become darker, their hearts more stubborn, until they are entrenched in an infidel hardihood.

In defiance of the warnings which God has given, they will continue to trample upon one of the precepts of the Decalogue, until they are led to persecute those who hold it sacred. Christ is set at nought in the contempt placed upon His word and His people. As the teachings of spiritualism are accepted by the churches, the restraint imposed upon the carnal heart is removed, and the profession of religion will become a cloak to conceal the basest iniquity. A belief in spiritual manifestations opens the door to
seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and thus the influence of evil angels will be felt in the churches.

Group Discussion:

Form groups or classes among the congregation. Let them answer the following questions as a group. And after the allotted time, allow them to share their answers with the rest of the church members.

Questions:

1. In these last days, what compromises are we prone to have?
2. What are the forms of “persecution” will God’s people face?
3. What is the final warning to those who worship the beast?
4. How should God’s end time message be delivered?
5. What are God’s promises to those who will remain faithful and true?

Let us be thankful to the Lord for giving us the warning messages of Revelation 14 to prepare us against deception. I pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us and remove any preconceived ideas that may hinder our acceptance of the truth.
These warning messages reveal that this great controversy is about loyalty to God. Let us pray for strength and courage to follow His commandments, come what may.

Great Controversy Bible Study Guide: The Scriptures a Safeguard

Hello dear youth. We are now halfway in our Great Controversy Bible Study, and I hope that we are able to provide you with program ideas and inspiration for your youth programs.

For this program suggestion, you need to prepare beforehand some Manila papers and markers.

Group congregation according to class and let them answer the following questions and write their answers on the paper provided.

Introduction

The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions. At every revival
of God’s work, the prince of evil is aroused to more intense activity; he is now putting forth his utmost efforts for a final struggle against Christ and His followers. The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their
testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.

Those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided. They can stand only in God. In order to endure the trial before them, they must understand the will of God as revealed in His word; they can honor Him only as they have a right conception of His character, government, and purposes, and act in accordance with them. None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: Shall I obey God rather than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. Are our feet planted on the rock of God’s
immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm in defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus?

Questions:

1. WHY HAS GOD PROVIDED PROPHECY IN HIS WORD?
2. ACCORDING TO REVELATION 14, WHAT THREE FINAL DAY WARNINGS ARE OUR WAKE-UP CALL TO THE WAY OF SALVATION?
3. HOW DID PAUL DESCRIBE THE ATTITUDE OF THE LUST DRIVEN MAJORITY TOWARD DOCTRINAL TRUTH?
4. HOW DO CHRIST’S TRUE FOLLOWERS DETERMINE DOCTRINAL TRUTH?
5. WHAT IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF PREVENTION AGAINST DECEPTION?
6. WHY IS IGNORANCE OF THE SCRIPTURES DANGEROUS?

Allow time for discussion within the groups. You may also ask leaders to present their answers to the congregation along with the full class to render a song first before doing so.

Conclusion

Let us realize that in the final days of earth’s history, Satan is employing every possible device to prevent
mankind from obtaining knowledge of God’s holy Word.
We should understand that those who endeavor to obey all the commandments of God will be opposed and derided, and can only stand by strength gleaned from God’s Word.
Realize that the day is here where the lust driven majority do not want Bible truth because it interferes with the desires of their sinful, world loving hearts. They gladly are accepting the deceptions of Satan, which they love.

See in God’s Word that in the last days there will be many false teachers proclaiming false doctrines.
We should be thankful to the Lord for providing the prophecies to make us wise unto salvation.
It is our determination that with God’s help we will have our own daily study of God’s Word and not depend on others for its interpretation.
We thank God for providing the stronghold of His Word in these times of testing, and by His grace I will be among those who are obedient to His Word and stand tall in the day of His coming.

Continue to be blessed and be a blessing,

Praying with you,

Chummie

Great Controversy Bible Study Guide: The Impending Conflict

We are now at Lesson number 7 out of 13 in our Great Controversy Bible Study, I hope all is well from your end. With all the noise of the world, let us take some time to study on the conflicts happening around us and what all of these points out.

For this lesson. Let us answer the following questions per class or group and encourage discussions. AY leader can wrap up the program at the end. Assign members of the group to read out from the Bible verses given for each question.

(1) WHAT IS THE IMPLICATION OF BREAKING EVEN ONE OF GOD’S LAWS? James 2:10

(2) WHAT IS SATAN’S PURPOSE IN THE DEGRADATION OF GOD’S LAWS? Romans 7:7; Romans 3:20

(3) WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF GOD’S WORD AND THE LAW IT CONTAINS? Psalm 119:105

(4) WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF INFIDELITY? Jeremiah 8:9

(5) WHAT DANGER LIES IN THE REJECTION OF TRUTH? John 18:37

(6) HOW LONG WILL THE LAW OF GOD REMAIN IN EFFECT? Psalm 119:160

(7) WHAT IS LAWLESSNESS? 1 John 3:4

(8) WHAT BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE WILL RESULT WHEN GOD’S LAWS ARE SET ASIDE? Galatians 6:7

(9) WHAT BLESSING IS LOST BY DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD’S COMMANDMENTS? Proverbs 3:1,2; Revelation 22:14

(10) WHAT IS THE RESULT WHEN LAWLESSNESS CONTROLS THOSE WHO GOVERN THE PEOPLE? Isaiah 59:13,14; Proverbs 28:15

(11) WHAT IS THE RESULT WHEN FAITH IN GOD’S WORD IS LOST? Psalm 119:70

(12) WHAT DIVINE PROMISE IS GIVEN CONCERNING THE STABILITY OF GOD’S LAW? Psalm 119:160; Matthew 5:17

(13) WHAT WILL BE THE FOREMOST CHARACTERISTIC OF THOSE WHO LOVE GOD AND ARE HIS
LAST DAY REMNANT PEOPLE? Revelation 14:12; 12:17

(15) WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE PREDICT THE BEAST POWER WOULD ATTEMPT TO CHANGE? Daniel 7:25

(16) OF WHAT SUBTLE FALSEHOODS WHICH TAKE THE PLACE OF TRUTH ARE WE WARNED? Colossians 2:8

(17) WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE RESULT OF PARTIAL OBEDIENCE? 2 Timothy 3:5; Revelation 3:14-16

(18) WHAT WILL BE THE ULTIMATE RESULT OF MANKIND’S REJECTION OF GOD’S LAW? Isaiah 24:4,5

(19) WHAT IS THE TERRIBLE RESULT WHEN THE DECEIVED ONES ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SATAN’S PLANS? John 16:2

(20) WHAT POWERFUL SOURCE OF DECEPTION WILL SATAN USE IN THE LAST DAYS TO DECEIVE
THE MAJORITY TO HIS CAUSE? Revelation 16:14; Matthew 24:24

(21) UTILIZING HIS METHODS OF SEDUCTION AND CONTROL, WHAT IS SATAN’S UNDERLYING GOAL
IN THIS IMPENDING CONFLICT? 1 Peter 5:8

(22) WHAT CHARACTERISTIC OF GOD’S LAST DAY REMNANT PEOPLE WILL EXCITE THE HATRED
OF SATAN AND HIS FOLLOWERS? Revelation 12:17

(23) WHAT ACTION WILL BE TAKEN BY THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES AND ENDORSED BY THE RELIGIOUS
MAJORITY IN AN ATTEMPT TO FORCE GOD’S COMMANDMENT KEEPERS TO VIOLATE THEIR CONSCIENCE? Revelation 13:17

Highlights:

Let us be aware that Scripture describes clearly an impending conflict “such as never was” which will begin
as we approach the close of this world’s history.

Know that Scripture reveals that God’s commandments are sacred and eternal despite Satan’s and man’s
attempt to “think to change times and laws.” Daniel 7:25.

We should realize that since the conception of sin the focus of Satan’s attack in this great controversy has been God’s eternally sacred laws–which is the basis of His government.

Let us now see that the Bible teaches the importance of observance of all of God’s sacred commandments and to break one is to break them all. James 2:10.

Revelation 12:17 reveals that Satan’s ultimate goal is the defamation of God’s laws for the purpose of causing the ultimate rejection of these sacred principles.

Let us choose to be among the loyal remnant people of God who obey His commandments
and remain faithful to Jesus. Revelation 14:12.

Be a blessing.

Praying for all of you,

Chummie

AY Program Ideas: Great Controversy Bible Study Series: “Can the Dead Talk to Us?”

A blessed new year to all of us. I hope you are all doing amazingly with God’s grace.

This year, may we all strive hard and work hard to lead our churches and youth groups.

To continue our Great Controversy Bible Study Series, we will be discussing the state of the dead and what SDA believe about it. This is a great opportunity to review our fundamental beliefs.

Start the program with a True or False Quiz.

Allow all members of the congregation to participate by providing beforehand papers and pens.

After the quiz, allow time for Q&A and discussions.

True or False Questions:

1. The dead know not anything. (True)
2. Spirits of the dead are hovering about their friends on earth to communicate with them, to warn them against evil, or to comfort them in sorrow. (False)
3. Satan has power to bring before men the appearance of their departed friends. The counterfeit is perfect; the familiar look, the words, the tone, are reproduced with marvelous distinctness. (True)
4. Before the second advent of Christ, there will be similar manifestations of satanic power. (True)
5. In the last days, Satan present spiritualism in its more refined and intellectual aspects, and fails in drawing many into his snare. (False)
6. Satan beguiles men now as he beguiled Eve in Eden by flattery, by kindling a desire to obtain forbidden knowledge, by exciting ambition for self-exaltation. (True)
7. It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature that by beholding we cannot be changed. (False)
8. The work of dealing with familiar spirits was not pronounced an abomination to the Lord, and was solemnly allowed without punishment. (False)
9. The Bible says, “No matter how wicked you are; no matter whether you believe or disbelieve God and the Bible. Live as you please; heaven is your home”. (False)
10. It is true that spiritualism is now changing its form and, veiling some of its more objectionable features, is assuming a Christian guise. (True)
11. Nothing but the power of God, granted in answer to the earnest prayer of faith, can deliver these ensnared souls. (True)
12. All who indulge sinful traits of character, or willfully cherish a known sin, are inviting the temptations of Satan. (True)
13. List down 3 things you know about death and dying for SDAs.

Share discussion points with the congregation and discuss myths and superstitions commonly known about death around us.

Wrap up discussion by providing conclusion on what SDAs believe.

You can use the book the Great Controversy as your reference.

Praying for you,

Chummie