Sunday
January 1
1. A PRIVILEGED PART OF CREATION
a. Describe our high calling as human beings-and the relationship our Creator has designed to enjoy with us. Isaiah 13:12; Jeremiah 29:11.
When Adam came from the Creator's hand, he bore, in his physical, mental, and spiritual nature, a likeness to his Maker. 'God created man in His own image' (Genesis 1:27), and it was His purpose that the longer man lived the more fully he should reveal this image-the more fully reflect the glory of the Creator. All his faculties were capable of development; their capacity and vigor were continually to increase. Vast was the scope offered for their exercise, glorious the field opened to their research. The mysteries of the visible universe-the 'wondrous works of Him which is perfect in knowledge' (Job 37:16)-invited man's study. Face-to-face, heart-to-heart communion with his Maker was his high privilege. Had he remained loyal to God, all this would have been his forever. Throughout eternal ages he would have continued to gain new treasures of knowledge, to discover fresh springs of happiness, and to obtain clearer and yet clearer conceptions of the wisdom, the power, and the love of God. More and more fully would he have fulfilled the object of his creation, more and more fully have reflected the Creator's glory.-Education, p. 15.
b. Why should we be inspired by the wonderful level of trust, honor, and confidence which God has bestowed upon humanity? Psalm 8:3-9.
Monday
January 2
2. AN INTRUDING INTERFERENCE
a. What tragic mistake scarred the life of our first parents, causing them to forfeit their home in paradise? Genesis 3:1-12, 17-19, 23, 24. What spiritual consequences followed?
Through sin the divine likeness was marred, and well-nigh obliterated. Man's physical powers were weakened, his mental capacity was lessened, his spiritual vision dimmed. He had become subject to death.-Education, p. 15.
b. How is sin defined, and what does it cause? 1 John 3:4; Romans 6:23 (first part).
c. Out of love for the human race, what would be accomplished by the mission of Christ in coming to earth? Romans 6:23 (second part); 1 Corinthians 15:21-23. How soon could humanity reap the benefits of His life, death, resurrection, and ascension?
As soon as there was sin, there was a Saviour. Christ knew what He would have to suffer, yet He became man's substitute. As soon as Adam sinned, the Son of God presented himself as surety for the human race, with just as much power to avert the doom pronounced upon the guilty as when He died upon the cross of Calvary.-The Review and Herald, March 12, 1901.
d. Who exactly was Christ and, by the time He came to earth, how advanced had the sin problem become in separating humanity-both Jews and Gentiles-from their heavenly Father? Genesis 1:1-3; John 1:1-5, 10, 11.
Men had well-nigh ceased to discern God in His works. The sinfulness of humanity had cast a pall over the fair face of creation; and instead of manifesting God, His works became a barrier that concealed Him. Men 'worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator.' Thus the heathen 'became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened' (Romans 1:25, 21). So in Israel, man's teaching had been put in the place of God's. Not only the things of nature, but the sacrificial service and the Scriptures themselves-all given to reveal God-were so perverted that they became the means of concealing Him.-Christ's Object Lessons, p. 18.
Tuesday
January 3
3. THE DIVINE-HUMAN SAVIOUR
a. What reveals God's mercy in sending Christ? Job 33:23-30; Luke 1:26-35.
When Adam's sin plunged the race into hopeless misery, God might have cut Himself loose from fallen beings. He might have treated them as sinners deserve to be treated. He might have commanded the angels of heaven to pour out upon our world the vials of His wrath. He might have removed this dark blot from His universe. But He did not do this. Instead of banishing them from His presence, He came still nearer to the fallen race. He gave His Son to become bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh. 'The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth' (John 1:14). Christ by His human relationship to men drew them close to God. He clothed His divine nature with the garb of humanity, and demonstrated before the heavenly universe, before the unfallen worlds, how much God loves the children of men.-The Australasian Union Conference Record, June 1, 1900.
b. Why can we be assured that the great Judge of all humanity will be fair with His erring creatures? John 5:26, 27; Hebrews 4:14, 15; 7:25.
c. In what sense is Christ's humiliating death an important key in teaching us how to live, and how to relate to our fellow human beings? Isaiah 53:6-8; Philippians 2:5-11.
Christ in His humiliation was glorified. He who in all other eyes appeared to be conquered was a Conqueror. He was acknowledged as the Sin Bearer. Men may exercise power over His human body. They may pierce the holy temples with the crown of thorns. They may strip from Him His raiment, and quarrel over its division. But they cannot rob Him of His power to forgive sins. In dying He bears testimony to His own divinity and to the glory of the Father. His ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, neither His arm shortened that it cannot save. It is His royal right to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by Him.-The Desire of Ages, p. 751.
Wednesday
January 4
4. RESTORED AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS
a. What reality must each of us face? Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:10.
b. How has this caused prayers to be unanswered? Isaiah 59:1, 2.
c. What can the good news of salvation through Christ do for us? Ezekiel 16:3-6; Galatians 4:1-7.
d. What must be our focus in order to maintain victory? John 1:12-14; Romans 8:10-17.
e. How can the study of nature help to reinforce our connection with its Author? Psalm 19:1-3; Romans 1:20.
As divine truth is revealed in Holy Writ, so it is reflected, as from a mirror, in the face of nature; and through His creation we become acquainted with the Creator. And so the book of nature becomes a great lesson book, which instructors who are wise can use, in connection with the Scriptures, to guide lost sheep back to the fold of God. As the works of God are studied, the Holy Spirit flashes conviction into the mind. It is not the conviction which logical reasoning produces; but unless the mind has become too dark to know God, the eye too dim to see Him, the ear too dull to hear His voice, a deeper meaning is grasped, and the sublime, spiritual truths of the written word are impressed on the heart.-Special Testimonies on Education, p. 59.
f. How does the Sabbath serve as a connecting link to acquaint us more fully with our divine-human Saviour on a regular basis? 2 Corinthians 4:6.
The Sabbath calls our thoughts to nature, and brings us into communion with the Creator. In the song of the bird, the sighing of the trees, and the music of the sea, we still may hear His voice who talked with Adam in Eden in the cool of the day. And as we behold His power in nature we find comfort, for the word that created all things is that which speaks life to the soul.-The Desire of Ages, pp. 281, 282.
Thursday
January 5
5. THE CROSS POINTS TO HEAVEN WITH ARMS OUTSTRETCHED
a. What beautiful assurance does Christ give us, and how does He intend that we respond to it? John 15:14-17.
In the New Testament the world's Redeemer has specified what constitutes pure religion in our dealings with our fellowmen. Obeying the first four commandments with the whole soul causes us to render supreme love to God, and to become coworkers with God in carrying out the will of God toward our fellowmen. Keeping the first four commandments makes us one with Christ, who gave His life as a ransom to deliver all from the thralldom of sin, and to make us free men and women in Him. The value of man is to be estimated at the price paid for his redemption.
The last six precepts of the decalogue reveal the duty of man to his fellowmen; and those who render obedience to the first four commandments will also carry out the injunctions of the last six. We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves."-The Review and Herald, December 18, 1894.
b. In view of all that Christ has done for us (vertically pointing us to heaven), what should we keep in mind as we study this quarterly on how to relate to our fellow humans (depicted horizontally)? Jude 1:21; 1 Corinthians 16:14.
We can receive light only as we come to the cross and present ourselves at the altar of sacrifice. Here man's weakness is made manifest; here His strength is revealed. Here men see there is power in Christ to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.-Christian Education, p. 82.
Friday
January 6
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What has always been our Father's plan in creating us?
2. How does sin destroy relationships?
3. Why must Christ-"the Son of God"-also be revealed as "the Son of man"?
4. Once we are adopted into our Father's family, what makes us feel at home?
5. What is to be the inevitable result of a solid (vertical) relationship with God?