Bible Teaching the Objective
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faith, he is to teach the people the way of the Lord.—
Testimonies For
The Church 7:38
(1902).
In Some Places Bible Work Better Than Public Effort—I was
once shown a place in which a tent effort had been made. Great
preparations were made, and the expense entailed was large. Enough
was done to awaken the whole community, and in one sense it was
awakened; but it was to warn of the dangerous errors held by those
who were preaching the truth. An alarm was sounded, and falsehoods
were repeated again and again. The stay-away argument was urged
with much effect. The laborers were disappointed with their efforts,
for only a few came to hear, and very few decided to obey the truth.
I was shown this same place at another time. I saw two Bible
workers seated in a family. With the open Bibles before them, they
presented the Lord Jesus Christ as the sin-pardoning Saviour. Their
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words were spoken with freshness and power. Earnest prayer was
offered to God, and hearts were softened and subdued by the softening
influence of the Spirit of God. As the Word of God was explained,
I saw that a soft, radiant light illuminated the Scriptures, and I said
softly, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to
come in, that my house may be filled.”
These workers were not boastful but humble and contrite in heart,
realizing always that the Holy Spirit was their efficiency. Under its
divine influence, indifference was dispelled, and an earnest interest
was manifested. The precious light was communicated from neighbor
to neighbor. Family altars which had been broken down were again
erected, and many were converted to the truth.—
Letter 95, 1896
.
Explaining the Word—Right where you are, right where the peo-
ple are, let earnest effort be put forth. The Word of God has been, as
it were, hid under a bushel. That Word must be explained to those
who are now in ignorance of its requirements. Search the Scriptures
with those who are willing to be taught. The work may be small in its
beginning, but others will unite to carry it forward; and as in faith and
dependence on God earnest labor is put forth to enlighten and instruct
the people in the simple truths of the Word, those who listen will catch
the meaning of true discipleship.—
Letter 30, 1911
.