Steps to Christ -- Study Guide

Ellen G. White Estate

Copyright © 2021, Ellen G. White Estate, Inc.

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About the Author

Ellen G. White (1827-1915) is considered the most widely translated American author, her works having been published in more than 160 languages. She wrote more than 100,000 pages on a wide variety of spiritual and practical topics. Guided by the Holy Spirit, she exalted Jesus and pointed to the Scriptures as the basis of one’s faith.

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Introduction

Steps to Christ is one of the most spiritual, Christ-centered books written by Ellen G. White. The first copy was completed and made ready for publication in 1891 and was presented to a group of ministers and teachers at an educational convention. That it might be widely sold in bookstores, Fleming H. Revell, a popular publishing house, printed the first edition. Publishing rights were purchased by the church in 1892. Since that time Steps to Christ has been translated into more languages than any other book from Ellen White’s pen, a total of 120 (as of May 1985).

Its origin is somewhat different from The Great Controversy. It was not based on certain specific visions. Beginning in 1890, Ellen White prepared this new book, setting forth simply and clearly the steps to be taken by sinners in coming to Jesus. The book also met an appeal for smaller books that might be used by evangelists in reaching the people. During the first year, seven editions were printed.

We are sure that the author’s original purpose will be fulfilled once again as Steps to Christ is studied by a large sector of the church with the aid of a Study Guide. This will especially be an excellent opportunity to reach out to new members with this highly commended devotional book.

The Ellen G. White Estate

Silver Spring, MD.

Lesson One - Pages 9-36

“God’s Love for Man”

1. What two important sources testify of God’s love? What does each say to us? (9, 10)

2. Even though transgression of God’s law has brought woe and death, what might we learn from the curse? (9, 10)

3. How has Satan tried to misrepresent God to sinners? (10, 11)

4. When Jesus came to live among men, how did He represent God? (11)

5. Jesus’ work was to “preach the __________________ to the poor, heal the __________________, preach __________________ to the captives, recovering of __________________ to the blind, to set at __________________ them that are bruised.” (11)

6. Why did Jesus take man’s nature? (12)

7. Why do you think little children were attracted to Jesus? (12)

8. Describe how Jesus corrected or rebuked sin. (12)

9. For what reason did Jesus become a “Man of Sorrows”? (13)

10. What really broke the heart of the Son of God? (13)

11. How are God’s love for man and the sacrifice provided really connected? (13)

12. Why was Jesus the only possible sacrifice for sin? (14)

13. Beyond His sacrifice for sinners, how has Jesus connected Himself to the human race? (14)

14. What has Christ done for us beyond the pardon of sins? (15)

“The Sinner’s Need of Christ”

15. How has sin affected man’s mind? (17)

16. Describe the condition of the unrenewed heart. (17)

17. What would heaven be like to an unrepentant sinner? (17, 18)

18. Why are education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, not adequate to bring a person to holiness? (18)

19. True or False. To develop the good that exists in man by nature is all that is necessary to be saved. (18, 19)

20. Why is it not enough to know about God? Give Scripture support for your answer. (19)

21. What does the ladder in Jacob’s dream represent? (20)

Note also the New Testament application.

22. Make a list of the agencies enlisted in man’s behalf to save him. (21)

23. What means does God use to warn us against the service of Satan? (21, 22)

“Repentance”

24. Define repentance. (23)

25. What was wrong with the repentance of Esau and Judas? (23, 24)

26. When the heart is opened to God’s Spirit, how is the sinner affected? (24)

27. When David repented, what several things did he pray for? (25)

28. Which comes first--repentance or coming to Jesus? (26)

29. Finish the sentence--“We can no more repent ________________________________________________________.” (26)

30. Is it possible to become ashamed of sin without a knowledge of Christ? Be prepared to discuss your answer. (27)

31. What will happen to the sinner who does not resist the love of Christ? (27)

32. Thought question: Have I found in Christ the answer to my craving for something I do not have? If not, why not? (28)

33. What happens when the light from Christ shines into our souls? Discuss the experience of Daniel and Paul. (28, 29)

34. “God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man.” What does this mean? Prepare to discuss. (30, 31).

35. Why should we not wait to make ourselves better before coming to Christ? (31)

36. How would you answer the person who suggests that God is too good to destroy sinners? (31, 32)

37. What answer would you give to someone who says, “I am as good as professed Christians?” (32)

38. What are the dangers of procrastination in forsaking sin? (37, 38)

39. How will neglect or rejection of the grace of Christ affect the sinner? (33, 34)

40. What encouragement is offered to those who are tempted to despair regarding their sins? (35, 36)

Lesson Two - Pages 37-56

“Confession”

1. According to Proverbs 28:13, we must not only confess our sins, but we are to __________________ them. (37)

2. Why are pilgrimages and penances not useful for sinners? (37)

3. It is suggested we should confess sins to God and faults to one another. What does this mean? (37)

4. What is the first condition of acceptance with God? (37, 38)

5. Finish the following sentence: “The only reason why we do not have remission of sins that are past is __________________________________________________.” (38)

6. Confession: How should it be done? How should it not be done? (38)

7. Why should confession be specific, acknowledging particular sins? (38)

8. Discuss the example of Israel’s sin and why specific confession had to be made. (38, 39)

9. After confession of sin, what two additional steps must be taken? Discuss Scripture illustrations. (39)

10. Why is it necessary for the sinner to yield to the Holy Spirit in order to correct character defects? (40)

11. How did the sin of Adam and Eve affect their sense of responsibility for their actions? (40)

12. By contrast, what will true repentance lead the sinner to do? (40, 41) Discuss some Bible illustrations.

“Consecration”

13. Review the Scripture descriptions of our natural condition as sinners. (43)

14. What is the greatest battle to be fought? (43)

15. Summarize:
A. Satan’s representation of God’s government: (43)

B. God’s government as it really is:

16. Why does God not force our submission? (43, 44)

17. List some of the idols that might keep us from God. (44)

18. What kind of religion is suggested as “worth nothing”? (44)

19. Rather than asking how little we must give to God, what should be our aim? (45)

20. What answer can be given to those who think it is too great a sacrifice to yield all to Christ? (45)

21. What do we give up when we give “all”? (46)

22. Discuss the statement: “God does not require us to give up anything that it is for our best interest to retain.” (46)

23. Does God ask His children to save all joy and happiness for the future? How do you think the Christian can be at peace even in adversity? (46, 47)

24. How do you understand the exercise of the power of choice, or the will? (47)

25. What is the difference between desires for goodness and choosing to be a Christian? (47, 48)

“Faith and Acceptance”

26. How is the natural condition of the guilty sinner described? (49)

27. What are some of the ways we cannot have peace of soul? (49)

28. In what way only can peace be obtained? (49)

29. What steps should be taken after we have confessed sin? (49, 50)

30. Why should we believe that our sins are forgiven? (50) Illustrate from the ministry of Jesus.

31. Why was the paralytic able to walk? (50, 51) Make the application of this experience to your situation as a sinner.

32. How is it possible for us to stand before God’s law without shame or remorse? (51)

33. Why is it impossible for us to come to God on probation to prove ourselves? (52)

34. Why do thousands fail in their Christian experience? (52)

35. From what suspicion should we be free? Why? (52, 53)

36. How should the repentant sinner respond to Satan’s efforts to steal his assurances of acceptance by God? (53)

37. How does Jeremiah add to the lesson of our heavenly Father’s love as portrayed in the parable of the prodigal son? (54)

38. What comparison between God’s love and human love for a child does Isaiah give? (54)

39. As we draw near to God with __________________ and __________________, He will draw near to us with __________________ and __________________. (55)

Lesson Three - Pages 57-84

“The Test of Discipleship”

1. TRUE OR FALSE. In order to tell whether or not he is truly converted, a person should be able to trace the circumstances and time of his conversion. (57)

2. How may it be known that the Spirit of God is working in a person’s life? (57)

3. By what is the character not revealed? By what, then, is it revealed? (57, 58)

4. What things may produce only an outward correctness of deportment? (58)

5. What are the inner evidences that we are Christ’s? (58)

6. When we become new creatures in Christ, what happens to our priorities, tastes, and character? (58)

7. There is no genuine repentance unless there is _______________________________. (59)

8. What is the attitude of the true Christian toward duty or sacrifice? (59)

9. Make a list of seven results in the life when love is the principle of action. (59)

10. Against what two errors do new Christians need especially to guard against? (59, 60)

11. How do you think we can avoid either error? (59, 60)

12. What is the true sign of discipleship? (60)

13. How do you understand these statements: “We do not earn salvation by our obedience.” “Obedience is the fruit of faith.” (61)

14. How is presumption or false faith defined? (61)

15. What is the condition of eternal life? (62)

16. In your own words, summarize how “Christ has made a way of escape for us.” (62)

17. Contrast the “belief that is wholly distinct from faith” with belief that is combined with faith. (63)

18. The closer we come to Jesus, the more faulty we will appear. Rather than causing discouragement, of what is this an evidence? (64, 65)

19. What should a sense of our sinfulness drive us to do? (65)

20. Give two illustrations from nature used in the Bible to describe birth as children of God. (67)

21. How is Christian growth illustrated from nature? (67)

22. In what way does nature illustrate there should be no care or anxiety in Christian growth? (68)

23. How is a continued Christian growth assured? (69)

24. What should be the very first work of the day? (70)

25. How shall we “plan” each day? (70)

26. How do you understand the following statement: “A life in Christ is a life of restfulness”? (70)

27. “It is by __________________ Him, __________________ Him, __________________ wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His __________________.” (71)

28. What will be the experience of those who rest most fully upon Christ? (71)

29. To what subjects will Satan seek to divert our attention? (71)

30. How only may the tie of love between Christ and humanity be broken? (72)

31. John, the disciple, was not naturally loving. How did he become so? (73)

32. What lessons might we learn from the disciples’ experience after Jesus returned to heaven? (74, 75)

“The Work and the Life”

33. What lessons are to be learned from the ministry of angels? (77)

34. How will love to Jesus be manifested in our actions? (77, 78)

35. What was the “one great object” of Christ’s life on earth? (78)

36. What will be seen as the result of the grace of Christ in our lives? (78, 79)

37. How will the effort to bless others react on us? (79)

38. Why did God not permit the preaching of the gospel by angels? (79)

39. List some of the benefits to us of working for others. (80)

40. How only will we grow in grace? (80, 81)

41. What might we learn from Jesus’ early years as a carpenter? (81, 82)

42. What important lesson is suggested regarding use of talents in the parable? (82, 83)

Lesson Four - Pages 85-104

“A Knowledge of God”

1. In what four ways does God speak to us today? (85 and 87)

2. Why is nature one of the Saviour’s most effective ways of teaching us? (85)

3. Make a list of some of the most important lessons we can learn from nature. (85-87)

4. Why does the Christian have an advantage over the poet or the naturalist when studying nature? (87)

5. What special lessons are to be learned from a study of the Bible characters? (87, 88)

6. How can we “eat the flesh and drink the blood” of Christ? (88)

7. What will be the science and song of the redeemed throughout the ages? (88)

8. What will be the positive advantage of study of this subject even now? (89)

9. “The more our __________________ are upon Christ, the more we shall __________________ of Him to others and __________________ Him to the world?” (89)

10. What will be the positive result of our study and meditation on Scripture? (89, 90)

11. What suggestions are offered as to methods of study of the Scriptures? (90, 91)

12. What should precede Bible study? Why? (91)

13. What superhuman help is promised in our study of the Bible? (91)

14. Who is the only effectual teacher of divine truth? (91)

“The Privilege of Prayer”

15. Notice the repetition of four ways God speaks to us. (93)

16. Communion with God is two-way. What is our part? (93)

17. Finish the sentence: “Prayer is _________________________________________________________________.” (93)

18. What purposes are suggested for prayer? (93)

19. List several reasons Jesus prayed often while on earth. (93, 94)

20. What happens to those who neglect prayer? (94)

21. Prayer is called the __________________ in the hand of faith. Write out the complete sentence. (94, 95)

22. Four conditions of answered prayer are given. List them. (95-97)

23. How does God sometimes answer our prayers when we ask for something that would not be a blessing? (96)

24. How is presumption defined in connection with prayer? (96)

25. Under what circumstance only can we expect mercy and blessing from God when we pray? (97)

26. What do you think the Bible means when it says we are to be “instant in prayer”? See Romans 12:12. (97)

27. What kind of prayer is “the life of the soul”? (98) Why?

28. How did Enoch walk with God? (98, 99) What might we do to walk with God?

29. How might we live as in the atmosphere of heaven? (99)

30. If we keep close to God, what will happen when unexpected trials come? (99, 100)

31. Review the many things God welcomes us to bring to His attention in prayer. (100)

32. How close are the relations between God and each soul? (100)

33. What can take away the subject matter and incentive for prayer? (101)

34. When we neglect association with others in Christian fellowship, how does it affect our Christian experience? (101)

35. When we do associate in Christian fellowship, how is our Christian experience affected? (101, 102)

36. What would happen in our Christian experience if we thought and talked more of Christ? (102)

37. In addition to asking and receiving, what else should our prayers include? (103)

38. In what spirit should we work for the glory of God? (103)

39. What should be the theme of our most joyful emotion? (103, 104)

Lesson Five - Pages 105-126

“What to Do With Doubt”

1. What problem especially troubles those who are young in the Christian life? (105)

2. What three facts about God are established by reasonable testimony? (105)

3. Why do you think God has not removed the possibility of doubt? (105)

4. Finish the sentence: “Our faith must rest upon ______________________________________________________________.” (105)

What do you believe this means?

5. How much of God’s purposes can we understand? (106)

6. Rather than to doubt, what should the great mysteries of the Bible cause us to do? (106, 107)

7. Explain how Bible truth is adapted to all classes (107)

8. How should the believer react to the fact that there are mysteries in the Bible that cannot be understood? (108)

9. How do skeptics and infidels react to not being able to understand everything in the Bible? (108)

10. Why are there popular theories and doctrines that are supposed to come from the Bible, but do not? (108, 109)

11. Why is it that created beings will never have a full understanding of God and His works? (109)

12. How only can we understand God’s Word? (109)

13. Finish the sentence: “God desires man to exercise his _______________________________________________________.” (109)

14. How is it possible to read the Bible in a way that may cause injury? (110)

15. What is the real cause of doubt and skepticism in most cases? (111)

16. How only can we arrive at truth in the study of the Bible? (111)

17. In what way may we receive greater light and understanding? (111)

18. What place does experience have in building our confidence in God’s Word? (111)

19. When only may we be confident that we will have answers to all which has perplexed us? (113)

“Rejoicing in the Lord”

20. What is meant? “In every one of His children, Jesus sends a letter to the world.” (115)

21. How might we delight Satan? (116)

22. What false idea of the religious life does Satan try to present? (116)

23. Review the lessons of Ellen White’s dream of a garden with thorns and flowers. (116, 117)

24. Contrast the effects of reviewing past experiences that have been happy and those that have been disappointing. (117)

25. Consider the parallels drawn between a complaining child and our complaints about our heavenly Father. (118)

26. What double harm is done by talking about doubts? (119)

27. How may we unconsciously influence others for good or bad? (120)

28. Describe the life and character of Christ. (120)

29. Wherever Christ went, what did He carry with Him? (120)

30. Summarize how we should imitate Christ. (120, 121)

31. What will make it impossible for us to love others? (121) How may we learn to love others?

32. What do you think it means to “borrow trouble”? (121, 122)

33. Finish this sentence. “We should not allow the perplexities __________________________________________________________________.” (122)

34. What two suggestions are made for dealing with business difficulties? (122)

35. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, what lessons in trust in God were learned from the birds? (123)

36. In the same sermon, what lessons did Christ give from the lilies? (124)

37. What are the characteristics of happiness sought from selfish motives? (124)

38. How is the service of God contrasted? (124)

39. What are the “monumental pillars” we are urged to remember? (125)

40. What assurance do we have regarding trials? (125)

41. Review the happy rewards of heaven. (125, 126)